Spring brake actuator with indicator for fully released condition
AssigneeIndian Head Industries, Inc.
InventorsRonald S. Plantan, Emmett S. Davis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A unique indicator system is incorporated into a release tool for a spring brake actuator. The indicator provides an indication of when the release tool has is fully released. The release tool is preferably of the type wherein a threaded member does not extend outwardly of the actuator during caging of the power spring. The inventive indicator is biased outwardly of the actuator when the release bolt has even partially caged the power spring. It is only when release bolt is fully released that the indicator is pulled inwardly. Thus, an observer has a visual indication of when the power spring caging mechanism has been fully released.
Claims20
A spring brake actuator comprising:
- a central housing defining an aperture for passage of a pushrod;
- said pushrod selectively extending through said central aperture;
- an outer housing connected to said central housing to define an emergency chamber;
- an actuator member moving with said pushrod;
- a power spring selectively moving said actuator member and said pushrod outwardly of said central aperture;
- a release tool for selectively caging said power spring and preventing movement of said power spring to move said pushrod through said aperture, said release tool being moveable between fully caged and fully released positions;
- and
- an indicator movable separately from said push rod for providing an indication of when said release tool is fully released.
A spring brake actuator comprising:
- a central housing defining an aperture for passage of a pushrod;
- a pushrod selectively extending through said aperture;
- an outer housing connected to said central housing to define an emergency chamber;
- an actuator member moving with said pushrod;
- a power spring selectively moving said actuator member and said pushrod outwardly of said aperture;
- a release tool including a threaded member positioned outwardly of said outer housing, said threaded member being rotatable in a first direction to move a caging member axially within said outer housing to capture said actuator member and said power spring, said threaded member not moving axially outwardly of said outer housing as said caging member captures said actuator member and said power spring, and said threaded member being rotatable in a reverse direction to cause said caging member to move to release said actuator member and said power spring;
- and
- an indicator movable separate from said push rod providing an indication of when said caging member has been fully released.
A spring brake actuator comprising:
- a central housing defining an aperture for passage of a pushrod;
- a pushrod selectively extending through said aperture;
- an outer housing connected to said central housing to define an emergency chamber;
- an actuator member moving with said pushrod;
- a power spring selectively moving said actuator member and said pushrod outwardly of said aperture;
- a release tool including an outer threaded member to be rotated to cage said power spring, said outer threaded member rotating an externally threaded portion, and a nut threaded on said externally threaded portion and being constrained against rotation such that upon rotation of said externally threaded member, said nut moves axially within said spring brake actuator, said nut being moveable between a fully released and a fully caged position, said nut contacting a surface of said actuator member to cage said power spring, and said nut being moveable away from said surface of said actuator member to release said power spring;
- and
- an indicator movable separate from said push rod providing an indication of when said caging member has been fully released.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.