Spring brake actuator with corrosion fuses
AssigneeNAI Anchorlok, Inc.
InventorWilliam C. Pierce
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spring break actuator (10) with a cast aluminum adapter (74) partially defining tandem spring brake and service brake portions has several corrosion fuses on the adapter. Each corrosion fuse is defined by a recessed or thinned area which does not compromise the structural integrity of the adapter.
Claims16
In a brake actuator of the type having a housing with a wall formed of a material subject to corrosion, a pressure chamber within the housing, and a movable member within the housing movable in response to changes in normal pressure within the pressure chamber for actuation and release of a brake, the improvement comprising:
- at least one corrosion fuse on the housing adjacent to the pressure chamber, said corrosion fuse comprising a portion of the wall wherein the wall is thinner than the surrounding area, and the thinner wall portion has a clearly defined area of a dimension insufficient to compromise the ability of the wall to support the housing so that any corrosion occurring on a surface of the wall is likely to result in penetration of the wall at the thinner wall portion before penetration of the surrounding areas of the wall.
In a brake actuator for a vehicle comprising:
- a service brake actuator and a spring brake actuator disposed in tandem and secured to each other by a metal adapter,
- said adapter having a wall adjacent to a chamber adapted to receive pressurized fluid for moving an actuator rod in one of the service and spring actuators, the improvement comprising:
- a corrosion fuse on the adapter defined by a portion of the wall wherein the wall is thinner than at the surrounding area, and the thinner wall portion has a clearly defined area of a dimension insufficient to compromise the ability of the wall to contain pressurized fluid within the chamber so that any corrosion occurring on a surface of the wall is likely to result in penetration of the wall at the thinner wall portion before penetration of the surrounding areas of the wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.