Integrated foot control valve actuator

#1. Field of Invention

#This invention relates to a braking system, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for simplifying pre-trip pneumatic brake system inspections.

#2. Description of Related Art

#The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, preferred embodiments of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a typical brake system.

#FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section through a conventional foot control valve.

#FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a dual brake valve arrangement that includes separate supply and delivery circuits for service or primary and secondary braking. A compressor 10 provides pressurized air through an air dryer 12 to a supply reservoir 14. First and second service reservoirs 16, 18 store a ready supply of pressurized air for the pneumatic braking system. Particularly, a dual brake valve 20 is associated with a foot pedal/treadle 22 to supply pressurized air to brake chambers 24 associated with the wheels (only two shown). As is well known in the art, separate supply and delivery circuits are provided for service and secondary braking. The primary circuit portion is mechanically operated through the action of the treadle/pedal and an associated plunger. The secondary circuit normally operates similarly to a relay valve with control air delivered from the primary circuit. If, however, the primary supply fails, a secondary inlet valve is mechanically opened by a push through mechanical force from the driver's foot via the treadle/pedal, plunger, and primary piston.

#A conventional foot control valve of this type is illustrated in FIG. 2. The structure and operation of such a valve is well known to those in the art so that only selected details will be described herein for purposes of brevity.

#The foot control valve 20 includes primary piston 32 and the primary inlet and exhaust valve assembly 34. In addition, a secondary, or relay, piston 36 is operatively associated with a secondary inlet and exhaust valve assembly 38 to selectively control the delivery and exhaust of pressurized air in the brake system. Again, details of such a conventional foot pedal and dual brake valve assembly are well known and are commercially available from the assignee of the subject application as an E-6 or E-8P brake valve.