The invention relates to a hydrodynamic retarder comprisinga rotor (1) and a stator (2) which form a working chamber (3) with each other;a first working medium connection (6);a second working medium connection (7); anda working medium container (4) that has an outlet (10), which is connected to the first working medium connection via a line, and an inlet (11), which is connected to the second working medium connection via a line; whereinthe working medium container is made of two housing parts (8, 9), which are joined together along a parting line (12). According to the invention:the two housing parts together enclose the working medium storage volume;one of the two housing parts simultaneously forms a part of a retarder housing (14) which supports or forms the stator and partly forms all or some of the working medium-conducting connections between the working medium storage volume and the working chamber; anda separating plate (13) is inserted between, the two housing parts, said separating plate together with one or both of the housing parts forming cavities for the working medium-conducting connections and/or the working medium storage volume.

A magnetorheological fluid brake and a control method therefor. When braking is not required, the brake does not work, and no field coils are energized. When braking is required and the brake receives a retarding braking signal, a field coil module is energized, the current is gradually increased, an oil port is gradually closed, and a back pressure inside the brake is also gradually increased, thereby gradually increasing a braking force so as to achieve a braking effect. By using the characteristics of a pump and the characteristics of a valve for the magnetorheological fluid, the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid is adjusted, such that a back pressure is generated in a pump body, which in turn imposes a braking torque on a shaft, thereby performing braking.

A rotational speed control device includes a housing containing a viscous fluid, a shaft disposed in the housing and rotatable relative to the housing, a hub assembly secured to the shaft for rotation with the shaft, and a rotor coupled with the shaft by a frictional engagement with the hub assembly. A spring is disposed in the housing and acts on the rotor to bias the rotor axially on the shaft in a low torque direction. A braking torque between the rotor and the housing is varied according to an axial position of the rotor on the shaft.

A rotational speed control device includes a housing containing a viscous fluid, a shaft disposed in the housing and rotatable relative to the housing, a hub assembly secured to the shaft for rotation with the shaft, and a rotor coupled with the shaft by a frictional engagement with the hub assembly. A spring is disposed in the housing and acts on the rotor to bias the rotor axially on the shaft in a low torque direction. A braking torque between the rotor and the housing is varied according to an axial position of the rotor on the shaft.

A rollover predictor judgment device for a combination vehicle includes a lateral acceleration sensor, a yaw rate sensor, an articulate angle sensor, and a judgment device in a form of a retarder controller. The judgment device judges that the combination vehicle is in a rollover predictor status when a first lateral acceleration calculated based on a detection value of the lateral acceleration sensor is a first threshold or more or when a second lateral acceleration calculated based on a detection value of the yaw rate sensor and a detection value of the articulate angle sensor is a second threshold or more.

A rollover predictor judgment device (30) for a combination vehicle (1) includes a lateral acceleration sensor (26), a yaw rate sensor (27), an articulate angle sensor (23), and a judgment device in a form of a retarder controller (32). The judgment device judges that the combination vehicle is in a rollover predictor status when a first lateral acceleration calculated based on a detection value of the lateral acceleration sensor (26) is a first threshold or more or when a second lateral acceleration calculated based on a detection value of the yaw rate sensor (27) and a detection value of the articulate angle sensor (23) is a second threshold or more.

A resetting semi-passive stiffness damper (RSPSD) for use in damping movement. Embodiments of such a RSPSD include, for example, a pistoned cylinder connected to a grooved rack, and a spring-loaded lever arranged between the rack and a slotted channel above the rack. One end of the lever is allowed to move pivotably and vertically within the channel as the other end moves with the rack. A sensor is provided and communicates with a bypass valve on the cylinder. A change in the direction of movement of the rack forces the lever further into the slotted channel where it eventually triggers the sensor, which then sends a signal to open the bypass valve. As the rack continues to move, the lever eventually reverses direction, and is forced back down the slotted channel by a return spring. Upon leaving the sensing range of the sensor, the valve is signaled to close.

A rotational speed control device maintains a shaft rotation speed. The device includes a housing containing a viscous fluid and a shaft disposed in the housing and rotatable relative to the housing. A rotor is coupled with the shaft for rotation in the viscous fluid. In one arrangement, the rotor is axially displaceable along the shaft between a low-shear position and a high-shear position. A spring mechanism is disposed in the housing and biases the rotor toward the low-shear position. In another arrangement, the rotor may be designed to cooperate with the housing or other nonrotating features within the housing to vary a shear gap according to radially expanding components of the rotor. The rotor, housing and spring mechanism can be designed to cooperate to create large changes in braking torque in response to small changes in shaft rotational speed. This allows the rotation speed to be controlled within a relatively narrow range.

A machine includes: an axle having wheels mounted to it; a brake system configured to provide service braking to the wheels; a brake pedal operatively connected to the brake system to provide a braking power to the wheels in proportion to the position of the brake pedal; a pedal sensor operatively connected to the brake pedal to sense the position of the brake pedal; a retarder system configured to selectively slow the wheels down; a speed sensor operatively connected to the machine to detect a speed associated with the machine; a controller operatively connected to the speed sensor, brake pedal position sensor, and retarder system wherein the controller is configured to operate the retarder system based on signals received from the speed sensor and brake pedal position sensor. A method for providing an indication to an operator may also be included.

In one aspect, a sprinkler is provided having a nozzle, a deflector that receives fluid flow from the nozzle, and a friction brake assembly that controls rotation of a deflector. The friction brake assembly is releasably connected to the frame in order to enhance serviceability of the sprinkler. In another aspect, a sprinkler is provided having a frame, a deflector rotatably connected to the frame, a nozzle, and a nozzle socket of the frame. The nozzle and nozzle socket have interlocking portions that releasably connect the nozzle to the frame. The nozzle may be easily removed for servicing. Further, the nozzle socket can be configured to receive a plurality of nozzles having different flow characteristics. A nozzle can be selected and utilized with the sprinkler according to the desired application for the sprinkler.