Various examples of a controller, method and system for monitoring a tractor-trailer vehicle train are disclosed. In one example a tractor controller is manually-initiated or a user-initiated tractor controller and includes an electrical control port for receiving an electrical sync signal and an electrical start signal, and a communications port for receiving data. A processing unit of the tractor controller includes control logic and is in communication with the electrical control port. The control logic is capable of receiving a data signal at the communications port which includes a time value and a unique identification which corresponds to the towed vehicle in response to the electrical start signal. At a predetermined response time, the tractor controller determines the position of the towed vehicle in the tractor-trailer vehicle train based on the data received from the towed vehicles.

A dual-control electro-pneumatic foot brake system and method are provided for use with a vehicle having multiple foot brake modules that communicate electronic signals to an electronic brake controller. As a backup feature in case there is a problem with the electron braking system, one of the foot brake modules provides pneumatic pressure to the other foot brake module, which supplies the provided pneumatic pressure to various components of the vehicle's braking system. Other alternatives are provided.

A method for the operation of a brake control system for a rail vehicle that includes a brake system that has at least partially one friction brake, includes determining at least one characteristic curve using at least one virtual and/or at least one actual reference braking journey of the rail vehicle, which characteristic curve sets at least one control variable for maintaining at least one performance variable in relation to one another, recording the characteristic curve in the brake control system; and using the characteristic curve functioning as a basis for controlling the brake system of the rail vehicle. Furthermore, a brake control system, a brake system, and a rail vehicle are provided.

A military vehicle includes a passenger capsule, a driver seat, a passenger seat, and a belly deflector. The passenger capsule includes a roof, a floor, and sidewalls that define an interior. The sidewalls include mounting interfaces positioned along bottom edges thereof and extending directly therefrom past the floor. The driver seat and the passenger seat are disposed within the interior of the passenger capsule. The belly deflector is positioned beneath the floor. The belly deflector has lateral ends that are coupled to the mounting interfaces such that the lateral ends of the belly deflector are engaged with the passenger capsule. The belly deflector is spaced from the floor such that the floor is configured as a floating floor. The floor and the belly deflector provide two levels of underbody protection.

A military vehicle includes a chassis, an axle, a suspension system, and a driveline. The chassis includes a passenger capsule, a front module coupled to a front end of the passenger capsule, and a rear module coupled to a rear end of the passenger capsule. The axle is supported by the rear module. The suspension system is positioned between the rear module and the axle. The suspension system includes a first gas spring, a second gas spring, a first damper, and a second damper. The first damper and the second damper are cross-plumbed to provide a fluid body roll control function. The driveline is configured to drive the axle. The driveline includes a component having a housing that functions as a structural component of the rear module. The first gas spring, the second gas spring, the first damper, and the second damper are directly coupled to the housing.

A pre-filling device for a braking system. The pre-filling device includes a pre-filling channel, a pre-filling pressure being inside the channel when the braking system is in a rest and hydro-boost position, and a mechanical valve configured to be opened following a transition from the rest and hydro-boost position to a working position of the braking system; and a hydraulic valve cooperating with the mechanical valve setting the pre-filling pressure inside the channel. The hydraulic valve includes in a first area, facing the mechanical valve, a hole communicating with the channel, and in a second area, hydraulically isolated from the first area, a preloaded resilient element in a chamber held at atmospheric pressure. The hydraulic valve is configured to be connected or not to be connected, by a reciprocating movement inside the channel, to a hydro-booster device and to keep a predetermined pre-filling pressure upon varying of the hydro-boost pressure.

A disc brake, an axle assembly having a disc brake, and a method of assembly. The disc brake may include a first friction element and a second friction element. The first and second friction elements may have an effective contact area with a brake rotor of at least 10,000 mm.sup.2.

A method for the operation of a brake control system for a rail vehicle that includes a brake system that has at least partially one friction brake, includes determining at least one characteristic curve using at least one virtual and/or at least one actual reference braking journey of the rail vehicle, which characteristic curve sets at least one control variable for maintaining at least one performance variable in relation to one another, recording the characteristic curve in the brake control system; and using the characteristic curve functioning as a basis for controlling the brake system of the rail vehicle. Furthermore, a brake control system, a brake system, and a rail vehicle are provided.

The disclosure relates to a brake release system including a parking brake having a brake chamber. The system includes a regular air supply passage, and an auxiliary air supply passage configured to supply pressurized air to the brake chamber for releasing the parking brake. A valve device is provided in the auxiliary air supply passage, the valve device including an exhaust port. A pressure-responsive element is configured to actuate the valve device and configured to be in fluid communication with the regular air supply passage, such that when pressurized air is supplied through the regular air supply passage then the air activates the pressure-responsive element so as to actuate the valve device to move to a closed first state, and when no pressurized air is supplied through the regular air supply passage then the pressure-responsive element is deactivated to allow the valve device to move to an open second state.

The disclosure relates to a brake release system including a parking brake having a brake chamber. The system includes a regular air supply passage, and an auxiliary air supply passage configured to supply pressurized air to the brake chamber for releasing the parking brake. A valve device is provided in the auxiliary air supply passage, the valve device including an exhaust port. A pressure-responsive element is configured to actuate the valve device and configured to be in fluid communication with the regular air supply passage, such that when pressurized air is supplied through the regular air supply passage then the air activates the pressure-responsive element so as to actuate the valve device to move to a closed first state, and when no pressurized air is supplied through the regular air supply passage then the pressure-responsive element is deactivated to allow the valve device to move to an open second state.