Enclosed wet spring activated hydraulically released (SAHR) adjustable emergency brake system combined with a service brake

Abstract

A wet enclosed braking system including: a) a spring-activated hydraulically released (SAHR) brake system; b) a housing enclosing the SAHR brake system; c) a first hydraulic source feed in communication with the SAHR brake system; the SAHR brake system further including: at least one SAHR actuator connected to the housing enclosing the SAHR brake system, wherein the housing enclosing the SAHR brake system includes an aperture for receiving the at least one SAHR actuator, each of the at least one SAHR actuator enclosing a spring in communication with a SAHR piston for activating the SAHR brake system; the at least one SAHR actuator comprising a SAHR actuator body and a SAHR actuator cap being adjustable in relation to the SAHR actuator body, adjusting the relative position of the SAHR piston in relation to the SAHR actuator body.

Description

TITLEENCLOSED WET SPRING ACTIVATED HYDRAULICALLY RELEASED (SAHR) ADJUSTABLE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM COMBINED WITH A SERVICE BRAKEFIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] This disclosure relates to improvements to an enclosed SAHR adjustable emergency brake system in combination with a service brake.BACKGROUND

[0002] Wet enclosed brake systems are useful in vehicles used in conditions typical in the mining industry and the like. Some wet enclosed brake systems which include emergency brake systems and a service brake system, are disengaged / engaged respectively by a common hydraulic feed. Should the common hydraulic feed fail, both brake systems are inoperable. SAHR emergency brakes are spring activated to engage the emergency brakes and hydraulically released to disengage the emergency brakes. In one existing SAHR system, a single SAHR cover encloses multiple SAHR actuators not allowing for i) adjustability of each SAHR actuator without impacting the other SAHR actuators and resulting in possible hydraulic fluid run-off during maintenance and ii) independent use of each of the SAHR actuators. Further, one existing SAHR system includes a single hydraulic fluid feed line to feed all SAHR actuators covered by a single SAHR cover. Also, due to the high pressure in the SAHR system, should the single SAHR cover of the existing SAHR system become compromised (i.e. pop and / or buckle due to the hydraulic pressures), all the SAHR actuators will be impacted. Further, the single SAHR cover of the existing SAHR system does not facilitate adjustability and / or replacement and / or adding / removing springs of each individual SAHR actuator without exposing the remaining SAHR actuators to the environment and causing the SAHR brake system to remain inoperable until the maintenance and / or replacement is completed. When a brake pad wears down over time, an emergency brake system may not accommodate this wear. Depending on the conditions, an emergency brake system may not be adjustable to accommodate various braking needs and wear of components of the braking system, including but not limited to brake pads and the like. Many brake systems do not facilitate ease of installation and maintenance thereof. Further, many brake systems do not facilitate continued use of the brake system should one of the emergency brake components fail. There is a need for an enclosed wet SAHR emergency brake system adjustable to accommodate various emergency brake needs and wear of components of the braking system, including, but not limited to brake pads, by allowing for adjustability of spring tension should greater or lesser spring tension is required (i.e. for different applications and vehicles, sharp braking or gradual stop) aswell as allowing for location of the SAHR actuator in relation to a brake pad. There is a need for a SAHR emergency brake system with a plurality of independently operational individually-adjustable SAHR actuators. There is a need for an enclosed wet braking system with an emergency brake and a service brake, wherein the emergency brake is actuated by an independent hydraulic system and the service brake is actuated by a separate independent hydraulic system. There is a need for an enclosed wet braking system comprising an emergency brake system wherein said emergency brake system is functional should one of the emergency brake components fail.SUMMARY

[0003] According to one aspect, there is provided a wet enclosed braking system, in one alternative for a vehicle, said wet enclosed braking system comprising: a. a spring-activated hydraulically-released (SAHR) brake system, in one alternative a SAHR emergency brake system; b. in one alternative, a disc service brake system; c. a housing enclosing the SAHR brake system; d. in one alternative, a housing enclosing the disc service brake system; e. a first hydraulic fluid source feed in communication with said SAHR brake system; f. in one alternative, a second hydraulic fluid source feed in communication with said disc service brake system; said SAHR brake system further comprising: at least one SAHR actuator connected to said housing enclosing the SAHR brake system, in one alternative, said housing enclosing the SAHR brake system comprises an SAHR actuator aperture for receiving said at least one SAHR actuator, each of said at least one SAHR actuator comprising a SAHR actuator body, a SAHR actuator cap and hydraulic fluid inlet, said SAHR actuator enclosing a biasing means, in one alternative a spring, in another alternative at least one disc spring, in communication with a SAHR piston for actuating / activating said SAHR brake system;, said SAHR actuator cap being adjustable in relation to said SAHR actuator body, adjusting the relative position of said SAHR piston in relation to said SAHR actuator body.

[0004] In one alternative, said SAHR actuator cap and said SAHR actuator body encloses said biasing means, in one alternative a spring, in another alternative at least one disc spring.

[0005] In one alternative, said wet enclosed braking system comprises a housing enclosing the SAHR brake system and the disc service brake system.

[0006] According to one alternative, said SAHR brake system comprises a plurality of independently operational individually-adjustable SAHR actuators and said housingenclosing the SAHR brake system comprises a plurality of SAHR actuator apertures for receiving each of said plurality of independently operational individually-adjustable SAHR actuators.

[0007] According to one alternative, each of said plurality of independently operational individually-adjustable SAHR actuators is fed hydraulic fluid by said first hydraulic fluid source feed.

[0008] According to one alternative, said SAHR actuator cap is adjustable via a helical communication with said SAHR actuator body from a first position to a second position moving said SAHR piston from a first position to a second position, in one alternative, in relation to said SAHR actuator body, and in another alternative, in relation to a brake pad of said wet enclosed braking system.

[0009] According to one alternative, said SAHR actuator cap is adjustable via a helical communication with said SAHR actuator body from a first position to a plurality of other positions.

[0010] According to one alternative, each of said plurality of independently operational individually-adjustable SAHR actuators is detachable from said housing enclosing the SAHR emergency brake system.

[0011] According to one alternative, said SAHR brake system further comprises at least one SAHR actuator plug plate to be received in said aperture for receiving said at least one SAHR actuator when said at least one SAHR actuator is not connected to said housing enclosing said SAHR brake system.

[0012] According to one alternative, said SAHR brake system further comprises at least one SAHR actuator plug plate to be received in said aperture for receiving said at least one of said independently operational individually-adjustable SAHR actuators when said at least one of said independently operational individually-adjustable SAHR actuator is not connected to said housing enclosing said SAHR brake system, such that the remaining independently operational individually-adjustable SAHR actuators allow the SAHR brake system to function.

[0013] According to yet another alternative, said housing enclosing the SAHR emergency brake system accommodates up to 4 independently operational individually- adjustable SAHR actuators.

[0014] According to one aspect, the present SAHR braking system described herein allows for maintenance and repair of said SAHR braking system should one component fail.

[0015] According to yet another aspect, the present SAHR braking system described herein comprises at least two independently operational individually-adjustable SAHR actuators.

[0016] According to yet another alternative, there is provided a method of braking comprising the use of the braking system described herein, said method comprising engaging said SAHR brake system when required, disengaging said SAHR brake system when not required, engaging said service brake system when required, and disengaging said service brake system when not required.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a braking system, according to one alternative.

[0018] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the braking system of Figure 1 with the hydraulic fees, according to one alternative.

[0019] Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of a SAHR actuator, according to one alternative.

[0020] Figures 4a, 4b and 4c are cross-sectional views of the SAHR actuator of Figure 3, in various adjusted positions, according to one alternative.

[0021] Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the SAHR emergency brake system when the emergency brake is spring activated and engaged, according to one alternative.

[0022] Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the SAHR emergency brake system when the emergency brake is hydraulically released and disengaged, according to one alternative.

[0023] Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of the service brake system when the service brake is engaged, according to one alternative.

[0024] Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of the service brake system when the service brake is disengaged, according to one alternative.

[0025] Figure 9 is an exploded view of the braking system, according to one alternative.

[0026] Figure 10 is an exploded view of the SAHR actuator, according to one alternative.

[0027] Figure 11 is a process block diagram of the process to engage the service brake system and the emergency brake system, according to one alternative.

[0028] Figures 12a and 12b are a schematic depiction of the hydraulic power pack and setup for the SAHR emergency brake system brakes on and brakes off, respectively.

[0029] Figures 13a and 13b are a schematic depiction of the hydraulic setup for the service brake system brakes on and brakes off, respectively.

[0030] Figures 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d depict four SAHR actuators on the housing, three SAHR actuators and one SAHR plug plate (blank plate) on the housing when one SAHR actuator is being repaired and / or not needed, two SAHR actuators and two SAHR plug plates on the housing when two SAHR actuators are being repaired and / or not needed, and one SAHR actuator and three SAHR plug plates on the housing when three SAHR actuators are being repaired and / or not needed, respectively.

[0031] Figures 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d depict various spring stack arrangements in the SAHR actuator.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following is a list of elements herein: i. 100 wet enclosed braking system ii. 110 front coverHi. 120 rear cover iv. 130 front and rear cover bolts v. 140 front and rear cover bolt apertures vi. 158 emergency brake fluid inlet port vii. 160 emergency brake fluid outlet port viii. 200 SAHR emergency brake system ix. 210 SAHR actuator x. 220 SAHR actuator cap xi. 222 SAHR actuator cap outer threaded portion xii. 224 adjusting tool receiver portion xiii. 230 SAHR actuator body xiv. 232 SAHR actuator body inner threaded portion xv. 240 SAHR piston xvi. 242 SAHR actuator cap stem xvii. 243 SAHR piston end distant the SAHR piston head xviii. 244 SAHR piston head xix. 245 SAHR enclosed space xx. 246 SAHR piston head first O-ring xxi. 247 inside SAHR piston surface xxii. 248 SAHR piston second O-ring xxiii. 249 inside SAHR actuator body surface xxiv. 250 SAHR biasing means xxv. 251 SAHR piston stem O-ring xxvi. 252 SAHR piston stem optional O-ring xxvii. 254 SAHR actuator bolts xxviii. 256 SAHR actuator plug plate xxix. 300 axle xxx. 402 SAHR emergency brake activation switch xxxi. 404 SAHR Power Pack xxxii. 406 SAHR emergency brake application xxxiii. 410 brake padsxxxiv. 420 rotor xxxv. 430 SAHR emergency brake gap between brake pads and rotor xxxvi. 500 service brake system xxxvii. 511 service brake piston space xxxviii. 512 service brake activation switch / service brake pedal xxxix. 514 master cylinder xl. 516 brake booster xli. 518 service brake application xlii. 520 service brake gap xliii. 530 service brake piston xliv. 540 service brake pressure side O-ring xlv. 550 service brake coolant fluid O-ring xlvi. 560 rear cover outer O-ring xlvii. 570 front cover inner O-ring xlviii. 580 rear cover inner O-ring xlix. 582 brake hub I. 583 wheel bolts li. 584 outer wheel bearing Hi. 586 inner wheel bearing liii. 588 brake hub seal liv. 590 brake hub bolts.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 1 , there is depicted a perspective view of the wet enclosed braking system 100 on each end of a vehicle axle 300. The braking system comprises an SAHR emergency brake system 200 and a service brake system 500 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) contained withing an enclosed housing formed by a front cover 110 and a rear cover 120. Referring now to FIG. 3, the SAHR emergency brake system further comprises a SAHR actuator 210 in communication with the rear cover 120 (see FIG. 1), wherein the SAHR actuator 210 comprises a SAHR actuator cap 220 a SAHR actuator body 230 and a SAHR piston 240. SAHR biasing means 250, in this alternative a plurality of stacked disc springs is situated around SAHR cap stem 242 with one end of the SAHR springs 250 in communication with the SAHR actuator cap 220 and the other end of the SAHR springs 250 in communication with SAHR piston head 244 of SAHR piston 240. The plurality of disc springs 250 may be for example, but not limited to Belleville disc springs or Belleville washers. The number of disc springs to be used will depend on the need of the user, for example a vehicle weighing 10,500 lbs. will required 72 disc springs (8 SAHR actuators and 9 springs per SAHR actuator) rated at 14463.057 N to accommodate emergency braking requirements. SAHR actuator cap 220 is engaged with the SAHR actuator body 230 by a threaded communication allowing foradjustability of position of the SAHR actuator cap 220 in relation to the SAHR actuator body 230. In this alternative, the SAHR actuator cap 220 includes an outer threaded portion 222 which is complementary to and engages with a complementary inner threaded portion 232 of the SAHR actuator body 230. SAHR actuator cap 220 includes an adjusting tool receiver portion 224 to receive an adjusting tool to move the SAHR actuator cap 220 from a first position to a second position. In this alternative, the adjusting tool receiver portion 224 is an internal hexagonal recess. Other alternatives include, but are not limited to and external square extension. SAHR actuator 210 includes, in this alternative, a first O-ring 246 around the outside diameter of the SAHR piston head 244 and a second O-ring 248 around the outside diameter of the SAHR piston 240. Referring to Figures 4a, 4b and 4c, there is shown the adjustability of the SAHR actuator cap 220 and SAHR piston 240 position in relation to the SAHR actuator body 230. Figure 4a depicts a first position wherein the SAHR piston 240 is positioned flush with the far end of the SAHR actuator body 230. Figure 4b depicts a second position wherein the SAHR piston 240 extends beyond the far end of the SAHR actuator body 230 and Figure 4c depicts a third position wherein the SAHR piston 240 is positioned even farther from the far end of the SAHR actuator body. Figure 4a translates to the SAHR piston 240 being the farthest distance from a surface of the brake pads (not shown) and Figure 4c being the closest distance to a surface of the brake pads (not shown). The adjustability of the position of the SAHR piston 240 serves not only to accommodate wearing of the brake pads of a vehicle, but also to accommodate more or less SAHR springs 250 contained within the SAHR actuator 210 depending on the desired configuration of the user of the system, for example, but not limited to, controlling and / or limiting skid of a vehicle and maintaining a controlled stop of a vehicle, and controlling stop of a vehicle in a safe manner dependent on, for example, but not limited to, vehicle weight, vehicle load and / or environment of vehicle use, improving safety and accommodating brake pad wear.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 5, to activate the SAHR emergency brake system 200, the SAHR piston end 243 distant the SAHR piston head 244 when activated, in one alternative, by an SAHR emergency brake activation switch 402 (See FIG. 11) releases (decreases) any (the) hydraulic fluid pressure in the enclosed space 245 formed by the inside SAHR piston surface 247 and the inside SAHR actuator body surface 249 allowing the SAHR springs 250 to move to a uncompressed condition moving the SAHR piston 240 towards one of the brake pads 410 and making contact with the surface of one of the brake pads 410 urging the brake pads 410 to contact the surface of the rotor 420 resulting in the SAHR emergency braking system 200 to be activated and engaged. Referring now to FIG. 6, to disengage the SAHR emergency brake system 200, the SAHR emergency brake activation switch 402 is moved to the deactivation position andmore hydraulic fluid is introduced into the enclosed space 245 formed by the inside SAHR piston surface 247 and the inside SAHR actuator body surface 249 of the SAHR actuator increasing the pressure therein moving the SAHR piston 240 towards the SAHR actuator cap and compressing the SAHR springs 250 resulting in disengaging the SAHR piston end distant the SAHR piston head 244 from a surface of one of the brake pads 410 and creating a SAHR emergency brake gap 430 between the brake pads 410 and the surface of the rotor 420 disengaging the SAHR emergency brake allowing for free rotation of the rotor 420.

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is depicted the service brake system 500 when the service brakes are engaged (FIG. 7) and disengaged (FIG. 8). Referring now to FIG. 7, the service brake system 500 is activated by a service brake activation switch 510 (See FIG. 11) increases hydraulic fluid pressure in an enclosed service brake piston space 511 urging the service brake piston 530 towards the brake pads 410 reducing the service brake gap 520 between the surface of the brake pads 410 and rotor 420 and allowing the brake pads 410 to be urged against the surface of the rotor 420 resulting in the service braking system 500 to be activated and engaged. Referring now to FIG. 8, to disengage the service brake system 500, the service brake activation switch 510 is moved to the deactivation position and hydraulic fluid pressure is decreased in the enclosed service brake piston space 511 causing the service brake piston 530 to move away from the brake pads 410 therein creating a service brake gap 520 between the brake pads 410 and the surface of the rotor 420 disengaging the service brake system 500 allowing for free rotation of the rotor 420. Typical pressures for activating the service brake system include from 1 pound per square inch (PSI). Typical pressures for deactivating the service brake system include anything below 1 PSI to zero pressure.

[0036] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is provided an exploded view of the service brake system 500 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) and the housing of the wet enclosed braking system 100 according to one alternative. The wet enclosed braking system 100 includes a housing formed by a front cover 110 and a rear cover 120 enclosing the rotor 420 brake pads 410 the service brake system 500 and the SAHR emergency brake system 200 (See FIG. 10). The service brake system 500 includes a pair of service brake pistons 530 and a service brake pressure side O-ring 540 and a service brake coolant fluid O-ring 550 around each service brake piston 530. The role of the service brake pressure side O- ring 540 is to ensure the hydraulic fluid does not bleed into the service brake coolant fluid side of the service brake system 500. The role of the service brake coolant fluid O-ring 550 is to ensure the coolant fluid does not bleed into the service brake hydraulic fluid side of the service brake system 500. Typical specifications for the service brake pressure side O-ring 550 include Buna N (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber) (material). Typical specifications for the service brake coolant fluid O-ring 540 include Viton™(fluoropolymer elastomer) (material). O-rings and seals are provided to ensure a robust seal of the wet enclosed braking system 100 and the housing front cover 110 and rear cover 120 as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art relating to wet enclosed braking systems such as front and rear cover outer O-ring 560, front cover inner O-ring 570 and rear cover inner O-ring 580 for containing any fluid and pressure enclosed between the front cover 110 and rear cover 120. Typical specifications of the front and rear cover outer O-ring 560 include Viton™ (fluoropolymer elastomer) (material), Dash 280 (size), front cover inner O-ring 570 include Duratemp® Buna N (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber) (material), Svenska Kullager Fabriken 48002 (size) and rear cover inner O-ring 580 include Buna N (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber), (material) 95 VA R (size). The wet enclosed brake system 100 includes standard components allowing for connection to an axle and rotation of the rotor 420 as understood by a person o ordinary skill, such as a brake hub 582, outer wheel bearing 584 and inner wheel bearing 586 to allow rotation of rotor 420 and brake hub seal 588 to keep fluids proximate the brake hub 582 within the wet enclosed brake system 100. Brake hub 582 may be secured to a wheel of a vehicle by any means as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art, including but not limited to a plurality of wheel bolts 583 and brake hub bolts 590. Front cover 110 and rear cover 120 may be secured to each other by any means as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art, including but not limited to a plurality of bolts 130 to be received in cover apertures 140 found proximate the perimeter of both front cover 110 and rear cover 120 with adequate specifications as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art such as a vehicle technician. The wet enclosed brake system 100 may further include at least one coolant fluid inlet port and at least one coolant fluid outlet / air bleed port (not shown), at least one service brake fluid inlet port (not shown)and at least one service brake fluid outlet / air bleed port (not shown), at least one emergency brake hydraulic fluid inlet 158 port and at least one emergency fluid outlet / air bleed port 160 (see FIG. 10), as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 10 there is provided an exploded view of the SAHR actuator 210 according to one alternative. Depicted is the SAHR actuator cap 220 with the outer threaded portion 222 the SAHR actuator body 230 SAHR actuator biasing means, in this alternative a plurality of stacked Belleville® disc springs 250, SAHR piston 240, O-rings 246 and 248, SAHR piston stem O-rings 251 and 252, hydraulic line feed connector for emergency brake hydraulic fluid inlet port 158, emergency fluid outlet / air bleed connector for the emergency fluid outlet / air bleed port 160. Also depicted are a plurality of SAHR actuator bolts 254 for securing the SAHR actuator 210 to the apertures on front cover 110.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 11 , there is provided the steps involved in actuating the service braking system and the SAHR emergency brake system. For the service braking system, the user engages the service brake pedal 512 which is in communication with the master cylinder 514 engaging the brake booster 516 wherein the service brake pedal 512, master cylinder 514 and brake booster 516 together form the brake booster system (components 401 , 403 and 405 forming the brake booster system 519) thereby increasing the hydraulic fluid pressure of the service brake system 500 through hydraulic feed lines 502 (see FIG. 2) engaging the service brake application 518. Disengagement of the service brake pedal 512 would disengage the service braking system 500. For the SAHR emergency brake system 200, in one alternative, the user engages the SAHR emergency brake activation switch 402 which triggers the power pack 404 which controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to the SAHR emergency brake system 200 through SAHR hydraulic feed lines 102 and reduces the hydraulic pressure of the SAHR emergency brake causing the SAHR spring to relax and activate the SAHR emergency brake. In another instance, if there is a failure of a component or a system of the vehicle, resulting in loss of hydraulic pressure in the SAHR system, the SAHR brakes will be engaged. One example may be when a hydraulic feed line such as 102 or 502 is damaged or compromised, resulting in pressure loss. In another example, an electrical feed / component controlling hydraulic pressure is damaged or compromised, resulting in a potential safety hazard, the SAHR brakes will be engaged. In another example, if the door of the vehicle is not secured and closed and / or if the driver and / or passenger has not engaged the safety seat belt, the SAHR brakes will not disengage. In another example, if there is loss of electrical power to the vehicle, resulting in hydraulic pressure drop, the SAHR brakes will engage. Disengagement of the SAHR emergency brake activation switch 402 increases the hydraulic fluid pressure in the SAHR actuator 210 causing the SAHR spring to compress and deactivate the SAHR emergency brake.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 12a a schematic is provided showing the SAHR actuators on each wheel end of an axle, (the left set of SAHR actuators being at one wheel end of an axle and the right set of SAHR actuators being at the other wheel end of an axle) when the SAHR activation switch is set to engage the SAHR brake system, a SAHR solenoid 212 is moved to reduce the hydraulic pressure in the SAHR actuators resulting in the Belleville® disc springs 250 to a non-compressed / relaxed state urging the SAHR pistons 240 against the brake pads (not shown), the SAHR emergency brake is activated / engaged. Referring now to FIG. 12b a schematic is provided of FIG. 12a showing when the SAHR activation switch is set to disengage the SAHR brake system, a SAHR solenoid 212 is moved to increase the hydraulic pressure in the SAHR actuators resulting in the Belleville® disc springs 250 to a compressed state urging the SAHRpistons 240 away from the brake pads (not shown), the SAHR emergency brake is de- activated / dis-engaged.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 13a, a service brake pedal 512 is depressed causing the service brake pedal master cylinder 514 to increase the hydraulic pressure in the service brake system resulting in the service brake pistons 530 moving towards and against the brake pads (not shown), the service brake is activated / engaged. In this alternative, service brake pistons #2 and #4 are at one axle end and service brake pistons #1 and #3 are at another axle end. Referring now to FIG. 13b, a service brake pedal 512 is disengaged causing the service brake pedal master cylinder 514 to decrease the hydraulic pressure in the service brake system resulting in the service brake pistons 530 moving away from the brake pads (not shown), the service brake is de-activated / dis- engaged.

[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d, there is shown the SAHR actuators all secured to the front cover 110 (FIG. 14a), three SAHR actuators and one SAHR plug plate 256 secured to the front cover (FIG. 14b), two SAHR actuators and two SAHR plug plates 256 secured to the front cover (FIG. 14c), and finally one SAHR actuator and three SAHR plug plates 256 secured to the front cover (FIG. 14d). The SAHR plug plates 256 are used as blank covers to cover the apertures in the front cover 110 when SAHR actuators are not being used.

[0042] EXAMPLE 1 : The following is an example depicting the maximum torque required to fail a SAHR actuator of the SAHR emergency brake system with a varying number of springs stacked in each SAHR actuator. Springs were stacked in two arrangements for testing. A first arrangement wherein the majority of pairs of springs were stacked atop each other in parallel orientation (PARALLEL) and a second arrangement wherein the majority of springs were stacked atop each other in a non-parallel manner (SERIES). Figures 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d depict springs in series stacked arrangement (see FIGS. 15a and 15d) and in parallel stacked arrangement (see FIGS. 15b and 15c).

[0043] The above demonstrates increasing the stack of springs in each SAHR actuator increases the torque required to fail the SAHR actuator(s) and the SAHR emergency brake. The above further demonstrates the stacking configuration also impacts the torque required to fail the SAHR actuator(s) and the SAHR emergency brake.

[0044] EXAMPLE 2: The following is an example depicting the braking distance of a vehicle with the SAHR emergency brake system with varying number of SAHR actuators at a wheel end of a vehicle.

[0045] A vehicle weighing 3620 kg was accelerated to 30 kilometers per hour (kmh-1) and the SAHR emergency brake (with varying number of SAHR actuators at each wheel end with each actuator having a 10-spring double stack) was engaged and the distance to full stop of the vehicle was measured.

[0046] The above clearly demonstrates the SAHR emergency brake system is functional with 1 SAHR actuator on each wheel should the remaining SAHR actuators not be operational.

[0047] EXAMPLE 3: The following is an example of a vehicle with the SAHR emergency brake system with 4 actuators per rear wheel of a vehicle and 9 parallel spring arrangement per actuator.

[0048] A vehicle weighting 4763 kg was accelerated to 30 kmh-1on a 20% grade ramp and the SAHR emergency brake was engaged and the distance to full stop of the vehicle was measured.

[0049] Test number 4 was run at 27kmh-1and on flat ground.

[0050] The same vehicle was accelerated to 30 kmh-1 on a 20% grade ramp and the wet enclosed service brake was engaged and the distance to full stop of the vehicle was measured.

[0051] Test number 6 was run at 27kmh_1and on flat ground.

[0052] The above further demonstrates the SAHR emergency brake system with 1 SAHR actuator on each wheel is compliant with current maximum braking distance limits of 33.5 meters (Canadian Standards Association Braking Performance-Rubber-Tired Self-Propelled Underground Mining Machines CAN / CSA-M424.3-M90) and 162.8 meters (Mining Mobile Machines Working Underground-Machine Safety ISO 19296). The above further demonstrates the service brake system is compliant with current maximum braking distance limits of 43.59 meters (CAN / CSA-M424.3-M90) and 36.58 meters (ISO 19296).

[0053] As many changes can be made to the above disclosure without departing from the scope thereof; it is intended that all matter contained herein be considered illustrative of and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

CLAIMS:1 . A wet enclosed braking system, said wet enclosed braking system comprising: a. a spring-activated hydraulically-released (SAHR) brake system; b. a housing enclosing the SAHR brake system; and c. a first hydraulic source feed in communication with said SAHR brake system; said SAHR brake system further comprising: at least one SAHR actuator connected to said housing enclosing the SAHR brake system, said housing enclosing the SAHR brake system comprises an aperture for receiving said at least one SAHR actuator, said at least one SAHR actuator enclosing a biasing means in communication with a SAHR piston for activating said SAHR emergency brake system; said at least one SAHR actuator comprising a SAHR actuator body and a SAHR actuator cap, said SAHR actuator cap being adjustable in relation to said SAHR actuator body, adjusting a relative position of said SAHR piston in relation to said SAHR actuator body.

2. The wet enclosed braking system of claim 1 , further comprising a disc service brake system.

3. The wet enclosed braking system of claim 2, further comprising a second hydraulic source feed in communication with said disc service brake system and said housing enclosing the SAHR brake system also encloses said disc service brake system.

4. The wet enclosed braking system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said SAHR brake system comprises a plurality of independently operational individually-adjustable SAHR actuators and said housing enclosing the SAHR brake system comprises a plurality of SAHR actuator apertures for receiving each of said plurality of independently operational individually-adjustable SAHR actuators.

5. The wet enclosed braking system of claim 4, wherein each of said plurality of independently operational individually-adjustable SAHR actuators is fed by said first hydraulic source feed.

6. The wet enclosed braking system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said SAHR actuator cap is adjustable via a helical communication to said SAHR actuator body from a first position to a second position moving said SAHR piston from a first position to a second position in relation to a brake pad.

7. The wet enclosed braking system of claim 4, wherein each of said plurality of independently operational individually-adjustable SAHR actuators is detachable from said housing enclosing the SAHR brake system.

8. The wet enclosed braking system of any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein said SAHR emergency brake system further comprises at least one SAHR actuator plug plate to be received in said aperture for receiving said at least one SAHR actuator when said at least one SAHR actuator is not in use and the remaining independently operational individually-adjustable SAHR actuators secured to said housing enclosing the SAHR emergency brake system allow the SAHR brake system to function.

9. The wet enclosed braking system of any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein said housing enclosing the SAHR emergency brake system and the disc service brake system accommodates up to 4 independently operational individually-adjustable SAHR actuators.

10. The wet enclosed braking system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said biasing means is a disc spring.

11. The wet enclosed braking system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said biasing means is a plurality of stacked disc springs.

12. The wet enclosed braking system of any one of claims 6 to 11 , wherein said helical communication comprises an outer threaded portion of said SAHR actuator cap and a complementary inner threaded portion of said SAHR actuator body.

13. The wet enclosed braking system of any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising an adjusting tool receiver portion.

14. The wet enclosed braking system of claim 13, wherein said adjusting tool receiver portion is part of said SAHR actuator cap.

15. The wet enclosed braking system of claim 13, wherein the adjusting tool receiver portion comprises an internal hexagonal recess.

16. The wet enclosed braking system of claim 15, wherein said internal hexagonal recess is part of said SAHR actuator cap.

17. The wet enclosed braking system of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein said SAHR actuator further comprises a brake fluid inlet port.

18. The wet enclosed braking system of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein said SAHR actuator further comprises a brake fluid outlet / bleed port.

19. The wet enclosed braking system of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein said SAHR brake system is an emergency brake system.

20. Use of the wet enclosed braking system of any one of claims 1 to 19, in a vehicle.

21. A method of braking a vehicle comprising the use of the wet enclosed braking system of any one of claims 2 to 20, said method comprising engaging said SAHR brake system when required, disengaging said SAHR brake system when not required, engaging said disc service brake system when required, and disengaging said disc service brake system when not required.

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