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• A New Brake System

7th September 1934
Page 49
Page 49, 7th September 1934 — • A New Brake System
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

for the Low-Loading Trailer

AMONG certain detail modifications and improvements in the design of the horsebox trailers manufactured by the Low-Loading Trailer Co., Bedford, which are embodied in the company's range of new models now ready for the forthcoming hunting season, is the substitution for its ingenious brak.i. gear, which has been fully described in this paper, of an improved system, made by the Lockheed Hydraulic Brake Co., Ltd., which combines the original principle of the Low-Loading brakes with the Lockheed hydraulic transmission. The following description will enable the working of the new system to be understood.

A spring-controlled drawbar is provided (between the towing vehicle and the trailer) which incorporates a dashpot, master cylinder and valves. The forward pull of the tractor compresses the spring, and, the presence of fluid behind the piston of the dashpot prevents any. return movement under ordinary running conditions.

When the driver commences to depress the brake pedal, however, an electrical contact is made, with the result that a sliding valve is opened by a solenoid. The energy stored in the spring is then able to displace fluid from the dashpot cylinder, so applying the Lockheed brakes on the trailer wheels without any increase in the effort expended by the driver.

Aswill be seen from the diagram reproduced, a master cylinder is mounted in tandem with the dashpot and is used actually to deliver fluid to the brake cylinders. A sudden application of the brakes is avoided, and the total braking effect is amplified in an emergency by the natural overrunning tendency of the trailer. The overrun also proportions. the braking in accordance with the load on the trailer. As the trailer brakes remain on until the tractor moves forward (to "compress the spring) a spragging effect is obtained when the yehicle is brought to a standstill on an upward gradient.

Should the trailer become detached, the drawbar falls on to a leg supported by a small wheel, and the brakes are automatically applied. :To enable the trailer to be moved by hand, matters are so arranged that, after lifting the draw ear, it is necessary only to push the hinged leg in order to compress the spring and so to release the brakes.

The only connection required between the tractor and trailer consists of an electric cable to carry the current from the pedal-operated switch to the solenoid. This cable can conveniently be arranged to incorporate wiring for the trailer tall-Iamp and, if required, for a stop signal.

This would appear to be an efficient and simple method of braking a trailer, important features being the immediate application of the brakes (when the pedal is operated) and the avoidance of extra physical effort on the part of the driver.

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