Hydrodynamic retarder for lorry and trailer - has trailer retarder coupled to central heat exchanger on lorry

摘要

The trailer and towing unit are both fitted with hydro-dynamic retarders which are coupled to a master control circuit on the towing unit. The master circuit is large enough to cater for all the retarders so that the trailer systems are simple in design, and are coupled to the towing unit by simple self sealing couplings. - The trailer coupling is fitted with a shunt line which diverts the fluid through a variable throttle when the trailer is uncoupled. The driver can thus operate all the retarders from a single brake control. The relative amount of trailer retardation can be adjusted by the throttle control. The system can also be applied to multi-axled vehicles with retarders fitted to all the axles.