A safety device is proposed which enables the driver to dump the loaded trailer in case of emergency. The proposed device is supposed to perform the following operations in sequence. (1) It will disconnect the cup and saucer assembly. (2) It will apply the emergency brakes to stop the decoupled trailer. (3) It will drop the scotch block skid-plates in front of the duals of the trailer in order to avoid any skidding on a slippery road. The device is inoperative at speeds over 45 mph (72 km/hr) to insure that the driver cannot use it on highways. A thermodynamic analysis, for propagation of a real gas from a high pressure gas tank to two variable volume cylinders with movable pistons, is proposed to calculate the time required to perform these operations.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Topics:
Design, Safety, Emergencies, Brakes, Cylinders, High pressure (Physics), Highways, Manufacturing, Pistons, Plates (structures), Roads
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Copyright © 1975
 by ASME
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