C18 Industrial Engine WRH00001-UP(SEBP3816 - 44) - Documentation Page 1 of 4

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Product: INDUSTRIAL ENGINE

Model: C18 INDUSTRIAL ENGINE WRH00753
Configuration: C18 Industrial Engine WRH00001-UP

Systems Operation
C15 and C18 Industrial Engines
Media Number -SENR9843-10 Publication Date -01/12/2012 Date Updated -05/12/2012

i04074189

Compression Brake - If Equipped

SMCS - 1129

The CAT compression brake is controlled by the Engine Control Module (ECM). The CAT compression brake
helps the operator to slow the vehicle speed on grades, or for a necessary speed reduction. The service brakes
should not be used continuously on long descending grades. The service brakes are assisted by the CAT
compression brake.

The engine crankshaft is turned by the drive train during downhill operation or during any slow down
condition. The engine uses the rotation of the components of the drive train to dictate vehicle speed. A braking
torque can be applied to the drive train of the vehicle in order to reduce the speed of the vehicle.

When the CAT compression brake is activated, braking power is accomplished by opening the exhaust valves
of the engine. The exhaust valves are opened near the top of the compression stroke in order to release the
highly compressed air into the exhaust system. The CAT compression brake can only be activated when the
engine is in the no-fuel position. Thus, combustion does not occur and no positive force is produced on the
piston. The compressed air pressure that is released to the atmosphere prevents the energy from returning to
the engine piston on the power stroke. The result is a loss of energy since the work that is done by the
compression of the cylinder charge is not returned by the expansion process. This loss of energy is taken from
the drive train. The drive train provides the braking action for the vehicle.

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C18 Industrial Engine WRH00001-UP(SEBP3816 - 44) - Documentation Page 2 of 4

Illustration 1 g01165931
(1) Slave pistons

(2) Solenoid valve

(3) Valve connector

(4) Master cylinders

The CAT compression brake consists of identical housing assemblies. Each housing assembly is positioned
over two cylinders. The housing assembly is mounted to the supports for the rocker arm shaft with studs and
nuts. The rocker arm and the exhaust bridge assembly are used to transfer force from slave pistons (1) to the
exhaust valves. Master cylinders (4) transfer lifting force from the fuel injector rocker arm to hydraulic force
for the brake. The brake logic signal for the CAT compression brake is carried to solenoid valve (2) by signal
wires that connects at valve connector (3) . This is done in order to activate the CAT compression brake on the
two cylinders of the engine.

The control circuit for the CAT compression brake permits the operation of either one or multiple compression
brake housing assemblies. This provides progressive braking capabilities with the retarding effect of numerous
cylinders in the engine.

Operation of the CAT Compression Brake

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C18 Industrial Engine WRH00001-UP(SEBP3816 - 44) - Documentation Page 3 of 4

Illustration 2 g01103105
Schematic for master-slave circuit

(1) Check valve

(2) High-pressure oil passage

(3) Slave piston adjustment screw

(4) Master piston

(5) Actuator valve

(6) Oil drain passage

(7) Slave piston

(8) Master piston spring

(9) Spring for the slave piston

(10) Exhaust rocker arm

(11) Exhaust bridge

(12) Fuel injector rocker arm

(13) Rocker arm shaft oil passage

(14) Engine oil pump

(15) Engine oil pan

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C18 Industrial Engine WRH00001-UP(SEBP3816 - 44) - Documentation Page 4 of 4

(16) Exhaust valve

(A) Actuation port

(T1) Drain port

(T2) Drain port

(P) Supply port for the actuator spool

The CAT compression brake is operated by engine oil from engine oil pan (15) . The engine oil is pressurized
by engine oil pump (14) . The engine oil supply for the CAT compression brake is supplied through rocker arm
shaft oil passage (13) . Actuator valve (5) controls the flow of the supply oil in the compression brake housing.

When the actuator valve is activated by a signal from the ECM, low-pressure oil passes from the actuator spool
supply port (P) to actuation port (A) . The oil flow opens check valve (1) and flows into high-pressure oil
passage (2) . Oil is supplied to slave piston (7) and master piston (4) .

This engine oil pressure overcomes master piston spring (8) . The piston is forced downward toward fuel
injector rocker arm (12) . Oil fills the cylinder for the master piston and the high-pressure oil passage between
the master piston and the slave piston. The master piston follows the movement of the fuel injector rocker arm.
The master piston moves upward with the fuel injector rocker arm. The movement of the master piston causes
a flow of high-pressure oil that closes the circuit check valve. The closed check valve causes pressure to
increase in the hydraulic circuit of the master piston, the slave piston, and the high-pressure oil passage.

As the oil pressure in the high-pressure oil passage is increased by the movement of the master piston, the
slave piston is forced downward in the bore. This compresses spring (9) for the slave piston. As the slave
piston moves downward, the slave piston contacts exhaust valve rocker arm (10) . The slave piston continues
to apply a force to the exhaust valve rocker arm. This force causes exhaust valves (16) to open. As the exhaust
valves open, the cylinder pressure that is created by the piston during the compression stroke is relieved
through the open exhaust valves.

During compression brake operation, the ECM disables the signal to each of the fuel injectors that are selected
for braking. The power stroke of the engine will not occur for the selected cylinders during the application of
the compression brake. This creates a net braking force at the flywheel.

As the fuel injector rocker arm moves downward, the master piston is allowed to retract into the bore. As the
master piston retracts, the hydraulic pressure in the circuit is decreased. This allows the slave piston to retract
and control of the exhaust valves is returned to the engine valve train.

De-energizing the actuator valve allows the oil to drain from port (T1) and (T2) to the engine oil pan through
oil drain passage (6) .

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