Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems has entered into an agreement with International Truck and Engine Corp. to supply its new hydraulic power brake system as standard equipment on select models of the truck maker's medium-duty models.

The new Meritor WABCO Hydraulic Power Brake (HPB), which is the next-generation of the company's hydraulic actuation and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), provides full-power braking performance functions and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD). EBD automatically adjusts the drive axle brake pressure to achieve more balanced braking for the vehicle. Optional Automatic Traction Control (ATC) is also available with the package. HPB is available immediately on International's RXT, 3200, 4200 4x4 and 4000 Series 4x2 models.
The HPB system has two main components that help it provide unparalleled stopping distances through faster system reaction times – a hydraulic compact unit (HCU) and a dual-circuit master cylinder. The HCU consists of two independent electric motors driving two pump systems, two accumulators, a dual-circuit fluid reservoir with integrated filters, pressure-relief valves, solenoid valves and a dual-circuit relay valve.
When the brake pedal is applied, the master cylinder provides a signal pressure proportional to the pedal force, which allows pressurized fluid to flow from the accumulators to the appropriate brakes. When the pedal is released, brake fluid returns from the brake calipers to the reservoir, and the line pressure returns to zero. This feature results in faster reaction time for enhanced stopping performance.