Abstract: A hybrid brake apparatus for a vehicle includes a front hydraulically actuated brake circuit, a rear electrically actuated brake circuit, and a controller. The front hydraulically actuated brake circuit includes a master cylinder for providing pressurized fluid to the front brake circuit in response to an input applied to the master cylinder for applying a frictional front braking force. The rear electrically actuated brake circuit is controllable in response to the input for providing a frictional rear braking force. The rear brake circuit is controlled in accordance with a first predetermined relationship between the input and rear braking force during normal operation of the front brake circuit. If the controller detects a degradation of front braking force, the rear brake circuit is controlled in accordance with a second predetermined relationship between the input and the rear braking force, to thereby compensate for the degradation of front braking force.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling a vehicle with a braking system including a modulator pump. A first fluid line can communicate brake fluid from the master cylinder to a brake caliper. An isolation valve including a pressure bypass can be disposed along the fluid line between the master cylinder and the brake caliper. A second fluid line can extend from a first position along the first fluid line between the master cylinder and the isolation valve to a second position along the first fluid line between the isolation valve and the brake caliper. A modulating pump is disposed along the second fluid line to pump fluid to the brake caliper during a controlled brake event. The modulator pump is engaged to pump fluid to the brake caliper until the pressure in the first fluid line reached slightly below the predetermined pressure to prevent the isolation valve from opening in response to excessive pressure.

Abstract: A braking system including a pre-charge with a plurality of pumps disposed in parallel with respect to one another. The pumps can direct pressurized brake fluid to the brakes during a controlled braking maneuver. The pumps operate with offset operating cycles such that a first pump is drawing fluid while a second pump is pushing fluid to the brakes. The invention provides an embodiment having three pumps operated in parallel, wherein the pumps define operating cycles offset 120 degrees from one another. The invention also provides a separate master cylinder reservoir feed circuit to improve response of the system, especially cold weather response.

Abstract: A pump used in vehicle controlled braking systems provides a reverse direction of flow through a cylinder bore of the pump and utilizes an inlet check valve located outside of the piston at the end of the cylinder bore opposite the piston, in conjunction with an outlet check valve located in an outlet extending through a sidewall of the cylinder bore of the pump. The inlet check valve is assembled and tested as a module prior to being installed in the pump. A fluid reservoir, having a movable wall, is connected to the inlet to facilitate priming the pump module. The piston is driven by a self-supporting drive apparatus with an eccentric element affixed to a stub shaft, or by other forms of a drive apparatus having an eccentric element fixed to a motor drive shaft.

Abstract: First and second pumps are integral in that the pumps are driven by a common motor. The first pump is driven in pumping motion by an eccentric disposed on the motor shaft and the second pump is driven in pumping motion by an end of the motor shaft. The first pump can be an ABS pump and the second pump can be a pre-charge pump. The first and second pumps can be disposed in a common block housing and the common block housing can define a fluid path extending from the outlet of the second pump to the inlet of the first pump. A third pump can be susbtantially similar to the first pump and be disposed on an opposite side of the shaft as the first pump. The third pump can be driven in pumping motion by the eccentric. A separate feed line can be directed from the reservoir of the brake system to the second pump to improve performance.

Abstract: A pump used in vehicle controlled braking systems provides a reverse direction of flow through a cylinder bore of the pump and utilizes an inlet check valve located outside of the piston at the end of the cylinder bore opposite the piston, in conjunction with an outlet check valve located in an outlet extending through a sidewall of the cylinder bore of the pump. The inlet check valve is assembled and tested as a module prior to being installed in the pump. A fluid reservoir, having a movable wall, is connected to the inlet to facilitate priming the pump module. The piston is driven by a self-supporting drive apparatus with an eccentric element affixed to a stub shaft, or by other forms of a drive apparatus having an eccentric element fixed to a motor drive shaft.

Abstract: An eccentric-driven piston pump for a vehicle controlled braking system has a pump drive apparatus including a stub shaft having an eccentric journalled in a pump housing for self-supported rotation about a stub shaft axis by a first and a second rotating bearing disposed on opposite axial sides of the eccentric. The stub-shaft is operatively connected to the rotating drive shaft of a motor, and the eccentric is connected for imparting reciprocating motion to the pistons. A pair of thrust bearings including a counterweight for balancing the pump drive apparatus, are disposed on the stub shaft adjacent the eccentric at opposite axial ends thereof between the eccentric and first and second rotating bearings. The motor includes a spherical bearing for alignment of a motor drive shaft with the stub shaft, and a bushing for loosely supporting the drive shaft prior to attaching the drive shaft to the stub shaft.

Abstract: A hybrid brake apparatus for a vehicle includes a front hydraulically actuated brake circuit, a rear electrically actuated brake circuit, and a controller. The front hydraulically actuated brake circuit includes a master cylinder for providing pressurized fluid to the front brake circuit in response to an input applied to the master cylinder for applying a frictional front braking force. The rear electrically actuated brake circuit is controllable in response to the input for providing a frictional rear braking force. The rear brake circuit is controlled in accordance with a first predetermined relationship between the input and rear braking force during normal operation of the front brake circuit. If the controller detects a degradation of front braking force, the rear brake circuit is controlled in accordance with a second predetermined relationship between the input and the rear braking force, to thereby compensate for the degradation of front braking force.

Abstract: The invention is a two-stage, two-poppet prime valve assembly for use in high pressure applications such as vehicle braking systems. The valve assembly has two valve seats and two plungers for allowing the valve assembly to open under high pressure while providing minimal internal flow restrictions to enhance cold temperature and low pressure operation. The two-stage, two poppet valve assembly contains two separate flow paths, one being high pressure, relatively low flow called a stage one, and the other being relatively low pressure, high flow called a stage two. In addition, the valve incorporates a reverse flow bypass feature that is capable of controlling flow at very high pressure and allowing reverse flow with a very low pressure drop.

Abstract: The invention is a two-stage, two-poppet prime valve assembly for use in high pressure applications such as vehicle braking systems. The valve assembly has two valve seats and two plungers for allowing the valve assembly to open under high pressure while providing minimal internal flow restrictions to enhance cold temperature and low pressure operation. The two-stage, two poppet valve assembly contains two separate flow paths, one being high pressure, relatively low flow called a stage one, and the other being relatively low pressure, high flow called a stage two. In addition, the valve incorporates a reverse flow bypass feature that is capable of controlling flow at very high pressure and allowing reverse flow with a very low pressure drop.

Abstract: A fluid pump assembly for pumping hydraulic fluid through a controlled brake system includes a housing defining a pumping chamber. The chamber communicates with a hydraulic fluid circuit that operates the controlled brake system. A piston plunger is disposed within the chamber with a shaft affixed to the plunger. An electric coil is affixed to a casing having the shaft inserted therethrough. The coil is coaxially aligned with the shaft. The coil generates a magnetic field through an armature affixed to a distal end of the shaft disposed outside the chamber when receiving electrical current. The magnetic field draws the armature towards the casing for pumping hydraulic fluid from the chamber.