Abstract: A pump apparatus includes a housing having a bore formed therethrough. A piston is disposed within the bore for reciprocal movement therein. The piston includes a piston body, and an inlet flange extending radially outwardly from the piston body. An outer peripheral surface of the inlet flange and a wall of the bore define a first passageway. A retaining flange extends radially outwardly from the piston body and have a substantially square transverse section. An outer peripheral surface of the retaining flange and the wall of the bore define a second passageway. An intermediate portion is disposed between the inlet flange and the retaining flange. An annular seal is disposed around the intermediate portion of the piston body. The seal slidingly engages the wall of the bore, and the seal and the piston cooperate to form a check valve assembly.

Abstract: An electronically controlled vehicular hydraulic brake system provides anti-lock braking, traction control, and/or vehicle stability control. The system includes a hydraulic control unit (HCU) containing pumps, valves, and other components in fluid communication with wheel brakes. Performance of the braking system can be improved by systems and methods according to this invention. A preferred system for improving braking performance according to the present invention includes a passive precharge system having a precharge manifold.

Abstract: A pump assembly with a combination reciprocating high-pressure seal and fluid inlet check valve for use within brake systems. The pump assembly comprises a housing having a bore formed therethrough and a piston disposed within the bore for reciprocal movement therein. An annular seal is disposed around the piston for reciprocal movement thereon. The annular seal cooperates with the piston and/or the housing to form at least one longitudinally extending passageway. The passageway, the piston, the annular seal, and the housing cooperating to form a check valve assembly. The annular seal is moveable to a first position relative to the piston in which the check valve assembly is in a flow-through position to fill a pump chamber with fluid from an inlet chamber during a fluid inlet stroke. The annular seal is moveable to a second position relative to the piston in which the check valve assembly is closed.

Abstract: A hydraulic braking system including first and second braking circuits. The first and second braking circuits each include a wheel brake, a pressurized fluid source, and a hydraulic conduit connecting the wheel brake to the fluid source. Each of the hydraulic conduits includes a control valve that operates to selectively prevent fluid flow from the pressurized fluid source to the wheel brake. A connecting conduit connects the first and second braking circuits. A floating piston is disposed within the connecting conduit and is adapted to be displaced by the pressurized fluid provided by the pressurized fluid source in the first braking circuit when the control valve of the first braking circuit is closed. The displacement of the piston generates an additional volume of pressurized fluid in the hydraulic conduit of the second braking circuit that effectively augments the pressurized fluid provided by the second pressurized fluid source.

Abstract: A thread saver for use in a body, wherein the thread saver has a threaded interior and the thread saver is permanently fixed the body.

Abstract: A pump assembly with a combination reciprocating high-pressure seal and fluid inlet check valve for use within brake systems. The pump assembly comprises a housing having a bore formed therethrough and a piston disposed within the bore for reciprocal movement therein. An annular seal is disposed around the piston for reciprocal movement thereon. The piston has at least one passageway formed therein. An inlet flange portion of the piston has at least one passageway formed therein. The passageway, the piston, and the annular seal cooperating to form a check valve assembly. The check valve assembly divides the bore into an inlet chamber and a pumping chamber. The annular seal is moveable to a first position relative to the piston in which the check valve assembly is in a flow-through position to fill the pump chamber with fluid from the inlet chamber during a fluid inlet stroke.