Abstract: A hydraulic brake master cylinder for a vehicle includes a pressure transducer mounted in the master cylinder primary piston for sensing hydraulic pressure applied to a brake circuit. Transducer signals are transmitted to the exterior of the master cylinder housing through terminals on the transducer which are connected to a plug member mounted on the end of the brake piston actuator rod. The plug member and the rod include passages for extending conductors therethrough for transmitting the transducer signals from the master cylinder.

Abstract: A brake pedal emulator that produces a pedal characteristic not unlike conventional vacuum or hydraulic brake systems. The system includes an emulator housing, a damper positioned within the emulator housing, a shaft that is slidably received by the emulator housing, and a sequential spring system within the emulator housing in operable contact with the shaft. When a brake pedal force is manually applied, the sequential spring system compresses thereby providing a spring force, which in conjunction with the dynamic dampening force produced by the damper generates the desirable reaction force.

Abstract: A brake master cylinder assembly wherein a rod transmits forces acting on the master cylinder to the vehicle structure resulting in a master cylinder assembly with greater design flexibility. This permits forming the master cylinder body as an extrusion that is slidably received within a fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A brake system comprising a hydraulic brake, wherein the brake includes a displaceable braking surface, wherein the hydraulic brake requires low pressure to effect displacement during initiation of a brake apply and increased pressure to effect displacement as brake apply progresses, wherein the increased pressure exponentially increases in a non-linear response curve, a motor driven hydraulic actuator having a rotary input provided by a motor and a hydraulic output coupled to the hydraulically actuated brake, wherein the rotary input requires low torque during the initiation of brake apply to effect displacement of the hydraulically actuated brake and requires increased torque to effect rotary motion and displacement of the hydraulically actuated brake as brake apply progresses, the motor characterized by a progressively changing non-linear operation having a low torque mode and a high torque mode, and a control apparatus for the motor controlling the motor to effect displacement of the hydraulic brake, wher

Abstract: A drum brake is provided which in a preferred embodiment includes a backing plate having an anchor at a first end, first and second brake shoes pivotally mounted with respect to the anchor, a nonrotative nut mounted for linear motion with respect to the backing plate, a first apply lever pivotally mounted with respect to the nut and with respect to the first brake shoe, a second apply lever pivotally mounted with respect to the backing plate and with respect to the secondary brake shoe, a first strut pivotally mounted with the first and second brake shoes, a power screw threadably engaged with the nut for translating the nut, and an electric motor torsionally associated with the power screw for turning the same.

Abstract: An automotive reservoir arrangement is provided which, in a preferred embodiment, includes a reservoir body capable of holding fluid to a first elevation, a vent cap connected with the reservoir body above the first elevation, a conduit connected with the reservoir at a level below the first elevation, a cylinder fluidly connected with the conduit at a second elevation below the first elevation, the cylinder having a flange, a filler tube sealably slidably inserted within the cylinder being spring biased to extend to a third elevation higher than the first elevation, and a cap for sealing the filler tube and the cap engaging with the flange of the cylinder to retain the filler tube at a fourth elevation below the first elevation.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic braking system for a vehicle is provided including, in a preferred embodiment, a master cylinder, an alpha first pressure transducer providing a signal in response to the pressure of the fluid delivered by the master cylinder, an accumulator for accepting fluid from the master cylinder, an electric actuator for delivering and relieving pressurized fluid to the brake in response to the alpha pressurizer transducer in a normal mode of operation, an isolation valve isolating the master cylinder from the wheel brake when the braking system is in a normal braking mode and exposing the master cylinder with the wheel brake during an occurrence of an electric failure, and an accumulator shut-off valve to diminish the capacity of the accumulator when the master cylinder is exposed to the wheel brake due to an electric failure.

Abstract: A vehicle disc brake is provided which, in a preferred embodiment, includes a first caliper pivotally mounted with respect to the vehicle, a first brake shoe slidably mounted with respect to the first caliper for selective contact with a vehicle wheel rotor, an electric actuator to selectively move the first shoe into engagement with the rotor, an actuator plate mounted for relative motion with respect to the vehicle and operatively associated with the first caliper wherein movement of the first caliper resultant of the first shoe engagement with the rotor causes the actuator plate to move, a second caliper generally locationally fixed with respect to the vehicle wheel axis, a second brake shoe mounted by the second caliper operatively associated with the actuator plate for engagement with the rotor, and a ball captured in a ramp between the actuator plate and second brake shoe for converting movement of the actuator plate into movement of the second brake shoe to engage with the rotor.

Abstract: A pressure stabilization valve is provided for a vehicle wheel brake with a self actuated auxiliary presssure. The valve modifies the output of the auxiliary pressure to make it proportional with the pressure of a primary pressure source for actuating the brakes.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel braking system activated by a master cylinder is provided including a rotor connected to a vehicle wheel, a bracket having a position fixed with respect to the rotor, and a caliper slidably mounted with respect to the bracket in a plane generally perpendicular to the rotor rotational axis. A first hydraulic cylinder activated by the master cylinder is connected with the caliper. The first hydraulic cylinder has a piston for frictionally engaging the rotor to retrain rotation thereof. A second hydraulic cylinder is positioned between the caliper and the bracket. The second hydraulic cylinder has a piston that is pressurized by a reaction force experienced between the caliper and the bracket when the first hydraulic cylinder is activated. A third hydraulic cylinder is fluidly connected with the second hydraulic cylinder to receive pressure therefrom. The third hydraulic cylinder has a piston to frictionally engage the rotor to retrain rotation thereof.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle drum brake including a brake drum for connected to the vehicle wheel and a backing plate for connected to the vehicle. At least one brake shoe is and pivotally mounted with respect to the backing plate. A non-rotative nut mounted for linear motion with respect to said backing plate and has a pivotal connection with the brake shoe. A power screw is threadably engaged with the nut. An electric motor powers the power screw to turn the same to actuate the brakes. A parking brake mechanism is also provided by a coil spring which surrounds a drum which is connected with the power train from and including the electrical motor and the power screw. An actuator is provided to move the coil spring to an unwound position to allow the parking brake to release.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle drum brake is provided including a brake drum connected to a wheel. A backing plate is connected to the vehicle and at least one brake shoe is connected with the backing plate and is pivotally mounted with respect thereto. A non-rotative nut is mounted for linear motion with respect to the backing plate and is pivotally connected with respect to the brake shoe. A power screw is threadably engaged with the nut. The power screw is also mounted to the backing plate. An electric motor is torsionally connected with the power screw to turn the same to actuate the brakes.

Abstract: A vehicle hydraulic braking system for applying the wheel brakes of an automotive vehicle comprising: a reservoir for holding a hydraulic brake fluid; a pump fluidly connected with the reservoir for pressurizing the fluid; at least one first valve fluidly connected with the pressurized fluid from the pump and the first valve being connected with a modulation sump, the first valve delivering a modulated brake pressure to at least one wheel brake at a ratio of the master cylinder pressure to the wheel pressure so long as the fluid pressure from the pump is above a predetermined value; and a second valve fluidly connected with the wheel brake, the master cylinder, the modulated brake pressure, and with the pump and, whereby the second valve isolates the master cylinder from the wheel brake when the pump pressure is above a predetermined value delivering modulated pressure to the wheel brake and when the pump pressure is below a predetermined value the second valve connects the master cylinder with the wheel brak

Abstract: A vehicle braking system having a wheel lock control arrangement with isolation valves, solenoid, and brake control valves for the system. In one arrangement, each wheel brake and isolation valve has its own solenoid and control valve. Additionally, the isolation valve is configured in a manner to prevent premature drop out from isolation and to prevent any flow from a master cylinder brake apply pressure circuit to a pump pressure circuit.

Abstract: A power brake booster has booster load carrying members which are separate from the booster housings walls so that they take the load reaction from the master cylinder outside of the booster housing. This separates the differential pressure chamber wall functions and the booster load carrying member function.