Supplemental brake system
AssigneeAM General LLC
InventorsEdward Michael Murray, Ralf Pionke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A brake system for a vehicle includes a brake unit, a master cylinder, an accumulator, and a manifold configurable to direct brake fluid pressure generated by the master cylinder to the accumulator or to the brake unit. A solenoid valve can be used to hydraulically align the manifold. The brake system can be used as an adjunct or supplement to a vehicle's primary service brake system.
Claims22
A brake system for a vehicle, said brake system comprising:
- a hydraulic manifold having a first port, a second port, and a third port, said hydraulic manifold operable to hydraulically align said first port with said second port and not said third port in a first mode of operation and to hydraulically align said first port with said third port and not said second port in a second mode of operation;
- a master cylinder hydraulically coupled to said first port;
- an accumulator hydraulically coupled to said second port;
- a brake unit hydraulically coupled to said third port;
- and
- a user control coupled to said master cylinder;
- wherein said master cylinder is operated using said user control.
A supplemental brake system for a vehicle having a service brake system, said supplemental brake system comprising:
- a hydraulic manifold having a first port, a second port, and a third port, said hydraulic manifold operable to hydraulically align said first port with said second port and not said third port in a first mode of operation and to hydraulically align said first port with said third port and not said second port in a second mode of operation;
- a master cylinder hydraulically coupled to said first port;
- an accumulator hydraulically coupled to said second port;
- a brake unit hydraulically coupled to said third port;
- and
- a user control coupled to said master cylinder;
- wherein said master cylinder and said service brake system are operated using said user control.
A supplemental brake system for a vehicle having a service brake system, said supplemental brake system comprising:
- a hydraulic manifold having a first port, a second port, and a third port, said hydraulic manifold operable to hydraulically align said first port with said second port and not said third port in a first mode of operation and to hydraulically align said first port with said third port and not said second port in a second mode of operation;
- a master cylinder hydraulically coupled to said first port;
- a solenoid valve operable to selectively hydraulically align said manifold in said first mode of operation or said second mode of operation;
- an accumulator hydraulically coupled to said second port;
- a brake unit hydraulically coupled to said third port;
- a check valve hydraulically coupled to said brake unit and to said master cylinder;
- a user control coupled to said master cylinder;
- wherein said master cylinder and said service brake system are operated using said user control.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.