Patent ID: 7093911
Filing Date: 2006-08-22
Classification: B60T

Abstract:
1. A hydraulic braking system for a wheeled vehicle, comprising: a first braking circuit comprising a first wheel brake, a first source of pressurized fluid, and a first hydraulic conduit connecting said first wheel brake to said first source, said first hydraulic conduit connecting said first wheel brake and said first source having a first control valve disposed therein, said first control valve operating to selectively prevent fluid flow from said first source to said first wheel brake; a second braking circuit comprising a second wheel brake, a second source of pressurized fluid, and a second hydraulic conduit connecting said second wheel brake to said second source, said second hydraulic conduit connecting said second wheel brake and said second source having a second control valve disposed therein, said second control valve operating to selectively prevent fluid flow from said second source to said second wheel brake; a connecting conduit connecting said first braking circuit and said second braking circuit; and a piston assembly, including a floating piston disposed within said connecting conduit, said piston adapted to be displaced by the pressurized fluid provided by said first source when said first control valve is closed, the displacement of said piston generating an additional volume of pressurized fluid in said second hydraulic conduit in an amount to provide a substantially faster increase in the braking force of said second wheel brake; a cylindrical housing disposed within said connecting conduit, said cylindrical housing having a first end with a first seal disposed about the first end of said floating piston, said first end disposed to receive the pressurized fluid from said first source, and a second end with a second seal disposed about the second end of said floating piston, said second end disposed to receive the pressurized fluid from said second source, wherein said floating piston is disposed within said cylindrical housing, said floating piston having a first end disposed at the first end of said cylindrical housing and a second end disposed at the second end of said cylindrical housing, said floating piston being capable of reciprocal motion, wherein said floating piston is disposed between a first spring disposed at the first end of said cylindrical housing and a second spring disposed at the second end of said cylindrical housing; and a vent opening in said cylindrical housing located between the first end and the second end of said floating piston, wherein the displacement of the first seal of said floating piston during reciprocal motion is limited to the area between the first end and said vent opening, and wherein the displacement of the second seal of said floating piston during reciprocal motion is limited to the area between the second end and said vent opening.