Patent ID: 6360853
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A brake assembly comprising:a plurality of cylinders for actuating a corresponding plurality of pistons, including at least a first cylinder, a second cylinder, and a third cylinder for actuating corresponding pistons, the cylinders being arranged in a substantially circular manner; a brake inlet port for receiving fluid from a fluid reservoir, the brake inlet port being located at a central location within the circular arrangement of the cylinders so that the brake inlet port is substantially equidistant from the cylinders and when fluid enters the brake inlet port, the fluid enters the brake inlet port at the central location equidistant from the cylinders; a fluid distribution manifold connected in fluid communication with the brake inlet port and the first, second, and third cylinders, the fluid distribution manifold connecting the first, second, and third cylinders in parallel fluid flow; and the fluid distribution manifold having a first fluid distribution manifold section coupled between the brake inlet port and the first cylinder, a second fluid distribution manifold section coupled between the brake inlet port and the second cylinder, and a third fluid distribution manifold section coupled between the brake inlet port and the third cylinder, the first, second, and third fluid distribution manifold sections having first uniform lengths and volumes, defining first, second and third fluid passages of equal length from the brake inlet port to the first, second and third cylinders, respectively, the first, second, and third cylinders actuating their corresponding pistons at a first substantially uniform time interval.