Patent ID: 8366203

Claim:
A brake system for an automotive vehicle, comprising: a plurality of friction brake modules associated with a plurality of road wheels; a master cylinder having an input device activated by the operator of a vehicle; at least one isolation valve selectively permitting high pressure brake fluid from the master cylinder to actuate said friction brake modules; and a compliance and brake application subsystem interposed between the master cylinder and said friction brake modules, with said compliance and brake application subsystem comprising: a signal chamber fluidically connected with the output of said master cylinder, with said signal chamber having a movable piston having a first side subject to hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder and from a hydraulic pump, and a second side subject to hydraulic pressure from both said hydraulic pump and a resilient element pressing upon the second side of the movable piston, and with the second side of the movable piston partially defining a working chamber; and a controller determining the total amount of braking desired by the vehicle operator based upon at least the operator's activation of the master cylinder, with the controller applying the friction brakes with high pressure fluid from said hydraulic pump, and with the controller also selectively providing brake fluid to the signal chamber and the working chamber so that the operating characteristics of the master cylinder and input device emulate a master cylinder and input device used with an operator-applied friction braking system.