Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A brake system for an automotive vehicle having at least one wheel brake and having an anti-lock device, said system comprising, in combination: a master cylinder having at least one working chamber with a pedal-actuated piston slidably mounted therein between first and second end positions and wherein said working chamber includes an output pressure port; means including a pump for providing an auxiliary source of pressure fluid which is controllable to provide a variable volume of delivery at an output of said source; means for applying said output of said source to said working chamber; means for selectively applying said output of said source and said output pressure port to at least one wheel brake; means for detecting the actual position of said piston between said first and second end positions and a predetermined position intermediate said first and second end positions; and means for controlling the variable volume of delivery of said pressure fluid at said output of said source in response to the detected position of said piston thereby to translate said piston toward said predetermined position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A brake system for an automotive vehicle having at least one wheel brake and having an anti-lock device, said system comprising, in combination: a master cylinder having at least one working chamber with a pedal-actuated piston slidably mounted therein between first and second end positions and wherein said working chamber includes an output pressure port; means including a pump for providing an auxiliary source of pressure fluid which is controllable to provide a variable volume of delivery at an output of said source; means for applying said output of said source to said working chamber; means for selectively applying said output of said source and said output pressure port to at least one wheel brake; means for detecting the actual position of said piston between said first and second end positions and a predetermined position intermediate said first and second end positions; and means for controlling the variable volume of delivery of said pressure fluid at said output of said source in response to the detected position of said piston thereby to translate said piston toward said predetermined position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The brake system according to claim 1, including means for detecting the velocity of translation of said piston between said first position and said second position and to provide an indication of faulty brake system operation when the detected velocity exceeds a predetermined velocity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The brake system according to claim 1, wherein said means for detecting the position of said piston includes means for detecting the direction of movement of said piston.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The brake system according to claim 1, wherein said means for providing said source includes an electrical motor for activating said pump and which motor is controlled by electrical signals indicative of the detected position of said piston.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The brake system according to claim 1, wherein said pump is mechanically activated in response to the detected position of said piston.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The brake system according to claim 1, wherein during anti-lock control, said output of said source and said output pressure port are selectively removed from said one wheel brake.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The brake system according to claim 6, including means for selectively coupling said one wheel brake to an unpressurized supply reservoir during said anti-lock control.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The brake system according to claim 1, wherein said means for controlling the volume delivery of said pressure fluid translates said piston to said predetermined position intermediate said first and second end positions during an anti-lock control operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
170 words
A brake system method for an automotive vehicle having at least one wheel brake and having an anti-lock device, said method comprising the steps of: providing a master cylinder having at least one working chamber with a pedal-actuated piston slidably mounted therein between first and second end positions and said working chamber having an output pressure port; providing an auxiliary source of pressure fluid comprising a pump which is controllable to provide a variable volume of delivery at an output of said source; applying said output of said source to said working chamber; selectively applying said output of said source and said output pressure port to at least one wheel brake; detecting the actual position of said piston between said first and second end positions and a predetermined position intermediate said first and second end positions; and, controlling the variable volume of delivery of said pressure fluid at said output of said source in response to the detected position of said piston to translate said piston toward said predetermined position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
170 words
A brake system method for an automotive vehicle having at least one wheel brake and having an anti-lock device, said method comprising the steps of: providing a master cylinder having at least one working chamber with a pedal-actuated piston slidably mounted therein between first and second end positions and said working chamber having an output pressure port; providing an auxiliary source of pressure fluid comprising a pump which is controllable to provide a variable volume of delivery at an output of said source; applying said output of said source to said working chamber; selectively applying said output of said source and said output pressure port to at least one wheel brake; detecting the actual position of said piston between said first and second end positions and a predetermined position intermediate said first and second end positions; and, controlling the variable volume of delivery of said pressure fluid at said output of said source in response to the detected position of said piston to translate said piston toward said predetermined position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The brake system method according to claim 9, wherein said step of controlling the volume delivery of said pressure fluid includes the step of translating said piston to said predetermined position intermediate said first and second end positions during an anti-lock control operation.