Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Brad J Johnson

Dale Scott Crombez

Chad Michael Korte

Martin Christopher Kapanowski

Example methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to facilitate brake bleeding. Example apparatus disclosed herein include a bleed controller to actuate a first valve connected to a pump and an end of a brake line, the pump connected to a reservoir; to actuate a second valve connected to the pump and a master cylinder, the master cylinder connected to the reservoir; and to operate the pump to bleed the brake line when the first valve is actuated and to bleed the master cylinder when the second valve is actuated.

Methods and apparatus to facilitate brake bleeding

A brake system for a vehicle may include a primary braking system, a backup braking system, and a braking system controller. The primary braking system may apply braking energy to wheels of the vehicle. The backup braking system may include a master cylinder configured to supply braking energy to one or more of the wheels of the vehicle. The braking system controller may be configured to select a mode of backup braking based on a functional state of the primary braking system. The braking system controller may control the master cylinder to supply braking energy to less than all of the wheels of the vehicle in a first mode of backup braking and supply the braking energy to all of the wheels of the vehicle in a second mode of backup braking. A parking brake may assist the backup braking system by utilizing proportional braking in a backup braking mode.

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Brad J Johnson