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A hybrid brake system for a vehicle propelled at least by a rotating electric motor powered by a storage battery and in communication with at least one ground-engaging wheel. The hybrid brake system includes a vehicle braking control device and an electrical brake system including the electric motor

A hybrid brake system for a vehicle propelled at least by a rotating electric motor powered by a storage battery and in communication with at least one ground-engaging wheel. The hybrid brake system includes a vehicle braking control device and an electrical brake system including the electric motor and the battery, the battery providing an electrical load on the motor during times when the vehicle braking control device is actuated. Rotation of the motor during actuation of the vehicle braking control device provides electrical power to the battery, whereby the battery receives an electrical charge. The motor rotation is slowed by the electrical load, whereby the vehicle is braked by the motor. The hybrid brake system also includes a mechanical brake system including a hydraulic cylinder, a piston sealably and slidably disposed therein and partially defining with the cylinder a chamber of variable volume, the pressure of the fluid in the chamber varying with movement of the piston in the cylinder. A mechanical brake arrangement is in fluid communication with the chamber and is operatively coupled to at least one ground-engaging wheel for slowing the rotation thereof. The mechanical brake arrangement is variably actuated in response to changes in the pressure of the fluid during times when the vehicle braking control device is actuated, whereby the vehicle is braked by the mechanical brake system. The hybrid brake system also defers substantial actuation of the mechanical brake arrangement during actuation of the vehicle braking control device until after the electrical brake system has been actuated, by expanding the chamber volume in response to an increase in pressure of the fluid in the chamber.

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[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A hybrid brake system for a vehicle propelled at least by a rotating electric motor powered by a storage battery and in communication with at least one ground-engaging wheel, comprising:a vehicle braking control device;an electrical brake system comprising the electric

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A hybrid brake system for a vehicle propelled at least by a rotating electric motor powered by a storage battery and in communication with at least one ground-engaging wheel, comprising:a vehicle braking control device;an electrical brake system comprising the electric motor and the battery, said battery providing an electrical load on said motor during times when said vehicle braking control device is actuated, rotation of said motor during actuation of said vehicle braking control device providing electrical power to said battery, whereby said battery receives an electrical charge, said motor rotation slowed by said electrical load, whereby the vehicle is braked by said motor; anda mechanical brake system comprising a hydraulic cylinder, a piston sealably and slidably disposed in said hydraulic cylinder, one side of said piston and said hydraulic cylinder partially defining a chamber of variable volume, the pressure of the fluid in said chamber varying with movement of said piston in said cylinder, and a mechanical brake arrangement in fluid communication with said chamber and operatively coupled to at least one ground-engaging wheel for slowing the rotation thereof, said mechanical brake arrangement variably actuated in response to changes in the pressure of the fluid during times when said vehicle braking control device is actuated, whereby the vehicle is braked by said mechanical brake system; andmeans for deferring substantial actuation of said mechanical brake arrangement during actuation of said vehicle braking control device until after said electrical brake system has been actuated, said deferring means comprising means for expanding said chamber volume in response to an increase in pressure of the fluid in said chamber.