re: bombs and engineer's cars

["Hardwick, Robert C" <Robert.Hardwick@PSS.Boeing.com>]

OK, so the brake accumulator ("bomb" 'cause it's pressurized with ~1200
psi of nitrogen) reserves brake boost pressure for when the engine isn't
running the braking system's hydraulic pump.  Now, why should I want
this?  Typical vacuum assisted braking systems work for a couple of
stabs when the engine is off.  Beyond that non-typical operating
condition, why bother?  A local policeman told me that it's illegal to
operate the car coasting in neutral, let alone coasting with the engine
off.

Transport aircraft have hydraulic accumulators sized for one generous
brake actuation in case all of the multi-redundant hydraulics are lost,
but that's well beyond a typical passenger car's requirements..or is it?

Looking out upon the sea of banality in the parking lot adjacent to the
engineering towers here, well, take your pick of Bonnevilles, sport-utes
and the rest of the hideous, normal cross section.  Engineers aren't
more likely to be car enthusiasts than anyone else.  OTOH, amid the
12,000 engineers here you will find several national caliber rally and
autocross racers.  It is a cross section, after all!

cheers, robert hardwick, seattle usa