Re: bombs and engineer's cars

[jgraham1@erols.com]

Hardwick, Robert C wrote:

> 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.
>
Well lets see. At  65mph your fuel pump goes to 0psi, no spark to the
plugs and oh yesyou did 75,000 on a 50,000 mile timeing belt. And now
your comeing up fast on a
police car. ;-)

> 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