4 MICO, Inc. Form No. 84-460-007 Online Revised 2013-09-13
Operation of Boosted Master Cylinders
Non-Actuated Position
(Refer to Figure 1)
The master cylinder section is not actuated and remains
in the static condition without mechanical force being
applied to the input piston (3).
In the neutral (non-actuated) condition, uid from the
vehicle’s hydraulic system ows unrestricted through the
booster section. Hydraulic uid enters the inlet port (1),
ows across piston lands (2) on input piston (3), through
boost piston ow ports (4) into chamber (6), and exits
the booster through outlet port (7).
1. The booster operates on the principle of restricting
uid ow past piston lands (2) to create a higher
pressure on the inlet side of boost piston (5) com-
pared to the output side of boost piston (5). This is
“pressure drop.”
Due to ow and pressure drop characteristics of uid in
the booster section, the booster is designed to operate
between 3 and 10 GPM unless otherwise noted.
1. It is likely that ow less than 3 GPM may not pro-
duce sufcient pressure drop for adequate boost.
2. Flow above 10 GPM may produce too much pres-
sure drop through the booster section.
A. Too much pressure drop through the booster
can cause the booster section to hydraulically
begin to “self energize” before the brake pedal
is applied. This condition may also prevent the
brake system from fully releasing.
B. Flow over 10 GPM will waste hydraulic energy
and cause the hydraulic system to operate at
higher temperatures.
Forward Movement of Brake Pedal Until
Fully Applied
(Refer to Figure 2)
As the operator applies the brake pedal, boost piston (3)
begins to move forward and compress spring (10). Pis-
ton lands (2) begin to close causing restricted uid ow
and a build-up of pressure on inlet port side of boost
piston (5).
This pressure moves boost piston (5) forward. Forward
movement of boost piston (5) causes pistons (9, 11 &
12) to move forward and force uid to the brakes.
1. The area of boost piston (5) is much larger than
master cylinder piston (12), therefore, the uid
pressure being forced to the brakes is much
higher than the pressure in boost chamber (8).
Brake system pressure in the master cylinder reacts
against the area of reaction piston (9) and is transmitted
mechanically to the brake pedal. This reaction provides
the operator with a modulated “feel” of brake system
pressure.
1. Pedal feed-back can be ne tuned to meet special
application requirements by changing the diameter
of reaction piston (9). The larger reaction piston (9),
the higher the pedal effort necessary to achieve
brake system pressure.
Continued forward pedal movement increases the
restriction of ow at piston lands (2) and causes the
increasing pressure in booster chamber (8) to move
boost piston (5) forward. As pedal effort increases, this
process continues until pressure in booster chamber (8)
reaches the booster internal relief valve (13) setting. The
relief valve pressure setting is preset at the factory.
With no additional forward movement of input piston
(3), the pressure and spring forces will equalize and
boost piston (5) will stop in this position. At this point the
booster has reached the maximum boosting capabil-
ity. Only the additional pedal effort by the operator can
further increase brake pressure by mechanically moving
the pistons forward.
Hydraulic system uid ows through the booster section
to outlet port (7) and through the remaining hydraulic
circuit. Because the booster works on the principal of
pressure drop, the resultant pressure of a power
beyond device does not affect output pressure from the
boosted master cylinder to the brakes. However, a relief
valve must be present in the hydraulic system between
the boosted master cylinder and power beyond device.
This relief valve must open at a lower pressure than the
system main relief valve to maintain the proper pressure
drop.
Brake Pedal Released
(Refer to Figure 3)
When pedal force is removed from the input piston (3)
the booster section and master cylinder section begin to
release brake system pressure and return to the neutral
(non-actuated) condition.
Springs (14 & 15) force input piston (3) back. Piston
lands (2) and ow ports (4) open. Flow restriction is
instantly removed and pressure in booster chamber (8)
equalizes with the pressure in chamber (6).
Hydraulic system ow continues to enter inlet port (1)
and exit outlet port (7).
The master cylinder section returns to the non-actuated
position.