Abstract: A self-contained trailer braking system comprises a fifth wheel hitch attached to a trailer frame, where the trailer hitch further comprises a kingpin to engage a fifth wheel of a towing vehicle. A sliding mechanism is attached to the kingpin, where the sliding mechanism is slidingly captured within the trailer frame and can move between a forward position and a rear position. A spring is attached to the sliding mechanism and the trailer frame, where the spring biases the sliding member to the forward position. A brake actuator is mounted to the trailer frame and linked to the sliding mechanism. A brake assembly is attached to the brake actuator, and a power supply is attached to the brake assembly, where power is applied to the brake assembly when the sliding mechanism is away from the forward position.

Abstract: A brake stroke sensor is disclosed. In particular, a digital brake stroke sensor capable of indicating a position of pushrod linear displacement is disclosed. The brake stroke sensor includes a prism attached to the pushrod. The prism includes a number of markers to code position information. Sensors read the coded position information and electronics convert the position information to a form useable humans.

Abstract: With electromechanically or electromotively operated brakes, adjusting a clearance presents a problem because with this type of brakes self-actuating reset means of the type provided for hydraulic brakes cannot be used. For adjustment, a neutral position of the actuator must first be determined in which at least one of the friction linings is in close proximity. To this end, the present invention provides for the change in the actuator current (IAkt) and the change in the actuator position (&phgr;Akt) to be evaluated so as to determine the contact.

Abstract: The system and method for monitoring wear of one or more aircraft parts, such as an aircraft brake, an aircraft tire, a standby system, and landing gear. One or more sensors are provided for sensing a parameter of usage, and an estimate of usage of the part can be determined based upon the signal indicating the sensed value of the parameter of usage of the aircraft part. A plurality of sensors can be provided for sensing usage of a plurality of parts of the aircraft, and the estimate of usage of the part can be stored for access of the estimate by ground personnel. As applied to monitoring wear of an aircraft brake, a linear brake wear indicator attached to the brake moves a discrete distance when the brake is actuated, and a linear position encoder measures the distance travelled by the linear brake wear indicator as an indication of brake usage.

Abstract: A brake system with an integral proximity sensor for providing an indication of a condition of the brake system. The brake system includes a brake drum, a brake shoe, a brake pad, and a position sensor. The brake pad is connected to a pad mounting surface of the brake shoe. The brake pad and brake shoe are movable from a disengaged position, where the brake pad is spaced apart from the brake drum to an engaged position, where the pad is in forcible engagement with the brake drum. The position sensor is coupled to the brake shoe for sensing the position of the brake shoe with respect to the position sensor. The position of the brake shoe with respect to the position sensor provides an indication of one or more conditions of the brake system.

Abstract: A brake system with an integral proximity sensor for providing an indication of a condition of the brake system. The brake system includes a brake drum, a brake shoe, a brake pad, and a position sensor. The brake pad is connected to a pad mounting surface of the brake shoe. The brake pad and brake shoe are movable from a disengaged position, where the brake pad is spaced apart from the brake drum to an engaged position, where the pad is in forcible engagement with the brake drum. The position sensor is coupled to the brake shoe for sensing the position of the brake shoe with respect to the position sensor. The position of the brake shoe with respect to the position sensor provides an indication of one or more conditions of the brake system.

Abstract: A probe (20) has a holder (21) with a small-diameter portion (25) and a stepped surface (33) at a base end of the small diameter portion (25). The stepped surface (33) is recessed over the entire circumference of a base end of a small-diameter portion (25) to form a groove (40) and an inner corner of the groove (40) is rounded. The probe (20) is mounted by resiliently pressing the stepped surface (33) against the edge of a mount hole (15) in a base plate (13) of a brake shoe (12). A bending force acts on the small-diameter portion (25) of the holder (21) due to the sliding contact of the brake drum (10). However, the rounded portion (41) at the bottom of the groove (40) avoids a stress concentration on an inner corner of the base end of the small diameter portion (25).

Abstract: A method of monitoring the motion of an actuator of a vehicle brake including establishing an actuator reference coordinate which is associated with a predetermined actuator reference position, defining an actuator actual coordinate in accordance with the actuator reference coordinate and in accordance with the motion of the actuator, establishing a first permitted actuator motion range from a permitted release end coordinate of the actuator for release of the brake and a first permitted brake application end coordinate of the actuator for application of the brake in accordance with the actuator reference coordinate and outputting a signal when the actuator actual coordinate lies outside the first permitted actuator motion range.

Abstract: Structure disposed within a brake housing for measuring the displacement of a reference within said brake housing so as to indicate the brake stroke condition on a vehicle braking system.

Abstract: A braking assembly (102) and method for use with a brake by wire system provides braking forces to first and second wheels (104, 106) as a function of first and second electrical brake signals. A first hydraulic brake assembly (108) coupled to the first wheel (104) applies a first braking force to the first wheel (104). A second hydraulic brake assembly (110) coupled to the second wheel (106) applies a second braking force to the second wheel (106). A first pressure sensor (112) senses a pressure of the first hydraulic brake assembly (108) and responsively produces a first pressure signal. A second pressure sensor (114) senses a pressure of the second hydraulic brake assembly (110) and responsively produces a second pressure signal. A controller (116) receives a desired brake actuation signal and responsively determines the first and second electrical brake signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting brake oil level and controlling engine operation includes a detecting wiring inside a brake oil cup for detecting an oil level of a brake oil. The oil level inside the oil cup floats a buoyant plate with a plurality of holes for stabilizing the oil level to preventing from any detecting error of the oil level. The detecting wiring is mounted to a triangular pillar. The triangular pillar provides three lateral sides to adhere respectively three conductive components of the detecting wiring with different lengths. A control circuitry is also included to detect the oil level and to determine the alarm light selected from a green light, a yellow light and a red light, in which the yellow light can be flickered for a particular alarming purpose.

Abstract: A monitoring and information system for a vehicle's brakes and tires. The system includes one or more position sensors and/or temperature sensors that are used to measure parameters of the vehicles brakes and tires. The measured parameters are compared to known threshold parameters with one or more comparitors. When one of the measured parameters is outside the limits of one of the threshold parameters, the system provides a signal indicating that an undesirable condition exists on one of the vehicles brakes or tires and provides information about the undesirable condition.

Abstract: A knob arrangement for operating parking brakes intended for use in vehicles comprising brake units and an electrically operated tensioning device for applying or releasing braking force to the brake units. According to the invention, a device is arranged to sense the position of the knob and to send control signals to a first electric motor which is arranged to power the tensioning device for generating a braking force corresponding to the position of the knob. The knob is manually adjustable and, in a fully applied position, at maximum braking force, mechanically lockable. A control motor is arranged to automatically displace the knob to the fully applied and mechanically locked position dependent on second control signals applied to the motor. In its fully applied, locked position the knob is only releasable from the locked position by manual operation.

Abstract: A monitoring system for brake disks, particularly of rail vehicles, having at least one sensor which is arranged in the brake disk or in the proximity of the brake disk and whose sensor signals relate to the temperature of the brake disk. The monitoring system includes at least one transmitter which transmits the sensor signals, and at least one receiver which receives the transmitted sensor signals in a wireless manner. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of monitoring the temperature of brake disks. The method includes measuring the temperature 6 at least one brake disk, converting sensor signals to processible values; transmitting the values or the sensor signal into a receiver; and processing the received values or senor signals in a control and/or regulating unit.

Abstract: A monitoring and information system for a vehicle's brakes and tires. The system includes one or more position sensors and/or temperature sensors that are used to measure parameters of the vehicles brakes and tires. The measured parameters are compared to known threshold parameters with one or more comparitors. When one of the measured parameters is outside the limits of one of the threshold parameters, the system provides a signal indicating that an undesirable condition exists on one of the vehicles brakes or tires and provides information about the undesirable condition.

Abstract: A fixed time fashion electrical brake arrester is provided with a fixed time fashion duty cycle limiter device that is mounted in the control loop of the fixed time fashion electrical brake arrester. The fixed time fashion duty cycle limiter device determines whether the duty cycle of the driving gate opening and the current of the driving motor should be limited. Hence, the current that is output when the motor is at rest does not exceed that of the maximum sustainable torque force so that the electrical arrester is prevented from being damaged.

Abstract: A decration sensor includes a pendulum which is suspended within an U-shaped bucket. The pendulum carries a permanent magnet which is adjacent to a Hall Effect device mounted upon the bucket. Both the pendulum and bucket are carried in an open ended housing which permits movement of the bucket relative to the pendulum to adjust for surface angles when the sensor is mounted upon a vehicle. Upon the deceleration of the vehicle, the pendulum move relative to the Hall Effect Device. As a result of the changing magnetic field, a voltage is generated by the Hall Effect Device which is directly proportional to the vehicle deceleration.

Abstract: A brake assembly of the constant friction type has a rotary transmission shaft fitted with a constant friction brake device including a first set of friction plates carried on the shaft and a second set of friction plates interleaved with the friction plate and mounted on a friction element support. The friction brake device acts on the shaft to apply a braking torque thereto in at least one direction of rotary movement. The friction element support is rotatable relative to the shaft and to a housing of the assembly. A detent mechanism acts between the housing and the friction element support so as to retain the support against rotation below a predetermined braking torque. A signalling means such as a proximity sensor is arranged to be operated when the friction element support moves relative to the housing.

Abstract: In a roller with a built-in motor, which is powered by a brushless motor and stopped by an electromagnetic brake, when an electric current is supplied to the brushless motor, an electric current is supplied at a certain voltage to the electromagnetic coil to release the electromagnetic brake. The rpm of the brushless motor is detected; and when it reaches a certain predetermined level, the supply of the electric current to the electromagnetic coil is turned off and on in a short period of time, thus maintaining the released condition of the electromagnetic brake. By turning off and on the supply of the electric current to the electromagnetic coil, the average voltage can be maintained low, and the heat generation can be reduced.

Abstract: A brake shoe assembly includes a backing plate and a brake lining. The brake lining has an interface surface abutting the backing plate and a frictionally engaging surface that frictionally contacts a vehicle. The brake lining is provided with a temperature measuring system embedded therein which may measure the temperature directly on the frictionally engaging surface of the brake lining material by way of a heat pipe. The temperature measuring device communicates with a control that activates a signal when a predetermined abnormal degree of heat is generated on the frictionally engaging surface of the brake lining. Thus, a fault in the braking mechanism is indicated.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting the lockup of a transport device wheel. The rotating of the wheels is detected using sensors. Data about the rotating of the wheels is relayed to a control unit which monitors the rotating of the wheels for a predetermined control period. If the control unit detects, on the basis of the information received from the sensors, that at least one of the wheels is locked up, the control unit sends an alarm unit a command for raising an alarm. When the alarm unit receives the command, it raises an alarm to warn the driver that one or more wheels are locked up.

Abstract: A method for adjusting or altering the play between brake linings and friction surfaces of motor vehicle brakes by means of controllable and adjustable lifting and return movements of the brake linings is disclosed. In this case, the play is altered as a function of the actuation of the gas pedal, such that the play is reduced if the pressure exerted on the gas pedal is reduced and/or if the gas pedal is released. The device for adjusting or altering the play between brake linings and friction surfaces of motor vehicle brakes contains a brake control/brake regulator (4) for acquiring and processing electronic signals delivered by a brake pedal sensor (2) and, if so required, other sensors, and for actuating electromechanical brake actuators (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric brake system for a motor vehicle wherein each wheel of the vehicle includes a brake actuator (2) assigned thereto. The invention also relates to a brake actuator for an electric brake system. During a braking operation, the brake linings (20a and 20b) are pressed against the brake disc (30) with a pregiven braking force by a braking-force device (10) of the brake actuator (2). At least one of the brake actuators (2) includes a sensor with which an elastic deformation of the braking-force device (10) or the brake yoke (18) is measured. This elastic deformation occurs during a braking operation. The braking force is determined from the measured elastic deformation and this braking force is then available for the control of the brake system.