Abstract: An on-vehicle disk brake lathe system is attachable to a vehicle in order to machine a brake disk attached to a wheel hub and rotating about a wheel hub axis. The brake disk has an in-board friction face and an out-board friction face opposite the in-board friction face. The on-vehicle disk brake lathe system comprises a cutting mechanism and a brake disk drive unit including a wheel hub adaptor removably connectable to the wheel hub and a motor configured to rotate the wheel hub adaptor and the brake disk when the wheel hub adaptor is connected to the wheel hub. Further, the on-vehicle disk brake lathe system comprises a capture device. The capture device is configured to be moved to a position at which the capture device can capture an image showing at least a portion of the brake disk and/or at least a portion of the cutting mechanism.

Abstract: A measurement device (MD) includes a processor to sample electrical signals of a circuit connected to a sensor, such as a current transformer, and to provide measurement data to a processing system (PS) based on the sampled electrical signals. An electrical circuit carrying AC electricity to and from an electrical shop tool (EST) can pass through the sensor. The measurement data can represent use or non-use of the EST. An EST, such as a vehicle lift or wheel balancer, can comprise an electrical motor connected to the electrical circuit. An EST, such as an air compressor, can comprise an electrical pump connected to the electrical circuit. The PS can determine an actionable condition based on a single measurement value or an aggregate of measurement values and determine a notification to send to a destination regarding the actionable condition. The destination can be a user account, a smartphone, or another destination.

Abstract: A processor receives measurement data from a measurement device (MD) connected to an electrical shop tool (EST). The MD can sample electrical signals of a circuit connected to a sensor, such as a current transformer, and provide measurement data based on sampled signals. The measurement data can represent use or non-use of the EST. An EST, such as a vehicle lift or wheel balancer, can comprise an electrical motor connected to the electrical circuit. An EST, such as an air compressor, can comprise an electrical pump connected to the electrical circuit. The processor can determine an actionable condition based on a single measurement value or an aggregate of measurement values and determine a notification to send to a destination regarding the actionable condition. The actionable condition can be based on a rule regarding a person's preferences and attributes. The destination can be a user account, a smartphone, or another destination.

Abstract: A measurement device (MD) includes a processor to sample electrical signals of a circuit connected to a sensor, such as a current transformer, and to provide measurement data to a processing system (PS) based on the sampled electrical signals. An electrical circuit carrying AC electricity to and from an electrical shop tool (EST) can pass through the sensor. The measurement data can represent use or non-use of the EST. An EST, such as a vehicle lift or wheel balancer, can comprise an electrical motor connected to the electrical circuit. An EST, such as an air compressor, can comprise an electrical pump connected to the electrical circuit. The PS can determine an actionable condition based on a single measurement value or an aggregate of measurement values and determine a notification to send to a destination regarding the actionable condition. The destination can be a user account, a smartphone, or another destination.

Abstract: A processor receives measurement data from a measurement device (MD) connected to an electrical shop tool (EST). The MD can sample electrical signals of a circuit connected to a sensor, such as a current transformer, and provide measurement data based on sampled signals. The measurement data can represent use or non-use of the EST. An EST, such as a vehicle lift or wheel balancer, can comprise an electrical motor connected to the electrical circuit. An EST, such as an air compressor, can comprise an electrical pump connected to the electrical circuit. The processor can determine an actionable condition based on a single measurement value or an aggregate of measurement values and determine a notification to send to a destination regarding the actionable condition. The actionable condition can be based on a rule regarding a person's preferences and attributes. The destination can be a user account, a smartphone, or another destination.

Abstract: A reporting system, employing a microprocessor, tracks the operation of an on-vehicle brake lathe and provides records of the resurfacing operations performed by the lathe. Identification of the vehicle and wheel position of a brake disk to be resurfaced are inputted using an operator interface, and stored in a temporary memory. When tool bits of the lathe are positioned to set a depth of cut, a thickness monitor indicates the resulting thickness for the brake disk, which is compared to a minimum thickness specification for the inputted vehicle and wheel position to determine whether the disk can be resurfaced to meet the specification. If so, a cutting operation evaluator monitors a continuity checker that is responsive to contact of the tool bits and the disk to determine when the resurfacing operation is complete, at which time the collected data can be reported.

Abstract: An on-vehicle disk brake lathe has a motor connected to a right-angle gearbox mounted to a body of the lathe, the gearbox in turn driving a spindle shaft through a flexible drive linkage such as a belt or chain. The spindle shaft extends parallel to a gearbox output shaft, and both are normal to an axis of rotation of the motor. The flexible drive linkage can be tensioned by adjustably mounting the gearbox to the lathe body or by use of an adjustably positioned tensioning element. A cover can enclose the flexible drive linkage. The separate gearbox allows the use of durable bearings for the spindle shaft, and allows these bearings to be spaced apart to provide a high degree of stability. The modular structure of the resulting lathe simplifies fabrication and repair, and allows use of a modular body for the lathe.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the contact of tool bits of a lathe with surfaces of a brake disk being machined employs a vibration sensor coupled to the lathe. Signals from the vibration sensor are processed as time-averaged segments that can be grouped within time intervals; a microprocessor employs a qualifying routine to compare the signal level to a background noise threshold value and indicates as “failed” those time periods where the average signal level is not above the background noise threshold. An accumulator records the indications over a number of intervals and compares the result to a standard to make a determination of whether the lathe is likely actively cutting the disk surfaces. To isolate intermittent, high-intensity noises, a consistency routine can check further to see whether individual segments within an interval fall within a range based on the average signal level for that interval.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the contact of tool bits of a lathe with surfaces of a brake disk being machined employs a vibration sensor coupled to the lathe. Signals from the vibration sensor are processed as time-averaged segments that can be grouped within time intervals; a microprocessor employs a qualifying routine to compare the signal level to a background noise threshold value and indicates as “failed” those time periods where the average signal level is not above the background noise threshold. An accumulator records the indications over a number of intervals and compares the result to a standard to make a determination of whether the lathe is likely actively cutting the disk surfaces. To isolate intermittent, high-intensity noises, a consistency routine can check further to see whether individual segments within an interval fall within a range based on the average signal level for that interval.

Abstract: A dynamic alignment monitoring system allows an operator to monitor the misalignment of an on-vehicle disk brake lathe with respect to a vehicle axis about which the disk to be machined rotates, and can allow the operator to discontinue further alignment when appropriate in order to speed the overall time of the alignment process. The system processes signals from an angular rate sensor and a tachometer, using a scaling routine to derive a LRO value corresponding to the LRO of the disk which would result from machining in the current alignment condition. A representation of the derived LRO value is displayed to the operator. An operator override can allow the operator to discontinue further alignment adjustments when an acceptable alignment condition is indicated. The system can aid the operator by also presenting a representation of an acceptable LRO value for the particular vehicle being serviced.

Abstract: A cutting head assembly holds a pair of tool bits for an on-vehicle brake disk lathe having a platform. The cutting head assembly has a platform key fixed to the platform and extending parallel to a brake disk axis of rotation. The cutting head assembly also has a plate having a plate keyway that slidably engages the platform key. Tool bit arms are adjustably mounted to the plate and support the tool bits. A locking structure connected to the plate locks the platform key with respect to the plate keyway, and the interaction of the locking structure with the plate and the platform key creates a compressive load between the plate and the platform as the platform key is locked with respect to the plate keyway.

Abstract: An on-vehicle disk brake lathe has a motor connected to a right-angle gearbox mounted to a body of the lathe, the gearbox in turn driving a spindle shaft through a flexible drive linkage such as a belt or chain. The spindle shaft extends parallel to a gearbox output shaft, and both are normal to an axis of rotation of the motor. The flexible drive linkage can be tensioned by adjustably mounting the gearbox to the lathe body or by use of an adjustably positioned tensioning element. A cover can enclose the flexible drive linkage. The separate gearbox allows the use of durable bearings for the spindle shaft, and allows these bearings to be spaced apart to provide a high degree of stability. The modular structure of the resulting lathe simplifies fabrication and repair, and allows use of a modular body for the lathe.

Abstract: An alignment mechanism that employs two slant disks to adjust alignment between the axes of rotation of a lathe spindle and a wheel hub has a float plate positioned between the slant disks. Rotation of the float plate is limited with respect to a base, which affixes to the lathe spindle, and a cap, which affixes with respect to the wheel hub. Limiting rotation of the float plate prevents transfer of torque from one slant disk to the other when one slant disk is rotated with respect to the base and the cap by an alignment adjustment system to vary the angle and orientation of the misalignment between the two axes. Preventing such transfer of torque allows each of the slant disks to be independently adjusted by the alignment adjustment mechanism without applying a drag force to the slant disk.

Abstract: A device for resurfacing a rotor of a vehicle brake system while the rotor is mounted on the vehicle includes a cutting assembly and a finishing assembly. The cutting assembly has a cutting tool that is moveable between a cutting position where the cutting tool is configured to machine a surface of the rotor, and a retracted position where the cutting tool is spaced from the surface of the rotor. The finishing assembly is coupled to the cutting assembly and has a finishing head that is moveable between a disengaged position where the finishing head is spaced from the surface of the rotor, and a finishing position where the finishing head is configured to finish the surface of the rotor.

Abstract: A dynamic alignment monitoring system allows an operator to monitor the misalignment of an on-vehicle disk brake lathe with respect to a vehicle axis about which the disk to be machined rotates, and can allow the operator to discontinue further alignment when appropriate in order to speed the overall time of the alignment process. The system processes signals from an angular rate sensor and a tachometer, using a scaling routine to derive a LRO value corresponding to the LRO of the disk which would result from machining in the current alignment condition. A representation of the derived LRO value is displayed to the operator. An operator override can allow the operator to discontinue further alignment adjustments when an acceptable alignment condition is indicated. The system can aid the operator by also presenting a representation of an acceptable LRO value for the particular vehicle being serviced.

Abstract: An articulated arm assembly adapted to carry machine means comprising a first member, a second member pivotally connected at one end thereof to said first member for pivotal movement thereabout, a third member extending outwardly from another end of said second member, said third member including means for connection to said machine means, means for adjusting the position of said machine means.

Abstract: A vibration attenuator for a disk brake lathe has two friction pads, each having a pad recess with a distal wall and a proximal wall. When the pads are placed against a brake disk, the recesses are placed over raised heads of fasteners that affix cutting tools of the lathe to adjustable tool holders. When the tool holders are moved radially outwards across the brake disk, the fastener raised heads engage the recess proximal walls and move the pads along with the cutting tools, and also serve to couple the pads with the cutting tools to dampen vibrations. Similarly, when the tool holders are moved radially inwards, the fastener raised heads engage the recess distal walls to move the pads along with the cutting tools. A U-shaped member having a tension spring extending between two legs on which the pads are mounted forcibly engages the pads with the brake disk.

Abstract: A brake lathe station has an on-vehicle brake lathe and a lift with support posts for raising a vehicle. A support structure supports the lathe while allowing it to be moved with respect to a horizontal plane about the vehicle to assist the lathe operator in positioning the lathe with respect to wheel hubs of the vehicle. The lathe is preferably connected to the support structure by an adjustable coupling which allows vertically tilting a lathe rotation axis of the lathe, as well as allowing rotation of the lathe substantially about its lathe rotation axis. The lathe can also be moved with respect to a vertical plane. The lathe can be floated with respect to the support structure while the lathe is mounted on the wheel hub. The coupling can be designed to allow attaching a dolly to the lathe while it is still supported by the support structure.

Abstract: An improved brake lathe station has an on-vehicle brake lathe and a lift with one or more support posts for raising a vehicle. A support structure is provided to support the lathe while allowing it to be moved with respect to a horizontal plane about the vehicle to assist the lathe operator in positioning the lathe with respect to wheel hubs of the vehicle. The lathe is preferably connected to the support structure by an adjustable coupling which allows vertically tilting a lathe rotation axis of the lathe, as well as allowing rotation of the lathe substantially about its lathe rotation axis. Preferably, the lathe can also be moved with respect to a vertical plane. To prevent transmission of vibrations during the machining process, it is preferred for the lathe to be floated with respect to the support structure while the lathe is mounted on the wheel hub.

Abstract: An articulated arm assembly adapted to carry machine means comprising a first member, a second member pivotally connected at one end thereof to said first member for pivotal movement thereabout, a third member extending outwardly from another end of said second member, said third member including means for connection to said machine means, means for adjusting the position of said machine means.