Abstract: A redundant governor apparatus is provided for a vehicle air brake charging system. The apparatus comprises a first governor and a second governor. The apparatus also comprises a number of components arranged to enable (i) the first governor to act as primary and the second governor to act as backup to the first governor when the first governor is unable to act as primary, and (ii) the second governor to act as primary and the first governor to act as backup to the second governor when the second governor is unable to act as primary.

Abstract: A brake demand arbitrating device is provided comprising: a first transceiver configured to receive a first brake demand generated by a first brake pedal of a vehicle; a second transceiver configured to receive a second brake demand generated by a second brake pedal of the vehicle; a processor configured to determine which of the first brake demand and the second brake demand is greater; and a third transceiver configured to send the greater brake demand to a brake controller of the vehicle. Other embodiments are possible, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.

Abstract: A braking control system is provided comprising a first brake controller configured to receive a first brake demand generated by a first brake pedal of a vehicle; and a second brake controller configured to receive a second brake demand generated by a second brake pedal of the vehicle. The first brake controller is further configured to provide the first brake demand to the second brake controller, and the second brake controller is further configured to determine which of the first brake demand and the second brake demand is greater. At least one of the first and second brake controllers is further configured to cause a braking system of the vehicle to decelerate the vehicle according to the greater brake demand. Other embodiments are possible, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a foot brake module is provided comprising: a sensor configured to generate a brake demand; a first transceiver configured to receive a brake demand generated by a second foot brake module of a vehicle; a processor configured to determine which of the brake demand generated by the second foot brake module and the brake demand generated by the sensor is greater; and a second transceiver configured to send the greater brake demand to a brake controller of the vehicle. Other embodiments are possible, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.

Abstract: A braking system with redundant trailer communication is provided. In one embodiment, a braking control system for a tractor-trailer comprises a primary brake controller in a tractor configured to communicate with a trailer brake controller in a trailer via a first communication channel, and a redundant brake controller in the tractor configured to communicate with the trailer brake controller via a second communication channel. The primary brake controller is further configured to serve as a master brake controller for the trailer and communicate with an automated driving computer in the tractor. The redundant brake controller is further configured to take over as the master brake controller in response to determining that the primary brake controller can no longer serve as the master brake controller.

Abstract: A reinforced disc brake pad backing plate and brake pad are provided for use in a disc brake, including a disc brake of a commercial vehicle. The reinforced brake pad backing plate includes reinforcing material located at a radially-outer region of the backing plate that increases brake pad rigidity and provides a surface that facilitates insertion and removal of the brake pad during disc brake maintenance. The reinforcing material may extend axially away from the sides of the brake pad backing plate away from and/or toward the brake disc of the disc brake.