Abstract: A system for monitoring stroke of a spring brake actuator of a vehicle comprises a spring brake actuator having a push rod, wherein pneumatic activation of the spring brake actuator causes the push rod to further extend out of the spring brake actuator to thereby activate braking of the vehicle, and wherein pneumatic deactivation of the spring brake actuator causes the push rod to retract back into the spring brake actuator to thereby deactivate braking of the vehicle. A first magnet and a second magnet are coupled to the push rod, and the second magnet is spaced apart from the first magnet. A sensor is configured to sense a magnetic field created by the first magnet and the second magnet, and a controller is configured to determine stroke of the push rod based the magnetic field.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system includes a piston rod extendable from an air brake chamber, a rotatable cam shaft, and a slack adjuster coupled to the piston rod and the cam shaft. The slack adjuster is configured to rotate the cam shaft as the piston rod extends. The slack adjuster has a control gear coupled to the cam shaft such that the control gear rotates as the cam shaft is rotated. A pinion gear meshes with the control gear such that the pinion gear rotates as the control gear rotates, and a take-off gear meshes with the pinion gear such that the take-off gear rotates as the control gear rotates. A magnet coupled to the take-off gear is configured to rotate as the take-off gear rotates. A sensor is configured to sense rotation of the magnet, and an indicator is configured to indicate brake stroke of the piston rod.

Abstract: A brake drum for a vehicle braking system includes a closed end, an open end opposite the closed end, a braking wall axially extending between the open end and the closed end, and a compression device that applies a radial compressive force to the braking wall thereby increasing the thermo-mechanical fatigue resistance of the braking wall. A first restraining tab on the braking wall to axially restrain the compression device on the braking wall.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system includes a piston rod extendable from an air brake chamber, a rotatable cam shaft, and a slack adjuster coupled to the piston rod and the cam shaft. The slack adjuster is configured to rotate the cam shaft as the piston rod extends. The slack adjuster has a control gear coupled to the cam shaft such that the control gear rotates as the cam shaft is rotated. A pinion gear meshes with the control gear such that the pinion gear rotates as the control gear rotates, and a take-off gear meshes with the pinion gear such that the take-off gear rotates as the control gear rotates. A magnet coupled to the take-off gear is configured to rotate as the take-off gear rotates. A sensor is configured to sense rotation of the magnet, and an indicator is configured to indicate brake stroke of the piston rod.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system includes a piston rod extendable from an air brake chamber, a rotatable cam shaft, and a slack adjuster coupled to the piston rod and the cam shaft. The slack adjuster is configured to rotate the cam shaft as the piston rod extends. The slack adjuster has a control gear coupled to the cam shaft such that the control gear rotates as the cam shaft is rotated. A pinion gear meshes with the control gear such that the pinion gear rotates as the control gear rotates, and a take-off gear meshes with the pinion gear such that the take-off gear rotates as the control gear rotates. A magnet coupled to the take-off gear is configured to rotate as the take-off gear rotates. A sensor is configured to sense rotation of the magnet, and an indicator is configured to indicate brake stroke of the piston rod.

Abstract: Spring failure detection systems include an air brake cylinder having a spring axially extending therein, a sensor coupled to the air brake cylinder and configured to sense forces applied to the air brake cylinder, an indicator coupled to the sensor and configured to indicate failure of the spring based on the forces sensed by the sensor, and a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to control the indicator. Methods for detecting failure of a spring are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system includes a piston rod extendable from an air brake chamber, a rotatable cam shaft, and a slack adjuster coupled to the piston rod and the cam shaft. The slack adjuster is configured to rotate the cam shaft as the piston rod extends. The slack adjuster has a control gear coupled to the cam shaft such that the control gear rotates as the cam shaft is rotated. A pinion gear meshes with the control gear such that the pinion gear rotates as the control gear rotates, and a take-off gear meshes with the pinion gear such that the take-off gear rotates as the control gear rotates. A magnet coupled to the take-off gear is configured to rotate as the take-off gear rotates. A sensor is configured to sense rotation of the magnet, and an indicator is configured to indicate brake stroke of the piston rod.

Abstract: Spring failure detection systems include an air brake cylinder having a spring axially extending therein, a sensor coupled to the air brake cylinder and configured to sense forces applied to the air brake cylinder, an indicator coupled to the sensor and configured to indicate failure of the spring based on the forces sensed by the sensor, and a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to control the indicator. Methods for detecting failure of a spring are also disclosed.

Abstract: A brake drum for a vehicle braking system includes a closed end, an open end opposite the closed end, a braking wall axially extending between the open end and the closed end, and a compression device that applies a radial compressive force to the braking wall thereby increasing the thermo-mechanical fatigue resistance of the braking wall. A first restraining tab on the braking wall to axially restrain the compression device on the braking wall.