Abstract: A low cost brake sensor incorporates a sensor portion extending through one of the rivet holes in the backing plate of the brake pad. A locking sleeve snaps onto the sensor portion and secures the sensor to the backing plate. Preferably, the locking sleeve has a lip which snaps into a groove in an outer periphery of a sensor portion. The present invention thus provides a relatively low cost and secure way for attaching the sensor to the brake pad. No modification of the lining or the backing plate is necessary.

Abstract: A sensor for determining the on/off condition of a railroad car handbrake that utilizes a manual wheel which applies tension to a chain extending under the car to the brake setting system and the sensor utilizes a bias member which pushes against the side of the chain so that when the car brakes are not set, and the chain is loose, the bias member moves to distort the chain and such movement causes a sensor, such as a Hall effect device, to approach a magnetic member to produce a signal indicating that the brake is in a released condition.

Abstract: A mechanical sensor for a hand brake quick release mechanism having a housing, flexible clamp, and release shaft having a member with first and second elements. A housing member has open and closed ends. The open end is engageable with a housing outside wall at a point radially opposed to the flexible clamp. A first aperture formed through the closed end is in axial alignment with a second aperture through the housing wall and a third aperture through the flexible clamp. A first portion of the slidable member is disposed within the housing member. A second portion extends through the first aperture, and a portion of the first portion extends through the second and third apertures, engaging with the first element when the release shaft is rotated to achieve and maintain full brake release. A device is provided for urging the slidable member inwardly when the hand brake is applied.

Abstract: A parking brake assembly for an automotive drum brake is provided. The parking brake assembly replaces a conventional mechanical strut with an electronic strut actuator subassembly that provides for parking brake engagement and disengagement, sensing of brake lining wear and adjustment of brake shoe-to-drum clearance.

Abstract: A device can indicate the total load of a brake disk made of carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramic material. In order to create such a device, which can be used for brake disks and other friction elements made of carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramic material, an indicator element can be provided in the brake disk starting from the friction surface. The oxidation stability of this indicator element is reduced with respect to the material of the brake disk.

Abstract: A haptic braking method and system is disclosed. A controller operates a pump to apply brake fluid to a brake when it is necessary to decelerate a wheel during an active cruise control mode of a vehicle. The controller further operates one or more valves to cyclically vary a pressure level of the brake fluid to cause one or more haptic movements of the brake.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for incorporating a feedback mechanism (24) into a train railcar wheel braking system (10) to regulate applied braking force. The feedback mechanism (24) provides information to an electronically controlled pneumatic braking system (10) sufficient to detect impending wheel slip or skid. Responsive to the wheel slip/skid information, a brake control processor (18) modulates the braking force applied to the train railcar wheel system to enable the braking system (10) to apply a braking force without damaging the railcar wheel system or rails over which the railcar wheels are traveling.

Abstract: A vehicle brake assembly includes a sensor that detects the amount of movement of certain components within the brake assembly. In the preferred embodiment, a rotary sensor is coupled directly with the generally S-shaped cam member and provides signals that indicate the total amount of rotary movement of the cam member during braking applications. These signals provide information indicative of the amount of slack or stroke during braking applications and provide indications of the conditions of brake linings associated with the brake shoes within the brake assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for operation a railway car vertical wheel hand brake. A hand brake wheel has a hub fixed on an operating shaft. The operating shaft is rotatably mounted on the hand brake. The hand brake wheel further has a reaction member. A brake release mechanism is fixed on a brake release shaft that is rotatably mounted on the hand brake. The reaction member is engageable with the brake release mechanism when the hand brake wheel is rotated, whereby the position of the brake release mechanism will provide a visual indicator of the brake status.

Abstract: A probe case attached to a back plate includes a first elastic locking piece for coupling with the back plate and a second elastic locking piece for fixedly positioning a probe. When the first elastic locking piece is attached to the back plate in a state of not mounting the probe, the first elastic locking piece is brought into a tacked state of being coupled to the back plate attachably and detachably. Further, when the probe is mounted in the tacked state, elastic deformation of the first elastic locking piece is restricted by the probe to thereby bring about a locking state in which the probe case cannot be detached from the back plate. The second elastic locking piece includes a release operating portion for causing elastic deformation for disengaging engagement with the probe.

Abstract: An electronic sensor for a quick release mechanism in a railcar vertical hand brake having a housing equipped with a flexible clamp mounted on an inside wall, and a release shaft having a member disposed perpendicular to and about the circumference thereof. A first element is disposed on the member and interposes with the flexible clamp when the release shaft is rotated to achieve and maintain a full brake release. A second element engages a projection on a ratchet wheel when the operating shaft is rotated to disengage the first element from the flexible clamp. A sensing device is disposed in a predetermined position for detecting when the release shaft is rotated into a release position, and for communicating a signal, indicating that the hand brake is in the release position. A device for activating the sensing device when the release shaft is rotated is disposed in a predetermined position.

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: An anti-lock brake system (ABS) or an electro-pneumatic brake system (EBS) for a vehicle, such as a trailer, is used to perform a function of the vehicle when it is in reverse such as sounding an audible back-up alarm and/or lighting a back-up lamp. A sensor member is mounted on an axle of the vehicle is used to determine the speed of rotation of the wheel and to determine the direction of rotation of the wheel by sensing an exciting ring which rotates with the wheel. A controller processes information from the sensor member regarding the wheel speed and the direction of wheel rotation. A circuit causes the function on the vehicle to be performed when it is activated by the controller.

Abstract: A vehicle brake assembly includes a sensor that detects the amount of movement of certain components within the brake assembly. In the preferred embodiment, a rotary sensor is coupled directly with the generally S-shaped cam member and provides signals that indicate the total amount of rotary movement of the cam member (during braking applications. These signals provide information indicative of the amount of slack or stroke during braking applications and provide indications of the conditions of brake linings associated with the brake shoes within the brake assembly. The sensor information preferably is communicated to a vehicle operator in a manner that indicates whether an inspection or maintenance of the braking system is advisable.

Abstract: A vehicle break assembly includes a sensor that detects the amount of movement of certain components within the brake assembly. In the preferred embodiment, a rotary sensor is coupled directly with the generally S-shaped cam member and provides signals that indicate the total amount of rotary movement of the cam member during breaking applications. These signals provide information indicative of the amount of slack or stroke during braking applications and provide indications of the conditions of brake linings associated with the brake shoes within the brake assembly. The sensor information preferably is communicated to a vehicle operator in a manner that indicates whether an inspection or maintenance of the braking system is advisable.

Abstract: A railroad brake sensing apparatus particularly suitable for handbrake sensing has a sheave wheel/bellcrank bracket which is slotted to allow the wheel/crank axle to move from a first position when the chain is under tension and the brake is applied; to a second position when the chain is slack and the brake is off. A sensor is placed to detect when the wheel/crank is in the second position. The brake sensing apparatus is easily adapted to be used with other forms of brake actuating force and placed with other moving members of the brake rigging.