Abstract: The invention concerns a disk brake with a brake lining holding device for a brake lining that can be tensioned in the direction of a brake disk and comprising a lining support plate and a brake lining material applied thereon, wherein a limit stop for limiting the adjustment path of the brake lining is provided. The invention is characterized in that the limit stop for limiting the adjustment path of the brake lining can be elastically and/or plastically deformed under the effect of a given brake force produced by the disk brake.

Abstract: In a disk brake of a vehicle, a caliper device which supports pads that can be pressed against a brake disk rotating with a wheel and which exerts a force to press the pads against the brake disk, is supported on a support member that supports an axle of the wheel. A recess that allows an entire thickness of the pad to be always visually identified from outside, is provided in a portion of a member that constitutes the caliper device, the portion covering the pad from outside. Thus, a degree of freedom in positioning of the caliper device is increased in checking a remaining amount of a pad.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a digital sensor for monitoring the wear of lining material of a disc brake. The sensor is to be attached to the end of an adjusting shaft of an adjusting mechanism, which mechanism is used for adjusting the position of brake pads in relation to the brake disc. The sensor has two or more code parts of which one is rotated continuously by rotation of the adjustment shaft. The code parts have paths of codes to be read by detectors placed on a PCB. The PCB has circuitry to relate the position of the sensor to the wear of the lining material.

Abstract: A brake element for use in applying a frictional braking force to a rotating brake rotor includes a backing plate and a pad of friction material mounted on the backing plate. The backing plate is formed with an integral wear sensor portion in the form of a punched tab feature that is bent out of the mounting plate. A tip end of the wear sensor resides below the level of the outer braking surface of the pad. When the pad wears to the point where the sensor tip is exposed, it rubs on the rotor and generates an audible signal.

Abstract: A disc brake has a brake disc and a brake caliper spanning the brake disc. A brake applicator shaft is supported on the brake caliper and arranged transversely to an axis of rotation of the brake disc. The brake applicator shaft has a rotary lever for actuating the brake applicator shaft. An adjusting device provided with a thrust spindle having an end face facing away from the brake disc is provided. The brake applicator shaft transmits upon brake application a brake force through the thrust spindle onto the brake disc. A monitoring device is provided that has a measuring element moveable relative to the brake caliper and resting against the end face of the thrust spindle.

Abstract: An electromechanically actuatable disk brake with a self-boosting device includes a wear readjusting device which can for instance be adjusted by means of an electric motor as an actuator, to compensate for wear of a restoring device.

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 disc brake assembly has a support member secured to a vehicle to position a caliper over a rotor. The caliper has a housing with a bore therein for retaining a piston and a first friction member attached thereto in alignment with a first braking surface on the rotor and a bridge that straddles the rotor to position a second friction member in alignment with a second braking surface on the rotor. The bore receives pressurized fluid from a source that acts on the piston to develop an actuation force for moving the first friction member into engagement with the first braking surface and acts on the housing to cause the caliper to move the second friction member into engagement with the second braking surface to effect a brake application. The first and second friction members have a first initial thickness and the rotor has a second initial thickness that are reduced with each brake application.

Abstract: System and method for monitoring the applications of the brakes, e.g. of an aircraft to determine brake condition and operate a brake maintenance programme or charge a brake system user. It is desirable to have accurate information for determining the condition and predicting the life of carbon-carbon brake discs. This is important for safety as well as commercial reasons. The number of landings of an aircraft is often used as a determinant for such as lifetime warranties for brake discs and recommended maintenance periods. However, at least for carbon disc brakes, this may not be entirely accurate. For example such brake discs also wear during taxiing. The system and method herein includes monitoring each actuation of the brakes and making a separate record of each actuation of the brakes in which there is relative movement of the facing friction surfaces that cause wear, and from that separate record determining brake usage.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the thickness of at least one friction partner of a vehicle friction brake, especially the brake linings of a vehicle braking system; for each braking action, the actuating time, the applied braking pressure, the relative speed between the brake lining and the moving brake element, as well as the prevailing temperature in this region, being taken into account in a wear model in such a manner, that the wear determined by the wear model is subtracted from a starting thickness of the friction partners, in particular, the brake linings, and each wheel of the vehicle being monitored individually. A preferred polynomial formulation is specified for the wear model. In the brake lining, at least one wear stamp can also be provided, upon reaching which the current, existing brake lining thickness and/or the polynomial formulation may be appropriately corrected.

Abstract: A brake disc wear indicator comprising a brake disc rotor having two opposed braking surfaces for engaging opposed brake friction pads, and at least one hole provided in the rotor at a location behind a braking surface and at a predetermined depth and distance from the braking surface such that the hole is originally invisible by the presence of brake rotor material but becomes visible when brake rotor material is worn away to the extent that the hole becomes exposed and visible.

Abstract: A method of determining whether brake wear has exceeded a predetermined maximum in a brake of the kind including at least one first brake part which is moveable into engagement with at least one second brake part which is rotatable with a member to be braked, and an actuator to move the first brake part into engagement with the second brake part an indicator element being movable with the actuator, and the first and second brake parts, the actuator and indicator element being housed in a housing which includes a guide adapted to receive an indicator probe the guide being positioned to correspond to a position beyond which the indicator element will move when brake wear has exceeded a predetermined maximum, the method including moving the indicator probe in the guide towards the indicator element and determining whether the indicator probe engages the indicator element.

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 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 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: 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 machine operator or service person is alerted to the excessive wear condition of friction discs in friction couplings or brakes of construction machinery by being provided with a visual indication of wear of the friction discs in one embodiment, a wear indicating pin element is shifted axially by a brake piston and the position of the end of the pin element is visible through a window in a brake housing, thereby providing a visual indication of the wear condition of the friction disc. In a second embodiment of the invention the excessive wear condition of the friction discs is revealed by a signal light which is activated by a pressure switch responding to the pressure of the fluid delivered to a brake cylinder when the brake piston moves a predetermined distance in application of the brake.

Abstract: A brake rotor for a vehicle is provided with one or more visual wear indicators on brake contact surfaces to allow easy visual inspection of brake rotor condition without the need for measurement tools. The inventive visual wear indicator system is not obtrusive and as such removes only a relatively small amount of brake contact surface to form a recessed surface at a depth of a predetermined minimum useable rotor thickness. With this inventive rotor, one can visually inspect the condition of a brake rotor and readily determine whether the rotor requires replacement or remachining. The visual wear indicator is provided on a brake contact surface of the rotor solely within a brake contact region so as to provide an accurate reflection of the condition of the rotor in areas where wear will occur. The visual indicator may be provided on only one, but preferably both, sides of the rotor and may take numerous forms, such as a cylindrical bore, a more complex shape, an annular groove or even an eccentric groove.

Abstract: A brake pad, preferably used disc bakes, comprises a profiled metal back plate, to which at least one friction lining is attached, characterized in that a material with lower heat conductivity, relative to the friction lining, is provided in at least some profile sections.

Abstract: A brake rotor for a vehicle is provided with one or more visual wear indicators on brake contact surfaces to allow easy visual inspection of brake rotor condition without the need for measurement tools. The inventive visual wear indicator system is not obtrusive and as such removes only a relatively small amount of brake contact surface to form a recessed surface at a depth of a predetermined minimum useable rotor thickness. With this inventive rotor, one can visually inspect the condition of a brake rotor and readily determine whether the rotor requires replacement or remachining. The visual wear indicator is provided on a brake contact surface of the rotor solely within a brake contact region so as to provide an accurate reflection of the condition of the rotor in areas where wear will occur. The visual indicator may be provided on only one, but preferably both, sides of the rotor and may take numerous forms, such as a cylindrical bore, a more complex shape, an annular groove or even an eccentric groove.

Abstract: A brake adjuster is provided for a vehicle brake such as for heavy duty vehicle. The brake adjuster includes a brake module that produces an electrical signal for adjusting the vehicle brake. The heavy duty vehicle brake typically includes a pair of pistons each having first and second portions that are movable relative to one another. A friction element or brake pad is arranged proximate to the second portion and is movable from a desired position to a worn position as the brake pads wear during operation of the vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first and second portions are slip fit within a sleeve assembly. At least one adjustment member is arranged between the first and second portions. The adjustment member is constructed from a material which expands in response to an electrical signal, such as a magnetostrictive or a piezoelectric material.

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: A brake disc wear indicator comprising a brake disc rotor having two radially opposed braking surfaces for engaging opposed brake friction pads, and at least one hole provided in the rotor at a location behind a braking surface and at a predetermined depth and distance from the braking surface such that the hole is originally invisible by the presence of brake rotor material but becomes visible when brake rotor material is worn away to the extent that the hole becomes exposed and visible.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the thickness of at least one friction partner of a vehicle friction brake, especially the brake linings of a vehicle braking system; for each braking action, the actuating time, the applied braking pressure, the relative speed between the brake lining and the moving brake element, as well as the prevailing temperature in this region, being taken into account in a wear model in such a manner, that the wear determined by the wear model is subtracted from a starting thickness of the friction partners, in particular, the brake linings, and each wheel of the vehicle being monitored individually. A preferred polynomial formulation is specified for the wear model. In the brake lining, at least one wear stamp can also be provided, upon reaching which the current, existing brake lining thickness and/or the polynomial formulation may be appropriately corrected.

Abstract: A brake cylinder piston travel indicator for monitoring an amount of piston travel in a brake cylinder assembly in a railway braking system is provided. The railway braking system includes a brake beam and a brake cylinder piston within the brake cylinder assembly which is in engagement with an end of a brake cylinder force transfer lever. The brake cylinder piston travel indicator of the invention comprises a rod member which is rotatably secured to and extends substantially parallel with at least a portion of the brake beam. A member is provided which operationally interconnects the rod member with the cylinder force transfer lever and is capable of transferring a rotational force to the rod member. This rotational force is caused by activation of the piston in the brake cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A wear detection probe for detection of wear of a braking member is mounted in or adjacent to the braking member. The wear detection probe includes a holder having a detection wire in a wiring path. The detection wire has a folded portion, and two portions extending from the folded portion in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the brake rotor. An apex of the folded portion of the detection wire is nearer than the straight portions to the wear surface of the holder, so that after a predetermined amount of wear, the folded portion is broken without breaking the straight portions. The probe is compact, and the wire remains securely in position during use.

Abstract: A brake disc is provided with a visual control means of its wear conditions on at least one of its opposite side faces in correspondence of the peripheral braking strip on which the braking pads act by friction. The visual control means is in the form of a notch in the circumference of the brake disc or a circumferential throat-like or angle groove formed in the outer edge of the brake disc.

Abstract: A vehicle brake assembly of the kind comprises actuating means (6) for applying the brake linings (4, 5) to a brake rotor (1), adjusting means (13) adapted to be driven by the actuating means (6) for the purpose of maintaining the brake linings (4, 5) in close proximity to the brake rotor (1), and wear sensing means (60) responsive to actuation movement of the brake in a brake-applying direction. The wear sensing means (60) comprises a sensor (101) adapted to be operated by movement of an operating member (102) in a linear direction, a rotatable follower member (106) responsive to movement of the adjusting means (6), and a transmission mechanism (104) for translating rotary movement of the follower member (106) into linear movement of the operating member (102). The brake includes re-set means for resetting the relationship between a datum for the sensing means (60) and the brake during servicing of the brake.

Abstract: In the expander 50 in a drum brake, when the brake is activated, the sleeve 56 is extended in the lateral directions in the drawing by the wedge 52 inserted within the housing 51, and the shoe engaged with the clip 58 is swung to press the lining 23 against the drum, and friction braking is performed. When the lining 23 wears away and the amount of movement of the sleeve 56 increases, the sleeve 56 is rotated by reciprocal action with a drive ring 62 that is engaged with the periphery of the sleeve and, thereby, the pressing screw 57 screwed thereon comes out by the amount of the increase of movement (the amount of wear on the lining). A flat surface 56c is formed on the periphery of the sleeve and the detecting head 80 of the displacement detection apparatus detects the rotation of the sleeve 56. The controller performs a warning operation with the warning means when the cumulative number rotations of the sleeve 56 has reached a prescribed number of rotations.

Abstract: A visual brake wear indicator gauge for a vehicle's disc brake system. A mounting bracket is fixed to the existing brake's caliper with a hollow housing extending from the bracket. The visual gauge has an indicator bar with straight length and a right angled indicator foot on one end that contacts an inside disc pad. This indicator bar extends through and within the gauge housing and is normally biased by a housing spring to contact the brake's disc pad. Two different adjacent visual color coded segments on the bar indicate the contacted disc pad are properly operating, when both are color segments are displayed to one side of the housing, or that the system needs repair if only one color coded segment is so displayed. The gauge bar indicates wear to either the vehicle's disc pads or the associated rotor of the vehicle's braking system.

Abstract: An Air Brake Travel Rod Indicator (ABTRI) is disclosed which indicates a brake adjustment is needed by measuring the amount of movement of a brake rod between an air can and an indicator arm of the ABTRI when the air brake is applied. The ABTRI is comprised of a resilient material having a sleeve cut out so that it may be pressed onto the brake rod. An indicator arm or pointer is formed integral with the sleeve and projects perpendicular therefrom.

Abstract: A disc brake testing apparatus comprises operating means operable to operate pad moving means of the disc brake to urge pads of the brake towards the disc thereof. The operating means operable to urge the pads against the disc with a higher pressure sufficient to cause the pads to maintain constant contact with the disc and apply a significant braking force thereto. In order to simulate conditions which cause disc thickness variation, the operating means is alternatively operable to urge the pads against the disc with a lower pressure selected to cause the pads to make intermittent contact with the disc during each revolution of the disc.