Electric Control Patents (Class 303/20)
  • Patent number: 8733847
    Abstract: An asymmetrical electric braking architecture for aircraft, having plural electro-mechanical brake actuators (EBAs) for selectively applying a braking force on friction elements of braked wheels. The architecture comprises (1) a brake control unit (BCU) for acting in normal mode to generate braking setpoint values in response to a braking order, (2) electro-mechanical actuator controllers (EMACs), each including at least one inverter for supplying power to the EBAs in response to the braking setpoint values, (3) at least one emergency brake power and control unit (EBPCU) including at least one inverter for supplying power to some of the EBAs in response to a braking order; and (4) protection means for channeling power supplied by the EMACs or the EBPCU towards the actuators while preventing power from being diverted towards the architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti-Dowty
    Inventors: Julien Thibault, Emmanuel Colin
  • Patent number: 8733512
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electric disc brake capable of reducing noise and vibration while expanding the life span of the product. The electric disc brake includes a caliper housing to press friction pads provided at both sides of a disc against the disc, a cylinder installed in the caliper housing, a piston moving back and forth in the cylinder to press the friction pads, a driving device generating driving force with respect to the piston, and a volume compensation part communicated with the cylinder to compensate for an increment of a volume of the cylinder according to movement of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Jin Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 8727454
    Abstract: The method and system for increasing accuracy of clamping force of electric aircraft carbon brakes, once braking has been commenced, provides a first pair of electric brake actuators with a range of low brake clamping force responsive to low brake clamping force commands, and a second pair of electric brake actuators with a range of high brake clamping force responsive to high brake clamping force commands. The first pair of electric brake actuators is actuated to apply a minimum residual braking force once wheel braking is commenced, and the second pair of electric brake actuators is actuated only when the commanded braking force is in the high range of brake clamping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary DeVlieg, John Gowan
  • Patent number: 8727453
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control apparatus has an electromagnetic valve having a valve body forced to one side by an elastic member and a coil driving the valve body to the other side; a hydraulic pressure control section for calculating a command current value to drive the electromagnetic valve and controlling a hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic circuit by opening/closing the electromagnetic valve; a current detection section detecting a value of the current passing through the coil; and a command current value correction section. The command current value correction section detects a change of an inductance of the coil when the valve body moves from the one side to the other side or from the other side to the one side through the current detection section, and corrects the command current value using the detected inductance change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Saita, Taichi Shibata, Masamichi Imamura, Shinichiro Nishida, Satoshi Doi, Tadaharu Yokota
  • Publication number: 20140117749
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electric brake system for a vehicle including a reservoir, a master cylinder, an input rod, and a pedal displacement sensor. The electric brake system includes a pressure supply unit to receive oil and to output an electrical signal through the pedal displacement sensor, a hydraulic control unit to perform braking of a wheel, first and second switching valves connected to a channel connecting the pressure supply unit to the hydraulic control unit, a simulator connected to the master cylinder, and an electronic control unit to control the motor and the valves. The pressure supply unit includes a pressure chamber, a hydraulic piston arranged in the pressure chamber, a hydraulic spring to elastically support the hydraulic piston, the motor to generate rotational force, and a ball-screw member to convert rotational motion of the motor into rectilinear motion. The hydraulic piston is connected to the screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: I Jin YANG, Seong Ho CHOI
  • Patent number: 8708429
    Abstract: A hydraulic braking assembly (14) for a vehicle comprising an electric servomotor (15), a master cylinder (16), a hydraulic fluid tank (17) mounted on the master cylinder, a hydraulic fluid level sensor (25) situated inside the fluid tank and monitoring the hydraulic fluid level inside the tank. The fluid level sensor is connected from the tank to the computer of the electric servomotor by a cable (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Vincent Maury, Jean-Michel L'Aot, Antony Auguste, Philippe Richard, François Gaffe, Bastien Cagnac
  • Patent number: 8708430
    Abstract: A pneumatic vehicle brake system includes first and second groups of wheel brakes belonging, respectively, to first and second brake circuits having first and second compressed air storage tanks for providing first and second stored pressures. At least one first circuit brake cylinder is a combined spring-store/diaphragm cylinder with a spring store part for providing a parking brake and a diaphragm part for providing a service brake. If the first circuit fails, the spring store part is deaerated to engage the parking brake. A pressure sensor for measuring the first stored pressure is connected to a control unit that controls a modulator for aerating and deaerating the spring store part. The control unit generates a signal for an electrically actuatable modulator solenoid valve if the value measured by the sensor falls below a minimum value, such that the spring store part can be aerated and deaerated via the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Bensch, Jörg Helmer, Bernd-Joachim Kiel, Hartmut Rosendahl
  • Publication number: 20140110994
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a braking system, including a brake booster, which is divided into at least one vacuum chamber and at least one working chamber by at least one movable partition, wherein at least one vacuum chamber is connected, or can be connected, to a vacuum source for creating a vacuum, and further including at least one sensor, which detects at least one variable such as travel and/or angle and/or force of a brake pedal actuation and/or a brake pressure that is built up in at least one main brake cylinder connected to the brake booster in accordance with a brake pedal actuation. According to the invention, the remaining vacuum in at least one vacuum chamber is estimated on the basis of at least one of the detected variables by considering actuations already performed. The invention further relates to a braking system and to the use thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Steffen Gruber, Thorsten Ullrich, Scott Ross, Thomas Peichl
  • Publication number: 20140097667
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a brake system onboard a vehicle, a first actuation component, an automatic control system, and a second actuation component. The first actuation component is operably coupled to the brake system and is configured to cause actuation of the brake system to brake the vehicle when the first actuation component is activated. The automatic control system is onboard the vehicle and is configured to generate a first control signal for controlling the first actuation component to activate to upon occurrence of one or more designated conditions. The second actuation component is operably coupled to the brake system and is configured to cause actuation of the brake system to brake the vehicle upon receipt of one of the first control signal or a second control signal generated by the automatic control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jess Austin Backes, III, Tim Rolbiecki, Michael Scott Mitchell, Kelly Nichols, Kristopher Smith
  • Publication number: 20140084675
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle brake system, having a control device/arrangement by which a closing signal is outputtable to an isolation valve via which a first brake circuit is hydraulically connected to a main brake cylinder, and at least one first control signal is outputtable to at least one first hydraulic component, so that a first actual brake pressure in the first brake circuit can be varied, an existing functional impairment of the at least one first hydraulic component and/or of at least one further brake system component being determinable, or a warning signal being receivable, and, if warranted, a closing signal being outputtable to a changeover valve of a second brake circuit, and, after or simultaneously with an outputting of the closing signal to the changeover valve, an opening signal being outputtable to the isolation valve. Also described is a related method for operating the vehicle brake system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas BRUEX, Benno SCHMIEG
  • Patent number: 8668282
    Abstract: A brake-by-wire system uses a time sequence type that determines road conditions before initialization, initializes EWBs (Electro Wedge Brake) at the left/right front wheels and EMBs (Electro Mechanical Brake) at the left/right rear wheels with time differences on the basis of the determined road conditions. Therefore, the clamping force in at least any one of the EWBs and the EMBs is maintained in any circumstances, thereby avoiding a situation that all the braking force of a vehicle is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bonggeun Cho
  • Patent number: 8651588
    Abstract: An electro-pneumatic brake control device is provided for controlling the parking brake of a vehicle having compressed-air-actuated brake cylinders, at least one of which is a spring brake cylinder with a spring store part. Valve devices place the brake control device into various operating states. In a first operating state, the valve devices are at least partially supplied with current and switched such that a compressed air line to the spring store part of the spring brake cylinder is aerated. In a second state, the valve devices are at least partially supplied with current and switched such that the compressed air line is deaerated. In a third state, which can be activated in the event of failure of the electrical energy supply of the brake control device, the valve devices are switched to a currentless state such that the compressed air line is automatically deaerated in throttled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Bensch, Henning Förster, Bernd-Joachim Kiel, Wilfried Menze, Hartmut Rosendahl, Otmar Struwe
  • Patent number: 8651586
    Abstract: In a braking device for a motor vehicle having a first group and a second group of brake circuits, each brake circuit being associated with one group of wheels, and at least the first group of brake circuit being implemented as hydraulic brake circuits, at least one group of wheels being connected to at least one operating unit, which may cause a deceleration of the wheels, the task of a comfortable connection of recuperation brake applications to conventional brake applications is achieved in that a control unit controls the brake application of the brake circuit or circuits of the second group and optionally the deceleration effect of the operating unit or assemblies, the first group of brake circuits being activatable directly by the driver using a brake operating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gebhard Wuerth, Volker Mehl, Michael Kunz, Matthias Leiblein, Werner Quirant
  • Patent number: 8651585
    Abstract: An auxiliary braking system and method of controlling the braking a towed vehicle is provided that includes a remote control that is in selective communication with an auxiliary braking unit positioned in a towing vehicle. More specifically, it is often desirable for the operator of the towing vehicle to assess the performance of the auxiliary braking apparatus positioned in a towed vehicle. In addition, it is often advantageous for the operator to perform real time adjustments to the performance parameters of the auxiliary braking apparatus positioned in the towing vehicle without having to cease driving and physically access the auxiliary braking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Kaminski, Jonathan Gray, Vicki Sickler
  • Patent number: 8641153
    Abstract: A valve assembly, which houses a valve closing member that co-operates with an armature to connect or separate pressure medium channels in a valve housing, the member being directed towards a valve seat which is situated on a valve seat body fixed in the valve housing. The valve assembly includes a solenoid for actuating the armature which is pushed onto a non-magnetisable sleeve section of the valve housing and a magnetic core that is diametrically opposed to the armature in the valve housing. Various valve functions can be achieved by using identical valve components in a modular manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventor: Christoph Voss
  • Patent number: 8641154
    Abstract: A system and procedures for adjusting brake mechanisms for an aircraft having an electric brake system are disclosed. The brake actuator mechanisms are controlled to achieve different parking brake actuation states as a function of the current engine run status (e.g., engine off, engine idle, or engine above idle). Procedures for adjusting an aircraft parking brake as disclosed herein include setting the brake actuator mechanisms to achieve a relatively low clamping force when the aircraft engines are off or idling, and setting the brake mechanisms to achieve a relatively high clamping force when the aircraft engines are running above idle, and to maintain commanded brake force without active or battery power by engaging a mechanical clutch or latch to the brake actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: T. Todd Griffith, Pete Goranson, Dan Adkinson
  • Publication number: 20140028083
    Abstract: A braking system includes a brake pressure provision device for providing brake pressure using a brake medium; a brake pressure compensation device; a wheel brake circuit including a wheel brake cylinder for braking a wheel, the wheel brake circuit being connected via a first actuator to the brake pressure provision device and via a second actuator to the brake pressure compensation device; and a control unit for controlling the actuators and the brake compensation device in such a way that the volume of the brake medium is adapted to a desirable brake pressure in the wheel brake circuit as a function of a predefined parameter, the brake pressure in the wheel brake circuit being reduced with the aid of the brake pressure compensation device and by opening the second actuator and closing the first actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Manfred Gerdes, wolfgang Pfeiffer, Jochen Mayer
  • Patent number: 8639428
    Abstract: An electromechanical brake system and an associated method with a failsafe energy supply, have a first to fourth brake module with at least one control unit and brake actuation unit. In order to supply the modules with electrical energy, the control unit and the brake actuation unit are each connected to at least one main energy supply unit via independently fed lines. In order to supply additional electrical energy to the modules, a first emergency energy supply unit is connected to the control unit and brake actuation unit of the first and fourth brake module and a second emergency energy supply unit is connected to those of the second and third brake module, respectively via additional independently fed lines, wherein the selection of the energy supply unit is made via switches actuated at least partially separately from one another via at least one central control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Jörgen Holzwarth
  • Patent number: 8634971
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method provide a means for managing wear of brake friction material such that even friction material wear is experienced between brakes. The available friction material of each brake is monitored to determine an amount of wear. Based on the amount of wear, a braking force applied by each brake may be varied to ensure even wear between brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Eric D. Cahill
  • Patent number: 8634987
    Abstract: A creep travel capability of an electric vehicle is secured when an abnormality occurs in a brake sensor. When an accelerator operation amount reaches 0% in a low vehicle speed region, a target creep torque is set, whereupon a motor-generator is controlled toward the target creep torque. The target creep torque is reduced as a brake pedal is depressed in order to suppress heat generation and the like in the motor-generator during vehicle braking. Hence, in an electric vehicle in which the target creep torque is varied in accordance with the brake operation amount, when an abnormality occurs (step S11) in a brake sensor for detecting a brake operation amount, a preset prescribed creep torque is employed as the target creep torque regardless of the brake operation amount (step S15). The prescribed creep torque is set at a required magnitude for securing the creep travel capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Itaru Seta, Yosuke Ohtomo
  • Patent number: 8632136
    Abstract: A brake control system displaces a primary piston by controlling an operation of the electric motor by a master pressure control unit according to the operation amount (Xop) of the brake pedal, thereby generating a hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder to supply it to wheel cylinders (Ba to Bd). The master pressure control unit sets a target relative displacement (?XT) between an input piston and the primary piston and a target hydraulic pressure (PT) in the master cylinder, and appropriately switch which is used to control a brake force. During regenerative cooperation, the master pressure control unit selects the control with use of the target hydraulic pressure, which enables easy execution of a hydraulic pressure control including a subtraction of the hydraulic pressure corresponding to a brake effect from the regenerative cooperation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Nozawa, Tohma Yamaguchi, Kentaro Ueno, Yukihiko Yamada, Daisuke Kojima
  • Patent number: 8622179
    Abstract: A parking brake control device performs a releasing control with good precision by more precisely maintaining clearance between a friction-applying member and a friction-applied member. During a releasing control, a timing at which a braking force generated by an electric parking brake 2 drops to zero is detected based on a change in a motor current, and a second releasing operation time is set according to the magnitude of the motor current at the time the braking force drops to zero. This makes it possible for the second releasing operation time to be set in accordance with fluctuations in a motor load due to temperature changes or the like. Therefore, a clearance between a brake pad and a brake disc can be kept constant according to the motor load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Watanabe, Tetsuaki Tsuzuki, Kazuma Kondo, Kentaro Yuasa
  • Patent number: 8626415
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic braking system (50) for motor vehicles (60), having at least one wheel brake (7, 8, 9, 10) actuated by an electromechanical actuator (11, 12), wherein the electromechanical actuator (11, 12) is associated with an electronic control and/or regulating unit (WCU) (18, 19, 20) in which a data processing program for controlling and/or regulating the electromechanical actuator (11, 12) is executed. The system further having a data bus, in particular a CAN data bus, associated with the electronic control and/or regulating unit (ECU) (18, 19, 20). In the braking system a temporal coordination is achieved between an electronic control and regulating unit (18, 19, 20) associated with an electromechanical actuator (11, 12) and an additional control and regulating unit of the braking system. This end, the loop time of the data processing program for controlling and/or regulating the electromechanical actuator (11, 12) may be altered via the data bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Bernd Geyer, Kai Schade
  • Patent number: 8620548
    Abstract: Secure failure diagnosis of a brake switch is enabled with a simple configuration. Inconsistency detection is performed for output signals from two brake switches 6a and 6b provided such that an operation condition of a brake pedal 1 may be detected (S102), and when inconsistency is detected, after a certain time has passed from the relevant detection point, inconsistency detection is newly performed for output signals from the two brake switches 6a and 6b (S108), and when inconsistency is detected again, a determination counter performs count of a predetermined incremental value, those operation being periodically repeated (S110), and when a count value reaches a predetermined value ? after the determination counter performs the count, the two brake switches 6a and 6b are determined to be failed (S114 and S118).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Bosch Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Shibasaki, Tetsuya Shinguchi, Takayuki Wakai, Masaaki Maeno
  • Patent number: 8602505
    Abstract: The invention relates to an architecture for powering aircraft brakes for an aircraft having at least two undercarriages, each having a certain number of wheels, each of the wheels being fitted with brakes, each having a certain number of electromechanical braking actuators, the architecture including controllers for delivering power signals to the actuators in response to a braking order, the wheels on each of the undercarriages being grouped together in first and second complementary groups such that for each group of wheels, a first group of actuators is controlled by one controller that controls those actuators only, and a complementary second group of actuators is controlled by another controller that controls only those actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti-Dowty
    Inventor: David Frank
  • Patent number: 8589045
    Abstract: A system for determining a safe maximum speed of an vehicle has a processor and a global positioning system receiver in communication with the processor. The processor is configured to determine a grade and distance to an end of an upcoming or a current road segment the vehicle is traveling on based on the global positioning system information received from the global positioning system receiver. The processor is further configured to determine the safe maximum speed of the vehicle based on the distance to the end and pitch of the grade of the upcoming or current road segment the vehicle is traveling on and the braking efficiency of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc
    Inventors: Shafer Seymour, David Pivonka
  • Publication number: 20130292999
    Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle includes: a main brake cylinder with a floating piston able to be shifted at least partially into the main brake cylinder, and a brake medium storage device into which a specified storage volume of a brake medium is able to be transferred without counterpressure, the brake medium storage device being hydraulically connected via an electrically controllable first valve to the main brake cylinder in such a way that, in response to a shifting of the floating piston partially into the main brake cylinder by a shift travel that is below a shift travel limit corresponding to the storage volume, a brake medium volume less than the specified storage volume is transferred without counterpressure from the main brake cylinder into the brake medium storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Stefan Strengert, Michael Kunz
  • Patent number: 8573709
    Abstract: In a braking control apparatus for an electric vehicle, a target braking torque command value calculation section calculates a target braking torque command value on a basis of at least one of a state of road wheels and a braking request by a vehicle driver, a frequency component decomposition section decomposes a target braking torque command value into a first frequency component lower than a resonance frequency of a drive train and a second frequency component equal to or higher than the first frequency component, and a braking force control section provides an electrical braking torque for road wheels on a basis of a motor torque command value corresponding to the first frequency component and provides a frictional braking torque for the road wheels on a basis of a frictional braking torque command value corresponding to the second frequency component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Suzuki, Jun Kubo
  • Patent number: 8571779
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus is provided with a frictional braking unit configured to generate frictional braking force, a regenerative braking unit configured to generate regenerative braking force, a fluid pressure control valve configured to adjust an operating fluid pressure, and a controlling unit configured to execute regenerative control to cover entire required braking force required by a driver by the regenerative braking force and executing switching control to cover the required braking force by the frictional braking force in place of the regenerative braking force by adjusting to increase the operating fluid pressure by the fluid pressure control valve when a predetermined condition is satisfied. By covering the entire required braking force by regenerative braking force and executing the switching control to adjust to increase the operating fluid pressure by the fluid pressure control valve to cover the required braking force when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eiji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8567874
    Abstract: The method for reducing aircraft carbon brake wear involves monitoring the commanded initiation of braking, and setting a residual brake clamping force to a predetermined minimum residual brake clamping force, which is maintained following the commanded initiation of braking to prevent release of braking during taxiing of the aircraft. The minimum residual brake clamping force is applied despite a commanded release of braking until at least one predetermined control logic condition occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary DeVlieg, John Gowan
  • Patent number: 8565980
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic brake system and a method for controlling a hydraulic brake system for a land vehicle having a predetermined holding capacity for hydraulic fluid and at least one wheel brake. The invention is characterized by detecting if a current holding capacity of the brake system has increased in relation to the predetermined holding capacity and, if so, by feeding hydraulic fluid to the at least one wheel brake in a controlled manner and an amount corresponding at least to the increase in capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Nicholas Alford, Josef Knechtges, Andreas Marx, Michael Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8550572
    Abstract: A brake system of a vehicle includes a plurality of electromechanical brake actuators (EBAs) proximate the wheels of the vehicle. Each EBA includes a power device for effectuating braking of an associated wheel, and electronics to generate a drive signal for the power device. The brake system may further include at least one brake control unit (BCU) for converting a brake command signal into a control signal for each EBA. The electronics for each EBA may be configured to convert the corresponding control signal into the drive signal that is applied to the power device to cause movement of the power device and effectuate braking of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Paul L. Summers, Staffan Erickson, Thomas E. Clary, Harald Klode
  • Patent number: 8550218
    Abstract: A brake actuator has a motor that provides input rotation in first and second directions. A reducer couples to the motor and reduces the input rotation into an output rotation to be applied to a brake screw of a progressive cavity pump drive. A sensor measures rotational speed of the drive shaft. In manual operation, an operator can view an indication of the rotational speed and can manually operate the motor accordingly to control rotation of the shaft. In automated operation, a controller automatically controls the motor based on the rotational speed measured by the sensor. The controller can also use a torque sensor to detect the torque applied to the brake screw, a displacement sensor to detect displacement of the brake screw, and/or a current sensor to detect the current consumption of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford Industria e Comecio Ltda.
    Inventors: Jorge Robles Villa, Eduardo Perdomini Lara
  • Patent number: 8544964
    Abstract: A brake control system is provided for a utility vehicle having manned and unmanned operational modes. The brake control system includes a hydraulically operated brake. A manually operated brake circuit and an electro-hydraulic (E-H) brake circuit are connected to the brake. The E-H brake circuit includes a pump, a solenoid operated inlet valve, an accumulator, and first and second solenoid operated brake valve connected between the brake and the inlet valve. A first CPU is operatively connected to the inlet valve and to the first brake valve. A second CPU is operatively connected to the inlet valve and to the second brake valve. An accumulator pressure sensor senses the accumulator pressure. A brake pressure sensor senses brake pressure. The first and second CPUs control the inlet valve and the brake valves as a function of the sensed accumulator pressure and brake pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Andrew Karl Wilhelm Rekow, Troy Eugene Schick, Richard Vallieres, Timothy Diller
  • Patent number: 8548652
    Abstract: A brake monitoring system is described for use on aircraft having carbon brakes. The system displays the number of times the brakes have been applied in a preselected counting interval such as during each takeoff and landing cycle. By raising the pilot's awareness of the number of times the brakes have been applied, a more efficient brake use is encouraged in view of the knowledge that carbon brake wear is substantially a function of the number of applications rather than the total energy that is converted thereby. Additionally, the monitoring system provides an indication of the temperature of the brakes which encourages the pilot to maintain a minimum temperature therein beyond which wear is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc., subsidiary of Crane Co.
    Inventors: Garrett H. DeVlieg, John Gowan
  • Patent number: 8532840
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing brake pedal contactors of an automobile that includes an electronic control unit (ECU), the contactors being connected to the ECU and supplying thereto information on the pedal position. In the method the ECU tests the signals from the contactors. If the signals indicate the operation state is a so-called incoherent state, in which the brake pedal is considered by the ECU to be both depressed and released, the ECU initiates a time out, the duration of the time out depending on the vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Pierre Yves Cuny, Anne Biemont, Stephane George
  • Publication number: 20130221736
    Abstract: Vehicle brake device comprises a master cylinder including a master chamber connected to a wheel cylinder, a drive pressure chamber in which a drive pressure is generated for driving a master piston and a fluid pressure chamber in which a fluid pressure is generated in response to a stroke position of the master piston and an operating characteristics setting device for setting operating characteristics of an electromagnetic valve. The operating characteristics include a relationship of the pressure differential in the fluid conduit between the master cylinder side and the wheel cylinder side with respect to the electromagnetic valve based on the supply amount of the electric power detected by the supplied electric power detecting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: ADVICS CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8521350
    Abstract: A control device for a vehicle includes: a charge control portion that adjusts an upper limit of charging power to a battery to prevent a negative electrode potential of the battery from dropping to a lithium reference potential, based on a charge/discharge history of the battery; a braking control portion that detects a sharing ratio between hydraulic braking force by a braking device and regenerative braking force for desired braking force according to a brake pedal depression amount so that a motor generator generates a regenerative braking force within a range of the adjusted upper limit of charging power; and a setting portion that variably sets, according to the hydraulic response rate detected by the detection portion, a degree of limitation of the upper limit when restricting charging current to the battery by restricting the upper limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiichi Minamiura
  • Patent number: 8517476
    Abstract: A brake controller reduces a hydraulic pressure applied to a wheel cylinder by opening or closing a pressure-reducing linear control valve, a regulator cut valve, and a master cut valve arranged in a hydraulic circuit. A brake ECU detects a state of a vehicle, estimates a degree of influence of noise due to reduction in wheel cylinder pressure on the vehicle on the basis of the detected state of the vehicle, and then selects any of the electromagnetic valves, that is, the pressure-reducing linear control valve, the regulator cut valve and the master cut valve, to reduce the wheel cylinder pressure on the basis of the estimated result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Okano, Eiji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8515625
    Abstract: An electronic control unit is provided with a preparatory brake pressure controlling unit that, when steering operation in an opposite direction is detected after the steering operation of a steering wheel in one direction, applies a preparatory brake pressure to a wheel, which becomes an outer wheel in turning next along with the steering operation in the opposite direction, and the preparatory brake pressure controlling means is configured to inhibit application control of the preparatory brake pressure when returning operation of the steering wheel to a steering center is detected while the steering operations in the one direction and in the opposite direction are repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryochi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8511758
    Abstract: In a brake system, when setting a control origin position for a resolver for detecting a moved position of a booster piston, communication between a master cylinder and wheel cylinders is interrupted by cut valves. Thereafter, the booster piston is moved forward by an electric actuator in a direction in which a hydraulic pressure is generated so that a position detected by the resolver upon detection of generation of the hydraulic pressure by a hydraulic pressure sensor (position at a time of generation of hydraulic pressure) is obtained. A position obtained by moving backward the position at the time of generation of hydraulic pressure by a predetermined amount is set as the control origin position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumoto Sano, Masaru Sakuma
  • Patent number: 8506021
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an electronic parking brake system and a control method thereof. The electronic parking brake system includes a parking brake apparatus with a parking cable, a force sensing unit to sense tension of the parking cable, and an electronic control unit to measure braking force of the parking brake apparatus based on the tension, to estimate braking force of a fuzzy model, and to judge malfunction of the parking brake apparatus based on the measured braking force and the estimated braking force. Tension is estimated using the fuzzy model and is compared with the measured braking force, thereby effectively detecting malfunction of the electronic parking brake system and thus raising stability and safety of a vehicle. Further, if a residual exceeds a reference value, it is judged that the electronic parking brake apparatus malfunctions and a warning is given to a driver, thereby preventing accidents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Byoung Joon Moon
  • Patent number: 8506020
    Abstract: A brake control system that enables accurate brake control is provided that precisely detects a master-cylinder pressure and includes a back-up function. The brake control system includes a master-cylinder operated by a brake operation of a driver; a first mechanism that regulates a pressure inside the master-cylinder according to the brake operation amount; a first control apparatus that controls operation of the first mechanism; a second mechanism that regulates communication of the pressure inside the master-cylinder to a wheel-cylinder; and a second control apparatus that controls operation of the second mechanism and operation of a pump apparatus that increases a pressure communicated to the wheel-cylinder. The first and second control apparatuses each have a power supply circuit and CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimio Nishino, Toshiyuki Innami, Norikazu Matsuzaki, Masayuki Kikawa, Takuya Obata, Takayuki Ohno
  • Patent number: 8500214
    Abstract: In a system and method for controlling a distributed power rail vehicle consist, each of at least one powered rail vehicle in the rail vehicle consist is designated for operation as a remote trail. Based on the designation, a respective brake pipe valve of each of the at least one powered rail vehicle is automatically operated to a cut-out mode. Upon initiation of a service, an emergency, and/or a penalty brake application in the rail vehicle consist, the respective brake pipe valve of each of the at least one the powered rail vehicle is automatically operated to a cut-in mode. Upon completion of the service, emergency, and/or penalty brake application in the rail vehicle consist, the respective brake pipe valve of each of the at least one powered rail vehicle is automatically operated back to the cut-out mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eugene A. Smith, Derek Kevin Woo, Robert Palanti
  • Patent number: 8504268
    Abstract: In a method for applying a parking brake of a vehicle depending on the roadway conditions, at least one electromechanical braking system has a parking brake and an operational brake function. An operational brake force is produced on each wheel to slow the vehicle down to a standstill. A parking brake force is generated on at least two wheels of the vehicle. The parking brake forces have an amount that corresponds to the total of the previous parking brake forces applied to all of the wheels and subsequently the stopping of the vehicle is tesste. When the vehicle is maintained in the stop position, the amount of the parking brake force on the at least two wheels is reduced and simultaneously, the service brake forces that are reduced by a certain amount corresponding to the parking brake forces are built up at least on the other wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Baier-Welt, Damiano Molfetta
  • Patent number: 8489301
    Abstract: A device for controlling the brake pressure in a hydraulic brake system with the aid of a pressure-limiting valve that limits the brake pressure to a predefined threshold value, and to that end is driven by an electronic device in accordance with a valve characteristic curve. The setting accuracy can be improved considerably if an estimating unit for estimating the brake pressure, a sensor system for measuring the brake pressure, a unit for determining a pressure difference between the measured brake pressure and the estimated brake pressure, as well as a controller unit which drives the pressure-limiting valve as a function of the pressure difference are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bettina Crepin, Michael Bunk, Roland Galbas, Ralf Kinder, Matthias Schanzenbach, Christoph Betz
  • Publication number: 20130147260
    Abstract: A method for controlling the pressure in a hydraulic system in an electronically regulated motor vehicle brake system, including controlling the pressure using an analogized solenoid valve, and controlling the valve such that it moves into a partially open state, modulating the coil current (I) of the valve by alternation between a first (I1) and a second current value (I2). The solenoid valve held in the closed state by means of a coil current (I) corresponding to the first current value (I1). A third current value (I3) is provided for the coil current which lies between the first and second current values (I1, I2) and, during energization phases (Tp1, Tp1, Tp1) of the solenoid valve. The coil current (I) is modulated by alternation between the second current value (I2) and the third current value (I3) with the amplitude (A) predefined by the third current value (I3) and a predefined frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Continental Teve AG & Co. oHG
    Inventor: Mirco Loos
  • Patent number: 8463462
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that may he useful for testing braking systems for use in, for example, an aircraft. A system is disclosed that allows for built in testing. For example, a method if provided comprising sending, from a brake controller, a test command set to at least one of an electromechanical actuator (EMAC) and a brake servo valve (BSV) in response to a landing gear retraction, receiving, at the brake controller, feedback from the at least one of the EMAC and the BSV in response to the test command set, and comparing, at the brake controller, the feedback with a predetermined signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Eric D. Cahill
  • Publication number: 20130140879
    Abstract: A method and control unit for operating a hydraulic braking system of a vehicle, including: receiving an input, provided by an on board control system, with regard to a setpoint pressure change in at least one wheel brake cylinder of the hydraulic braking system which is connected to a brake master cylinder via at least one brake circuit; displacing at least one sealing element into a sealing position with regard to at least one connecting channel of the brake master cylinder to a brake medium reservoir of the hydraulic braking system; establishing a setpoint conveying variable for at least one brake medium conveying element of the hydraulic braking system for conveying a brake medium volume between at least one storage volume of the hydraulic braking system and a storage-external volume of the at least one brake circuit, taking into consideration the received input; and activating the at least one brake medium conveying element according to the established setpoint conveying variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventor: Frank Kneip
  • Publication number: 20130134770
    Abstract: A brake control device includes: a valve block furnished with valves which regulate or switch air pressure; a controller which electrically controls a plurality of solenoid valves via solenoid valve control signal wires; and an electropneumatic plate which includes solenoid valve connection air channels for the plurality of solenoid valves, and onto which is installed the plurality of solenoid valves so as to communicate with the solenoid valve connection air channels. The plate is secured to the valve block, and at least one of the solenoid valve connection air channels communicates with a support member air channel formed in the valve block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.