Brake Testing Patents (Class 73/121)
  • Patent number: 11906008
    Abstract: A brake pad state estimation device estimates a brake pad state including at least one of a wear volume and a temperature of a brake pad of a vehicle. The brake pad state estimation device performs: a brake pad state calculation process calculating the brake pad state based on sensor detection information during braking; and an information output process storing the brake pad state information in a storage and/or transmitting the brake pad state information to the outside. The brake pad state estimation device variably sets a processing frequency of at least one of the brake pad state calculation process and the information output process. The processing frequency when a vehicle speed is lower is lower than the processing frequency when the vehicle speed is higher, or the processing frequency when a brake pressure is lower is lower than the processing frequency when the brake pressure is higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Noriyoshi Matsui
  • Patent number: 11787381
    Abstract: A temperature monitoring method of a brake of a freight vehicle based on TBOX is provided, including: determining a weight of the freight vehicle based on OBD data of the freight vehicle collected by the TBOX; inputting the weight, the OBD data, a longitudinal slope in a high-precision map to determine the temperature of the brake of the freight vehicle; setting a temperature warning threshold of the brake based on its performance parameters of the freight vehicle, and determining a first driving state and a second driving state in a front road section with the determined temperature of the brake, and generating a warning signal and a forewarning signal of the freight vehicle. The monitoring method improves accuracy of the brake temperature by introducing altitude variation of the front road section and weight of the freight vehicle, and provides powerful data support for a safe driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF HIGHWAY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT
    Inventors: Lu Zhang, Wei Zhou, Wenliang Li, Chen Li, Jie Jin, Xuewen Zhang
  • Patent number: 11767005
    Abstract: A method of testing a braking system for an automotive vehicle that includes a master cylinder, a brake booster, a plurality of brake assemblies, a plurality of inlet valves, each inlet valve adapted to selectively allow brake fluid to flow into one of the plurality of brake assemblies and a plurality of outlet valves, each outlet valve adapted to selectively allow brake fluid to flow from one of the brake assemblies to a brake fluid reservoir, the method includes testing a first one of the plurality of inlet valves, testing a first one of the plurality of outlet valves, and sending diagnostic information to a controller within the automotive vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Steven P. Moorman, Bret M. Olson, Shawn M. Harris
  • Patent number: 11760332
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of diagnosing the state of wear of an actuator including at least one electric motor. The method comprises the following steps: recording a signal coming from the motor during activation and deactivation of the actuator, the signal including a first maximum during activation and a second maximum during deactivation; executing a windowing algorithm on the signal in order to obtain a standardized dataset including the first and second maximums; using at least one classification method for classifying into at least two classes in order to establish a score for the dataset in each of the classes of the classification method; and evaluating the state of wear of the actuator from the scores of the dataset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignees: SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE, SAFRAN LANDING SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Adrien Perigord, Nicolas Lipari, Mathieu Bruno
  • Patent number: 11660765
    Abstract: A method for recovery of a frictional brake device of an industrial device, the method including executing a recovery operation, the recovery operation including at least one movement of a second member of the industrial device relative to a first member of the industrial device, while engaging the brake device to apply braking energy to the movement; monitoring an actual value related to braking energy of the brake device during the recovery operation, the actual value being not related to speed of the movement; and stopping the recovery operation when the actual value reaches the at least one target value. An industrial device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Daniel Eriksson, Görgen Johansson, Klas X Forsberg, Josef Holmner
  • Patent number: 11584350
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the health of a brake plate having a solenoid with a solenoid air gap includes creating a reference solenoid current profile for the brake plate solenoid air gap, by: calculating a nominal solenoid current profile based on the air gap under nominal conditions, calculating a upper and lower limit of the nominal solenoid current profile, based on an impact of at least one external variation and/or tolerance of the brake plate, and creating the reference solenoid current profile by combining said upper and lower limits into the nominal solenoid current profile. The method also includes generating and measuring a solenoid current curve of the brake plate and determining if said generated curve of the brake plate is between said upper and lower limits to determine that the brake plate is healthy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Maamar Benarous
  • Patent number: 11565683
    Abstract: A quick-detachable brake fluid test structure comprising a body and a front assembly body, the body has at least one front assembly hole and at least one front fixing member, and is provided with at least one connecting plate and a fixing seat inside, a conductive wire is assembled on the connecting plate, and at least one temperature sensor is disposed on the fixing seat. The front assembly body is disposed at a position of a front end of the body, a side of the front assembly body is formed with at least one fixing hole communicating with the front assembly hole and provided for the front fixing member to be assembled and fixed. The front assembly body is provided with a front sleeve, and accommodated with a heating element and a heat conductive pipe respectively connected to the connecting plate and the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: PEACEFUL THRIVING ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia Hsun Huang, Shih Hsiang Chien
  • Patent number: 11485342
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle having vehicle wheels comprises: brakes, wherein each of the brakes applies individual braking to a respective one of the vehicle wheels; memory storing brake characteristic parameters for controlling each of the brakes; and a processor configured to: calculate anticipated yaw, steering torque, and deceleration of the vehicle, associated with operation of the brakes; compare between the anticipated yaw and actual yaw of the vehicle, between the anticipated steering torque and actual steering torque of the vehicle, and between the anticipated deceleration and actual deceleration of the vehicle; and calibrate the brakes by adjusting the stored brake characteristic parameters of each of the brakes in response to a yaw difference between the anticipated yaw and the actual yaw, a steering torque difference between the anticipated steering torque and the actual steering torque, and a deceleration difference between the anticipated deceleration and the actual deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edward Carl Fullman, Bryan Freed, Robert Hill
  • Patent number: 11358580
    Abstract: A system for identifying whether the braking system of a train is functioning properly such as during a train terminal test. A monitor on a rail car is used to detect abnormalities in the braking system and can report problems to a handheld terminal or a central controller in the locomotive. The monitor has a pressure sensor for measuring brake pipe pressure, auxiliary reservoir pressure, emergency reservoir pressure, and brake cylinder pressure at the rail car. The monitor also has a controller that can calculate whether brake pipe reduction resulted in the appropriate amount of brake cylinder pressure. The monitor can then provide the results locally via a visual indicator or remotely to a handheld terminal used by a train inspector or the controller in the locomotive. Testing data over time may be stored for future reference or transmitted remotely to assist with maintenance and service scheduling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: NEW YORK AIR BRAKE, LLC
    Inventor: Eric C. Wright
  • Patent number: 11136145
    Abstract: A brake cooling period prediction system for predicting a brake cooling period following a braking event, comprising a sensor apparatus in communication with a prediction apparatus. The sensor apparatus includes a torque sensor for measuring the torque reacted by a brake during a braking event; a wear sensor for measuring a wear state of the brake; and an environmental sensor for measuring at least one ambient condition of the environment of the brake. The prediction apparatus includes a memory storing information relating to the thermal behaviour of the brake; and a controller configured to receive a torque measurement, a wear measurement and an ambient condition measurement from the sensor apparatus; and predict a cooling period based on the received torque, wear and ambient condition measurements, and the information relating to the thermal behaviour of the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Bill
  • Patent number: 10919513
    Abstract: A device and method for forecasting the brake lining wear, in particular the brake lining of rail vehicles, wherein the lining thicknesses, the sliding speed, the contact pressure, the total braking time, as well as optionally the temperature or the brake power are determined in a parameterization process during test drives with measurements at predefined time intervals, and the wear, the constant, as well as the material parameters are determined therefrom, where during the operating state, the wear rates are determined via the now known values of the material parameters and of the constants, and the wear is determined therefrom and, from the maximum allowable wear values, a remaining total braking time is then determined until the next lining replacement is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS MOBILITY AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventor: Boris Andre Prehofer
  • Patent number: 10837798
    Abstract: Provided is a stroke sensor that is easy to assemble and has a high detection precision. This stroke sensor is provided with: a housing; a shaft a portion of which is housed in the housing and moves reciprocally around an origin position following a detected object; and a magnetic detection element that detects a magnetic force that is from a magnet and that varies according to the amount of movement of the shaft, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of cases made of a metal material, and is provided with contact parts that guide the positional relationship between the cases before and after the cases are connected by screwing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: NIPPON SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kota Ebina, Ryuji Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10801570
    Abstract: A sensor device for detecting brake pad and brake disc wear of a disc brake, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes a sensor device and a transmission unit. The sensor device has at least one transducer and at least one sensor transmission having at least one transmission input and is connected to a transducer. The transmission unit is connected to the transmission input and is designed to be connected to a threaded spindle of the disc brake to be associated therewith in order to transmit a wear-related rotary movement. The transmission unit has a drive sleeve for co-rotational connection to the threaded spindle, an output sleeve which is connected to the drive sleeve, at least one spring element and a driver for co-rotational connection to the transmission input, which is connected to the output sleeve for co-rotation therewith. A disc brake includes such a sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Staahl, Michael Blessing
  • Patent number: 10773703
    Abstract: An assembly for determining a measurement quantity for a braking force acting on a brake, including a carrier and a brake holder. The aim of the invention is for the assembly to enable precise and reproducible measurements of a measurement quantity characteristic of the braking force. This aim is achieved in that the brake holder is arranged in such a way that the brake holder can be elastically and laterally displaced with respect to the carrier, wherein the brake holder is fastened to the carrier by at least one elastic bending element, wherein a sensor device is provided for determining the displacement distance of the brake holder with respect to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Peter Lohberg, Michael Zydek, Andreas Heise, Wolfgang Erler
  • Patent number: 10486674
    Abstract: A system for determining thickness of a brake pad includes a controller configured to provide a total braking energy of a vehicle with a regenerative energy braking system, and a rotor braking system that includes a plurality of brake pads. The system controller determines the work done by the brake pads as a combination of front brake pad work and rear brake pad work, then accumulates the brake pad wear to provide an estimation of the brake pad thickness using the front brake pad work and the rear brake pad work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Matthew A. Robere, Mark T. Riefe, David B. Antanaitis
  • Patent number: 10442486
    Abstract: A notification system notifies brake-related information related to braking of a rotation body of a human-powered vehicle. The notification system includes a notification unit that includes a notification device configured to notify a user of the brake-related information. The notification device is provided on at least one of a brake device braking the rotation body, an operation device operating the brake device, and a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Takafumi Nishino
  • Patent number: 10385938
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake shoe (1) for disk or drum brakes, which comprises a supporting plate (2) with a friction pad (3) attached thereto and at least one wear indicator (4), characterized in that the wear indicator (4) has a wear sensor (6) for continuous or multi-stage measurement of the wear of the friction lining and a receiver and transmitter unit (5) for wireless signal transmission, the receiver and transmitter unit being a passive RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) or SAW (Sound Acoustic Wave) transponder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: TMD Friction Services GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Dohle, Bernd Rohrberg, Werner Rothmann
  • Patent number: 10232833
    Abstract: A method for the operation of a brake control system for a rail vehicle that includes a brake system that has at least partially one friction brake, includes determining at least one characteristic curve using at least one virtual and/or at least one actual reference braking journey of the rail vehicle, which characteristic curve sets at least one control variable for maintaining at least one performance variable in relation to one another, recording the characteristic curve in the brake control system; and using the characteristic curve functioning as a basis for controlling the brake system of the rail vehicle. Furthermore, a brake control system, a brake system, and a rail vehicle are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse System Fur Schienefahrzeuge GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Aurich, Torsten Grunwald, Christof Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 10173649
    Abstract: A brake master cylinder is disclosed. A brake master cylinder comprises a cylinder body having a hollow, a piston provided to reciprocate in the hollow, and a sensor module connected on the cylinder body and configured to sense a movement according to a reciprocating motion of the piston. And the sensor module includes a sensor housing coupled to a guide hole formed parallel with the hollow of the cylinder body and having a hollow therein in a length direction, a magnet installed to be slidable through the hollow of the sensor housing, and an actuating member coupled to the piston and configured to move the magnet according to a movement of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dong-Koo Kang
  • Patent number: 10059322
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: TSE Brakes, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Gaufin, Will Brandon Drake
  • Patent number: 9739323
    Abstract: A disc brake vibration estimation method includes a step of obtaining input physical amounts that are physical amounts about the disc rotor and the pad, a step of estimating a vibration of the disc brake in an in-plane direction which is a circumferential direction of the disc rotor according to the obtained input physical amounts and a fluctuation in contact stiffness between the disc rotor and the pad, and a step of making a determination at least about squeal of the disc brake in the in-plane direction according to a displacement or a value derived from the displacement after a prescribed period from a start of estimation after the vibration of the disc brake is estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kouhei Shintani
  • Patent number: 9733625
    Abstract: A system for operating a train having one or more locomotive consists with each locomotive consist comprising one or more locomotives, the system including a locator element to determine a location of the train, a track characterization element to provide information about a track, a sensor for measuring an operating condition of the locomotive consist, a processor operable to receive information from the locator element, the track characterizing element, and the sensor, and an algorithm embodied within the processor having access to the information to create a trip plan that optimizes performance of the locomotive consist in accordance with one or more operational criteria for the train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Glenn Robert Shaffer, Paul Kenneth Houpt, Bernardo Adrian Movsichoff, David So Keung Chan, Sukru Alper Eker
  • Patent number: 9696225
    Abstract: A tailstock assembly includes a housing, a torque cell supported on the housing and configured to measure loads in a first load range, and a load cell supported on the housing and configured to measure loads in a second load range that is different from the first load range. The tailstock assembly is configured so that the torque cell can be selectively mechanically isolated from the housing. In particular, the torque cell and the load cell are supported on the housing through a low friction bearing, and the tailstock assembly can be selectively switched between a first measurement mode in which the torque cell is fixed to the housing, and a second measurement mode in which the torque cell is mechanically isolated from housing via the bearing. The tailstock assembly may be used as part of a brake dynamometer for accurately measuring both active braking torques and residual drag torques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Link Engineering Company
    Inventors: Timothy G. Olex, Warren C. Brown, Richard L. Baird, Anthony J. Wallen
  • Patent number: 9463784
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic parking brake (EPB) system including an EPB actuator, having a motor, to operate the motor to generate parking brake force with respect to a wheel. The EPB system includes a test device connected to the EPB actuator to test a function, performance, or breakdown of the EPB actuator. The test device includes a connection cable provided at one side of a main body of the test device such that the connection cable is electrically connected to the EPB actuator, a diagnosis switch provided at a front of the main body to allow a user to input a diagnosis command for the EPB actuator, a diagnosis lamp provided at the front of the main body to indicate whether the EPB actuator has broken down, and a battery mounted in the main body to supply power for diagnosis to test the EPB actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Su-Hwan No
  • Patent number: 9452850
    Abstract: A device including a base body and a resin feed device to fill the base body with resin. The base body includes an area not to be filled by the resin and an opening at a level of an upper end, the area not to be filled being situated at the upper end of the base body and extending inside the base body. The resin feed device includes an injection column coinciding with the opening and extending inside the base body so that, during the filling, resin enters the interior of the base body via the injection column. The injection column extends more deeply inside the base body than the area to be filled, wherein when, during the filling, the resin reaches the injection column, air trapped in the base body is compressed, whereby the filling is stopped automatically, so that the area not to be filled is not filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Joel Gailledrat, Philippe Doumalin
  • Patent number: 9200588
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the signal value of a vacuum sensor of a vacuum system in a vehicle, wherein a vacuum generator and a brake booster are provided in the vacuum system, an upper error threshold (?p_vac_errorthreshold) is calculated as a function of the operating states of the vacuum generator and of the brake booster, and wherein an error is identified when the signal value of the vacuum sensor exceeds the current value of the error threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Steffen Gruber, Thomas Peichl, Scott F. Ross, Thorsten Ullrich
  • Publication number: 20150128689
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identification of brake suppliers and vehicle models based on electrical resistance of the brake control unit are disclosed herein. Based on calculated values, both the brake supplier and model of vehicle can be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Eric Daniel Cahill
  • Patent number: 9021873
    Abstract: A brake abnormality diagnosis device which diagnoses an abnormality in a brake of a brake-equipped motor provided in a robot or a machine tool, includes: an abnormality diagnosis unit which performs a diagnosis as to whether or not there is an abnormality in the brake, while the motor is excited and the brake is activated; and an output unit which, if it is diagnosed that there is an abnormality in the brake, notifies the abnormality in the brake without interrupting the excitation of the motor and without releasing the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Shikagawa, Yasuyuki Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20150090021
    Abstract: A brake actuation sensor device is described for a brake system of a vehicle having a strain and/or compression gage which is reversibly variable in its extension, whereby at least one electrical property is able to be changed, and an evaluation device, by which at least one electrical variable is able to be ascertained with respect to the changeable electrical property, and, taking into account the at least one ascertained electrical variable, an evaluation variable is able to be determined with respect to a brake actuating force, the strain and/or compression gage being additionally developed so that the strain and/or compression gage is able to be situated in direct or indirect contact with a brake booster housing device in such a way that a force exerted on the brake booster housing device causes a mechanical stress in the strain and/or compression gage. Furthermore, a method is described for mounting a brake actuation sensor device of a brake system of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Jochen Mayer
  • Patent number: 8978456
    Abstract: Methods and systems for indicating brake booster degradation when braking is suspended may include comparing expected brake booster vacuum with measured brake booster vacuum, and indicating a fault when the difference between the two values exceeds a threshold. In one example, the expected brake booster vacuum is computed differently depending on whether intake manifold vacuum or vacuum from one or more vacuum-powered pumps dominates evacuation of the brake booster. Expected brake booster vacuum may be computed based on expected brake booster mass air flow and brake booster volume; when measured brake booster vacuum is less than intake manifold vacuum, expected brake booster mass air flow may be computed as a function of intake manifold vacuum and measured brake booster vacuum, whereas expected brake booster mass air flow may be computed based on flow characteristics of the pump(s) when measured brake booster vacuum is not less than intake manifold vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20150059460
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring opening and closing delay time of elevator brake, the method including outputting, by a brake signal output unit, a brake signal, receiving, by a brake signal checking unit, the brake signal and determining whether the brake signal is an opening signal or a closing signal to output an opening/closing determination signal, receiving, by a brake counter unit, the opening/closing determination signal, and starting a count for measuring a brake opening time or a brake closing time to accumulate and output counted value, determining, by a motor drive checking unit, whether a motor configured to drive an elevator is driven upon receipt of the counted values and outputting a drive determination signal, and receiving, by a brake opening/closing delay computation unit, the drive determination signal and the counted value to compute a brake opening/closing delay time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min Hun CHI
  • Publication number: 20150057849
    Abstract: A monitor for a brake apparatus of a railway vehicle, wherein the brake apparatus has at least one pressure-actuated brake actuator, upstream of which a control valve device is provided. The monitor performs an estimation of the actuator pressure applied at the brake actuator on the basis of pressure data and actuation data, the pressure data represents at least one pressure present upstream of the control valve device and the actuation data represents an actuation of the control valve device. Further disclosed is a corresponding brake apparatus for a railway vehicle, a railway vehicle and a method for estimating an actuator pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: Reinhold Mayer
  • Publication number: 20150047426
    Abstract: The monitoring of a brake is disclosed. The brake includes first and second braking surfaces and a magnetizing device arranged to move the braking surfaces to an open state, in which the braking surfaces are separated from each other, and to a closed state, in which the braking surfaces are connected to each other. During the monitoring of the brake, the time is measured that elapses from the change in the magnetic field caused by the magnetizing device to the shift of the braking surfaces from one state to another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Niko Ekholm, Aapo Jantunen, Johanna Kirjavainen, Juha Toikka, Risto Vilppo
  • Publication number: 20150027817
    Abstract: A measuring arrangement for brake application force measurement of a disc brake, includes two components of the disc brake which can be displaced relative to each other along a travel path when a brake application force is applied, at least one brake application force sensor with a housing; a measurement object which can be permanently connected to one or the other of the two components and having at least one element or at least one target object which has at least one such element for contact-free interaction with the brake application force measurement sensor; and an evaluation unit. The brake application force sensor is designed for the detection of a displacement of the measurement object along the path with the evaluation unit for the conversion of the detected displacement in a measurement variable as a measurement for the brake application force. The brake application force sensor and the measurement object can be mounted with each of the two components in a removable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Johann BAUMGARTNER, Alexander WERTH, Matthias SEIDENSCHWANG
  • Publication number: 20150027823
    Abstract: A brake temperature detection device: acquires a kinetic-energy based temperature rise, which is an increase in an amount of brake heat that occurs when kinetic energy generated in a running vehicle is converted into thermal energy by braking; acquires a braking-energy based temperature rise, which is an increase in an amount of brake heat that is calculated from an amount of work done when a brake's friction material is pressed against a friction target material; determines state of slope of a road surface on which the vehicle is running; and detects a brake temperature in accordance with an increase in an amount of brake heat generated in braking. The brake temperature detection device selects, based on the state of slope, either the kinetic-energy based temperature rise or the braking-energy based temperature rise as the increase in the amount of brake heat generated in braking and achieves brake temperature detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicants: ADVICS CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shunsuke Murata, Masatoshi Hanzawa, Takahiro Shiraki
  • Patent number: 8925377
    Abstract: A brake test method is disclosed for use in testing the operation of a brake of a drive system comprising a motor operable to drive a pair of drive shaft arrangements for rotation, an inboard brake associated with the motor, a first outboard brake associated with an end part of a first one of the drive shaft arrangements, and first and second outboard position sensors associated with the end parts of respective ones of the drive shaft arrangements, the method comprising the steps of applying the first outboard brake, operating the motor to apply a torque to the first drive shaft arrangement, applying the inboard brake, de-activating the motor, and using the output of the second outboard position sensor in determining an operating status of the inboard brake and/or first outboard brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Goodrich Actuation Systems Limited
    Inventor: Mark Whatley
  • Patent number: 8915128
    Abstract: A brake tool for inspecting a brake shoe having an anchor end and a cam end includes a first portion adapted to engage with an anchor aperture in the anchor end of the brake shoe, the first portion defining a first portion axis and having a length along the first portion axis sufficient to engage substantially an entire width of the anchor aperture; a second portion adapted to engage with a cam aperture in the cam end of the brake shoe, the second portion defining a second portion axis and having a length along the second portion axis sufficient to engage substantially an entire width of the cam aperture; and a connecting member connecting the first portion and the second portion with the first portion axis and the second portion axis substantially parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: CRW Parts, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence W. Tucker
  • Patent number: 8836495
    Abstract: In a wheel position identifying device for a vehicle, transmitters are disposed in wheels, respectively. Each of the transmitters has a dual axis acceleration sensor and a control unit. The dual axis acceleration sensor detects a normal-direction acceleration and a tangential-direction acceleration of the wheel associated with the transmitter. The control unit determines whether the wheel associated with the transmitter is a right wheel or a left wheel based on a sign of a product of a time differential value of the normal-direction acceleration and the tangential-direction acceleration, and stores data regarding a determination result in a frame. A receiver receives the frame from each transmitter and identifies a position of the transmitter based on the data stored in the frame. The wheel position identifying device is for example employed to a tire pressure detecting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Maehara, Masashi Mori
  • Publication number: 20140250995
    Abstract: Devices and methods for testing the brake system of a vehicle. Embodiments of the invention generally include an extendable rod that is adapted for removable installation between the steering wheel and brake pedal of a vehicle whose brake system is to be tested. Manual depression of the brake pedal with the device in place causes an extension of the extendable rod, the magnitude of which is measured by an associated sensor as brake pedal travel. A force sensor is provided to detect the amount of force applied to the brake pedal by a user's foot during testing. A controller receives signals from the sensors and determines whether the brake system passes the test. The controller may be coupled to an on-board diagnostics connector of the vehicle to receive and analyze other vehicle data, and to read the VIN of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas Vaeretti, Bradley Buchanan
  • Patent number: 8752422
    Abstract: A brake wear sensor of a disc brake includes a sensor unit, a gearbox cooperating with the sensor unit, and a central drive element which is engaged with the gearbox for an input variable or characteristic variable associated with brake wear. The brake wear sensor also includes at least one additional input for a further input variable or characteristic variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Anton Helf
  • Patent number: 8720263
    Abstract: A mobile measurement device for carrying out a brake test in a rail vehicle, in particular having a pneumatic brake system on which are formed externally accessible measurement ports for pressure sensors whose electric measurement signal is processed by a mobile electronic measurement unit which is connected to the sensors locally thereto, which measurement unit is provided with an input for control and with a display for a user dialog and for displaying measurement results, wherein the input and the display for the electronic measurement unit are arranged in a portable control end unit, arranged separately from the electronic measurement unit, for remote control and for storable outputting of measurement results, wherein the electronic measurement unit and the control end unit communicate bidirectionally with one another via a respectively associated radio interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fur Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Koch, Sven Osbahr, Marc-Oliver Herden
  • Patent number: 8720262
    Abstract: In a method or a test device for testing a speed limiting system of an elevator installation, in which speed limiting system in normal operation on occurrence of an impermissible movement state of an elevator cage a cage brake device is activated in that a limiter traction means connected with a trigger mechanism of the cage brake device is braked by a speed limiter, whereby the trigger mechanism of the cage brake device is actuated against a trigger resistance force, the limiter traction means is, when the test is performed, operatively connected with the trigger mechanism by way of a test device, wherein the test device has the effect that for overcoming the trigger resistance force of the trigger mechanism a greater traction force is required in the limiter traction means than when the limiter traction means is directly connected with the trigger mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Walter Windlin
  • Patent number: 8717158
    Abstract: A display for a machine having a hydraulic brake is provided. The display includes a first display and a second display. The first display indicates a rate of heat accumulation within the hydraulic brake. The second display indicates a current temperature of the hydraulic brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Keegan W. Roach
  • Patent number: 8712626
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method provide a means for testing operation of a vehicle brake system. More particularly, a brake controller for controlling operation of the brake system includes a signal generator that can generate data indicative of wheel speed. Based on a user command, the controller uses either actual wheel speed data or simulated wheel speed data as inputs for controlling brake operation. The controller also includes logic for exercising various braking functions so as to enable maintenance personal to determine operational systems of the brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Eric D. Cahill, Richard P. Metzger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8707775
    Abstract: A system for testing a rail car brake system includes a valve manifold having valves that selectively supply and vent test air to or from the brake system. A control circuit is operatively connected with the valve manifold and configured to operate in a first mode to automatically position the valves according to a prescribed test and to operate in a second mode to allow manual positioning of the valves. A method for testing a rail car brake system includes connecting test air to a valve manifold, connecting the valve manifold to the brake system, and testing the brake system using a control circuit configured to automatically position valves in the valve manifold according to a prescribed test. The method further detects a failed test result in the brake system and troubleshoots the brake system using the control circuit to manually position valves in the valve manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Graham-White Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Cole Frantz Semones, Michael Grissom
  • Patent number: 8707804
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a load bench for applying on the rotary shaft of a device to be tested, such as an actuator or the like, radial loads and variable torques provided by controlled reproduction means. Advantageously, the controlled reproduction means include two identical reproduction modules arranged in parallel and symmetrically relative to the rotary shaft to be tested, each of which comprises a torque motor, a torsion rod, and a connecting rod-crank connection connecting the torsion rod to the rotary shaft of the mechanism to be tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: MBDA France
    Inventor: Rinaldo Jean Costantino Rossi
  • Patent number: 8706376
    Abstract: To provide an ABS control system and software with an automatic parameter calibration function. An ABS control system according to the present invention includes an electronic control unit (ECU), a wheel speed sensor, and a brake pressure sensor. The wheel speed sensor and the brake pressure sensor measure wheel speed and brake pressure during ABS braking, and the ABS control system automatically calibrates an internal parameter used in ABS control in response to the wheel speed and brake pressure measurement results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Bosch Corporation
    Inventors: Shunsaku Ono, Shuichi Miyagawa
  • Publication number: 20140090462
    Abstract: A method for circuit separation testing in a double gearwheel pump having two gearwheel pumps includes charging one of the two gearwheel pumps with pressure and measuring the pressure build-up in the charged gearwheel pump and/or the pressure-build up in the other gearwheel pump. The pressure build-up is preferably realized by the gearwheel pump itself. The gearwheel pumps have a common pump shaft and are preferably configured as hydraulic pumps of a hydraulic vehicle brake system with slip control. The method detects any leak at the leadthrough of the pump shaft through a partition wall between the two gearwheel pumps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Georg Blosch, Norbert Alaze
  • Patent number: 8683857
    Abstract: A method is disclosed that comprises severing an I/O channel between a brake system controller and an aircraft component; sending a test signal to the brake system controller; receiving, from the brake system controller, a feedback signal to the test signal; and determining an appropriateness of the feedback signal. A system is disclosed that comprises a brake system controller wrapped in a BITE region, wherein the BITE region comprises a testing module, a safety interlock region having an I/O channel between the brake system controller and another system, and a testing module capable of sending a test signal to the brake system controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Eric D. Cahill
  • Patent number: 8686670
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the holding torque of a brake in a material handling system is disclosed. The material handling system may include a bridge, a trolley, and a hoist, each driven along a different axis by a motor. A brake is operatively coupled to the motor to prevent unwanted motion of the motor. A motor controller is coupled to each motor which controls operation of the motor and its corresponding brake. The motor controller generates a torque command to the motor while keeping the brake set. The initial torque command is less than the holding torque of the brake. The torque command is incremented until motion is detected on the motor. The torque value when motion is detected is stored in the motor controller and displayed to an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Magnetek, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurtis L. Verheyen, Aaron Kureck