Patent ID: 7244003
Filing Date: 2007-07-17
Classification: B60T,F16D

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for estimating brake lining wear and lining temperature for a plurality of brake units installed on a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a source of temperature readings exogenetic to the plurality of brake units; a source of vehicle weight measurements; a plurality of independent brake actuators; a central source of pressurized actuation fluid connected to each of the plurality of brake actuators; vehicle an engine brake; an engine controller providing indication of operation of the engine brake; a brake controller for generating brake actuation signals for application to the independent brake actuators; a transmission controller providing indication of which transmission gear selection for a vehicle transmission; a vehicle body computer; a vehicle data bus connected between the brake controller, the engine controller, the transmission controller, the source of vehicle weight measurements and the vehicle body computer for two way data communication between the brake, engine and transmission controllers, the source of vehicle weight measurements and the vehicle body computer including communication of signals indicative of activation of the brake units, engine brake operation and transmission gear selection to the vehicle body computer; a source of indication of vehicle wheel speed coupled to the vehicle body computer over the vehicle data bus; and the vehicle body computer being programmed to collect the exogenetic temperature readings, vehicle speed data and indications of braking for calculating estimates for wear of the linings and increasing increments in temperature estimations of the linings of the brake units, the processes of calculation including determining vehicle kinetic energy responsive to indication of beginning and ending braking to determine a change in kinetic energy, adjusting the determination of change in kinetic energy in proportion of the change due to operation of the engine brake, and developing an estimate in lining temperature from the change in kinetic energy attributed to operation of the brake units and the exogenetic temperature readings and to developing an estimate of lining wear from the change in kinetic energy attributed to operation of the brake units.