Patent ID: 6450300
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: F16D,G01K

Abstract:
A brake shoe assembly for a vehicle comprising:a backing plate; a brake lining having an interface surface abutting said backing plate and a wear surface for contacting the vehicle; a body of material having a proximate end positioned adjacent said backing plate and a distal end for contacting the vehicle concurrently with said wear surface of said brake lining; a heat pipe disposed within said body of material extending from said distal end toward said proximate end; a first electrical conductor attached to said heat pipe to form a first thermoelectric junction; and a second electrical conductor attached to said heat pipe to form a second thermoelectric junction spaced from said first thermoelectric junction; said heat pipe providing a thermal communication path for transmitting heat waves, produced when said body of material contacts the vehicle, from said distal end to said first and second thermoelectric junctions to determine the thickness of said brake lining.