Patent ID: 8317462

Claim:
A system for monitoring wear on a brake pad of a wind turbine, the system comprising: a brake assembly coupled to a bedplate of the wind turbine, the brake assembly comprising: an outer casing extending at least partially through the bedplate; a brake piston movably disposed within the outer casing, the brake piston extending lengthwise between a top surface and a bottom surface; and a brake pad coupled to the bottom surface of the brake piston, the brake pad being configured to engage a friction surface of the wind turbine such that, as the brake pad wears, a distance between the friction surface and the bottom surface of the brake piston is reduced; and a monitoring device comprising: a housing extending within the outer casing; a rod extending outwardly from the housing, the rod being configured to contact the top surface of the brake piston such that a position of the rod changes as the brake pad wears; and, a sensor configured to detect changes in the position of the rod; and, a means for applying a force against the brake piston in the direction of the friction surface, said means comprising: a bolt, the bolt being received in a threaded bushing mounted within the outer casing.