Brake force sensor arrangement for a brake unit
AssigneeWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
InventorsGlyn A. Finch, Jr., Maria Koon, Peter D. Mathern
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A brake force sensor arrangement for a brake unit includes a brake unit including a brake force application member; and a strain gage positioned on the brake force application member. The strain gage may be configured to measure the stress, strain, or stress and strain of the brake force application member. The stress, strain, or stress and strain of the brake force application member may be proportional to the brake force applied by the brake unit.
Claims16
A brake force sensor arrangement for a brake unit, comprising:
- the brake unit comprising a brake force application member;
- and
- a strain gage positioned on the brake force application member,
- wherein the strain gage is configured to measure the stress and/or strain of the brake force application member;
- wherein the stress and/or strain of the brake force application member is proportional to a brake force applied by the brake unit;
- and
- wherein the brake force application member defines a recess on an outer surface thereof to hold the strain gage, and an aperture that houses a connector configured to send information from the strain gage to a notification device.
A railway vehicle with a brake force sensor arrangement, comprising:
- a railway vehicle comprising a brake unit, the brake unit comprising a brake force application member;
- and
- a strain gage positioned on the brake force application member,
- wherein the strain gage is configured to measure a stress and/or strain of the brake force application member,
- wherein the stress and/or strain of the brake force application member is proportional to a brake force applied by the brake unit;
- and
- wherein the brake force application member defines a recess on an outer surface thereof to hold the strain gage, and an aperture that houses a connector configured to send information of a notification device.
A method of measuring a brake force applied by a brake unit, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a brake unit comprising:
- a brake force application member;
- and
- a strain gage positioned on the brake force application member;
- wherein the braking force application member defines a recess on an outer surface thereof to hold the strain gage, and an aperture that houses a connector configured to send information for a notification device;
- b) applying the braking force using the brake force application member;
- and
- c) measuring the stress and/or strain applied by the brake force application member using the strain gage,
- wherein the stress and/or strain of the brake force application member is proportional to the brake force applied by the brake unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.