# US 10,119,873 B2 · Brake force sensor arrangement for a brake unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,119,873 B2 - Document ID: US10119873B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/486,157 - Filed: 2014-09-15 - Published: 2016-03-17 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-09-15 - Assignees: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation - Applicants: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation - Inventors: Glyn A. Finch, Jr.; Maria Koon; Peter D. Mathern - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10119873B2 ## CPC - G01L 5/28: for testing brakes - B60T 17/00: Component parts, details, or accessories of power brake systems not covered by groups B60T8/00, B60T13/00 or B60T15/00, or presenting other characteristic features (air compressors per se F04) - B60T 17/18: Safety devices; Monitoring - B60T 17/22: Devices for monitoring or checking brake systems; Signal devices - B60T 17/221: {Procedure or apparatus for checking or keeping in a correct functioning condition of brake systems (hydraulic pressure systems in general F15B19/00, F15B21/04; testing structures or apparatus G01M)} - B60T 17/223: {Devices for pressurising brake systems acting on pedal} - B60T 17/228: {for railway vehicles} - B61H 5/00: Applications or arrangements of brakes with substantially radial braking surfaces pressed together in axial direction, e.g. disc brakes - F16D 66/00: Arrangements for monitoring working conditions, e.g. wear, temperature - F16D 66/027: {Sensors therefor} - G01B 5/00: Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of mechanical techniques - G01B 5/0025: {Measuring of vehicle parts (G01B5/003 takes precedence)} - G01B 5/0028: {Brakes, brakeshoes, clutches} - G01L 5/00: Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes - G01L 5/225: {to foot actuated controls, e.g. brake pedals} - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) - B60T: VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL (electrodynamic brake systems for vehicle, in general B60L; brakes per se, i.e. devices where braking effect occurs, including ultimate brake actuators, F16D); ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES - B61H: BRAKES OR OTHER RETARDING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR RAIL VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR DISPOSITION THEREOF IN RAIL VEHICLES (arrangements in rail vehicles for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or permanent-way conditions B60T8/00; transmitting braking action from initiating means to ultimate brake actuator with power assistance or drive, brake systems incorporating such transmitting means, e.g. air-pressure brake systems, B60T13/00; construction, arrangement or operation of valves incorporated in power brake systems B60T15/00; component parts, details or accessories of brake systems B60T17/00) - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The brake force sensor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, the brake force unit further comprising a disc brake unit; and the brake force application member further comprising a lever rotatably positioned in the brake unit, wherein the lever rotates relative to the brake unit to apply the braking force. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The brake force sensor arrangement as claimed in claim 2, further comprising the notification device connected to the strain gage, wherein information from the strain gage is directed to the notification device to identify the amount of brake force applied by the brake unit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The brake force sensor arrangement as claimed in claim 2, further comprising an environmental coating provided on the strain gage. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The brake force sensor arrangement as claimed in claim 1, the brake unit further comprising a tread brake unit; and the brake force application member further comprising a lever rotatably positioned in the brake unit, wherein the lever rotates relative to the brake unit to apply the braking force. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The brake force sensor arrangement as claimed in claim 5, further comprising the notification device connected to the strain gage, wherein information from the strain gage is directed to the notification device to identify the amount of brake force applied by the brake unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The brake force sensor arrangement as claimed in claim 5, further comprising an environmental coating provided on the strain gage. ### Claim 8 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The railway vehicle as claimed in claim 8, the brake unit further comprising a disc brake unit; and the brake force application member further comprising a lever rotatably positioned in the brake unit, wherein the lever rotates relative to the brake unit to apply the braking force. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The railway vehicle as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the notification device connected to the strain gage, wherein information from the strain gage is directed to the notification device to identify the amount of brake force applied by the brake unit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The railway vehicle as claimed in claim 9, further comprising an environmental coating provided on the strain gage. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The railway vehicle as claimed in claim 8, the brake unit further comprising a tread brake unit; and the brake force application member further comprising a lever rotatably positioned in the brake unit, wherein the lever rotates relative to the brake unit to apply the braking force. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The railway vehicle as claimed in claim 12, further comprising the notification device connected to the strain gage, wherein information from the strain gage is directed to the notification device to identify the amount of brake force applied by the brake unit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The railway vehicle as claimed in claim 12, further comprising an environmental coating provided on the strain gage. ### Claim 15 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. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of measuring a brake force applied by the brake unit as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the step of sending information relating to the stress and/or strain measured by the strain gage to the notification device.