# US 12,600,339 B2 · Leak detection for pneumatic braking systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,600,339 B2 - Document ID: US12600339B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/046,766 - Filed: 2022-10-14 - Published: 2024-04-18 - Granted: 2026-04-14 - Earliest claimed: 2022-10-14 - Assignees: ZF CV Systems Global GmbH - Applicants: ZF CV Systems Global GmbH - Inventors: Patrick George McNally; Joerg Moellenhoff; Gerd Roters - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12600339B2 ## CPC - B60T 17/22: Devices for monitoring or checking brake systems; Signal devices - B60Q 9/00: Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 {, e.g. haptic signalling} - B60T 8/176: Brake regulation specially adapted to prevent excessive wheel slip during vehicle deceleration, e.g. ABS (B60T8/1755 takes precedence) - B60T 8/885: {using electrical circuitry} - B60T 13/662: {characterised by specified functions of the control system components} - B60T 13/683: {in pneumatic systems or parts thereof (in vacuum systems B60T13/72)} - 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)} - G01M 3/26: by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors - B60T 2270/10: ABS control systems - B60T 2270/403: Brake circuit failure - B60T 2270/406: Test-mode; Self-diagnosis - B60T 2270/88: Pressure measurement in brake systems - 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 - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract The disclosure relates to a leak detection system for a pneumatic braking system of a vehicle. The pneumatic braking system has a control unit, a pneumatic circuit, and an air tank configured to supply pneumatic pressure to the pneumatic circuit. The pneumatic circuit has a plurality of valves configured to be individually controlled by the control unit. The link detection system includes program code configured, when executed by a processor, to individually control the valves of the pneumatic circuit so as to isolate a sub-circuit of the pneumatic circuit. The leak detection module is configured to monitor a pressure in the pneumatic circuit for leaks, wherein the leak detection module detects a leak in the sub-circuit if the pressure decreases while the sub-circuit is isolated. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A leak detection system for a pneumatic braking system of a vehicle, the pneumatic braking system having a control unit, a pneumatic circuit, and an air tank configured to supply pneumatic pressure to the pneumatic circuit, the pneumatic circuit having a plurality of valves configured to be individually controlled by the control unit, the leak detection system comprising: a leak detection module including program code stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium; said program code being configured, when executed by a processor, to individually control the plurality of valves of the pneumatic circuit so as to isolate a sub-circuit of the pneumatic circuit; said leak detection module being configured to monitor a pressure in the pneumatic circuit for leaks, wherein the leak detection module detects a leak in the sub-circuit if the pressure decreases while the sub-circuit is isolated; and, wherein the sub-circuit is a first sub-circuit and the pneumatic circuit has a plurality of further sub-circuits; and, said leak detection module is configured to isolate the further sub-circuits until the leak is located in one of the plurality of the further sub-circuits. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The leak detection system of claim 1, wherein said leak detection module is integrated in an electronic control unit of the pneumatic braking system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The leak detection system of claim 1, wherein said leak detection module is configured to notify an operator or technician of the vehicle of an identity of the sub-circuit having the leak. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The leak detection system of claim 1, wherein said leak detection module is configured to isolate each of the plurality of sub-circuits and monitor each of the plurality of sub-circuits for leaks automatically. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The leak detection system of claim 1, wherein the pressure is monitored via a pressure sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The leak detection system of claim 5, wherein the pressure sensor is integrated in the pneumatic braking system. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The leak detection system of claim 1, wherein the pneumatic braking system is an electronic braking system; and, the plurality of valves each have a pressure sensor associated therewith. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The leak detection system of claim 1, wherein the pressure is monitored at the air tank. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An electronic braking system comprising a leak detection system of claim 1. ### Claim 10 A method for detecting a leak in a pneumatic braking system of a vehicle, the pneumatic braking system having an air tank and a pneumatic circuit associated with the air tank, the pneumatic circuit including a plurality of valves, the method comprising: monitoring a pressure in the pneumatic circuit; individually controlling the plurality of valves so as to isolate a sub-circuit of the pneumatic circuit; and, wherein the leak is detected in the isolated sub-circuit if a decrease in the pressure in the pneumatic circuit is detected via said monitoring of the pressure in the pneumatic circuit; and, the pneumatic circuit has a plurality of sub-circuits; and, wherein said monitoring the pressure and said individually controlling the plurality of valves is repeated until the leak is detected. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of valves includes a front axle braking valve, a left front axle valve, a right front axle valve, and a trailer modulator valve. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the front axle braking valve, the left front axle valve, the right front axle valve, and the trailer modulator valve are energized so as to isolate a first sub-circuit of the pneumatic circuit. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the right front axle valve, the front axle active braking valve, and the trailer modulator valve are energized and the left front axle valve is deenergized so as to isolate a second sub-circuit of the pneumatic circuit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the left front axle valve, the front axle active braking valve, and the trailer modulator valve are energized and the right front axle valve is deenergized so as to isolate a third sub-circuit of the pneumatic circuit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising outputting the location of the leak to at least one of an operator, a technician, an autonomous driving system, and an external system. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the detection of the leak is outputted to at least one of an external fleet management system and a safety inspection system. ### Claim 17 An anti-lock braking system of a vehicle, the anti-lock braking system comprising: a pneumatic circuit; a pneumatic air tank configured to supply said pneumatic circuit with pneumatic pressure; said pneumatic circuit having a plurality of valves; a control unit configured to individually control said plurality of valves; a leak detection module configured to cause said control unit to individually control said plurality of valves of said pneumatic circuit such that a sub-circuit of said pneumatic circuit is isolated; said leak detection module being configured to monitor a pressure at the air tank and to determine a leak in said sub-circuit when detecting a decrease in the pressure at the air tank while the sub-circuit is isolated; and, wherein said leak detection module is configured to cause said control unit to individually control the plurality of valves of the pneumatic circuit such that a plurality of sub-circuits of the pneumatic circuit are isolated in succession.