Method and apparatus for limiting truck speed as a function of braking
OwnerRichard J. Lonzinski, Erick Clasen +2inventors
InventorsRichard J. Lonzinski, Erick Clasen, Stephen Page, Augustus R. Baldini
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Abstract
A method for monitoring the temperature of a friction brake to prevent overheating of the brake is disclosed. The vehicle speed and brake activation time are monitored for braking event conditions known to add heat to the brake or brakes, and the frequency or rate of occurrence of these conditions is monitored. When the frequency of brake event conditions approaches a threshold value known to be approaching an over-temperature condition, the speed of the vehicle is limited in order to limit the amount of kinetic energy which can be absorbed by the brakes, thereby preventing the brakes from overheating.
Claims16
A method for preventing overheating of a friction brake in a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps:
- (a) monitoring a frequency of brake events;
- (b) comparing the frequency to a threshold frequency level indicative of an approaching over-temperature condition;
- and
- (c) limiting the speed of the vehicle to limit the amount of kinetic energy absorbed during braking when the frequency exceeds the threshold value.
A method for preventing overheating of friction brakes in a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps:
- (a) monitoring a speed of the vehicle;
- (b) comparing the vehicle speed to a vehicle speed threshold;
- (c) when the vehicle speed exceeds the threshold vehicle speed, monitoring brake activation and determining a brake activation time;
- (d) comparing the brake activation time to a threshold brake time value;
- (e) recording a brake event when the brake activation time exceeds the threshold brake time value;
- (f) calculating a frequency of braking events;
- (g) comparing the frequency of braking events to a threshold frequency value indicative of an approaching over-temperature condition in the brake;
- and
- (h) limiting the maximum speed of the vehicle to limit the amount of heat added to the brake during successive braking when the frequency exceeds the threshold frequency value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.