Control for an electromagnetic brake for a multiple-ratio power transmission that has a brake actuation counter

A control system for an electromagnetic clutch brake for a power input shaft of a power transmission mechanism for controlling energizing a stator coil to effect frictional engagement with an armature plate, the control system comprising:

• a brake system controller including a protective circuit that is adapted to receive at least one data input from a databus, the protective circuit determining whether the data input is within a predetermined range that is appropriate for energizing the stator coil wherein the protective circuit further comprises a software timer that times the period during which the stator coil is energized.

A controller for an electromagnetic clutch brake for a power input shaft of a power transmission mechanism, the controller comprising:

• a protective circuit that is normally operatively connected to a databus, the controller receiving at least one data input and determining whether the data input is within a predetermined range for applying the electromagnetic clutch brake, whereby the protective circuit permits application of the electromagnetic clutch brake when the data input is within the predetermined range;
• and
• a fallback mode to permit operation of the electromagnetic clutch brake when no data input is received from the databus.