The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 20, 1998
Filed:
Feb. 02, 1995
Richard F Zarybnicky, Sr, Charlotte, NC (US);
Alan C Lesesky, Charlotte, NC (US);
Ronald S Plantan, Charlotte, NC (US);
Indian Head Industries, Charlotte, NC (US);
Abstract
A brake condition monitoring system includes a central control receiving signals from each of the several brake actuators mounted on a vehicle. The control receives all of the signals, and sends a single signal to a display in the cab of the vehicle indicative of which of the brake actuators may be evidencing a malfunction. The signals from each brake actuators are unique such that the control can determine which brake actuator each signal is from. The control is also capable of monitoring conditions other than movement of a push rod. The control can ensure that each of the parking brakes have been fully released, the system can monitor the number of actuations for each of the brake actuators, the system can monitor whether a particular brake has been actuated for a long period of time and the system can act as a self check for each of the sensors associated with the brake actuators by monitoring which brake actuators are actuated to ensure that each of the brake actuators sends a signal indicative of an actuation. The invention further anticipates other conditions may be controlled or sensed. In further aspects of this invention, magnets associated with the push rod are mounted within a flexible sleeve mounted on the push rod. Flexible magnets are used. Switches are mounted in the housing of the brake actuators to monitor movement from the magnets. Several embodiments of systems for incorporating the unique controls into a vehicle are disclosed. The control may be mounted within the cab and associated with the display, or it may be mounted onto the body of the vehicle. In either embodiment, it is preferred that only two signal feed lines lead forwardly to the cab.