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:
Jan. 25, 2005
Filed:
Jan. 09, 2003
James T. Dewberry, Moore, SC (US);
David E. Schweikert, Moore, SC (US);
Robert N. Scharpf, Greer, SC (US);
James T. Dewberry, Moore, SC (US);
David E. Schweikert, Moore, SC (US);
Robert N. Scharpf, Greer, SC (US);
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation, Wilmerding, PA (US);
Abstract
By calculating energy used by friction brake equipment, the amount of friction brake shoe/pad wear is monitored. As amount of energy supplied reaches a percentage of the friction brake shoe/pad energy design limit, and indication for inspection is provided. If the supplied friction energy continues to increase the brake material must be replaced. The software logic limits are tunable for custom configuration by maintainace personnel. This invention measures amount of friction effort supplied with respect to time and distance in a software controller brake system and allows the software to determine when the friction brake material must be replaced on actual data and avoids costly damage from braking with worn out shoes/pads. This invention annunciates through the software when the friction material requires inspection and replacement and provides software logic to indicate remaining material thickness.