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:
Apr. 13, 2010
Filed:
Feb. 25, 2008
Mark N. Howell, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
John P. Whaite, Jr., Davison, MI (US);
Phanu Amatyakul, Brighton, MI (US);
Yuen-kwok Chin, Troy, MI (US);
Mutasim A. Salman, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Chih-hung Yen, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
Mark T. Riefe, Brighton, MI (US);
Mark N. Howell, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
John P. Whaite, Jr., Davison, MI (US);
Phanu Amatyakul, Brighton, MI (US);
Yuen-Kwok Chin, Troy, MI (US);
Mutasim A. Salman, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Chih-Hung Yen, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
Mark T. Riefe, Brighton, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A method for providing an estimate of brake pad thickness. The method employs fusion of sensors, if used, and driver brake modeling to predict the vehicle brake pad life. An algorithm is employed that uses various inputs, such as brake pad friction material properties, brake pad cooling rate, brake temperature, vehicle mass, road grade, weight distribution, brake pressure, brake energy, braking power, etc. to provide the estimation. The method calculates brake work using total work minus losses, such as aerodynamic drag resistance, engine braking and/or braking power as braking torque times velocity divided by rolling resistance to determine the brake rotor and lining temperature. The method then uses the brake temperature to determine the brake pad wear, where the wear is accumulated for each braking event. A brake pad sensor can be included to provide one or more indications of brake pad thickness from which the estimation can be revised.