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:
Mar. 04, 2014
Filed:
Nov. 03, 2011
Ralf Leiter, Mendig, DE;
Roberto Gianone, Barengo, IT;
Marco Fratelli, Vigevano, IT;
Marco Bassi, Milanese, IT;
Chiara Cesari, Novara, IT;
Fabio Santinato, Novara, IT;
Clemente Magnago, Trecate, IT;
Jon Honig, Bloomfield, MI (US);
Karthik Kayyar, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Juchirl Park, Troy, MI (US);
Cesare Bonfa, Pernate, IT;
Ralf Leiter, Mendig, DE;
Roberto Gianone, Barengo, IT;
Marco Fratelli, Vigevano, IT;
Marco Bassi, Milanese, IT;
Chiara Cesari, Novara, IT;
Fabio Santinato, Novara, IT;
Clemente Magnago, Trecate, IT;
Jon Honig, Bloomfield, MI (US);
Karthik Kayyar, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Juchirl Park, Troy, MI (US);
Cesare Bonfa, Pernate, IT;
Meritor Technology, LLC, Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
A braking apparatus for a vehicle, in particular a heavy goods vehicle, includes a drive axle having a transmission gear, such as a differential, around which an amount of oil for lubrication is variable. The brake apparatus further includes at least one friction brake and at least one retarder that is capable of operating to slow the vehicle through the transmission gear. The braking apparatus comprises a brake operating device for operating the at least one friction brake and the least one retarder, and a determining feature to determine an oil level around the transmission gear. The brake operating device, on operation by a user, is arranged to apply the retarder when the oil level around the transmission gear is above a threshold level, and, if the oil level is below the threshold level, the brake operating device is arranged to initiate an increase in the oil level around the transmission gear.