Hot runner detection and response systems, devices, and methods
First Claim
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1. A vehicle comprising:
- a body;
a plurality of wheels connected with the body;
a braking unit installed on each of at least two of the plurality of wheels, each of the braking units comprising;
a braking device comprising;
a support;
a block of friction material connected with the support and configured to interface with a brake disk or brake drum associated with at least one of the wheels; and
a temperature sensor positioned between the block of friction material and the support;
a computing system comprising a controller unit, the controller unit comprising;
an interface configured to receive, from the temperature sensor,a temperature of the braking device;
a memory comprising a first temperature threshold; and
a comparator configured to compare the temperature of the braking device and the first temperature threshold; and
an alarm unit in communication with the controller unit;
wherein the computing system is configured such that, in response to the control unit determining that the temperature of the braking device is greater than the first temperature threshold and determining that the temperature of at least one other braking device is less than the first temperature threshold, the alarm unit transmits an alarm signal indicating that the braking unit is experiencing a hot runner condition.
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Abstract
Various systems, devices, and methods for detecting and/or responding to the temperature of brakes are disclosed. Certain embodiments relate to inhibiting or preventing the overheating of the brakes of such vehicles, such as could occur when a hot runner condition is present.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A vehicle comprising:
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a body; a plurality of wheels connected with the body; a braking unit installed on each of at least two of the plurality of wheels, each of the braking units comprising; a braking device comprising; a support; a block of friction material connected with the support and configured to interface with a brake disk or brake drum associated with at least one of the wheels; and a temperature sensor positioned between the block of friction material and the support; a computing system comprising a controller unit, the controller unit comprising; an interface configured to receive, from the temperature sensor, a temperature of the braking device; a memory comprising a first temperature threshold; and a comparator configured to compare the temperature of the braking device and the first temperature threshold; and an alarm unit in communication with the controller unit; wherein the computing system is configured such that, in response to the control unit determining that the temperature of the braking device is greater than the first temperature threshold and determining that the temperature of at least one other braking device is less than the first temperature threshold, the alarm unit transmits an alarm signal indicating that the braking unit is experiencing a hot runner condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system configured to detect overheating of a braking unit of a heavy vehicle, the braking unit being installed on each of at least two of a plurality of wheels of the heavy vehicle, the braking system comprising:
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a brake pad installed in each braking unit, the brake pad comprising; a support; a friction material connected with the support and configured to interface with a brake disk associated with at least one of the wheels; and a temperature sensor positioned between the friction material and the support; a peripheral control unit configured to receive, from the temperature sensor, a temperature of the braking pad; a second control unit in communication with the peripheral control unit, the second control unit comprising; a memory comprising a first temperature threshold; and a comparator configured to compare the temperature of the braking pad and the first temperature threshold; and an alarm unit in communication with the controller unit; wherein the system is configured such that, in response to the second control unit determining that the temperature of the brake pad is greater than the first temperature threshold and determining that the temperature of at least one other brake pad is less than the first temperature threshold, the alarm unit activates a visual or audible alarm indicating that a hot runner condition exists. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of inhibiting or preventing overheating of brakes on a heavy vehicle comprising a plurality of wheels and a plurality of associated braking units, wherein the braking units each comprise a brake pad or a brake shoe having a support, a friction material that is connected with the support and is configured to act on a brake disk or brake drum associated with the wheel, and a temperature sensor located between the friction material and the support, the method comprising:
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acquiring the temperature of each brake pad or brake shoe from the respective temperature sensors; accessing a temperature threshold; determining, with an electronic control unit, whether an overheating condition exists, wherein determining whether an overheating condition exists comprises; determining whether the temperature detected for at least one brake pad or brake shoe is greater than the temperature threshold; and determining whether the temperature detected for at least one other brake pad or brake shoe is lower than the temperature threshold; and activating an alarm in response to the overheating condition being determined to exist. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A vehicle comprising:
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a body; a plurality of wheels connected with the body; at least one first braking device configured to brake a first wheel of the plurality of wheels, the first braking device comprising; a first support; a first block of friction material connected with the first support and configured to interface with a brake disk or brake drum associated with the first wheel; and a first sensor positioned between the first block of friction material and the first support; at least one second braking device configured to brake a second wheel of the plurality of wheels, the second braking device comprising; a second support; a second block of friction material connected with the second support and configured to interface with a brake disk or brake drum associated with the second wheel; and a second sensor positioned between the second block of friction material and the second support; and one or more processors configured to; receive first data that is output by the first sensor or derived from data output by the first sensor; receive second data that is output by the second sensor or derived from data output by the second sensor; and analyze one or more of the first and second data to determine that an overheating condition exists for the first braking device, wherein the one or more processors determines that the overheating condition exists at least in part by analyzing the first and second data to determine that a temperature of at least one of the first and second braking devices is lower than a first temperature threshold. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification