Brake monitoring system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A brake monitoring system comprising:
- at least one brake temperature detection unit externally attached to one of the brake assemblies of a vehicle, said brake temperature detection unit comprising;
least one sensor for detecting radiation from said corresponding brake assembly; and
a mirror shutter unit pivotally fitted to said brake temperature detection unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A brake monitoring system (10) having at least one brake temperature detection unit (10) externally attached to one of the brake assemblies (12) of a vehicle is provided. The brake temperature detection unit (10) includes at least one sensor (30) for detection radiation from the corresponding brake assembly (12) and a processing unit (32) coupled to the sensor (30) for determining the temperature of the corresponding brake assembly (12) from the detected radiation.
43 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A brake monitoring system comprising:
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at least one brake temperature detection unit externally attached to one of the brake assemblies of a vehicle, said brake temperature detection unit comprising;
least one sensor for detecting radiation from said corresponding brake assembly; and
a mirror shutter unit pivotally fitted to said brake temperature detection unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
a) a heat source; and
b) a second sensor coupled to said heat source.
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5. A system according to claim 4 and wherein said at least one brake temperature detection unit further comprises a mirror shutter unit pivotally fitted to said brake temperature detection unit, whereby said mirror shutter unit is movable from a first position wherein said mirror shutter unit sealingly closes said aperture to a second position wherein said mirror shutter unit reflects radiation from said heat source.
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6. A system according to claim 1 and wherein said mirror shutter unit is operable by means of an electromagnet attached to said mirror.
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7. A system according to claim 1 and wherein said at least one brake temperature detection unit further comprises filtration means.
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8. A system according to claim 2 and further comprising control apparatus coupled to said at least one brake temperature detection unit and to said a processing unit.
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9. A system according to claim 8 and wherein, upon the recorded temperature of said corresponding brake assembly exceeding a pre-determined level, said control apparatus causes said vehicle to be brought to a halt.
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10. A system according to claim 8 and wherein said control apparatus comprises means for indicating to the driver of said vehicle whenever the recorded temperature of said corresponding brake assembly exceeds a pre-determined level.
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11. A system according to claim 10 and wherein said indicating means comprises an audible alarm.
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12. A system according to claim 10 and wherein said indicating means comprises at least one LED light corresponding to each of said at least one brake temperature detection units.
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13. A system according to claim 8 and wherein said control apparatus further comprises a black box device, said black box device comprising:
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a) a memory storage device coupled to said a processing unit;
b) a processor connected to said memory storage device; and
c) a recording device connected to said processor.
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14. A system according to claim 1 and further comprising a cleaning unit attached to said brake temperature detection unit.
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15. A brake temperature detection unit externally attached to one of the brake assemblies of a vehicle, said brake temperature detection unit comprising:
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at least one sensor for detecting radiation from said corresponding brake assembly;
a processing unit coupled to said at least one sensor for determining the temperature of said corresponding brake assembly from said detected radiation; and
a mirror shutter unit pivotally fitted to said brake temperature detection unit. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
a) a heat source; and
b) a second sensor coupled to said heat source.
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18. A brake temperature detection unit according to claim 17 and wherein and further comprising a mirror shutter unit pivotally fitted to said brake temperature detection unit, whereby said mirror shutter unit is movable from a first position wherein said mirror shutter unit sealingly closes said aperture to a second position wherein said mirror shutter unit reflects radiation from said heat source.
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19. A brake temperature detection unit according to claim 15 and wherein said mirror shutter unit is operable by means of an electromagnet attached to said mirror.
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20. A brake temperature detection unit according to claim 15 and further comprising filtration means.
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21. A brake temperature detection unit according to claim 15 and further comprising control apparatus coupled to said a processing unit.
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22. A brake temperature detection unit according to claim 21 and wherein said control apparatus comprises means for indicating to the driver of said vehicle whenever the recorded temperature of said corresponding brake assembly exceeds a pre-determined level.
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23. A brake temperature detection unit according to claim 22 and wherein said indicating means comprises an audible alarm.
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24. A brake temperature detection unit according to claim 22 and wherein said indicating means comprises at least one LED light corresponding to each of said at least one brake temperature detection units.
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25. A brake temperature detection unit according to claim 21 and wherein said control apparatus further comprises a black box device, said black box device comprising:
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a) a memory storage device coupled to said a processing unit;
b) a processor connected to said memory storage device; and
c) a recording device connected to said processor.
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26. A brake temperature detection unit according to claim 15 and further comprising a cleaning unit.
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27. A method for detecting an increase in temperature in a vehicle brake assembly having a brake temperature detection unit fitted thereto, said method comprising the steps of:
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determining the ambient temperature of said detection unit, said detection unit comprising;
at least one sensor for detecting radiation from said corresponding brake assembly; and
a mirror shutter unit pivotally fitted to said brake temperature detection unit;
determining the temperature of a heat source within said detecting unit, said detecting unit being sealed from any radiation from said brake assembly;
recording the temperature of said brake assembly;
comparing the recorded brake assembly temperature with the determined heat source temperature; and
indicating an alarm if said recorded brake assembly temperature exceeds a pre-determined temperature. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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Specification