Erick G Clasen

US Patent:

20030110849, Jun 19, 2003

Filed:

Jun 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/180473

Inventors:

Richard Lonzinski - Johnson City NY, US
Erick Clasen - Greene NY, US
Stephen Page - Greene NY, US
Augustus Baldini - Binghamton NY, US

International Classification:

G01L005/28

US Classification:

073/121000

Abstract:

A method for monitoring the temperature of a friction brake to prevent overheating of the brake is disclosed. The vehicle speed and brake activation time are monitored for braking event conditions known to add heat to the brake or brakes, and the frequency or rate of occurrence of these conditions is monitored. When the frequency of brake event conditions approaches a threshold value known to be approaching an over-temperature condition, the speed of the vehicle is limited in order to limit the amount of kinetic energy which can be absorbed by the brakes, thereby preventing the brakes from overheating.