A method of controlling cooling of a brake system, includes determining a brake temperature, obtaining a wear rate profile for the brake system indicative of wear rate in dependence on temperature, and controlling activation of cooling of the brake system according to the wear rate profile.

A cooling system and method for an auxiliary braking device of a hydrogen fuel cell truck, are provided in consideration that auxiliary braking force generated by the regenerative braking of the motor may be unnecessary and the brake resistor may be unnecessary when a sufficient amount of auxiliary braking force is generated alone by the operation of a retarder. A portion of thermal energy generated by the retarder is distributed to a stack cooling system so that the portion of thermal energy is removed by the stack cooling system. Accordingly, due to sufficient cooling of the retarder, a sufficient amount of auxiliary braking force is provided, and the brake resistor that has consumed surplus electrical energy generated by regenerative braking is removed.

An axle cooling system for a vehicle that has a first axle hydraulic circuit that passes through a first axle assembly, a second axle hydraulic circuit that passes through a second axle assembly, a first pump that circulates axle oil through the first axle hydraulic circuit, a second pump that circulates axle oil through the second axle hydraulic circuit, a first temperature sensor that monitors a first axle temperature of the first axle assembly, and a second temperature sensor that monitors a second axle temperature of the second axle assembly. The first pump and the second pump are independently controlled from one another to circulate axle oil through the corresponding first or second axle hydraulic circuit.

The invention comprises a centralized cooling system for motorized vehicle's brakes, wheels, tires, and bearings, controlled by a Central ECU Module. The system uses one or more fans, preferably brushless, intelligently managed by the Central ECU Module, fixed to the chassis or unibody of the vehicle and connected to forced air outlet ducts, so that the air is channeled directly to the wheel hubs of the vehicle's axles. The system uses, individually or together, through the collection and processing of data by the Central ECU Module, several technical information collected by the vehicle's peripherals, so that it manages the use of the brake cooling system fans intelligently, in relation to the potency applied, the duration the fan is on when the vehicle is turned on and the duration the fan is on when the vehicle is turned off.

A method for cooling a brake system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes determining a turnaround time parameter; determining a time to cool parameter; determining a parameter difference between the time to cool parameter and the turnaround time parameter; and adjusting a flow of air directed at the brake system based on the parameter difference.

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a vehicle in association with a descent, the vehicle having a powertrain comprising: a drive unit configured to provide propulsion power; an auxiliary brake device; and a first cooling circuit comprising a first coolant; wherein the drive unit and the auxiliary brake device are arranged to be selectively connected or disconnected with/from the first cooling circuit, wherein the drive unit has a first maximum temperature and the auxiliary brake device has a second maximum temperature higher than the first maximum temperature, the method comprising: controlling the drive unit to reduce the provided propulsion power when the vehicle is approaching an upcoming descent, which fulfils predetermined criteria; disconnecting the drive unit from the first cooling circuit; connecting the auxiliary brake device with the first cooling circuit; and controlling the auxiliary brake device to brake to vehicle down the descent.

A cooling system and method for an auxiliary braking device of a hydrogen fuel cell truck, are provided in consideration that auxiliary braking force generated by the regenerative braking of the motor may be unnecessary and the brake resistor may be unnecessary when a sufficient amount of auxiliary braking force is generated alone by the operation of a retarder. A portion of thermal energy generated by the retarder is distributed to a stack cooling system so that the portion of thermal energy is removed by the stack cooling system. Accordingly, due to sufficient cooling of the retarder, a sufficient amount of auxiliary braking force is provided, and the brake resistor that has consumed surplus electrical energy generated by regenerative braking is removed.

A brake cooling system uses a pair of subsystems to efficiently provide brake cooling and operation of the system. A first subsystem uses an axle assembly to drive one or more pumps to drive a variable speed cooling flow pump motor and a variable speed fan motor. A second subsystem includes one or more cooling flow pumps that are driven by variable speed cooling flow pump motor to supply a cooling fluid to an air-fluid heat exchanger for cooling and then supply the cooled fluid from the heat exchanger to brakes of the axle assembly. The variable speed fan motor drives a fan for the air-fluid heat exchanger for cooling of fluid passing therethrough. The system also includes a means for controlling the speed of the motors to regulate the heat exchanger operation and cooling flow through the heat exchanger and brakes of the axle assembly.

An inboard braking system for a vehicle is disclosed, having a brake assembly with an optimal braking temperature range, a brake assembly enclosure substantially enclosing the brake assembly and defining an air inlet and an air outlet, and an air-cooling system for cooling the brake assembly. The air-cooling system and brake assembly enclosure form an airflow path through which air can flow from one or more air intakes through the brake assembly enclosure to one or more air vents.

An inboard braking system for a vehicle is disclosed, having a brake assembly with an optimal braking temperature range, a brake assembly enclosure substantially enclosing the brake assembly and defining an air inlet and an air outlet, and an air-cooling system for cooling the brake assembly. The air-cooling system and brake assembly enclosure form an airflow path through which air can flow from one or more air intakes through the brake assembly enclosure to one or more air vents.