In some examples, a device can be used for measuring a length of a wear indicator on a brake assembly. The device includes a moveable component configured to move based on contact with the wear indicator. The device also includes a sensor configured to detect a displacement of the moveable component. The device further includes processing circuitry configured to determine the length of the wear indicator based on the displacement of the moveable component detected by the sensor.

Systems and methods for measuring the wear of carbon brakes of an aircraft are disclosed herein. The systems and methods include a 3-axis acceleration sensor module mounted on a brake assembly, the 3-axis acceleration sensor module configured to detect acceleration events of the brake assembly in three different component directions. The systems and methods further include a memory module operably connected to the 3-axis acceleration sensor module, the memory module configured to store acceleration events detected by the 3-axis acceleration sensor module and to store a pre-determined threshold for determining carbon brake wear based upon a number of acceleration events detected in a single component direction of the three different component directions. The systems and methods also include a processor module operably connected the processor module configured to compare the stored acceleration events detected in a single direction of the three different directions to the stored pre-determined threshold.

In some examples, a device configured to determine an estimated remaining use of a brake assembly includes a magnet configured to move in response to movement of a wear pin indicator of the brake assembly, a sensor configured to generate an output signal based on a position of the magnet relative to the sensor, and processing circuitry configured to determine the estimated remaining use of the brake assembly based on the output signal generated by the sensor.

Brake wear sensors for the brake disc stacks commonly used in aircraft brake systems are disclosed. An ultrasonic transducer is employed to transmit signals to a reflective surface and to receive the reflected signals in return. The time that elapses between the transmission of the ultrasonic signal and the reception of its reflection correlates with the separation between the transducer and the reflective surface. The reflective surface is operatively connected to a pressure plate of the associated brake disc stack such that, as the stack wears, the reflective surface is displaced along with the pressure plate. That displacement correlates with brake wear. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic brake wear detector is an independent unit mounted to the brake housing, while another embodiment includes the detector as an integral portion of a brake actuator connected to such housing. A third embodiment for use with brake disc stacks exhibiting substantial wear before requiring service employs either twin cylinders, one with a piston and the other a wear pin, or a single cylinder housing a wear pin operatively fixed to the brake disc stack.

A frictional damper for an elevator system includes one or more friction pads configured to move between a first position, and a second position defined by engagement of the one or more friction pads to the guide rail. An actuation unit urges the one or more friction pads into and out of engagement with the guide rail. The actuation unit includes a hydraulic actuator operably connected to the one or more friction pads to urge movement of the one or more friction pads into and out of engagement with the guide rail via hydraulic fluid pressure. The hydraulic actuator includes a hydraulic cylinder containing a volume of hydraulic fluid and a hydraulic piston located in the hydraulic cylinder and operably connected to the one or more friction pads. An electromagnetic actuator selectably urges hydraulic fluid to apply a force to the hydraulic piston, urging the movement of the friction pads.

A position sensing system for a braking system has a rotor and a caliper assembly disposed at least partially around the rotor. The caliper assembly has a fixed mount bracket and a floating portion. At least two brake pads are attached to the floating portion, operable to exert a force against the rotor in response to a force through the floating portion. A first portion is coupled to the fixed mount bracket. A second portion is coupled to the floating portion such that the second portion moves in response to movement of the floating portion. A sensor assembly measures a distance between the first portion and the second portion. A wireless transmitter sends a signal from the sensor assembly to detached electronics, the signal representing the distance measured.

A pinion of an output portion meshes with a ring gear of a wind turbine. A first friction plate is coupled to an output shaft of an electric motor at an end of the output shaft situated further from a speed reducer. A second friction plate contacts with the first friction plate and serves as a brake on the output shaft. Elastic members bias the second friction plate toward the first friction plate. Electromagnet biases the second friction plate in the direction in which the second friction plate is separated from the first friction plate. A detector detects a position and a displacement of a detection target portion fixed on the second friction plate. Based on a result of detection performed by the detector, operation of the second friction plate is detected and checked, and the wear amount of the first friction plate and the second friction plate is detected.

The disclosure relates to a method for determining the wear of a brake of a motor vehicle having a brake piston, an actuator, a first brake lining, a second brake lining, a friction partner and a mounting, where the brake piston is held on a spindle of the brake and can be moved axially along the spindle between the actuator and the friction partner.

In some examples, a system includes a magnet configured to move in response to a movement of a wear pin indicator of a brake assembly of a vehicle; and a sensor configured to generate position data corresponding to the magnet, the position data indicating a relative linear position of the wear pin indicator, wherein the position data corresponds to an estimated remaining useful lifespan of the brake assembly. Additionally, the system includes an energy harvesting device configured to generate an electrical signal based on an operation of one or both of the brake assembly and the vehicle, wherein the energy harvesting device is configured to deliver at least a portion of the electrical signal to the sensor.

An object of the present invention is to appropriately control a clearance amount by correcting an estimation error of a contact position caused by a delay time difference between output signals of sensors, and to establish both improvement of fuel efficiency due to prevention of drag of a brake pad during non-braking and reduction in response time during braking. A brake system includes a brake disc, a brake pad, a piston, a drive mechanism, a position sensor that detects a position of the piston, a thrust sensor that detects a thrust by which the brake pad presses the brake disc, and a brake control unit that adjusts a braking force by controlling the drive mechanism. The brake control unit includes a contact position computation unit that computes a contact position at which the brake pad and the brake disc come in contact with each other based on output signals of the position sensor and the thrust sensor, a position error computation unit that computes a position error of the contact position based on a delay time difference between the output signals of the position sensor and the thrust sensor, and a contact position correction unit that corrects the contact position obtained by the contact position computation unit by using the position error.