Methods for detecting potential thermal events of a towable trailer and associated monitoring systems are provided. The method comprises the following steps, namely, first, obtaining at least one data set comprising a plurality of physical sensor inputs. The plurality of physical sensor inputs may comprise a brake chamber pressure input from the brake chamber sensor, a brake lining temperature input from the brake lining temperature sensor, and a wheel end temperature input from the wheel end temperature sensor, and other inputs from additional physical sensors. Second, transmitting at least one data set to an analytics engine. Third, selecting, with the analytics engine, a thermal risk value from a look-up table based on the data set. Fourth, comparing, with the analytics engine, the selected thermal risk value to a predetermined threshold. Fifth, generating, with the analytics engine, a thermal alert if the thermal risk value exceeds the predetermined threshold.

A hydraulic brake distributor for a two-wheeled vehicle has an outer body that forms an internal cavity accommodating two floating piston valve elements. The two floating piston valve elements are axially movable and mutually coupled in a telescopic manner. One of the two floating piston valve elements has an internal through-channel.

A system comprises a plurality of handheld devices including a plurality of transceivers. A control unit may be coupled to a handheld device of the plurality of handheld devices. The system may further include a plurality of end-of-train air devices coupled to a plurality of air brakes. An air manifold may be coupled to the plurality of air brakes. The system may include a controller coupled to the control unit and to the air manifold. A processor may be coupled to the controller and the control unit, and a non-transitory computer readable medium may be coupled to the processor. The non-transitory computer readable medium may include instructions executable to receive information from the control unit corresponding to an air brake test performed on the plurality of end-of-train air devices, determine a status of the air brake test, and generate an inspection form based on the received information and the determined status.

A parking brake apparatus is provided for a power unit having air brake parking components and to which a towed unit having air brake parking components can be connected. The parking brake apparatus comprises a controller arranged to monitor a pressure signal indicative of a delivery air pressure applied to the air brake parking components of the towed unit when the towed unit is connected to the power unit. The controller is also arranged to provide a status signal indicative of whether or not a towed unit is connected to the power unit based upon the pressure signal. The controller further enables the status signal to be processed to control application or release of any combination of air brake parking components of the power unit and the towed unit to park or unpark the power unit as well as the towed unit, if connected to the power unit.

A system and method for generating a pressure-volume curve for a hydraulic system in a vehicle. The system includes a plunger coupled to the hydraulic system, a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure of the hydraulic system, and an electronic controller configured to access a prior pressure-volume curve from a memory, generate a signal to move the plunger, receive a pressure from the pressure sensor, generate a new pressure-volume curve based upon the received pressure and a position of the plunger, compare the new pressure-volume curve to the prior pressure-volume curve, in response to the new pressure-volume curve and the prior pressure-volume curve differing by at least a threshold value, replace the prior pressure-volume curve with the new pressure-volume curve in the memory, and actuating the hydraulic system based upon the stored pressure-volume curve.

A method of identifying a fault in a friction brake actuated by hydraulic brake pressure and configured to decelerate a vehicle road wheel includes detecting, via a first sensor, a vibration at the road wheel and communicating data indicative of the detected vibration to a controller. The method additionally includes detecting, via a second sensor, upon application of the hydraulic brake pressure, a hydraulic brake pressure variation and communicating data indicative of the detected hydraulic brake pressure variation. The method additionally includes comparing, via the controller, the data indicative of the detected vibration with a threshold vibration value and the data indicative of the detected hydraulic brake pressure variation with a threshold hydraulic brake pressure value. Furthermore, the method includes generating a sensory signal indicative of the brake fault when magnitudes of the detected vibration and the detected hydraulic brake pressure variation are greater than their respective threshold values.

A parking brake apparatus is provided for a power unit having air brake parking components and to which a towed unit having air brake parking components can be connected. The parking brake apparatus comprises a controller arranged to monitor a pressure signal indicative of a delivery air pressure applied to the air brake parking components of the towed unit when the towed unit is connected to the power unit. The controller is also arranged to provide a status signal indicative of whether or not a towed unit is connected to the power unit based upon the pressure signal. The controller further enables the status signal to be processed to control application or release of any combination of air brake parking components of the power unit and the towed unit to park or unpark the power unit as well as the towed unit, if connected to the power unit.

A system and method for testing a tractor trailer is disclosed. The system includes a housing having connections for establishing an electrical and pressure connection to the electrical system and ABS of a tractor trailer, respectively, a circuit board that generates electrical signals and pressure signals corresponding to the connections, an electronic device for displaying the electrical signals and pressure signals, a wireless transceiver for transmitting the electrical signals and pressure signals to the electronic device, and a memory for storing the transmitted electrical signals and pressure signals. The method includes connecting the tractor trailer electrical system and ABS connections to the housing, powering on the tractor trailer, querying an electrical signal and/or pressure signal of the electrical system and ABS, wirelessly transmitting the electrical signal and/or pressure signal to an electronic device, and displaying the electrical signal and/or pressure signal on the electronic device.

A diagnostic method, in particular to determine the leak tightness of at least one seal and/or one valve, for at least one component of a vehicle, wherein a piston cylinder unit, whose piston is driven by an electromotive drive, forms a pressure supply unit, wherein a control unit identifies the piston position and/or piston movement of the piston by means of at least one sensor and the pressure generated by the pressure supply unit or the motor current flowing through the drive by means of at least one sensor. During the diagnostic method, the control unit may be used to measure quantities relating to piston movement/position, pressure, and/or pressure variation.

A hydraulic brake distributor for a two-wheeled vehicle has an outer body that forms an internal cavity accommodating two floating piston valve elements. The two floating piston valve elements are axially movable and mutually coupled in a telescopic manner. One of the two floating piston valve elements has an internal through-channel.