Software based brake shoe wear determination

摘要

By calculating energy used by friction brake equipment, the amount of friction brake shoe/pad wear is monitored. As amount of energy supplied reaches a percentage of the friction brake shoe/pad energy design limit, an indication for inspection is provided. If the supplied friction energy continues to increase the brake material must be replaced. The software logic limits are tunable for custom configuration by maintainace personnel. This invention measures amount of friction effort supplied with respect to time and distance in a software controlled brake system and allows the software to determine when the friction brake material must be replaced on actual data and avoids costly damage from braking with worn out shoes/pads. This invention annunciates through the software when the friction material requires inspection and replacement and provides software logic to indicate remaining material thickness.