Brake clearance sensing and control system

摘要

A brake clearance sensing and control system (60) is provided for controlling brake released clearance (c) between a frictional braking member (6) and a rotary brake surface (15). System (60) includes an air flow rate sensor (18) operative to provide a signal (26) indicative of air flow rate through conduit (4) between a pressurized air source (2) and a gap (16) between frictional member (6) and rotary brake surface (15) that is a function of clearance (c) and which creates a variable air flow restriction. System (60) preferably includes a pulse control (20) operative to cause pressurized air to flow through conduit (4) only in the brake released condition and signal (26) is operative to either or both provide a warning signal (32) when clearance (c) has exceeded a predetermined maxiumum and to enable an adjusting mechanism to adjust clearance (c) to a desired predetermined clearance in the brake released condition.