Determination of air brake adjustment from air pressure data

Continuing research in brake condition monitoring for vehicles equipped wit h air brakes considers the feasibility of using air pressure data to determ ine brake stroke, a vital parameter in determining the effectiveness of the total braking system. Recent statistics show there is an alarming number o f vehicles operating with brakes that are out of adjustment even with the i ntroduction and requirement of automatic slack adjustment in 1994. The impo rtance of brake stroke information is thus highlighted. To address this pro blem, a mathematical model of an air brake chamber is developed and used to investigate parameter sensitivity. A method capable of indirectly determin ing brake stroke by examining air pressure data is formulated and its effec tiveness is proven through simulation and testing.