US5239486A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Brake diagnostic computer
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1990-10-22
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Granted: 1993-08-24
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Expires: 2010-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A comprehensive brake testing method and device is provided which is specific for the vehicle in question; wherein the manufacture's brake specifications for each vehicle model are stored on a data bank linked with the device, and the make, model, and year of the vehicle to be tested is input into the device which device steps the operator through a series of visual and measured tests with the results of such tests being entered into the device either manually via a keyboard or automatically from computer interfaced torque wrenches hydrometers and/or micrometers. The results are compared to the manufacture specifications and additional testing or repair is recommended by the device as required.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Mortier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L5/00; G01L5/28; B; B60; B60T; B60T17/00; B60T17/18; B60T17/22; B60T17/221
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
299 words
A device for inspecting the braking system of a vehicle comprising: (a) a computer for analyzing a vehicular braking system, (b) means, connected to said computer, for recalling and inputting the factory specifications of said braking system according to make and model of the vehicle being inspected; (c) means for measuring at various points in the braking system the electrical conductivity value of the hydraulic fluid in said braking system and for generating and returning to said computer a corresponding measurement signal indicative of said measurement; (d) means for measuring values of at least one of a group consisting of a thickness of materials in said braking system and a gap between points in said braking system and for generating and returning to said computer a corresponding measurement signal indicative of said measurement; (e) means for testing a torque value at various points in said braking system and for generating and returning to said computer a corresponding measurement signal indicative of said measurement; (f) means for recording in said computer visual observation values taken at various points in said braking system and for generating and returning to said computer a corresponding signal indicative of such observations; (g) means in said computer for comparing the factory specifications stored in said computer to the measured and observed values and for determining whether the measured and observed values correspond with the factory specifications; (h) means stored in said computer for recalling repair recommendations corresponding to the comparison between said factory specifications and said measuring, testing and visual observation values; (i) means for inputting and recalling recommended procedures to alter the measured or observed values; and (j) means for outputting to a technician the results of such comparison as well as outputting recommended actions to take to correct deficiencies noted in said comparison.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
299 words
A device for inspecting the braking system of a vehicle comprising: (a) a computer for analyzing a vehicular braking system, (b) means, connected to said computer, for recalling and inputting the factory specifications of said braking system according to make and model of the vehicle being inspected; (c) means for measuring at various points in the braking system the electrical conductivity value of the hydraulic fluid in said braking system and for generating and returning to said computer a corresponding measurement signal indicative of said measurement; (d) means for measuring values of at least one of a group consisting of a thickness of materials in said braking system and a gap between points in said braking system and for generating and returning to said computer a corresponding measurement signal indicative of said measurement; (e) means for testing a torque value at various points in said braking system and for generating and returning to said computer a corresponding measurement signal indicative of said measurement; (f) means for recording in said computer visual observation values taken at various points in said braking system and for generating and returning to said computer a corresponding signal indicative of such observations; (g) means in said computer for comparing the factory specifications stored in said computer to the measured and observed values and for determining whether the measured and observed values correspond with the factory specifications; (h) means stored in said computer for recalling repair recommendations corresponding to the comparison between said factory specifications and said measuring, testing and visual observation values; (i) means for inputting and recalling recommended procedures to alter the measured or observed values; and (j) means for outputting to a technician the results of such comparison as well as outputting recommended actions to take to correct deficiencies noted in said comparison.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
209 words
A method of inspecting the braking system of vehicles comprising the steps of: (a) directly measuring the values of at least one of a group consisting of the thickness of materials in said braking system and the gaps between points in said braking system, all of the group comparisons being various components in said vehicle braking system, and generating and returning to a computer corresponding signals indicative of such measurements; (b) directly observing the condition of various components of said vehicle braking system and generating and returning to said computer corresponding signals indicative of said measurements; (c) directly measuring the electrical conductivity of the hydraulic fluid at various points in said vehicle braking system and generating and returning to said computer corresponding signals indicative of said measurements; (d) directly measuring the torque at various points in said vehicle braking system and generating and returning to said computer signals indicative of said measurements; (e) comparing said measurement and observation signals stored in said computer with factory specification signals stored in the computer for the type of vehicle being inspected; (f) displaying the results of such comparison and displaying on said computer corresponding recommendations as to what parts of said vehicle braking system, if any, needs to be repaired or replaced.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
209 words
A method of inspecting the braking system of vehicles comprising the steps of: (a) directly measuring the values of at least one of a group consisting of the thickness of materials in said braking system and the gaps between points in said braking system, all of the group comparisons being various components in said vehicle braking system, and generating and returning to a computer corresponding signals indicative of such measurements; (b) directly observing the condition of various components of said vehicle braking system and generating and returning to said computer corresponding signals indicative of said measurements; (c) directly measuring the electrical conductivity of the hydraulic fluid at various points in said vehicle braking system and generating and returning to said computer corresponding signals indicative of said measurements; (d) directly measuring the torque at various points in said vehicle braking system and generating and returning to said computer signals indicative of said measurements; (e) comparing said measurement and observation signals stored in said computer with factory specification signals stored in the computer for the type of vehicle being inspected; (f) displaying the results of such comparison and displaying on said computer corresponding recommendations as to what parts of said vehicle braking system, if any, needs to be repaired or replaced.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-23 | 1997-02-22 | 1997-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-23 | 2001-02-22 | 2001-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-23 | 2005-02-22 | 2005-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |