TSE Brakes announced a new smart air brake actuator that can diagnose brake issues in real time, including non-functioning brakes, dragging brakes, overstroke conditions, emergency spring failure, cross-axle brake imbalance and more.

With TSE-Sense, fleets and drivers can take advantage of telematics to ensure that their brake systems are functioning properly, according to company officials at the ATA's Technology & Maintenance Council conference in Cleveland, Ohio. TSE-Sense is also designed to address the many reasons for trailer fires caused by brakes.

The system is made up of smart brake actuators and a data integration box and continuously monitors brake stroke at each wheel end. Proprietary software is used to analyze brake data for real-time response as well as for preventive diagnostics.

The TSE-Sense brake actuator measures the brake stroke of each actuator, monitors the emergency spring condition, and logs the brake performance data in the DIB. By performing brake diagnostic checks, it verifies that each actuator and the entire brake system is functioning properly.

The proper functioning of brake systems can be affected by inadequate maintenance and inspection procedures, which may lead to unscheduled repairs and downtime, increase fuel costs, higher operating costs and even accidents.

TSE-Sense can integrate into the tractor or trailer telematics monitoring system. The collected data from each TSE-Sense smart brake actuator sends regular updates to the user interface, as well as providing real-time status for key parameters. Having the ability to monitor the brake system will show patterns of behavior that can indicate brake safety issues.

In addition, monitoring can:

• Increase fuel efficiency and reduce operating costs by reducing fuel usage by increasing awareness of brake drag, which decreases wheel-end rolling resistance. Better rolling resistance allows for better fuel efficiency.

• Reduce unscheduled repairs and downtime by providing the capability to know if the pushrod stroke of each brake chamber is functioning properly. If the stroke length is increasing or is out of adjustment, repairs can be performed prior to failure and in a timely manner.

• Provide notice of “out of stroke” condition for the brake, a key item in every DOT inspection.

• Reduce accidents by enabling customers to identify and repair a brake issue before the issue impacts the brake systems function.

• Increase vehicle life.

“With the TSE-Sense system, the brake system’s operational status is always available to the operator and to the fleet,” said Patrick McNamara, vice president of sales and marketing. “The braking system is one of the most critical areas of operation for trucks and trailers on the road today. Improperly working brakes will not do the job they are designed to do and will not be as effective when needed, especially in a panic stop situation.”

Avoiding Brake-Related Out-of-Service Incidents