Controller and method of controlling trailer service braking

1. A tractor controller for controlling trailer brake applications on a tractor-trailer vehicle comprising:

an input for receiving a signal indicative of a trailer brake application;

control logic, the control logic capable of:

receiving a signal indicating a trailer brake application is requested;

comparing the trailer brake signal to a predetermined signal profile;

applying the trailer service brakes in response to the trailer brake signal meeting the signal profile;

comparing a duration of the trailer brake signal to a first predetermined time;

providing a warning in response to the duration of the trailer brake signal being greater than the first predetermined time; and

discontinuing the trailer service brake application in response to duration of trailer brake signal being greater than a second predetermined time.

2. The tractor controller as in claim 1 , the control logic further capable of transmitting a warning regarding the discontinuation of the trailer service brake application to at least one of a driver of the vehicle and a fleet manager.

3. The tractor controller as in claim 1 , wherein the warning is one of a visual, haptic or audible warning.

4. The tractor controller as in claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined time is between about thirty seconds and one minute and the second predetermined time is about two minutes.

5. The tractor controller as in claim 1 , wherein the tractor controller does not apply the trailer service brakes until a predetermined time after a prior trailer brake application signal has ceased.

6. A method for controlling trailer brake applications comprising:

receiving a signal indicative of a trailer brake application request at a tractor controller;

comparing the trailer brake signal to a plausible signal profile;

applying the trailer service brakes in response to the trailer brake signal meeting the plausible signal profile;

comparing a duration of the trailer brake signal to a first predetermined time; and

discontinuing the trailer service brake application in response to duration of trailer brake signal being greater than a second predetermined time.

7. The method as in claim 6 , further comprising indicating the discontinuation of the trailer service brake application to at least one of a driver of a vehicle and a fleet manager.

8. The method as in claim 6 , further comprising applying the trailer service brakes in proportion to the trailer brake signal.

9. The method as in claim 6 , wherein the first predetermined time is about 30 seconds to one minute and the second predetermined time is about two minutes.

10. A system for controlling trailer brake applications comprising:

an electronic trailer hand control device; and

a tractor controller, wherein the tractor controller includes:

an input for receiving a signal from the electronic trailer hand control device;

control logic, the control logic capable of:

receiving a signal indicating a trailer brake application is requested;

comparing the trailer brake signal to a plausible signal profile;

applying the trailer service brakes in response to the trailer brake signal meeting the plausible signal profile;

compare a duration of the trailer brake signal to a first predetermined time; and

discontinue the trailer service brake application in response to duration of trailer brake signal being greater than a second predetermined time.