Abstract: An apparatus for reading the binary value of a digital absolute position encoder for obtaining an operating position of a brake handle for a railway vehicle including a storage circuit for storing a binary value of an initial offset release position of the encoder. A memory circuit for retaining a binary value of a maximum resolution of the encoder. A first summing circuit for substracting the binary value of the initial offset release position from the binary value of the operating position for obtaining a resultant binary value which is passed to an output summing circuit by an activated enable circuit when the binary value of the operating position is greater than the binary value of the initial offset release position.

Abstract: A penalty brake control system for a railway locomotive in which a first pressure switch controls the venting of the control chamber of a penalty brake application valve. Reset of the penalty brake application valve, following actuation in response to an unsafe operating condition, is achieved by actuating this first pressure switch to effect closure of the control chamber vent path. A second pressure switch actuates this first pressure switch only when two pressure signals are present thereat, the first pressure signal arising when the penalty brake application value is actuated and the second pressure signal arising when the locomotive brake valve handle is moved out of release position, provided the unsafe operating condition has been corrected.

Abstract: An axle health discriminatory safety timer arrangement for a railway vehicle braking system including a first logic network connected to a pair of safety timers. The pair of safety timers being connected to a second logic network. The second logic network being connected to a pair of speed difference threshold detection sensors. The pair of speed difference detection sensors being connected to a third logic network. The third logic network being connected to a pair of output circuits. The pair of safety timers are also connected to a fourth logic network. A fifth logic network being connected to the third logic network and also being connected to a sixth logic network. The sixth logic network is connected to a pair of truck cutout circuits for nullifying the slip control on a multiple-truck vehicle for preventing an extended period of time of release of the brake cylinder pressure.

Abstract: An energy storage wheel spin propulsion control system for detecting and correcting a spinning wheel situation so that the maximum available adhesion is utilized to the fullest extent in accelerating a railway vehicle while at the same time maximizing the use of the available processing time to permit an appropriate amount of time for diagnostic purposes. The primary data used to form the logic inputs is derived from the axle rate signals which are fed to spin energy storage value threshold and difference comparison sensors. The spin energy storage value and difference comparison sensors supply logical inputs in spin energy threshold, dissipation threshold and optimization threshold sensors and spin rate difference sum sensor, respectively, which, in turn, supply logic inputs to spin enable timer and spin enable sensors and a spin control logic output sensor.

Abstract: An adjustable support arrangement for suspending an air brake hose from the coupler of a railway vehicle including an elongated rubber bungee and a pair of spring wire clip connectors. The rubber bunges includes a resilient circular cross-section intermediate portion and two rectangular cross-section end portions, each having a plurality of axially spaced elongated through holes. Each of the pair of spring wire clip connectors including a hook portion, which is threaded through a selected one of the elongated holes formed in the respective ends of the rubber bungee, and including a thumb-engaging loop portion for opening and closing the spring wire clip connectors and for being interlocked with the hook portion when excessive deformation occurs to either of the spring wire clip connectors.

Abstract: A dynamic diagnostic operational transducer fault detection system including a first logic network which is connected to a low level pressure offset circuit and to an operational transducer to transducer equivalence check circuit. The low level pressure offset circuit is connected to a second logic network. The operational transducer to transducer equivalance check circuit is connected to the first logic network and to an operational transducer to transducer comparison check circuit. The second logic network is connected to a pair of transducer offset test check circuits. The pair of transducer offset test check circuits are connected to a third logic network. The third logic network is connected to a pair of high level transducer fault detector circuits which differentiate between a transducer failure and a dragging and/or stuck brake condition.

Abstract: In an electropneumatic brake control system including a brake valve in which a holding position permits brake pipe recharge without effecting a concurrent release of brakes, there is provided an arrangement for preventing a release control valve of a penalty application valve from being actuated to a position in which charging of equalizing reservoir pressure is interrupted when the brake valve handle is in Holding position, as well as Release position during electropneumatic brake control, while preventing such actuation of the penalty release control valve only in Release position in the event the electropneumatic brake control is inoperative.

Abstract: A magnetic speed sensor air gap fault-detection arrangement having a two-input AND gate for each of the two-axle trucks of a railway vehicle for conditioning a gap process circuit common to each axle. Each of the gap process circuits of each axle is activated to provide a logical "1" output to an associated two-input AND gate. The associated two-input AND gates each outputs a logical "1" to a respective gap counter circuit when the axle rate reaches a predetermined value. The respective gap counter circuits count the logical "1's" and activate an associated gap fault check circuit to reset the respective gap counter circuit and to display an error code and to output a logical "1" signal to the dynamic diagnostic apparatus.

Abstract: An electrical connection portion for a railway car coupler having multiple contacts for being connected to train line circuits. The electrical connection portion includes a plurality of movable and stationary contact elements and a plurality of conductive studs assembled from the front side of an insulative block. There is a plurality of jumper plates electrically connected to selected ones of the conductive studs for establishing train line circuits.

Abstract: A railway car pressure control valve having an adjustable middle body member. An air supply chamber connected to a source of compressed air and an output chamber connected to an output passage. An exhaust chamber opened to the atmosphere. An air supply valve spring biased toward a valve seat. A hollow exhaust valve rod having a valve tip located adjacent the air supply valve. A control piston including a control piston diaphragm is attached to the inside wall of the main valve body. A balance piston including a balance piston diaphragm attached to the inside wall of the main valve body. A plurality of first and second radially extending fins carried by the balance piston and the inside wall of the main valve body, respectively. A protective member interposed between the balance piston diaphragm and the radially extending fins to prevent wave distortion of the balance piston diaphragm and preclude increase resistance to movement of the main piston.

Abstract: An electronic slip control system for railway vehicle brakes having a standard slip control logic circuit responsive to axle speed and rate signals to produce a multi-bit binary number word. A primary slip control word formation circuit for converting the multi-bit binary number word to a hexidecimal number word which is conveyed to a primary slip control table. The primary slip control table circuit conveys the hexidecimal number word to a table output selection circuit. A synchronous slip control logic circuit responsive to the axle speed and rate signals to produce a multi-bit binary word. A synchronous slip control word formation circuit for converting the multi-bit binary number word to a hexidecimal number word which is conveyed to a synchronous slip control table circuit.

Abstract: A load dependent valve for railway cars including first and second springs, each having one end contacting a balance piston. A first spring adjusting mechanism for adjusting the compressive force of the first spring and a second spring adjusting mechanism for adjusting the compressive force of the second spring. A valve seat disposed in an air supply passage which is connected between an air supply chamber and an output chamber. An air supply valve is biased to seat on the valve seat. An exhaust valve rod having a valve tip facing the air supply valve and fitting the air supply passage and has an exhaust air bore, one end opens at the valve tip and the other end opens at the exhaust chamber. The control piston including a control piston diaphragm fixed to the main valve body and fixed to the control piston. The balance piston includes a balance piston diaphragm which is fixed to the main valve body and also is fixed to the balance piston main body.

Abstract: A pneumatic pressure control arrangement for controlling the brakes of railway vehicles. A manual brake command controller converts a selected brake position into a corresponding electrical signal. An application magnet valve is connectable to a source of air pressure and to a storage device. A release magnet valve is connectable to atmosphere and to the storage device. An electropneumatic transducer senses the pressure in the storage device and provides a feedback signal. A microprocessor receives and compares the electrical signal with the feedback signal to develop an error signal which initially energizes the application magnet valve and the release magnet valve upon request of braking effort, and which subsequently pulses the application magnet valve when the pressure in the storage device is within a preselected control range, and which finally deenergizes the application magnet valve when the pressure in the storage device is within a preselected deadband range to cause a lap condition.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously controlling an electrically-actuated solenoid valve which regulates the fluid pressure conveyed to a brake cylinder. The solenoid valve is designed for intermittent operation. A pressure transducer senses and generates an actual value signal, which is proportional to the pressure to be regulated. A set value generator produces a select set value signal. A comparator device generates a pulse-type control signal having a variable width repetition rate within a certain pressure range for the solenoid valve in accordance with the difference between the actual value signal and the set value signal.

Abstract: A vital pressure regulating system is constructed using an alternating current system, and the absolute value of an output signal is inversely proportional to the air pressure in the main air reservoir and therefore if some critical circuit component fails, the output of a comparator circuit becomes a direct current signal in the same way as the case in which the air pressure in the main air reservoir is higher than the predetermined upper limit value so that the switch shuts off the air compressor to achieve fail-safe operation.

Abstract: A wheel slip detection system which is especially effective in cases where a gentle or sluggish slip simultaneously occurs on all the axles of a vehicle. For instance, when the velocity difference (.DELTA.V) between the standard speed, namely, the maximum axle speed, of two or more axles exceeds the preset velocity, this condition is detected as a slip state. In the present system, the first and second velocity values V.alpha.1 and V.alpha.2 are set, and it is detected as a slip of all axles when the following (a), (b), (c) states occur at each axle wherein:(a) V.alpha.1<.DELTA.V,(b) Max. .DELTA.V<V.alpha.2,(c) Max. axle acceleration<Standard acceleration.

Abstract: A pressure control valve for railway vehicles having a variable control mechanism for adjusting the gain of the output pressure to input pressure by controlling the effective area ratio on opposite sides of a piston. A balance diaphragm disposed on one side of the piston and a control diaphragm disposed on the other side of the piston. A plurality of first radial fins carried by the piston and a plurality of second radial fins carried by the body of the control valve. The ends of the first fins are placed between the ends of the second fins so that the edges form a slant surface. Thus, at least one of the diaphragms is supported by the slanted surface of the first and second fins. A manual adjusting mechanism for varying the position of the piston of the valve for changing the ratio of the effective areas.

Abstract: A brake and/or propulsion command arrangement for railway vehicles, especially for abnormality detection of a dual brake system having a cam controller for producing ON-OFF control signals.The abnormal detection system employs a comparing circuit for comparing the control signals, an interlocking circuit for producing a verification signal of the position of the cam controlling, and evaluating circuit for producing a trouble detection signal when the control signals are unmatched and during the presence of the verification signal.

Abstract: An electromagnetic straight air brake equipment, especially to an air brake command system for railway vehicles for controlling the brake pipe pressure by employing an electric brake command type brake controller and electropneumatic convertor valve arrangement. This invention makes it possible to assemble the brake controller and the master controller into one handle, and requires no pneumatic piping leading to the operator's cab since the pneumatic apparatus is all located beneath the floor of the railway vehicle.

Abstract: The arrangement comprises, a circuit arrangement for measuring the inductance of an inductive displacement or position sensor having a magnetic coil and a magnetic circuit including a movable iron core; a constant controlled current source connected to the magnetic coil; a switch for cutting off the constant controlled current fed to the magnetic coil; a cut-off voltage induced into the coil; and an electronic circuit for measuring the decay time of the current flowing through the coil after the switch is opened. The material for the magnetic circuit and the coil for the inductive displacement sensor is selected such that the temperature coefficients of the coil and the magnetic circuit compensate each other.