Abstract: The present invention teaches a double-acting compression actuatable slack adjuster to adjust the slack in the brake rigging of a railway vehicle which includes a pair of elongated members movable with respect to each other in a longitudinal direction. One of the elongated members is hollow and the other member includes a threaded portion housed within the hollow member. A positioning device carrying a pair of opposed abutting surfaces is threadedly engaged with the threaded portion of the one member. A pair of opposite facing abutment surfaces are positioned within the hollow member. A first urging device is positioned to urge the positioning device into a disengaged position. A second urging device overcomes the force of the first urging device and urges an abutting surface on the positioning device into engagement with an adjacent abutment surface. An overtravel control device is provided which is activated by a trigger device.

Abstract: An overtravel spring assembly including a helical-type spring secured in a cylindrical housing in a prestressed state between retaining washers inserted adjacent the opposite ends of the housing. The spring is coaxially disposed in the assembly between the inner surface of the housing and the outer surface of a sleeve member inserted within the spring, thereby retaining the spring in a symmetrically coiled state, that is, preventing radial distortion or buckling of the spring spring when subjected to operating stress. The entire spring assembly is retained in its assembled state by radially crimping the opposite ends of the housing against the outer radial surfaces of the retaining washers. The overtravel spring assembly is used in an automatic slack adjuster for vehicle brakes for measuring the extent of overtravel of the piston rod due to excessive wear of the brake shoes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the protection of a clutch against overheating, specifically a clutch which is located between a combustion motor and a transmission. To ensure protection of the clutch against overheating for most operating conditions, there is an apparatus to determine the drive torque for the determination of the clutch torque or the drive torque transmitted by the clutch, an apparatus for the determination of the slip between the clutch input speed and the clutch output speed, a computer apparatus to determine the product of the clutch or drive torque to be transmitted and the slip, and a monitoring apparatus which combines the value of the product of the clutch torque to be transmitted and the slip with alarm delay times and compares the current slip time with the alarm delay times, and when the alarm delay times are exceeded by the slip times, gives an alarm signal.

Abstract: A braking unit for vehicles is disclosed which includes a housing in which slides a piston that can be displaced by means of a pressurized fluid to control, by means of an actuator, a thrust rod which controls a brake shoe. The actuator includes at least one pair of coaxial rollers supported so that they can revolve around a pin, supported by a pair of legs, which is connected to the piston and displaced in rolling contact with inclined surfaces of the thrust rod.

Abstract: This invention teaches an improved high capacity frictional shock-absorbing assembly. The assembly comprises a housing with a first threaded member which is fitted therein for axial movement. A second threaded member is rotatably-fitted in the housing, but is restricted against axial movement. The first and second members are designed with compatible threaded surfaces for frictional engagement therebetween. A compression member is provided within the housing. The compression member is in engagement with the first threaded member to resist the axial movement of the first threaded member as it moves in a direction that will compress the such compression member.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a draft gear assembly including a housing having a front and a rear portion. A compressible cushioning element is positioned in the rear portion with a seat arrangement abutting one end thereof. A friction cushioning element having a pair of outer stationary plates with a Brinell through hardness of between about 277 and 321. The assembly also includes a spring release device for continuously urging the friction cushioning element outwardly from the compressible cushioning element to release the friction cushioning element after compression of the draft gear assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating signal values that are representative of the vehicle engine's momentary drive torque, the weight of the vehicle, and the acceleration of the vehicle. The constant speed drive torque is then determined in a computing device which subtracts the product of the signal value of the vehicle weight and the signal value of the vehicle acceleration from the signal value for the momentary drive torque and a signal value that is representative of the constant speed drive torque of the vehicle engine is generated. This constant speed drive torque signal value is applied in the method for governing a vehicle control device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brake jaw arrangement for a disc brake. The brake jaw essentially consists of two brake levers which carry on one end thereof a brake lining holder and on their other end are connected to cooperate with an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism causes the ends of the brake levers equipped with the brake lining holders to be moved toward each other or away from each other.

Abstract: A brake apparatus is provided to retard the relative movement between two members. The apparatus comprises a housing positioned around the perimeter of a portion of one of the members. A collar is fixedly secured to the housing generally around the perimeter of a portion of one of the members. Clamping elements are fixedly secured to the collar and have a first surface positioned generally coaxial with at least one of the members. The clamping elements move radially to frictionally engage one of the members to apply a braking force. Each of the clamping elements have a ball in abutting rolling relationship with a second surface generally radially opposite the first surface. The balls urge each of their respective clamping elements into such frictional engagement upon axial movement of an actuating device having a third surface in rolling engagement with the ball. One of the second and the third surfaces has a preselected incline with respect to a longitudinal axis of one of the members.

Abstract: An apparatus to improve the sealing capabilities of a sealing member. The apparatus comprises a first member having a channel formed therein for receiving the sealing member in sealing engagement with the bottom of the channel. A second member forms a second seal with the sealing member. A number of fluid pressure zones are provided in addition to two fluid passageways to communicate fluid on opposed sides of the sealing member. A means is provided on at least one side of the sealing member to communicate a portion of at least one of the fluids communicated into the pressure zones between two of such pressure zones. A method for using the apparatus to improve the sealing capabilities of a sealing member is also disclosed.

Abstract: Parking brake control apparatus on a vehicle equipped with electrofluidic responsive brakes is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a parking brake on the vehicle operable by a cylinder. A source of pressurized fluid provides fluid pressure to the cylinder. The cylinder responds to fluid pressure to release the parking brake and responds to apply the parking brake when fluid pressure is vented. A directional valve connected intermediate the source of fluid pressure and the cylinder controls fluid communication to the cylinder in one position and vents fluid pressure from the cylinder in a second position. Movement to the second position is controlled on one side of the valve by an electrovalve which responds to electrical signals and on the other side by a cylinder which responds to fluid pressure and can only occur when both an electrical signal is below a predetermined minimum and the fluid pressure is reduced.

Abstract: A valve device providing control of fluid pressure flow between a supply chamber and a delivery chamber by a movable plunger which forms a seal between the chambers when seated against a stationary supply valve seat and which establishes flow of fluid pressure between the chambers when unseated from the supply valve seat. A mechanical stop is provided on the supply valve seat to limit travel of the plunger beyond a predetermined point when the supply valve is seated against the supply valve seat. Thus, the exhaust valve on the plunger is prevented from traveling far enough to seal against the exhaust valve seat, thereby also preventing the supply valve from cutting into the supply valve and the possibility of inadvertently trapping pressure in the delivery chamber.

Abstract: This invention teaches a method and apparatus for the determination of the weight of a moving vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine. The invention provides means for the determination of a value corresponding to the driving torque of the engine, and for the determination of an acceleration value corresponding to the acceleration of the vehicle. The measuring means are controlled in such a manner that the torque value can be determined at the same time as the acceleration value. Furthermore, a calculating device is provided in which one or two values of the driving torque value--determined at different times--as well as values of the acceleration variable--determined at said times--are utilized for the determination of a weight variable corresponding with the weight of the vehicle.

Abstract: A braking apparatus and method are taught that allows the vehicle having the apparatus to resume operation when the magnitude of an electrical signal to an electro-fluidic portion of the apparatus is less than a minimum predetermined value. The system uses electro-fluidic braking equipment to supply pressurized fluid in response to an electrical signal and fluid pressure controlled braking equipment to supply pressurized fluid in response to pressure differentials. An automatic selector value (ASV) normally receives pressurized fluid from the electro-fluidic equipment. When a minimum predetermined value electrical signal is not present, however, the ASV receives pressurized fluid from the fluid pressure controlled braking equipment. The system incorporates a release device to isolate the electro-fluidic braking equipment from the ASV when the electrical signal is less than the minimum predetermined value. Thereafter, the equipment may resume operation.