Abstract: An apparatus for changing a condition of a hand brake system on a railway car which has both a hand brake system and a service brake system. The change of hand brake system is made in response to one or more of a group of predetermined conditions. The apparatus has one or more sensors for detecting predetermined conditions requiring a change in the hand brake system, and for generating a signal indicating need for a change. The signal is used to trigger an electromechanical device for operating a quick release mechanism for the hand brakes.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the condition of hand brakes on railway cars and for applying and releasing railway car parking or hand brakes automatically in response to predetermined conditions including movement of a train, wayside conditioning apparatus, wayside operating mechanism, a signal controlled by an operator and performance of predetermined railway operating procedures, such as completion of an air brake test procedure. The apparatus may respond to mechanical, electrical and electronic signals and may operate on pneumatic or electric power provided from the service air brake system of a train or from a source of power outside of such air brake system.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the condition of hand brakes on railway cars and for applying and releasing railway car parking or hand brakes automatically in response to predetermined conditions including movement of a train, wayside conditioning apparatus, wayside operating mechanism, a signal controlled by an operator and performance of predetermined railway operating procedures, such as completion of an air brake test procedure. The apparatus may respond to mechanical, electrical and electronic signals and may operate on pneumatic or electric power provided from the service air brake system of a train or from a source of power outside of such air brake system.

Abstract: Method of providing brake retardation capability safety check. Method includes generating a signal representing vehicle mass, and combining it with an electric brake feedback signal and a brake cylinder pressure signal to generate a signal representing vehicle deceleration rate. Integrating the signal representing vehicle acceleration rate to generate an output signal representative of a process cycle speed reduction value. Inputting and storing values of process cycle speed reduction output signals to and in, respectively, a summation unit. Adding such values inputted to summation unit to a predetermined number of seconds worth of process cycle speed reduction values and generating output signal representative of braking effort available in terms of speed reduction over such predetermined number of seconds. Inputting brake command signal to brake command jerk limiting unit.

Abstract: A draft gear assembly having a variable angle friction clutch mechanism is provided. Such assembly includes a housing member having a compressible cushioning element disposed adjacent a closed end thereof. A seat is disposed between one end of the compressible cushioning element and an open end of the housing member. A friction cushioning assembly is positioned at least partially within the open end of the housing member and includes a plurality of friction surfaces disposed on a plurality of friction elements with at least one wedge member being engageable with the plurality of friction surfaces. At least one resilient member is provided to enable the friction cushioning mechanism to exhibit a variable angle. Such resilient member is engageable with at least one of the friction elements and exerts a lateral force on the friction cushioning mechanism which is at least sufficient to maintain all of the friction surfaces in frictional engagement during the useful life of the draft gear assembly.

Abstract: A slack adjusting brake cylinder for use in a fluid brake unit of a railway transit vehicle having a brake piston slidably mounted on a support rod within a brake cylinder receiving cavity of the brake unit. A plurality of friction/load rings are slidably mounted on the support rod, a first side of which serves as an abutment stop to limit the extent of return of the brake piston along the support rod. The friction/load rings are tightly engaged on the support rod so that they are slidable only in response to fluid brake pressure forces. A spring loaded compression member is engaged with a second side of the friction/load rings, and is partially compressed between the brake piston and the friction/load rings when the brake piston is advanced outwardly on the support rod in response to activation of the brake unit, and functions to return the brake piston into engagement with the friction/load rings when the brake unit is deactivated.

Abstract: Slackless drawbar includes female member, having a cavity, engaging end of a railway car. Openings through first and second side walls of cavity. A male member has portion movably disposed in cavity. An aperture formed through such male member. A ball has portion disposed in such aperture and shafts extending from outer surfaces thereof. A portion of one shaft disposed in one opening and a portion of another one disposed in another opening. Such shafts have flat surface portions. A race assembly disposed in such aperture and secured to male member. An inner surface of race surrounds such ball. A second female member, having a cavity, engages end of second car. Openings are formed through second pair of side walls. Another male member has portion movably disposed in second cavity. An aperture formed through the second male member. Another ball includes portion disposed in second aperture and shafts extending from outer surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A service bypass apparatus for isolating a door from an automatic door operator on a passenger transit type railway vehicle, and lock such door in a closed position, which includes a partially rotatable shaft having a blocking lever arm rigidly secured to the rotatable shaft which can be pivoted into a position sufficient to block the door from opening. The shaft is also provided with at least one cam adapted to operate at least one switch which will electrically and pneumatically isolate the door from the automatic door operator, and activate whatever bypasses are necessary to permit other door operators to function in their normal manner. A remote control apparatus is also provided which includes a partially rotatable cylinder with a closed-loop cable interconnecting the rotatable cylinder and the shaft, so that any partial rotation of the cylinder will cause a partial rotation of the shaft as necessary to isolate the door from the automatic door operator.

Abstract: An apparatus for mechanically locking and unlocking a passenger access door panel on a railway vehicle which includes a locking lever arm, one end of which is pivotally secured to a movable door panel and having a roller secured at the opposite end, and having a biasing means to pivotally bias the roller against a locking support structure secured to a structure adjacent to the movable door panel when such door panel is moving into the closed position.

Abstract: A draft gear assembly having a variable angle friction clutch mechanism is provided. Such assembly includes a housing member having a compressible cushioning element disposed adjacent a closed end thereof. A seat device is disposed between one end of the compressible cushioning element and an open end of the housing member. A friction cushioning mechanism is positioned at least partially within the open end of the housing member and includes a plurality of friction surfaces disposed on a plurality of friction elements with at least one wedge member being engageable with the plurality of friction surfaces. At least one resilient member is provided to enable the friction cushioning mechanism to exhibit a variable angle. Such resilient member is engageable with at least one of the friction elements and exerts a lateral force on the friction cushioning mechanism which is at least sufficient to maintain all of the friction surfaces in frictional engagement during the useful life of the draft gear assembly.

Abstract: An electric coupler engages a mechanical coupler disposed on a passenger transit vehicle to enable necessary electrical connections required to operate such vehicle to be achieved. Such electric coupler includes an interface device engaging both such mechanical coupler and such electric coupler for positioning the electric coupler on such mechanical coupler. A first securing device engages each of such interface device and such mechanical coupler for securing them together. A second securing device engages each of such interface device and such electric coupler for securing them together. A pair of bearing shaft members and a pair of shaft support members connected to a respective one of such pair of bearing shaft members are provided. A third securing device engages each of such interface device and such pair of shaft support members for securing them together. A pair of electric coupler box members and a pair of linear bearings are provided.

Abstract: A brake actuator includes a tubular housing member, connected at a first end to a cylindrical housing with a member for admitting fluid, a piston with a sealing member mounted for reciprocal movement within such cylindrical housing, a tubular stem connected at one end to such piston, the tubular stem having a first conical surface at its other end, a piston return disposed intermediate such first piston and the tubular housing, a flange connected at one end to another end of the tubular housing, a pair of abutment surfaces carried by such flange and an externally threaded rod having a first portion extending inside the tubular housing and such tubular stem and a second portion extending outwardly from such tubular housing and through the flange, the improvement of a collet style slack adjuster to adjust for wear of braking elements.

Abstract: A wear and lubricating liner having a cup-shaped wear liner assembly which includes a first bottom plate portion. An aperture is formed centrally through such first bottom plate and a first upstanding wall portion is connected at a bottom thereof to an outer perimeter of such first bottom plate. A lubricating liner assembly having at least one substantially solid lubricating material with a bottom surface thereof disposed adjacent and in contact with an upper surface of such bottom plate and a vertically disposed ring-like solid lubricating material. An outer surface of such ring-like lubricating material is disposed adjacent and in contact with an inner surface of such upstanding wall of the wear liner. A protective cover member includes a second bottom plate portion having a bottom surface disposed adjacent and in contact with an upper surface of such at least one solid lubricating material. Another aperture is formed centrally through such second bottom plate.

Abstract: A valve restoration process including the steps of disassembling the valve into its component parts, applying a cleaning solution to a choke portion, a spring retainer portion, a body portion, a valve seat portion and a valve stem portion of such valve and thereafter cleaning these portions with a brush to remove extraneous foreign material therefrom. Thereafter removing such cleaning solution and relapping such valve stem portion to such valve seat portion to insure a good sealing surface. Finally, removing the lapping component from each of such valve stem and such valve seat and reassembling such valve.

Abstract: A railway car brake mechanism is comprised of a hand wheel on a shaft and a housing with a rotatable gear wheel and square chain winding disposed within. A ratchet wheel rotatable with the hand wheel shaft and a freely rotatable pinion which engages the gear wheel is also provided. The rotatable pinion has a flange with a disengageable driving connection with the gear wheel and a disengageable connection between flange and ratchet wheel. The main gear wheel and chain winding drum comprise a main gear wheel assembly. The assembly is attached by a chain end link through an interconnection of the main gear wheel and outwardly extending section of the chain winding drum. To prevent kinking or slippage of the chain, a spiral groove is formed in the square chain drum. The groove enables the chain to be wound within the drum with alternate links seated on a concave surface and intermediate links, which rest on the outer surface of the drum, to be at right angles to the aforementioned alternate links.

Abstract: The invention consists of a toothed wheel which in conjunction with a fixed sensor measures the revolutions or the angular velocity of a rotating component. The toothed wheel is constructed as a coil spring mounted on a circular ring-shaped mounting device and moved around a pivot with the rotation motion to be measured. The coil spring consists of an infinite helix the windings of which are of ferromagnetic material. Since the coil spring is moved past the fixed sensor, the change of the magnetic field in the coil of the sensor causes the generation of an alternating voltage the frequency of which is substantially proportional to the angular velocity of the toothed wheel.

Abstract: An automatic activation apparatus for a differential pawl which is independent of intervention by an operator of a vehicle, the invention controls the energy supply to the actuator by means of a control logic with two signal inputs. The control logic is fed a wheel slip signal directly at one signal input, and via a break-delay timing element at its other signal input. The control logic is thereby designed so that, by the excitation of both signal inputs, it switches into a standby position and then into its active position only upon the excitation of its signal input connected with the timing element.

Abstract: A solenoid-controlled valve arrangement is provided which includes a relay valve having in its control line a series arrangement of a shut-off valve and a shifting valve. Each of the shut-off valve and the shifting valve is solenoid-controlled.

Abstract: An adjustable file handle for files is disclosed. The adjustable file handle comprises a first means which engages the sides of the file substantially adjacent its forward end and above the surface of the teeth of the file which will be in contact with a workpiece. Included with the first means is a hand gripping means for applying pressure to the forward end of the file against the workpiece in a downwardly and outwardly direction. A third means is provided which engages the sides of the tine of the file substantially adjacent the end of the tine and also above the bottom surface of the tine so that contact with a workpiece is avoided. Secured to the third means is a handle means for applying pressure to the tine end of the file against the workpiece in a downwardly and outwardly direction.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for lifting a manhole cover which comprises: (1) a means for engaging the manhole cover which cooperates with a lever means for raising and lowering the cover, and (2) a pivot means which also cooperates with the lever means to pivot the cover to the desired position.