Abstract: A pneumatic/electro-pneumatic brake control system including an interface unit at each control station at the opposite ends of a train operating in push/pull service. This interface unit includes a plurality of pressure switches for sensing the operating condition of the brake valve at the respective control station in order to effect an electro-pneumatic brake application on the train via an application relay in bypass of the master controller, when the brake valve is cut out, thereby permitting the operator to leave the train with the brakes safely applied while changing control stations. The arrangement is such as to permit this brake application to be released at the time the operator boards the train at the opposite control station by cutting in the brake valve thereat and moving the brake valve handle to release position to energize the release train-line wire via the master controller at the new control station.

Abstract: A fail-safe multiple transfer contact assembly including a plurality of front, back and heel contact elements. The contact elements include elongated leaf spring members which are fixed to a molded insulative contact block. A silver contact button is rivoted to the free ends of the front and back leaf spring members while a silver impregnated carbon contact block is soldered to the free end of the heel leaf spring member so that neither the front and back contacts cannot become welded to the heel contact.

Abstract: An improved electromagnetic relay structure employing a multiple coil U-shaped electromagnet, a flat spring biased armature and a single piece U-shaped metallic frame for providing a floating hinge joint and a teeter point for the armature whereby the magnetic attractive pull on the armature is enhanced without diminishing the amount of armature movement.

Abstract: A fail-safe solid-state acknowledging circuit for a cab signaling system requiring an acknowledgment after the reception of a more restrictive speed command signal employing a plurality of transistor latching circuits having a predetermined order of more restrictive significance. Each of the transistor latching circuits is coupled to one input of a separate two input OR gate while a separate a.c. transistor amplifier is coupled to the other input of each of the two input OR gates. The outputs of the OR gates along with an acknowledging switch controlled voltage are coupled to the inputs of a multiple input AND gate for normally holding the AND gate in a signal passing condition and for causing the AND gate to assume a signal blocking condition when a more restrictive speed command signal is received onboard a vehicle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a railway vehicle continual quick service valve device that embodies two abutments normally subject on their respective opposite sides of the pressure in a train brake pipe and in a control chamber. Upon a reduction of brake pipe pressure on one side of these abutments, one abutment operates a valve to release fluid under pressure from the brake pipe and the brake pipe side of the other abutment to atmosphere whereupon this other abutment operates a valve that releases fluid under pressure from the control chamber and the control chamber side of both abutments to atmosphere. These abutments then operate their respective valves to cut off venting of fluid under pressure from the brake pipe and the control chamber to atmosphere. If the reduction of brake pipe pressure on the one side of the one abutment continues, the abovedescribed cycle reoccurs so long as fluid under pressure is released from the brake pipe.

Abstract: A parking brake for use primarily on railway vehicles of the mass transit type in conjunction with the service brake apparatus but operable independently thereof. A parking brake hydraulic cylinder is mechanically connected to the brake shoe hanger of the brake unit. After the vehicle has been brought to a stop, a parking brake application may be made by supplying pressure, by a handpump, to the hydraulic cylinder which also includes a lock-nut actuable by the pressure, in excess of a certain pressure for locking the parking brake hydraulic cylinder in its applied position. A relief valve is provided for relieving the hydraulic cylinder of hydraulic pressure when the application is to be released.

Abstract: A latching arrangement for a plug-in type of electromagnetic relay employing an insulative mounting sub-base for receiving an insulative relay base. An elongated leaf spring carried by the insulative mounting sub-base and having its ends protruding beyond the top and bottom of the insulative mounting sub-base. A pair of inclined ears formed on the insulative relay base for engaging the ends of the elongated leaf spring and locking the plug-in relay to the insulative mounting sub-base. A spring biased push rod for deflecting the elongated leaf spring for causing its ends to retract and disengage the inclined ears to permit the relay to be unplugged from the insulative mounting sub-base.

Abstract: At the remote end of a Type C track circuit, the conventional diode and the winding of a power transfer relay connected in multiple are connected across the rails over a transfer relay front contact. This transfer relay and the track relay at the near end are normally energized by the same half cycle of track current from the alternating current (AC) source. If the AC source fails, a track battery is connected across the rails at the remote end in series with the diode and transfer relay multiple network over a transfer relay back contact. The diode is so poled that the track relay is energized from the track battery with the same polarity as the rectified alternating current and does not release during the transfer operation. The diode bypasses substantially all track battery current away from the transfer relay.

Abstract: A speed measuring circuit for digitally determining the angular speed of a rotating object employing a sensor and control unit for producing a sequence of signals proportional to the speed of the rotating object and for measuring the speed which is inversely proportional to the cycle duration. A storage register for storing a certain number of fixed values which are associated with certain speed values and which are graduated as preset of a predetermined speed measuring range. A comparator and control unit for comparing the cycle duration value measured each time with the fixed values and for setting the measured value equal to one of two successive speed step values when the measured value falls within the speed interval which is limited by the two successive speed step values.

Abstract: A brake cylinder fluid pressure distributor having a control valve device of the pressure proportioning type that includes a main and auxiliary reaction piston, each subject on a corresponding face to pressure delivered by the control valve device to the brake cylinders in order to provide an actuating force on the piston valve assembly in a counteracting direction to the control force thereon, thereby automatically regulating the brake cylinder pressure. The auxiliary reacting piston is arranged on the piston valve assembly so as to be either engaged therewith or disengaged therefrom according to the effective load condition, speed range, deceleration rate or other parameter of a vehicle to be braked, thereby adjusting the effective brake cylinder pressure by adjusting the point in time when the delivery of pressure to the brake cylinders is terminated by the regulating action of the control valve device.

Abstract: A brake control valve device for a railway vehicle having a service valve piston assembly subject to a pressure differential between the brake pipe and a single reservoir acting on a first piston and to brake cylinder delivery pressure acting on a second piston of the assembly. A brake pipe reduction actuates the service valve assembly, toward service application position, in which position, the single reservoir pressure is connected to a pilot chamber of a brake cylinder exhaust control valve for actuating a brake cylinder exhaust valve to its closed position, while concurrently, connecting the single reservoir pressure to the car brake cylinders. Pressure limiting means is provided to assure that sufficient pressure remains in the single reservoir following a full service or overreduction application for the purpose of providing additional braking pressure during an emergency brake application.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating device for pressure medium brake systems for controlling the motor-vehicle brake valve and an electric switching arrangement for continuously switching on the individual braking steps of a third brake system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variable throttle to control the removal of air from a control line which is alternately connected with an air-inlet conduit or with an air-outlet conduit by way of a multiple-way valve.

Abstract: A fluid pressure control circuit for periodic operation of fluid pressure operable drives or motors of the type such as used for windshield-wipers as well as for fluid pressure operable pulsating drives having a double-acting operating cylinder and wiper motor, and an associated control piston.

Abstract: A wheel velocity sensor of the type having a toothed rotor and a stator with a detecting head mounted adjacent the rotor in proximity with the rotor teeth. The rotor is assembled with the bearing seal in the wheel hub as an integrated unit, being encased within a cavity formed in the seal to receive the rotor. The detecting head of the stator contacts the face of the seal, which is coated with a low friction material, so that a constant gap is maintained between the detecting head and rotor during rotation of the wheel to obtain more accurate wheel velocity signals.

Abstract: A plurality of sensors, each generating distinct signals in response to the passage of leading and trailing edges of car wheels, are positioned along the rail at a height above the rail to detect the passage of a selected chord on the wheel tread. The distances between initial sensors and the final unit equal the various selected chord lengths on conventional sized wheels. When one of the initial sensors detects the passage of the trailing edge of the wheel at the chord level simultaneously with the detection of the leading edge of that wheel by the last unit, the output signals are applied to a logic circuit, which registers a wheel of corresponding diameter. Additional sensors placed immediately adjacent the final sensor provide measurement of actual wheel diameters slightly less than the standard sizes due to wheel wear.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a fail-safe timing circuit having a regulator which produces a regulated d.c. voltage when a switch is closed. A signal generator powered by the regulated d.c. voltage for producing square-wave signals. A two-stage amplifier for amplifying the square-wave signals which are fed to a dual rectifier network which produces a positive d.c. voltage and a regulated negative fail-safe d.c. voltage. A pulse generator powered by the positive d.c. voltage for producing signal pulses having an unequal duty cycle. A charging circuit connected to the regulated negative d.c. voltage, and a trigger circuit for periodically sampling the potential charge on the charging circuit. An amplifier for amplifying periodic pulses which are produced during the sampling of the potential charge. A level detector for producing a.c. oscillations when the level of the periodic pulses exceeds a predetermined value, an amplifier for amplifying the a.c. oscillations, and a rectifier for rectifying the amplified a.c.

Abstract: An electromagnetic rail brake for railway vehicles of the type comprising an excitation coil and at least one shoe element consisting of a ferromagnetic core having its pole faces turned towards the rail whereby, when the coil is excited, the shoe element is attracted onto the top surface of the rail.

Abstract: A load-controlled fluid pressure regulating valve device for tractor-trailer type vehicle brake systems which combines in a single housing a unitary piston valve assemblage capable of performing the functions of a relay valve device and a regulating valve device. The unitary valve assemblage is acted upon under normal circumstances by the brake valve control fluid pressure and is further arranged for direct actuation by an emergency piston in the event of fluid pressure loss in the trailer supply line due to uncoupling or to a broken pipe. The valve assemblage is adjustably positioned in accordance with the vehicle load condition such that the relay valve function reflects the load regulating control valve.

Abstract: The receiver of an audio frequency (AF) track circuit for a track section of an electric propulsion railroad is coupled across an associated impedance bond by the primary and secondary windings of a saturable transformer. The control winding of this transformer receives energy signals from a voltage comparator network which compares input signals from two pick up coils, one positioned in inductive relationship with each rail at the receiver end of the section. These coils are tuned to respond to a selected ripple characteristic of the rectified DC propulsion energy, e.g., the sixth harmonic of the basic AC power supply source.