Abstract: In a brake system for a railway vehicle, actuation of the respective inlet, (4,6), exhaust (5,7) and a link valve (9) is controlled by an electronic control unit (20). The electronic control unit (20) has a counter for counting the number of valve operations performed by each respective inlet (4,6) and exhaust (5,7) valve, wherein the electronic control unit (20), in use, determines which of the respective inlet (4,6) and exhaust (5,7) valves are to be actuated to brake the railway vehicle. The determination is made at least in part in dependence on the number of valve operations performed by the respective inlet (4,6) and exhaust (5,7) valves.

Abstract: A control system for a platform screen door system. The platform screen door system includes a door configured to be opened and closed. The control system includes a door drive means and a microprocessor door drive control means configured to control an opening and closing of the door according to a predetermined profile. Also included is at least one probe configured to monitor one or both of the door drive means and a motion of the door. Further included is a controller configured to control the door drive means such that when the controller is in use the controller brakes the door drive means when a signal from the probe is outside a predetermined door operating envelope.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a screen door system. The apparatus includes a first transceiver adapted to be mounted on a train, a second transceiver adapted to be mounted on either a train platform or a portion of the platform screen door system. The first and second transceivers are configured to communicate with each other such that when a train is stopped at the train platform within a predetermined distance of and adjacent to a door of the platform screen door system, a signal is transmitted from the first transceiver to the second transceiver to open the door. When passenger embarkation and debarkation is complete, a signal is transmitted from the first transceiver to the second transceiver to close the door, and when the door is closed and locked, a signal is transmitted to the train to depart.

Abstract: A brake system for a railway vehicle (10), wherein the axles (3, 6) of the vehicle are provided with axle speed sensors (1, 2, 4, 5) adapted to measure the speed of rotation of the respective axle. The output of the axle speed sensor being fed to a data processor (7), which is provided with local intelligence so as to permit individual control of brake pressure on each axle or, alternatively on each bogie or car. The data processor (7) communicates, in use, with a brake control unit via a databus (18), the sensor outputs being processed so that the data can be communicated between the data processor (7) and further data processors (17), which further data processors are adapted to process sensor outputs on further axles or bogies.

Abstract: A control system for a platform screen door system. The platform screen door system includes a door configured to be opened and closed. The control system includes a door drive means and a microprocessor door drive control means configured to control an opening and closing of the door according to a predetermined profile. Also included is at least one probe configured to monitor one or both of the door drive means and a motion of the door. Further included is a controller configured to control the door drive means such that when the controller is in use the controller brakes the door drive means when a signal from the probe is outside a predetermined door operating envelope.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a screen door system. The apparatus includes a first transceiver adapted to be mounted on a train, a second transceiver adapted to be mounted on either a train platform or a portion of the platform screen door system. The first and second transceivers are configured to communicate with each other such that when a train is stopped at the train platform within a predetermined distance of and adjacent to a door of the platform screen door system, a signal is transmitted from the first transceiver to the second transceiver to open the door. When passenger embarkation and debarkation is complete, a signal is transmitted from the first transceiver to the second transceiver to close the door, and when the door is closed and locked, a signal is transmitted to the train to depart.

Abstract: In a brake system for a railway vehicle, actuation of the respective inlet, (4,6), exhaust (5,7) and a link valve (9) is controlled by an electronic control unit (20). The electronic control unit (20) has a counter for counting the number of valve operations performed by each respective inlet (4,6) and exhaust (5,7) valve, wherein the electronic control unit (20), in use, determines which of the respective inlet (4,6) and exhaust (5,7) valves are to be actuated to brake the railway vehicle. The determination is made at least in part in dependence on the number of valve operations performed by the respective inlet (4,6) and exhaust (5,7) valves.

Abstract: A brake system for a railway vehicle (10), wherein the axles (3, 6) of the vehicle are provided with axle speed sensors (1, 2, 4, 5) adapted to measure the speed of rotation of the respective axle. The output of the axle speed sensor being fed to a data processor (7), which is provided with local intelligence so as to permit individual control of brake pressure on each axle or, alternatively on each bogie or car. The data processor (7) communicates, in use, with a brake control unit via a databus (18), the sensor outputs being processed so that the data can be communicated between the data processor (7) and further data processors (17), which further data processors are adapted to process sensor outputs on further axles or bogies.

Abstract: A valve arrangement is disclosed for controlling the pressure in first and second brake actuation outputs (9, 10). First and second air inlet valves (1,3) supply air to respective ones of the actuation outputs; first and second exhaust valves (2,4) are each associated with a respective one of the inlet valves; and a link valve (11) is between the actuation outputs. The arrangement is such that the pressure in each of the actuation outputs is controllable selectively either in mode a) jointly, with the link valve enabling air flow between the actuation outputs or in mode b) independently, with the link valve blocking air flow between the brake actuation outputs.

Abstract: A valve arrangement is disclosed for controlling the pressure in first and second brake actuation outputs (9, 10). First and second air inlet valves (1,3) supply air to respective ones of the actuation outputs; first and second exhaust valves (2,4) are each associated with a respective one of the inlet valves; and a link valve (11) is between the actuation outputs. The arrangement is such that the pressure in each of the actuation outputs is controllable selectively either in mode a) jointly, with the link valve enabling air flow between the actuation outputs or in mode b) independently, with the link valve blocking air flow between the brake actuation outputs.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a brake system operable using an air supply, includes an electronic control (8) for controlling air distribution and air to an air to electrical converter (12) for generating an electrical supply for energising the electronic control using air under pressure from the air supply (1). Air distribution is controlled either as a result of sensed pressure in a brake control pressure pipe (6) or as a result of an electronic brake control signal.

Abstract: Systems, valves and methods for controlling fluid flow using the systems and the valves for applications involving the control of micro flow of fluids, such as, for example, spacecraft rocket thrusters, oil well production, medical/biological apparatus, industrial apparatus is disclosed. The valves used in the systems and in the methods include a housing having a cavity and an inlet and an outlet. A seat is positioned in the housing and connected to both the inlet and the outlet. A poppet member is positioned in the cavity relative to the seat for controlling fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet. A magnetostrictive member is positioned in the cavity and connected to the poppet member. Electromagnetic excitation means are positioned in the cavity relative to the magnetostrictive member such that current applied to the electromagnetic excitation means controls the position of the poppet relative to the seat.

Abstract: A valve construction relies upon solenoid-driven axial elongation of an annular magnetostrictive core element for opening displacement of an elongate poppet-valve member that is carried within the annulus of the core element. A first stiffly compliant preload independently urges the poppet-valve member into its seated position of lock-up at valve closure, and a second stiffly compliant preload independently prestresses the annular magnetostrictive core element into a fixed referencing abutment with valve-body structure. The currently preferred material of the core is Terfenol-D, which offers a strong elongation response to inductively coupled excitation. The elongation response is sufficient to serve the purposes of (1) closing a pretravel clearance prior to a flange engagement with the poppet-valve member and (2) also, via the flange engagement, displacing the poppet-valve member out of its normal valve-closing engagement with the valve seat.

Abstract: Thresholds for bridging the gap between a platform and doorways of vehicles stopped at the platform. The thresholds are adapted to move from a retracted position to an extended position in response to the opening of barrier doors mounted alongside the platform.