Abstract: Software is propagated over a social network through an instant message client. The software is propagated to a computing device in the social network over the instant message client, wherein the software is based upon a rating system within the social network.

Abstract: A portable package of testing equipment that enables real-time analysis in order to determine the correct amount of capacitance required to add to a motor to achieve optimal performance and power factor correction is provided; the system admits to the monitoring of key power quality measurements such as harmonics while capacitance is temporarily added to the system. A controller automatically calculates the amount of additional capacitance required to reach the desired power factor and then applies the calculated amount to the motor.

Abstract: Software is propagated over a social network through an instant message client. The software is propagated to a computing device in the social network over the instant message client, wherein the software is based upon a rating system within the social network.

Abstract: The pneumatic oscillating valve includes a housing defining an internal chamber, an inlet passageway, and an outlet passageway. An annular seat extends into the internal chamber. A diaphragm is disposed in the internal chamber. The diaphragm seats against the annular seat and separates the inlet passageway from the outlet passageway. A spring engages the diaphragm to seat the diaphragm against the annular seat. As fluid is admitted to the inlet passageway, pressure increases in the inlet passageway until sufficient pressure is present to overcome the spring and unseat the diaphragm. The inlet passageway is more restrictive to fluid flow than the outlet passageway such that fluid is exhausted more quickly from the outlet passageway than can pass through the inlet passageway allowing pressure in the inlet passageway to reduce to a point less than the spring force of the spring thereby allowing the diaphragm to reseat on the seat.

Abstract: A parking brake for a rail vehicle can automatically lock the rail vehicle brakes in an applied position, such as by clamping the brake cylinder push rod to prevent retraction from an applied position to a release position. An actuator can operate the parking brake, and a manual release can also be provided.

Abstract: A unitized railcar brake equipment can have a relatively small, integrated air supply and can be controlled electronically. The equipment can have a brake cylinder portion and a control valve portion. The brake cylinder portion can have a brake cylinder housing a piston head with a rod end of the piston connected to a railcar brake member. A pair of air chambers communicate on opposite sides of the piston head and an air reservoir can be integral with the brake cylinder housing. Selective coupling of the air chambers and the air reservoir to each other, a source of pressure, or to the atmosphere can be controlled by appropriate valves to control the pressure in the brake cylinder.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for use with a raisable and lowerable folding ramp having a bridge section and a toe section, such ramp being carried on one end of a railway car. The latching mechanism comprises an arm-like member pivotally connected at one end thereof to a predetermined structure of such railway car and a latch means attached to and extending outwardly from one of the bridge section and toe section of such folding ramp. A latching head portion is disposed at a radially opposed end of such arm-like member, and the latching head portion including a means for securing the latch means. A rotatable latching member is disposed in the latching head portion to engage and lock such latch means when such folding ramp reaches a fully raised position.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for use with a raisable and lowerable folding ramp having a bridge section and a toe section, such ramp being carried on one end of a railway car. The latching mechanism comprises an arm-like member pivotally connected at one end thereof to a predetermined structure of such railway car and a latch means attached to and extending outwardly from one of the bridge section and toe section of such folding ramp. A latching head portion is disposed at a radially opposed end of such arm-like member, and the latching head portion including a means for securing the latch means. A rotatable latching member is disposed in the latching head portion to engage and lock such latch means when such folding ramp reaches a fully raised position.

Abstract: A release graduating valve for freight brake control is provided for a railcar having a pneumatic control valve, emergency and auxiliary reservoirs each normally charged with pressurized fluid from a brake pipe and a fluid pressure activated brake cylinder device for applying the brakes on the railcar. A selectively operable release graduating valve can include a graduated release valve and a changeover valve which selectively interposes the graduated release valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a graduated manner responsive to brake pipe pressure. Alternatively, the changeover valve can isolate the graduated release valve and direct the pneumatic control valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a conventional manner. The changeover valve can be operated responsive to the pressure in an air pipe supplied with pressurized fluid from a remote source.

Abstract: A release graduating valve for freight brake control is provided for a railcar having a pneumatic control valve, emergency and auxiliary reservoirs each normally charged with pressurized fluid from a brake pipe and a fluid pressure activated brake cylinder device for applying the brakes on the railcar. A selectively operable release graduating valve can include a graduated release valve and a changeover valve which selectively interposes the graduated release valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a graduated manner responsive to brake pipe pressure. Alternatively, the changeover valve can isolate the graduated release valve and direct the pneumatic control valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a conventional manner. The changeover valve can be operated responsive to the pressure in an air pipe supplied with pressurized fluid from a remote source.

Abstract: Unitized, stand-alone brake equipment can have a relatively small, integrated air supply volume and can be controlled electronically. The equipment can include a brake cylinder housing a piston, a pair of air chambers acting on opposite sides of the piston, and an air reservoir. Coupling of the air chambers and the air reservoir to each other, a source of pressure, or the atmosphere can be controlled by appropriate valves to regulate the pressure in the brake cylinder. The valves can be components of an electronic control valve portion that can be connected to the brake cylinder. The unitized brake equipment can employ a “self-actuating” brake cylinder wherein air pressure is admissible to both sides of the piston, but acts on unequal surface areas provided on the opposing sides.

Abstract: A control apparatus is provided which is engageable with a hand brake assembly on a railway vehicle for operation of an application cylinder for applying the hand brake assembly. This apparatus includes a source of fluid pressure which is engageable with the railway vehicle. A pneumatic actuation valve which is connected to the source of fluid pressure for initiating communication of fluid pressure from the source of fluid pressure. A force regulating valve which is connected to the pneumatic actuation valve for receiving the fluid pressure from the actuation valve and a mechanically driven valve is connected to the force regulating valve for receiving the fluid pressure from the force regulating valve and for communicating the fluid pressure to the application cylinder to apply the hand brake assembly.

Abstract: A release graduating valve for freight brake control is provided for a railcar having a pneumatic control valve, emergency and auxiliary reservoirs each normally charged with pressurized fluid from a brake pipe and a fluid pressure activated brake cylinder device for applying the brakes on the railcar. A selectively operable release graduating valve can include a graduated release valve and a changeover valve which selectively interposes the graduated release valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a graduated manner responsive to brake pipe pressure. Alternatively, the changeover valve can isolate the graduated release valve and direct the pneumatic control valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a conventional manner. The changeover valve can be operated responsive to the pressure in an air pipe supplied with pressurized fluid from a remote source.

Abstract: A grade speed control system and method for a railway freight vehicle can include a microprocessor receiving input from, for example, the dynamic and independent brakes on the locomotive, and the brakes on each rail car. The microprocessor can store values for desired train speed and actual train speed as well as constants and equations for converting raw data to derive brake cylinder pressure adjustments for implementing train speed control functions. The grade speed control system can also include communicate with brake cylinder control devices on articulated rail cars to increase or decrease the brake cylinder pressures to control the train speed. If actual speed differs from target speed by more than a predetermined amount, a target acceleration can be calculated and brake cylinder pressures adjustments can be derived to achieve the target acceleration to bring the actual speed of the train to the target speed in a reasonably brief time period.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic brake control valve for performing electronic emulation is provided wherein multiple electronic valves control braking operations on freight cars. Multiple pressure sensors are preferably used, and particularly a brake pipe pressure sensor for detecting pneumatic brake commands. In addition to using electronic valves to control brake application and release operations, an electronic quick service valve can selectively exhaust brake pipe to the atmosphere in a controlled rate and amount to assist the propagation of a quick service application and an electronic accelerated release valve can selectively connect emergency reservoir to brake pipe to assist in restoring brake pipe pressure and in propagating a direct release of the brakes. The electro-pneumatic control valve also preferably includes a microprocessor for signal and command interpretation and valve control.

Abstract: Radio-based control of railroad train brakes is effected in which brake systems are computer controlled. An End of Train (EOT) system is used in which microprocessor circuits of a Locomotive Control Unit (LCU) and an EOT unit are programmed to perform these and other functions. The computer system has several states. On power on, the system enters the Setup state during which the system stores about one minutes worth of both brake pipe and equalizing reservoir pressure data. This data is later used to determine the rate of change of these pressures to determine stability. Once setup is complete, the system enters the Stability state during which operating pressures are determined. When the equalizing reservoir pressure, the brake pipe pressure and the brake pipe pressure at the end of the train are stable, the EOT unit is commanded to update operating pressures stored in its microprocessor control circuit. Once the several pressures have been found to be stable, the system goes to the Release state.

Abstract: A unique, inexpensive and easily manufactured check valve device features a valve housing, a valve seat, a resilient ring seal, a retaining sleeve, a valve member and a valve spring. The valve housing defines an inlet channel, an outlet channel and at least one valve bore through which the inlet and outlet channels interconnect. Formed in the valve bore is the valve seat. The valve seat has a generally flat annular surface from within which an opening emerges into a preferred one of the two channels. The resilient ring seal is situated atop, and is coaxial with the opening defined by, the flat annular surface of the valve seat. Situated within the valve bore, the retaining sleeve serves to retain the resilient ring seal by its periphery against the flat annular surface of the valve seat. The valve member is moveable within the retaining sleeve. By its head portion at one end, the valve member is adapted to be pressed against, and form a leak-proof seal with, the resilient ring seal.

Abstract: A test connector enables measurement of pressures contained within a body. The body houses check valves and includes studs to attach a cover to a head of the body. Removal of the cover renders the check valves accessible. The check valves are normally compressed against valve seats formed in the head but when moved away from their seats provide access to the pressures. The test connector includes a contact plate, a support plate, two springs sandwiched therebetween and two double flanged nuts. Each spring is disposed so that it is axially aligned with throughholes defined in the plates. Each nut has its middle section disposed coaxially within one of the springs and its flanged ends keep the plates in proximity to each other while the springs seek to force them apart. Hollow plungers have one end seated in plunger bores in the support plate with the other end free to slide through flow bores in the contact plate.

Abstract: An brake application solenoid valve arrangement for use in an electronic freight train brake control system on a railway car. Such braking system having a brake pipe normally charged with fluid at a certain pressure, separate compartment auxiliary and emergency reservoirs charged at certain pressures with fluid from the brake pipe and a fluid pressure activated brake cylinder device. Flow of pressurized fluid from the separate auxiliary and emergency reservoirs can be selectively supplied concurrently to the brake cylinder device via the single brake application valve. Backflow check valves between each reservoir and the brake application valve prevent the transfer of pressurized fluid between the reservoirs. The electronic controller can operate the application valve to control the braking and release functions responsive to electrical command signals. A pneumatic control valve can also be operatively incorporated into the brake control system.

Abstract: The railway freight car brake control utilizes sequential pressurization of the brake cylinder from a first auxiliary reservoir and a second auxiliary reservoir during emergency. Embodiments utilize a first supply reservoir larger in volume than a second supply reservoir. The first supply reservoir is used during a service braking mode. The larger first supply reservoir provides improved braking in a service mode, while the sequential utilization of both reservoirs provides an improved level of emergency braking available during a loaded freight car condition.