Abstract: A brake assembly includes a first assembly component; a second assembly component that is movable with respect to the first assembly component; and a device for determining a status of the brake assembly. The device includes a sensor trigger disposed on the second assembly component; a sensor disposed on the first assembly component, the sensor being configured to detect a proximity of the sensor trigger with respect to the sensor; and a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to determine the status of the brake assembly based on the detected proximity of the sensor trigger with respect to the sensor.

Abstract: A brake assembly includes a first assembly component; a second assembly component that is movable with respect to the first assembly component; and a device for determining a status of the brake assembly. The device includes a sensor trigger disposed on the second assembly component; a sensor disposed on the first assembly component, the sensor being configured to detect a proximity of the sensor trigger with respect to the sensor; and a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to determine the status of the brake assembly based on the detected proximity of the sensor trigger with respect to the sensor.

Abstract: A railcar brake system includes a first brake beam and a second brake beam configured to be mounted on opposite sides of a bolster of a railcar truck; a brake cylinder connected to the first brake beam; a first lever and a second lever pivotally connected to the first brake beam at separate points, the first lever and the second lever also being connected to opposing ends of the brake cylinder to connect the brake cylinder to the first brake beam; a slack adjuster connected to the second brake beam; a first push rod connecting the first lever to the second brake beam and the slack adjuster; and a second push rod connecting the second lever to the second brake beam and the slack adjuster. Actuation of the brake cylinder causes movement of the brake beams via the first and second levers and the first and second push rods.

Abstract: A bail compensating joint may include a threaded push rod, a ratchet in threaded connection with the push rod for rotational motion thereon, and a helical joint including a first bearing and a second bearing mounted on the ratchet for facilitating rotation of the ratchet. The second bearing is supported by an annular composite race member formed by a metal annular inner race member joined with a resiliently deformable annular outer member. In another embodiment of the bail compensating joint, a pair of spherical joints is disposed on opposite sides of the ratchet, the spherical joints supporting the respective first and second bearings.

Abstract: A corrective device for correcting uneven brake shoe wear on a brake mechanism for a railway vehicle, wherein the railway vehicle includes a brake beam having a tension beam coupled to a compression beam, a brake head with brake shoes provided at each end of the brake beams, and a slack adjuster. The corrective device is configured to cooperate with at least one of the compression beam and the slack adjuster to minimize or prevent the compression beam and the tension beam from rotating relative to the wheels and side frames of the railway vehicle. A braking system including the corrective device and a method for correcting uneven brake shoe wear on a brake mechanism for a railway vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A debris eradicating brake head for use in a side frame mounted braking system in a railway vehicle. The brake head being mounted on an end of a brake beam and including a brake shoe carrier associated with the brake head, a brake shoe secured to a face portion of the brake shoe carrier, and a brake head extension extending from a side portion of the brake shoe carrier for associating the brake head within a unit guide in a side frame of the railway vehicle. The brake head extension including at least one of a first and a second tapered surface configured for breaking up and pushing debris out of the unit guide in the side frame. Eradication of debris within the side frame increases the braking efficiency of the railway vehicle as it reduces the amount of force necessary for applying the brake shoes to the wheels.

Abstract: A debris eradicating brake head for use in a side frame mounted braking system in a railway vehicle. The brake head being mounted on an end of a brake beam and including a brake shoe carrier associated with the brake head, a brake shoe secured to a face portion of the brake shoe carrier, and a brake head extension extending from a side portion of the brake shoe carrier for associating the brake head within a unit guide in a side frame of the railway vehicle. The brake head extension including at least one of a first and a second tapered surface configured for breaking up and pushing debris out of the unit guide in the side frame. Eradication of debris within the side frame increases the braking efficiency of the railway vehicle as it reduces the amount of force necessary for applying the brake shoes to the wheels.

Abstract: A railcar brake system includes a first brake beam and a second brake beam configured to be mounted on opposite sides of a bolster of a railcar truck; a brake cylinder connected to the first brake beam; a first lever and a second lever pivotally connected to the first brake beam at separate points, the first lever and the second lever also being connected to opposing ends of the brake cylinder to connect the brake cylinder to the first brake beam; a slack adjuster connected to the second brake beam; a first push rod connecting the first lever to the second brake beam and the slack adjuster; and a second push rod connecting the second lever to the second brake beam and the slack adjuster. Actuation of the brake cylinder causes movement of the brake beams via the first and second levers and the first and second push rods.

Abstract: A contaminant mitigation device for use with a slack adjuster for a railway brake rigging to protect the critical operating area of the slack adjuster. The critical operating area of a slack adjuster includes the components that are configured to operate together to adjust the brake rigging. The slack adjuster includes at least a main housing portion, a cone nut housing portion enclosing the critical operating area of the slack adjuster, and an overtravel housing portion. The contaminant mitigation device includes a sealing system configured for cooperating with at least one of the main housing portion, cone nut housing portion, and overtravel housing portion to seal the critical operating area against entrance of fluid and/or contaminants therein and/or to at least reduce the exposure of this area to fluid and/or contaminants. The contaminant mitigation device can also include a drainage system associated therewith.

Abstract: A spring-biased lever arm mechanism for operating an operating lever of a parking brake release mechanism. The lever arm mechanism includes a lever arm mounted on a pivot pin, a torsion spring disposed on the pivot pin, and first and second cable release mechanism. A manually operated parking brake release mechanism is also provided for a railway vehicle including a brake actuator, an operating lever associated with the brake actuator to manually release an applied braking force, and the spring-biased lever arm mechanism for operating the operating lever.

Abstract: A spring-biased lever arm mechanism for operating an operating lever of a parking brake release mechanism. The lever arm mechanism includes a lever arm mounted on a pivot pin, a torsion spring disposed on the pivot pin, and first and second cable release mechanism. A manually operated parking brake release mechanism is also provided for a railway vehicle including a brake actuator, an operating lever associated with the brake actuator to manually release an applied braking force, and the spring-biased lever arm mechanism for operating the operating lever.

Abstract: A bail compensating joint may include a threaded push rod, a ratchet in threaded connection with the push rod for rotational motion thereon, and a helical joint including a first bearing and a second bearing mounted on the ratchet for facilitating rotation of the ratchet. The second bearing is supported by an annular composite race member formed by a metal annular inner race member joined with a resiliently deformable annular outer member. In another embodiment of the bail compensating joint, a pair of spherical joints is disposed on opposite sides of the ratchet, the spherical joints supporting the respective first and second bearings.

Abstract: A corrective device for correcting uneven brake shoe wear on a brake mechanism for a railway vehicle, wherein the railway vehicle includes a brake beam having a tension beam coupled to a compression beam, a brake head with brake shoes provided at each end of the brake beams, and a slack adjuster. The corrective device is configured to cooperate with at least one of the compression beam and the slack adjuster to minimize or prevent the compression beam and the tension beam from rotating relative to the wheels and side frames of the railway vehicle. A braking system including the corrective device and a method for correcting uneven brake shoe wear on a brake mechanism for a railway vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A contaminant mitigation device for use with a slack adjuster for a railway brake rigging to protect the critical operating area of the slack adjuster. The critical operating area of a slack adjuster includes the components that are configured to operate together to adjust the brake rigging. The slack adjuster includes at least a main housing portion, a cone nut housing portion enclosing the critical operating area of the slack adjuster, and an overtravel housing portion. The contaminant mitigation device includes a sealing system configured for cooperating with at least one of the main housing portion, cone nut housing portion, and overtravel housing portion to seal the critical operating area against entrance of fluid and/or contaminants therein and/or to at least reduce the exposure of this area to fluid and/or contaminants. The contaminant mitigation device can also include a drainage system associated therewith.