Abstract: A brake force sensor arrangement for a brake unit includes a brake unit including a brake force application member; and a strain gage positioned on the brake force application member. The strain gage may be configured to measure the stress, strain, or stress and strain of the brake force application member. The stress, strain, or stress and strain of the brake force application member may be proportional to the brake force applied by the brake unit.

Abstract: A piston stroke sensor arrangement for a brake unit includes a brake unit including a piston and a piston tube, and a proximity sensor supported on the brake unit. The proximity sensor may determine the location of the piston within the brake unit based on the position of the piston tube relative to the proximity sensor. The proximity sensor may be an inductive proximity sensor. A groove may be defined in an outer circumferential surface of the piston tube. When the brake unit is in a non-applied position, the proximity sensor may detect metal of the piston tube. When the brake unit is in an applied position, the proximity sensor may not detect the metal of the piston tube.

Abstract: A piston stroke sensor arrangement for a brake unit includes a brake unit including a piston and a piston tube, and a proximity sensor supported on the brake unit. The proximity sensor may determine the location of the piston within the brake unit based on the position of the piston tube relative to the proximity sensor. The proximity sensor may be an inductive proximity sensor. A groove may be defined in an outer circumferential surface of the piston tube. When the brake unit is in a non-applied position, the proximity sensor may detect metal of the piston tube. When the brake unit is in an applied position, the proximity sensor may not detect the metal of the piston tube.

Abstract: A brake force sensor arrangement for a brake unit includes a brake unit including a brake force application member; and a strain gage positioned on the brake force application member. The strain gage may be configured to measure the stress, strain, or stress and strain of the brake force application member. The stress, strain, or stress and strain of the brake force application member may be proportional to the brake force applied by the brake unit.

Abstract: A parking brake for a railway vehicle includes a pneumatic cylinder having a cylinder wall, a first wall opposite a second wall, and a piston movable within the pneumatic cylinder. At least one spring extends between the piston and the second wall for biasing the piston against the first wall. A gear box is fixed relative to the second wall and includes a hand wheel. A spindle is operatively connected to the gear box to affect movement of a manual reset mechanism having a threaded shaft and a ball screw nut rotatably engaged with the threaded shaft. A pushrod is connected to the manual reset mechanism and extends through the cylinder and the first wall. When the hand wheel is rotated, the manual reset mechanism is rotated to cause the pushrod to move relative to the piston corresponding to the direction of the rotation of the hand wheel.

Abstract: The railway vehicle brake disc includes a cylindrical hub, friction ring, and bell-shaped flange connecting the hub with the friction ring. The cylindrical hub defines a central axis and has an axial width and an outer diameter. The surface at the outer diameter defines an outer hub periphery. The friction ring includes two opposed annular members each having an outer braking surface and an inner surface. The annular members are connected to each other by a plurality of fins extending from the inner surface of one annular member to the inner surface of the other annular member. The bell-shaped flange has an inner portion connected to the hub, an outer portion connected to the fins, and a radial portion connecting the inner portion to the outer portion. The hub, friction ring, and bell-shaped flange are formed integrally from a single material.

Abstract: A parking brake for a railway vehicle includes a pneumatic cylinder having a cylinder wall, a first wall opposite a second wall, and a piston movable within the pneumatic cylinder. At least one spring extends between the piston and the second wall for biasing the piston against the first wall. A gear box is fixed relative to the second wall and includes a hand wheel. A spindle is operatively connected to the gear box to affect movement of a manual reset mechanism having a threaded shaft and a ball screw nut rotatably engaged with the threaded shaft. A pushrod is connected to the manual reset mechanism and extends through the cylinder and the first wall. When the hand wheel is rotated, the manual reset mechanism is rotated to cause the pushrod to move relative to the piston corresponding to the direction of the rotation of the hand wheel.

Abstract: The brake shoe support assembly is able to track the lateral movement of a wheel, typically a wheel on an axle truck that allows lateral wheel movement. In operation, a flange of the wheel pushes on one side of the brake shoe support assembly, pushing it along a pin, and compressing a resilient biasing structure. As the wheel returns to a center or neutral position, the compressed resilient biasing structure expands pushing the brake shoe support assembly back to an original or neutral position. The resilient biasing structure also minimizes the lateral movement of the brake shoe support assembly down the wheel taper under normal braking loads thus preventing shoe ride-off. The resilient biasing structure may be enclosed in a housing adapted to prevent the intrusion of contaminants.

Abstract: The railway vehicle brake disc includes a cylindrical hub, friction ring, and bell-shaped flange connecting the hub with the friction ring. The cylindrical hub defines a central axis and has an axial width and an outer diameter. The surface at the outer diameter defines an outer hub periphery. The friction ring includes two opposed annular members each having an outer braking surface and an inner surface. The annular members are connected to each other by a plurality of fins extending from the inner surface of one annular member to the inner surface of the other annular member. The bell-shaped flange has an inner portion connected to the hub, an outer portion connected to the fins, and a radial portion connecting the inner portion to the outer portion. The hub, friction ring, and bell-shaped flange are formed integrally from a single material.

Abstract: The brake shoe support assembly is able to track the lateral movement of a wheel, typically a wheel on an axle truck that allows lateral wheel movement. In operation, a flange of the wheel pushes on one side of the brake shoe support assembly, pushing it along a pin, and compressing a resilient biasing structure. As the wheel returns to a center or neutral position, the compressed resilient biasing structure expands pushing the brake shoe support assembly back to an original or neutral position. The resilient biasing structure also minimizes the lateral movement of the brake shoe support assembly down the wheel taper under normal braking loads thus preventing shoe ride-off. The resilient biasing structure may be enclosed in a housing adapted to prevent the intrusion of contaminants.

Abstract: A disc brake caliper assembly for moving brake pads straddling the brake disc against each side of a brake disc comprises two tongs pivotably supported. The tongs have brake heads and pads at one end and power nut support pins journaled at the other end. The power nuts are pivotally supported from the power nut support pins. A power screw extends between the tongs and has external threaded ends threaded in the power nuts such that rotation of the power screw will force the power nuts apart thus causing the brake pads to engage the brake disc.