Abstract: A digital multi-point electronic load weigh system is used with a railcar truck control unit to provide a digital all electrical/electronic system, which will perform the brake load weigh function for an electro-pneumatic brake system. The digital multi-point electronic load weigh system is primarily to be used with a distributed electronic control system using neuron style communication/control microprocessors. However, the digital multi-point electronic load weigh system can also be integrated with existing electro-pneumatic brake control components.

Abstract: A digital multi-point electronic load weigh system is used with a railcar truck control unit to provide a digital all electrical/electronic system, which will perform the brake load weigh function for an electro-pneumatic brake system. The digital multi-point electronic load weigh system is primarily to be used with a distributed electronic control system using neuron style communication/control microprocessors. However, the digital multi-point electronic load weigh system can also be integrated with existing electro-pneumatic brake control components.

Abstract: A digital multi-point electronic load weigh system is used with a railcar truck control unit to provide a digital all electrical/electronic system, which will perform the brake load weigh function for an electro-pneumatic brake system. The digital multi-point electronic load weigh system is primarily to be used with a distributed electronic control system using neuron style communication/control microprocessors. However, the digital multi-point electronic load weigh system can also be integrated with existing electro-pneumatic brake control components.

Abstract: A dual feedback, high accuracy pressure control means for railcar braking systems having an electronic control module. A transducer is electronically connected to the control module for transmitting a pressure signal to the control module. There is a source of fluid pressure with such source of fluid pressure being at least one of a supply pressure and a regulated supply pressure. At least two solenoid valves have a fluid connection to one another and to the transducer and are electronically connected to the control module for receiving at least one of an apply and hold signal. At least two solenoid valves have a fluid connection to one another and to the transducer and are electronically connected to the control module for receiving at least one of a release and hold signal. A relay valve has a fluid connection to at least two of the solenoid valves and to the transducer and to such source of fluid pressure and to a braking device.

Abstract: The time reset safety timer circuit eliminates approximately half of the external interfaces of the prior art safety timers. The prior art safety timers depend on vehicle axle speeds, brake indications, and/or trainline signals to initiate a safety timer reset. The time reset safety timer circuit in the present invention uses only internal information to initiate a safety timer reset. This simplifies the circuitry of the time reset safety timer circuit, which improves the reliability.

Abstract: A limp-in control arrangement for an electro-pneumatic integrated control system for railway vehicles including a supply and exhaust magnet valve for electrically controlling the pneumatic brakes on the railway vehicle, an electromagnetic relay for sensing the operational condition of the electro-pneumatic integration control system, a switching device for enabling a limp-in control function when the electro-pneumatic integrated control system is experiencing a malfunction, an operating device for initiating a limp-in control function by releasing and reapplying the pneumatic brakes to allow the railway vehicle to be moved to a repair facility.

Abstract: An electronic load weigh device is used with a railcar truck control unit. A relay valve provides to a brake cylinder a pressure proportional to the pressure impinging upon its control port. A first feedback signal is indicative of the pressure at the control port. A second feedback signal is indicative of the load borne by the truck. A pressure switch opens when pressure within a trainline changes to a level indicative of an emergency. By controlling the opening and closing of application and release magnet valves, a controller controls the pressure impinging on the control port and thereby service braking of the wheels of the truck. The load weigh device includes (i) circuitry for electronically compensating for the load during braking and (ii) a mechanism for granting the circuitry exclusive control over the magnet valves. Should such emergency occur, the mechanism responds to such emergency by disconnecting the controller from the magnet valves.

Abstract: An electronic load weigh device is used with a railcar truck control unit. A relay valve provides to a brake cylinder a pressure proportional to the pressure impinging upon its control port. A first feedback signal is indicative of the pressure at the control port. A second feedback signal is indicative of the load borne by the truck. A pressure switch opens when pressure within a trainline changes to a level indicative of an emergency. By controlling the opening and closing of application and release magnet valves, a controller controls the pressure impinging on the control port and thereby service braking of the wheels of the truck. The load weigh device includes (i) circuitry for electronically compensating for the load during braking and (ii) a mechanism for granting the circuitry exclusive control over the magnet valves. Should such emergency occur, the mechanism responds to such emergency by disconnecting the controller from the magnet valves.

Abstract: A system detects cut-out of brakes on a train in a safe manner. Each vehicle in the train has at least one truck. Each truck has brakes which may be cut-out via a cut-out cock. A frequency generator generates a signal at a predesignated frequency. This signal is conveyed from a first vehicle in the train to a last vehicle in the train along a feed line and from the last vehicle to the first vehicle along a return line. Each cut-out cock assumes an open position wherein the brakes of its truck are cut-in or a closed position wherein the brakes of its truck are cut-out. Each cut-out cock features a switch in series with the return line that closes when its cutout cock assumes the open position or opens when its cutout cock assumes the closed position. A frequency divider for each switch connects in parallel therewith. When the switch is closed, the signal passes through the switch wherein division of frequency is avoided.

Abstract: A control unit includes several magnet and air piloted valves, a transducer, a transmitter, a pressure switch and a pipe network. Controlled by a central controller, the apply and release valves allow a first trainline to charge the pipe network or vent to atmosphere whereas the emergency release valve can vent a second trainline to atmosphere. The transfer valve connects the first trainline to a command port of the control unit unless its pilot port receives an emergency braking request in which case it connects the pipe network to the command port. The transducer converts pressure in the first trainline to an electrical signal. The transmitter conveys this signal to a control bus. The pressure switch closes if the second trainline charges to a preset pressure. Upon closure of the pressure switch and a command from the controller, the charging valve allows the pipe network to charge the second trainline to a threshold level.

Abstract: A pneumatic trainline control unit receives air from a first pneumatic trainline which it uses to charge and maintain pressure in a second pneumatic trainline. It also provides brake control pressure to a universal pneumatic brake unit on a rail vehicle upon receiving an emergency braking request from the second trainline. The pneumatic trainline control unit includes an air piloted transfer valve, an air piloted maintaining valve, a charging magnet valve, an emergency release magnet valve, a low pressure switch, an air piloted vent valve and a pipe network. The pipe network allows the first trainline to supply air to the transfer valve, the charging valve and the maintaining valve. The transfer valve features a transfer pilot port. It connects a command port of the pneumatic trainline control unit to atmosphere unless its transfer pilot port receives the emergency braking request in which case it connects the pipe network to the command port.

Abstract: A universal unit controls the brakes of a truck of a rail vehicle. The unit includes a service valve, an emergency valve, a variable load relay valve, a release valve, a local control device, a solenoid driver device and a brake assurance device. The service valve when opened provides a first control pressure. The emergency valve when opened provides a second control pressure. In response the control pressures, the variable valve provides to the brake cylinder a load compensated pressure proportional to air spring pressure. The brakes then apply to the wheels of the truck a force that accounts for the load borne by the rail vehicle. The release valve when opened prevents the variable valve from providing the load compensated pressure. The local control device controls the control pressures according to a brake force command signal and a control pressure feedback signal. The solenoid device operates the valves in response to valve command signals received from the local control device.

Abstract: A brake pipe sensing unit may be used with a universal pneumatic brake control unit of a rail vehicle. The brake pipe sensing unit includes a control reservoir, an auxiliary reservoir, a three state valve, a quick service valve, a brake pipe transducer and a transmission device. The control reservoir is used as a volume in which gas under pressure may stored and from which gas under pressure may be supplied. The auxiliary reservoir communicates with a supply port of the universal unit and with a first and a second route of the brake pipe sensing unit. The three state valve has a first pilot port in communication with a brake pipe of the rail vehicle, a second pilot port in communication with the control reservoir, and first and second exhaust ports both of which connect to atmosphere. The three state valve operates in an apply position, a release position and a lap position depending on the pressure bearing on the first and second pilot ports.

Abstract: A brake assurance module assures braking on at least one truck. It includes a summer, a level circuit, a delay circuit, an emergency driver, a valve driver and a timer circuit. The summer sums friction and dynamic braking signals into a total braking signal. The level circuit generates a threshold signal when the total braking signal exceeds a threshold. The delay circuit generates a level signal after having received the threshold signal throughout a preset time. When the emergency driver receives an emergency signal, it conveys a detect signal. The valve driver controls contacts each in series within a control line used to energize a valve whose operation is normally controlled by the brake control system. The valve driver when activated closes the contacts thereby permitting the system to control the valves. When deactivated, the valve driver opens them thereby preventing the system from controlling the valves. The timer circuit has set, trigger and reset inputs.

Abstract: Apparatus for implementing two to three state emulator process so two state dump valve can be used in wheel slip correction for braking systems comprising an AND gate which receives a plurality of inputs for generating an output based on value of inputs. An OR gate receives another plurality of inputs for generating another output based on value of inputs. One such input being the output generated by such AND gate. A valve response checking unit receives another plurality of inputs for generating a plurality of outputs. One input is the output generated by such OR gate. Another OR gate receives another plurality of inputs for generating an output based on value of inputs. A lap state determination unit receives another plurality of inputs for generating another plurality of outputs. One input being one of outputs generated by such valve response checking unit and another input being such output generated by such second OR gate.

Abstract: Method of providing brake retardation capability safety check. Method includes generating a signal representing vehicle mass, and combining it with an electric brake feedback signal and a brake cylinder pressure signal to generate a signal representing vehicle deceleration rate. Integrating the signal representing vehicle acceleration rate to generate an output signal representative of a process cycle speed reduction value. Inputting and storing values of process cycle speed reduction output signals to and in, respectively, a summation unit. Adding such values inputted to summation unit to a predetermined number of seconds worth of process cycle speed reduction values and generating output signal representative of braking effort available in terms of speed reduction over such predetermined number of seconds. Inputting brake command signal to brake command jerk limiting unit.

Abstract: An improved coupler control circuit board which can be positioned in an environmentally protected location for controlling an uncoupling operation of a mechanical type coupler mechanism utilized to connect adjacently disposed ends of a pair of passenger transit type railway cars. Such coupler control circuit board includes a power supply device connected to receive a predetermined input voltage. The power supply device reduces such predetermined input voltage received therein to a suitable predetermined output voltage. A timer/sequencer device is connected to receive as inputs thereto both such predetermined output voltage from such power supply device and an uncoupling command signal from a momentary input command for providing a pair of output signals.

Abstract: A friction brake interface health check system for dynamically diagnosing and monitoring the operational status of a plurality of input signals by using a pattern fault recognition and an intelligent diagnostic matrix which is generated by brake level demand, power/brake trainline, electric brake feedback and electric brake rate request modules to control an interface health determination fault monitor module which determines which errors are to be reported to the event interface file, the RAM fault log and which are displayed on a seven (7) segment display.

Abstract: A mounting plate for an attachment with an insertable plug type tubular connector and a process for making the plate. The mounting plate comprises a sheet metal plate having length, width and body thickness T with a tubular nipple member projecting from one side. The nipple member is cold formed plastically from the body of the plate by a stamping process utilizing a progressive die. One of the intermediate die members is shaped such that it produces a tubular preform having a distal end portion with a wall thickness greater than the wall thickness of the opposite end portion adjacent to the plate. A subsequent die member reduces the excess wall thickness and extends the tubular member to an axial length equivalent to at least 3T measured from the distal end of the neck member to the surface on the opposite side of said plate. Subsequently, another die member precisely finishes a feature located in close proximity to the nipple member.

Abstract: An analog service brake response enhancing circuit including an intelligent filter circuit for removing voltage transients appearing on input feedback signals, a friction brake request circuit for receiving input brake command request signals, a force motor calculating circuit for calculating the degree of service brake which is to be applied on a railway vehicle, and service brake control apparatus for controlling whether an application or a release mode of braking should be instituted on the vehicle and for accelerating the operation of an analog valve device to produce a full service brake condition for a predetermined time period.