Abstract: A manual brake release and status indicator device for a parking brake for a rail vehicle, the manual brake release can include a positioner rod having a handle at one end and a second end connected to a positioner assembly which is associated with a parking brake clamp mechanism. The positioner assembly is movable via the handle to manually release the parking brake clamp from an applied position. The handle is associated with the status indicator, which can include a face plate positioned in proximity to the handle, wherein the position of the handle relative to the face plate indicates whether the parking brake is applied or released.

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 release graduating proportioning valve for a rail car brake system having a brake pipe, a brake cylinder, and a load sensor valve. The release graduating proportioning valve has a conventional proportioning piston with a control volume communicating on a first side thereof and a second volume communicating on an opposite side thereof. A graduated release valve member, which can be incorporated into the top of the proportioning valve, is interposed between the control volume and atmosphere for providing a graduated release of brake cylinder pressure via the control volume. The graduated release valve member is activated by movement of the proportioning piston.

Abstract: An integral intermodal train is provided for carrying standard over-the-highway semi-trailers. The intermodal train can include a standard locomotive pulling one or more train segments. Each segment can have a plurality of platforms and may be loaded or unloaded independently of any other segment using a self contained, roll-on/roll-off system. At least one platform should be equipped with a standard knuckle coupler at standard height to permit the segments to be pulled by any existing locomotive. Each segment can consist of three platform types, articulated together, an adapter platform coupled behind the locomotive, an intermediate platform having a truck at only one end and the other end supported by the end of the adapter platform and a loading ramp platform also having a truck at only one with the other end supported by the truck end of the intermediate platform. The truck end of the ramp platform can have a hinged ramp assembly which can be raised or lowered to load the platforms.

Abstract: A ramp car rail vehicle can have a contoured deck portion to reduce the height above the rails of the deck at the ramp end of the car such that a smaller, shorter ramp can be utilized for loading freight, such as semi-trailers, onto the ramp car and any other rail cars which may be connected to the ramp car. The contoured end of the ramp car can further be provided with a movable draft arm and coupler arrangement such that the coupler can be lowered to provide clearance for loading the ramp car, and thereafter returned to a standard height for coupling with conventional couplers.

Abstract: An integral intermodal train is provided for carrying standard over-the-highway semi-trailers. The intermodal train can include a standard locomotive pulling one or more train segments. Each segment can have a plurality of platforms and may be loaded or unloaded independently of any other segment using a self contained, roll-on/roll-off system. At least one platform should be equipped with a standard knuckle coupler at standard height to permit the segments to be pulled by any existing locomotive. Each segment can consist of three platform types, articulated together, an adapter platform coupled behind the locomotive, an intermediate platform having a truck at only one end and the other end supported by the end of the adapter platform and a loading ramp platform also having a truck at only one with the other end supported by the truck end of the intermediate platform. The truck end of the ramp platform can have a hinged ramp assembly which can be raised or lowered to load the platforms.

Abstract: A ramp car rail vehicle can have a contoured deck portion to reduce the height above the rails of the deck at the ramp end of the car such that a smaller, shorter ramp can be utilized for loading freight, such as semi-trailers, onto the ramp car and any other rail cars which may be connected to the ramp car. The contoured end of the ramp car can further be provided with a movable draft arm and coupler arrangement such that the coupler can be lowered to provide clearance for loading the ramp car, and thereafter returned to a standard height for coupling with conventional couplers.

Abstract: The invention is a brake shoe for application to the rim of a brake disc for retarding a rotary motion of the brake disc. The brake shoe has one or more brakepads having a pair of pad friction surfaces for contact with friction surfaces on the brake disc. The pair of pad friction surfaces are sloped in opposition to each other, and have an open space located between the pad friction surfaces. The brake shoe has a pad support structure to which the brakepad or brakepads are attached, the pad support structure serving to press the brake pad or brakepads against the friction surfaces on the brake disc. The pad support structure has a portion thereof for mounting on a device for positioning the brake shoe and for moving the brakepad or brakepads into engagement with the disc.

Abstract: Connector for joining a fluid pressure communication conduit and an electrical communication line to a second fluid pressure communication conduit and at least a second electrical communication line. The connector has a connector body having an internal space contained within a pressure boundary, the internal space communicating with a fluid pressure connector for attachment to the first fluid pressure communication conduit, a portion of the pressure boundary including a floating member, the floating member having a fluid pressure communication port for mating with a second fluid pressure communication port on a second connector. The floating member also has one or more electrical contacts for mating with one or more electrical contacts on the second connector. The electrical contacts have electrical connection to the one or more electrical communication lines.

Abstract: Electropneumatic brake control valve for control of brakes on a railway vehicle. It has a supply valve and release valve moved by a common displaceable actuator. The supply valve connects an air supply passage to a delivery passage and the release valve connects the delivery passage to an exhaust. The delivery passage is for supplying air to a brake shoe application device. The invention has a feedback space having pressure connection to the delivery passage. A portion of the common displaceable actuator is located within the feedback space, as is a positioner for the common displaceable actuator. The positioner has at least three force and displacement communication portions. The first communicates a first force and a first displacement with the common displaceable actuator. The invention has a pressure defining member which defines pressure by its position. It communicates a second force and a second displacement with the second one of the force and displacement communication portions.

Abstract: Connector for joining a fluid conduit and an electrical line to another fluid conduit and electrical line. It has a body including a mating surface with a fluid pressure port and a seal surrounding the port. It has a nipple for a fluid pressure hose and a fluid passage joining the nipple to the port. It has means for joining two connectors having their mating surfaces in contact to compress the seals and prevent loss of fluid. There is at least one electrical contact having a contact surface on the mating surface outside of the seal, so that when two connectors are joined, the contact surface(s) on the first connector touch(es) the contact surface(s) on the second connector.

Abstract: Brake system for retarding rotating machinery. It has an actuator with a first portion and a second portion. Actuator is supplied with energy and generates force causing relative motion of the first and second portions. The second portion is connected to an actuator lever and the first portion is connected to a brakebeam. The lever has a second pivot connection also connected to the brakebeam and it has a third pivot connection attached to a reaction device. The reaction device is connected to an equalizer lever which is connected to a second brakebeam and a second reaction device. The second reaction device is connected back to the first brakebeam, or to the first portion of the actuator. The brakebeams each have three pivot connections at each end. Two are about parallel to the brakebeam and one is perpendicular. A pair of brake hangers are pivotally attached to the two parallel pivot connections and a proportionalization lever is pivotally attached to the vertical pivot connection.

Abstract: A brake disk is described for attachment to rotating machinery to retard the rotating machinery. The disc has a hub for attachment to the rotating machinery. The hub is structurally connected by ribs to a rim having two annular portions spaced apart axially from one another which have at least one opening therebetween, and which have axisymmetric friction surfaces sloped in opposition to each other for contact with a brake shoe. The ribs are inclined relative to radii from the center of the disk and are substantially straight.

Abstract: Apparatus by which a controlling information processing unit can communicate individually with subordinate information processing units which are connected sequentially along a pair of electrical conduction paths. The controlling unit assigns a unique address to each subordinate unit, which it uses later for communication with individual subordinate units. The controlling unit controls an electrical current in the pair of conduction paths. Each subordinate unit has a shunt path which has a current sensor and a switch, so the subordinate unit can open or close the path. All of the switches on the shunt paths are initially closed. In each subordinate unit, the shunt current is measured, and a high value indicates that the shunt is closer to the controlling unit than any other subordinate unit which has a closed switch. The subordinate unit then receives its address from the controlling unit, stores its address, and opens its switch.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for applying proportional forces to at least two brake pads for application to rotating machinery. A member moveable parallel to a first axis has a first pivot connection having a second axis about perpendicular to the first axis, a second pivot connection having a third axis about perpendicular to the first axis and parallel to the second axis, and a third pivot connection having a fourth axis about perpendicular to the first, second, and third axes. A proportionalization lever has a length about parallel to the second and third axes, which is pivotally connected to the third pivot connection. It has a first end portion and a second end portion, with its pivot connection disposed intermediate its first end portion and its second end portion. A first brake pad positioning means for a first brake pad is pivotally connected to the first pivot connection, and a second brake pad positioning means for a second brake pad is pivotally connected to the second pivot connection.

Abstract: A pneumatic/hydraulic pressure intensifier has a cap secured to open end of housing. A first chamber in open end receives air pressure. A first fluid communication system formed in cap communicates air pressure to first chamber. A wall member is disposed in such housing. A second chamber in communication with first chamber contains hydraulic fluid and unpressurized air. A second cap is secured to other end of housing. A third chamber in intensifier contains hydraulic fluid. A second fluid communication system formed in second cap connects the third chamber to a fluid communication line. An aperture formed in wall of second chamber evacuates air from portion of first and second chambers upon communication of air to a second portion of first chamber and communication of air to the first and second chambers upon evacuation of air pressure. A second aperture, formed in another housing wall, communicates hydraulic fluid to second chamber. A first piston is disposed for reciprocal movement in the first chamber.

Abstract: A rotary locking mechanism connects an upper ramp and a lower ramp of a split ramp railway car. A pin carrier supports a coupling pin and is mounted to the lower ramp by a swivel pin. The pin carrier can pivot horizontally relative to the lower ramp. A dual vertical rotor lock is mounted to the upper ramp. The rotor lock includes first and second coupling disks which have rotor slots or grooves for receiving the coupling pin. The coupling disks have a horizontal axis of rotation so that the disks are vertically mounted. The action of the coupling pin entering the grooves in the first and second coupling disks will automatically rotate the coupling disks into a locked position. Locking pins then engage slots in the peripheries of the coupling disks to secure the coupling disk in the locked position.

Abstract: A braking system including a brakepipe control valve which controls pressure on a brakepipe in response to braking pressure signal from an electropneumatic converter. An electropneumatic cutoff valve connects the control valve to the brake pipe. A controller controls the converter and cutoff valve. A parking brake system and retarder control system are also included and are controlled by the controller.

Abstract: A stanchion is provided with a latch system which is operable from the tractor which positions the trailers such that a gate on the tractor locks and unlocks the latch to appropriately reposition the stanchion during the positioning of the trailer. The tractor also includes a hook which engages the stand to raise the stand during loading of the trailer from its lowered to its raised position to engage and secure the tractor and also to reposition the unlocked stand during unloading of the trailer.

Abstract: A braking system including a brakepipe control valve which controls pressure on a brakepipe in response to braking pressure signal from an electropneumatic converter. An electropneumatic cutoff valve connects the control valve to the brake pipe. A controller controls the converter and cutoff valve. A parking brake system and retarder control system are also included and are controlled by the controller.