Abstract: A parallel beam brake apparatus for dual and triple axle trucks and a single beam brake apparatus for single axle trucks each comprise spaced, pivotably mounted bell crank levers which engage a fluid operable actuator between one pair of arms and engage a pair of push rods with the remaining arms. Improved spherical joints between the arms and the push rods facilitate force tranmsmission without allowing push rod rotation. A unique pivot geometry between the bell crank levers and the brake beams facilitates assembly and improves stress distribution between the levers and the beams. The actuator includes a slack adjustor mechanism in which a spiral power spring unwinds to drive a lead screw and take up slack or is wound by the rotating, translating lead screw to add slack.

Abstract: A fluid brake system has a brake pipe, a control valve device, a brake cylinder and a brake rigging, and in addition, a handbrake pipe, a protective device, a fluid pressure releasable spring handbrake cylinder, and a manually operable handbrake device for selectively governing brakes of the brake rigging under varying conditions, as when air supply is disconnected from a train. A moveable fulcrum in the manual handbrake device permits manual release of spring applied handbrakes in combination with a resetable toggle locking connection to a handbrake rod.

Abstract: A collapsible, self-propelled stanchion having a pair of struts pivotally connected at a king pin mating element and wheels at their other end. A motive and propulsion system interconnects the wheeled ends to raise and lower the stanchion as well as propelling the stanchion along the deck of the railroad car using an internal or external source of rotation.

Abstract: An articulated coupling having a center coupling and a plurality of side bearings or couplings coaxial along a lateral axis to facilitate yaw and pitch between two cars while restricting roll. The side bearings each have a cylindrical member on one car received in a cylindrical recess associated with another car. The center coupling includes a mating of two spherical members with one of the member longitudinally movable to allow pitch. The axes of the cylindrical side bearings are coaxial and include the center of the spherical center coupling.

Abstract: A rail vehicle propulsion system having an engine whose speed is a function of a selected vehicle speed, an alternator connected to the engine for generating an electrical signal to drive an electric motor connected to the axle by a variable automatic mechanical transmission. The electric motor reflects the load on the axle to the engine through the alternator. The alternator drives a plurality of electric motor-transmission combinations. For ease of servicing, the engine and alternator are mounted on a removable pallet.

Abstract: A shock absorber has a reserve fluid supply chamber near one end and a cylindrical housing portion adjoining the reserve supply chamber containing a spring for biasing a piston to pressurize liquid in the reserve supply chamber. The piston moves a shaft axially carrying an indicating disc, the periphery of which can be viewed through viewing openings in the cylindrical housing when the supply chamber liquid is exhausted. Snap action of the indicating disc is accomplished by a detent ring in a groove about the periphery of the disc and a complimentary groove about the inner periphery of a transparent sleeve that also seals the viewing opening against dust and the like.

Abstract: A railway car has a brake control equipment group on each truck for governing the brakes thereof including simplified light weight triple valve and reservoir equipment and a modulation equipment group is disposed between trucks of the car providing normal per car requirements for modulating pressure in the brake pipe that would normally be provided by a conventional ABD valve required for each truck equipment group.

Abstract: A train having at least a pair of control cabs spaced along the train interconnected electrically. Electric signals transmitted between the control cabs allows for fluid braking signals to be propagated from both control cabs toward each other. Each car of the train includes a device for modifying a test signal transmitted between the control cabs in response to a specified condition. The signal modify device can be a tuned circuit and may indicate brake status or a hot journal.

Abstract: An actuator for a disc brake caliper comprises a spring operable piston for applying pressure to the disc brake caliper when rendered effective through a self adjusting lead screw, one end of which is friction coupled to the piston to prevent rotation of the lead screw when the brakes are applied. A manual release screw is threaded through the piston to bear against the head of the lead screw through an anti-friction bearing when manual release is desired to at least partially release pressure of the piston on the head of the lead screw through the friction coupling to permit slippage in the friction coupling connection between the piston and the head of the lead screw and cause the piston to rotate the lead screw in a direction to permit release of the brakes.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic circuit is provided for cycling a holding magnet valve located in the brake cylinder exhaust pipe of a rail car brake system. As brake pipe pressure rises to signal full or partial release of the brakes, the holding valve is alternately opened and closed to provide a graduated release. The circuit is particularly adapted for rail cars having an electrical train line for controlling the holding valve to permit such cars to be used with other types of cars having a purely pneumatic control for graduated brake release.

Abstract: A linkage is disclosed which is especially adapted for use in articulated rail vehicles to ensure proper transmission of handbrake actuating force from car section to car section regardless of relative movement therebetween. Parallel bar linkages extending between car sections adjust the position of a fulcrum point to prevent changes in the location of vital linkage points, thereby avoiding unwanted brake application or release as the car sections undergo relative movement.

Abstract: An uncoupling valve for use in rail car brake systems having a pressurized supervisory pipe includes opposed piston motors which hold the valve open long enough to depressurize the supervisory pipe and cause an emergency brake application, when two cars are uncoupled accidentally. On the other hand, the valve includes a controlled source of pressure for overpressurizing one of the piston motors to hold the valve closed to prevent depressurization of the supervisory pipe, when two cars uncoupled intentionally.

Abstract: Empty-load fluid pressure brake equipment for a railroad car. An automatic changeover valve is operated by the pressure developed in the controlled outlet connection of a triple valve. In the empty position of the changeover valve, a volume reservoir is placed in communication with the outlet connection and the pressure developed in that connection is supplied to the brake cylinder through a proportioning valve so that a brake cylinder pressure is developed which is a predetermined fraction of the cylinder pressure developed by the same brake pipe pressure reduction in the load position. The ratio of cylinder pressure on an empty car to that on a loaded car is constant for all applications, and the volume reservoir is sized with regard to this ratio so that the equalization pressures are the same on an empty car as on a loaded car. An initial opening bias is exerted on the proportioning valve so as to prevent proportioning action during the initial stages of brake cylinder pressure development.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprises a valve carrier slidably received in a central bore of a valve body, a valve washer assembly mounted for movement with the carrier, the washer assembly including at least one spherically shaped contact surface for contacting an annular seat located between inlet and outlet ports of the valve.

Abstract: Rail car brake rigging of the type for use in a two-axle, four-wheel rail car truck is disclosed which embodies a double-acting brake cylinder and slack adjustor disposed transversely between the side frames of the car truck and connected to parallel brake beams disposed on opposite sides of the truck bolster, by a pair of spaced bell crank levers pivotably mounted on one of the beams, one arm of each bell crank lever being pivotably connected to the brake cylinder or its push rod, the other arm of each bell crank lever being pivotably connected to one of a pair of push rods joined to the other beam. The brake cylinder includes a parking brake actuating lever mounted to the housing thereof for manually, mechanically stroking the brake cylinder in the same manner as during fluid pressure actuated brake application, without inducing undesirable beam loadings and yet ensuring uniform application of the brakes at all wheels.

Abstract: A hydraulic disc brake actuator is disclosed. The actuator uses a first hydraulic motor for actuating a service brake, and a spring-applied, hydraulically released motor for emergency or handbrake applications. If the braking system malfunctions or is disengaged from its source of hydraulic pressure, the spring motor may be used to apply the brake by merely venting its associated hydraulic motor. The spring brake may be released by energizing a second hydraulic motor, or by using a mechanical restraction device to compress the spring motor. The spring-applied brake may be used as a parking brake or as an emergency brake.

Abstract: A pneumatic to hydraulic booster having an integral skid control means is disclosed. The skid control means includes a dump chamber and a dump valve, with the dump chamber being integrally formed within the housing of the pneumatic to hydraulic booster. A choke is also mounted between the dump chamber and atmosphere to provide a two-stage controlled dump rate. In operation, a large portion of the pneumatic pressure in the booster is quickly transferred to the dump chamber when a skid is detected. The atmospheric choke allows a further transfer of pressure from the booster at a second, but controlled rate.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a hydraulic slack adjuster useful in the brake circuits of railway as well as road vehicles, and improved brake circuits and apparatus particularly suited to the needs of railway rapid transit service. One type of circuit incorporates the slack adjuster in combination with a simple air-to-hydraulic booster and defines a portion of a service brake, and another type utilizes this apparatus in combination with a hand brake control unit and a double check valve and enables the brake cylinders to perform both service braking and hand braking functions.

Abstract: A brake system for a wheeled carrier having manually operable apparatus for actuating and locking parking brakes at the wheels, the system including automatically operable apparatus for ensuring release of the manually operable parking brakes when it is desired to move the vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for controlling the speed of a vehicle, especially vehicles of a railway train, wherein acceleration-imparting mechanisms associated with the wheels are adjusted on an individual basis by comparison of tangential speed and desired speed by the use of sensors to maintain the tangential speeds of the wheels equal to each other, and equal to a predetermined value. The technique may be employed in either the braking or the propulsion mode of operation, or in both modes, and allows commanded rates of vehicle acceleration to be realized to the greatest possible extent.