Abstract: A railcar brake beam assembly including a brake beam formation having a tension member, a compression member and strut, and with the strut defining an axis for the brake beam assembly. First and second brake head assemblies are disposed to opposite lateral sides of the axis, with each brake head assembly being operably carried by the brake beam formation and includes a guide member extending in a direction away from the axis. The first and second brake head assemblies are generally centered laterally relative to the axis of the brake beam assembly. A distal end of the guide member on the first brake head assembly is disposed a different lateral distance from the axis of the brake beam assembly than is a distal end of the guide member on the second brake head assembly to minimize lateral shifting movements while maintaining adequate clearances for permitting reciprocal moments of the brake beam assembly during application of braking forces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method for determining dynamic braking data for use in a braking model of at least one train, the method including: (a) determining at least one initial safety factor; (b) determining at least one dynamic braking adjustment factor based at least partially on (i) the expected dynamic braking force, and (ii) specified retarding forces of the train; and (c) determining at least one new safety factor based at least partially on the at least one initial safety factor and the at least one dynamic braking adjustment factor. Also disclosed are braking systems including dynamic braking for a train having at least one locomotive.

Abstract: A brake assembly and a method of manufacture. The brake assembly may have a bracket assembly that may include a brake wing and a mounting flange disposed at opposite ends of a tube portion. The bracket assembly may rotatably support a camshaft.

Abstract: A brake carrier includes a carrier unit having a first connecting section fixed to a brake cylinder, a second connecting section fixed to a converter unit and a third connecting section fixed at an axle element; a transmission element received between the first and second connecting sections; the brake cylinder, the transmission element and the converter unit are fixed to the axle element by the carrier unit; the transmission element can be displaced mainly along an a transmission axle that is tilted in relation to the wheel axle such that the converter unit is aligned closer to the wheel axle than the brake cylinder; the first connecting section is offset along the wheel axle to the connecting section; and the relation of the offset between the first and third connecting sections and the distance to the wheel axle from the transmission axle has values between about 0.1 and about 2.

Abstract: A low weight and low cost brake beam assembly having high static strength and fatigue resistance having two independent brake heads each including a receiving section for receiving and retaining an end of a tension member, an end of a compression member and a portion of an end extension.

Abstract: A connecting rod utilized to operate brake levers and brake beams in brake riggings of railway cars including a hollow steel pipe having a first and a second open end and linking element inserted at each open end of the hollow steel pipe and joined thereof by a pressure fit joint without the need of adding further materials or welding both elements and without the need of casting a single piece which is very common in the art.

Abstract: A brake assembly for a mobile machine is disclosed. The brake assembly may have a stationary spindle, and a main brake housing annularly connected at a first axial end to the stationary spindle and at least partially forming a first control chamber. The brake assembly may also have a park brake housing annularly connected to a second axial end of the main brake housing and at least partially forming a second control chamber, and at least one piloting feature disposed between an inner annular surface of the park brake housing and an outer annular surface of the stationary spindle.

Abstract: A caliper comprising: a piston bore; one or more fingers; a bridge connecting the piston bore and the one or more fingers; a pin bore in the caliper; a guide pin bore in the caliper, the guide pin bore including a groove; and a bushing that extends into the guide pin bore so that a portion of the bushing is located inside of the guide pin bore and a portion of the bushing is located outside of the guide pin bore; wherein the bushing further extends into the groove in the guide pin bore.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a cord assembly for replacement of an outer beam and a carrier including the same which may provide an improved degree of freedom in design and prevent damage to the carrier. The cord assembly for replacement of an outer beam, which is fastened to a carrier at which a pair of pad plates is installed to be movable forward and backward with pads attached to inner surfaces of the pad plates to be squeezed against a disc rotating together with a wheel of a vehicle, includes at least one cord having a predetermined stiffness and formed by twisting at least two steel wires and fasteners fastened to both ends of the at least one cord to be installed at coupling portions protruding respectively from both ends of the carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic brake device having a spindle movable in the axial direction and a yoke, on which the spindle is supported such that a rotation of the spindle is prevented. According to the invention, a first and a second yoke toothed ring having sets of teeth (8; 10) directed toward each other are connected to the yoke in a rotationally fixed manner. Furthermore, a spindle toothed ring with sets of teeth on both sides is rigidly connected to the spindle between the two yoke toothed rings.

Abstract: A decorative element may be applied to a brake caliper to give a customized brake caliper. The decorative elements may have different heights, widths and angles and may be made of heat resistant materials, including, for example, aluminum, plastic, carbon fiber, steel and the like. The present invention also provides a kit, including one or more decorative elements and an attachment means for attaching the decorative elements to the brake caliper (such as glue, two sided adhesive, or the like).

Abstract: A brake carrier for bogies of rail vehicles has an open cross-section with flexible torsion. A connection to two longitudinal members of the bogie is designed as a rigid non-articulated connection and a braking device is fixed to the brake carrier in such a way that a line of action of braking forces runs through the shear centre that lies outside the cross-section of the brake carrier.

Abstract: A device for supporting brake shoes of a drum brake of a vehicle, in particular of a utility vehicle or an agricultural machine, includes a brake carrier, a brake lining carrier and a bearing body, wherein the brake lining carrier is arranged on the brake carrier so as to be swivelable across the bearing body in such a way that the brake lining carrier can be pivoted along a plane of swiveling, the inclination of the plane of swiveling to the brake carrier being variable, and wherein the bearing body has a bearing surface which is rotation-symmetrical about its bearing axis and the front faces of the bearing body have fastening portions for arranging the bearing body on the brake carrier or on the brake lining carrier.

Abstract: This invention relates to a brake caliper adapted for use in a vehicle disc brake assembly and method and apparatus for producing the same. The method for producing the brake caliper comprises the steps of: (a) providing a mold member having at least two mold sections; (b) providing a core member having at least a first male extension which is adapted to form an integrally cast locating recess in the brake caliper which is used as a locating surface for subsequent machining of the brake caliper; (c) disposing the core member in the mold member in a predetermined position; (d) supplying a suitable material to the mold member so as to form a brake caliper within the mold; (e) removing the brake caliper from the mold, wherein the brake caliper includes an integrally cast locating recess formed therein by the first male extension of the core member; and (f) machining the brake caliper using at least the integrally cast locating recess formed therein as a locating surface.

Abstract: A bellows situated on a guide member of a disc brake, in particular of a commercial vehicle, has one end with a continuous sealing lip, which in a functional position sealingly abuts the guide member. The bellows is designed such that the sealing lip is rigidly connected to the adjacent series of folds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic brake device having a spindle movable in the axial direction and a yoke, on which the spindle is supported such that a rotation of the spindle is prevented. According to the invention, a first and a second yoke toothed ring having sets of teeth (8; 10) directed toward each other are connected to the yoke in a rotationally fixed manner. Furthermore, a spindle toothed ring with sets of teeth on both sides is rigidly connected to the spindle between the two yoke toothed rings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a caliper for a caliper-type disk brake, wherein the caliper has the following: a brake-application-side caliper section (10) with at least one support surface (22.1, 22.2) for absorbing clamping forces during braking, a rim-side caliper section which is formed in one piece with the brake-application-side caliper section 912), and a first recess (14) which is situated between the two caliper sections and into which at least one brake disk projects at least in sections in the installed state. It is provided according to the invention that, to form the support surface, a machining tool (40) is moved through the first recess into the region in which the support surface is to be formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pad for brake caliper and to a brake caliper for disc brake provided with one or more of such pads. The pads are provided with one or more eyelets suitable to receive corresponding pins of the caliper. The pins define pin outlines, and the eyelets define eyelet outlines. The pin outlines have one or more curved pin contact portions with pin curvature radii, and the eyelet outlines have one or more curved eyelet contact portions with eyelet curvature radii. The contact between pads and pins at least partially occurs at the pin and eyelet contact portions. The eyelet curvature radii are higher than the pin curvature radii.

Abstract: A disc brake calliper support including a calliper mounting for coupling the support relative to a disc brake calliper, an anchor mounting for anchoring the support relative to an axis about which the disc rotates, and a support structure between the calliper mounting and the anchor mounting, wherein the support structure is adapted to support the calliper relative to the axis against deflection out of a plane of the disc during application of the disc brake, and wherein the support structure allows linear movement between the calliper mounting and the anchor mounting to facilitate operation of the disc brake.

Abstract: A vehicle brake unit is provided for use with a drive train having a drive train subassembly. The brake unit comprises a brake unit housing for enclosing a braking mechanism, the braking mechanism arranged to act on a power shaft configured for operatively connecting the output drive shaft of the drive train subassembly with a further drive shaft, in order to transfer power therebetween. The brake unit housing is arranged for mounting directly to a housing of the drive train subassembly. In one embodiment of the invention, the brake unit housing replaces the rear tail housing of a four-wheel drive transfer case.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a system for connecting brake shoes to brake beams in a railroad car retarder all provide enhanced connecting joint tightness that reduces premature connecting joint loosening, reduces maintenance, and reduces failure of connecting bolts or equivalent connecting pins.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a railroad freight car brake beam strut assembly including the steps of: providing a railroad freight car brake beam strut having an axially aligned slot defined between first and second sides of the strut, with each side of the strut defining a bore opening to the slot and to an exterior of the strut, with the bores defined by the strut being aligned relative to each other along an axis extending generally normal to a longitudinal axis of the strut. The methodology of the present disclosure further includes the step of: pressing a brake pin bushing into each bore of the strut in a direction extending away from the longitudinal axis of the strut. A railroad freight car strut assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mounting structure for a speed reduction device of a vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a casing mounted on the vehicle frame at a casing mounting portion, a brake caliper mounted to the casing at a caliper mounting portion, a brake disc mounted on a drive axle of the vehicle, and a clamping portion mounted on the brake caliper for applying clamping force to the brake disc. The clamping portion, the caliper mounting portion, and the casing mounting portion are positioned on a substantially straight line, and are positioned substantially parallel to the direction of braking force.

Abstract: An improved railway car truck is provide that includes two sideframes and a bolster. The bolster has laterally opposite ends, each end extending into and supported within a sideframe opening on a spring group. Each sideframe also has a pedestal opening at each end to receive a bearing adapter assembly. The railway car truck also includes two brake beam assemblies supported on the railway car truck bolster and sideframes. Each brake beam assembly includes an elongated main section, a support section, and a standoff section extending between the main section and support section. Two brake hangers comprised of a leg sections and a bottom section support an end of the brake beam assembly. The brake hangers can be reversed such that the brake head support sections can be spaced laterally to adapt to different rail gauges.

Abstract: A truck mounted brake assembly wherein a brake cylinder assembly and slack adjuster each have a first end connected to a first brake beam, and a second end coupled to each other via a first lever pivotally attached to a second brake beam, such that movement of the brake beams relative to each other applies and releases the brakes. The slack adjuster can have a trigger operating slack adjustment, and a rod member can have one end connected to the first brake beam and an opposite end coupled to the trigger via a second lever pivotally attached to the second brake beam, such that movement of the brake beams relative to each other causes the rod member to operate the trigger. The trigger can be connected to the second lever in a length adjustable manner, and a piston travel indicator can be provided adjacent the brake cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A method for replacing a damaged brake beam on a railcar having a car body supported on a railcar truck. The railcar truck includes a wheel and axle assembly mounted between a pair of laterally spaced side frames. The side frames include structure, on an inboard side thereof, for guiding and supporting the brake beam, and with the structure on the side frame members defining a predetermined lateral distance therebetween.

Abstract: A spare brake beam for railway cars which can be quickly and easily installed in a train car without the necessity of cutting the car from the train nor dismantling the car nor the truck.

Abstract: The present invention adds a stabilizing force member to prior art Railway brake systems and greatly improves the control of the spatial orientation of a modified brake beam within a Railway vehicle and provides lateral support to a truck lever connection and levers, which in turn, properly locate actuating bars of the brake system. As a result, service life of brake beam support components and brake shoes are extended, brake lever friction is reduced, and brake system efficiency is increased.

Abstract: A block brake device of a bogie of a rail vehicle containing two wheel sets with two wheels respectively as well as two brake beams each assigned to a wheel axle and extending parallel to the latter, which brake beams carry brake blocks and are mutually connected by way of pressing rods which can be actuated by at least one pressure-medium operated cylinder piston drive for the braking engagement of the brake blocks with assigned braking areas of the wheels. At least a portion of a brake beam forms the cylinder of the cylinder piston drive.

Abstract: A suspension assembly comprises four springs spaced at four distinct locations. A first plate extends to support each of the springs at each location. An axle is connected to the first plate.

Abstract: A brake rigging comprising first and second brake beams. A brake shoe assembly including a brake shoe adjacent each end of brake beams. A first force transfer mechanism connected intermediate first and second ends thereof to the first brake beam for moving a brake shoe into engagement with confronting wheels during braking. A second force transfer mechanism connected intermediate first and second ends thereof for moving brake shoes into engagement with confronting wheels during braking. A first force transmitting device engageable with such second brake beam for rotating such second force transfer mechanism. An adjustable length second force transmitting device having one end connected to the first force transfer mechanism and another end connected to the second force transfer mechanism and an apparatus engageable with such second force transmitting device and a portion of such brake rigging for changing a length of the second force transmitting device.

Abstract: A pivoting joint for pivotally joining a brake head to a brake beam of a railway car allows the brake head to modify its radial and lateral direction with a controlled degree of rotation with respect to a bogie wheel, allowing the brake shoe to adapt to the wheel contour, and achieving an adequate force distribution along the brake shoe, and thus optimizing the utilization of the brake shoe material.

Abstract: A block brake device of a bogie of a rail vehicle containing two wheel sets with two wheels respectively as well as two brake beams each assigned to a wheel axle and extending parallel to the latter, which brake beams carry brake blocks and are mutually connected by way of pressing rods which can be actuated by at least one pressure-medium operated cylinder piston drive for the braking engagement of the brake blocks with assigned braking areas of the wheels. At least a portion of a brake beam forms the cylinder of the cylinder piston drive.

Abstract: A brake rigging system which adequately distributes the braking force among all its components, said brake rigging system comprising: a driving beam having a first and a second end; two driving levers having a first and a second end, each driving lever rotary coupled by its first end to an end of the driving beam, and the second end of each driving lever coupled to a brake head; and linking means for linking said driving beam, to driving means which apply a force to said driving beam to push or pull said driving levers together with the brake heads.

Abstract: In combination with a hand brake system for a railway vehicle including first and second spaced-apart brake beams. First and second transfer levers are pivotally connected at a point intermediate the ends thereof to a respective one of the first and second brake beams. First and second force-transmitting members are interconnected between corresponding arms of the first and second transfer levers. Such first force-transmitting member including a brake actuator device operable in response to the supply of fluid pressure thereto for increasing the length of the first force-transmitting member, to accordingly increase the spaced-apart distance between the first and second brake beams. A transfer link is connected to the first transfer lever so as to be arcuately movable therewith in a plane parallel to the plane of rotation of the first transfer lever. The improvement comprises a thrust block disposed on the first brake beam. The thrust block having a pin member disposed therein.

Abstract: A joint for pivotally joining a brake head to a brake beam of a railway car which allows to the brake head to modify its radial direction with respect to a bogie wheel, allowing the brake shoe to adapt to the wheel contour, and achieving an adequate force distribution along the brake shoe.

Abstract: A truck and trailer hub of the type having a cylindrical portion defining an aperture, whereby the hub is adapted for mounting on a spindle of an axle such as to be free to rotate on the spindle. The hub has a flange projecting outwardly from an outer surface of the cylindrical portion. The flange comprises throughbores therein, whereby the flange is adapted for securing a wheel and brake drum assembly thereto, such that the wheel and brake drum assembly can rotate with the hub and brake therewith when a brake member of the axle is actuated on a portion of the wheel and brake drum assembly by a cam shaft. The flange has at least one notch therein such that the cam shaft may be removed by pulling it through the notch without the hub requiring to be removed from the spindle.

Abstract: A brake cylinder piston travel indicator for monitoring an amount of piston travel in a brake cylinder assembly in a railway braking system is provided. The railway braking system includes a brake beam and a brake cylinder piston within the brake cylinder assembly which is in engagement with an end of a brake cylinder force transfer lever. The brake cylinder piston travel indicator of the invention comprises a rod member which is rotatably secured to and extends substantially parallel with at least a portion of the brake beam. A member is provided which operationally interconnects the rod member with the cylinder force transfer lever and is capable of transferring a rotational force to the rod member. This rotational force is caused by activation of the piston in the brake cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A brake system for a railroad vehicle having first and second brake beams, two levers pivotally mounting an actuator to the first beam and push rods connecting the levers to the second beam. The first and second brake beams each include a pair of vertically spaced beam members. The levers are mounted to the first brake beam in the space between the beam members to pivot in a plane offset from a center plane of the space. Also, the first and second push rods are mounted to the second brake beam in the space between the beam members to pivot in a plane also offset from the center plane of the space.

Abstract: An improved car mounted brake assembly is provided wherein the brake assembly includes a brake cylinder, a slack adjuster and a pair of brake beams mounted at each end of the car mounted brake assembly and actuated by the brake cylinder via a series of levers and linkages and wherein the improvement comprises a suspension system for suspending each of the brake beams within a corresponding railway vehicle truck arrangement. Each of the brake beams have a brake head attachable to each end thereof and each of the brake heads carries a brake shoe thereon which is positioned for engagement with a respective railway vehicle wheel during a brake application. The railway vehicle truck arrangement within which the brake beams are suspended includes a pair of truck side frames and a truck bolster member.

Abstract: A suspension system for suspending a truck mounted brake assembly within a railway vehicle truck arrangement is provided. The suspension system comprises suspension members, each of the suspension members being pivotally connected at a first end with a predetermined portion of the railway vehicle truck arrangement and pivotally connected at a second end with a predetermined portion of the truck mounted brake assembly for suspending a pair of brake beams in the railway vehicle truck arrangement. At least one maintaining member is provided having at least a portion thereof connected with the truck mounted brake assembly for maintaining each of the brake beams in a predetermined plane during application and release of the railway vehicle brake assembly.

Abstract: A brake beam assembly of the present invention includes an elongated beam disposed between railroad car truck sidewalls which carries brake pads at its ends, and is guided under power of an actuator between a standby and a braking position by a pair of pivot arms which swing in a pendulum-like fashion from pins mounted to the truck sidewalls.

Abstract: A hydraulic parking brake assembly for a railroad vehicle braking system comprising a hydraulic actuator capable of being mounted on or engagable with the braking system and a lever arrangement connected to the hydraulic actuator which moves in accordance with activation of the hydraulic actuator and initiates a braking sequence. The lever arrangement is associated with the force transfer lever of the air cylinder such that upon movement of the lever arrangement, a force is applied to this force transfer lever causing this force transfer lever to rotate in a counterclockwise direction to apply the appropriate forces to the push rod within the brake cylinder and to a force transmitting member within the braking system to effect activation of the parking brake assembly.

Abstract: A brake beam structure comprising compression and tension members having an “u” shaped cross section including two side walls and forming a housing, two end extensions having a quadrangular cross section including two side walls, a fulcrum coupled to the compression and tension members and two brake heads, in which: the ends of the compression member are placed inside the housing of the unshaped cross section of the tension member and each of the end extensions are placed inside the housing of the channel shaped cross section of the compression member, the brake beam having two fasteners passing through holes placed at the ends of the tension and compression members at each of “u” shaped cross section side walls and through holes placed at the side walls of the end extensions in order to fasten the tension member, compression member and end extensions, and in which the brake heads are welded to the ends of the tension member.