Abstract: A diaphragm poppet valve has a control diaphragm which is resilient in shape and separates a control chamber from a working chamber. The control diaphragm is designed as a single piece on the side thereof facing the control chamber or the working chamber of the diaphragm poppet valve with a hollow portion and on the side thereof facing the working chamber with a diaphragm valve seat. The interior of the hollow portion issues into the diaphragm valve seat and the hollow portion is connected to a fluid channel in the diaphragm poppet valve. The diaphragm poppet valve is easy to clean because the interior of the hollow projection and the diaphragm valve seat formed by the control diaphragm can easily be flushed.

Abstract: An ABS pressure control valve assembly for controlling the fluid pressure in a pressure-medium-operated brake system of a vehicle having brake slip control, by which the brake pressure in pressure-medium-operated brake actuators is adaptively adjusted for a locking tendency of individual wheels of the vehicle. Two membranes of two membrane valves are clamped between two housing parts and an intermediate plate. Also described are a pressure-medium-operated brake system of a vehicle with brake-slip control, including at least one such ABS pressure control valve assembly, and to a method for producing such an ABS pressure control valve assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system including a control unit (340) which is operable to communicate with at least one sensor (320, 350), the sensor (320, 350) being operable to provide signals corresponding to a characteristic of a vehicle to the control unit (340), and the control unit (340) being in communication with a brake demand source (300) to receive brake demand data, and the control unit (340) also being in communication with a plurality of wheel end units, each wheel end unit including a brake torque control unit (310) which is operable to control an associated brake actuator to apply a braking torque dependent upon a signal received from the control unit (340).

Abstract: A parking brake apparatus is provided for a power unit having air brake parking components and to which a towed unit having air brake parking components can be connected. The parking brake apparatus comprises a controller arranged to monitor a pressure signal indicative of a delivery air pressure applied to the air brake parking components of the towed unit when the towed unit is connected to the power unit. The controller is also arranged to provide a status signal indicative of whether or not a towed unit is connected to the power unit based upon the pressure signal. The controller further enables the status signal to be processed to control application or release of any combination of air brake parking components of the power unit and the towed unit to park or unpark the power unit as well as the towed unit, if connected to the power unit.

Abstract: An agricultural machine such as a high clearance sprayer is provided with a hydraulic warm-up system for warming multiple hydraulic circuits. The sprayer includes a parking brake system, a hydraulic system including a parking brake hydraulic circuit and at least one ancillary hydraulic circuit, and a hydraulic warm-up system. The warm-up system includes a warm-up circuit defined by the parking brake hydraulic circuit and the at least one ancillary hydraulic circuit so that oil flows through the parking brake hydraulic circuit into the at least one ancillary hydraulic circuit. As a result of this oil flow, the at least one ancillary hydraulic circuit is warmed to improve functionality of the ancillary hydraulic circuit. Where the parking brake is activated and the sprayer is stationary, oil may be diverted to the ancillary hydraulic circuit.

Abstract: A braking system is able to meet emergency stopping distance requirements associated with a failed rear axle service control line by modifying the service relay valve. The service relay valve incorporates a biased double check valve so that an additional or secondary control line from the foot control valve communicates with the service port of the relay valve. If the primary circuit is operational, a biasing force imposed on the double check valve permits normal operation via the primary service line. On the other hand, if the primary service line is lost, the biasing force is overcome and communication between the secondary service line and the service port of the relay valve is established.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic brake control system for a railroad freight car comprises application and release solenoid valves controlled by a microprocessor overlayed with the conventional car automatic pneumatic brake control system, including control for bleeding off auxiliary reservoir pressure at least during a power failure mode of operation during which the pneumatic brakes become effective to apply the car brakes in response to an induced brake pipe pressure reduction in the course of indirectly supplying brake pressure on cars having operable electro-pneumatic brakes. The bleed of auxiliary reservoir air pressure allows a subsequent slow recharge of the brake pipe pressure to create a positive release pressure differential across the control valve service piston to assure a brake release of the automatic pneumatic brake application to obviate a "stuck brake" condition on a car experiencing an electro-pneumatic power failure.

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: An electro-pneumatic brake system for a railroad freight car is integrated with the existing pneumatic freight brake system by utilizing the air stored in the emergency reservoir to supply brake cylinder pressure via the exhaust passage of the pneumatic control valve, which is maintained in release position during electro-pneumatic brake operation. The electro-pneumatic brake system fails to a release mode, so that the brakes on an individual car that experiences a power loss do not apply. In the case of a power loss in the electro-pneumatic system, due to a train break-in-two, the pneumatic brake system is automatically operated by the consequent loss of brake pipe pressure to provide a back-up brake, while at the same time interrupting the control valve exhaust path via which the electro-pneumatic brake is communicated with the brake cylinder.

Abstract: A trailer braking system for a towing vehicle has a trailer braking valve (26) is fed with a pressurized air supply which is modulated by the opening of the valve, as controlled by a first control pressure regulated by a trailer braking controller (24) in accordance with braking demand signals, to produce a trailer braking pressure. In order that a trailer braking pressure may be generated even if the above trailer braking valve control fails, the valve is supplied with a second control pressure independently of the first, and which is also capable of operating the trailer braking valve (26). In a preferred embodiment, the second control pressure is supplied from a braking line of the towing vehicle, such that the "back up" control pressure is a function of the towing vehicle braking.

Abstract: An electromagnetic straight air brake equipment, especially to an air brake command system for railway vehicles for controlling the brake pipe pressure by employing an electric brake command type brake controller and electropneumatic convertor valve arrangement. This invention makes it possible to assemble the brake controller and the master controller into one handle, and requires no pneumatic piping leading to the operator's cab since the pneumatic apparatus is all located beneath the floor of the railway vehicle.

Abstract: Fluid pressure braking system (10) for supplying fluid pressure to actuate the service brake actuators (26) and to supply hold-off pressure to release the spring brake actuators (22) of the trailer portion of a tractor-trailer combination vehicle includes a spring brake relay valve (32) having a delivery port (38) communicated with the spring brake actuators (26), a control port (34) communicated with the trailer supply line or conduit (12), and a supply port (36) communicated with the supply line (12) through a bypass passage (40). Accordingly, hold-off pressure can be supplied directly to the spring brake actuator (26) before the reservoir (44) is fully charged. The reservoir (44) is charged through the supply line (12) and a pressure protection valve (54) which opens to permit charging of the reservoir (44) only when the pressure in the system exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A fluid pressure braking system for the trailer portion of a tractor-trailer combination vehicle includes valving mechanism which permits the vehicle spring applied, fluid pressure released parking brakes to be released after a single brake system failure. The system requires a pair of fluid pressure reservoirs, and includes the necessary interlock to permit both of the reservoirs to be charged while protecting the reservoirs in case of a leak in the system. The system also permits the vehicle parking brakes to be charged with the fluid pressure stored in either of the reservoirs. Both of the reservoirs normally provide the fluid pressure to actuate the vehicle service brakes.

Abstract: Tractor protection valve means for use in the air brake system of a tractor-trailer vehicle combination to protect and maintain the braking system of the tractor includes a pair of valve housings. One of the valve housings (the pilot) is attached to the tractor dash control valve and includes a piston controlling communication between an inlet, a delivery port and an exhaust port. The second housing has a tractor supply port connected to the pilot delivery port, in addition to trailer supply and control ports, a tractor control port, and an exhaust port. The pilot valve attached to the dash control valve contains the control portions of the valve combination with the piston in the other housing being movable in response to air pressure supplied from the pilot to control communications between all of the ports connected thereto.

Abstract: A bracking system for tractor-trailer combinations wherein the air delivery time to the trailer brakes is substantially reduced. A boost-air assembly having its own air supply is mounted at the forward end of the air delivery system. The assembly includes a fast-acting amplifying relay valve, a closely-coupled air tank and a bracket for mounting the valve and the tank. In the prime embodiment, the assembly is mounted on the tractor proximate the rear thereof to significantly reduce the time required to transmit a control pressure to the trailer brake actuators because (1) less time is required for the control pressure to reach the amplifying valve, (2) the fast response time of the valve, (3) the amplification achieved by the valve and (4) the proximity of the closely-coupled auxiliary air tank. Alternate mounting loctions are also taught for mounting one or more boost-air assemblies for even further lessening air delivery time to the trailer brakes.

Abstract: A valve for use in applying brake releasing pressure to brake chambers in a vehicle air brake system having reservoirs each containing air for either service or emergency use and having air pressure supply lines. The valve includes a housing. A chamber is formed in the housing. A port permits air communication between the valve and a supply line. A passage interconnects the port and the chamber. Reservoir ports interconnect through the passage. A first plurality of one-way check valves in the passage permit air to pass therethrough from the port to the reservoir ports. A second plurality of one-way check valves in the passage permit air to pass therethrough from the reservoir ports to the chamber.

Abstract: A pneumatic braking system for tractor-trailer combinations in which the actuation and release of the trailer brakes occur more nearly in coincidence with the actuation and release of the tractor brakes; the system includes a fast acting amplifying valve operable in response to a control pressure indicative of the magnitude of braking desired to provide an amplified control pressure and a separate air supply located proximate to the amplifying valve for providing the air supply for the amplified control pressure.

Abstract: A valve for use in applying brake releasing pressure to brake chambers in a vehicle air brake system having reservoirs each containing air for either service or emergency use and having air pressure supply lines. The valve includes a housing. A chamber is formed in the housing. A port permits air communication between the valve and a supply line. A passage interconnects the port and the chamber. Reservoir ports interconnect through the passage. A first plurality of one-way check valves in the passage permit air to pass therethrough from the port to the reservoir ports. A second plurality of one-way check valves in the passage permit air to pass therethrough from the reservoir ports to the chamber.

Abstract: A trailer air distribution valve has a housing, a chamber in the housing and an air inlet port, an exhaust port, at least one service tank port, an emergency tank port and at least one brake chamber port, all in communication with the chamber. A shuttle is movable within the chamber to control communication between the ports and includes a pair of spring biased valves functioning as check valves to control communication between the inlet port and service tank port and the emergency tank port.

Abstract: A multi-axle vehicle brake system includes an air receiving portion, a valve portion, an air storage portion and a brake portion. The air receiving portion receives air from a supply source. The valve portion is connected to the air receiving portion. The storage portion includes a plurality of storage reservoirs connected for receiving air from and communicating air to the valve portion. The brake portion includes service and parking brake actuating chambers mounted on each end of each axle. Certain ones of the service brake actuating chambers are connected for receiving air from one of the storage reservoirs. Others of the service brake actuating chambers are connected for receiving air from another of the storage reservoirs. Each of the parking brake actuating chambers are connected for receiving air from either of the storage reservoirs.