Equalizing Valves Patents (Class 303/33)
  • Patent number: 10556574
    Abstract: A system for maintaining brake cylinder pressure includes a brake cylinder passage configured to be in fluid communication with a brake cylinder, a brake pipe passage configured to be in fluid communication with a brake pipe and a brake cylinder, a first valve member moveable between a first position and a second position, and a second valve member in fluid communication with a reference pressure. The second valve member is configured to move the first valve member from the first position to the second position based on a differential between a pressure within the brake cylinder passage and the reference pressure, where the brake pipe passage is configured to only supply air from a brake pipe to a brake cylinder when the first valve member is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: WABTEC HOLDING CORP.
    Inventors: Edward W. Gaughan, William John Potter
  • Patent number: 10272894
    Abstract: A control valve includes a diaphragm with a flow path with a predetermined cross-section from a brake pipe to a first side of the diaphragm and another flow path having another predetermined cross-section from a second side of the diaphragm to atmosphere. A dump valve prevents flow from the brake pipe to atmosphere. A method for operating a control valve includes supplying brake pipe air to a first side of a diaphragm through a flow path having a predetermined cross-section and permitting or preventing reference air flow to atmosphere through another flow path having another predetermined cross-section. The method further includes supplying reference air to a dump valve that prevents brake pipe air flow to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: AMSTED RAIL COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel Brushwood
  • Patent number: 9616872
    Abstract: A main piston assembly for a service valve portion of a brake control valve for a railway vehicle braking system includes a service graduating valve and a service slide valve. The graduating valve includes a first side having a porting pattern defined therein. The service slide valve includes a graduating valve seat having a porting pattern in a first side and a service slide valve face having a porting pattern in an opposing second side. The porting patterns of the first side of the graduating valve, the graduating valve seat, and the service slide valve face are configured to perform an accelerated application valve function venting brake pipe pressure to atmosphere and to direct pressure from an accelerated release reservoir to the service graduating valve to discontinue the accelerated application valve function when a slight brake pipe over-reduction condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Skweres, Gary M. Sich, Michael S. Plechey
  • Patent number: 9333959
    Abstract: A system for maintaining brake cylinder pressure comprises a maintaining valve, a brake pipe, an emergency reservoir, and a brake cylinder configured to be in fluid communication with the brake pipe and the emergency reservoir. The brake pipe is configured to sustain a predetermined pressure within the brake cylinder during a brake application based on a differential between a pressure of the emergency reservoir and a pressure of the brake pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Edward W. Gaughan, William John Potter
  • Patent number: 9321446
    Abstract: A brake cylinder maintaining valve feeds brake pipe (BP) pressure through a choke to replenish and maintain brake cylinder (BC) pressure up, when the pressure in the brake cylinder drops below its original set pressure. In one embodiment, the brake cylinder maintaining valve may be a differential type valve having an input diaphragm and an output diaphragm having different surface areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Vaughn
  • Publication number: 20150128826
    Abstract: A valve assembly is dimensioned for interconnection between a pressurized gas supply system and a pressurized gas braking system of a rail vehicle. The valve assembly can include a valve housing and a valve body. The valve housing can include a housing wall that at least partially defines a housing chamber and includes a plurality of communication ports in fluid communication with the housing chamber. The valve body is supported within the housing chamber for sliding movement relative to the housing wall. The valve body can be displaced between a plurality of positions in which different ones of the communication ports are in fluid communication with one another. A pressurized gas system and a rail vehicle are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventor: Naveen S. Sachan
  • Publication number: 20140125115
    Abstract: A system for maintaining brake cylinder pressure comprises a maintaining valve, a brake pipe, an emergency reservoir, and a brake cylinder configured to be in fluid communication with the brake pipe and the emergency reservoir. The brake pipe is configured to sustain a predetermined pressure within the brake cylinder during a brake application based on a differential between a pressure of the emergency reservoir and a pressure of the brake pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: WABTEC HOLDING CORP.
    Inventor: WABTEC HOLDING CORP.
  • Publication number: 20120255817
    Abstract: In a method for displacing and storing brake fluid for a hydraulic brake system of a vehicle which brake system has at least one hydraulic accumulator, at least one brake booster and at least one brake circuit, the brake booster is configured in such a manner, that even without an action of the driver, actuation of the brake booster allows a volume of brake fluid to be automatically displaced. The brake fluid is displaced into the hydraulic accumulator and stored, by automatic actuation of the brake booster, and at least a portion of the stored brake fluid is emptied by the hydraulic accumulator into the brake circuit as a function of the operating state of the brake system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Herbert Vollert, Reinhard Weiberle
  • Patent number: 8197013
    Abstract: In a brake system for a railway vehicle, actuation of the respective inlet, (4,6), exhaust (5,7) and a link valve (9) is controlled by an electronic control unit (20). The electronic control unit (20) has a counter for counting the number of valve operations performed by each respective inlet (4,6) and exhaust (5,7) valve, wherein the electronic control unit (20), in use, determines which of the respective inlet (4,6) and exhaust (5,7) valves are to be actuated to brake the railway vehicle. The determination is made at least in part in dependence on the number of valve operations performed by the respective inlet (4,6) and exhaust (5,7) valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Ross Bradley, Derek Tate, Rodney Miflin
  • Patent number: 7975715
    Abstract: A valve for use in a pneumatic system of a truck-trailer having a source of air under pressure, a reservoir, at least one spring brake unit and a brake service line is provided. The valve includes a housing, a pressure protection valve portion, a spring brake actuation valve portion and an anti-compounding valve portion. The housing has a supply passage in communication with the source of air under pressure. The pressure protection valve portion is disposed within a first chamber of the housing. The first chamber has an inlet in communication with the supply passage and an outlet in communication with the reservoir. The pressure protection valve portion is configured to selectively block the flow of pressurized air from the supply passage to the reservoir through the first chamber. The spring brake actuation valve portion is disposed within a second chamber of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Travis G. Ramler, Andrew Marsh, David Fenzel
  • Publication number: 20080303341
    Abstract: A valve for use in a pneumatic system of a truck-trailer having a source of air under pressure, a reservoir, at least one spring brake unit and a brake service line is provided. The valve comprises a housing, a pressure protection valve portion, a spring brake actuation valve portion and an anti-compounding valve portion. The housing has a supply passage in communication with the source of air under pressure. The pressure protection valve portion is operably disposed within a first chamber of the housing. The first chamber has an inlet in communication with the supply passage and an outlet in communication with the reservoir. The pressure protection valve portion is configured to selectively block the flow of pressurized air from the supply passage to the reservoir through the first chamber until a predetermined pressure is reached. The spring brake actuation valve portion is operably disposed within a second chamber of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Travis G. Ramler, Andrew Marsh, David Fenzel
  • Patent number: 6487488
    Abstract: A method of and a system for determining a maximum brake pipe service reduction in the brake system of a train having a pneumatic brake on each car connected to a brake pipe which is controlled by a brake pipe controller. The method includes determining the status of the brake system throughout the train and determining a maximum brake pipe reduction for the brake pipe controller, using the status of the brake system, above which further reduction will not result in further brake application in the train. The determined maximum brake pipe reduction is displayed by itself or in combination with the brake pipe reduction produced by the brake pipe controller and/or used for automatic control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Edmund R. Peterson, Jr., Michael J. Hawthorne
  • Publication number: 20020041123
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating apparatus (12) with automatic clearance adjustment for a vehicle hydraulic disk brake and includes a housing (14) having a base (16) and a shell (18) in which an open cylinder bore (20) is provided. For actuating the brake, a piston (24) is hydraulically displaceable in the bore. A mechanical actuating device for displacing the piston in the bore and for compensating lining wear comprises an expanding device (34) acting axially in a brake actuating direction and a length adjustable strut between the expanding device and the piston. The strut is formed by a first strut part (52) having a bolt shaped end, which is screwed into a second, substantially sleeve shaped strut part (54), which rests with a conical flange (68) against the piston. Between the bolt shaped end of the first strut part and the second strut part there is a cavity (90) which is to be filled with brake fluid and closed off in a fluid tight manner at one end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Klaus Runkel, Lothar Wagner, Len Miller
  • Publication number: 20020030406
    Abstract: A method or apparatus for controlling a braking system in a vehicle, the vehicle including an inside front wheel and outside front wheel, whereby a determination is made of whether a drifting and/or an oversteering condition exists; and, if so, a predetermined braking pressure is applied to the outside front wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Ruediger Poggenburg, Stefan Diehle, Werner Langer
  • Patent number: 6318812
    Abstract: A vent valve made from a standard emergency brake valve portion. It includes an emergency portion body with an interface to be mated with the emergency portion interface of the pipe bracket. The body includes a casting with at least one cover and the casting including all the cast cavities and passages for an emergency portion. A vent valve selectively connects a first brake pipe port to a vent port on the body, A vent piston controls the vent valve and a discharge valve pneumatically controls the vent piston. An emergency piston is responsive to brake pipe pressure for controlling the discharge valve. The body does not include at least one of an in shot valve and an accelerated application valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald O. Newton, Steven R. Newton
  • Patent number: 6227628
    Abstract: A service brake for a vehicle, having two brake circuits which can be acted upon by pressurized fluid by way of a vacuum brake booster and a dual brake master cylinder, has at least one switchable device for changing the hydraulic pressure intensification by which, in the event of a failure of the brake booster, the pressure of the brake fluid is increased in each of the two brake circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Siegfried Emmann, Christian Mosler, Werner Spielmann
  • Publication number: 20010000287
    Abstract: A continuous band is provided for insertion into the mouth of a yard waste bag. The band is formed from a flexible material that permits it to be gripped at its center and squeezed into a collapsed position with two end loops having curved ends that will engage opposing sidewalls of the bag. In the collapsed position, the band presents a configuration of a partial lemniscate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: April 19, 2001
    Inventor: Frank S. Gabl
  • Patent number: 6017098
    Abstract: A brake pipe control apparatus of the type that defines primary and control passage networks has been improved. The primary passage network interconnects the brake pipe to at least one pneumatic valve in the apparatus. The control passage network interconnects a source of control pressure to at least one magnet valve used to cause operation of the pneumatic valve(s). The improvement includes first and second check valves and a passageway added between the two passage networks. The first check valve is incorporated into the control passage network between an inlet channel thereof that connects to the source and a branched channel thereof that connects to the magnet valve(s). The first check valve is situated to prevent air from flowing to the source from the branched channel when pressure in the source is low relative to pressure in the branched channel. The passageway interconnects the branched channel and the primary passage network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Paul J. Kettle, Jr., Ralph Santoro, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5966674
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a filtered signal which indicates of a flow of fluid to a fluid pressure communication conduit, the flow being dependent upon the pressure of fluid in a chamber. The pressure in the chamber is controlled by one or more pressure adjusting valves. The invention provides for receiving into a data processing module one or more valve signals indicating open states of the pressure adjusting valve or valves, and also a flowrate signal from a flowrate sensor, which represents the real instantaneous flowrate, and it is this signal which needs to be filtered to remove transients. The invention provides for choosing between a first processing mode and a second processing mode for the flowrate signal. The first processing mode is used when the second processing mode is not in effect, and when neither of the valve signals indicates an open valve. The second processing mode is activated a valve signal indicates an open valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Charles Crawford, Vincent Ferri, Robert D. Dimsa, Gary Bailey
  • Patent number: 5788343
    Abstract: A brake valve assembly suitable for use in a railway air brake system to control flow of air between the on-board reservoir and a respective brake cylinder. The valve assembly may include a plurality of internal valves to permit three states of fluid transfer, i.e., delivery, exhaust and lap. The internal valves are controlled by respective solenoids that act directly on the valve element. Internal forces due to fluid pressure are balanced using counterbalance assemblies preferably including a flexible, rolling diaphragm disposed adjacent to a configured follower member. The counterbalance assemblies maintain substantial balance throughout the reciprocative stroke of the valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Ronald C. Kurtz, Scott N. Griffin, Daniel Brillant
  • Patent number: 5503467
    Abstract: A backup pneumatic emergency control valve for an electro-pneumatic brake system for a railroad freight car comprising an emergency portion of a standard AB type freight brake control valve device without the service portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: Edward W. Gaughan
  • Patent number: 5451099
    Abstract: An access plate mounted between the pipe bracket portion and either the service portion or the emergency portion of a railway freight brake control valve. Passageways are provided through the access plate, each passageway terminating in a respective access port along an end of the access plate. Openings extend through opposed sides of the access plate, intersecting respective access plate passageways. The openings on each side are sized and positioned to sealingly align with openings of the pipe bracket portion and either the emergency portion or the service portion. The openings on the pipe bracket portion, emergency portion and service portion connect to passageways communicating to the brake pipe, the brake cylinder retaining valve, the brake cylinder, the emergency reservoir and the auxiliary reservoir. A housing may be attached to the pipe bracket portion to connect to the access ports, such housing preferably having a valve means for preventing the escape of fluid pressure therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: James E. Hart, Gary M. Sich
  • Patent number: 5429426
    Abstract: A relay valve device for a relayed type brake system in which the compressed air of the auxiliary reservoir is connected to an equalizing reservoir instead of directly to the brake cylinder, as in a conventional system. Since the equalizing reservoir volume is fixed, as compared to the brake cylinder volume which varies with piston displacement, the equalizing reservoir volume must be greater than the final brake cylinder volume in order to obtain a full equalization pressure that matches the full service application pressure in a conventional brake system. The relay valve device employs a control piston that is subject opposingly to the equalizing reservoir pressure and the effective brake cylinder pressure delivered by the relay valve device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: James E. Hart
  • Patent number: 5350222
    Abstract: A railway car vent valve device having a nullifier valve that is selectively operable to disable the vent valve device during a single car test procedure in which the service stability of the car control valve is checked. The nullifier valve is automatically reset when the car brake pipe pressure drops below a predetermined value, such as occurs when the single car test apparatus is disconnected from the car brake pipe following completion of the single car test procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: John B. Carroll
  • Patent number: 5326159
    Abstract: A quick service limiting valve device for a freight brake control valve employing a primary valve in a fluid flow path via which brake pipe air is connected to the brake cylinder during a secondary phase of quick service to propagate the brake pipe reduction signal until the brake cylinder pressure acting on the limiting valve control piston effects closure of the primary valve to terminate the quick service flow of brake pipe air to the brake cylinder when a predetermined brake cylinder limit pressure is realized. A secondary valve is arranged to interrupt the brake pipe to brake cylinder flow path downstream of the primary valve in the event leakage at the primary valve causes the pressure acting on the quick service limiting valve control piston to exceed the predetermined limit pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: James E. Hart, Edward W. Gaughan
  • Patent number: 5213397
    Abstract: A piston valve assembly for a freight brake control valve device in which axial displacement of a piston member is provided relative to its slide valve in response to slide valve friction creating excessive resistance to movement of the piston assembly from lap to release position. This relative movement between the piston member and slide valve causes a graduating valve that is carried fast with the piston member to open a release insuring passage in the slide valve and thereby exhaust auxiliary reservoir pressure from one side of the piston member. Accordingly, a relatively high pressure differential is created across the piston member to quickly overcome the slide valve resistance and assure prompt movement of the piston valve assembly and thereby obtain brake release without delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: Vincent F. Troiani
  • Patent number: 5207482
    Abstract: A railway car vent valve device having a bleed valve that is selectively operable to disable the vent valve device during a single car test procedure in which the service stability of the car control valve is checked. The bleed valve is automatically reset when the car brake pipe pressure drops below a predetermined value, such as occurs when the single car test apparatus is disconnected from the car brake pipe following completion of the single car test procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: James E. Hart, Williard P. Spalding
  • Patent number: 5071198
    Abstract: An improved freight brake emergency valve device having improved stability against undesired emergency brake applications, without loss of emergency sensitivity. Flow regulator in the form of a valve and choke combination or a choke itself is employed between the quick action chamber and the chamber normally subject to quick action chamber pressure on the side of the emergency piston opposite brake pipe pressure. This has the effect of momentarily reducing the volume of quick action chamber pressure in order to achieve an intensified pressure reduction in response to initial deflection of the piston member sufficient to counteract a momentary, spurious brake pipe pressure fluctuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: Vincent F. Troiani
  • Patent number: 5064251
    Abstract: An electromagnetic air brake control system including a module portion and an integral relay valve portion. The module portion includes a brake pipe cut-off valve. A bistable electropneumatic valve device pneumatically connected to the brake pipe cut-off valve. A pole changing relay electrically connected to an electric coil of the bistable electromagnetic device. The pole changing relay having an electric coil connected to a d.c. voltage. A quick release relay having an electric connection to the d.c. voltage and having contacts connectable to contacts of the pole changing relay. A pair of relay driver circuits supplied by a supplemental power supply for causing the electric coils of the pole changing and quick release relays to be energized and deenergized in accordance with output signals received from a command control circuit and a monitor checking circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: Michael E. Romansky
  • Patent number: 5056873
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for compensating for transient effects in pneumatically operated air brake system for a railway vehicle. A look up table or experimentally determined second order correction values is stored in a memory. Based on the magnitude of a previous application of the brakes, a correction value is selected from the look up table having a magnitude to compensate for transient errors in the system. The correction value is then diminished by fixed decrements at fixed intervals. Upon a subsequent application of the brakes, the diminished correction value is used to adjust the pressure communicated to braking mechanisms located on the train cars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Milton C. Deno, Eugene A. Smith, Dale H. Delaruelle
  • Patent number: 5044698
    Abstract: A service valve piston assembly for a freight brake control valve device in which the graduating valve is configured to cooperate with the associated slide valve to close off the application port via which auxiliary reservoir pressure acting on one side of the piston assembly feeds the brake cylinder prior to opening of the stability port via which the brake pipe pressure on the opposite side of the piston assembly is communicated with auxiliary reservoir pressure on the one side of the piston, thereby preventing the piston valve assembly from finding a quasi-lap position in which the brake cylinder continues to be pressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: James E. Hart, Charles L. Weber, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4978179
    Abstract: A low brake pipe pressure detecting circuit for a railway train is provided in conjunction with a conventional vent valve device typically associated with the locomotive brake valve device to exhaust the train brake pipe pressure and thereby effect an emergency brake application. Conventional pneumatic pilot valve devices are interconnected with the vent valve device to actuate the vent valve device only for a limited duration following which the pilot valves are automatically reset to effect closure of the vent valve device preparatory to recharging brake pipe pressure to obtain a subsequent brake release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Richard F. Balukin
  • Patent number: 4974910
    Abstract: A freight brake control valve device for a railway vehicle having a service piston slide valve arranged with a detent to latch the service piston in preliminary quick service position until such time as the application pressure differential acting on the piston exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Hart
  • Patent number: 4971399
    Abstract: In an electropneumatic brake control system including a brake valve in which a holding position permits brake pipe recharge without effecting a concurrent release of brakes, there is provided an arrangement for preventing a release control valve of a penalty application valve from being actuated to a position in which charging of equalizing reservoir pressure is interrupted when the brake valve handle is in Holding position, as well as Release position during electropneumatic brake control, while preventing such actuation of the penalty release control valve only in Release position in the event the electropneumatic brake control is inoperative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Balukin, Robert J. Worbois, John R. Reiss, Frank J. Jerina
  • Patent number: 4946229
    Abstract: An adaptive brake control system monitors a plurality of brake pipe/air line parameters, such as fluid path volume and air flow rate, and controllably modifies action taken by the engineman or performs emergency control of the brakes, in order to continuously enable the brake system to adapt itself to dynamic operating conditions and anomalies in the integrity of the fluid path. In accordance with a pressure reduction modification mechanism, the application of a pressure reduction to the equalizing reservoir is precisely controlled by taking into account the actual state of the brake pipe, so as to ensure that the requested brake application is effected as intended. The control mechanism also monitors the integrity of the fluid flow path of the brake pipe/train air line, so that the engineman may be alerted and a prescribed train safety measure may be effected in the event of a potentially hazardous anomaly in the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Milton C. Deno, Eugene A. Smith, Jr., Dale H. Delaruelle
  • Patent number: 4944564
    Abstract: An operators's brake valve device for a railway locomotive that is adapted to provide brake pipe recharging in a holding position of the brake valve handle in which the release of brake cylinder pressure is cut off by a release magnet valve device that, in conjunction with an appliction magnet valve device, provides electro-pneumatic control of the train brakes. These magnet valves are controlled electrically via pneumatically piloted electrical switches that receive discrete pressure signals according to the different positions of the brake valve handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Balukin, John R. Reiss, Frank J. Jerina
  • Patent number: 4875739
    Abstract: A continual type quick service valve adapted to be independently mounted on a railway car to provide local, supplemental venting of the car brake pipe pressure, as long as the brake pipe pressure continues to be reduced externally. This quick service venting of the brake pipe pressure is achieved utilizing a single piston actuated exhaust valve that is either cyclically-operated between open and closed states or is held open continuously depending upon the degree of brake application in effect. By selective tuning, the open duration of the exhaust valve can be made to exceed the duration the exhaust valve is closed during each cycle of operation or to remain open for the duration of the external brake pipe pressure reduction to achieve high operating efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Hart, Edward W. Gaughan
  • Patent number: 4859000
    Abstract: An adaptive brake control system monitors a plurality of brake pipe/air line parameters, such as fluid path volume and air flow rate, and controllably modifies action taken by the engineman or performs emergency control of the brakes, in order to continuously enable the braking system to adapt itself to dynamic operating conditions and anomalies in the integrity of the fluid path. In accordance with a pressure reduction modification mechanism, the application of a pressure reduction to the equalizing reservoir is precisely controlled by taking into account the actual state of the brakepipe, so as to ensure that the requested brake application is effected as intended. The control mechanism also monitors the integrity of the fluid flow path of the brake pipe/train air line, so that the engineman may be alerted and a prescribed train safety measure may be effected in the event of a potentially hazardous anomaly in the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Harris Corp.
    Inventors: Milton C. Deno, Eugene A. Smith, Jr., Dale H. Delaruelle
  • Patent number: 4850654
    Abstract: An improved freight brake emergency valve device providing improved stability against undesired emergency brake applications without degradation of emergency sensitivity. This is achieved, in one aspect of the invention, by introducing a spring force on the emergency piston as the piston approaches emergency position to thereby retard the piston momentum suffiently to allow a random brake pipe pressure fluctuation to dissipate. In another aspect of the invention, a choke and check valve are arranged to create a dashpot effect to retard piston momentum resulting from a random brake pipe pressure fluctuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Hart, Edward W. Gaughan, Theodore B. Hill
  • Patent number: 4830438
    Abstract: An improved freight brake emergency valve providing improved stability against undesired emergency brake applications without degradation of emergency sensitiveity by increasing the "breathing" range of travel of the emergency piston to allow a momentary random brake pipe pressure fluctuation to dissipate, and by providing a volumetric chamber between the quick action chamber "breather" port connection at the slide valve/seat interface and the "breather" choke in order to obtain a momentary fast reduction of quick action chamber pressure to counteract a brake pipe pressure fluctuation during pressure equalization between the quick action chamber and the added volumetric chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Hart, Edward W. Gaughan
  • Patent number: 4773713
    Abstract: A housing has a triple valve coaxially adjoining a proportioning piston valve end-to-end, the triple valve having supply, lap and exhaust positions for governing pressure in a brake cylinder; and the proportioning piston valve being operable to sense an emergency signal in a brake pipe for delivering fluid from an emergency reservoir to the brake cylinder after the brake cylinder has been charged to substantially service pressure from an auxiliary reservoir. The triple valve and the proportioning valve piston are biased in opposite directions by the same biasing spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventor: Walter E. Rojecki
  • Patent number: 4770472
    Abstract: A freight brake control valve device in which the emergency piston slide valve is arranged to incorporate, in conjunction with the conventional service stability function provided thereby, an accelerated service application function in which a continuous local venting of brake pipe pressure is provided to hasten propagation of service rates of brake pipe reduction. A preliminary flow restrictor in one flow path and a primary flow restrictor in a parallel flow path control the quick-action chamber "breathing" rate such that the emergency piston is stabilized against movement to emergency position, as long as the brake pipe pressure reduction does not exceed a service rate. Following a service application, the preliminary flow restrictor has the further function of maintaining "breathing" until after the local reduction of brake pipe pressure is cut off, thereby assuring positive movement of the emergency piston to its service lap position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Charles L. Weber, Jr., James E. Hart
  • Patent number: 4744609
    Abstract: A freight brake control valve device in which the emergency piston is arranged to operate a pair of slide valves having lost motion therebetween to provide a continuous, local reduction in the brake pipe pressure in response to initial actuation of the emergency piston when a service rate of brake pipe pressure reduction is made, in order to quickly propagate a brake pipe pressure reduction wave along the train and accordingly provide an accelerated application of the train brakes. This accelerated application function in response to a service rate of brake pipe pressure reduction is achieved during movement of the emergency piston toward emergency position, during which movement, the quick-action chamber "breathing" function also occurs, the latter being presently incorporated in the emergency piston slide valve to stabilize the emergency piston following initial actuation thereof, so as to prevent further actuation of the emergency piston to emergency position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Charles L. Weber, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4714297
    Abstract: A fluid pressure control portion for a fluid brake motor is inserted in a fluid pressure control passage between a triple valve and a brake motor for a particular car truck. This portion comprises a proportioning valve connected to an inshot valve through a pipe bracket to proportionally reduce brake pressure on a particular brake motor, after inshot at the same pressure as other brake motors of the same vehicle to adjust braking in accordance with lighter loading of end trucks for articulated freight cars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 4690463
    Abstract: A freight brake control valve device in which the emergency piston slide valve is arranged to provide continuous, periodic, local reductions in the brake pipe pressure in response to initial actuation of the emergency piston when a service rate of brake pipe pressure reduction is made, in order to quickly propagate a brake pipe pressure reduction wave along the train and accordingly provide an accelerated application of the train brakes. This accelerated application function in response to a service rate of brake pipe pressure reduction is achieved concurrently with the quick action chamber "breathing" function, the latter being presently incorporated in the emergency piston slide valve to stabilize the emergency piston following initial actuation thereof, so as to prevent further actuation of the emergency piston to emergency position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Hart
  • Patent number: 4678241
    Abstract: An equalizer discharge valve for use on a railroad air brake system includes a valve housing having an equalizer chamber formed therein above a brake pipe chamber and separated by a piston, diaphragm configuration. The diaphragm is sealed on the outer circumference by the connection to the housing and on the inner circumference by the connection to the piston. A connecting passage formed in the piston has a check valve disposed therein such that fluid pressure can only flow from the equalizer chamber to the brake pipe chamber. An exhaust valve, disposed between the brake pipe chamber and an exhaust chamber, vents the brake pipe chamber when opened as corresponds to selected venting of the equalizer chamber fluid pressure. A back pressure chamber and piston configuration is formed above the equalizer chamber such that fluid pressure from the exhaust chamber can be communicated thereto to counterbalance the force on the piston exerted from the brake pipe side during an exhaust operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Nippon Air Brake Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Tamamori, Mitsuhiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 4653812
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas H. Engle
  • Patent number: 4571008
    Abstract: A control valve arrangement adapted to produce and maintain a pilot signal comprises a number of standard modules. The basic element has two standard modules, each of which includes a diaphragm-controlled on-off valve. An input signal is applied to a first valve against a reference pressure such that when the valve is on, a signal is generated and held as a pilot pressure. A second valve responds to a fall in input signal pressure to cancel out pilot pressure. The two valves together constitute a bistable operator. A particular use of this operator is in a railway braking system in which the first valve is used as an application valve and the second valve is used as a release valve. A third module may be used as a pilot pressure-maintaining valve. The pneumatically-operated diaphragm assembly shown in FIG. 1, comprises three modules, 1, 2 and 3. Module 1 is the brake application module, module 2 is the release module and module 3 is an optional pilot pressure-maintaining module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Westinghouse Brake & Signal Company
    Inventor: David J. Wickham
  • Patent number: 4492412
    Abstract: This invention relates to braking systems for railway vehicles in which a fall in brake pipe pressure is employed to initiate braking via a brake cylinder inlet valve.In accordance with the present invention, the brake cylinder inlet valve is rendered in-operative by the absence of auxiliary reservoir pressure, thus dispensing with the need for a complicated mechanical sequence requiring fine machining tolerances etc. and avoiding the necessity of employing an additional valve.The brake cylinder (BC) inlet valve 60 is operable by a diaphragm 54. When the system is fully charged, the brake cylinder inlet valve 60 is closed as shown in the accompanying drawing. The diaphragm 54 is subject to brake pipe pressure in chamber C and to auxiliary reservoir pressure in chamber D. In the absence of auxiliary reservoir pressure in chamber D, the pressure in chamber C holds the diaphragm in the position shown and prevents the ball valve 60 from being opened, thus preventing brake application until braking is demanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Assignee: Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company Limited
    Inventors: David J. Wickham, Clive A. Rathband
  • Patent number: 4478460
    Abstract: This invention relates to a railway braking system in which a drop in brake pipe pressure calling for brake application initiates a pilot pressure and this pilot pressure is used to operate other valves pneumatically to effect braking. In this system, during the initial part of a brake application, air flows to atmosphere through a pilot exhaust choke. To avoid problems during release of the braking, it is proposed to isolate or restrict this pilot exhaust choke during at least the initial part of the brake application stage. To achieve this, an interlock valve is introduced into a passage between a release ball valve and a pilot exhaust choke. The interlock valve is operated by a diaphragm biassed by a spring and separating two chambers. Brake pipe pressure is applied to the first chamber and auxiliary reservoir pressure to the second chamber. A very small drop in brake pipe pressure closes the valve and cuts off connection between the release ball valve and the pilot exhaust choke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: Westinghouse Brake and Signal Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: David J. Wickham