Abstract: A parking valve for manually actuating a spring-loaded parking brake, includes: a housing with a port that can be fluidically connected to a release chamber of a spring-loaded brake cylinder, a port that can be fluidically connected to a brake supply reservoir, and a ventilation port; a slide for manual actuation and which can be moved along a full section between two end positions inside the housing. The slide assumes positions along the full section, in which, as a result of at least one seal, there is no fluidic connection between the port to the release chamber and the ventilation port, and assumes other positions along the full section, in which, as a result of the at least one seal, there is no fluidic connection between the port of the release chamber and the port to the brake supply reservoir.

Abstract: A filter includes a housing having an air inlet, an air outlet, a first chamber and a second chamber concentric to and interior the first chamber. A coalescer is in the first chamber and a first filter is in the second chamber. A first inlet of the first chamber is interior the coalescer and connected to the air inlet and a first outlet of the first chamber being exterior the coalescer. A second inlet of the second chamber is interior the first filter and connected to the first outlet of the first chamber and a second outlet of the second chamber is exterior the first filter and connected to the air outlet. The filter includes a membrane separator in the housing connecting the second outlet of the second chamber and the air outlet. The filter may be mounted in a reservoir with the membrane separator extending into the reservoir.

Abstract: An air supply system for a vehicle air braking system includes an air dryer and a reservoir assembly including a downstream section and a purge reservoir. The downstream section may be a supply or service reservoir or a multi circuit pressure protection valve. A passage extends through the purge reservoir between the air dryer and the downstream section. A delivery valve is in the passage. A purge passageway is on the reservoir assembly between the air dryer and the delivery valve and in fluid communication with the passage. In one embodiment, the reservoir assembly is remote from the air dryer, and only one air line connects the air dryer and the reservoir assembly.

Abstract: An air supply system for a large vehicle air brake system includes an air compressor for supplying compressed air. The compressed or pressurized air is routed to an air dryer which includes a desiccant bed through which the compressed air flows for drying. The air dryer is located between a wet tank and a dry tank for the air supply system and air moves from the dryer to the wet tank. From the wet tank the air passes through a conduit through the air dryer to the dry tank. The air dryer is mounted on tracks allowing it to withdrawn from between the air tanks for replacement or service.

Abstract: An air supply system for a large vehicle air brake system includes an air compressor for supplying compressed air. The compressed or pressurized air is routed to an air dryer which includes a desiccant bed through which the compressed air flows for drying. The air dryer is located between a wet tank and a dry tank for the air supply system and air moves from the dryer to the wet tank. From the wet tank the air passes through a conduit through the air dryer to the dry tank. The air dryer is mounted on tracks allowing it to withdrawn from between the air tanks for replacement or service.

Abstract: An air reservoir for an air brake system is provided. The air reservoir includes a housing that has a first air chamber, a second air chamber, and a supply air chamber. A first valve is disposed between the supply air chamber and the first air chamber and is configured to allow air to flow from the supply air chamber to the first air chamber. A second valve is disposed between the supply air chamber and the second air chamber and is configured to allow air to flow from the supply air chamber to the second air chamber.

Abstract: An air reservoir for an air brake system is provided. The air reservoir includes a housing that has a first air chamber, a second air chamber, and a supply air chamber. A first valve is disposed between the supply air chamber and the first air chamber and is configured to allow air to flow from the supply air chamber to the first air chamber. A second valve is disposed between the supply air chamber and the second air chamber and is configured to allow air to flow from the supply air chamber to the second air chamber.

Abstract: An emergency brake backup system is achieved by selectively interconnecting the air suspension as an additional reservoir to the air brake system. That is, if the charging system or primary reservoir fails, compressed air in the air spring reservoirs is used as an energy source to supply the pressurized air required for brake function. This can be achieved with minor modification to existing tractor and trailer brake systems that employ air suspension assemblies.

Abstract: An articulated railcar has several well car units for carrying shipping containers, highways trailers, or a combination of the two. The well car units permit the nose of a long highway trailer to overhang the articulated connection between two adjacent cars. A brake valve is located in a relief formed in the main bolster of one of the articulated units, out of the way of the overhanging trailer. Each well car unit has a side beam having a roll formed top chord reinforced by a top chord plate, a downwardly extending web, and a lower sill formed of a thick angle. The service, or auxiliary, and emergency brake reservoirs are mounted in a saddle bag configuration to the outside face of the webs of the opposite side beams of the articulated unit, tucked underneath the reinforced roll formed top chord.

Abstract: A system reliably communicates brake commands from a master controller on a lead locomotive to the brake equipment on each rail vehicle of a freight train. The system includes a mechanism for detecting whether the brake commands are being successfully communicated over a communications channel that is normally used to convey such commands from the master controller to the brake equipment on each rail vehicle. The system also includes on each rail vehicle a mechanism for communicating the brake commands that is independent of the communications channel. The mechanism for communicating conveys the brake commands from the lead locomotive to the rail vehicles only when the mechanism for detecting determines that communication over the communications channel has failed. The system further includes on each rail vehicle a mechanism for receiving the brake commands from the lead locomotive via the mechanism for communicating.

Abstract: A method of supplying a higher pressure air supply to a lower pressure air supply comprising a primary air supply tank, maintained at a first higher pressure by a compressor, continuously fluidly coupled to one or more secondary air supply tank(s) through a pressure reducing valve, maintained at a second, lower pressure to the pressure of the primary air supply tank. In this way the primary tank serves as a higher pressure reservoir and increases the efficacy of the secondary air supply tanks.

Abstract: An articulated railcar has several well car units for carrying shipping containers, highways trailers, or a combination of the two. The well car units permit the nose of a long highway trailer to overhang the articulated connection between two adjacent cars. A brake valve is located in a relief formed in the main bolster of one of the articulated units, out of the way of the overhanging trailer. Each well car unit has a side beam having a roll formed top chord reinforced by a top chord plate, a downwardly extending web, and a lower sill formed of a thick angle. The service, or auxiliary, and emergency brake reservoirs are mounted in a saddle bag configuration to the outside face of the webs of the opposite side beams of the articulated unit, tucked underneath the reinforced roll formed top chord.

Abstract: An air supply system for a vehicle includes an internal combustion engine that powers the vehicle and a compressor that receives air from the intake manifold of the engine or from an air filter. The compressor operates in either a loading or unloading mode and supplies air to the vehicle braking system. During the loading mode, air flows from the compressor through a dryer and is stored in a reservoir that supplies air to the brakes when the brakes are actuated. The dryer removes moisture and contaminants from the compressed air before the air is stored in the reservoir. A valve independently controls the compressor and dryer. A first sensor produces a fueling status signal in response to monitoring the fueling status of the engine and a second sensor produces a reservoir pressure signal in response to measuring the air pressure in the reservoir.

Abstract: A pressure medium actuated braking system comprises at least first and second braking circuits, and a multi-circuit braking power imparting device, such as a motorcar brake valve. The first braking circuit assigned to, e.g., the rear axle, has a first pressure medium storage container, at least one braking cylinder, and a first control valve system which connects the braking cylinder to the first pressure medium storage container or to a pressure medium sink (atmosphere) depending on a first control signal produced by the motorcar brake valve. The second braking circuit, assigned to, e.g., the front axle, has a second pressure medium storage container, first and second braking cylinders, and a second control valve system which connects the first and second braking cylinders to the second pressure medium storage container or to a pressure medium sink depending on a second control signal generated by the motorcar brake valve.

Abstract: An Automatic Tire Pressure Control System (APS) compensates for fluctuations in the air pressure and temperature of vehicle tires and automatically adjusts the tire pressure. This provides the vehicle operator with a convenient means to automatically regulate the pressure of a vehicles' tires for optimum safety and performance. The system provides nonwearing ferrofluid seals for zero air leakage and a special axle sleeve with multiple air channels for reduced inflation time and an air flow path that is isolated from lubricants, an air compressor powered by a vehicle engine and a microprocessor controlled distributor which distributes air to each tire, depending on a tire pressure and temperature sensor signalling air and temperature requirements. A tire venting system is also provided.

Abstract: An air supply system for a motor vehicle air brake system incorporating a desiccant type air dryer. The purge capacity of the air dryer is enhanced providing greater water and contaminant removable characteristics for the air dryer. The system incorporates a pressure reducing element and a control system for the system compressor causing air passing through the air dryer to be at a higher pressure than that necessary for charging the system reservoir. The higher pressure air supplied to the air dryer provides greater volumetric capacity for the purge volume of the air dryer. In this way an air dryer purge volume of a given size provides a greater purge capacity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drain valve and a method designed to drain condensate and contaminants from a wet tank in a pneumatic braking system for a vehicle. In a preferred embodiment the drain valve comprises a cylindrical piston disposed to slide axially within a cavity in a valve body constructed to be mounted on the vehicle and having two openings in the side wall of the valve body communicating with the cavity, one, an inlet opening connected upwardly to the wet tank, and, two, an outlet opening connected downwardly as a drain. The outlet is blocked in a closed, first position of the piston when the vehicle ignition is turned on. When the vehicle ignition is turned off the piston moves from the first position to a second position so as to open both the inlet and outlet openings together through the cavity in order to drain the wet tank. When the vehicle ignition is turned to the "on" position the piston moves back to the first position within the cavity so as to close the drain valve.

Abstract: Air is supplied to an air brake supply tank on a wheeled vehicle by supplying air from an air compressor to a primary tank at an elevated pressure, fluidly coupling the primary tank to a supply tank, and reducing the pressure of the air supplied to the supply tank to a level suitable for use by the vehicle's air brakes.

Abstract: An electronic braking system for wheeled vehicles comprising an electronic controller which produces, in response to driver braking demands, electronic signals for controlling the braking pressures applied to the vehicle wheels from a source of braking pressure. The system includes a second, back-up braking pressure source which can be selected when required, and means for switching over from the first-mentioned normal source of braking pressure to the back-up pressure source at selected occasions when the vehicle is being braked and has come to rest, provided that the prevailing driver's braking demand is above a predetermined minimum threshold. A test is then performed on the braking pressure signals generated by the system while it is energized by the back-up source and a warning signal is generated if the back-up source is found to be faulty.

Abstract: A vehicle multi-compartment air-brake reservoir includes a housing and a rigid interior baffle disposed within the housing. The housing and the interior baffle define a supply and secondary chamber. An inlet and an outlet are formed in the supply chamber, and an outlet is formed in the secondary chamber. A one-way valve disposed in the interior baffle provides one-way fluid flow from the supply chamber to the secondary chamber.

Abstract: A variable load brake control equipment for a road/rail type vehicle comprising variable load brake apparatus located between the auxiliary reservoir and a supplemental volume reservoir in the supply line upstream of the vehicle control valve device. During braking, the auxiliary reservoir pressure and the supplemental volume reservoir pressure combine to provide an unmodulated buildup of brake pressure until the brake pressure reaches a value that varies as a function of the vehicle load. At this point, the variable load valve device operates to isolate the auxiliary reservoir, so that a continued buildup of brake pressure is modulated by reason of the fact that the supplemental volume reservoir alone supplies braking pressure.

Abstract: A railway vehicle bolster having an air brake system air reservoir formed integrally in a cavity defined by a top web and side walls of said bolster by enclosing the cavity with end walls and a bottom wall. Air inlet and outlet means provide communication between the air brake system and the reservoir.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for an automotive vehicle having an auxiliary pressure source and an adjustable suspension device arranged between the vehicle body and the vehicle axle is disclosed. The suspension device includes a working cylinder having a piston chamber and a working piston mounted therein and devices which enable a controlled flow of a pressure medium from one side of the working piston to the other. A separating piston separates the piston chamber from a gas-filled chamber. The suspension device also includes a pressure chamber filled with pressure medium which is separated from the gas-filled chamber by a movable wall and provides for level adjustment of the vehicle body. The pressure chamber of the adjustable suspension device is connectible to the auxiliary pressure source by a pressure line including a changeover valve. The auxiliary pressure source communicates with the wheel brakes of the vehicle by way of a pressure control valve and a pressure modulation valve.

Abstract: An emergency auxiliary pressurizing system for a vehicle braking system includes a portable container having clean high-pressure pneumatic fluid therein and connected by conduit means to the vehicle braking system with the conduit having a pneumatic pressure-reducing valve and a relief valve therein with a switch valve for controlling the connection to the braking system.

Abstract: A vehicle air system (300) for a vehicle equipped with a source of pressurized fluid (302, 306), an air brake system (314), a central tire inflation system (316) and a central tire inflation system pressurized fluid reservoir (336) is provided. Preferably, the central tire inflation system reservoir is defined in part by the vehicle spare tire. The central tire inflation system rservoir is fluidly connected to the source of pressurized fluid, the vehicle air brake system and the central tire inflation system by a pair of parallel conduits (332, 334), one of which is provided with a one way check valve (340) allowing pressurized fluid stored in the reservoir to be supplied to the brake system of the central tire inflation system.

Abstract: A combined reservoir tank and pipe bracket for use in a railroad car air brake system includes a tank having a partition therein which divides the tank into emergency and service portions. An emergency valve mounting saddle and emergency valve are attached to the exterior of the tank and connected to the emergency portion of the reservoir. A service valve mounting saddle and service valve are attached to the exterior of the tank and there is a connection therefrom with the service portion of the tank. The mounting saddles are spaced on opposite sides of the tank and there is a tube extending within the tank and connecting the saddles which functions as a pipe bracket quick action chamber. There are conduits connecting the saddles in parallel arrangement with the quick action chamber tube for brake cylinder air, brake pipe air and the emergency reservoir.

Abstract: A compressed air brake system including a low pressure control circuit and a high pressure operating circuit. The control circuit is interfaced by a plurality of relay valves with the operating circuit for the direct actuation of the wheel brake cylinders with high pressure. The dual pressure arrangement results in a significant reduction in consumption of air while retaining the advantages which are common to a high pressure system.

Abstract: An improved system for control of a drum having a disk brake and pawl engageble therewith, including a pressure sensing switch electrically connected with a solenoid valve which is hydraulically connected with a pump and an accumulator teed into the supply from the pump. A solenoid valve, when energized hydraulically connecting a pawl cylinder attached to the pawl with pump pressure and when de-energized directing fluid pressure to apply the brake and dumping the pawl cylinder to reservoir to engage the pawl. Orifice means control the rates of flow to and from the brake and pawl cylinder to avoid shock loads and to assure the drum is stopped before the pawl is engaged.

Abstract: A brake system in which brake means such as disc brakes are provided with emergency control means which may be a part of the overall system or may be provided by separate self contained sources of pressure which may be valved to the brake means by actuation of an emergency switch. The system provides for control of multiple groups of brake means with multiple control systems each of which are operated at a pressure less than that available from the power source. Pressure between the several groups of brakes are sensed and when a selected differential is noted the full source pressure is applied to the entire brake system. This additional source pressure applied to an undamaged bank of brake means will compensate for loss of a group of brake elements and provide approximately the same braking efficiency. Provision is made to contain pressure within one of the separate systems upon the sensing of conditions indicating a leak.

Abstract: A fluid system for the rail brake cylinder of a highway/rail vehicle including a control valve responsive to brake pipe pressure drops to provide a control signal to a variable load relay valve assembly which provides brake cylinder pressures. The relay valve assembly maintains the rail brakes deactivated in the highway mode, provides braking pressure independent of the variable load portion for low pressure in the control valve's auxiliary reservoir, maintains a rail reservoir and rail suspension supply changed from the highway and rail supply lines, and creates an emergency condition in the brake pipe for low rail supply line and or rail reservoir pressure.

Abstract: An auxiliary release apparatus for use with a hydraulic pressure releasable brake having a principal source of hydraulic pressure which comprises an auxiliary source of hydraulic pressure selectively connectible to the brake for releasing the brake when the principal source of hydraulic pressure is not operating. The auxiliary release apparatus includes a manual pump device for interrupting communication between the normal pressure source and the pressure releasable brake when the pressure source, as a pump, is not operating, and for manually pumping through a by-pass circuit pressure fluid to the pressure releasable brake.

Abstract: A device to provide the control pressure required in the wheel brake cylinder of automotive vehicles incorporating brake slip control apparatus. While it is known to make available the control pressure by a pump-accumulator system, the present invention provides a replaceable pressure reservoir with a highly expansive medium. The fluid reservoir has an exhaustible volume of pressure fluid and a release device actuatable by slip control electronics so that the control pressure is generated only at the beginning of each controlled braking action. This arrangement has a considerable advantage related to manufacturing costs compared to the known arrangements, since there is not need for the pump-accumulator system.

Abstract: A system for preventing damage to cargo shipped in air-ride suspension semi-trailers loaded on railroad flat cars which comprise at least part of a freight train is provided. The system comprises a coupling element connected to the air brake line of the freight train. The coupling element is connected to an air reservoir mounted on the flat car or on the semi-trailer and supplies compressed air to the reservoir from the brake line of the train. The coupling element includes a valve to prevent air from flowing from the train brake line to the air reservoir when the air pressure in the brake line drops below a predetermined safety level to prevent unwanted activation of the train's brakes. The air reservoir is connected to the air line of the semi-trailer and provides compressed air to the air bags which comprise the air suspension system of the semi-trailer.

Abstract: An emergency brake system for mine shuttle cars and the like wherein the brakes are applied by spring pressure and are normally released only when the hydraulic system for the shuttle car is activated. In the present invention, a hand pump is provided for releasing the brakes when the normal hydraulic system is not activated. This facilitates moving the shuttle car when it is not connected to a source of power. When the car is again connected to a power source and its hydraulic system activated, a shuttle valve initially releases the pressure produced by the hand pump and then returns the system to normal operation.

Abstract: A tractor-trailer hydraulic braking system in which the tractor braking circuit and trailer braking circuit are inter-connected by releasable hydraulic couplings including both service and emergency line connections each with its associated return line. The trailer circuit also includes a pressure storage unit or accumulator and a emergency valve operable to apply the trailer brakes in the event of loss of emergency line pressure. To avoid leak down of the accumulator over a period following de-coupling of the trailer an expansion tank or chamber is connected into the trailer circuit so as to receive fluid leaking into the return lines from the accumulator and to retain such fluid until the pump can return it to the accumulator.

Abstract: A fluid pressure braking system includes a pair of service reservoirs which supply fluid pressure to the system dual brake valve for actuating the vehicle service brakes. The reservoirs, through appropriate valving, also operate a third brake circuit which controls the vehicle parking/emergency brakes, thereby eliminating a reservoir for the third system, which was necessary in prior art braking systems.

Abstract: A seal cap assembly for a reservoir casing comprises a first seal cap having an annular thick rim portion detachably secured over the upper opening of the casing and a vertical expansible diaphragm formed in a piece with the inner periphery of the rim portion to be disposed within the casing and a second cap assembled with the thick rim portion of the first cap to facilitate removal of the cap assembly from the casing by a pushing force given to the second cap.

Abstract: An auxiliary release apparatus for use with a hydraulic pressure releasable brake having a principal source of hydraulic pressure comprises an auxiliary source of hydraulic pressure selectively connectable to the brake for releasing the brake when the principal source of hydraulic pressure is not operating. The auxiliary release apparatus includes a shuttle valve and a relief valve for automatically disconnecting the auxiliary source and reconnecting the principal source of hydraulic pressure from the brake when the principal source of hydraulic pressure is operating. The auxiliary source of hydraulic pressure includes a cylinder, a hand pump comprising a handle and a piston connected to the handle and disposed in the cylinder, a fluid supply reservoir and suitable connection lines between the fluid supply and the cylinder. The relief valve also regulates the amount of pressure provided to the brake by the hand pump.

Abstract: An upgraded railway freight car brake control valve device comprises a novel emergency valve portion that embodies therein a plurality of simple and inexpensive poppet valves and a spool-type valve which valves replace yet perform the same functions heretofore performed by more expensive slide-type valves which slide valves, and the flat seats upon which they slide as they are shifted from one position to another, in their manufacture require a considerable amount of accurate machining thus increasing the cost of the brake control valve device of which they are an important part.

Abstract: In a vehicle including front and rear wheels having brakes associated therewith, a single master cylinder actuates a first brake valve operatively associated with the front wheels of the vehicle, and also a second brake valve operatively associated with the rear wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus for varying the time between the initiation and subsequent release of an emergency brake application on a locomotive and train of cars hauled thereby comprises either fluid pressure operated valve means operable, by fluid under pressure supplied for causing knockout of the locomotive power supply, to establish communication between two reservoirs, separably charged from the train brake pipe, whereby substantially all of the fluid under pressure must be released from both reservoirs to atmosphere via a first restricted communication prior to the release of an emergency application thereby increasing the time between initiating the emergency application and the subsequent release, or fluid pressure operated valve means operably responsively to power knockout to establish another restricted communication between a single reservoir and atmosphere whereby substantially all of the fluid under pressure must be released from the single reservoir to atmosphere via the two restricted communications simultaneo

Abstract: An axle assembly, drive or non-driving, steerable or non-steerable, which is a self-contained unit which can be installed on a vehicle and provide anti-wheel lock braking operation.