Abstract: A sliding door for railroad cars which may be manually operable but is also provided with a pneumatic device and a pneumatic control circuit operably connected to the door for closing the door by power operation, which pneumatic device, after effecting power closing of the door, is automatically vented of all pneumatic pressure and operably disconnected from the door so as not to offer any resistance during manual operation, and, in particular, during an opening phase of the door by manual operation subsequently to a pneumatic closing phase of the same door.

Abstract: A mounting hub for a brake disc which is concentrically mountable on the hub by a plurality of equi-angularly spaced bolts adjacent the periphery of the hub. Subsequently to mounting of the disc on the hub, the hub is mountable, usually by a pressing process, on one end of an axle. Bolt holes are formed on equi-angularly spaced peripheral arcuate flexible portions of the mounting hub to permit absorption of expansion and distortion of the brake disc mounted thereon.

Abstract: A pivotal piston machine or compressor including a disc-like pivotal piston oscillating on a bearing axis, such oscillatory movement being effected by engagement of a roller-type cam follower of a crank arm driven by a crankshaft, with cam surfaces formed on the pivotal piston, and angled member for limiting the oscillating movement at opposite ends of the pivotal stroke of the piston. The angled member serves as a separating wall between two compression chambers and a delivery chamber. A pair of pivotal pistons may be arranged adjacent each other to utilize a common air intake and provide a compound piston machine.

Abstract: A valve mount for a compressor pressure valve with a valve seat disposed in a bore formed in a cylinder head, wherein the valve mount is provided with a cooling chamber surrounding the external surfaces of a pressure chamber for transferring and dissipating heat from the valve parts including the valve seat.

Abstract: A valve battery device including mounting plates on which valves may be mounted, and of which a preselected number, each having passageways therein, may be assembled in serial relation to form a valve battery of any desired number. Each mounting plate is provided with one hooked projection and one recess for accommodating the hooked projection of an adjacent mounting plate, and all mounting plates are identical in structure and so constructed that they may be turned end-for-end and top-for-bottom so they may universally assemble. Identically structured terminating plates are provided at each end of the valve battery.

Abstract: A disk brake assemblage providing an improved arrangement whereby the brake pads and supports therefore may be changed with a minimum amount of disassembly of the disk brake assemblage. The brake assemblage is provided with an annular cylinder and an annular piston operable therein and comprising a brake cylinder device operably disposed between a pair of backing plates and brake pads which are adapted to frictionally engage respective brake disks or rotors. Both the cylinder and the piston are provided with axially projecting lugs or members normally engaging correspondingly formed recesses on the brake pad backing plates for retaining the brake pads and plates in the operable position. By axially squeezing or displacing the cylinder and piston toward each other, the lugs are displaced out of the recesses to permit the brake pads and backing plates to be removed and replaced.

Abstract: A variable load valve device having a fulcrumed lever, the opposite sides of which are acted upon by respective piston stems of opposing piston assemblies subject to air spring pressure and brake cylinder pressure, respectively. Each piston assembly is independently and axially positionally adjustable relative to the lever to vary the effective differential forces which dictate the level at which brake cylinder pressure is cut off to limit the maximum desired brake cylinder pressure for any given air spring pressure. The desired position adjustments of the piston assemblies are made by adjusting screws engaging the respective piston assemblies which require no changes in spring size or piston dimensions.

Abstract: Tire-pressure monitoring apparatus for use with either single or dual tires for signaling deterioration of tire pressure by connecting tire pressure, upon actuation of a valve device by such reduced pressure, to a cylinder device which, in turn, moves a pin member into a space between two adjacent teeth of a rotatable member affixed to the tire, rotatable therewith, and having a plurality of teeth peripherally arranged thereon and alternately interspersed with equal spaces, except one, therebetween. Under normal conditions, the rotating member generates a magnetic field in the proximity of a sensing device which cooperates with the magnetic field for transmitting a series of signals of equal magnitude. If the magnetic field is interrupted by movement of the pin into the spaces, the sensing device transmits either control signals to an anti-skid device or tire-pressure indicating signals to a display panel, depending upon the magnitude of the signals.

Abstract: An overload protection control circuit for marine engines, in which a propeller pitch control signal, as initiated by the operator and transmitted to a servo-positioner for setting the propeller pitch, is modified by a speed control signal, also initiated by the operator, for setting the speed of the ship through a speed governor device, so that the pitch of the propeller is automatically maintained at a degree compatible with the ship speed. According to the invention, an overload limiting valve device is interposed in the protection control circuit and is preset to respond to a critical engine load condition to effect operation of the servo-positioner to a neutral position in which propeller pitch is reduced to a safe degree.

Abstract: A ratchet operated chain-type hand brake for railway vehicles characterized by a housing for enclosing the ratchet mechanism and a chain wind-up drum. The ratchet mechanism includes an operating pawl for taking up the chain and a holding pawl for holding the chain take-up, both pawls being in constant engagement with a single ratchet to eliminate lost motion of the operating handle.

Abstract: A full disk brake including a pair of disks, brake pads, and a closed external housing. In order to facilitate removal of the housing for changing brake pads, the housing is segmented, such as in the form of a pair of semi-cylindrical segments which are secured to the respective peripheries of oppositely facing disks. The housing segments may be removed independently of the brake actuating mechanism, that is, the wheel cylinder, to permit the pads to be changed. The housing segments may also be mounted such that they may be partially unsecured and then swung out of the way of access to the brake pads.

Abstract: A four-way ball type valve including a spherical valve element operable to as many as four positions and which can be installed on a railway car in place of the branch pipe tee to eliminate the need for an angle cock at each end of the brake pipe and a brake control valve cut-out cock. The ball valve is functionally analogous to a rotary valve in cutting off the brake pipe at either end of the car without interrupting the brake control valve connection with the brake pipe, or in cutting out the brake control valve while establishing brake pipe continuity through the train.

Abstract: A vehicle load responsive brake control device for adjusting the braking force according to the varying load of the vehicle in each braking range; its purpose is also to ensure control of the braking action in such a manner that, independently of the existing vehicle load, the actuating force required is always approximately the same. Another purpose of the brake control device is to adjust the braking forces in accordance with the dynamic shifting of the axle loads.

Abstract: An improved hose coupling for railway vehicle brake pipe hoses, which hose coupling is characterized by a nipple portion disposed at an angle relative to the axis of the coupling head and an angular extension of the lower end of the coupling lip for preventing premature or inadvertent uncoupling due to excessive bouncing motion of the vehicle and, therefore, vertical oscillation of the hoses.

Abstract: A combined fluid pressure operable running and parking vehicle brake device including an application piston responsive to fluid pressure for exerting a brake-applying force on a vehicle wheel through a brake shoe for effecting either a service or emergency application, a locking piston responsive to fluid pressure independently of the application piston, for locking the brake device in an application disposition when the vehicle is parked, and compressible springs placed under compression by actuation of the application piston for storing a compressive force available for providing the brake-applying force in the event of failure of fluid pressure when the vehicle is parked.

Abstract: The invention relates to a positioner device for positioning the piston and piston rod of a double-acting, pneumatic operating cylinder at a preselected position for setting the position of a device connected thereto, such as the lever of a throttle valve, for example, with the positioner device having a locking device connected to the piston rod which can be controlled by a control valve for securing and maintaining the piston and rod in the selected position, without variance, until deliberately changed.

Abstract: A brake valve device including a valve-actuating piston for contacting and effecting operation of a valve member, the valve-actuating piston being provided with a stepped bore in which a spring-biased spring seat member is engaged by and axially slidably movable by a push rod for actuating the valve device. The peripheral surface of a guide flange formed on the spring seat member for stabilizing axial movement thereof in the stepped bore, is spherically-shaped for permitting such axial movement without hang-up or jamming in the bore.

Abstract: A parking brake for use primarily on railway vehicles of the mass transit type in conjunction with the service brake apparatus but operable independently thereof. A parking brake hydraulic cylinder is mechanically connected to the brake shoe hanger of the brake unit. After the vehicle has been brought to a stop, a parking brake application may be made by supplying pressure, by a handpump, to the hydraulic cylinder which also includes a lock-nut actuable by the pressure, in excess of a certain pressure for locking the parking brake hydraulic cylinder in its applied position. A relief valve is provided for relieving the hydraulic cylinder of hydraulic pressure when the application is to be released.

Abstract: A fluid pressure control circuit for periodic operation of fluid pressure operable drives or motors of the type such as used for windshield-wipers as well as for fluid pressure operable pulsating drives having a double-acting operating cylinder and wiper motor, and an associated control piston.

Abstract: An electromagnetic rail brake for railway vehicles of the type comprising an excitation coil and at least one shoe element consisting of a ferromagnetic core having its pole faces turned towards the rail whereby, when the coil is excited, the shoe element is attracted onto the top surface of the rail.