Abstract: In a proportioning type control valve device in which a piston valve assemblage is actuated to service position in accordance with a differential between brake pipe and control reservoir pressures on opposite sides of an actuating piston abutment forming a part of the piston valve assemblage, there is provided on the control reservoir side of the piston abutment a bellows device that is normally held under compression by the presence of control reservoir fluid pressure so as to be normally disengaged from the piston and engageable therewith only in the absence of control reservoir pressure to serve as the reference against which reductions in brake pipe pressure are measured to establish the actuating force on the piston abutment. When disengaged from the piston abutment under the influence of the control reservoir pressure, the bellows holds a control spring housed within the bellows under compression.

Abstract: A method of locating the filament of a light bulb at the focal point of a parabolic reflector comprising the steps of placing an optical instrument into the electrical socket for the light bulb, positioning the electrical socket and optical instrument until a reticle of the optical instrument is situated at the focal point of the parabolic reflector, and replacing the optical instrument by a light bulb.

Abstract: An analog speed error signal, developed by comparing actual and desired speeds, is processed into a control voltage through a two condition circuit network. When the error signal is more than a predetermined percentage of the desired speed, the network has a unity gain and the control voltage equals the error signal. When the error signal becomes less than the predetermined percentage, the network is shifted into a hybrid form by inserting an integrator loop into the gain circuit so that the control voltage and error signal are not directly proportional. The control voltage is converted into a series of proportional width pulses which are applied to vary the generator output to control locomotive speed. The pulse width varies in part from the error signal variation but also in part from an acceleration signal to anticipate the achievement of desired speed. When the hybrid network is in use, the pulse width speed control feeds back to drive the error signal to zero.

Abstract: Continuity detector apparatus is coupled into duplicate conductors connected in parallel between each rail of a track section and an energy source or occupancy receiver of an associated track circuit to detect and register a fault in either parallel conductor and to indicate need for corrective action to restore the operational security provided by the duplicate circuit paths. In one form, each detector is a two-winding relay with one winding inserted in series in each of the duplicate circuit paths so poled that equal track current flows in opposite directions in the winding, when both conductors are unbroken to hold the relay released. Any interruption of either parallel conductor causes the relay to pick up to register the fault and transmit a corresponding indication. In a second form, a different transformer winding is connected with each conductor.

Abstract: A two-circuit brake system, operable either pneumatically or hydraulically, for motor vehicles including an operator-controlled brake valve for effecting supply of brake-operating pressure via a vehicle load-responsive device for regulating brake-operating pressure to the rear axle according to vehicle load, and a relay valve responsive to such regulated pressure for effecting supply of brake-operating pressure to the front axle according to a predetermined ratio. The relay valve includes certain pressure area members which may be replaced by others for varying the rear axle to front axle braking-pressure ratio to suit the particular vehicle on which it is used, and the operator-controlled brake valve is operable for maintaining effectiveness of at least one of the brake circuits, either front or rear, in the event of failure of the other.

Abstract: A bellows type sealing member for sealing off a piston rod opening formed at one end of an operating cylinder for accommodating reciprocal movement of a piston rod therein, in particular a diaphragm type cylinder for vehicle air-brake systems, wherein the piston rod has one end connected to a diaphragm disk and is provided at the other end with a forkhead, and the bellows can be sealingly fitted on a sleeve-like support member mounted coaxially in the piston rod opening of the diaphragm cylinder.

Abstract: A fluid pressure operated disc brake having one brake disc affixed to the housing of a brake cylinder unit and the other disc affixed to a service brake piston of the brake cylinder unit, which further includes an auxiliary brake piston between the service brake piston and cylinder head, thereby forming on opposite sides thereof a service brake actuating chamber and an auxiliary brake actuating chamber to which fluid pressure may be admitted via separate service and parking brake valve devices. A filling piece disposed between the brake cylinder housing and auxiliary piston is operatively connected with an actuating cylinder to which the parking brake valve also supplies auxiliary brake pressure to operate the filling piece following an auxiliary brake application, thereby mechanically locking-up the brake discs in the brake application condition to provide a parking brake.

Abstract: A test circuit periodically emits a test control signal as long as the vehicle speed exceeds a preselected value and there is no antiskid brake control action. The test signal causes a frequency control circuit to decrease the frequency of a sensor signal that indicates the rotating velocity of a wheel of the vehicle, thereby simulating a wheel deceleration sufficient to obtain wheel behavior signals from the antiskid brake control system. A logic sensing circuit then reacts to these wheel behavior signals to suppress production of an error signal, which otherwise occurs after a predetermined delay period to indicate a defect in the antiskid brake control system.

Abstract: Two sensor coils are positioned one adjacent each separate gage rail at the track relay end of a dual gage track section in which train detection current flows in the two gage, i.e., other than common, rails in parallel and returns through the common rail to the energy source. The signal induced in each sensor coil by this track circuit current is applied to a separate receiver broadly tuned to the track circuit frequency. The amplified receiver outputs are applied to a comparator unit which generates an output signal only when the inputs from the receivers are substantially equal as a result of equal other rail currents. The comparator output holds energized a broken rail detector relay which releases to indicate a broken rail condition in the other rails when the sensor coil signals differ by a predetermined amount. If possibility of a shunt fault between the other rails exists, the detector arrangement is supplemented by an audio frequency (AF) circuit in the loop formed by the two other rails in parallel.

Abstract: A brake cylinder device including a brake piston operable by a spring force to an application position and to a release position in response to an opposing fluid pressure force, and a fluid pressure operable locking device operable responsively to release pressure for locking the piston in the release position and for delaying such locking of the piston in the release position during normal operations to prevent untimely locking-up of the piston.

Abstract: An antiskid control system for a vehicle in which acceleration and deceleration control signals are generated by a control circuit in accordance with the rotational speed of a wheel monitored by a sensor device that produces a pulse train whose frequency varies with wheel speed. A digital counter operates for the duration of each pulse cycle of the sensor signal whereby the pulse count obtained represents a cycle duration of the sensor signal. Within the control circuit to which the sensor signal is supplied, a control unit transfers the pulse count after each cycle to a first shift register as a measure of the cycle duration. The first shift register outputs the pulse count of the measured cycle duration to a comparator to which there is also connected a pulse count of a reference cycle duration supplied by a second shift register to which the pulse count of a previous measured cycle duration has been supplied by the first shift register to form the reference cycle duration.

Abstract: This invention relates to a brake valve device having a fluid pressure operated relay valve device for varying the pressure in a train brake pipe in accordance with the degree of fluid under pressure supplied to an equalizing reservoir and the relay valve device by a control valve device wherein the control valve device is operative, in a release position of a brake valve handle, in the manner of a self-lapping valve device to establish a preselected pressure of the fluid supplied to the equalizing reservoir and the relay valve device, and, in a service and lap position of the brake valve handle, in the manner of a manually-operated brake valve device, to release fluid under pressure from the equalizing reservoir and relay valve device to atmosphere. Therefore, the time that the handle remains in the service position determines the degree of reduction of the pressure of the fluid in the equalizing reservoir and the relay valve device.

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: The invention relates to an automatic load-dependent brake power regulator for motor vehicles and trailers in which the regulator automatically assumes a condition to provide a braking force for a half-loaded vehicle in the event the regulator control linkage between the regulator and vehicle axle should break.

Abstract: A checking circuit for periodically monitoring the electronic operating reliability of a vehicle antiskid control system during periods of operation, as well as prior to operation, by injecting a periodic test pulse into the system control channel. An evaluation circuit detects the transmission of the test pulse by the control channel and output amplifier as an indication of the ability of the electronic devices to effect a subsequent energization of the system modulator valve at the time of de-energization thereof, or de-energization of the system modulator valve at the time of energization thereof. A warning device is activated in the absence of a test pulse transmission within a predetermined time duration following generation thereof.

Abstract: An inexpensive emergency valve device embodies a cycling-type continual quick service valve operative by an abutment, subject on its respective opposite sides to the pressure in a train brake pipe and in a quick action chamber, in response to a service rate of reduction of the pressure of the fluid in a train brake pipe to repeatedly vent and supply fluid under pressure from and to a quick service volume disposed on one side of a diaphragm-type valve that is operatively responsive to the venting of fluid under pressure from this volume to effect the release of fluid under pressure from the quick action chamber to atmosphere at a rate faster than a service rate to cause joint cyclic operation of the continual quick service valve and the diaphragm valve to successively supply fluid under pressure from the brake pipe to and thereafter release fluid under pressure from the quick service volume at a certain rate and from the quick action chamber at a faster rate so long as fluid under pressure is released from the

Abstract: A signal multiplier circuit in which a sinusoidal input signal corresponding to the angular velocity of a rotating member, such as a vehicle wheel, is connected directly to one input of each comparator of a positive and a negative polarity responsive network. The sinusoidal input signal is concurrently connected to the other input of each comparator via a signal modifying circuit whose output deviates from the sinusoidal input signal, consequently effecting operation of the respective comparators a predetermined number of degrees beyond the positive and negative transitions of the sinusoidal input signal. Each comparator output is thus phase displaced relative to the other and is connected via logic circuits which provide a signal whose polarity alternations are a multiple of the sinusoidal input signal generated to thereby provide a more accurate response of wheel anti-skid signal sensing circuitry at low vehicle speeds.

Abstract: Each pair of two pairs of terminals is connected by a conducting strip formed of a metallic material deposited on a fragile support block. The terminal connectors are shaped in an interwoven pattern, with an intervening space, such that the support block will not break along the space pattern. The connector strips are connected by a resistance material deposited along the space pattern and overlapping the adjoining strips. The four terminals are connected into a circuit arrangement so that the resistance material forms part of a vital resistor network which if interrupted causes that circuit arrangement to assume a safe condition. Any rupture of the resistance material and/or the support block due to thermal differences or mechanical force interrupts the continuity of one or both connector strips to create a safe failure condition.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vented ball-type angle cock for use at each end of the brake pipe on a railway vehicle in which the brake pipe hose connected to the angle cock outlet is vented to atmosphere in the cock closed position via a drilled passageway extending through the ball valve, a guide bushing carried by the ball valve, and a trunnion on one end of which is rotatably supported the bushing, the opposite end of this trunnion being supported on the bottom of the cavity in the angle cock body in which the ball valve is so disposed that in its open position a communication is established between the brake pipe and the hose that is connected to the hose at the adjacent end of the brake pipe on the next car in a train.

Abstract: A mechanical or magnetic-actuated control valve device for so controlling pressure of fluid in an air spring for interposition between a sprung portion and an unsprung portion of a vehicle as to support the sprung portion at a substantially constant preselected height relative to the unsprung portion irrespective of the load carried by the sprung portion.A supply valve and a release valve are operated by either mechanical or electro-magnetic actuators by a cam to supply fluid under pressure to or release fluid under pressure from the air spring accordingly as the cam is rocked in one direction or in an opposite direction from a neutral position.