Patents Assigned to Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company Ltd.
  • Patent number: 4901008
    Abstract: There is disclosed a circuit arrangement including a load (7) and a current source (1) for supplying current to the load via a current path with a winding (3). A core of magnetizable material (2) is coupled inductively with the winding and a Hall effect transducer (4) detects magnetic flux in the core for use in producing an output indication dependant on the magnitude of the load current. For testing the correct functioning of circuit(s), the circuit arrangement is further provided with an additional winding (6) on the magnetizable core, through which a further current source supply a further current, in which the core is also inductively coupled so that the transducer also detects flux in the core due to the further current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Brake & Signal Company Ltd.
    Inventors: David A. Quastel, Nigel K. Hill
  • Patent number: 4742460
    Abstract: An automatic vehicle protection system, e.g. for a railway vehicle, in which continuous contact is maintained with a train via transmissions carried by the normal track circuit signals. Information relayed to the train through these transmissions may concern speed limits, forward section occupancy and so on which can replace normal track side visual signalling systems as a means of controlling trains. It is, therefore of utmost importance to ensure that a train receives the correct transmission, which it is intended to receive, and not those meant for other trains. By arranging for track circuit signal freqencies in predetermined sequences and providing the train with means for determining whether or not the sequence of frequencies it encounters as it traverses a line the safety of the train, and the integrity of the system may be continuously proved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Roger D. Hollands
  • Patent number: 4644180
    Abstract: Electrical circuit configurations are described for the operation of an electrically powered actuator in an emergency to drive the actuator to a predetermined position. In particular the actuator is connected to apply friction brakes of a railway vehicle. The configurations have in common are emergency power circuit connected between an emergency power source and the actuator, means for breaking the power circuit when the actuator reaches the emergency position and latching means to prevent run-back. Preferably and in order to minimize size and weight the emergency power source is of limited capacity, sufficient for, say, two such emergency applications and is recharged from a normal power supply; the recharging circuit being interlocked with the latching means such that the actuator may not be released from the emergency position unless the power source has sufficient charge for at least one further emergency operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: David J. Wickham
  • Patent number: 4452343
    Abstract: A road brake automatic slack adjuster mechanism having input and output members each pivotable about a common axis to apply and release a brake-applying force. These two members are interconnected by a force-transmitting member which, on the one hand, is threadedly engaged with the output member and, on the other hand, is releasably clutched to the input member. To effect slack adjustment, the mechanism includes brake-clearance determining device settable to predetermine the required brake clearance. This brake-clearance determining device includes a stepless clutch which interconnects the brake-clearance determining device and the output member. The clutch is released upon pivotal movement of the output member in a brake-force applying direction, equating with the required brake-clearance to allow the clutch to slip during movement of the output member corresponding to excessive clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Geoffrey R. Tregoning
  • Patent number: 4050745
    Abstract: A fluid operable brake control valve apparatus is provided which includes a brake cylinder valve for controlling the supply of fluid pressure into and out of a brake cylinder. The valve is operable by a main pressure responsive member moveable in response to changes in pressure when applied to a brake pipe. A quick service valve is operable in response to such a change tending to cause a brake application for connecting a quick service volume to the brake pipe to enhance the change at commencement of an application. An accelerated release valve device is operable in response to release of fluid pressure from the quick service volume to connect a charged accelerated release reservoir to the brake pipe to assist a change of pressure in the brake pipe causing such a release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Assignee: Westinghouse Brake & Signal Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: David John Wickham