Abstract: A vehicle brake system is provided that includes (or is formed from) a back plate configured to support a composite pad, at least one conditioning insert coupled to the back plate and configured to contact a surface of a wheel during a braking event and thereby to condition at least a portion of the surface of the wheel, and fins coupled with the at least one conditioning insert and configured to conduct heat generated by contact of the at least one conditioning insert with the at least the portion of the surface of the wheel away from the at least one conditioning insert.

Abstract: A friction assembly is provided that can include a body, a frame, and a wear liner. The body can include a first connection side having a cavity with one or more protrusions. The frame can be coupled with the one or more protrusions. The frame can have a first wear surface that can engage a working surface of a vehicle. The wear liner can be coupled to the first connection side of the body and the frame. The wear liner can have a second wear surface to engage the working surface. The wear liner can be coupled with the frame such that at least a portion of the wear liner is positioned between the frame and the body. The frame and the wear liner can be comprised of different materials. For example, the frame can be comprised of metal and the wear liner can be comprised of a composite material.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system includes a back plate that may support a composite pad, and at least one conditioning insert coupled to the back plate and that may contact a surface of a wheel during a braking event and thereby to condition at least a portion of the surface of the wheel. Optionally, the back plate can define a U-shaped coupler that is centrally located and has two ends that are distal from the coupler. The back plate can have a centerline extending from a first end of the ends to a second end of the ends while passing through a center of the back plate, and the at least one conditioning insert can be disposed off of the centerline so as to not be centrally disposed.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system includes a back plate that may support a composite pad, and at least one conditioning insert coupled to the back plate and that may contact a surface of a wheel during a braking event and thereby to condition at least a portion of the surface of the wheel. Optionally, the back plate can define a U-shaped coupler that is centrally located and has two ends that are distal from the coupler. The back plate can have a centerline extending from a first end of the ends to a second end of the ends while passing through a center of the back plate, and the at least one conditioning insert can be disposed off of the centerline so as to not be centrally disposed.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system is provided that includes (or is formed from) a back plate configured to support a composite pad, at least one conditioning insert coupled to the back plate and configured to contact a surface of a wheel during a braking event and thereby to condition at least a portion of the surface of the wheel, and fins coupled with the at least one conditioning insert and configured to conduct heat generated by contact of the at least one conditioning insert with the at least the portion of the surface of the wheel away from the at least one conditioning insert.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system is provided that includes (or is formed from) a back plate configured to support a composite pad, at least one conditioning insert coupled to the back plate and configured to contact a surface of a wheel during a braking event and thereby to condition at least a portion of the surface of the wheel, and fins coupled with the at least one conditioning insert and configured to conduct heat generated by contact of the at least one conditioning insert with the at least the portion of the surface of the wheel away from the at least one conditioning insert.

Abstract: A brake shoe includes a backing plate, a composition friction material forming a brake pad. The brake pad has first and second opposite ends and first and second opposite lateral sides. A wear indicator is formed in at least one of the ends. The wear indicator extends outwards from at least one of the first end surface, the second end surface, the first lateral side surface, and the second lateral side surface at a set vertical position with respect to the back surface.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system includes a back plate that may support a composite pad, and at least one conditioning insert coupled to the back plate and that may contact a surface of a wheel during a braking event and thereby to condition at least a portion of the surface of the wheel. Optionally, the back plate can define a U-shaped coupler that is centrally located and has two ends that are distal from the coupler. The back plate can have a centerline extending from a first end of the ends to a second end of the ends while passing through a center of the back plate, and the at least one conditioning insert can be disposed off of the centerline so as to not be centrally disposed.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system is provided that includes (or is formed from) a back plate configured to support a composite pad, at least one conditioning insert coupled to the back plate and configured to contact a surface of a wheel during a braking event and thereby to condition at least a portion of the surface of the wheel, and fins coupled with the at least one conditioning insert and configured to conduct heat generated by contact of the at least one conditioning insert with the at least the portion of the surface of the wheel away from the at least one conditioning insert.

Abstract: A brake shoe includes a backing plate configured to interface with a brake head of a vehicle. The backing plate includes a main body and a flange attached to the main body and configured to align the brake shoe on a wheel of the vehicle. The brake shoe also includes a composition friction material disposed on the backing plate, which defines a brake surface for engaging the wheel. The brake shoe may have one or more dimensional characteristics for facilitating alignment of the brake shoe with the wheel, e.g., a ratio of a shortest horizontal distance to a shortest vertical distance of the brake shoe may be at least 1.07 and no more than 1.25, or a ratio of a length of the main body of the brake shoe to a length of the flange may be at least 1.3 and not more than 1.7.

Abstract: A brake shoe formed of friction material for use without a metal backing plate. The brake shoe is defined by a friction surface for bearing upon a wheel tread and an opposed back surface for being placed in contact with and secured to a brake head. The brake shoe has a reinforcing mesh defining a plurality of interstices positioned along the back surface of the brake shoe embedded in a molded friction material that is reinforced with a plurality of fibers. A keyway is at least partially formed of the molded fiber reinforced friction material extending away from the back surface of the brake shoe.

Abstract: A friction wedge assembly for use in a suspension system of railroad car trucks. The friction wedge assembly comprises a cast metal wedge having a bolster engaging surface, a truck side frame engaging surface and a surface disposed between the bolster engaging surface and the truck side frame engaging surface for engaging a spring that provides the load on the friction wedge assembly. There is a metal bonding matrix disposed on the truck side frame engaging surface of the wedge and a composition liner having a first side engageable with the metal bonding matrix and a radially opposed second side for engaging a metal wear liner on a side frame of such railroad car truck.