Abstract: A pneumatic emergency brake assurance module comprises a high capacity transfer valve connected in a first position to the output of the variable load relay valve and in a second position connected to a source of emergency braking air pressure. A timing reservoir is in communication with the pilot port of the high capacity transfer valve. A check valve/choke circuit provides parallel connections between a double check valve and the output of the variable load relay valve such that flow from the variable load relay valve passes through a charging choke and opposite flow to the variable load relay valves passes through a dissipation choke.

Abstract: A pneumatic emergency brake release timer comprises a high capacity transfer valve, a timing reservoir in communication with the pilot port of the high capacity transfer valve, the check valve and choke circuit providing parallel connections between the main source of pressure and the reservoir through a check valve and opposite flow through a dissipating choke.

Abstract: A pneumatic emergency brake assurance module comprises a high capacity transfer valve connected in a first position to the output of the variable load relay valve and in a second position connected to a source of emergency braking air pressure. A timing reservoir is in communication with the pilot port of the high capacity transfer valve. A check valve/choke circuit provides parallel connections between a double check valve and the output of the variable load relay valve such that flow from the variable load relay valve passes through a charging choke and opposite flow to the variable load relay valves passes through a dissipation choke.

Abstract: A wheel slip assurance module comprises a device for disabling the wheel slip valve, a timing reservoir in communication with the disabling device, and a check valve and choke circuit providing parallel connections between the output of the wheel slip valve and the timing reservoir having a first connection path comprising a check valve and charging choke and a second connection path comprising a dissipating choke such that flow from the output of the wheel slip valve passes through the check valve and charging choke to charge the reservoir when the brake cylinders are pressurized and opposite flow passes through the dissipating choke allowing the reservoir to discharge when the brake cylinders are exhausted.

Abstract: The Smart Resolution Valve Pressure Control System allows any pressure control system using valve state pulsing to modify airflow at an optimum and consistent range of operation thereby enhancing control accuracy and increasing the useable cycle life of any valve combination used.

Abstract: The Smart Resolution Valve Pressure Control System allows any pressure control system using valve state pulsing to modify airflow at an optimum and consistent range of operation thereby enhancing control accuracy and increasing the useable cycle life of any valve combination used.

Abstract: By calculating energy used by friction brake equipment, the amount of friction brake shoe/pad wear is monitored. As amount of energy supplied reaches a percentage of the friction brake shoe/pad energy design limit, and indication for inspection is provided. If the supplied friction energy continues to increase the brake material must be replaced. The software logic limits are tunable for custom configuration by maintainace personnel. This invention measures amount of friction effort supplied with respect to time and distance in a software controller brake system and allows the software to determine when the friction brake material must be replaced on actual data and avoids costly damage from braking with worn out shoes/pads. This invention annunciates through the software when the friction material requires inspection and replacement and provides software logic to indicate remaining material thickness.

Abstract: The Smart Resolution Valve Pressure Control System allows any pressure control system using valve state pulsing to modify airflow at an optimum and consistent range of operation thereby enhancing control accuracy and increasing the useable cycle life of any valve combination used.

Abstract: The Smart Resolution Valve Pressure Control System allows any pressure control system using valve state pulsing to modify airflow at an optimum and consistent range of operation thereby enhancing control accuracy and increasing the useable cycle life of any valve combination used.

Abstract: By calculating the energy used by the friction brake equipment, the amount of friction brake shoe/pad wear can be monitored. As the amount of energy supplied reaches a percentage of the friction brake shoe/pad energy design limit, an indication for inspection is provided. If the supplied friction energy continues to increase beyond this point, the brake material must be replaced. The software logic limits are tunable for custom configuring by the transit authority and maintenance personnel. This invention measures the amount of friction effort supplied with respect to time and distance in a software controlled brake system. Furthermore, this invention allows the software to determine when the friction brake material must be replaced based on actual data, which simplifies the maintenance personnel operation procedures, maximizes brake material wear, and avoids costly damage from braking with worn out shoes/pads.

Abstract: The Smart Resolution Valve Pressure Control System allows any pressure control system using valve state pulsing to modify airflow at an optimum and consistent range of operation thereby enhancing control accuracy and increasing the useable cycle life of any valve combination used.

Abstract: A brake effort monitor for railcar braking systems includes means connected to receive a brake effort request signal and a vehicle speed signal for generating an energy requested signal. Another device is connected to receive a brake effort actual signal and a vehicle speed signal for generating an actual energy signal. There is a mechanism connected to receive the energy requested signal and add it to one of a previous energy requested signal and a predetermined value for generating an energy requested sum signal. A device is connected to receive the actual energy signal and add it to one of a previous actual energy signal and a predetermined value for generating an actual energy sum signal.

Abstract: A method in part enables a wheel slip control system that controls slip on a per axle basis to control slip on a per truck basis. The wheel slip control system issues on a per axle basis an axle reduction signal indicative of a percentage by which to reduce the braking force that would normally be applied to one wheel/axle combination on a truck of a rail vehicle. The method includes the step of converting the axle reduction signals issued on a per axle basis to a truck reduction priority signal indicative of a percentage by which to reduce the braking force on a per truck basis. For rail vehicles featuring dynamic braking equipment another step involves commanding the dynamic braking equipment to reduce the dynamic braking force being applied to the wheel/axle combinations of the truck in response to the percentage carried by the truck reduction priority signal.

Abstract: A wheel slip control system employs a method of varying the detection and correction parameters it uses based on whether the wheel/axle combinations on a truck of a rail vehicle operate in the coupled or decoupled modes of operation. The control system executes programming code featuring detection and correction logic. The steps of the method include deriving both detection parameters optimized for each mode called coupled and decoupled detection parameters and correction parameters optimized for each mode called coupled and decoupled correction parameters. Another step involves monitoring the amount of dynamic braking applied to the wheel/axle combinations. Yet another step involves determining whether the amount of dynamic braking lies for a preset time period within a preset zone of operation for the dynamic braking of the wheel/axle combinations on the truck.

Abstract: An event data recorder and method for recording data relating to a distinct event which pertains to operation of a mechanism. The recorder comprises a device for collecting data pertaining to such operation and formatting such data into a sequence of data elements. A circular buffer is linked to the collecting and formatting device for temporarily storing a number of data elements. The elements are stored on the buffer as a newest element continuously writes over an oldest element as a storage limit of the buffer is reached. The recorder also includes a timer of predetermined duration which activates upon each occurrence of such event. The recorder has a memory device for retaining the data elements. The elements can be accessed therefrom for analysis of such operation of such mechanism surrounding such event.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing relative spin speed traction control on a railway vehicle. Such apparatus includes a wheel spin detection device connected to receive a plurality of input signals; one of such input signals being an externally generated axle rate signal which represents an acceleration/deceleration rate of a particular wheel/axle set being monitored with respect to wheel slippage. This device generates a spin speed selection output signal and a respective axle's wheel spin detection signal. A wheel spin correction device connected to receive as input signals; a power/brake signal which represents when such vehicle is either in a braking mode or not, a spin speed selection output signal and the respective axle's wheel spin detection signal. This device determines the appropriate output force command signal selected from remove, hold and apply and also generates an output signal indicating a spin correction being in progress or not in progress for a respective axle.