Abstract: A slack adjuster that is protected against environmental contaminants via a series of holes positioned circumferentially around each end and covered by a sleeve having a slot is aligned with one of the series of holes while covering the remaining holes. The sleeve protects against infiltration of contaminants at the ends of the slack adjuster and allows any contaminants that do infiltrate the slack adjuster to be expelled through the aligned hole and slot. The central portion of the slack adjuster may also be protected by including a series of circumferential holes that are selectively covered by a sleeve having a drain positioned to align with the lowest holes while covering the remaining holes.

Abstract: A brake cylinder limiting valve having a first portion that determines actual brake cylinder pressure and a second portion that determines intended brake cylinder pressure based on brake pipe pressure reduction. The two portions are combined so that brake cylinder pressure will be vented if the actual brake cylinder pressure exceeds intended brake cylinder pressure by a predetermined threshold amount, which is preferably two and one-half times the brake pipe pressure reduction. An exhaust cut-off valve may be used to prevent venting of the brake cylinder pressure if it falls below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A parking brake control system positioned upstream of a rail car parking brake locking mechanism that prevents the parking brake from disengaging until the braking system recharges to a sufficient point that it can be used to maintain the train on a grade. The system includes a three way valve that reduces the brake pipe pilot pressure supplied to the parking brake unlocking system until the brake pipe pressure reaches a predetermined threshold. A release delay system may be coupled to the parking brake control system to retard the rate at which the parking brakes of rail cars positioned near the head of a train are released to ensure that the parking brakes of the entire train are released at about the same time.

Abstract: A branch pipe tee for a rail car having a length that is below standard. The branch pipe tee has a standard mount for connecting to the brake pipe and branch pipe as well as integral volume that compensates for the reduced brake pipe length of the rail car. The integral volume is dimensioned to make the effective brake pipe length of rail car fall within standard ranges so that the braking system of the rail car can perform normally and avoid the need for additional equipment to compensate for the length of the rail car.

Abstract: A brake maintenance indication system having a first portion determines the brake cylinder pressure and a second portion that is configured to determine the intended brake cylinder pressure based on the difference between the brake pipe pressure and the emergency reservoir pressure. The intended brake cylinder pressure is preferably determined to be 2.5 times of the difference between the brake pipe pressure and the emergency reservoir pressure. In the event of brake cylinder over-pressurization or under-pressurization, an indicator is flagged, thus identifying the presence of a problem with the braking system.

Abstract: An aftercooler bypass system for selectively allowing a portion of the hot compressed gases exiting an air compressor to bypass an aftercooler and intermix with the cooled compressed gases exiting the aftercooler in order to ensure that the cooled compressed gases are above a threshold temperature when the ambient air temperature is at or below freezing. The system includes a valve for controlling the amount of air diverted around the aftercooler and a mixing chamber for allowing the valved air supply to intermix with the aftercooler outlet stream. Temperature sensor may be used to measure ambient air temperature and downstream air temperature to control the opening and closing of the valve and maintain the desired mixed air temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide one or more of the following features or combinations of such features to slack adjusters: rubber boots or bellows on either end of the slack adjuster to shed water away from the slack adjuster; a center vent and wasp excluder to vent any water build up in the slack adjuster clutch area; an added seal and wear ring at the slack adjuster end cap; and increased corrosion and wear protection for the rod.

Abstract: A slack adjuster that is protected against environmental contaminants via a series of holes positioned circumferentially around each end and covered by a sleeve having a slot is aligned with one of the series of holes while covering the remaining holes. The sleeve protects against infiltration of contaminants at the ends of the slack adjuster and allows any contaminants that do infiltrate the slack adjuster to be expelled through the aligned hole and slot. The central portion of the slack adjuster may also be protected by including a series of circumferential holes that are selectively covered by a sleeve having a drain positioned to align with the lowest holes while covering the remaining holes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to brake control systems for the control of air brakes on rail vehicles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a unitized brake assembly including a pipe bracket coupled to a combined brake cylinder-empty/load reservoir and a control valve mounted on the pipe bracket.

Abstract: A rail vehicle brake system includes an electric controlled pneumatic brake valve having a controller and includes an empty-load device connecting the brake valve to a brake device. An electro-pneumatic lock-out valve is controlled by the controller and has a first position which allows the proportioning of the inlet pressure to the outlet by the empty-load device and a lock-out position which pneumatically prevents the proportioning of the inlet pressure to the outlet by the empty-load device. Also, the system may include a sensor for sensing the vehicle load; and the controller controls the brake valve in response to the sensed load taking into account the operation of the change over valve of the empty-load device. Also, an empty-load device including a load sensor is disclosed.

Abstract: A rail vehicle brake system includes an electric controlled pneumatic brake valve having a controller and includes an empty-load device connecting the brake valve to a brake device. An electro-pneumatic lock-out valve is controlled by the controller and has a first position which allows the proportioning of the inlet pressure to the outlet by the empty-load device and a lock-out position which pneumatically prevents the proportioning of the inlet pressure to the outlet by the empty-load device. Also, the system may include a sensor for sensing the vehicle load; and the controller controls the brake valve in response to the sensed load taking into account the operation of the change over valve of the empty-load device. Also, an empty-load device including a load sensor is disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to brake control systems for the control of air brakes on rail vehicles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a unitized brake assembly including a pipe bracket coupled to a combined brake cylinder-empty/load reservoir and a control valve mounted on the pipe bracket.

Abstract: A brake handle for a train or other vehicle has a grip that may be grasped by a human operator, a shaft that is fastened to the grip, a hub that is fastened to the shaft and is rotated by the shaft, a mounting block that is supported by the hub for rotating movement, and a switch. The switch has a switch operator (such as a board provided with metal traces) supported by the hub and a switch contact supported by the mounting block.

Abstract: A brake handle for a train or other vehicle has a grip that may be grasped by a human operator, a shaft that is fastened to the grip, a hub that is fastened to the shaft and is rotated by the shaft, a mounting block that is supported by the hub for rotating movement, and a switch. The switch has a switch operator (such as a board provided with metal traces) supported by the hub and a switch contact supported by the mounting block.

Abstract: A service portion of a rail pneumatic brake control valve which includes a piston responsive to pressure differential between brake pipe pressure at a brake pipe port and reservoir pressure at a reservoir port and a first valve controlled by the piston to determine pressure in a brake cylinder for a service application. A stability choke and check valve are connected in series between the brake pipe port and the reservoir port. The check valve permits flow from the brake pipe port to the reservoir port and prevents flow from the reservoir port to the brake pipe port independent of the piston.

Abstract: A modular locomotive brake control unit having a manifold with electropneumatic modules each including electropneumatic and pneumatic elements removably mounted thereon each as a unit from the manifold. An electropneumatic equalization reservoir module controls the pressure at the equalization port. A brake pipe module controls brake pipe port pressure in response to the equalization reservoir port. An electropneumatic independent brake module controls pressure at the independent brake port as a locomotive brake signal. An electropneumatic brake signal module provides a pneumatic train brake signal. A controller controls the electropneumatic modules. Each electropneumatic unit includes an electropneumatic supply valve and an electropneumatic exhaust valve and preferably an electropneumatic valve having a first input connected to the supply and exhaust valves.

Abstract: A modular locomotive brake control unit according to the present invention includes a manifold having mounted thereon at least two of a brake pipe module, a brake cylinder module, a brake signal module, equalization reservoir module, independent brake module, and an actuating module. Each of the modules includes a module controller in a network with a unit controller and an electric brake valve. The modules and brake valve controllers include an identification and software identification which is monitored by the unit controller. The module controllers also include an event log. The unit controller provides commands and software to an receives data from the module controllers.

Abstract: A modular locomotive brake control unit having a manifold with electropneumatic modules each including electropneumatic and pneumatic elements removably mounted thereon each as a unit from the manifold. An electropneumatic equalization reservoir module controls the pressure at the equalization port. A brake pipe module controls brake pipe port pressure in response to the equalization reservoir port. An electropneumatic independent brake module controls pressure at the independent brake port as a locomotive brake signal. An electropneumatic brake signal module provides a pneumatic train brake signal. A controller controls the electropneumatic modules. Each electropneumatic unit includes an electropneumatic supply valve and an electropneumatic exhaust valve and preferably an electropneumatic valve having a first input connected to the supply and exhaust valves.

Abstract: Electro-hydraulic brake control apparatus is provided for respective vehicles of a train in an electric train line brake control system having load sense circuits for generating analog signals when enabled by an emergency braking designation for limiting the extent of emergency brake applications for respective vehicles of the train in accordance with the load of the vehicle. Generating of the analog signals, when enabled, is continuously variable in accordance with the load of the vehicles; but is at other times normally inactive.