Abstract: The present invention provides an adapter member for attaching a pressure transducer to a housing member which has a fluid pressure communication passageway. The pressure transducer has a threaded fitting having a fluid pressure communication passageway for connection to a fluid communication line, such as an air hose. The pressure transducer has a mounting arrangement for attachment to a surface, such as a panel. The adapter member has a first body portion having a threaded fitting for mating with the threaded fitting of the pressure transducer and the adapter member has a fluid pressure communication passageway. A portion of the adapter member has an axisymmetric external surface portion for sealing against an inner surface of the fluid pressure communication passageway in the housing member.

Abstract: A dual valve fitting enables pressure within a housing to be quickly measured. The fitting includes first and second valve bodies. The first body defines a passage between its threaded and protuberant ends. In the passage, a first valve atop a valve stem features a poppet head that is seatable against an outer valve seat. A first biasing mechanism compels the poppet head against the outer valve seat so that the first valve is normally closed. The second body defines a bore between its upper and lower threaded ends which communicates with the passage. The upper threaded end connects with the threaded end of the first body whereas the lower threaded end is designed to screw into a threaded bore of the housing. In the bore, a second valve features a retainer whose top defines a recess that retains a seal element that is seatable against an inner valve seat.

Abstract: A dual valve fitting enables quick measurement of pressure contained within a housing. The fitting includes a valve body, a valve retainer, first and second sealing rings and a biasing mechanism. The valve body defines a flow passage within which is situated the valve retainer. The valve body is designed at its protuberant end to mate with a female coupler of a quick connect device and at its threaded end to screw into a threaded bore of the housing. The valve retainer defines around itself first and second annular recesses each of which spaced apart from the other to match the spacing of outer and inner annular valve seats formed in the flow passage. Forming a first valve, the first sealing ring retains in the first annular recess so as to be seatable against the outer valve seat. Forming a second valve, the second sealing ring retains in the second annular recess so as to be seatable against the inner valve seat.

Abstract: A dual valve fitting enables pressure within a housing to be quickly measured. The fitting defines a passage between its threaded and protuberant ends. The threaded end screws into the housing. In an upper section of the passage, a first valve atop a valve stem features a poppet head that is seatable against an outer valve seat. A first biasing mechanism compels the head against the outer seat to keep the first valve normally closed. In a lower section of the passage, a second valve features a seat piece and a valve retainer. On its periphery, the seat piece carries an o-ring which sealingly secures the piece within the passage. The piece defines an inner bore between its ends and has an inner valve seat on its bottom. The top of the retainer is extendable through this inner bore to a point a dead space apart from a bottom of the stem. Around its bottom, the retainer carries an annular check valve.

Abstract: A dual valve fitting enables pressure within a housing to be quickly measured. The fitting includes a single valve body that defines a passage between its threaded and protuberant ends. The threaded end is designed to screw into a threaded bore of the housing. In an upper section of the passage, a first valve features a poppet head atop a valve stem. The poppet head is seatable against an outer annular valve seat formed in the protuberant end of the passage. A first biasing mechanism compels the poppet head against the outer valve seat so that the first valve is normally closed. In a lower section of the passage, a second valve features a retainer whose top defines a recess that retains a check seal element used for seating against an inner annular valve seat formed in the passage. A second biasing mechanism acts upon the retainer so that the check seal element seats against the inner valve seat thereby rendering the second valve normally closed.

Abstract: Choke for connection to a fluid flow passage for controlling fluid flow through the passage in a predetermined direction. The choke has structure for attachment to the fluid passage. It also has an internal fluid flow passage, which has at least one constriction. One or more mesh filters are located in the internal fluid flow passage of the choke, upstream of the constriction, to remove debris from the fluid which would otherwise interfere with fluid flow through the orifice.

Abstract: A brake system is provided for a multi-platform railroad car in which a single microprocessor is employed to control the car brakes. In one embodiment, a single electro-pneumatic control unit provides a common brake pressure to the brakes of each truck in accordance with the truck design net brake ratio and load weight of whichever truck requires the lowest brake pressure. In a second embodiment of the invention, the brakes on separate truck sets are provided with different common brake pressures by employing separate electro-pneumatic control units for each truck set under control of the microprocessor. In such an arrangement, the different common brake pressure on one truck set can be increased to make-up at least a portion of a brake deficit on another truck set due to light car loads associated with the other truck set in order to meet or at least closely approach the commanded net braking ratio for the entire multi-platform car.

Abstract: A regulating valve device is provided for utilization with an end-of-train unit in order to reduce a train brake pipe pressure from the rear end in accordance with a pressure reduction initiated at the locomotive on the front end. A stepping motor under control of a microprocessor controls the compression of a spring to establish a target pressure corresponding to a pressure command signal transmitted from the locomotive to the end-of-train unit. The service exhaust valve device regulates the brake pipe pressure to the target pressure corresponding to the spring compression set by the stepping motor and includes an arrangement for overriding the motor control in the event of a fault condition that prevents the motor from resetting the spring to its initial compression when it is desired to recharge the brake pipe to release a brake application.

Abstract: A pipe bracket for use in a freight brake control valve on a railway freight vehicle is provided. Four access ports are preferably provided on a first side of the pipe bracket. The freight car piping, including a brake pipe, brake cylinder line, emergency reservoir line and an auxiliary reservoir line are connected to a second side of the pipe bracket. The freight brake control valve further includes an service portion coupled with a third side of the pipe bracket and an emergency portion coupled with a fourth side of the pipe bracket. A plurality of passageways are included within the pipe bracket for providing fluid communication from the freight car piping to the service portion and the emergency portion. The access ports are preferably connected to each of the passageways within the pipe bracket to permit testing of the fluid pressures within the passageways.

Abstract: A microprocessor based brake control system for a railroad car, wherein the car brake cylinder pressure is regulated in accordance with the specific design net braking ratio of the car and the actual car load weight in order to achieve consistent levels of retardation on the cars throughout the length of a train irrespective of such variables as design net braking ratio that otherwise influence car retardation. The actual level of retardation is increased on partially loaded or empty cars so that those cars share in the braking of a train. This is especially useful during grade braking.

Abstract: A pipe bracket portion of a freight brake control valve having an improved filter arrangement. The pipe bracket portion has a first side with a service portion and an emergency portion mounted thereto. The pipe bracket portion has a second side with a brake pipe, a brake cylinder, a emergency reservoir and an auxiliary reservoir thereto. The pipe bracket portion is provided with a cavity designed for containing a generally cylindrical filter therein. A retaining nut secures the filter in the cavity and provides a seal between the outer circumference of one end of the cylindrical filter and the pipe bracket portion. A first cavity portion and a second cavity portion are thus formed within the cavity in which the first cavity portion houses the cylindrical filter, and the second cavity portion has at least one radial port for delivering air.

Abstract: A test connector for connecting an air brake test device to access ports provided on an air brake control valve device where such access ports are normally closed by check valves is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of stem operators project into the access ports without opening the check valves therein when the test connector is installed in position on the control valve device. A handle is provided to effect rotation of an eccentric shaft on which the stem operators are connected to unseat the check valves and thereby access air at the respective access ports when it is desired to initiate testing following installation of the test connector. In an alternate embodiment, a plurality of test probes pivotally mounted on the test connector body enter the access ports and unseat the check valves in the course of installing the test connector in position on the control valve. In both embodiments, the stem operators/test probes are self-aligning to facilitate installation of the test connector.

Abstract: A pipe bracket for use in a freight brake control valve on a railway freight vehicle. A service portion and an emergency portion are mounted to a first pipe bracket side directed opposite to the first pipe bracket side. Piping to a brake pipe, a brake cylinder, an emergency reservoir and an auxiliary reservoir are connected to a second side of the pipe bracket. A plurality of passageways are provided through the pipe bracket portion for providing fluid communication from the brake pipe, the brake cylinder, the emergency reservoir, and the auxiliary reservoir to the service portion and the emergency portion. One or more and preferably four access ports connect to one or more and preferably each of the passageways. Preferably, the access ports are provided on the first side of the pipe bracket portion. A housing having one or more channels, each corresponding to an access port is engaged to the pipe bracket portion so that fluid pressure at the access ports can be transmitted to the housing.

Abstract: An access plate mounted between the pipe bracket portion and either the service portion or the emergency portion of a railway freight brake control valve. Passageways are provided through the access plate, each passageway terminating in a respective access port along an end of the access plate. Openings extend through opposed sides of the access plate, intersecting respective access plate passageways. The openings on each side are sized and positioned to sealingly align with openings of the pipe bracket portion and either the emergency portion or the service portion. The openings on the pipe bracket portion, emergency portion and service portion connect to passageways communicating to the brake pipe, the brake cylinder retaining valve, the brake cylinder, the emergency reservoir and the auxiliary reservoir. A housing may be attached to the pipe bracket portion to connect to the access ports, such housing preferably having a valve means for preventing the escape of fluid pressure therefrom.

Abstract: A constant tensioning device in the form of an elastic member interposed in the handbrake chain between a railway car handwheel and a handbrake lever of the railway car brake apparatus for maintaining tension in the handbrake chain in accordance with the applied handbrake force, irrespective of such shifting of the railway car relative to its truck, as would otherwise cause slack to develop in the handbrake chain and thereby cause an undesired loss of handbrake force.

Abstract: A conversion kit for modifying a single car test device regulator valve, such as to provide an adjustable maximum test operating pressure in one position of the regulator valve handle, and a reduced operating test pressure in another handle position of the regulator valve that is less than the maximum test operating pressure by a predetermined amount, in order to satisfy the requirements of a new test procedure mandated by the Association of American Railroads for more accurately utilizing the results of a leakage test as an indication of the operating condition of the car control valve during the single car test.