Abstract: Methods and Systems implement patient management. In some cases, a patient management system may include one or more respiratory pressure therapy devices to deliver respiratory pressure therapy to patients, and generate therapy data relating to a therapy session for a patient. The patient management system may include a data server communicating with the therapy device(s). The data server may compute, from therapy data, therapy summary data for the session, the summary data may include one or more statistics summarising therapy data. The patient management system may include a therapy management server communicating with the data server. The therapy management server may apply one or more rules to the summary data, update or generate one or more workflow groups of patients, each workflow group corresponding to a rule, depending on results of the respective rule applications; and/or serve a graphical layout representing one or more workflow groups.

Abstract: Methods and Systems implement patient management. In some cases, a patient management system 200 may include one or more respiratory pressure therapy devices to deliver respiratory pressure therapy to patients, and generate therapy data relating to a therapy session for a patient. The patient management system may include a data server communicating with the therapy device(s). The data server may compute, from therapy data, therapy summary data for the session, the summary data may include one or more statistics summarising therapy data. The patient management system may include a therapy management server communicating with the data server. The therapy management server may apply one or more rules to the summary data, update or generate one or more workflow groups of patients, each workflow group corresponding to a rule, depending on results of the respective rule applications; and/or serve a graphical layout representing one or more workflow groups.

Abstract: A pneumatically piloted retainer valve for bottling brake cylinder pressure that can be set and released in response to changes in the brake pipe pressure. Pneumatically piloted retainer valve provides a brake cylinder pressure retaining function that bottles applied brake cylinder pressure in the brake cylinder when brake pipe pressure is less than a predetermined cut-in pressure. Pneumatically piloted retainer valve includes a retainer valve movable between a reset position, where brake cylinder pressure is in communication with exhaust and a bottle position, wherein brake cylinder pressure is isolated from exhaust. A retainer pilot control valve provides for piloting of the retainer valve in response to a predetermined reduction or threshold increase in brake pipe pressure.

Abstract: A brake cylinder with a cylinder body having a first flange extending radially therefrom to form a radial edge with a bevel and a non-pressure head having a second flange extending radially therefrom, wherein the second flange is spaced apart from the first flange to define a first gap and includes an angled portion that extends over the bevel of the first flange to define a second gap in communication with the first gap. The two flanges form a gap in communication with the interior of the brake cylinder that extends outwardly to a V-shaped gap between the bevel of the first flange and the angled portion of the second flange to define a brake cylinder vent. The vent may be limited to four predetermined locations spaced equidistantly about the brake cylinder or the vent may extend circumferentially about the brake cylinder.

Abstract: A pneumatically piloted retainer valve for bottling brake cylinder pressure that can be set and released in response to changes in the brake pipe pressure. Pneumatically piloted retainer valve provides a brake cylinder pressure retaining function that bottles applied brake cylinder pressure in the brake cylinder when brake pipe pressure is less than a predetermined cut-in pressure. Pneumatically piloted retainer valve includes a retainer valve movable between a reset position, where brake cylinder pressure is in communication with exhaust and a bottle position, wherein brake cylinder pressure is isolated from exhaust. A retainer pilot control valve provides for piloting of the retainer valve in response to a predetermined reduction or threshold increase in brake pipe pressure.

Abstract: A guard structure of a patient support, such as a hospital bed, is electrically unlockable. An electromechanical actuator, such as a solenoid, may be used to electrically unlock the guard structure. The guard structure may also be mechanically unlockable. The guard structure may automatically unlock during a CPR emergency. A maximum allowable height of the patient support may be adjusted based on a sensed locked state or position of the guard structure. A release for the guard structure may be positioned to be accessible to an occupant of the patient support. The release may include an access port that may be opened. The release may include a button that electrically unlocks the guard structure.

Abstract: A brake cylinder with a cylinder body having a first flange extending radially therefrom to form a radial edge with a bevel and a non-pressure head having a second flange extending radially therefrom, wherein the second flange is spaced apart from the first flange to define a first gap and includes an angled portion that extends over the bevel of the first flange to define a second gap in communication with the first gap. The two flanges form a gap in communication with the interior of the brake cylinder that extends outwardly to a V-shaped gap between the bevel of the first flange and the angled portion of the second flange to define a brake cylinder vent. The vent may be limited to four predetermined locations spaced equidistantly about the brake cylinder or the vent may extend circumferentially about the brake cylinder.

Abstract: A powered hand brake for locomotive brakes that latches a brake chain into a locked position after the brake cylinder has applied the locomotive brakes. A computer controlled brake system may be interconnected to the brake cylinder and the latch and programmed to set the latch into the latched position when the brake cylinder has moved the locomotive brake into the applied position. An actuator is coupled to the brake chain to take up slack in the brake chain as the brake chain moves between the first and second positions. The actuator can comprise a motor or a tensioning cylinder that takes up slack in the brake chain after the brakes have been applied. Alternatively, the actuator may comprise a linkage connecting the brake chain to the locomotive brake so that the slack in the brake chain is taken up as the brakes are applied.

Abstract: Methods and Systems implement patient management. In some cases, a patient management system 200 may include one or more respiratory pressure therapy devices to deliver respiratory pressure therapy to patients, and generate therapy data relating to a therapy session for a patient. The patient management system may include a data server communicating with the therapy device(s). The data server may compute, from therapy data, therapy summary data for the session, the summary data may include one or more statistics summarising therapy data. The patient management system may include a therapy management server communicating with the data server. The therapy management server may apply one or more rules to the summary data, update or generate one or more workflow groups of patients, each workflow group corresponding to a rule, depending on results of the respective rule applications; and/or serve a graphical layout representing one or more workflow groups.

Abstract: An on-board train brake safety monitoring and fault action system that compares actual train brake power with expected train brake power to provide real time reporting to the train driver of the margin between the actual brake power and a safe threshold. The system may be configured to automatically make a full service brake penalty if the actual brake system power is less than a safe brake power threshold, such as those required by government regulations, or to adjust the braking system to improve actual brake efficiency. The on-board train brake monitoring system may optionally receive data from wayside hot and cold wheel detector systems to augment the actual brake power measurements.

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 brake cylinder maintaining system produces a brake cylinder reference pressure based on the difference between the brake pipe pressure and the auxiliary reservoir pressure and then feeds that pressure to a choke and a volume so that the ratio of the reference area of the choke to the volume of stored brake cylinder reference pressure is substantively equal to the ratio of a brake cylinder charging valve area to the brake cylinder volume. The resulting reference pressure may be used to adjust brake cylinder pressure by providing the reference pressure to a standard quick service limiting valve or to a relay that can selectively charge or exhaust the brake cylinder.

Abstract: An illuminable indicator for a bed includes a body configured to be attached to the bed. The body can include a resilient portion and a light-transmitting portion. The body can be shaped to protrude from an outer perimeter of the bed. A light source can be positioned to emit light to the light-transmitting portion to illuminate the body.

Abstract: An on-board train brake safety monitoring and fault action system that compares actual train brake power with expected train brake power to provide real time reporting to the train driver of the margin between the actual brake power and a safe threshold. The system may be configured to automatically make a full service brake penalty if the actual brake system power is less than a safe brake power threshold, such as those required by government regulations, or to adjust the braking system to improve actual brake efficiency. The on-board train brake monitoring system may optionally receive data from wayside hot and cold wheel detector systems to augment the actual brake power measurements.

Abstract: A powered hand brake for locomotive brakes that latches a brake chain into a locked position after the brake cylinder has applied the locomotive brakes. A computer controlled brake system may be interconnected to the brake cylinder and the latch and programmed to set the latch into the latched position when the brake cylinder has moved the locomotive brake into the applied position. An actuator is coupled to the brake chain to take up slack in the brake chain as the brake chain moves between the first and second positions. The actuator can comprise a motor or a tensioning cylinder that takes up slack in the brake chain after the brakes have been applied. Alternatively, the actuator may comprise a linkage connecting the brake chain to the locomotive brake so that the slack in the brake chain is taken up as the brakes are applied.

Abstract: A backrest of a bed is pivotable with respect to a bed frame. A backrest actuator assembly connects the backrest to the bed frame. The backrest actuator assembly is configured to raise and lower the backrest with respect to the bed frame by way of an actuator. The backrest actuator assembly is further configured with a lockable damper to release the backrest to lower due to gravity over a damped range of motion. The backrest can be so lowered during an emergency, such as an emergency that requires administration of CPR to the bed's occupant. The lockable damper can stop the lowering of the backrest at any position along the damped range of motion. After an emergency lowering, the backrest actuator assembly can automatically reset to a normal operation state.

Abstract: A brake cylinder maintaining system produces a brake cylinder reference pressure based on the difference between the brake pipe pressure and the auxiliary reservoir pressure and then feeds that pressure to a choke and a volume so that the ratio of the reference area of the choke to the volume of stored brake cylinder reference pressure is substantively equal to the ratio of a brake cylinder charging valve area to the brake cylinder volume. The resulting reference pressure may be used to adjust brake cylinder pressure by providing the reference pressure to a standard quick service limiting valve or to a relay that can selectively charge or exhaust the brake cylinder.

Abstract: A brake cylinder maintaining valve may include spool valves or poppet valves. When the pressure in the brake cylinder drops below its original set pressure, such a maintaining valve may feed brake pipe (BP) pressure through a choke to replenish and maintain brake cylinder (BC) pressure up to a certain point. If the leak is too great, such as when it exceeds the capacity of the choke, the brake cylinder pressure will not be maintained. Such a maintaining valve may be either integrated into the control valve, or it may be mounted remotely to the brake system. If mounted remotely, it may be connected by multiple ways, including through a conventional 4-port access plate.

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 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.