Abstract: A combined dirt collector and cutout cock (CDC & COC) device for a rail car control to prevent unintentional re-pressurization of the control valve and rail car braking system. The device has an inlet configured for interconnection to an air supply, an outlet configured for interconnection to a control valve of a rail car, a valve moveable between a first position where an inlet is connected to an outlet and a second position where the inlet is isolated from the outlet, and a control valve vent positioned downstream of the valve and configured to open in response to the valve being moved into the second position. The valve may include a ball having a first passageway for selectively connecting and disconnecting the inlet from the outlet and a second passageway formed therethrough that is positioned to interconnect the outlet with the vent when the valve is in the second position.

Abstract: A combined dirt collector and cutout cock (CDC & COC) device for a rail car control to prevent unintentional re-pressurization of the control valve and rail car braking system. The device has an inlet configured for interconnection to an air supply, an outlet configured for interconnection to a control valve of a rail car, a valve moveable between a first position where an inlet is connected to an outlet and a second position where the inlet is isolated from the outlet, and a control valve vent positioned downstream of the valve and configured to open in response to the valve being moved into the second position. The valve may include a ball having a first passageway for selectively connecting and disconnecting the inlet from the outlet and a second passageway formed therethrough that is positioned to interconnect the outlet with the vent when the valve is in the second position.

Abstract: A combined dirt collector and cutout cock (CDC & COC) device for a rail car control to prevent unintentional re-pressurization of the control valve and rail car braking system. The device has an inlet configured for interconnection to an air supply, an outlet configured for interconnection to a control valve of a rail car, a valve moveable between a first position where an inlet is connected to an outlet and a second position where the inlet is isolated from the outlet, and a control valve vent positioned downstream of the valve and configured to open in response to the valve being moved into the second position. The valve may include a ball having a first passageway for selectively connecting and disconnecting the inlet from the outlet and a second passageway formed therethrough that is positioned to interconnect the outlet with the vent when the valve is in the second position.

Abstract: A brake cylinder maintaining valve feeds brake pipe (BP) pressure through a choke to replenish and maintain brake cylinder (BC) pressure up, when the pressure in the brake cylinder drops below its original set pressure. In one embodiment, the brake cylinder maintaining valve may be a differential type valve having an input diaphragm and an output diaphragm having different surface areas.

Abstract: In a rail vehicle hand brake having a release activated by a pneumatic cylinder, the present control system includes a manual valve having an output connected to a source of pressure at an input when manually activated. A volume is to be charged by the source of pressure. A choke connects the volume to exhaust. The volume and the choke prolong the time the source of pressure is connected to the pneumatic cylinder after the manual valve is activated.

Abstract: A brake cylinder maintaining valve feeds brake pipe (BP) pressure through a choke to replenish and maintain brake cylinder (BC) pressure up, when the pressure in the brake cylinder drops below its original set pressure. In one embodiment, the brake cylinder maintaining valve may be a differential type valve having an input diaphragm and an output diaphragm having different surface areas.

Abstract: In a rail vehicle hand brake having a release activated by a pneumatic cylinder, the present control system includes a manual valve having an output connected to a source of pressure at an input when manually activated. A volume is to be charged by the source of pressure. A choke connects the volume to exhaust. The volume and the choke prolong the time the source of pressure is connected to the pneumatic cylinder after the manual valve is activated.

Abstract: In a rail vehicle hand brake having a release activated by a pneumatic cylinder, the present control system includes a manual valve having an output connected to a source of pressure at an input when manually activated. A volume is to be charged by the source of pressure. A choke connects the volume to exhaust. The volume and the choke prolong the time the source of pressure is connected to the pneumatic cylinder after the manual valve is activated.

Abstract: In a rail vehicle hand brake having a release activated by a pneumatic cylinder, the present control system includes a manual valve having an output connected to a source of pressure at an input when manually activated. A volume is to be charged by the source of pressure. A choke connects the volume to exhaust. The volume and the choke prolong the time the source of pressure is connected to the pneumatic cylinder after the manual valve is activated.

Abstract: A hand brake control system for a rail vehicle hand brake having a release trigger. The system includes a cylinder for activating the release trigger of the hand brake and a source of pressure. A first valve selectively connects either the source of pressure at a first input or a second input to the cylinder at an output. A second valve selectively connects either the source of pressure or exhaust to the second input of the first valve at the output of the second valve. The first valve is a manually operated valve and the second valve is an electro-pneumatic valve. Linkage allows actuation of the first valve from at least two location about the vehicle.

Abstract: A single car test device includes a housing; a source port, on the housing, to be connected to a source of pressurized air; a brake pipe port, on the housing, to be connected to the brake pipe connector; and valves, in the housing, selectively interconnecting the ports to each other and atmosphere to perform tests. A brake cylinder sensor is to be connected to a brake cylinder tap. A sensor module on an interface device, remote from the housing, is to be mounted on the test ports on a control valve for determining pressure at the test ports. A controller is connected to the valves, the sensor module and the brake cylinder sensor and includes a program performing a plurality of component tests which form a single car test. The interface device includes reservoir charging valves controlled by the controller.

Abstract: A train including a brake pipe (14) and an electrical train line (50) extending from at least one locomotive through at least first and second cars which are adjacent to each other, the first and second cars each include a brake cylinder, reservoir and a brake valve The first car includes an electro-pneumatic brake valve which is responsive to electric signals on the train line to produce a first car pneumatic apply brake signal from the first reservoir and release brake signal for the first brake cylinder and the brake signal pipe (33) The first car also includes a first valve (31) to transmit the first brake signals to the brake signal pipe and to isolate the connection to the brake signal pipe for a breakaway at one of the cars The second car includes a pneumatic brake control valve which is responsive to the first car pneumatic brake signals on the brake signal pipe and brake pipe pressure m the brake pipe to produce a second car pneumatic apply and release brake signals for the second brake cylinder corr

Abstract: A train including a brake pipe (14) and an electrical train line (50) extending from at least one locomotive through at least first and second cars which are adjacent to each other, the first and second cars each include a brake cylinder, reservoir and a brake valve The first car includes an electro-pneumatic brake valve which is responsive to electric signals on the train line to produce a first car pneumatic apply brake signal from the first reservoir and release brake signal for the first brake cylinder and the brake signal pipe (33) The first car also includes a first valve (31) to transmit the first brake signals to the brake signal pipe and to isolate the connection to the brake signal pipe for a breakaway at one of the cars The second car includes a pneumatic brake control valve which is responsive to the first car pneumatic brake signals on the brake signal pipe and brake pipe pressure m the brake pipe to produce a second car pneumatic apply and release brake signals for the second brake cylinder corr

Abstract: A single car test device includes a housing; a source port, on the housing, to be connected to a source of pressurized air; a brake pipe port, on the housing, to be connected to the brake pipe connector; and valves, in the housing, selectively interconnecting the ports to each other and atmosphere to perform tests. A brake cylinder sensor is to be connected to a brake cylinder tap. A sensor module on an interface device, remote from the housing, is to be mounted on the test ports on a control valve for determining pressure at the test ports. A controller is connected to the valves, the sensor module and the brake cylinder sensor and includes a program performing a plurality of component tests which form a single car test. The interface device includes reservoir charging valves controlled by the controller.

Abstract: A single car test device includes a housing; a source port, on the housing, to be connected to a source of pressurized air; a brake pipe port, on the housing, to be connected to the brake pipe connector; and valves, in the housing, selectively interconnecting the ports to each other and atmosphere to perform tests. A brake cylinder sensor is to be connected to a brake cylinder tap. A sensor module on an interface device, remote from the housing, is to be mounted on the test ports on a control valve for determining pressure at the test ports. A controller is connected to the valves, the sensor module and the brake cylinder sensor and includes a program performing a plurality of component tests which form a single car test. The interface device includes reservoir charging valves controlled by the controller.

Abstract: A load sensing system for a rail car brake system, including at least two load sensing devices connected in series. The first load sensing device receives a brake signal from the brake control valve and provides a first braking signal for loads above a first value. It provides a second braking signal less than the first braking signal for loads below the first load value. The second load sensing device receives the first and second braking signals from a first load sensing device. It provides a third braking signal to the brake cylinder for loads above the second value and different from the first value and a fourth braking signal less than the third braking signal for loads below the second value. For loads above the first and second load values, the first and third braking signals are equal to the brake signal. For loads above the second value, the third braking signal is equal to the received first or second braking signal.

Abstract: A load sensing system for a rail car brake system, including at least two load sensing devices connected in series. The first load sensing device receives a brake signal from the brake control valve and provides a first braking signal for loads above a first value. It provides a second braking signal less than the first braking signal for loads below the first load value. The second load sensing device receives the first and second braking signals from a first load sensing device. It provides a third braking signal to the brake cylinder for loads above the second value and different from the first value and a fourth braking signal less than the third braking signal for loads below the second value. For loads above the first and second load values, the first and third braking signals are equal to the brake signal. For loads above the second value, the third braking signal is equal to the received first or second braking signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brake assembly for a vehicle having an air spring wherein a brake signal operates a brake cylinder of the vehicle. A proportioning valve, having its load responsive element disabled and being responsive to the brake signal, provides a proportioned brake signal to the brake cylinder. A switch, responsive to an air spring pressure signal selectively connects the brake signal to the brake cylinder. The present invention further relates to a method for retrofitting a brake system by disabling the load sensing element of a proportioning valve and inserting a switch in parallel with the proportioning valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brake assembly for a vehicle having an air spring wherein a brake signal operates a brake cylinder of the vehicle. A proportioning valve, having its load responsive element disabled and being responsive to the brake signal, provides a proportioned brake signal to the brake cylinder. A switch, responsive to an air spring pressure signal selectively connects the brake signal to the brake cylinder. The present invention further relates to a method for retrofitting a brake system by disabling the load sensing element of a proportioning valve and inserting a switch in parallel with the proportioning valve.

Abstract: A single car tester including a housing having a hanger to mount the housing to a car coupler or ladder of the car. Various configurations of valves and sensors are described to perform a single car test. The controller includes a program for uniquely performing the required tests.