Patents by Inventor Michael S. Plechey
Michael S. Plechey has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11731605Abstract: A pipe bracket for a brake distributor valve for a vehicle includes a pipe bracket body including a main portion mounting face to receive the main portion of the distributor valve, a main-line portion mounting face to receive the main-line portion of the distributor valve, and an attachment face configured to secure the pipe bracket to a vehicle. The main portion mounting face defines a signal port in fluid communication with the signal passageway of the main portion. The main-line portion mounting face defines a signal port in fluid communication with the signal passageway of the main-line portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Michael S. Plechey, Jeffrey B. Skweres
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Patent number: 11136015Abstract: A distributor valve for a brake control system of a vehicle is provided with an access interface that includes a plurality of access ports for measuring the operational pressures of the distributor valve. The distributor valve includes a pipe bracket and a main line and main portions mounted on the pipe bracket. The pipe bracket includes a plurality of passages for communicating the main portion and the main line portion with each other and with a brake pipe, brake cylinder, and reservoir of the brake control system. The plurality of access ports of the access interface includes ports in communication with the working chamber passage, valve chamber passage, brake pipe passage, reservoir passage, and the brake cylinder passage of the pipe bracket.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Jeffrey B. Skweres, Michael S. Plechey
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Patent number: 11027756Abstract: An ECP overlay system for a UIC-type distributor valve includes a manifold body having a pipe bracket face configured to engage a face of a pipe bracket of a brake system, a valve face configured to engage a face of a UIC-type distributor valve of a brake system, and an electric manifold face. The system further including an electric manifold assembly engaged with the electric manifold face of the manifold body, with the electric manifold assembly having a pneumatic mode where the electric manifold assembly is configured to allow pneumatic-only control of a brake cylinder of brake system and an ECP mode where the electric manifold assembly is configured to allow electronic control of a brake cylinder of a rbrake system.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Michael S. Plechey, Jeffrey B. Skweres
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Patent number: 10994756Abstract: An ECP overlay system for a Russian distributor valve includes a manifold body having a pipe bracket face configured to engage a face of a pipe bracket of a brake system, a valve face configured to engage a face of a main portion of a Russian distributor valve of a brake system, and an electric manifold face. The system further including an electric manifold assembly engaged with the electric manifold face of the manifold body, with the electric manifold assembly having a pneumatic mode where the electric manifold assembly is configured to allow pneumatic-only control of a brake cylinder of brake system and an ECP mode where the electric manifold assembly is configured to allow electronic control of a brake cylinder of a brake system.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Jeffrey B. Skweres, Michael S. Plechey
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Publication number: 20200189551Abstract: A pipe bracket for a brake distributor valve for a vehicle includes a pipe bracket body including a main portion mounting face to receive the main portion of the distributor valve, a main-line portion mounting face to receive the main-line portion of the distributor valve, and an attachment face configured to secure the pipe bracket to a vehicle. The main portion mounting face defines a signal port in fluid communication with the signal passageway of the main portion. The main-line portion mounting face defines a signal port in fluid communication with the signal passageway of the main-line portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2019Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: Michael S. Plechey, Jeffrey B. Skweres
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Patent number: 10654461Abstract: A brake distributor valve for a Russian railway vehicle includes a body defining a brake pipe passageway configured to be in fluid communication with a brake pipe, a reservoir passageway configured to be in fluid communication with a reservoir, and a reference pressure passageway configured to be in fluid communication with a reference pressure source. The brake distributor valve includes a service accelerated release valve having a valve member with a first position where the brake pipe passageway is isolated from the reservoir passageway and a second position where the brake pipe passageway is in fluid communication with the reservoir passageway. The valve member is configured to supply pressure from the reservoir passageway to the brake pipe passageway during a brake release event, where the valve member is actuated between the first and second positions based on a pressure within the reference pressure passageway.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2017Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Michael S. Plechey, Jeffrey B. Skweres, John Calderone
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Publication number: 20200122702Abstract: A distributor valve for a brake control system of a vehicle is provided with an access interface that includes a plurality of access ports for measuring the operational pressures of the distributor valve. The distributor valve includes a pipe bracket and a main line and main portions mounted on the pipe bracket. The pipe bracket includes a plurality of passages for communicating the main portion and the main line portion with each other and with a brake pipe, brake cylinder, and reservoir of the brake control system. The plurality of access ports of the access interface includes ports in communication with the working chamber passage, valve chamber passage, brake pipe passage, reservoir passage, and the brake cylinder passage of the pipe bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Jeffrey B. Skweres, Michael S. Plechey
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Patent number: 10543827Abstract: A distributor valve for a brake control system of a railway vehicle is provided with an access interface that includes a plurality of access ports for measuring the operational pressures of the distributor valve. The distributor valve includes a pipe bracket and a main line and main portions mounted on the pipe bracket. The pipe bracket includes a plurality of passages for communicating the main portion and the main line portion with each other and with a brake pipe, brake cylinder, and reservoir of the brake control system. The plurality of access ports of the access interface includes ports in communication with the working chamber passage, valve chamber passage, brake pipe passage, reservoir passage, and the brake cylinder passage of the pipe bracket.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Jeffrey B. Skweres, Michael S. Plechey
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Publication number: 20190144018Abstract: An ECP overlay system for a UIC-type distributor valve includes a manifold body having a pipe bracket face configured to engage a face of a pipe bracket of a railway brake system, a valve face configured to engage a face of a UIC-type distributor valve of a railway brake system, and an electric manifold face. The system further including an electric manifold assembly engaged with the electric manifold face of the manifold body, with the electric manifold assembly having a pneumatic mode where the electric manifold assembly is configured to allow pneumatic-only control of a brake cylinder of railway brake system and an ECP mode where the electric manifold assembly is configured to allow electronic control of a brake cylinder of a railway brake system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2018Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Michael S. Plechey, Jeffrey B. Skweres
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Publication number: 20190144019Abstract: An ECP overlay system for a Russian distributor valve includes a manifold body having a pipe bracket face configured to engage a face of a pipe bracket of a railway brake system, a valve face configured to engage a face of a main portion of a Russian distributor valve of a railway brake system, and an electric manifold face. The system further including an electric manifold assembly engaged with the electric manifold face of the manifold body, with the electric manifold assembly having a pneumatic mode where the electric manifold assembly is configured to allow pneumatic-only control of a brake cylinder of railway brake system and an ECP mode where the electric manifold assembly is configured to allow electronic control of a brake cylinder of a railway brake system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2018Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Jeffrey B. Skweres, Michael S. Plechey
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Publication number: 20190061730Abstract: An automatic single-car test device for a distributor valve of a railway vehicle includes an air supply source, an adapter having a working chamber fitting, a valve chamber fitting, a reservoir fitting, a brake cylinder fitting, and a brake pipe fitting, an operating portion in fluid communication with the air supply source and the adapter, where the operating portion is configured to measure pressure within the working chamber fitting, the valve chamber fitting, the reservoir fitting, the brake cylinder fitting, and the brake pipe fitting and generate an electrical signal representing the respective pressure with the fittings. The test device further including a processing portion having a microprocessor, an input/output device, and a power supply. The processing portion configured to manipulate pressure within the working chamber passage, the valve chamber passage, the reservoir passage, the brake cylinder passage, and the brake pipe passage of the distributor valve via the adapter.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Jeffrey B. Skweres, Michael S. Plechey, Gary M. Sich
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Publication number: 20190061731Abstract: A distributor valve for a brake control system of a railway vehicle is provided with an access interface that includes a plurality of access ports for measuring the operational pressures of the distributor valve. The distributor valve includes a pipe bracket and a main line and main portions mounted on the pipe bracket. The pipe bracket includes a plurality of passages for communicating the main portion and the main line portion with each other and with a brake pipe, brake cylinder, and reservoir of the brake control system. The plurality of access ports of the access interface includes ports in communication with the working chamber passage, valve chamber passage, brake pipe passage, reservoir passage, and the brake cylinder passage of the pipe bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Jeffrey B. Skweres, Michael S. Plechey
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Patent number: 10214195Abstract: An automatic single-car test device for a distributor valve of a railway vehicle includes an air supply source, an adapter having a working chamber fitting, a valve chamber fitting, a reservoir fitting, a brake cylinder fitting, and a brake pipe fitting, an operating portion in fluid communication with the air supply source and the adapter, where the operating portion is configured to measure pressure within the working chamber fitting, the valve chamber fitting, the reservoir fitting, the brake cylinder fitting, and the brake pipe fitting and generate an electrical signal representing the respective pressure with the fittings. The test device further including a processing portion having a microprocessor, an input/output device, and a power supply. The processing portion configured to manipulate pressure within the working chamber passage, the valve chamber passage, the reservoir passage, the brake cylinder passage, and the brake pipe passage of the distributor valve via the adapter.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2017Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies CorporationInventors: Jeffrey B. Skweres, Michael S. Plechey, Gary M. Sich
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Publication number: 20180170339Abstract: A brake distributor valve for a Russian railway vehicle includes a body defining a brake pipe passageway configured to be in fluid communication with a brake pipe, a reservoir passageway configured to be in fluid communication with a reservoir, and a reference pressure passageway configured to be in fluid communication with a reference pressure source. The brake distributor valve includes a service accelerated release valve having a valve member with a first position where the brake pipe passageway is isolated from the reservoir passageway and a second position where the brake pipe passageway is in fluid communication with the reservoir passageway. The valve member is configured to supply pressure from the reservoir passageway to the brake pipe passageway during a brake release event, where the valve member is actuated between the first and second positions based on a pressure within the reference pressure passageway.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2017Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Michael S. Plechey, Jeffrey B. Skweres, John Calderone
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Patent number: 9616872Abstract: A main piston assembly for a service valve portion of a brake control valve for a railway vehicle braking system includes a service graduating valve and a service slide valve. The graduating valve includes a first side having a porting pattern defined therein. The service slide valve includes a graduating valve seat having a porting pattern in a first side and a service slide valve face having a porting pattern in an opposing second side. The porting patterns of the first side of the graduating valve, the graduating valve seat, and the service slide valve face are configured to perform an accelerated application valve function venting brake pipe pressure to atmosphere and to direct pressure from an accelerated release reservoir to the service graduating valve to discontinue the accelerated application valve function when a slight brake pipe over-reduction condition exists.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.Inventors: Jeffrey B. Skweres, Gary M. Sich, Michael S. Plechey
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Patent number: 9555790Abstract: A main piston bushing for a service valve portion of a brake control valve includes a cylindrical sidewall defining a central passageway extending longitudinally through the main piston bushing, the central passageway being surrounded by an internal surface of the cylindrical sidewall. The central passageway is configured to receive the main piston assembly of the service valve portion. The internal surface of the cylindrical sidewall includes a first ramp and a second ramp defined therein, the first ramp and the second ramp being configured to engage a portion of the main piston assembly of the service valve portion to restrain movement of the main piston assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.Inventors: Jeffrey B. Skweres, Michael S. Plechey, Gary M. Sich
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Patent number: 9327701Abstract: A service portion of a rail control valve includes a body defining a piston passageway, an inshot valve passageway, and a service accelerated release valve passageway. An inshot valve is received by the inshot valve passageway of the body and a service accelerated release valve is received by the service accelerated release valve passageway.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2011Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.Inventors: Gary M. Sich, Jeffrey B. Skweres, Michael S. Plechey, David J. Meyer
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Publication number: 20150145323Abstract: A main piston assembly for a service valve portion of a brake control valve for a railway vehicle braking system includes a service graduating valve and a service slide valve. The graduating valve includes a first side having a porting pattern defined therein. The service slide valve includes a graduating valve seat having a porting pattern in a first side and a service slide valve face having a porting pattern in an opposing second side. The porting patterns of the first side of the graduating valve, the graduating valve seat, and the service slide valve face are configured to perform an accelerated application valve function venting brake pipe pressure to atmosphere and to direct pressure from an accelerated release reservoir to the service graduating valve to discontinue the accelerated application valve function when a slight brake pipe over-reduction condition exists.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Jeffrey B. Skweres, Gary M. Sich, Michael S. Plechey
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Publication number: 20150144825Abstract: A main piston bushing for a service valve portion of a brake control valve includes a cylindrical sidewall defining a central passageway extending longitudinally through the main piston bushing, the central passageway being surrounded by an internal surface of the cylindrical sidewall. The central passageway is configured to receive the main piston assembly of the service valve portion. The internal surface of the cylindrical sidewall includes a first ramp and a second ramp defined therein, the first ramp and the second ramp being configured to engage a portion of the main piston assembly of the service valve portion to restrain movement of the main piston assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Jeffrey B. Skweres, Michael S. Plechey, Gary M. Sich
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Publication number: 20130248031Abstract: A service portion of a rail control valve includes a body defining a piston passageway, an inshot valve passageway, and a service accelerated release valve passageway. An inshot valve is received by the inshot valve passageway of the body and a service accelerated release valve is received by the service accelerated release valve passageway.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2011Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: WABTEC HOLDING CORP.Inventors: Gary M. Sich, Jeffrey B. Skweres, Michael S. Plechey, David J. Meyer