Abstract: A brake control valve arrangement for controlling application of a braking force includes an electro-pneumatic brake control valve block including a hold valve and a vent valve (PRESSURE CONTROLLER), a main regulator valve (RELAY VALVE) and an emergency and a variable load control pressure regulator. The valve block has an inlet for a brake supply pressure, and an outlet in pneumatic connection with a brake cylinder. A pilot pressure into the main regulator valve from the variable load control pressure regulator is controlled by a remote release solenoid valve (CONTROL CHAMBER VENT MAGNET VALVE). The remote release solenoid valve adapted to vent brake cylinder pressure to atmosphere when de-energized thereby enabling release of the wheel braking force via the main regulator valve.

Abstract: An electropneumatic rail brake system configured to provide emergency braking including an emergency magnet valve which controls air flow into an emergency regulator valve, which valve has an emergency back-up chamber. The emergency regulator provides an output pressure nominally equal to the variable load pressure and no lower than the tare back-up. The magnet valve is closed when energized and when de-energized, pressure is allowed into the emergency back-up chamber, Regulation of the brake cylinder pressure continues during an emergency application such that the brake cylinder pressure applied during an emergency stop does not drop below a predetermined level. In the event of power-loss during an emergency brake stop, the nominal emergency brake pressure is applied to the brake cylinders.

Abstract: A control device and a method controlling an emergency braking pressure of a vehicle, and a vehicle having a control device of this kind, wherein a pilot control pressure (VSDI) is modulated with a pressure modulator as a function of a load condition of the vehicle, a deceleration, a speed and/or a coefficient of friction, and a safety pilot control pressure (SVSD) is controlled with an adjusting device, and wherein in normal operation, a supply pressure is controlled only by the VSDI while, in the event of a system malfunction, the supply pressure is controlled only by the SVSD, wherein it is ensured that the emergency braking pressure does not exceed a nominal pressure in the event of the system malfunction.

Abstract: A pressure equalization valve arrangement for a rail brake system includes a hold valve and a membrane vent valve each having a control chamber. The hold valve and vent valve are piloted by a respective solenoid valve. A further solenoid valve is connected to the control chamber of the vent valve to allow the pressure across the vent valve membrane to be equalized with the brake cylinder pressure to decrease the pressure difference across the membrane. This results in an improved vent time.

Abstract: A brake system has prime functions involving active control of equipment by a brake ECU, which brake ECU comprises a microcontroller and a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory is adapted to store the result of tests on the safety circuits carried out during, before or after operation of the brake system, the result of the tests being assigned one of at least two statuses, at least one of the said statuses being indicative of an unhealthy test. At start-up of the brake system self-tests are carried out on the circuits or components of the brake system for which an unhealthy status has been stored in the non-volatile memory, thereby enabling the brake system to operate prime functions without prior self-test.

Abstract: A brake control unit for a railway vehicle having first and second cores. The first core is responsible for brake control functions and the second core is responsible for communications. A switch controls communication between the second core and a communication bus on the railway vehicle to safeguard the braking function of the first core. The second core only has write access to the communication bus when enabled by the first core, which first core determines whether the system is in a defined safe state to safeguard the braking function. This reduces the testing requirements for new communications software.

Abstract: A brake control unit for a railway vehicle having first and second cores. The first core is responsible for brake control functions and the second core is responsible for communications. A switch controls communication between the second core and a communication bus on the railway vehicle to safeguard the braking function of the first core. The second core only has write access to the communication bus when enabled by the first core, which first core determines whether the system is in a defined safe state to safeguard the braking function. This reduces the testing requirements for new communications software.

Abstract: A brake system for a railway vehicle (10), wherein the axles (3, 6) of the vehicle are provided with axle speed sensors (1, 2, 4, 5) adapted to measure the speed of rotation of the respective axle. The output of the axle speed sensor being fed to a data processor (7), which is provided with local intelligence so as to permit individual control of brake pressure on each axle or, alternatively on each bogie or car. The data processor (7) communicates, in use, with a brake control unit via a databus (18), the sensor outputs being processed so that the data can be communicated between the data processor (7) and further data processors (17), which further data processors are adapted to process sensor outputs on further axles or bogies.

Abstract: A brake system for a railway vehicle (10), wherein the axles (3, 6) of the vehicle are provided with axle speed sensors (1, 2, 4, 5) adapted to measure the speed of rotation of the respective axle. The output of the axle speed sensor being fed to a data processor (7), which is provided with local intelligence so as to permit individual control of brake pressure on each axle or, alternatively on each bogie or car. The data processor (7) communicates, in use, with a brake control unit via a databus (18), the sensor outputs being processed so that the data can be communicated between the data processor (7) and further data processors (17), which further data processors are adapted to process sensor outputs on further axles or bogies.