Abstract: An oil-free compressor for a rail vehicle includes a multi-piece compressor housing, a first piston cylinder supported in a first opening in the compressor housing, a second piston cylinder supported in a second opening in the compressor housing, and a multi-piece crankshaft assembly supported by the compressor housing. The crankshaft assembly is linked to pistons of the first and second piston cylinders by respective connecting rods. The connecting rods connect to a wrist pin associated with each of the pistons, and the wrist pins are respectively supported by a dry lubricant bushing to the associated piston. The compressor housing may have at least a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first housing portion and the second housing portion may form respective halves of the compressor housing that are secured together with mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: An oil-free compressor for a rail vehicle includes a multi-piece compressor housing, a first piston cylinder supported in a first opening in the compressor housing, a second piston cylinder supported in a second opening in the compressor housing, a multi-piece crankshaft assembly supported by the compressor housing, and an optionally filtering air plenum in fluid communication with the compressor housing interior to provide a volume of air to the compressor housing interior. The crankshaft assembly is linked to pistons of the first and second piston cylinders by respective connecting rods. The connecting rods connect to a wrist pin associated with each of the pistons, and the wrist pins are respectively supported by a dry lubricant bushing to the associated piston. The compressor housing may have a first housing portion and a second housing portion forming respective halves of the compressor housing.

Abstract: The brake shoe support assembly is able to track the lateral movement of a wheel, typically a wheel on an axle truck that allows lateral wheel movement. In operation, a flange of the wheel pushes on one side of the brake shoe support assembly, pushing it along a pin, and compressing a resilient biasing structure. As the wheel returns to a center or neutral position, the compressed resilient biasing structure expands pushing the brake shoe support assembly back to an original or neutral position. The resilient biasing structure also minimizes the lateral movement of the brake shoe support assembly down the wheel taper under normal braking loads thus preventing shoe ride-off. The resilient biasing structure may be enclosed in a housing adapted to prevent the intrusion of contaminants.

Abstract: An oil-free compressor for a rail vehicle includes a multi-piece compressor housing, a first piston cylinder supported in a first opening in the compressor housing, a second piston cylinder supported in a second opening in the compressor housing, and a multi-piece crankshaft assembly supported by the compressor housing. The crankshaft assembly is linked to pistons of the first and second piston cylinders by respective connecting rods. The connecting rods connect to a wrist pin associated with each of the pistons, and the wrist pins are respectively supported by a dry lubricant bushing to the associated piston. The compressor housing may have at least a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first housing portion and the second housing portion may form respective halves of the compressor housing that are secured together with mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: A clamp and quick release mechanism for clamping and releasing a cylindrical linkage to a rod-like member comprises a locking ring located on the rod-like member and a clamping ring. The inner surface of the clamping ring and the outer surface of the locking ring are configured such that rotation of the clamping ring in one direction will compress the locking ring and rotation in the other direction will allow expansion of the locking ring.

Abstract: The brake shoe support assembly is able to track the lateral movement of a wheel, typically a wheel on an axle truck that allows lateral wheel movement. In operation, a flange of the wheel pushes on one side of the brake shoe support assembly, pushing it along a pin, and compressing a resilient biasing structure. As the wheel returns to a center or neutral position, the compressed resilient biasing structure expands pushing the brake shoe support assembly back to an original or neutral position. The resilient biasing structure also minimizes the lateral movement of the brake shoe support assembly down the wheel taper under normal braking loads thus preventing shoe ride-off. The resilient biasing structure may be enclosed in a housing adapted to prevent the intrusion of contaminants.

Abstract: A clamp and quick release mechanism for clamping and releasing a cylindrical linkage to a rod-like member comprises a locking ring located on the rod-like member and a clamping ring. The inner surface of the clamping ring and the outer surface of the locking ring are configured such that rotation of the clamping ring in one direction will compress the locking ring and rotation in the other direction will allow expansion of the locking ring.

Abstract: A brake head positioning means for railcar braking systems. The brake head positioning means is comprised of an attachment means that is engageable with a railcar hanger arm for attaching such brake head positioning means to such railcar hanger arm. An extension means that is engageable with and extends substantially perpendicular to and outwardly from such attachment means is also included. The extension means provides sliding engagement and enables a biasing force to be achieved. Also included is a variable distancing means which is disposed for sliding engagement with and is substantially perpendicular to such extension means adjacent a first end thereof, and is engageable with a brake head adjacent a second end thereof. A biasing means, disposed around and slideably engageable with such extension means for providing a bias to such variable distancing means during service is further included.

Abstract: A brake head positioning means for railcar braking systems. The brake head positioning means is comprised of an attachment means that is engageable with a railcar hanger arm for attaching such brake head positioning means to such railcar hanger arm. An extension means that is engageable with and extends substantially perpendicular to and outwardly from such attachment means is also included. The extension means provides sliding engagement and enables a biasing force to be achieved. Also included is a variable distancing means which is disposed for sliding engagement with and is substantially perpendicular to such extension means adjacent a first end thereof, and is engageable with a brake head adjacent a second end thereof. A biasing means, disposed around and slideably engageable with such extension means for providing a bias to such variable distancing means during service is further included.

Abstract: A brake disc wear indicator comprising a brake disc rotor having two opposed braking surfaces for engaging opposed brake friction pads, and at least one hole provided in the rotor at a location behind a braking surface and at a predetermined depth and distance from the braking surface such that the hole is originally invisible by the presence of brake rotor material but becomes visible when brake rotor material is worn away to the extent that the hole becomes exposed and visible.

Abstract: A brake actuator for use in railway transit and similar vehicles to adjust for wear of braking components located on such vehicles. The brake actuator includes an externally threaded or serrated rod having a longitudinal axis. Such brake actuator further includes power and slack adjusting collets disposed on the rod and located in respective housings disposed about the collets and rod. A yoke member is disposed about and in engagement with the power collet housing and a first axially translatable bearing is disposed on the yoke member. A second fixed bearing is spaced from the axially translatable bearing and a piston is disposed for movement in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod. The piston has an integral fork-shaped wedge disposed astraddle the threaded or serrated rod for movement to a location between the bearings.

Abstract: A brake disc wear indicator comprising a brake disc rotor having two radially opposed braking surfaces for engaging opposed brake friction pads, and at least one hole provided in the rotor at a location behind a braking surface and at a predetermined depth and distance from the braking surface such that the hole is originally invisible by the presence of brake rotor material but becomes visible when brake rotor material is worn away to the extent that the hole becomes exposed and visible.

Abstract: A brake actuator for use in railway transit and similar vehicles to adjust for wear of braking components located on such vehicles. The brake actuator includes an externally threaded or serrated rod having a longitudinal axis. Such brake actuator further includes power and slack adjusting collets disposed on the rod and located in respective housings disposed about the collets and rod. A yoke member is disposed about and in engagement with the power collet housing and a first axially translatable bearing is disposed on the yoke member. A second fixed bearing is spaced from the axially translatable bearing and a piston is disposed for movement in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod. The piston has an integral fork-shaped wedge disposed astraddle the threaded or serrated rod for movement to a location between the bearings.

Abstract: A brake actuator and slack adjuster subjected to axial vibration includes a slack adjusting mechanism circumferentially engaging a brake actuating mechanism. A circumferential elastomer bushing is disposed about the brake actuating mechanism for damping axial vibrations experienced by the slack adjuster. One washer has a recess sized to receive and seat one end of the bushing while a shim washer is located at the other end of the bushing and against a bearing race of the slack adjuster.

Abstract: A brake actuator for use on passenger transit railway vehicles, is disclosed. The actuator includes a housing containing a service piston and a parking brake piston. The service piston is connected to an inner hollow stem having a forward conical surface disposed to engage a conical surface of a collet provided on a threaded rod located within the stem. The parking brake piston has a hollow outer sleeve surrounding the hollow stem, while a coil spring is located about the outer sleeve for applying a braking force when fluid pressure is removed from a housing containing the parking brake piston. The spring expands against a locking ring located on a forward sleeve secured to an intermediate sleeve that engages the hollow stem. This causes forward movement of the outer sleeve and forward movement of the conical portion of the hollow stem into engagement with the conical portion of the conical surface of the collet. This, in turn, moves the threaded rod to engage brake applying components of a transit vehicle.

Abstract: A quick relief mechanism including a sleeve having an external circumferential groove and a locking ring located on the sleeve and sized to seat in the groove. The locking ring is split at one location to provide split-end portions, and a rotatable clamping device is provided with a recess for receiving the split-end portions. The recess has narrow and wide dimensions that serve to engage and disengage the split-end portions of the locking ring to effect closing of the locking ring in the circumferential groove when the clamping device is rotated to present a narrow dimension to the split-end portions, and to open the locking ring when the wide dimension of the elongated slot is presented to the split-end portions.

Abstract: A latch retaining spring with clip for securely locking a brake shoe on a brake head carrier of a disc brake assembly for railway vehicles. The wire clip includes a coiled loop portion having a first straight leg section extending from one end thereof. A reverse turned portion extending from the other end of the coiled loop portion and terminating in a second straight leg portion. The first straight leg portion is inserted into a through hole formed in one of two lugs carried by the brake head carrier and into an aligned through hole formed in a pivotal latch member. The second straight leg portion inserted into a through hole formed in another of the two lugs carried by the brake head carrier.

Abstract: A slack adjusting brake cylinder for use in a fluid brake unit of a railway transit vehicle having a brake piston slidably mounted on a support rod within a brake cylinder receiving cavity of the brake unit. A plurality of friction/load rings are slidably mounted on the support rod, a first side of which serves as an abutment stop to limit the extent of return of the brake piston along the support rod. The friction/load rings are tightly engaged on the support rod so that they are slidable only in response to fluid brake pressure forces. A spring loaded compression member is engaged with a second side of the friction/load rings, and is partially compressed between the brake piston and the friction/load rings when the brake piston is advanced outwardly on the support rod in response to activation of the brake unit, and functions to return the brake piston into engagement with the friction/load rings when the brake unit is deactivated.