Abstract: A pressure sensor module for use in conjunction with an electropneumatic brake, comprising a casing and a plurality of pneumatic input ports on a first face of the casing. Transducers are inside the casing and in communication with its own port. A common electrical connector is positioned on a second face of the casing, and each of the transducers is connected, interior the casing, to the common electrical connector.

Abstract: A pressure sensor module for use in conjunction with an electropneumatic brake, comprising a casing and a plurality of pneumatic input ports on a first face of the casing. Transducers are inside the casing and in communication with its own port. A common electrical connector is positioned on a second face of the casing, and each of the transducers is connected, interior the casing, to the common electrical connector.

Abstract: A choke for a brake control valve coming within the physical space limitation by forming a helical choke path. The choke includes a body having a passage and a plug in a passage. The helical path is created between and defined by the passage and the plug to form the choke. The length the passage is less an inch and the length of the plug is less than 0.25 inches. The body includes the first portion having an external thread and a stem portion. A filter is mounted on the stem portion. The first portion is mounted in a threaded opening in a first wall of the valve. The filter extends into an opening in a second wall of the valve and a cap mounted in the second opening contacts the filter and holds it secure on the stem.

Abstract: A pressure sensor module for use in conjunction with an electropneumatic brake, comprising a casing and a plurality of pneumatic input ports on a first face of the casing. Transducers are inside the casing and in communication with its own port. A common electrical connector is positioned on a second face of the casing, and each of the transducers is connected, interior the casing, to the common electrical connector.

Abstract: A car control device includes a pneumatic manifold with a plurality of fluid ports integrally formed in a housing. The configuration of the manifold and ports enables fluid communication with a brake valve, and a control valve module. The car control device also includes a functional control module in electric communication with a power management module, the control valve module, and the network. Each of the power management module, and the control valve module, the functional control module, and a battery assembly are all positioned to separately accessible within a housing.

Abstract: A train control system includes a plurality of control subsystems for installation in respective locomotives. At least one of the control subsystems is configurable as a lead control subsystem, and at least one other control subsystem is configurable as a remote control subsystem. Each control subsystem preferably comprises a radio transceiver, a first processor connected to the radio transceiver for communicating with at least one other control subsystem, an electronic brake valve connected to the first processor, and an electro-pneumatic controller connected to the first processor and the electronic brake valve, for interfacing to the air brake system of the train. The first processor preferably comprises a locomotive computer interface for performing both distributed power and electronic air brake functions in cooperation with the locomotive control computer. The distributed power functions may comprise at least one of tractive effort and dynamic braking functions.

Abstract: A pressure sensor module for use in conjunction with an electropneumatic brake, comprising a casing and a plurality of pneumatic input ports on a first face of the casing. Transducers are inside the casing and in communication with its own port. A common electrical connector is positioned on a second face of the casing, and each of the transducers is connected, interior the casing, to the common electrical connector.

Abstract: A rail brake controller with a locking device includes a handle coupled to a hub. The hub includes a notch. A pawl is provided adjacent the hub and rotates between an unlocked position out of the notch and a locked position in the notch when the handle is in a preselected angular position. This position may represent, for example, a full service application. A lock assembly is provided coupled to the pawl and controls the position of the pawl. The pawl includes an arcuate recess and the lock assembly includes a pin in the arcuate recess to limit the angular position of the pawl.

Abstract: A brake control unit having a brake cylinder valve (62), equalization reservoir valve (82), brake signal valve (89), and brake back-up valve (182).

Abstract: A vent valve made from a standard emergency brake valve portion. It includes an emergency portion body with an interface to be mated with the emergency portion interface of the pipe bracket. The body includes a casting with at least one cover and the casting including all the cast cavities and passages for an emergency portion. A vent valve selectively connects a first brake pipe port to a vent port on the body, A vent piston controls the vent valve and a discharge valve pneumatically controls the vent piston. An emergency piston is responsive to brake pipe pressure for controlling the discharge valve. The body does not include at least one of an in shot valve and an accelerated application valve.

Abstract: An electropneumatic brake controller of the present invention including a main reservoir, pneumatic brake pipe relay and first and second restrictions connected in series with the main reservoir, the brake pipe relay and brake pipe and first electropneumatic valve connected in parallel to the second restriction. The second restriction is smaller than the first restriction. The first electropneumatic valve is responsive to an electric release signal to cut out the second restriction. When the two restrictions are in series, this is the running mode whereas when the second restriction is cut out, this is the release mode. A control unit controls the electropneumatic valves to produce an overcharge cycle in response to a release brake signal. This cycle includes overcharging the brake pipe, holding the overcharged condition for a fixed period of time and bleeding to a normal release brake pipe pressure.

Abstract: A modular locomotive brake control unit having a manifold with electropneumatic modules each including electropneumatic and pneumatic elements removably mounted thereon each as a unit from the manifold. An electropneumatic equalization reservoir module controls the pressure at the equalization port. A brake pipe module controls brake pipe port pressure in response to the equalization reservoir port. An electropneumatic independent brake module controls pressure at the independent brake port as a locomotive brake signal. An electropneumatic brake signal module provides a pneumatic train brake signal. A controller controls the electropneumatic modules. Each electropneumatic unit includes an electropneumatic supply valve and an electropneumatic exhaust valve and preferably an electropneumatic valve having a first input connected to the supply and exhaust valves.

Abstract: An electropneumatic brake controller of the present invention including a main reservoir, pneumatic brake pipe relay and first and second restrictions connected in series with the main reservoir, the brake pipe relay and brake pipe and first electropneumatic valve connected in parallel to the second restriction. The second restriction is smaller than the first restriction. The first electropneumatic valve is responsive to an electric release signal to cut out the second restriction. When the two restrictions are in series, this is the running mode whereas when the second restriction is cut out, this is the release mode. A control unit controls the electropneumatic valves to produce an overcharge cycle in response to a release brake signal. This cycle includes overcharging the brake pipe, holding the overcharged condition for a fixed period of time and bleeding to a normal release brake pipe pressure.

Abstract: A modular locomotive brake control unit having a manifold with electropneumatic modules each including electropneumatic and pneumatic elements removably mounted thereon each as a unit from the manifold. An electropneumatic equalization reservoir module controls the pressure at the equalization port. A brake pipe module controls brake pipe port pressure in response to the equalization reservoir port. An electropneumatic independent brake module controls pressure at the independent brake port as a locomotive brake signal. An electropneumatic brake signal module provides a pneumatic train brake signal. A controller controls the electropneumatic modules. Each electropneumatic unit includes an electropneumatic supply valve and an electropneumatic exhaust valve and preferably an electropneumatic valve having a first input connected to the supply and exhaust valves.

Abstract: A locomotive brake control unit includes a manifold having a brake cylinder module for controlling pressure at the brake cylinder port in response to at least train braking signals and first and second ports on the control unit for receiving electropneumatic resetting and non-resetting dynamic brake interlocks respectively to control the train braking signals during dynamic braking, if an interlock module is present in one of the interlock ports.

Abstract: A manifold having a first and second plate, each having an interior face with one or more chambers and passages thereon and an exterior face with ports connected to the chambers and passages and having a center plate having first and second faces abutting the interior faces of the first and second plates respectfully and having apertures extending between the first and second faces and aligned with chambers on the interior faces. Pneumatic devices, sources of pneumatic fluid and pneumatic circuits are to be connected to the ports on the exterior faces.

Abstract: A variable capacity electropneumatic control valve using analog electropneumatic supply and release valve to control the control valve output and a relay valves to add extra capacity when the required capacity exceeds that of the analog valves.

Abstract: A computerized locomotive control system receiving as inputs electrical signals representing automatic and independent braking control signals and a computer for determining, from said input signals, electrical signals representing desired equalization reservoir pressure, desired independent application and release pressure and desired actuating pressure. Electro-pneumatic valves controls the pressure in the equalization reservoir, on the independent application and release pipe and as the actuating pipe in response to the desired pressure signals. A electro-pneumatic valve for the control reservoir of the locomotive brake is controlled by the computer in response to pipe pressures. The computer provides penalties and interlocks electrically.

Abstract: A computerized locomotive control system receiving as inputs electrical signals representing automatic and independent braking control signals and a computer for determining, from said input signals, electrical signals representing desired equalization reservoir pressure, desired independent application and release pressure and desired actuating pressure. Electro-pneumatic valves controls the pressure in the equalization reservoir, on the independent application and release pipe and as the actuating pipe in response to the desired pressure signals. A electro-pneumatic valve for the control reservoir of the locomotive brake is controlled by the computer in response to pipe pressures. The computer provides penalties and interlocks electrically.