Abstract: A brake control system includes one or more processors communicatively connected to at least one sensor configured to output at least one property measurement of air in a brake pipe of a vehicle braking assembly. The one or more processors are configured to determine, based on the at least one property measurement, a pressure reduction lower limit (PRLL) in the brake pipe. The one or more processors are further configured to control movement of a vehicle system that includes the brake pipe to enforce the PRLL by preventing a pressure reduction in the brake pipe that is less than the PRLL while one or more air reservoirs of the vehicle braking assembly are at a reduced charge state.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring air pressure applied to a brake cylinder of a braking assembly of a railway vehicle, including an empty-load device, and an RFID transducer in communication with the empty-load device, wherein the RFID transducer is configured to measure the air pressure delivered to the brake cylinder of the braking assembly, and generate data on the air pressure delivered to the brake cylinder of the braking assembly; and a remote data monitor configured to read data from the RFID transducer.

Abstract: A brake cylinder maintaining system includes a main valve comprising a first diaphragm, a second diaphragm, and a valve member, with the first diaphragm having a reference pressure on one side of the first diaphragm and a brake cylinder pressure on an opposite side of the first diaphragm. The second diaphragm having a brake cylinder pressure on one side of the second diaphragm with the first diaphragm configured to move between a first position and a second position based on a differential between the reference pressure and the brake cylinder pressure. The valve member is configured to place a brake cylinder in fluid communication with a brake pipe when the first and second diaphragm are each in the second position and configured to isolate a brake cylinder from a brake pipe when the first diaphragm or the second diaphragm are in the first position.

Abstract: A parking brake control module using pneumatic logic to control a parking brake on a vehicle. The control module includes a brake pipe passageway, a reservoir passageway, a reservoir release valve; and an actuation cylinder vent valve. The control module applies or releases the parking brake based on pressures of the brake pipe and reservoir. A method uses pneumatic logic to control a parking brake on a vehicle. The parking brake is applied when the brake pipe pressure falls below a lower brake pipe pressure threshold and is released when the brake pipe pressure exceeds an upper brake pipe pressure threshold and the reservoir pressure exceeds a reservoir pressure threshold. A hold valve can allow an operator to manually prevent the release of the parking brake.

Abstract: A quick service limiting valve includes a housing defining an interior chamber, a brake pipe passageway, and a brake cylinder passageway, a valve member received within the interior chamber of the housing, with the valve member including a body, a first seal, a second seal, and a valve spring. The body of the valve member defines a valve passageway, with the valve member having a first position where the valve passageway allows fluid communication between the brake pipe passageway and the brake cylinder passageway and a second position where the brake pipe passageway is isolated from the brake cylinder passageway. The valve further includes a follower assembly received within the interior chamber of the housing, with the follower assembly including a body, a first check valve, a second check valve, a diaphragm, and a follower spring.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring air pressure applied to a brake cylinder of a braking assembly of a railway vehicle, including an empty-load device, and an RFID transducer in communication with the empty-load device, wherein the RFID transducer is configured to measure the air pressure delivered to the brake cylinder of the braking assembly, and generate data on the air pressure delivered to the brake cylinder of the braking assembly; and a remote data monitor configured to read data from the RFID transducer.

Abstract: A system for maintaining brake cylinder pressure includes a brake cylinder passage configured to be in fluid communication with a brake cylinder, a brake pipe passage configured to be in fluid communication with a brake pipe and a brake cylinder, a first valve member moveable between a first position and a second position, and a second valve member in fluid communication with a reference pressure. The second valve member is configured to move the first valve member from the first position to the second position based on a differential between a pressure within the brake cylinder passage and the reference pressure, where the brake pipe passage is configured to only supply air from a brake pipe to a brake cylinder when the first valve member is in the second position.

Abstract: A quick service limiting valve includes a housing defining an interior chamber, a brake pipe passageway, and a brake cylinder passageway, a valve member received within the interior chamber of the housing, with the valve member including a body, a first seal, a second seal, and a valve spring. The body of the valve member defines a valve passageway, with the valve member having a first position where the valve passageway allows fluid communication between the brake pipe passageway and the brake cylinder passageway and a second position where the brake pipe passageway is isolated from the brake cylinder passageway. The valve further includes a follower assembly received within the interior chamber of the housing, with the follower assembly including a body, a first check valve, a second check valve, a diaphragm, and a follower spring.

Abstract: A parking brake control module using pneumatic logic to control a parking brake on a railway vehicle. The control module includes a brake pipe passageway, a reservoir passageway, a reservoir release valve, and an actuation cylinder vent valve. The control module applies or releases the parking brake based on pressures of the brake pipe and reservoir. A method uses pneumatic logic to control a parking brake on a railway car. The parking brake is applied when the brake pipe pressure falls below a lower brake pipe pressure threshold and is released when the brake pipe pressure exceeds an upper brake pipe pressure threshold and the reservoir pressure exceeds a reservoir pressure threshold. A hold valve can allow an operator to manually prevent the release of the parking brake.

Abstract: A brake cylinder maintaining system includes a main valve comprising a first diaphragm, a second diaphragm, and a valve member, with the first diaphragm having a reference pressure on one side of the first diaphragm and a brake cylinder pressure on an opposite side of the first diaphragm. The second diaphragm having a brake cylinder pressure on one side of the second diaphragm with the first diaphragm configured to move between a first position and a second position based on a differential between the reference pressure and the brake cylinder pressure. The valve member is configured to place a brake cylinder in fluid communication with a brake pipe when the first and second diaphragm are each in the second position and configured to isolate a brake cylinder from a brake pipe when the first diaphragm or the second diaphragm are in the first position.

Abstract: An automatic retainer valve includes a body defining a piston passageway and at least one piston positioned within the piston passageway, a brake pipe and reference volume in fluid communication with a first end of the valve, a brake cylinder in fluid communication with a second end of the valve, and an exhaust port defined in the body and positioned between the first and second ends of the valve. Pressurized fluid may be vented from the brake cylinder via the exhaust port upon a brake cylinder pressure exceeding a reference volume pressure. The brake cylinder pressure may push the at least one piston towards the first end of the valve until the brake cylinder pressure equalizes with the reference volume pressure.

Abstract: An automatic retainer valve includes a body defining a piston passageway and at least one piston positioned within the piston passageway, a brake pipe and reference volume in fluid communication with a first end of the valve, a brake cylinder in fluid communication with a second end of the valve, and an exhaust port defined in the body and positioned between the first and second ends of the valve. Pressurized fluid may be vented from the brake cylinder via the exhaust port upon a brake cylinder pressure exceeding a reference volume pressure. The brake cylinder pressure may push the at least one piston towards the first end of the valve until the brake cylinder pressure equalizes with the reference volume pressure.

Abstract: A hot wheel protection valve includes a body defining a piston passageway and at least one piston positioned within the piston passageway, a first biasing member positioned on a first end of the at least one piston and biased towards a second end of the at least one piston, a brake pipe in fluid communication with the second end of the at least one piston, a brake cylinder in fluid communication with the second end of the at least one piston, and an exhaust port defined in the body and positioned between first and second ends of the valve. Pressurized fluid may be vented from the brake cylinder via the exhaust port upon a combination of brake cylinder pressure and brake pipe pressure exceeding a force exerted by the first biasing member.

Abstract: A hot wheel protection valve arrangement including a hot wheel protection valve, the hot wheel protection valve including a body defining a passageway, a piston slidably positioned within the passageway, a bushing positioned on the piston and within the passageway, a first diaphragm provided on a first end of the piston, the first diaphragm defining a first chamber in the passageway, a second diaphragm provided on a second end of the piston, the second diaphragm defining a second chamber in the passageway, a third chamber being defined between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm, and an exhaust port defined in the body and in fluid communication with the third chamber, a brake cylinder line that establishes fluid communication between a brake cylinder, the first chamber, and the third chamber; and an emergency reservoir line that establishes fluid communication between an emergency reservoir and the second chamber.

Abstract: A hot wheel protection valve arrangement including a hot wheel protection valve, the hot wheel protection valve including a body defining a passageway, a piston slidably positioned within the passageway, a bushing positioned on the piston and within the passageway, a first diaphragm provided on a first end of the piston, the first diaphragm defining a first chamber in the passageway, a second diaphragm provided on a second end of the piston, the second diaphragm defining a second chamber in the passageway, a third chamber being defined between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm, and an exhaust port defined in the body and in fluid communication with the third chamber, a brake cylinder line that establishes fluid communication between a brake cylinder, the first chamber, and the third chamber; and an emergency reservoir line that establishes fluid communication between an emergency reservoir and the second chamber.

Abstract: A transition plate connects an electronic manifold to a pipe mounting bracket of a railway brake system and includes a body having a manifold portion that defines a face configured to engage the manifold and a pipe bracket portion that defines a face configured to engage the pipe mounting bracket; ports defined in the manifold face that are configured to align and communicate with ports in the face of the manifold; ports defined in the pipe bracket face that are configured to align and communicate with ports in the face of the pipe mounting bracket; and a plurality of air passages extending through the body for connecting the plurality of ports defined in the manifold face with the plurality of ports defined in the pipe bracket face. The transition plate establishes a pneumatic interface between the electronic manifold and the pipe mounting bracket.

Abstract: A hot wheel protection valve includes a body defining a piston passageway and at least one piston positioned within the piston passageway, a first biasing member positioned on a first end of the at least one piston and biased towards a second end of the at least one piston, a brake pipe in fluid communication with the second end of the at least one piston, a brake cylinder in fluid communication with the second end of the at least one piston, and an exhaust port defined in the body and positioned between first and second ends of the valve. Pressurized fluid may be vented from the brake cylinder via the exhaust port upon a combination of brake cylinder pressure and brake pipe pressure exceeding a force exerted by the first biasing member.

Abstract: A system for maintaining brake cylinder pressure includes a brake cylinder passage configured to be in fluid communication with a brake cylinder, a brake pipe passage configured to be in fluid communication with a brake pipe and a brake cylinder, a first valve member moveable between a first position and a second position, and a second valve member in fluid communication with a reference pressure. The second valve member is configured to move the first valve member from the first position to the second position based on a differential between a pressure within the brake cylinder passage and the reference pressure, where the brake pipe passage is configured to only supply air from a brake pipe to a brake cylinder when the first valve member is in the second position.

Abstract: A system for maintaining brake cylinder pressure comprises a maintaining valve, a brake pipe, an emergency reservoir, and a brake cylinder configured to be in fluid communication with the brake pipe and the emergency reservoir. The brake pipe is configured to sustain a predetermined pressure within the brake cylinder during a brake application based on a differential between a pressure of the emergency reservoir and a pressure of the brake pipe.

Abstract: A transition plate connects an electronic manifold to a pipe mounting bracket of a railway brake system and includes a body having a manifold portion that defines a face configured to engage the manifold and a pipe bracket portion that defines a face configured to engage the pipe mounting bracket; ports defined in the manifold face that are configured to align and communicate with ports in the face of the manifold; ports defined in the pipe bracket face that are configured to align and communicate with ports in the face of the pipe mounting bracket; and a plurality of air passages extending through the body for connecting the plurality of ports defined in the manifold face with the plurality of ports defined in the pipe bracket face. The transition plate establishes a pneumatic interface between the electronic manifold and the pipe mounting bracket.