Abstract: An arrangement for enhancing a bail-off function a railway vehicle comprising, a non-recoverable bail-off circuit for supplying an output signal to a brake cylinder calculation circuit when a bail-off condition a freight operating mode, a drop in brake pipe pressure is present, and an emergency brake state is absent, a recoverable bail-off circuit for supplying an output signal to the brake cylinder calculation circuit when a bail-off condition and an emergency brake state is present, the brake cylinder calculation circuit supplying an automatic brake cylinder demand signal on one input of a relay valve emulation circuit and receiving an independent brake cylinder demand signal on another input of, the relay valve emulation circuit which supplies output signal to a feedback control circuit producing output signals which are supplied to an application valve and a release valve for controlling the level of air pressure in an air brake cylinder, and a transducer for sensing and feeding back a signal correspondin

Abstract: A microprocessor based electro-pneumatic locomotive brake control system in which a brake application is obtained automatically on the locomotive consist and train only in response to a loss of power at the lead or controlling locomotive microprocessor, and not in response to a loss of power at a trail or non-controlling locomotive microprocessor. The brake control system provides for releasing such a fail-safe brake application at the locomotive independently of the train brakes.

Abstract: An electropneumatic locomotive brake system including an emulation routine for electronically simulating the functional operations of a relay air valve and for producing electrical output signals, an application electromagnetic and a release electromagnet receiving the electrical output signals and pneumatically controlling a J-relay air valve, a source of compressed air connected to the J-relay air valve and the application electromagnet and an air brake cylinder connected to the J-relay air valve for establishing the level of compressed air in the air brake cylinder in accordance with an automatic brake request and an independent brake request received from a brake command controller located in the cab of the locomotive.

Abstract: A relay valve is operatively disposed between a pressurized air source and a work chamber of a brake booster. The relay valve has a pilot chamber so that the relay valve can feed the work chamber with a pressurized air, the pressure of which corresponding to that of a pressure applied to the pilot chamber. Electromagnetic valves are arranged to selectively connect the pilot chamber with the pressurized air source and the atmosphere. The valves are so controlled by an electronic control unit that the pilot chamber is supplied with pressurized air the pressure of which being determined in accordance with a brake pedal force applied from a brake pedal to an input means of the booster.

Abstract: A manually/electrically operated brake system for applying a brake to a wheel of a vehicle, including a master cylinder operated by a brake operating member, to generate a manually controlled braking pressure according to an operation of the brake operating member, a wheel brake cylinder for applying a brake to the wheel, a primary fluid passage for connecting the master cylinder to the wheel brake cylinder, an electrically controlled pressure generating device for generating an electrically controlled braking pressure to produce a required braking effect determined based on at least one of an operating force and an operating stroke of the brake operating member, and a switching device provided in the primary fluid passage, for applying the electrically controlled braking pressure to the wheel brake cylinder while disconnecting the master cylinder from the wheel brake cylinder when the electrically controlled pressure generating device is normally functioning, and for applying the manually controlled braking

Abstract: A railway car braking system employing a pneumatic brake to supplement the primary electric brake is provided with a feedback signal corresponding to the effectiveness of the electric brake. This feedback signal is compared with the brake command signal to derive a deficiency signal, in accordance with which the pneumatic brake is applied. A detector senses a change in the deficiency signal in decreasing sense for applying a correction factor to the deficiency signal, thereby compensating for hysteresis typically associated with the various valves in the pneumatic brake system, in order to obtain consistent pneumatic braking for a given deficiency signal during both an increase and a decrease of the pneumtic braking level.

Abstract: An improved friction brake system for a transit vehicle is disclosed. The conventional friction brake system for a transit vehicle utilizes an integral service brake and emergency-parking brake actuator. The service brake portion is air powered while the emergency-parking brake portion is spring powered. It has been conventional to apply full service air brake and emergency spring brake during emergency stops. An accelerometer switch is typically connected in circuit with the service brake portion to prevent the service brake from turning on if their is sufficient deceleration. The accelerometer switch often does not react quickly enough to prevent the onset of the service brakes. The present invention utilizes a time delay switch to delay the onset of service brakes until after the spring-activated emergency brakes react.

Abstract: A read-convert device for use on an electric brake command car of a railway train having pneumatic brake command cars. A control wire provides the electric emergency brake control on the electric brake command cars, while a brake pipe provides the pneumatic emergency brake control on the pneumatic brake command cars. A cut-off portion of the read-convert device connects a regulated source of pneumatic pressure to the brake pipe when an electric emergency release signal is provided by the control wire, provided a switch valve in the cut-off portion is set for electric brake command operation. Accordingly, an electrically-initiated, emergency brake application on the pneumatic brake command cars can be released through the control wire on the electric brake command cars.

Abstract: A braking apparatus and method are taught that allows the vehicle having the apparatus to resume operation when the magnitude of an electrical signal to an electro-fluidic portion of the apparatus is less than a minimum predetermined value. The system uses electro-fluidic braking equipment to supply pressurized fluid in response to an electrical signal and fluid pressure controlled braking equipment to supply pressurized fluid in response to pressure differentials. An automatic selector value (ASV) normally receives pressurized fluid from the electro-fluidic equipment. When a minimum predetermined value electrical signal is not present, however, the ASV receives pressurized fluid from the fluid pressure controlled braking equipment. The system incorporates a release device to isolate the electro-fluidic braking equipment from the ASV when the electrical signal is less than the minimum predetermined value. Thereafter, the equipment may resume operation.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for preventing runaway lowering of a hook block in an oil drilling rig characterized by monitoring the instantaneous values of hook load and speed and using these values together with parameters associated with the rig drawworks to calculate an energy value which must be dissipated during a braking stop by the drawworks brake. The brake or an emergency brake associated with the drawworks is automatically actuated when the calculated energy value reaches a predetermined value representative of the maximum energy absorbing capability of the brake. The brake may also be automatically activated when the position of the hook block reaches predetermined upper and lower limits.

Abstract: A "snow brake" control system for a railway vehicle in which an electronic timing circuit is operative in response to the operator's brake valve device being moved to its brake release position to provide an output signal that acts through a relay switch to deenergize a magnet valve that normally interrupts communication of "snow brake" control pressure to the system relay valve in order to withhold "snow brake" operation for a predetermined period of time sufficient to allow the vehicle brake units to release the brakes and thereby effect operation of the brake unit slack adjuster mechanism. When the time period expires, the timing circuit output signal disappears and the magnet valve becomes energized to reestablish "snow brake" control pressure during the remainder of the brake release period to maintain a light brake application in effect.

Abstract: The invention concerns an electrically assisted pneumatic train braking system. In a normal emergency/service pneumatic braking system a pneumatic pressure change must propagate along the train braking system from car to car. The present system includes two valves which are connected to each end of the brake pipe of each car, the first is responsive to a pressure change in the brake pipe to produce an electrical signal and the second being responsive to the electrical signal to produce a pressure change in the brake pipe. Thus, the propagation time for the whole braking system is reduced to little more than that for the total length of the couplings between cars.

Abstract: A pneumatic/electro-pneumatic brake control system including an interface unit at each control station at the opposite ends of a train operating in push/pull service. This interface unit includes a plurality of pressure switches for sensing the operating condition of the brake valve at the respective control station in order to effect an electro-pneumatic brake application on the train via an application relay in bypass of the master controller, when the brake valve is cut out, thereby permitting the operator to leave the train with the brakes safely applied while changing control stations. The arrangement is such as to permit this brake application to be released at the time the operator boards the train at the opposite control station by cutting in the brake valve thereat and moving the brake valve handle to release position to energize the release train-line wire via the master controller at the new control station.

Abstract: A braking system for an automobile responsive to the abrupt release of an accelerator pedal. The system includes a solenoid for actuating the braking apparatus, a first switch adapted to be closed in response to a depression of the accelerator pedal, so as to prepare for the energization of the solenoid, and a second switch adapted to be closed in response to an abrupt release of the accelerator pedal to allow the energization of the solenoid to bring the braking apparatus into effect. The first switch is opened when the accelerator pedal has returned to the original position, so as to de-energize the solenoid and suspend the operation of the braking apparatus. The braking apparatus is brought into effect again by a subsequent depression of the brake pedal.

Abstract: Braking system, primarily for wheeled excavators, having a first hydropneumatic brake acting on all wheels and a second auxiliary brake acting on the transmission, a first actuating device to operate the first brake when driving on the road and a second actuating device to operate first and second brakes when the excavator is stationary and working on site, the second actuating device being arranged so that on its operation both brakes are applied simultaneously.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle parking brake-actuator which releases the brake when subjected to fluid under pressure and which automatically sets the brake by spring force when the fluid pressure is relieved therefrom, the actuator being controlled by a valve which blocks or allows the relief of fluid pressure from the brake-actuator. The control system includes a solenoid for moving the valve to pressure-blocking position, a spring for moving the valve to pressure-relieving position when the solenoid is de-energized, and includes an electrical circuit for de-energizing the solenoid and causing an automatic setting of the brake if the vehicle engine is stopped or if there is a loss of oil pressure or electrical power. The brake can also be set by the operator when the engine is running.