Abstract: A pipe bracket for a brake distributor valve for a vehicle includes a pipe bracket body including a main portion mounting face to receive the main portion of the distributor valve, a main-line portion mounting face to receive the main-line portion of the distributor valve, and an attachment face configured to secure the pipe bracket to a vehicle. The main portion mounting face defines a signal port in fluid communication with the signal passageway of the main portion. The main-line portion mounting face defines a signal port in fluid communication with the signal passageway of the main-line portion.

Abstract: A release graduating proportioning valve for a rail car brake system having a brake pipe, a brake cylinder, and a load sensor valve which selectively connects the control volume to the brake cylinder. The release graduating proportioning valve has a proportioning piston movable between a first position at which a control volume is isolated from atmosphere to a second position at which the control volume is connected to atmosphere, to enable graduated release of brake cylinder pressure. A port to atmosphere is provided in the valve body, and the port is connected to, or isolated from, the control volume responsive to movement of the proportioning piston.

Abstract: A system for controlling brakes on a rail or light rail motive power unit, in which the brakes are provided with a pneumatic braking system including a pneumatic main pipe and a pneumatic brake pipe. The system includes a control unit, manually operated actuating devices, a relay valve interposed between the pneumatic main pipe and the brake pipe, an electro-pneumatic control unit operable under the control of the unit to supply a variable braking control pressure, pneumatic back-up devices operable under the control of the actuating devices to supply a pneumatic back-up pressure which can be used to control the braking, and an enabling valve which can be switched between a normal operating condition and a back-up operating condition in which it can connect a control inlet of the relay valve selectively to the outlet of the electropneumatic unit or to the back-up devices.

Abstract: A release graduating valve for freight brake control is provided for a railcar having a pneumatic control valve, emergency and auxiliary reservoirs each normally charged with pressurized fluid from a brake pipe and a fluid pressure activated brake cylinder device for applying the brakes on the railcar. A selectively operable release graduating valve can include a graduated release valve and a changeover valve which selectively interposes the graduated release valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a graduated manner responsive to brake pipe pressure. Alternatively, the changeover valve can isolate the graduated release valve and direct the pneumatic control valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a conventional manner. The changeover valve can be operated responsive to the pressure in an air pipe supplied with pressurized fluid from a remote source.

Abstract: A release graduating proportioning valve for a rail car brake system having a brake pipe, a brake cylinder, and a load sensor valve. The release graduating proportioning valve has a conventional proportioning piston with a control volume communicating on a first side thereof and a second volume communicating on an opposite side thereof. A graduated release valve member, which can be incorporated into the top of the proportioning valve, is interposed between the control volume and atmosphere for providing a graduated release of brake cylinder pressure via the control volume. The graduated release valve member is activated by movement of the proportioning piston.

Abstract: A release graduating valve for freight brake control is provided for a railcar having a pneumatic control valve, emergency and auxiliary reservoirs each normally charged with pressurized fluid from a brake pipe and a fluid pressure activated brake cylinder device for applying the brakes on the railcar. A selectively operable release graduating valve can include a graduated release valve and a changeover valve which selectively interposes the graduated release valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a graduated manner responsive to brake pipe pressure. Alternatively, the changeover valve can isolate the graduated release valve and direct the pneumatic control valve to exhaust brake cylinder pressure in a conventional manner. The changeover valve can be operated responsive to the pressure in an air pipe supplied with pressurized fluid from a remote source.

Abstract: A direct acting release cap for air brake control valves in trains which will allow for the manipulation of the valve characteristics from a direct brake release to a graduated brake release without removal of the cap from the body of the valve. This is accomplished through longitudinal movement of a spool, which directs internal air passages that control valve characteristics. The present invention eliminates the requirement of removing the direct acting release cap from the valve in order to change the working characteristics of the valve, thus resulting in a time savings for the operator.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for limiting brake cylinder pressure in emergency braking of a locomotive consist connected to a train of railway cars. The apparatus includes a manifold device connected to a reservoir of pressurized fluid for operating pneumatic brakes of the locomotive consist. A first magnet valve is connected to the manifold device for supplying fluid pressure from such device to a brake actuating pipe when an operating coil of the first magnet valve is energized. A second magnet valve having an operating coil is connected to the manifold device for supplying fluid pressure from the reservoir to an adjustable pressure regulator connecting an independent application and release pipe to the manifold device. A relay is connected to receive an emergency brake signal and conduct emergency power to the operating coils of the first and second valves whereby fluid pressure is supplied to the brake actuating pipe and to the adjustable pressure regulator from the manifold device.

Abstract: An adaptor or retrofit unit which is placeable between a pipe bracket and the service portion of a brake control valve which includes brake pipe passage, brake cylinder passage, auxiliary reservoir passage, emergency reservoir passage and an exhaust retainer passage which interconnects the corresponding ports of the pipe bracket and the service brake portion and electrically controlled valves. A first electrically controlled valve selectively controls the connection of the brake pipe passage to a venting port for applying the brakes. A second electrically controlled valve interconnects the brake pipe passage and the emergency reservoir passage for release of the brakes. A third electrically controlled valve selectively connects the auxiliary reservoir to a vent port for releasing a stuck brake. A fourth electrically controlled valve selectively controls the exhaust passage connected to the retainer for gradually releasing the brake.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the condition of hand brakes on railway cars and for applying and releasing railway car parking or hand brakes automatically in response to predetermined conditions including movement of a train, wayside conditioning apparatus, wayside operating mechanism, a signal controlled by an operator and performance of predetermined railway operating procedures, such as completion of an air brake test procedure. The apparatus may respond to mechanical, electrical and electronic signals and may operate on pneumatic or electric power provided from the service air brake system of a train or from a source of power outside of such air brake system.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the condition of hand brakes on railway cars and for applying and releasing railway car parking or hand brakes automatically in response to predetermined conditions including movement of a train, wayside conditioning apparatus, wayside operating mechanism, a signal controlled by an operator and performance of predetermined railway operating procedures, such as completion of an air brake test procedure. The apparatus may respond to mechanical, electrical and electronic signals and may operate on pneumatic or electric power provided from the service air brake system of a train or from a source of power outside of such air brake system.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the condition of hand brakes on railway cars and for applying and releasing railway car parking or hand brakes automatically in response to predetermined conditions including movement of a train, wayside conditioning apparatus, wayside operating mechanism, a signal controlled by an operator and performance of predetermined railway operating procedures, such as completion of an air brake test procedure. The apparatus may respond to mechanical, electrical and electronic signals and may operate on pneumatic or electric power provided from the service air brake system of a train or from a source of power outside of such air brake system.

Abstract: An emergency vent valve including a piston responsive to the differential pressure between the brake pipe and a control volume to open a vent valve to vent the brake pipe to atmosphere and includes an exhaust valve responsive to the differential pressure between brake pipe and control volume to connect the control volume to atmosphere through a service check and when the vent valve is opened through a second blow-down choke of a lesser rate which limits the exhausting of the control chamber. A choke valve connected to the piston connects the blow-down choke in series with the service choke when the vent valve becomes fully open.

Abstract: A single sided control valve wherein the service portion is mounted to the front face of a pipe bracket adjacent to the right face and the emergency portion is mounted to the front face adjacent to the left face. The brake pipe, brake cylinder and at least one reservoir port are on the back face and the brake pipe port is adjacent to the left face behind the emergency portion. Mounting brackets each include a horizontal flange with apertures to receive the fasteners which mount the mounting brackets to the vehicle and the horizontal flange which extends from the pipe bracket substantially past the front face and the center of gravity of the control valve. A combined dirt collector and cut-off cock is connected to the brake pipe port adjacent to the left face of the pipe bracket and includes a handle to the left of the left face.

Abstract: A control valve is mounted to a pipe bracket which also includes a manual release valve and an emergency vent valve. The control valve operates with a single reservoir to perform service and emergency brake applications. A pair of interrelated pistons responsive to brake cylinder pressure, brake pipe pressure and control volume pressure operate a supply valve, a quick service valve end exhaust valve to maintain a fixed ratio of brake cylinder pressure to brake pipe pressure reduction. Quick service volume is continuously vented and appropriate valving is provided to allow plural sequential quick service operations. Structures provided to operate the piston stack so as to initially allow graduated brake release and subsequent direct brake release over the brake releasing range. An accelerated emergency release mechanism is also provided. The supply reservoir is only charged during the direct release mode.

Abstract: A graduated release device which includes a valve, for example a check valve, connecting a control valve port and a brake cylinder port which prevents flow from the brake cylinder port to the control valve port. A graduating section controls the valve to produce graduated release of the brake cylinder in response to pressure on the brake cylinder port, brake pipe port and graduating volume port. An automatic mode section controls the valve to produce direct release of the brake cylinder in response to less than a predetermined value of pressure on the supply line port. If it is a two pipe system which includes graduated release, an appropriate pressure will appear on the supply line port and therefore allow the valve to be controlled by the graduating section.

Abstract: Passenger rail vehicle brake control valve apparatus includes, a control valve device of the type limited to direct release of the brakes, having service, emergency, and continuous quick service portions secured to a pipe bracket, and a graduated release valve portion governed jointly by brake cylinder pressure, brake cylinder exhaust passage pressure from the control valve device, and brake pipe pressure to at times modify output of the control valve device to provide for graduated control of the passenger rail vehicle brakes.

Abstract: In a brake control valve device for railway vehicles in which a bias spring acts on the piston stack assembly of the valve device, an additional air reservoir and a differential check valve are arranged to assure proper full service brake pressure, when the control valve device is operated in a direct release mode, thereby overcoming the effect of the bias spring in producing a force balance to cause the piston stack assembly to assume a lap condition before full service brake pressure is achieved. The arrangement has no adverse effect when the control valve device is operated in a graduated release mode.

Abstract: A brake control valve device, for railway vehicles, embodies an adjustable service brake cylinder limiting valve that may provide any chosen brake cylinder pressure and also an adjustable emergency brake cylinder limiting valve that may provide any selected higher brake cylinder pressure when the control valve device is conditioned for effecting either a direct release of the brakes or a graduated release of the brakes accordingly as a removable selector valve cover member is secured to a ported face formed on the exterior surface of the control valve device in either a direct release or a graduated release position with respect to this ported face.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic circuit is provided for cycling a holding magnet valve located in the brake cylinder exhaust pipe of a rail car brake system. As brake pipe pressure rises to signal full or partial release of the brakes, the holding valve is alternately opened and closed to provide a graduated release. The circuit is particularly adapted for rail cars having an electrical train line for controlling the holding valve to permit such cars to be used with other types of cars having a purely pneumatic control for graduated brake release.

Abstract: A brake control valve device, for railway vehicles, embodies means to enable this control valve device to be selectively conditioned for effecting either a direct release of the brakes or a graduated release of the brakes accordingly as a removable selector valve cover member having a ported face is secured to a ported face formed on the exterior surface of the control valve device in either a first or a second position with respect to this ported face on the control valve device.

Abstract: The present invention concerns automatic fluid brake devices in which the fill and discharge of the brake cylinder or cylinders of the equipment are controlled by a device functioning as a distributing valve in relation to pressure variations in the brake pipe.In the aforementioned automatic braking devices generally used for rail vehicles, and commonly known as distributors, the brake cylinder pressure obtained during the braking process is a function of the pressure in the brake pipe.The present invention concerns distributors of the graduated release type, in which brake release is not only initiated via pressure increase in the brake pipe, but it is entirely a function of the pressure increase in this brake pipe.More specifically, the present invention concerns the type of graduated release distributor in which the discharge is adjustable, and the brake is inexhaustible regardless of the manner in which the valve is manipulated by the engine driver to carry out braking or brake release.

Abstract: A single sided valve wherein the service portion is mounted to the front face of a pipe bracket adjacent to the right face and the emergency portion is mounted to the front face adjacent to the left face. The brake pipe, brake cylinder and at least one reservoir port are on the back face and the brake pipe port is adjacent to the left face behind the emergency portion. Mounting brackets each include a horizontal flange with apertures to receive the fasteners which mount the mounting brackets to the vehicle and the horizontal flange which extends from the pipe bracket substantially past the front face and the center of gravity of the control valve. A combined dirt collector and cut-off cock is connected to the brake pipe port adjacent to the left face of the pipe bracket and includes a handle to the left of the left face.