Sectional Train Patents (Class 303/7)
  • Publication number: 20080258542
    Abstract: A tractor protection valve includes a trailer service brake portion, a trailer parking brake portion, and a stability control portion that are each formed within a common valve body. In one example, the trailer service brake portion includes three inlets that can be used to apply a trailer service brake. The three inlets cooperate with a service brake blocking piston, a service brake relay piston, and double check valves to apply the trailer service brakes as needed. The stability control portion includes a solenoid that can direct air to apply the trailer service brakes in response to a stability control signal. The trailer parking brake portion also includes multiple ports that cooperate with a parking brake piston and valve to control application and release of the trailer parking brakes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas R. Soupal
  • Patent number: 7434895
    Abstract: A control system which allows electro-pneumatic control of an equalizing reservoir with the capacity to create penalty applications in a purely pneumatic manner. A controller for the equalizing reservoir includes an electro-pneumatic source of pressure or atmosphere responsive to an electrical equalizing pressure control signal and a pilot valve selectively connecting the electro-pneumatic source or atmosphere to the equalizing reservoir in response to pressure in a pilot port of the first pilot valve. A magnetic valve is provided having a first input connected to a second source of pressure, a second input connected to atmosphere and an output connected to the pilot port of the first pilot valve. At least one penalty valve is connected to the pilot input of the first pilot valve and is responsive to a penalty signal to connect the pilot input to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Reynolds, D. Mark Petitt, Richard J. Teifke, Kevin B. Root
  • Patent number: 7429087
    Abstract: The present invention includes a pneumatic system for an agro-industrial vehicle including an air compressor, a dual circuit foot valve connected to the air compressor, and at least two air storage tanks connected to said dual circuit foot valve. The operation of the dual circuit valve establishes an air pressure link from the storage tanks to a rear air chamber as well as to a front air chamber. Each storage tank fills the rear or front air chambers and the movement of the rear air chamber and the front air chamber activate a brake device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Inventors: Jose Luis Pontello, Daniel Alberto Pontello, Claudio Angel Pontello, Marcelo Alejandro Pontello
  • Patent number: 7413266
    Abstract: An improved method and associated system for controlling the brake system of a vehicle train including a tractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle, wherein a control device disposed in the tractor vehicle is adapted to initiate automatic braking of the trailer vehicle, and wherein the conditions of the driving roadway, especially the coefficient of friction, are taken into account in braking of the trailer vehicle. The intensity of braking of the trailer vehicle is reduced by the control device when a coefficient of friction smaller than a predetermined minimum value is detected between the vehicle train or parts thereof and the driving roadway. One application of the invention is in load trains equipped with means for preventing rollover or overturning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Thomas Lenz, Benno Meyer, Gerhard Ruhnau
  • Patent number: 7396089
    Abstract: The electro-pneumatic latching valve system having an electrical switch unit that further includes an “apply” or “activate” switch, a “release” or “deactivate” switch, and a power supply. A first solenoid valve is in electrical communication with the activate switch and a second solenoid valve is in electrical communication with the deactivate switch. A pneumatic latching valve is in pneumatic communication with the first and second solenoid valves and a source of pressurized control and supply air is in pneumatic communication with the pneumatic latching valve and the solenoid valves. A terminal device, e.g., a spring brake, is in pneumatic communication with the latching valve, and the device is released or applied in response to pressurized supply air delivered to the device through the pneumatic latching valve in response to pneumatic control signals delivered to the pneumatic latching valve from the solenoid valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Bennett, Robert J. Herbst
  • Patent number: 7383735
    Abstract: A package designed for monitoring fluid pressure in a manifold includes one or more pressure transducers and a microprocessor incorporated into a package to form a single, modular fluid pressure sensing device. The transducers may be arranged on one or more substrates to allow direct connection between the transducers and pressure ports in the manifold or be disposed on supports having support ports that couple with the pressure ports to carry fluid to the transducers. The package provides pressure-sensing capabilities without requiring reconfiguration of the manifold itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Louis Dell'Eva, Timothy John Green
  • Patent number: 7374252
    Abstract: A wheel slip assurance module comprises a device for disabling the wheel slip valve, a timing reservoir in communication with the disabling device, and a check valve and choke circuit providing parallel connections between the output of the wheel slip valve and the timing reservoir having a first connection path comprising a check valve and charging choke and a second connection path comprising a dissipating choke such that flow from the output of the wheel slip valve passes through the check valve and charging choke to charge the reservoir when the brake cylinders are pressurized and opposite flow passes through the dissipating choke allowing the reservoir to discharge when the brake cylinders are exhausted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Schweikert, Robert N. Scharpf, James A. Wood
  • Patent number: 7370917
    Abstract: An electro-pneumatic system including relay valves disposed between a pressure supply inlet and outputs respectively, and having respective control inputs; associated solenoid-operated valves each operable in a first or a second condition respectively to allow or prevent connection of the control input of the relay valves respectively to a pneumatic duct; a solenoid-operated commutation valve having respective first and second conditions in which it connects the pneumatic duct to the control input of the system to receive a braking control pressure or to an inlet/outlet aperture of a second solenoid-operated switching valve; and an electronic control unit (ECU) arranged to control the solenoid valves. The second switching valve has respective first and second conditions in which its inlet/outlet aperture is connected to a discharge passage opening to the outside environment or to the supply inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Sistemi per Autoveicoli Commerciali
    Inventors: Denis Battistella, Martin Mederer
  • Patent number: 7367634
    Abstract: A relay valve configuration which can be used with various cars in an electropneumatic train and under the control of one of the electropneumatic brake control valves. The improved brake control valve includes a relay valve mounted at an interface of the manifold. The valve has a source inlet connected to the reservoir interface port, an inlet connected to atmosphere, an outlet connected to the brake cylinder interface port and a control inlet connected to the exhaust interface port. The valve is responsive to the control inlet connected to the exhaust interface port to selectively connect the brake cylinder interface port either to the reservoir interface port or atmosphere. The exhaust interface port in AAR is known as the retainer port. A check valve/choke is also mounted on the manifold of the interface and is in the same housing as the relay valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan McLaughlin, James R. Truglio, Eric Wright
  • Patent number: 7367635
    Abstract: A rail vehicle includes an electrical signal line loop for activating the brakes. There is provision for a safety loop, which is redundant with respect to the signal line loop and is electrically independent of the rest of the vehicle control system, to be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ulrich Von Stockhausen
  • Patent number: 7357463
    Abstract: An electro-pneumatic braking control unit for a railway or tramway vehicle including a multi-layer structure with a plurality of superimposed plates, and in particular, an upper plate carrying and/or integrating a plurality of pneumatic, electro-pneumatic or electric components and having a plurality of connecting through holes and associated coupling channels arranged in its lower face, and a lower plate which has through holes for connection with corresponding apertures and/or coupling channels of the upper plate as well as associated coupling channels arranged in its upper face. The multi-layer structure may further include an intermediate plate having a plurality of connection passages in positions predetermined in dependence on the circuit to be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: SAB Wabco S.p.A.
    Inventors: Dario Barberis, Roberto Tione, Roberto Correndo
  • Patent number: 7347507
    Abstract: Brake controller for controlling the brakes of a towed vehicle is provided. The controller includes microprocessor, an accelerometer, a storage array for storing a sequence of signals, and associated software for computing a moving average of accelerometer values thereby providing data on which the braking requirements of the towed vehicle can be determined. Feedback based on the power consumed during the braking event is likewise utilized to modify the power delivered to the braking system during subsequent braking events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Inventor: Ralph Stillinger
  • Publication number: 20080067862
    Abstract: A trailer brake system constructed and arranged to effect the relay of a brake signal from the tractor and an automatically generated brake signal of an electronic control device of the trailer to one or more additional trailers in an expanded vehicle train. In one embodiment, the brake signal is relayed to an additional coupled trailer in the form of an electrical signal via an electrical interface. In another embodiment, the brake signal is relayed to an additional trailer by means of a valve device. In yet another embodiment, the brake signal is relayed to an additional trailer by means of a combination of electrical signal transmission and valve device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Parrott, Axel Stender, Ingo Tha
  • Patent number: 7311364
    Abstract: A micro processor based electric brake controller includes a multi-axis accelerometer that senses deceleration of a towing vehicle along a plurality of directional axes. The controller also includes a microprocessor that is responsive to the sensed decelerations to supply power to trailer brakes that is a function of the deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hayes Brake Controller Company, LLC
    Inventor: Charles L. Robertson
  • Patent number: 7309111
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure medium-actuated brake system of a tractor-trailer combination comprising at least one first brake circuit and one second brake circuit. The inventive brake system contains a multiple-circuit braking power sensor, which is connected to a first compressed-air reservoir for the first brake circuit and to a second compressed-air reservoir for the second brake circuit. The brake system also contains an electronic controlling and regulating unit, a control valve device and a tractor protection valve, which can be brought into connection with at least one compressed-air reservoir and via which a brake pressure for a brake system of the trailer can be controlled. The invention provides that at least the multiple-circuit braking power sensor and the control device are placed in immediate proximity to one another and are combined to form a modular unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Herges, Bernhard Schwendemann
  • Patent number: 7284802
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a compressed-air braking system. Said vehicle has two braking cylinders, which can be impinged by compressed-air from a compressed-air reserve by means of a manually actuated brake valve. The braking cylinders have ABS pressure-control valves, which can be selectively impinged by compressed air from the compressed-air reserve, using a slip control valve. A stability sensor detects a motor vehicle position and a control device selectively supplies the slip control valve and the ABS pressure-control valves with compressed air, in accordance with the signals of the stability sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Ziegler, Stefan Hummel, Dieter Woerner, Frank Schwab, Michael Herges, Falk Hecker
  • Publication number: 20070236079
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing antenna diversity inherent in a locomotive consist is disclosed. This system increases the probability of message reception from an EOT unit and minimizes LCU failure limitations. The method includes the steps of (a) receiving an EOT message at a trailing locomotive; (b) passing the EOT message to a lead locomotive LCU; and (c) accepting the EOT message at the lead locomotive LCU only if the lead locomotive LCU has not already directly received the EOT message from the EOT unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventor: Robert C. Kull
  • Patent number: 7273260
    Abstract: A breakaway device (10) to detect when a towed vehicle (14) separates from a towing vehicle (16) in order to engage the towed vehicle's brakes broadly comprises a sensor operable to detect when a signal from the towing vehicle (16) is lost and a shunt operable to route electrical power to the brakes. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor and the shut may be embodied in a transistor (26). In an alternative embodiment, the sensor and the shut may be embodied in an electro-mechanical switch (34). The device (10) preferably includes an override (42) and lights (44,46) to indicate the device's (10) status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Jonathan S. Gray
  • Publication number: 20070205656
    Abstract: A hydraulic arrangement for braking a trailer comprises a brake line connected between a brake system of a trailer and a trailer brake valve. The trailer brake valve is activated via a first control-pressure line which extends between the brake line and the trailer brake valve and via a second control-pressure line which extends between the trailer brake valve and a control-pressure source and acts in opposition to the pressure imposed on the trailer brake valve by the first control-pressure line. An adjustable pressure-reducing means for controlling the control pressure in the second control-pressure line is arranged in the second control-pressure line. It is proposed to design the control-pressure source as part of a hydraulic control of a brake system of a traction vehicle drawing the trailer and to force the pressure-reducing means mechanically into an open basic position by means of an adjustable prestressing force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Marcus Bitter, Andreas Remmelmann
  • Patent number: 7240970
    Abstract: A brake controller for a locomotive includes a train brake pipe, a locomotive brake pipe, a brake cylinder, a control valve and a relay valve. The first control input of the relay valve is selectively connected to one of the output of the control valve and the locomotive brake pipe; and the second control input of the relay valve is selectively connected to the locomotive brake pipe when the control valve output is a release signal. A first electro-pneumatic valve, when activated, causes the control valve to be a release signal. An electronic controller is connected to a first pressure transducer for the locomotive brake pipe, a lead/trail mode switch and the first electro-pneumatic valve; and activates the electro-pneumatic valve for brake release pressures in the locomotive brake pipe when the mode switch is in the trail mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Reynolds, D. Mark Petitt, Richard J. Teifke, Scott E. Margeson, Kevin B. Root
  • Patent number: 7226134
    Abstract: According to the invention, the driving stability of a utility vehicle combination, which is comprised of a towing vehicle and of a towed vehicle, is monitored (3-5) when the towed vehicle is braked. In the event of an unstable driving state, the vehicle combination is stabilized by effecting a cyclic or clocked reduction of the towed vehicle brake pressure (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Horn, Stefan Hummel, Falk Hecker, Ulrich Guecker
  • Patent number: 7226135
    Abstract: A pneumatic operating device for direct braking and an electropneumatic valve unit of an anti-slip device have their outlets connected to the braking actuators through an interlock valve device which can selectively allow the greater of the pressures received from the said devices to pass towards the braking actuators. The electrical operating device for the direct braking is also connected to an electrical interlock device associated with the electrical valve unit of the anti-slip device. When the electrical operating device for the direct braking is operated, the electrical interlock device disables the electrical anti-slip valve unit and makes this unit open with respect to the braking pressure sent towards the braking actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Faiveley Transport Piossasco S.p.A.
    Inventor: Dario Barberis
  • Patent number: 7216941
    Abstract: A parking brake system for motor vehicle air brakes provides automatic engagement of the parking brakes when a gearshift lever is moved to park, but requires manual disengagement of the parking brakes. The effect is achieved in part by controlling the discharge conditions of two piloted latch valves connected to feed air to a cab mounted push pull double check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: James A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7204564
    Abstract: A method of controlling a trailer brake system using a trailer brake controller positioned within a passenger vehicle is provided. The method includes obtaining intended braking inputs and developing an effective baseline trailer brake controller output profile based thereon. The method scales the effective baseline trailer brake controller output profile in response to an adjustable gain setting set by an operator. The wheel speed is determined at a plurality of wheel locations and vehicle acceleration is calculated. The vehicle acceleration is utilized to selectively choose one of the wheel speed. The vehicle velocity is based on the selectively chosen wheel speed. The vehicle velocity is used to calculate a correction factor to the effective baseline trailer brake controller output profile. The effective baseline trailer brake controller output profile is then adjusted using the correction factor to generate a corrected trailer brake controller output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: Todd Brown, Doug Marsden, Kirk Englert
  • Patent number: 7204563
    Abstract: A brake system for a tractor-trailer vehicle includes a service brake system and a park brake system. The service and park brake systems are used to brake both a tractor and a trailer towed by the tractor. A trailer hand control valve is actuated by a vehicle operator to brake the trailer. The park brake system includes a park brake control valve that receives input commands from the vehicle operator to apply and release park brakes on the tractor and the trailer. An interlock valve assembly fluidly connects the park brake control valve to primary and secondary air supplies. The trailer hand control valve is also fluidly connected to the interlock valve assembly. The interlock valve assembly includes an outlet port that supplies an air signal to the trailer from one of the primary air source, secondary air source, or trailer hand control valve via a single connection line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems
    Inventor: Thomas R. Soupal
  • Patent number: 7177732
    Abstract: An automatic coupling system (10) for a locomotive (11). The automatic coupling system includes a means for detecting a coupling contact and for controlling locomotive systems such as throttle and brakes in response to such contact. The means for detecting contact may be a speed sensor (24), an accelerometer (26), a distance detector (28), and/or a wheel slip detector (30). The automatic coupling system may be integrated with a locomotive remote control system (22) to facilitate the coupling of a locomotive to a railcar (40) when the operator is not located in the locomotive cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Bradshaw Kraeling, David Carroll Teeter, David Frank Kornick
  • Patent number: 7144090
    Abstract: A China Type 120 Brake Valve ECP Manifold includes a manifold block in fluid communication with at least one source of fluid pressure for communicating fluid pressure signals. A plurality of apertures formed through such manifold block allows fluid communication therethrough. The manifold block is engageable intermediate a pipe bracket and a service portion. A first passageway in such manifold block has fluid communication with a first aperture at a first end and has a second end adjacent an upper face of the manifold block. A second passageway in such manifold block has fluid communication with such service portion at a first end and has a second end adjacent an upper face of the manifold block. A third passageway in such manifold block has fluid communication with a second aperture at a first end and has a second end adjacent an upper face of such manifold block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Kull, Patrick L. Gayle
  • Patent number: 7114787
    Abstract: The brakes of the front axle of the trailer of a utility vehicle are impinged upon with a brake pressure by way of a single, common ABS valve. Said ABS valve is electrically actuated by an EBS module associated with the rear wheel brakes depending on a differential slip between the front axle and the rear axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Mederer, Ansgar Fries, Gergely Szabo, Matthew Fry
  • Patent number: 7114786
    Abstract: An electric-over-hydraulic braking system for trailers and towed vehicles is disclosed. The system comprises off-the-shelf components, such as a standard linear actuator and master cylinder, for reduced cost and greater reliability. In a dual master cylinder configuration, the braking system controller calculates an average pressure across each channel, and compares that value to a control signal from an in-cab controller. The linear actuator is extended or retracted in response to a signal proportional to this difference. The system may include break-away functionality, as well as diagnostics to indicate low pressure and transducer circuit malfunction conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventors: Charles G. Bess, Ken D. Burgin
  • Patent number: 7073753
    Abstract: An integrated train control system (FIGS. 1 and 6) is a combination of systems including: EP-60 (FIG. 2) CCBII (FIG. 3), Wired DP (FIG. 4), and LEADER (FIG. 5). The integrated train control system (FIG. 6) includes a master controller (MMI) cooperating with features of EP-60, CCBII, LEADER, and Wired DP to control car control devices (CCD) through ITC network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: New York Airbrake Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Root, Bryan M. McLaughlin, Dale R. Stevens, Jon M. Marra, Stephen K. Nickles, Michael J. Hawthorne
  • Patent number: 7073873
    Abstract: A valve assembly for an air pressure system includes an inlet valve, a first control valve, and a second control valve. The inlet valve includes an inlet port, an outlet port and a control port. The inlet valve inlet port communicates with the inlet valve outlet port when the inlet valve control port is above a threshold pressure. The first control valve includes an inlet port, an outlet port, an exhaust port, and a control member. The first control valve inlet port communicates with the inlet valve outlet port. The first control valve outlet port communicates with one of the first control valve inlet port and the first control valve exhaust port as a function of a position of the first control valve control member. The second control valve includes an inlet port, an outlet port, an exhaust port, and a control member. The second control valve inlet port communicates with the inlet valve outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventor: John J. Kemer
  • Patent number: 7052095
    Abstract: Electropneumatic control valve for a pneumatic brake system of a vehicle, having a divided valve housing consisting of a lower relay valve housing and an upper pilot valve housing which enclose a control chamber in which an axially adjustable control piston is guided. The piston can be acted upon by way of a pilot valve arrangement accommodated in the pilot valve housing in order to switch the compressed-air flow between at least one brake line connection arranged on the relay valve housing, a supply pressure connection and as a bleeder connection by way of an interior valve seat arrangement. A control connection of a back-up valve of the pilot valve arrangement is also arranged on the relay valve housing, and by way of a valve-internal pressure medium duct is connected with the back-up magnetic valve accommodated in the pilot valve housing. Internal pressure medium ducts are arranged and sealed in a manner that allows the pilot valve housing to be produced without machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme Fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Friedbert Roether, Siegmund Deja, Eberhard Schaffert
  • Patent number: 7052096
    Abstract: A vehicular antilock brake control system does not require a lengthy extension piping from its actuator. The system provides for an accurate controlling method for maximizing a calculated road surface friction coefficient. Each wheel has a control unit consisting of a stress sensor, a controller and an actuator installed at the respective wheel. A stress value is detected, representative of road surface friction value or road surface friction coefficient value, for the corresponding wheel independently of the other wheels. In response to the output signal of the sensor, the controller regulates the actuator which controls brake fluid pressure applied to the respective wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Japan Electronics Industry Limited
    Inventor: Nagao Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 7040715
    Abstract: A digital multi-point electronic load weigh system is used with a railcar truck control unit to provide a digital all electrical/electronic system, which will perform the brake load weigh function for an electro-pneumatic brake system. The digital multi-point electronic load weigh system is primarily to be used with a distributed electronic control system using neuron style communication/control microprocessors. However, the digital multi-point electronic load weigh system can also be integrated with existing electro-pneumatic brake control components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Wood, Richard J. Mazur
  • Patent number: 7029076
    Abstract: An integration train brake system including a single brake controller providing locomotive and train brake commands. An electropneumatic controller is connected to the brake controller, the train brake pipe and the locomotive brake pipe A trainline controller is connected to the electrical network A locomotive computer is connected to a display A processor module connects the brake controller's commands to the trainline controller, and connects the trainline controller to the electropneumatic controller and the locomotive computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Root, Bryan M. McLaughlin, Dale R. Stevens, Jon M. Marra, John J. Allen
  • Patent number: 7021723
    Abstract: An operating system for towed vehicle electric brakes where an electric signal proportional to the longitudinal force between a tow vehicle and a towed vehicle is used to create an output signal to actuate the brakes of the towed vehicle. The response of the output signal has a non-linear relationship to the difference between the instantaneous longitudinal force value and a target value. In the absence of a longitudinal force signal that fluctuates beyond a specified value from the target value, an alternative signal is created using predefined user values. A preferred embodiment includes a periodically increasing alternative signal with user settings for the rate of the periodic signal increase and for the maximum signal level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas Neil Kaufman
  • Patent number: 7008025
    Abstract: An electronic brake system for a tractor-trailer vehicle includes a front electronic brake system for braking a front axle assembly and a rear electronic brake system for braking a rear axle assembly. During normal vehicle operation, front and rear air reservoirs supply air to actuate front and rear brake actuators, respectively. In response to a failure of the front electronic brake system, an electronic control unit automatically activates a trailer control valve to supply air to actuate the front brake actuator in addition to actuating the rear brake actuator from the rear air reservoir. The trailer control valve receives air supply from an independent reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Denis John McCann
  • Patent number: 7004550
    Abstract: An integration train brake system including a single brake controller providing locomotive and train brake commands. An electropneumatic controller is connected to the brake controller, the train brake pipe and the locomotive brake pipe A trainline controller is connected to the electrical network A locomotive computer is connected to a display A processor module connects the brake controller's commands to the trainline controller, and connects the trainline controller to the electropneumatic controller and the locomotive computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Root, Bryan M. McLaughlin, Dale R. Stevens, Jon M. Marra, John J. Allen
  • Patent number: 6997522
    Abstract: A valve assembly for an air pressure system includes an inlet valve, a first control valve, and a second control valve. The inlet valve includes an inlet port, an outlet port and a control port. The inlet valve inlet port communicates with the inlet valve outlet port when the inlet valve control port is above a threshold pressure. The first control valve includes an inlet port, an outlet port, an exhaust port, and a control member. The first control valve inlet port communicates with the inlet valve outlet port. The first control valve outlet port communicates with one of the first control valve inlet port and the first control valve exhaust port as a function of a position of the first control valve control member. The second control valve includes an inlet port, an outlet port, an exhaust port, and a control member. The second control valve inlet port communicates with the inlet valve outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventor: John J. Kemer
  • Patent number: 6991301
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake system for a railway vehicle. Said brake system comprises a main air reservoir line which is fed by an air compressor unit. Every bogie truck is provided with at least one compressed-air line which is connected to the main air reservoir line either directly or via a stop valve, a non-return valve and a compressed-air reservoir. The compressed-air line feeds, for example, the service brake valves for impinging the brakes of the bogie truck or a control unit for the spring-loaded brake and/or other control units for other auxiliary components. The service brake valves and/or the spring-loaded brake and/or other auxiliary components are controlled via at least one local, electronic brake control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Aurich, Ulrich Kleeman, Peter Waldmann, Peter Firsching, Manfred Vohla
  • Patent number: 6979061
    Abstract: A method of setting an electropneumatic brake device on a rail car to a mode of operation includes applying a wake-up voltage on a trainline to each brake device connected to the trainline. A command signal is sent to each brake device to enter a requested mode of operation. An acknowledgement signal is received from each of the brake devices on the trainline, and a command signal is sent to each brake device to stop broadcasting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony W. Lumbis, Gary S. Newton, Bryan M. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 6972670
    Abstract: A method of determining the configuration of locomotives in wired distributed trains. It includes determining consists of adjacent locomotives in the train. It determines one or more sub-consists of adjacent locomotives, which are controlled separately from a preceding adjacent locomotive within the consist. Locomotives which have an available wired distributed power controller is determined. A common consist indicator is assigned to all adjacent locomotives of a consist if the consist has at least one available wired distributed power controller. A common sub-consist indicator is assigned to all locomotives of a sub-consist if the consist has at least one available wired distributed power controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: John LaDuc, Jon M. Marra, Dale R. Stevens, Joseph Mario Nazareth, Bryan David Cain
  • Patent number: 6970761
    Abstract: Based on the realization that, at the instant a holding brake in the drive of a machine tool is actuated, it may not be necessary to precisely observe the setpoint values, it may be provided to adapt control parameters in the controller of the drive such that, given an engaged holding brake, oscillations may be avoided or substantially reduced. By applying a correction value to the controller, it may be possible to prevent the adaptation of the control parameters from resulting in a change at the output of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Kerner, Frieder Kohler
  • Patent number: 6966613
    Abstract: A trailer brake controller 10 for use in a passenger vehicle 12 is provided, including a control element 11 positioned within the passenger vehicle 12, a vehicle speed input 16 and a vehicle brake pressure input 14 providing speed and brake pressure data to the control element 11, and a trailer brake output 18 sending a signal to the trailer in response to the vehicle speed input 16 and the vehicle brake pressure input 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Scott William Davis
  • Patent number: 6959793
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a brake actuator for a towed vehicle having a brake actuated by a pedal. The actuator comprises a weight, slidably mounted to a base, a base and a slidable mount. Alternatively, the actuator comprises a weight, slidably mounted to a base, a base, a slidable mount and an auxiliary vacuum system for use with power-assisted brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Inventor: Paul Cinquemani
  • Patent number: 6959970
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling an automotive vehicle with a yaw stability control system and a trailer comprises determining a presence of a trailer, changing a side slip angle parameter threshold of the vehicle to a modified side slip parameter in response to the trailer signal, and controlling the yaw stability control system in response to the modified side slip parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Eric E. Tseng
  • Patent number: 6955406
    Abstract: The invented apparatus is designed for use with a tow vehicle and trailer combination. The apparatus comprises a controller, a vacuum supply sensor, and a sensor unit used to measure the barometric pressure and/or elevation of the current location of the tow vehicle/trailer combination. Using information from the sensor unit, the controller determines a vacuum pump activation level and/or deactivation level appropriate for the ambient pressure in which the apparatus is operating. By monitoring the signal supplied by the vacuum supply sensor and by operating a vacuum pump switch signal, the controller maintains a supply of vacuum between the activation and deactivation levels. In this manner, the controller can compensate for changes in local conditions so as to operate the vacuum pump in an efficient manner while maintaining an adequate supply of vacuum for operation of the trailer brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: BluDot, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Blue
  • Patent number: 6937925
    Abstract: A method for controlling locomotive consists at slow speeds by independently controlling each locomotive is provided. The method comprises controlling the throttle settings and main generator excitation of a control locomotive, independently controlling, from the control locomotive, the throttle setting of each of the controlled locomotives, and compensating for a combined consist tractive effort change induced by a change in the throttle setting of each of the controlled locomotives by adjusting the main generator excitation of at least one of the locomotives to maintain a preset consist speed. The method further includes changing the throttle settings concurrently in the control and controlled locomotives, changing the throttle settings of the controlled locomotives only after the control locomotive reaches a maximum generator excitation, and changing the throttle settings according to a rule base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventor: Eugene A. Smith
  • Patent number: 6932437
    Abstract: An integration train brake system including a single brake controller providing locomotive and train brake commands. A first control transmits a car brake signal on an electrical network for train brake commands to EP cars. A second control transmits a locomotive brake signal on the locomotive brake pipe for train and locomotive brake commands. The brake system may have a pneumatic mode and an electrical mode. The first control transmits car brake signals on the network in the electrical mode and the second control transmits car brake signals on the train brake pipe for the pneumatic mode. The second control transmits locomotive brake signals on the locomotive brake pipe in either mode. If the train is all electropneumatic, cars and locomotive braking signals are provided on the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Root, Bryan M. McLaughlin, Dale R. Stevens, Jon M. Marra, John J. Allen
  • Patent number: 6934618
    Abstract: A system and method for overload monitoring of vehicle brakes of electronically controlled brake systems of vehicles and of vehicle combinations. The temperatures of the wheel brakes of the vehicle or vehicle train parts of the vehicle combination are determined and compared with a preset temperature limit value, and a first warning signal is output to the driver if the temperature of the wheel brakes on one axle of the vehicle or of a vehicle train part reaches the temperature limit value. A second warning signal is output to the driver if the determined temperatures of the wheel brakes on more than one axle of the vehicle or of at least one vehicle train part or all vehicle train parts of the vehicle combination reach the temperature limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Wabco GmbH & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Horst Eckert, Arnd Gaulke