Abstract: A portable, hand held device for testing the air brakes of a tractor trailer type truck. The device is generally comprised of an elongated body having a cavity bored therein which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the body, and an inlet and outlet attached to opposite ends thereof. A valve assembly consisting of a series of co-linearly mounted, axially displacable springs and plungers are operatively positioned within the bore, and effectively open or close the fluid communication between the inlet and outlet. A first hose extends between a compressed air tank and the inlet, and a second hose extends between the outlet and the glad hand of the truck. A lever is pivotally attached to the body for effecting operation of the valve assembly, and thus may be selectively moved to effect the flow of compressed air from the compressed air tank to the glad hand.

Abstract: A test connector for connecting an air brake test device to access ports of an air brake control valve device where such access ports are normally closed by check valves. A plurality of actuator devices corresponding in number to the access ports are provided in the test connector to unseat the check valves and conduct test air to the test device via central passages in the actuators. The actuators are piston operated in response to a pilot pressure received from a source of compressed air remote from the connector.

Abstract: A test connector for connecting an air brake test device to access ports provided on an air brake control valve device where such access ports are normally closed by check valves is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of stem operators project into the access ports without opening the check valves therein when the test connector is installed in position on the control valve device. A handle is provided to effect rotation of an eccentric shaft on which the stem operators are connected to unseat the check valves and thereby access air at the respective access ports when it is desired to initiate testing following installation of the test connector. In an alternate embodiment, a plurality of test probes pivotally mounted on the test connector body enter the access ports and unseat the check valves in the course of installing the test connector in position on the control valve. In both embodiments, the stem operators/test probes are self-aligning to facilitate installation of the test connector.

Abstract: A production functional test for hydraulic brake control and traction control units which utilizes compressed air as a test medium. Compressed air is applied to an external port of a hydraulic brake or traction control unit which includes valves, accumulators and a positive displacement pump driven by an electric motor connected by internal passageways. The air pressure at another external port is monitored while the various components are exercised according to a test sequence. The monitored pressure must be within predetermined limits at various points of the test to demonstrate that the brake control unit is functioning properly. Air flow rates and pump motor current are also measured at specific points in the test. The test method can identify incorrectly sized and installed components.

Abstract: Device for the auditory and/or visual representation of mechanical phenomena in the interaction between a drilling tool and rock being drilled, characterized by the fact that it includes a mechanism for picking up a vibratory signal representing the vibration of the tool at the cutting face using an accelerometric sensor at a specific point on the drilling stem and processing equipment (45, 31, 31) for filtering the signal in the frequency band of 10 to 200 Hz.

Abstract: A gas leakage detecting device for detecting leakage of a precharged gas from a gas-type accumulator which is connected to a hydraulic pump and which stores a pressurized hydraulic fluid delivered from the pump. The pump is turned on to initiate accumulation of the pressurized fluid in the accumulator when a pressure of the pressurized fluid falls below a lower limit, and turned off when the pressure rises to an upper limit. The detecting device detects an occurrence of leakage of the precharged gas from the accumulator, where a time duration between moments of activation and de-activation of the pump is less than a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: An automated initial terminal testing system tests the air pressure and leakage of the brake pipes and the operation of brakes of railroad trains (10) in a terminal yard before trains are allowed to go on a railroad. The system includes end of train devices (16) attached to the trailing coupler of the last car of each train, head of train devices (14) connected to a source of yard air (26) and the air hose connection to the brake pipe of the first car of each train, and a central control console (18). The end of train devices, normally used to transit brake pipe pressure data to the engineer in locomotive when a train is on a railroad, monitors the air pressure in the brake pipe during the charging operation and transmits this data to the central control console. The head of train devices control the charging and venting of air pressure at the front of the train. These devices monitor air pressure and transmits this data to the central control console.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for indicating on a pressure differential gauge whether air leakage in a compressed air line is within a predetermined acceptable level, the gauge has pressure-responsive and manually shiftable pointers and is connectable in the air line across a first restriction in the line for indicating by the pressure-responsive pointer pressure differentials across the first restriction, and a second restriction temporarily insertable in the line downstream of the first restriction for passing air at a rate equal to the permissible air leakage from the line, and discharging air through the second restriction and indicating by the manually shiftable pointer the position of the pressure-responsive pointer during such discharge, the manually shiftable pointer after removal of the temporary restriction indicating by the relative position of the pressure-responsive pointer on charging of the line whether leakage therefrom is within acceptable limits.

Abstract: A device for testing an air brake system of a locomotive, an air brake system having a compressed air source, a conduit for the ingress and egress of compressed air and a brake valve which is communicatively connected to both the compressed air source and the ingress/egress conduit. The device is particularly for testing the functionality of the brake valve of the air brake system. The testing device includes a trackside stand for placement in proximity to a locomotive servicing site, and a storage reservoir for holding a predetermined volume of compressed air. The trackside stand is further comprised of a conduit having one end for communicative connection to the storage reservoir and an opposite end for communicative connection to the ingress and egress conduit of the locomotive air brake system.

Abstract: An adapter for use in a fluid pressure operable brake system, including a vehicle load responsive brake force regulator, for testing the brake force regulator for pressure leakage. The adapter is so designed as to require a single connection to be made to a source of test pressure rather than the two connections presently if the test pressure source is connected directly to the brake force regulator.

Abstract: A device which facilitates the testing of pressure switches included in the brake systems of locomotives. An air line is tapped into the pressure line of each switch and is provided with a quick connect coupling conveniently located on a test panel. Another quick connect coupling on the panel connects with the main air reservoir of the brake system. Also located on the test panel adjacent to the respective couplings are pairs of electrical receptacles for each switch. The receptacles connect with electrical conductors which lead to opposite sides of each switch contact. A preselected test pressure may be applied to each switch by connecting an air hose equipped with an adjustable reducing valve and pressure gauge between the main air reservoir coupling and the coupling for the switch to be tested. An ohmmeter may be connected across the receptacles for the switch contact under test to indicate whether the switch contact is open or closed at the test pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in testing apparatus for brake systems including a diagnostic unit provided with a brake cylinder having a selectively switchable magnetic valve adapted for assembly with an outlet line leading to said cylinder. The magnetic valve actuates a double-acting valve that controls the outlet line and a return line and a sensor associated with said magnetic valve is arranged to operate the same under varying pressure conditions.

Abstract: A fluid pressure brake system includes electrically actuated application and release valves. Upon brake application, brake control pipe pressure is vented electrically to accelerate application. Upon brake release, supply reservoir pressure is admitted electrically to the brake control pipe to accelerate release. In emergency situations, auxiliary equipment may be operated from the main reservoir pipe, the supply reservoir or the brake pipe, as desired. A novel solenoid-actuated valve is disclosed, which cooperates with unique indicator circuitry to provide a positive, continuous indication of a preceding electrically assisted application or release.

Abstract: Apparatus for the determination of the brake actuation and release time for pneumatic brake systems. The brake tester is pneumatically connected to both an external source of pressure and the vehicle reservoir with a solenoid valve disposed between the external source and the vehicle reservoir so that an operator may incrementally increase the pressure within the reservoir. The brake tester includes a timing circuit which begins to run upon movement of the vehicle brake pedal and stops upon the attainment of predetermined pressure value within the vehicle brake chambers. The timing circuit also includes memory means to store the results of the brake actuation test so that both a brake actuation and release test may be sequentially conducted without interruption.

Abstract: A fluid pressure comparison apparatus including a pressure responsive member displaceable by the difference between two pressure sources being compared to vent fluid from one of the sources, when its pressure is greater than the other, through a port whose aperture is varied by the displacement of the pressure responsive member. The flow of vented fluid is measured in one of many possible ways to determine the excess pressure. The measurement may be displayed on an indicator or applied to control associated equipment. Various arrangements embodying the apparatus may be used for flow indication, flow control, leakage detection and indication and as warning or control equipment. The pressure responsive member is shown as a nylon reinforced rubber diaphragm but the nature of the member will depend on the absolute as well as the relative values of the pressures compared.

Abstract: A modified AB test rack for testing freight car brake equipment valves in which excessive noise produced during standard tests by air exiting the quick action exhaust port of the emergency portion and the duplex release valve of the service portion is eliminated by connecting, by a quick action valve operating by an air cylinder, the respective port and release valve, to a manifold which is in turn connected to a muffler having an inlet at one end, a number of baffles and apertured plates forming a tortuous path to an outlet formed by a number of holes through the opposite end and adjacent sides.