Michael Ring

US Patent:

6364068, Apr 2, 2002

Filed:

Oct 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/687340

Inventors:

Michael E. Ring - Crown Point IN
Scott L. Natschke - Kankakee IL

Assignee:

Westinghouse Airbrake Technologies Corporation - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

F16D 6600

US Classification:

188 111W, 1882191

Abstract:

A brake cylinder piston travel indicator for monitoring an amount of piston travel in a brake cylinder assembly in a railway braking system is provided. The railway braking system includes a brake beam and a brake cylinder piston within the brake cylinder assembly which is in engagement with an end of a brake cylinder force transfer lever. The brake cylinder piston travel indicator of the invention comprises a rod member which is rotatably secured to and extends substantially parallel with at least a portion of the brake beam. A member is provided which operationally interconnects the rod member with the cylinder force transfer lever and is capable of transferring a rotational force to the rod member. This rotational force is caused by activation of the piston in the brake cylinder assembly. At least one indicating device is provided which is engagable with a first end of the rod member and is capable of responding to the rotation of the rod member and indicating an amount of travel of the piston during activation thereof in the brake cylinder assembly.

US Patent:

6364069, Apr 2, 2002

Filed:

Jun 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/876337

Inventors:

Michael E. Ring - Crown Point IN

Assignee:

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

F16D 6600

US Classification:

188 111R, 303 7, 188107

Abstract:

An electronic sensor for a quick release mechanism in a railcar vertical hand brake having a housing equipped with a flexible clamp mounted on an inside wall, and a release shaft having a member disposed perpendicular to and about the circumference thereof. A first element is disposed on the member and interposes with the flexible clamp when the release shaft is rotated to achieve and maintain a full brake release. A second element engages a projection on a ratchet wheel when the operating shaft is rotated to disengage the first element from the flexible clamp. A sensing device is disposed in a predetermined position for detecting when the release shaft is rotated into a release position, and for communicating a signal, indicating that the hand brake is in the release position. A device for activating the sensing device when the release shaft is rotated is disposed in a predetermined position.

US Patent:

6390313, May 21, 2002

Filed:

Sep 16, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/153917

Inventors:

Michael E. Ring - Crown Point IN

Assignee:

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

B61G 900

US Classification:

213 62R, 213 50

Abstract:

An improved ball and race connection assembly for use in connecting together adjacently disposed ends of railway vehicles is provided. This ball and race connection assembly is particularly useful as a connection member in slackless type drawbar assemblies. The improved ball and race connection assembly includes a race member which is formed from a polymeric and/or composite material, specifically a resin impregnated filament wound material which is wound on a polytetrafluoroethylene/polyester mesh sleeve and cured. The use of these materials enables the race member to have sufficient strength and to be self-lubricating, thus eliminating the costs of providing a lubricating material at the ball and race interface, as is necessary when using a metal race, as well as reducing the amount of friction at this interface resulting in lower L/V ratios. Also, the filament wound race member is light-weight, resulting in an overall weight reduction of the railway vehicle connection assembly, easier to manufacture than currently used metal race members, and has excellent corrosion resistance.

US Patent:

6394233, May 28, 2002

Filed:

Jul 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/904948

Inventors:

Wajih Kanjo - Lockport IL
Michael E. Ring - Crown Point IN
Scott Natschke - Kankakee IL

Assignee:

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

F16D 6514

US Classification:

188 111R, 188107, 188216, 188 33, 74505

Abstract:

An apparatus for operation a railway car vertical wheel hand brake. A hand brake wheel has a hub fixed on an operating shaft. The operating shaft is rotatably mounted on the hand brake. The hand brake wheel further has a reaction member. A brake release mechanism is fixed on a brake release shaft that is rotatably mounted on the hand brake. The reaction member is engageable with the brake release mechanism when the hand brake wheel is rotated, whereby the position of the brake release mechanism will provide a visual indicator of the brake status.

US Patent:

6394559, May 28, 2002

Filed:

Sep 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/664211

Inventors:

Michael E. Ring - Crown Point IN
Ronald Henry - Salem VA
James E. Hart - Trafford PA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

B60T 1702

US Classification:

303 13, 303 8, 303128, 188 33, 188107

Abstract:

A control apparatus is provided which is engageable with a hand brake assembly on a railway vehicle for operation of an application cylinder for applying the hand brake assembly. This apparatus includes a source of fluid pressure which is engageable with the railway vehicle. A pneumatic actuation valve which is connected to the source of fluid pressure for initiating communication of fluid pressure from the source of fluid pressure. A force regulating valve which is connected to the pneumatic actuation valve for receiving the fluid pressure from the actuation valve and a mechanically driven valve is connected to the force regulating valve for receiving the fluid pressure from the force regulating valve and for communicating the fluid pressure to the application cylinder to apply the hand brake assembly. An electrically controlled valve may be positioned intermediate the source of fluid pressure and the force regulating valve to enable electrical actuation of fluid communication from the source of fluid pressure to the force regulating valve. Additionally, a pneumatic actuation valve and/or an electrically controlled actuation valve may be provided to communicate fluid pressure from a source of fluid pressure to a release cylinder in order to release the brakes of the hand brake assembly.

US Patent:

6419061, Jul 16, 2002

Filed:

Sep 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/664140

Inventors:

Michael E. Ring - Crown Point IN
Scott L. Natschke - Kankakee IL

Assignee:

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

F16D 41064

US Classification:

192 45, 74445, 188 8284

Abstract:

A fabricated gear is provided which is formed from a plurality of plates disposed in series one on top of another. Each of the plates include a plurality of teeth along an outer circumference thereof. An aperture extending through a center portion of each of the plates is provided. This aperture forms an inner circumference within each of the plates and is capable of receiving a shaft member therethrough. The plates are secured together to form the fabricated gear. This fabricated gear may be keyed onto a shaft member. Alternatively, an anti-backlash mechanism may be provided in the fabricated gear to achieve one direction rotation of a shaft member in a manner similar to a pawl and ratchet mechanism. This anti-backlash mechanism is formed by providing at least one indentation within an inner circumference of at least some of the plates which cooperates with a cylindrical member positioned within an opening formed by this indentation. This cylindrical member is capable of interacting with the at least one opening to cause the plates to lock up onto the shaft member upon the application of a force in a first direction and to freely rotate with respect to the shaft member upon the application of a force in a second direction.

US Patent:

6474450, Nov 5, 2002

Filed:

Jun 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/874449

Inventors:

Michael E. Ring - Crown Point IN
David C. Brabb - Chicago IL

Assignee:

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

F16D 6600

US Classification:

188 111R, 188 33, 188107

Abstract:

A mechanical sensor for a hand brake quick release mechanism having a housing, flexible clamp, and release shaft having a member with first and second elements. A housing member has open and closed ends. The open end is engageable with a housing outside wall at a point radially opposed to the flexible clamp. A first aperture formed through the closed end is in axial alignment with a second aperture through the housing wall and a third aperture through the flexible clamp. A first portion of the slidable member is disposed within the housing member. A second portion extends through the first aperture, and a portion of the first portion extends through the second and third apertures, engaging with the first element when the release shaft is rotated to achieve and maintain full brake release. A device is provided for urging the slidable member inwardly when the hand brake is applied.

US Patent:

6540049, Apr 1, 2003

Filed:

Aug 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/642986

Inventors:

Michael E. Ring - Crown Point IN
David C. Brabb - Chicago IL
Wajih Kanjo - Lockport IL
Alfonso Barajas - Dyer IN

Assignee:

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporations - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

B61H 1300

US Classification:

188 33, 188107, 192 16, 74505

Abstract:

A gradual release mechanism for use in a hand brake device engageable with a railway car. Such gradual release mechanism comprising an operating shaft for rotation about an axis extending longitudinally of the shaft. A clutch flange portion disposed intermediate both ends of shaft, the clutch flange having a clutch surface. A sleeve concentrically disposed and threadedly mounted on the shaft for rotational movement therewith, the sleeve having a clutch surface opposed to the clutch surface of the clutch flange portion of the shaft. An externally threaded surface on the operating shaft engageable with an internally threaded surface on the sleeve, the threads having a pitch between about 0. 60 inch and about 1. 00 inch. A ratchet wheel received about the shaft, such ratchet wheel having oppositely disposed clutch surfaces positioned for engagement by the clutch collar portions respectively. A pinion journaled on the shaft and adjacent the sleeve.