Ronald E Henry

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:

7731303, Jun 8, 2010

Filed:

Sep 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/664190

Inventors:

Michael E. Ring - Crown Point IN, US
Ronald Henry - Salem VA, US

International Classification:

B60T 15/16
B60T 17/00

US Classification:

303 13, 303 3, 303128, 188 33, 188107

Abstract:

An apparatus to enable the automatic release of a railway vehicle hand brake system from either side of the vehicle comprises a source of fluid pressure engageable with the vehicle. A release cylinder, operable by fluid pressure, is connected to a hand brake mechanism. A valve is connected intermediate the source of fluid pressure and the release cylinder causing the release cylinder to release the hand brake system. A first valve actuator is disposed on a first side of the vehicle and is connected intermediate the valve and the source of fluid pressure. A second valve actuator is disposed on an opposed second side of the vehicle and is connected intermediate the valve and the source of fluid pressure. Both the first and second valve actuators cause the valve to initiate communication of fluid pressure from the source of fluid pressure to the release cylinder.