US3716274A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combined electronic and fluid pressure brake control apparatus
Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Co
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Filing: 1971-09-28
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Granted: 1973-02-13
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Expires: 1991-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A rapid transit type railway brake control system in which an electronic control unit is employed to normally regulate electropneumatic control of the friction brakes in a manner to continuously supplement the effective dynamic brake sufficient to satisfy the brake demand input. Flow of electric current in a control wire (P-wire) to the electronic control unit is selectively varied to provide the desired braking in accordance with operation of a controller device which is adapted to concurrently vary brake pipe pressure proportional to the generated control wire current. A transfer valve under control of a fault sensing device which monitors the electronic control unit normally maintains a proportional brake control valve device operative under electro-pneumatic mode of control. In the event a failure or malfunction of the electronic control unit is detected by the fault sensing device, the transfer valve will operate to automatically switch the brake control valve to automaticpneumatic mode of control under the influence of brake pipe fluid pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 J Pier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:52
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T15/00; B60T15/02; B60T15/18; B60T15/184; B60T13/00; B60T13/10; B60T13/66; B60T13/665
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
Railway brake control apparatus comprising: a. a controller device for selecting the degree of braking desired, said controller including: i. regulator valve means for controlling variation of fluid pressure in a brake pipe in accordance with the degree of braking selected between full brake release and full brake application, ii. control means operative concurrently with said regulator valve means for providing an electrical signal which corresponds in value to fluid pressure effective in said brake pipe, b. fluid pressure responsive brake means, c. service valve means including a first control chamber and a piston assembly operative responsive to variation of fluid pressure in said first control chamber for control of fluid pressure at said brake means in accordance with the degree of braking selected, d. electronic brake control means conditioned by said electrical signal to produce a friction brake control signal, e. transducer valve means operable in response to said friction brake control signal for effecting variation of fluid pressure in a control passage, f. fault sensing means for monitoring said electronic brake control means to detect an abnormal operating condition thereof, g. selector valve means operative responsive to said fault sensing means for effecting transition of said first control chamber from fluid pressure communication with said control passage to fluid pressure communication with said brake pipe in response to an abnormal operating condition of said electronic brake control means being detected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
Railway brake control apparatus comprising: a. a controller device for selecting the degree of braking desired, said controller including: i. regulator valve means for controlling variation of fluid pressure in a brake pipe in accordance with the degree of braking selected between full brake release and full brake application, ii. control means operative concurrently with said regulator valve means for providing an electrical signal which corresponds in value to fluid pressure effective in said brake pipe, b. fluid pressure responsive brake means, c. service valve means including a first control chamber and a piston assembly operative responsive to variation of fluid pressure in said first control chamber for control of fluid pressure at said brake means in accordance with the degree of braking selected, d. electronic brake control means conditioned by said electrical signal to produce a friction brake control signal, e. transducer valve means operable in response to said friction brake control signal for effecting variation of fluid pressure in a control passage, f. fault sensing means for monitoring said electronic brake control means to detect an abnormal operating condition thereof, g. selector valve means operative responsive to said fault sensing means for effecting transition of said first control chamber from fluid pressure communication with said control passage to fluid pressure communication with said brake pipe in response to an abnormal operating condition of said electronic brake control means being detected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
232 words
Railway brake control apparatus comprising: a. a controller device for selecting the degree of braking desired, said controller including: i. regulator valve means for controlling variation of fluid pressure in a brake pipe in accordance with the degree of braking selected between full brake release and full brake application, ii. control means operative concurrently with said regulator valve means for providing an electrical signal which corresponds in value to fluid pressure effective in said brake pipe, b. fluid pressure responsive brake means, c. service valve means including a first control chamber and a piston assembly operative responsive to variation of fluid pressure in said first control chamber for control of fluid pressure at said brake means in accordance with the degree of braking selected, d. electronic brake control means conditioned by said electrical signal to produce a friction brake control signal, e. transducer valve means operable in response to said friction brake control signal for effecting variation of fluid pressure in a control passage, f. fault sensing means for monitoring said electronic brake control means to detect an abnormal operating condition thereof, g. selector valve means operative responsive to said fault sensing means for effecting transition of said first control chamber from fluid pressure communication with said control passage to fluid pressure communication with said brake pipe in response to an abnormal operating condition of said electronic brake control means being detected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
232 words
Railway brake control apparatus comprising: a. a controller device for selecting the degree of braking desired, said controller including: i. regulator valve means for controlling variation of fluid pressure in a brake pipe in accordance with the degree of braking selected between full brake release and full brake application, ii. control means operative concurrently with said regulator valve means for providing an electrical signal which corresponds in value to fluid pressure effective in said brake pipe, b. fluid pressure responsive brake means, c. service valve means including a first control chamber and a piston assembly operative responsive to variation of fluid pressure in said first control chamber for control of fluid pressure at said brake means in accordance with the degree of braking selected, d. electronic brake control means conditioned by said electrical signal to produce a friction brake control signal, e. transducer valve means operable in response to said friction brake control signal for effecting variation of fluid pressure in a control passage, f. fault sensing means for monitoring said electronic brake control means to detect an abnormal operating condition thereof, g. selector valve means operative responsive to said fault sensing means for effecting transition of said first control chamber from fluid pressure communication with said control passage to fluid pressure communication with said brake pipe in response to an abnormal operating condition of said electronic brake control means being detected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
Brake control apparatus, as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a. said service valve means including a second control chamber subject to supply of fluid pressure for operating said piston assembly independent of operation of said piston assembly by pressurization of said first control chamber, and b. emergency valve means operable to an applied position for communicating a source of fluid pressure with said second chamber in response to venting of said brake pipe at a predetermined rate or in response to said source being charged with fluid pressure subsequent to depletion of fluid pressure from said brake pipe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
Brake control apparatus, as recited in claim 2, further comprising variable load valve means interposed between said service valve means and said brake means for limiting the maximum fluid pressure supplied to said brake means in accordance with the effective load carried by said vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
Brake control apparatus, as recited in claim 2, wherein said controller device further comprises vent valve means operable only in emergency position of said controller for venting said brake pipe fluid pressure at said predetermined rate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
108 words
Brake control apparatus, as recited in claim 2, wherein said emergency valve means comprises a piston valve subject opposingly to fluid pressure effective in said brake pipe and to fluid pressure supplied to a quick action volume from said source when said emergency valve is in a release position, said piston valve being operable responsive to venting of said brake pipe fluid pressure to an intermediate position in which said quick actIon volume fluid pressure is vented at a rate sufficient to prevent further movement of said piston valve to said applied position except in response to venting of said brake pipe fluid pressure at said predetermined rate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
Brake control apparatus, as recited in claim 1, further comprising transducer means subject to fluid pressure in said control passage for providing a feedback signal to said electronic brake control means to continuously regulate said friction brake control signal in accordance with the actual braking effective under control of said electronic brake control means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3560057A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-13 | 1976-08-14 | 1977-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-13 | 1980-08-14 | 1981-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-13 | 1984-08-14 | 1985-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |