US3756665A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control apparatus for application of automatic air brake systems
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1972-07-07
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Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1992-07-07
Abstract
Abstract A system for remotely controlling in discrete increments the application of pneumatic braking force in an automatic air brake system of a train, to precisely control the amount of braking force applied for a given train length. A plurality of vessels with associated electrically controlled valves is provided to progressively reduce the pressure in a pilot reservoir by expanding the volume of a communicating network, the degree of expansion in volume being determined by the combination of vessels sequentially added in parallel to the reservoir by control of the associated electrically controlled valves. Brakes are applied by removing electrical energy, whereby loss of power or failure of a circuit will automatically increase braking to an emergency level.
Inventors
- 👤 P Ryan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:02
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T15/00; B60T15/02; B60T15/04; B60T15/16; B60T13/00; B60T13/10; B60T13/66; B60T13/665
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
An improved pneumatic brake system of the type having a source of compressed air, means for charging to predetermined pressures from the source, both an equalizing reservoir and a brake pipe, equalizing valve means sensitive to the pressure difference between the brake pipe and the equalizing reservoir to exhaust the former to pressure equal to that in the latter, exhaust valve means for selectively exhausting the reservoir to predetermined pressures, and a plurality of brake cylinders operably communicating with the brake pipe to apply brakes in response to pressure reduction therein, wherein the improvement comprises: a. an exhaust manifold selectively communicating with the equalizing reservoir through the exhaust valve; b. a plurality of constant volume vessels adapted to be connected in parallel to said exhaust manifold; c. control valve means for discretely connecting said vessels to said exhaust manifold in various selected combinations so as to decrease the pressure therein by an amount related to the combined vessel volume, thereby providing a plurality of selected degrees of braking effort to be applied in the system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
An improved pneumatic brake system of the type having a source of compressed air, means for charging to predetermined pressures from the source, both an equalizing reservoir and a brake pipe, equalizing valve means sensitive to the pressure difference between the brake pipe and the equalizing reservoir to exhaust the former to pressure equal to that in the latter, exhaust valve means for selectively exhausting the reservoir to predetermined pressures, and a plurality of brake cylinders operably communicating with the brake pipe to apply brakes in response to pressure reduction therein, wherein the improvement comprises: a. an exhaust manifold selectively communicating with the equalizing reservoir through the exhaust valve; b. a plurality of constant volume vessels adapted to be connected in parallel to said exhaust manifold; c. control valve means for discretely connecting said vessels to said exhaust manifold in various selected combinations so as to decrease the pressure therein by an amount related to the combined vessel volume, thereby providing a plurality of selected degrees of braking effort to be applied in the system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A pneumatic brake system as set forth in claim 1 and including vessel exhaust valve means for selectively exhausting each of said plurality of constant volume vessels to the atmosphere.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A pneumatic brake system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said vessel exhaust valve means is integral with said control valve means and comprises a plurality of independently activated duplex valves operable in one position to exhaust their associated vessel, and in the other position to establish communication between said vessel and said exhaust manifold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A pneumatic brake system as set forth in claim 3 wherein each of said plurality of duplex valves is electrically energized, and further wherein, in its energized condition, it terminates communication from the exhaust manifold to its associated vessel and said vessel is exhausted to the atmosphere, whereas in its de-energized condition it establishes communication between its associated vessel and said exhaust manifold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A pneumatic brake system as set forth in claim 1 and including at least one constant volume vessel connected directly to said exhaust manifold so as to communicate directly therewith.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A pneumatic brake system as set forth in claim 5 and including a duplex valve connected to said exhaust manifold in parallel with said at least one constant volume vessel, said duplex valve being operable in one position to exhaust said exhaust manifold to the atmosphere, and in the other position to close-off such exhaust.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A pneumatic brake system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said duplex valve is electrically energized and further wherein, in its de-energized condition it exhausts said exhaust manifold, whereas in its energized condition it closes off such exhaust.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A pneumatic brake system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said exhaust valve means is integral with said equalizing reservoir charging means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
A pneumatic brake system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said exhaust valve means comprises a duplex valve operable in one position to connect the source of compressed air to the equalizing reservoir for the charging thereof, and in the other position to disconnect the source of compressed air and connect the exhaust manifold to the equalizing reservoir for the exhaustion thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A pneumatic brake system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said exhaust valve is electrically energized, and further wherein the energization thereof causes a charging of the equalizing reservoir, whereas the de-energization thereof causes exhaustion of the equalizing reservoir.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
A pneumatic brake system as set forth in claim 10 and including a bypass in parallel with the exhaust valve said bypass having a check valve therein and providing fluid communication from the equalizing reservoir to the source of compressed air, thereby providing a means of exhausting the equalizing reservoir by proper manipulation of the charging means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |