US3890013A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrically controlled fluid pressure system for converting digital control signals to analog signals
Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Co
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Filing: 1974-01-28
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1994-01-28
Abstract
Abstract An electrically controlled fluid pressure system for converting a digital fluid pressure control signal to an analog signal which controls operation of fluid pressure operable brake apparatus. Flow of digital control fluid pressure is directed from a single restrictor to a plurality of parallel connected restrictors through which flow to atmosphere is individually controlled thereby determining the degree of the analog fluid pressure control signal monitored between the single restrictor and the plurality of restrictors by the number of the plurality of restrictors open to atmosphere at any given time.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald W Coiner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:57
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T8/00; B60T8/32; B60T8/34; B60T8/50; B60T8/5081; B60T13/00; B60T13/10; B60T13/66; B60T13/665; B60T8/26; B60T8/266
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for converting digital control pressure to analog control pressure to be transmitted to a vehicle brake control device operable responsively thereto, said apparatus comprising: a. a supply conduit pressurizable at a constant pressure and via which control fluid pressure may be supplied to the vehicle brake control device; b. a plurality of venting means connected to said supply conduit in parallel relation to each other; and c. operator controlled means for selectively effecting opening and closing said venting means, either singly or in any combination thereof, for establishing a desired analog control pressure in said supply conduit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for converting digital control pressure to analog control pressure to be transmitted to a vehicle brake control device operable responsively thereto, said apparatus comprising: a. a supply conduit pressurizable at a constant pressure and via which control fluid pressure may be supplied to the vehicle brake control device; b. a plurality of venting means connected to said supply conduit in parallel relation to each other; and c. operator controlled means for selectively effecting opening and closing said venting means, either singly or in any combination thereof, for establishing a desired analog control pressure in said supply conduit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus for converting digital control pressure to analog control pressure, as set forth in claim 1, further characterized by a first restrictor interposed upstream in said supply conduit for restricting pressurization thereof to a predetermined maximum degree commensurate with the requirement of the control device to be operated thereby.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus for converting digital control pressure to analog control pressure, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said operator controlled means comprises a binary code controller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus for converting digital control pressure to analog control pressure, as set forth in claim 2, wherein each of said venting means comprises: a. an atmospheric vent; and b. a valve device interposed between said supply conduit and said atmospheric vent and having a normally open position, in which said supply conduit is communicated to atmosphere, said valve device being selectively operable by said operator controlled means to a closed position in which said supply conduit is closed to atmosphere.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus for converting digital control pressure to analog control pressure, as set forth in claim 4, said operator controlled means comprises a binary code controller and each of said valve devices is a solenoid-operated valve device normally energized to occupy said open position and being selectively operable to said closed position when deenergized responsively to operation of said binary code controller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus for converting digital control pressure to analog control pressure, as set forth in claim 4, further characterized by respective restrictors interposed between said supply conduit and each of said valve devices for restricting flow of fluid pressure from said supply conduit to atmosphere according to the rated flow capacity of the respective restrictor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus for converting digital control pressure to analog control pressure, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the flow rate of each of said respective restrictors differs from that of the others.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus for converting digital control pressure to analog control pressure, as set forth in claim 7, further characterized by an upstream solenoid valve device interposed in said supply conduit upstream of said first restrictor, said upstream solenoid valve device normally occupying an energized closed position, in which said pressurization of said supply conduit is cut off, and being operable responsively to deenergization to an open position in which said pressurization is effected.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus for converting digital control pressure to analog control pressure, as set forth in claim 8, further characterized by a vehicle load responsive valve device interposed in said supply conduit upstream of said upstream solenoid valve device for modifying the constant pressure effected by said pressurization to a degree commensurate with the existing degree of vehicle load.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
APparatus for converting digital control pressure to analog control pressure, as set forth in claim 9, further characterized by a wheel-slip detector and quick release means connected to said supply conduit, said quick release means being operable responsively to a wheel slip signal transmitted thereto from the wheel-slip detector for effecting release of fluid pressure from the supply conduit to atmosphere at an unrestricted rate and restoration of fluid pressure in said supply conduit at a predetermined restricted rate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for converting digital control pressure to analog control pressure, as set forth in claim 10, further characterized by bypassing conduit means connected between said supply conduit and the vehicle brake control device in bypassing relation to said upstream solenoid valve and said first restrictor, and an emergency solenoid valve interposed in said bypassing conduit means, said emergency solenoid valve normally occupying an energized closed position, in which a bypassing communication through said bypassing conduit means is closed, and being operable in response to deenergization to an open position in which said bypassing communication is open.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus for converting digital control pressure to analog control pressure, as set forth in claim 11, further characterized by a double check valve device interposed between said bypassing conduit means and said supply conduit and having an outlet connected to the vehicle brake control device, said double check valve device being operable to a first position, when said bypassing communication is closed, to connect said supply conduit to said outlet, and to a second position, when said bypassing communication is open, to connect said bypassing conduit means to said outlet.
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) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |