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US4076322A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Electro-pneumatic brake system with valve actuating checking circuit

Assignee: Knorr Brake Holding Corp
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Filing: 1976-08-20
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Granted: 1978-02-28
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Expires: 1996-08-20
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Abstract

Abstract A fluid pressure brake system includes electrically actuated application and release valves. Upon brake application, brake control pipe pressure is vented electrically to accelerate application. Upon brake release, supply reservoir pressure is admitted electrically to the brake control pipe to accelerate release. In emergency situations, auxiliary equipment may be operated from the main reservoir pipe, the supply reservoir or the brake pipe, as desired. A novel solenoid-actuated valve is disclosed, which cooperates with unique indicator circuitry to provide a positive, continuous indication of a preceding electrically assisted application or release.

Inventors

  • 👤 William W. Banker
  • 👤 Anthony W. Lumbis

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 23:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T17/00; B60T17/18; B60T17/22; B60T17/228; B60T13/00; B60T13/10; B60T13/66; B60T13/665; B60T15/00; B60T15/02; B60T15/36; B60T15/42

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 115 words
An electro-pneumatic brake system for a rail vehicle, comprising: a brake pipe for conveying pressure signals for brake application and release through said vehicle; electrically operable release valve means having a first movable valve element and interconnecting said brake pipe with a source of pressure for repressurizing said brake pipe during brake release; electrically operable application valve means having a second movable valve element and interconnecting said brake pipe with atmosphere for depressurizing said brake pipe during brake application; means actuated by said first movable valve element and responsive to opening of said release valve means for providing a continuous indication following opening of said release valve means until said application valve means is opened.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 115 words
An electro-pneumatic brake system for a rail vehicle, comprising: a brake pipe for conveying pressure signals for brake application and release through said vehicle; electrically operable release valve means having a first movable valve element and interconnecting said brake pipe with a source of pressure for repressurizing said brake pipe during brake release; electrically operable application valve means having a second movable valve element and interconnecting said brake pipe with atmosphere for depressurizing said brake pipe during brake application; means actuated by said first movable valve element and responsive to opening of said release valve means for providing a continuous indication following opening of said release valve means until said application valve means is opened.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 47 words
A brake system according to claim 1, wherein said means responsive to opening of said application valve means comprises a switch actuated by movement of said second movable valve element and means responsive to actuation of said switch for providing a continuous indication exteriorly of said vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 46 words
A brake system according to claim 1, wherein said means responsive to opening of said release valve comprises a switch actuated by movement of said first movable valve element and means responsive to actuation of said switch for providing a continuous indication exteriorly of said vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 218 words
An electro-pneumatic brake system for a rail vehicle, comprising: a brake pipe for conveying pressure signals for brake application and release through said vehicle; electrically operable release valve means having a first movable valve element and interconnecting said brake pipe with a source of pressure for repressurizing said brake pipe during brake release; electrically operable application valve means having a second movable valve element and interconnecting said brake pipe with atmosphere for depressurizing said brake pipe during brake application; means actuated by said second movable valve element and responsive to opening of said application valve means for providing a continuous indication following opening of said application valve means until said release valve means is opened, said means comprising a first switch actuated by movement of said second movable valve element; means actuated by said first movable valve element and responsive to opening of said release valve means for providing a continuous indication following opening of said release valve means until said application valve means is opened, said means comprising a second switch actuated by movement of said first valve element; and means interconnecting said first and second switches for providing a continuous indication of the opening of one of said application or release valve means until the opening of the other of said application or release valve means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 218 words
An electro-pneumatic brake system for a rail vehicle, comprising: a brake pipe for conveying pressure signals for brake application and release through said vehicle; electrically operable release valve means having a first movable valve element and interconnecting said brake pipe with a source of pressure for repressurizing said brake pipe during brake release; electrically operable application valve means having a second movable valve element and interconnecting said brake pipe with atmosphere for depressurizing said brake pipe during brake application; means actuated by said second movable valve element and responsive to opening of said application valve means for providing a continuous indication following opening of said application valve means until said release valve means is opened, said means comprising a first switch actuated by movement of said second movable valve element; means actuated by said first movable valve element and responsive to opening of said release valve means for providing a continuous indication following opening of said release valve means until said application valve means is opened, said means comprising a second switch actuated by movement of said first valve element; and means interconnecting said first and second switches for providing a continuous indication of the opening of one of said application or release valve means until the opening of the other of said application or release valve means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 172 words
An electro-pneumatic brake system for a rail vehicle, comprising: a brake pipe for conveying pressure signals for brake application and release through said vehicle; electrically operable release valve means interconnecting said brake pipe with a source of pressure for repressurizing said brake pipe during brake release; electrically operable application valve means having a movable valve element and interconnecting said brake pipe with atmosphere for depressurizing said brake pipe during brake application; means responsive to opening of said application valve means for providing a continuous indication following opening of said application valve means until said release valve means is opened, said means comprising a switch actuated by movement of said valve element, a rectifier means connected to be triggered upon closure of said switch and a visual indicator connected in circuit with said rectifier means for providing a continuous indication exteriorly of said vehicle; and means responsive to opening of said release valve means for providing a continuous indication following opening of said release valve means until said application valve means is opened.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 172 words
An electro-pneumatic brake system for a rail vehicle, comprising: a brake pipe for conveying pressure signals for brake application and release through said vehicle; electrically operable release valve means interconnecting said brake pipe with a source of pressure for repressurizing said brake pipe during brake release; electrically operable application valve means having a movable valve element and interconnecting said brake pipe with atmosphere for depressurizing said brake pipe during brake application; means responsive to opening of said application valve means for providing a continuous indication following opening of said application valve means until said release valve means is opened, said means comprising a switch actuated by movement of said valve element, a rectifier means connected to be triggered upon closure of said switch and a visual indicator connected in circuit with said rectifier means for providing a continuous indication exteriorly of said vehicle; and means responsive to opening of said release valve means for providing a continuous indication following opening of said release valve means until said application valve means is opened.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 172 words
An electro-pneumatic brake system for a rail vehicle, comprising: a brake pipe for conveying pressure signals for brake application and release through said vehicle; electrically operable release valve means having a movable valve element and interconnecting said brake pipe with a source of pressure for repressurizing said brake pipe during brake release; electrically operable application valve means interconnecting said brake pipe with atmosphere for depressurizing said brake pipe during brake application; means responsive to opening of said application valve means for providing a continuous indication following opening of said application valve means until said release valve means is opened; and means responsive to opening of said release valve means for providing a continuous indication following opening of said release valve means until said application valve means is opened, said means comprising a switch actuayed by movement of said valve element, a rectifier means connected to be triggered upon closure of said switch and a visual indicator connected in circuit with said rectifier means for providing a continuous indication exteriorly of said vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 172 words
An electro-pneumatic brake system for a rail vehicle, comprising: a brake pipe for conveying pressure signals for brake application and release through said vehicle; electrically operable release valve means having a movable valve element and interconnecting said brake pipe with a source of pressure for repressurizing said brake pipe during brake release; electrically operable application valve means interconnecting said brake pipe with atmosphere for depressurizing said brake pipe during brake application; means responsive to opening of said application valve means for providing a continuous indication following opening of said application valve means until said release valve means is opened; and means responsive to opening of said release valve means for providing a continuous indication following opening of said release valve means until said application valve means is opened, said means comprising a switch actuayed by movement of said valve element, a rectifier means connected to be triggered upon closure of said switch and a visual indicator connected in circuit with said rectifier means for providing a continuous indication exteriorly of said vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 135 words
A brake system according to claim 4, wherein said first switch is connected to close a circuit with a release indicator when said application valve is closed and with the trigger input of an application rectifier when said application valve is opened; said second switch is connected to close a circuit with an application indicator when said release valve is closed and with the trigger input of a release rectifier when said release valve is opened; said application indicator is connected in circuit with said application rectifier; and said release indicator is connected in circuit with said release rectifier, whereby said application indicator remains energized following opening of said application valve until said release valve is opened and said release indicator remains energized following opening of said release valve until said application valve is opened.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2993199A Cited
US3937074A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1981-02-27 1981-08-29 1982-02-28 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1985-02-27 1985-08-29 1986-02-28 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1989-02-27 1989-08-29 1990-02-28 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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