Retrofit of railcar air brake system with electronic controller and air distribution apparatus

Claim 1

An air distribution apparatus for allowing at least partial control of a railroad car braking system by an electronic control device in combination with the system, the system including an AB valve, a reservoir of pressurized air, a brake pipe and a brake cylinder, the AB valve including a service portion and a pipe bracket portion, said service and pipe bracket portions including a first passageway therebetween in communication with said reservoir, a second passageway therebetween in communication with said brake pipe, and a third passageway therebetween in communication with said brake cylinder, the third passageway including a service passageway section within the service portion and a pipe bracket passageway section within the pipe bracket portion, said apparatus comprising: a distribution body configured for interconnection between the service and pipe bracket portions and presenting a pair of opposed faces with first, second, third and fourth openings therein, said first and second openings extending through said body between said opposed faces and being oriented for communication with the first and second passageways, respectively, said third and fourth openings each extending through a respective one of said faces and being oriented for communication with a respective one of the service and pipe bracket passageway sections, there being structure defining first and second conduits respectively in communication with said third and fourth openings within said body, each of said conduits being configured for connection with the electronic control device.