Abstract:
An assembly has a handle, a brush holder, and a support that connect and disconnect to each other using a locking mechanism. The handle reversibly connects and disconnects from the brush holder. The locking mechanism includes a connecting member on the brush holder that attaches to the handle by interaction of a locking flange on the connecting member with a pair of teeth inside of the handle. Insertion of the support within the brush holder extends a post on the support through the connecting member to interact with the handle and enable disconnection of the handle from the brush holder when the support is fully engaged by the brush holder. The locking mechanism prevents the handle from releasing from the brush holder before the brush holder is completely seated on the support.
Abstract:
A parking brake reset system for a railway vehicle, such as a transit vehicle, includes a brake operating unit fluidly connected to a main air reservoir and controlling air flow to a brake cylinder of the railway vehicle, a brake pipe, a parking brake, and a control valve in line between the brake pipe and the parking brake to establish fluid communication between the brake pipe and the parking brake. The control valve is in line between the brake operating unit and the parking brake, whereby the control valve controls air flow to the parking brake from the main air reservoir and the brake pipe. The control valve may be a double check valve or a 3-way cutout valve, as examples.
Abstract:
A drainage system for use with a slack adjuster for a railway brake rigging. The drainage system allows fluid and other contaminants to drain from the slack adjuster to prevent the fluid and contaminants from accumulating within the slack adjuster, contacting an operating area of the slack adjuster, and interfering with the operation of the slack adjuster. The slack adjuster includes a main housing portion, a cone nut housing portion enclosing a critical operating area of the slack adjuster, and an overtravel housing portion. The drainage system includes at least one aperture extending through a sidewall portion of the overtravel housing portion. The at least one aperture is configured to allow fluid and/or contaminants to drain there through to reduce exposure of the critical operating area to fluid and/or contaminants. A plug and/or patch can be provided to sealingly and/or removably engage the at least one aperture.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a data recorder unit and system for a vehicle. The system includes at least one video camera device configured to generate video data associated with the vehicle and/or its surroundings, and wirelessly transmit at least a portion of the video data. The data recorder unit includes a data recorder enclosure, a data processing unit located in the enclosure and configured to: wirelessly receive at least a portion of the video data from the at least one video camera device, process at least a portion of the video data, and generate processed video data based at least partially on the video data, and at least one storage device comprising at least one crash-hardened memory in communication with the at least one data processing unit and configured to store at least a portion of at least one of the video data and the processed video data.
Abstract:
A handbrake for a railroad car includes a handbrake body having one or more gear train components therein and a drive shaft operatively connected to the one or more gear train components. An intermediate pinion shaft is operatively connected to the drive shaft through one or more gears. A shaft alignment link is adapted for maintaining a relative spacing between the drive shaft and the intermediate pinion shaft during rotation of the drive shaft. A gear box housing is provided to enclose at least a portion of the drive shaft, the intermediate pinion shaft, and the shaft alignment link. The shaft alignment link is movable relative to the gear box housing due to any eccentric movement of the drive shaft to maintain the proper spacing between the drive shaft and the intermediate pinion shaft, thereby eliminating a possibility of gear binding. A method for aligning internal gear components within a handbrake and an alignment system for use with a railway vehicle handbrake is also provided.
Abstract:
A data improvement system, including an initial database, a verification database, and a processing device in communication with the initial database and the verification database. The processing device receives data from the initial database and the verification database, and determines verification data based thereon. A track data improvement system and a track database improvement system are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A rotational position sensing device for sensing rotation of an axially adjustable shaft of a shaft and arm assembly of a door that does not require readjustment after the shaft and arm assembly are adjusted includes a fixed bracket supporting a post, a position sensor having an upper portion, a lower portion and an extended portion, and a rotating portion. The extended portion extends from the upper portion of the position sensor and constrains the post of the bracket such that the upper portion of the position sensor is unable to axially rotate relative to the bracket. The rotating section is adapted to be fixed to the shaft and engage with the lower portion of the position sensor, such that the rotating portion rotates relative to the upper portion of the position sensor.
Abstract:
Disclosed are a computer-implemented method for determining safety factors or a safety factor formula for use in a braking model of at least one train, a computer-implemented method for determining a plurality of safety factors for use in a braking model of at least one train, and braking systems for use on trains.
Abstract:
An assembly has a handle, a brush holder, and a support that connect and disconnect to each other using a locking mechanism. The handle reversibly connects and disconnects from the brush holder. The locking mechanism includes a connecting member on the brush holder that attaches to the handle by interaction of a locking flange on the connecting member with a pair of teeth inside of the handle. Insertion of the support within the brush holder extends a post on the support through the connecting member to interact with the handle and enable disconnection of the handle from the brush holder when the support is fully engaged by the brush holder. The locking mechanism prevents the handle from releasing from the brush holder before the brush holder is completely seated on the support.
Abstract:
A main piston assembly for a service valve portion of a brake control valve for a railway vehicle braking system includes a service graduating valve and a service slide valve. The graduating valve includes a first side having a porting pattern defined therein. The service slide valve includes a graduating valve seat having a porting pattern in a first side and a service slide valve face having a porting pattern in an opposing second side. The porting patterns of the first side of the graduating valve, the graduating valve seat, and the service slide valve face are configured to perform an accelerated application valve function venting brake pipe pressure to atmosphere and to direct pressure from an accelerated release reservoir to the service graduating valve to discontinue the accelerated application valve function when a slight brake pipe over-reduction condition exists.