Nippon Air Brake Co., Ltd.

Minoru Nagase

Shigeaki Doto

A vehicle load responsive control valve device in which the output pressure regulating valve assembly is controlled by multiple diaphragm pistons, which are arranged separately in tandem relationship and are operative responsive to the fluid pressure of different air springs of the vehicle. Being of equal pressure areas, these diaphragm pistons are effective to exert a control force on the valve assembly according to the higher of the respective air spring pressures to ensure against low brake forces when the pressure of one of the air springs is inadvertently lost under loaded car conditions. Under empty car conditions, a bias spring is effective to obtain a predetermined output pressure.

Variable load valve device

A brake control system for a railway transit-type train having a control car, on which an electrical brake command is provided, and one or more controlled cars. The electric brake command is converted to a fluid pressure control signal that is connected to a load-adaptive relay valve device on the control car, as well as on each controlled car. Each load-adaptive relay valve is adjusted according to the load condition of a respective car so that the brake pressure of each car is developed consistent with its particular load and in accordance with the brake command in effect. In one embodiment of the invention, the electric brake command is a digital binary code formed by a three-wire control line and converted on the control car to a fluid pressure brake command signal by conventional electro-pneumatic valves and a multi-diaphragm relay valve device. One alternate embodiment contemplates an electric digital/analog converter in series with an electric/pressure transducer, while another alternative embodiment deals with converting an analog electric brake command signal to a fluid pressure brake command using an electric/pressure transducer.

Brake gear for vehicles

A load-weighed voltage corresponding to a pneumatic brake command signal is obtained from a pressure/electric transducer to control the electric brakes of a vehicle also equipped with friction brakes. An electrical feedback signal representing the electric brake effectiveness is compared to the transducer output signal to derive an error signal corresponding to the friction brake requirement necessary to supplement the electric brake sufficiently to satisfy the brake command. An electric-pneumatic transducer converts this error signal to a pneumatic signal which is connected to a first control chamber of a self-lapping type relay valve device whose delivery port is connected to the vehicle brake cylinders. A cut-off valve controls communication of the pneumatic brake command signal with a second control chamber of the relay valve to effect operation of the relay valve only in the event of a malfunction of the electrical circuit components performing the friction brake requirement function.

Electro-pneumatic control apparatus for an electric/friction brake

Electro-pneumatic brake apparatus for railway vehicles including a dynamic brake portion and a fluid pressure operable brake portion both of which are actuated by a common variable signal which produces a corresponding control pressure for effecting operation of said fluid pressure operable portion, such control pressure also being simultaneously converted to an electrical control pulse for effecting operation of the dynamic brake portion at the same time as, or at least not ahead of, the fluid pressure operable portion. The apparatus is further provided with a combined electro-pneumatic monitoring device for determining the sufficiency of the combined brake application.

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Kobe, Japan

Minoru Nagase