The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 11, 2011
Filed:
Aug. 21, 2003
Michael E. Ring, Saint John, IN (US);
Gary L. Voong, Bolingbrook, IL (US);
Eric S. Graves, Crown Point, IN (US);
Frank E. Tinch, Bourbonnais, IL (US);
Michael E. Ring, Saint John, IN (US);
Gary L. Voong, Bolingbrook, IL (US);
Eric S. Graves, Crown Point, IN (US);
Frank E. Tinch, Bourbonnais, IL (US);
WABTEC Holding Corp., Wilmerding, PA (US);
Abstract
An air spring actuated brake assembly for a railway vehicle braking system is provided which comprises an air spring disposed between a mounting member for attachment to the rigid structure of the braking system and a push rod attached thereto for longitudinal movement in an outward direction upon actuation thereof to initiate a braking sequence of the railway vehicle braking system. The air spring actuated brake assembly of the present invention allows for improved control of the brake shoe forces including visual travel measurement indication which is especially desirable during light load conditions. Additionally the air spring actuated brake assembly of the invention allows for the visual inspection and simple replacement of an inflatable spring should an air leak in the actuator occur. Currently used brake assemblies employing cylinder type actuators may be retrofitted with the air spring actuator of the invention.