THERMALLY OPTIMIZED RAILWAY VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM

• Main Authors: POLI, Paolo, FINCH, Glyn, A., Jr, SCHARPF, Robert, Norman, KOON, Maria, H
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 04.01.2017
• Subjects: ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENTS OR DISPOSITIONS OF BRAKES OR OTHER RETARDINGAPPARATUS IN RAIL VEHICLES; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; BRAKES OR OTHER RETARDING APPARATUS PECULIAR TO RAILVEHICLES; ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT OR PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLEDVEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES, IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OFVEHICLES; RAILWAYS; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES; VEHICLES IN GENERAL

A railway vehicle brake system includes at least two relay valves in electrical communication with one another and in fluid communication with a brake pipe, at least two friction brake units in fluid communication with each relay valve, and at least one electric brake unit in electrical communication with each relay valve. Upon a failure of one of the electric brake units, the relay valve in communication with the failed electric brake unit sends a signal to at least one other relay valve to provide pressurized fluid to the at least two friction brake units in fluid communication with the at least one other relay valve. The at least two relay valves may include integrated electric relay valves. The at least two friction brake units may include disc brake units. Each relay valve may be positioned between and in fluid communication with the brake pipe and a main reservoir pipe.