Fluid brake control system

Abstract

A fluid brake control system is disclosed for having an improved brake cylinder release control device for use in association with a brake control pipe, a fluid reservoir, and a service valve. The control device has a housing containing a differential abutment subject to actuation from a normal position by differences in pressure between a release spring in a chamber on one side of the abutment and pressure selectively applied to the abutment in another chamber on the opposite side of the abutment. A plurality of poppet type valves operated by longitudinal push rods connected by a bridge are provided in the chamber on each side of the abutment, the bridge being actuated at a midpoint by the abutment.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fluid brake control system for a vehicle having a brake control pipe, a fluid reservoir, a brake cylinder, and a service valve governing flow of fluid from the reservoir through brake application and brake cylinder passages successively to the brake cylinder, wherein an improved brake cylinder release control device comprises: a. a housing containing an abutment subject to actuation from a normal position by differences in pressure between a release spring in a chamber on one side of the abutment and pressure selectively applied to the abutment by another chamber on the opposite side of the abutment,   b. at least one poppet type valve means on each side of the abutment spring biased in the direction of a valve seat disposed between the associated valve means and the abutment,   c. the poppet valve means on one side of the abutment being normally closed against its seat and opened by movement of the abutment in opposition to the pressure of the release spring for releasing fluid from the brake cylinder, and   d. the poppet valve means on said other side of the abutment being maintained open normally by action of the release spring against the abutment and being closed by movement of the abutment in opposition to the pressure of the release spring for preventing flow of fluid from the brake application passage to the brake cylinder passage.   
     
     
       2. A fluid brake control system according to claim 1 wherein the control device has a second poppet type valve means on each side of the abutment, a bridge in each of the chambers subject to actuation by the abutment at an intermediate point, and push rods disposed longitudinally between the valve means and ends of the bridges respectively for causing actuation of the valve means in accordance with movement of the abutment. 
     
     
       3. A fluid brake control system according to claim 2 wherein means is provided for applying fluid from the application passage to said another chamber when the second valve means is open on said one side of the abutment. 
     
     
       4. A fluid brake control system according to claim 3 wherein manual release valve means is provided for applying fluid from the reservoir to said another chamber when the second valve means is open on said other side of the abutment. 
     
     
       5. A fluid brake control system according to claim 4 wherein the valve means are of the ball poppet type. 
     
     
       6. A fluid brake control system according to claim 4 wherein an associated equalization control device is provided having a spring biased piston subject to opposing pressures of the brake pipe and brake cylinder respectively and having a poppet type valve means operably connected to the piston by a push rod for connecting the brake application passage to the brake pipe through a check valve means when pressure in the brake pipe exceeds pressure in the brake cylinder by an amount determined by the piston spring. 
     
     
       7. A fluid brake control system according to claim 6 wherein the piston operated poppet type valve means is a ball poppet valve type having a push rod longitudinally disposed between the piston and the associated valve means. .Iadd. 8. A fluid brake control system for a vehicle having a brake control pipe, a fluid reservoir, a brake cylinder, and a service valve governing flow of fluid from the reservoir through brake application and brake cylinder passages successively to the brake cylinder, wherein an improved brake cylinder release control device comprises: a. a housing containing an abutment subject to actuation in response to the pressure of fluid in a chamber acting on said abutment in opposition to an opposing force acting also on said abutment,   b. at least one valve means disposed on each side of said abutment, each said valve means being of the poppet type and having relatively movable seat and closure elements, at least one of which is operatively connected to the associated side of said abutment,   c. said poppet valve means on one side of said abutment being opened by movement of said abutment in response to an increase in fluid pressure in said chamber in excess of a predetermined value to release fluid from said brake cylinder,   d. said poppet valve on the other side of said abutment being closed by movement of said abutment in response to an increase in fluid pressure in said chamber in excess of said predetermined value to prevent the flow of fluid from said brake application passage to said brake cylinder passage. .Iaddend..Iadd. 9. The system of claim 8 wherein said poppet valve means are of the spring-biased ball closure type. .Iaddend..Iadd. 10. The system of claim 8 in which a movable element of each said valve means is operatively connected to said abutment by a push rod..Iaddend. .Iadd. 11. The system of claim 8 which includes a further poppet type valve means disposed on said other side of said abutment and being normally open when the pressure of fluid in said chamber is less than said predetermined value to permit fluid under pressure to be supplied to said chamber in response to a manual brake release signal, said further valve means being closed by movement of said abutment in response to said fluid pressure in said chamber attaining said predetermined value..Iaddend.