Braking system for railroad car/semi-tractor combination

• US 20020036428A1
• Filed: 07/10/2001
• Published: 03/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rail Service and Logistics, LLC
• Original Assignee: Charles Jacob
• Inventors: Jacob, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 6,758,536 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 303/9.73
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/263 specially adapted for coupling with dependent systems, e.g. tractor-trailer systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/403 specially adapted for coupling with dependent systems, e.g. tractor-trailer systems

Abstract

A compressed air braking system for a railcar and railcar moving vehicle combination. The railcar moving vehicle comprises a modified semi-tractor configured to ride on railroad track and couple to a railcar. The railcar moving vehicle further includes means for producing compressed air at a desired pressure, means for transmitting the compressed air through an outlet conduit to the braking system of one or more coupled railcars, and brake actuation means whereby an operator may selectively release pressure in the outlet conduit to actuate the compressed air brakes of the railcar. The brake actuation means may comprise a plurality of electrically operated valves for selectively releasing pressure from the brake pipe of the connected railcar, and a multi-position electrical switch for activating the plurality of valves.

Claims

1. A compressed air braking system for a railcar and railcar moving vehicle, comprising:

a railcar moving vehicle, comprising a modified semi-tractor configured to ride on railroad track and couple to a railcar, the modified semi-tractor including;

a tractor braking system, for braking the modified semi-tractor;

a railcar brake system, including means for producing compressed air and maintaining a volume of compressed air at a pressure suitable for actuating the brakes of a railcar;

a railcar brake actuator, for actuating the railcar brake system;

at least one railcar, coupled to the modified semi-tractor, having a compressed air actuated brake system including a brake pipe; and

a brake pipe outlet line, for transmitting compressed air from the railcar brake system to the brake pipe of the at least one railcar, whereby an operator of the modified semi-tractor may actuate the brake system of the at least one railcar by manipulating the railcar brake actuator.

2. The braking system as described in claim 1, wherein the railcar brake actuator further comprises:

a plurality of electrically operated valves, configured to allow selective release of pressure from the brake pipe outlet line; and

a switch for activating said plurality of valves.

3. The braking system as described in claim 2, further comprising:

a control module, in fluid communication with the brake pipe outlet line;

a control module feed line, in fluid communication with the means for producing compressed air and maintaining a volume of compressed air, configured for transmitting compressed air to the control module; and

wherein the plurality of electrically operated valves further comprise;

a release valve, disposed in the control module feed line, said release valve being moveable from a first closed position, to a second open position in which compressed air is allowed to flow to the control module;

an activation valve, in fluid communication with the control module feed line between the release valve and the control module, said activation valve having an air outlet and being moveable from a first closed position, to a second open position in which the air outlet conduit is open, so as to allow compressed air to escape from the braking system; and

an emergency evacuation valve, in fluid communication with the control module, having an emergency exhaust port, and being moveable from a first closed position in which the emergency exhaust port is closed, to a second position in which the emergency exhaust port is open, to allow air to rapidly escape from the railcar braking system.

4. The braking system as described in claim 3, wherein the switch is an electrical switch, comprising:

a switch lever, having;

a run position, wherein the release valve is open, and the activation valve and emergency evacuation valves are closed;

a brake position, wherein the release valve is closed, the activation valve is openable, and the emergency evacuation valve is closed; and

an emergency position, wherein the release valve is closed, the activation valve is closed, and the emergency evacuation valve is open, whereby all pressure is rapidly released from the brake system; and

a push button, which, when depressed when the switch lever is in the brake position, causes the activation valve to open, so as to release pressure from the system.

5. The braking system as described in claim 4, wherein the push button is disposed upon the switch lever.

6. The braking system as described in claim 2, wherein the plurality of electrically operated valves comprise solenoid actuated ball valves.

7. The braking system as described in claim 1 wherein the means for producing compressed air and maintaining a volume of compressed air at a pressure suitable for actuating the brakes of a railcar comprises the air compression system for powering the air powered trailer brakes of a standard highway trailer.

8. The braking system as described in claim 1 wherein the railcar moving vehicle is a modified semi-tractor having a standard fifth wheel connector for connection to a standard highway trailer.

9. The braking system as described in claim 8, further comprising means for selectively installing rubber tired wheels on the railcar moving vehicle to allow operation of the vehicle as a trailer moving vehicle on roadways.

10. The braking system as described in claim 1, wherein the at least one railcar comprises a first and a second railcar, and the braking system further comprises:

a brake cylinder associated with the fist railcar;

a brake pipe associated with the second railcar;

a trailer brake system, including means for producing compressed air and maintaining a volume of compressed air at a pressure suitable for actuating the brakes of a highway trailer; and

a coupling line for transmitting compressed air from the trailer brake system directly to the brake cylinder of the first railcar; and

wherein;

the brake pipe outlet line is in fluid communication with the brake pipe of the second railcar, and is not configured to provide compressed air to the brake system of the first railcar.

11. The braking system as described in claim 10, further comprising:

a string of one or more additional railcars coupled to the second railcar, each of said additional railcars including;

a compressed air actuated railcar braking system; and

a brake pipe configured for transmitting compressed air from the brake pipe of the preceding railcar to the following railcar, whereby an operator of the modified semi-tractor may simultaneously actuate the brakes of said second railcar and said string of one or more additional railcars by manipulating said railcar brake actuator.

12. The braking system as described in claim 10, further comprising a trailer brake lever for actuating the trailer brake system.

13. The braking system as described in claim 10, further comprising a dual actuating device for simultaneously actuating the trailer brake system and the tractor braking system.

14. The braking system as described in claim 13, wherein the dual actuating device comprises a brake pedal located in a cab of the modified semi-tractor.

15. The braking system as described in claim 10, wherein (a) the means for producing compressed air and maintaining a volume of compressed air at a pressure suitable for actuating the brakes of a railcar associated with the railcar brake system, and (b) the means for producing compressed air and maintaining a volume of compressed air at a pressure suitable for actuating the brakes of a highway trailer associated with the trailer brake system comprise:

a single system for producing compressed air and maintaining a volume of compressed air at an elevated pressure.

16. The braking system as described in claim 15, wherein the single system for producing compressed air and maintaining a volume of compressed air at an elevated pressure further comprises:

an air compressor powered by said modified semi-tractor; and

a master reservoir in fluid communication with said air compressor for receiving and storing compressed air therefrom.

18. The railroad car and semi-tractor combination as described in claim 17, further comprising:

a standard fifth wheel connector disposed on the modified semi-tractor, for connection to a standard highway trailer; and

means for selectively installing rubber tired wheels to allow operation of the modified semi-tractor as a trailer moving vehicle on roadways.

19. The railroad car and semi-tractor combination as described in claim 17, further comprising:

a plurality of solenoid actuated ball valves configured to control the flow of compressed air in the brake pipe outlet line; and

wherein the multi-position electric actuator switch comprises;

a three-position electrical switch, configured to control said solenoid actuated ball valves, having;

a Run mode in which no pressure is released from the railcar braking system;

a Brake mode in which pressure is gradually releasable from the railcar braking system; and

an Emergency mode in which all pressure is rapidly released from said railcar braking system.

17. A railroad car and semi-tractor combination, comprising:

a railcar, having a brake pipe and a brake cylinder for actuating the brakes thereof;

a modified semi-tractor, configured to ride on railroad track and couple to the railcar, comprising;

a tractor braking system, for braking said modified semi-tractor;

a railcar brake system, comprising means for producing compressed air and maintaining a volume of said compressed air at a pressure suitable for actuating the brakes of a railcar;

a multi-position electric actuator switch, configured to actuate the railcar brake system; and

a brake pipe outlet line, for transmitting compressed air from the railcar brake system to the brake pipe of the railcar, whereby an operator of the modified semi-tractor may actuate the brake system of the railcar by manipulating the multi-position electric actuator switch.

20. A compressed air braking system for a railcar moving vehicle comprising a modified semi-tractor having an engine and configured to ride on railroad track and couple to a railcar having a compressed air actuated braking system, said braking system comprising:

an air compressor, powered by the engine of the railcar moving vehicle;

a master reservoir, connected to the compressor, for receiving and storing compressed air therefrom;

a first controller, in fluid communication with the master reservoir;

a secondary control module, in fluid communication with the master reservoir;

a pressure regulator, disposed between the master reservoir and the secondary control module, configured to reduce the pressure of air which is communicated to the secondary controller;

a release valve, disposed between the pressure regulator and the secondary controller, being moveable from a first closed position, to a second open position wherein air is allowed to pass through the release valve to the secondary control module;

an activation valve, having an air outlet, disposed between the release valve and the secondary control module, the activation valve being moveable from a first closed position, to a second open position in which the air outlet is open so as to allow compressed air to escape from the braking system;

an emergency evacuation valve, having an emergency exhaust port, in fluid communication with the secondary control module, being moveable from a first position in which the emergency exhaust port is closed, to a second open position in which the emergency exhaust port is open, so as to allow rapid release of all pressure from the braking system;

a brake pipe outlet line, in fluid communication with the secondary control module, configured for conveying compressed air to a coupled railcar, and having at least one quick-disconnect coupler for connecting to the coupled railcar;

a control switch, electrically connected to the release valve, the activation valve, and the emergency evacuation valve, the control switch comprising;

a moveable switch lever, having;

a run position, wherein the release valve is open, and the activation valve and emergency evacuation valves are closed;

a brake position, wherein the release valve is closed, the activation valve is openable, and the emergency evacuation valve is closed; and

an emergency position, wherein the release valve is closed, the activation valve is closed, and the emergency evacuation valve is open, whereby all pressure is rapidly released from the brake pipe outlet line; and

a push button, which, when depressed when the switch lever is in the brake position, causes the activation valve to open, so as to release pressure from the brake pipe outlet line.