TEST APPARATUS FOR PNEUMATIC BRAKE SYSTEM

• US 3,784,813 A
• Filed: 06/06/1972
• Issued: 01/08/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Paul T. Ryan
• Original Assignee: Paul T. Ryan
• Inventors: Ryan, Paul T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Forlenza, Gerald M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Libman, George H.
• Application Number:
  US05/260,123
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 340/52R,52A,52C,59 246/169R,30
• US Class Current: 246/169.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/228 for railway vehicles

Abstract

An apparatus for cyclical testing in integrity of a railway pneumatic brake system. A transmitter and receiver with associated induction loops are situated on opposite sides of the track, and are magnetically coupled to respective inductive coils located on opposite sides of a rearward track car. A switch electrically couples the inductive coils in response to the pneumatic pressure in the brake system, the signal reception from the transmitter to receiver thereby providing an indication of system integrity. In an automatic railroad operation the test can be made by a single person at the remote operation station, or be programmed as part of the control cycle.

Claims

1. An apparatus for testing a pneumatic system on a tracked vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a. a signal producing means disposed on the track wayside in close proximity to the track;

b. a first inductive device located on the vehicle for selective stationing adjacent said signal producing means so as to be magnetically coupled thereto when a signal is produced therein;

c. a second inductive device located on the vehicle in spaced relationship to said first inductive device;

d. coupling means located on the vehicle for electrically coupling said first and second inductive devices in response to the condition of a pneumatic system aboArd the vehicle; and

e. a signal receiving means disposed on the track wayside in spaced relationship to said signal producing means, said signal receiving means being adjacent and magnetically coupled to said second inductive device when the vehicle is selectively stationed, so as to be responsive to said signal producing means through said coupling means.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pneumatic system comprises a pneumatic brake system having an air supply line extending the length of the train, and further wherein said inductive devices and said coupling device are located proximate the rearward end thereof.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said signal producing means and said signal receiving means have associated elongate inductive loops aligned in parallel relationship with the trackway.

4. A system for testing the integrity of a pneumatic brake system of a railway train having an air supply line extending the length thereof, the supply line adapted to have the pressure varied therein to effect braking of the train, the system comprising:

a. a signal producing means disposed on the track wayside in close proximity to the track;

b. a first inductive device located on the train for selective stationing adjacent to said signal producing means so as to be magnetically coupled thereto when a signal is produced therein;

c. a second inductive device located on the train in spaced relationship to said first inductive device;

d. a pressure switch located on the train for electrically coupling said first and second inductive devices in response to the pressure in the air supply line; and

e. a signal receiving means disposed on the track wayside in spaced relationship to said signal producing means said signal receiving means being adjacent and magnetically coupled to said second inductive device, so as to be responsive to said signal producing means through said coupling means.

5. A system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said signal producing means and said signal receiving means are disposed on opposite sides of the trackway, and said first and second inductive devices are located on opposite sides of the train.

6. A system as set forth on claim 4 wherein said inductive devices and said coupling devices are located proximate the rearward end of the train and comprise the sole brake test apparatus thereon.

7. A system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said signal producing means and said signal receiving means have associated elongate inductive loops aligned in parallel relationship with the trackway.

8. A system as set forth in claim 7 and including a plurality of transpositions coupled across said elongate inductive loop of said transmitter, to minimize the induction of current into the railway.

9. A system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first and second inductive devices are capacitance tuned to the frequency of said signal producing means to maximize the current flow therein.