Portable single car test device

• US 6,425,282 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2001
• Issued: 07/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation (Knorr-Bremse GmbH)
• Original Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation (Knorr-Bremse GmbH)
• Inventors: Vaughn, Lawrence E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): CYGAN, MICHAEL T
• Application Number:
  US09/828,784
• Publication Number:
  US 20010039827A1
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 73/39, 731/21, 738/665, 248/691, 248/692
• US Class Current: 73/39
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/28 for testing brakes
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2815 using pressure measurements

Abstract

A single car tester including a housing having a hanger to mount the housing to a car coupler or ladder of the car. Various configurations of valves and sensors are described to perform a single car test. The controller includes a program for uniquely performing the required tests.

Claims

1. A portable single car test device for a rail car brake system having a brake pipe with a connector, a brake cylinder and a control valve connected to the brake pipe and brake cylinder, the test device comprising:

a source port to be connected to a source of pressurized air and a brake pipe port to be connected to the brake pipe connector;

valves selectively interconnecting the ports to each other and atmosphere to perform tests;

a sensor determining pressure at least at the brake pipe port;

a controller connected to the valves and sensor;

a housing including first and second sections connected to each other in a use and a stored position; and

an input device and a display which are accessible when the housing sections are in the use position and unaccessible when the housing section are in the stored condition.

2. A test device according to claim 1, wherein the hanger is configured to mount the housing to the car coupler.

3. A test device according to claim 1, wherein the car includes a ladder adjacent one end of the car and the hanger is configured to mount the housing to the ladder.

4. A test device according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a first and second sections connected by a hinge.

5. A test device according to claim 1, wherein the test device has a weight of approximately fifty pounds or less.

6. A test device according to claim 1, including a brake cylinder port to be connected to a test port for the brake cylinder;

and

a sensor to determine the pressure at the brake cylinder port.

7. A test device according to claim 6, including a first hose of a first length and connecting the brake pipe port to the brake pipe, and a second hose of a second length substantially greater than the first length and connecting the brake cylinder port to the brake cylinder test port.

8. A portable single car test device for a rail car brake system having a brake pipe with a connector, a brake cylinder and a control valve connected to the brake pipe and brake cylinder, the test device comprising:

a source port to be connected to a source of pressurized air and a brake pipe port to be connected to the brake pipe connector;

valves selectively interconnecting the ports to each other and atmosphere to perform tests;

a sensor determining pressure at least at the brake pipe port;

a controller connected to the valves and sensor;

a housing having a first section which includes the controller and a second section which includes the ports, the valves and the sensor; and

the first and second sections being connected by a hinge.

9. A portable single car test device for a rail car brake system having a brake pipe with a connector, a brake cylinder and a control valve connected to the brake pipe and brake cylinder, the test device comprising:

a source port to be connected to a source of pressurized air and a brake pipe port to be connected to the brake pipe connector;

valves selectively interconnecting the ports to each other and atmosphere to perform tests;

a sensor determining pressure at least at the brake pipe port;

a controller connected to the valves and sensor;

a housing having first and second sections connected to each other by a hinge and the second section of the housing including at least the ports, the valves and the sensor; and

a hanger coupled to the housing and configured to mount the housing to the rail car adjacent the brake pipe connector.