Portable single car test device

• US 6,269,682 B1
• Filed: 06/03/1999
• Issued: 08/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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:
  US09/324,841
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 731/21, 73/39, 73/18.9, 303/8, 701/19, 701/29, 701/31, 701/35, 701/70, 701/78
• 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 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 display;

operator input device; and

a controller connected to the display, input device, valves and sensor and including a program performing a plurality of component tests which form a single car test, the program provides a prompt of corrective action for a failed component test and upon receipt of a start command, begins the failed component test again.

2. A test device according to claim 1, wherein the program prompts a stop command for a failed component test and resets the brake system upon receipt of the stop command.

3. A test device according to claim 1, wherein the program includes a system leakage test and the plurality of component tests are performed subsequent to the system leakage test;

and after repair or replacement of a failed component, restart with the system leakage test.

4. A 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 display;

operator input device; and

a controller connected to the display, input device, valves and sensor and including a program performing brake application and release test, the program measures brake cylinder pressure for some of the test if a brake cylinder tap is in the brake system and measures brake pipe pressure and prompts the operator to enter requested observations for some of the tests if a brake cylinder tap is not in the brake system.

5. A test device according to claim 4, wherein the program includes an emergency test including a service stability test and an emergency application test.

6. A test device according to claim 5, wherein the emergency application test measures brake pipe pressure if the brake system does not have a brake cylinder tap and measures brake cylinder pressure if the brake system has a brake cylinder tap.

7. A test device according to claim 4, wherein the program includes a retainer valve test performed after the brake application test;

and the retainer valve test includes measuring brake cylinder pressure if the brake system has a brake cylinder tap and includes prompting the operator to move the retainer valve from a high pressure position to a direct exhaust position and report if strong air is blowing from the retainer valve if the brake system does not have a brake cylinder tap.

8. A test device according to claim 4, wherein the program includes a manual release valve test performed after the brake application test;

and the manual release valve test includes measuring brake cylinder pressure if the brake system has a brake cylinder tap and includes prompting the operator to report if the brakes have released if the brake system does not have a brake cylinder tap.

9. A 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 display;

operator input device;

a controller connected to the display, input device, valves and sensor and including a program performing a plurality of component tests which form a single car test as a function of inputs from the operator in response to displayed information; and

the program including a system leakage test which connects the source port to the brake pipe port, takes a series of leakage measurements at a fixed interval, determines if the difference between two measurements is greater or less that a first value, if greater, continues taking measurements for no greater than a first number of pairs of measurements, and if less, continues taking measurements for no greater than a second number of pairs of measurements, the second number is greater than the first number.

10. A 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 display;

operator input device;

a controller connected to the display, input device, valves and sensor and including a program performing a plurality of component tests which form a single car test as a function of inputs from the operator in response to displayed information; and

the program including a brake cylinder leakage test which connects the brake pipe port to exhaust to produce a fixed reduction of the brake pipe port pressure;

measures brake cylinder pressure before and after the reduction; and

compares the difference between the measured brake cylinder pressures to a first value for an empty car and to a second value for a loaded car.

11. A test device according to claim 10, wherein the brake cylinder leakage test includes, for an empty car which has passed the leakage test, prompting the operator to block an empty/load device in a load position;

connecting the source port to the brake pipe port to recharge the brake pipe; and

repeating the brake cylinder leakage test for a loaded car.