Disclosed is unit brake, which is equipped with a cylinder apparatus in which a clutch mechanism that switches between transmitting or cutting off a biasing force of a spring brake part is disposed, is capable of preventing a braking force due to the spring brake part from unintentionally decreasing due to a meshing section of the clutch mechanism disengaging, and is of a size that can replace an existing unit brake, and maintains the performance of bearings in the clutch mechanism even with long-term use. The clutch mechanism of the unit brake includes: a nut member that rotatably screws on a spindle that is positioned in an area that communicates with the atmosphere, and is movably supported in a direction opposite to braking; a clutch that is disposed in a direction opposite to braking with respect to the nut member, and faces the nut member in the vicinity of the spindle; a clutch box that is formed in a cylinder shape, and houses the nut member and clutch on the inside; and bearings that rotatably support the nut member on the inside of the clutch box.

Disclosed is unit brake, which is equipped with a cylinder apparatus in which a clutch mechanism that switches between transmitting or cutting off a biasing force of a spring brake part is disposed, is capable of preventing a braking force due to the spring brake part from unintentionally decreasing due to a meshing section of the clutch mechanism disengaging, and is of a size that can replace an existing unit brake, and maintains the performance of bearings in the clutch mechanism even with long-term use. The clutch mechanism of the unit brake includes: a nut member that rotatably screws on a spindle that is positioned in an area that communicates with the atmosphere, and is movably supported in a direction opposite to braking; a clutch that is disposed in a direction opposite to braking with respect to the nut member, and faces the nut member in the vicinity of the spindle; a clutch box that is formed in a cylinder shape, and houses the nut member and clutch on the inside; and bearings that rotatably support the nut member on the inside of the clutch box.

A braking system (200) is described for at least one vehicle (V), particularly at least one railway vehicle, comprising control means arranged to: a) determine a real instantaneous deceleration value of the vehicle during the actuation of braking means (202); b) determine a real friction value between braking means and at least one wheel or at least one disc, as a function of at least said real instantaneous deceleration value, a test mass value of the vehicle and a value of an actuation signal; c) replace a predetermined expected friction value stored in the storage medium (210, 210) with the determined real friction value.

Further described is a system for calibrating a braking system of at least one vehicle, and a process for calibrating a braking system of at least one vehicle (V), and vehicles.

A railcar brake beam assembly including a brake beam formation having a tension member, a compression member and strut, and with the strut defining an axis for the brake beam assembly. First and second brake head assemblies are disposed to opposite lateral sides of the axis, with each brake head assembly being operably carried by the brake beam formation and includes a guide member extending in a direction away from the axis. The first and second brake head assemblies are generally centered laterally relative to the axis of the brake beam assembly. A distal end of the guide member on the first brake head assembly is disposed a different lateral distance from the axis of the brake beam assembly than is a distal end of the guide member on the second brake head assembly to minimize lateral shifting movements while maintaining adequate clearances for permitting reciprocal moments of the brake beam assembly during application of braking forces. A method of designing a brake beam assembly for a railcar is also disclosed.

A railcar brake beam assembly including a brake beam formation having a tension member, a compression member and strut, and with the strut defining an axis for the brake beam assembly. First and second brake head assemblies are disposed to opposite lateral sides of the axis, with each brake head assembly being operably carried by the brake beam formation and includes a guide member extending in a direction away from the axis. The first and second brake head assemblies are generally centered laterally relative to the axis of the brake beam assembly. A distal end of the guide member on the first brake head assembly is disposed a different lateral distance from the axis of the brake beam assembly than is a distal end of the guide member on the second brake head assembly to minimize lateral shifting movements while maintaining adequate clearances for permitting reciprocal moments of the brake beam assembly during application of braking forces. A method of designing a brake beam assembly for a railcar is also disclosed.

The invention relates to a brake and to a method for controlling the brake. The brake comprises a base part, a braking piece movably supported on the base part, which braking piece is configured to be moved between a braking position and a releasing position, a spring, with the spring force of which the braking piece can be dropped into a braking position, a support member for limiting the initial position of the drop-out movement of the braking piece and also a controllable actuator, which is mechanically connected to the aforementioned support member and configured to displace the initial position of the drop-out movement of the braking piece with respect to the braking position.

The invention relates to a brake and to a method for controlling the brake. The brake comprises a base part, a braking piece movably supported on the base part, which braking piece is configured to be moved between a braking position and a releasing position, a spring, with the spring force of which the braking piece can be dropped into a braking position, a support member for limiting the initial position of the drop-out movement of the braking piece and also a controllable actuator, which is mechanically connected to the aforementioned support member and configured to displace the initial position of the drop-out movement of the braking piece with respect to the braking position.

A railcar brake system includes a first brake beam and a second brake beam configured to be mounted on opposite sides of a bolster of a railcar truck; a brake cylinder connected to the first brake beam; a first lever and a second lever pivotally connected to the first brake beam at separate points, the first lever and the second lever also being connected to opposing ends of the brake cylinder to connect the brake cylinder to the first brake beam; a slack adjuster connected to the second brake beam; a first push rod connecting the first lever to the second brake beam and the slack adjuster; and a second push rod connecting the second lever to the second brake beam and the slack adjuster. Actuation of the brake cylinder causes movement of the brake beams via the first and second levers and the first and second push rods.

A railcar brake system includes a first brake beam and a second brake beam configured to be mounted on opposite sides of a bolster of a railcar truck; a brake cylinder connected to the first brake beam; a first lever and a second lever pivotally connected to the first brake beam at separate points, the first lever and the second lever also being connected to opposing ends of the brake cylinder to connect the brake cylinder to the first brake beam; a slack adjuster connected to the second brake beam; a first push rod connecting the first lever to the second brake beam and the slack adjuster; and a second push rod connecting the second lever to the second brake beam and the slack adjuster. Actuation of the brake cylinder causes movement of the brake beams via the first and second levers and the first and second push rods.

The present invention includes a braking system for a railway car generally including a brake cylinder having a cylinder rod. The cylinder rod is in mechanical communication with a lever transfer assembly and is configured to articulate said lever transfer assembly. The lever transfer assembly may be rotatably connected to a first brake assembly and connected to a rear brake assembly through respective connection rods. Actuating the lever transfer assembly with the cylinder rod generates a divergent braking force between the first and second brake assemblies for slowing and/or stopping the railway car.