Braking systems for railway cars are provided. A braking system defines a longitudinal axis, and includes a first brake assembly, a second brake assembly, and an actuator operable to generate a linear force, the actuator disposed proximate the second brake assembly. The braking system further includes a movable rod and a fixed rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly. In some embodiments, the braking system further includes a dead lever and a slack adjuster disposed proximate the first brake assembly, the slack adjuster connected to the first brake assembly and the dead lever and operable to adjust a distance along the longitudinal axis between a reference point of the first brake assembly and a pivot point of the dead lever.

Braking systems for railway cars are provided. A braking system defines a longitudinal axis, and includes a first brake assembly, a second brake assembly, and an actuator operable to generate a linear force, the actuator disposed proximate the second brake assembly. The braking system further includes a movable rod and a fixed rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly. In some embodiments, the braking system further includes a dead lever and a slack adjuster disposed proximate the first brake assembly, the slack adjuster connected to the first brake assembly and the dead lever and operable to adjust a distance along the longitudinal axis between a reference point of the first brake assembly and a pivot point of the dead lever.

A drainage system for use with a slack adjuster for a railway brake rigging. The drainage system allows fluid and other contaminants to drain from the slack adjuster to prevent the fluid and contaminants from accumulating within the slack adjuster, contacting an operating area of the slack adjuster, and interfering with the operation of the slack adjuster. The slack adjuster includes a main housing portion, a cone nut housing portion enclosing a critical operating area of the slack adjuster, and an overtravel housing portion. The drainage system includes at least one aperture extending through a sidewall portion of the overtravel housing portion. The at least one aperture is configured to allow fluid and/or contaminants to drain there through to reduce exposure of the critical operating area to fluid and/or contaminants. A plug and/or patch can be provided to sealingly and/or removably engage the at least one aperture.

A drainage system for use with a slack adjuster for a railway brake rigging. The drainage system allows fluid and other contaminants to drain from the slack adjuster to prevent the fluid and contaminants from accumulating within the slack adjuster, contacting an operating area of the slack adjuster, and interfering with the operation of the slack adjuster. The slack adjuster includes a main housing portion, a cone nut housing portion enclosing a critical operating area of the slack adjuster, and an overtravel housing portion. The drainage system includes at least one aperture extending through a sidewall portion of the overtravel housing portion. The at least one aperture is configured to allow fluid and/or contaminants to drain there through to reduce exposure of the critical operating area to fluid and/or contaminants. A plug and/or patch can be provided to sealingly and/or removably engage the at least one aperture.

A brake unit for a vehicle has a brake cylinder, a brake piston guided axially in the brake cylinder and a device for adjusting a clearance. The device has two first stops, which strike against each other when the brake unit is opened, and two second stops, which strike against each other when the brake unit is closed. One of the first stops is formed on a blocking element functionally connected to the brake piston. One of the second stops is formed on the blocking element. A blocking member is in engagement with the blocking element under the force of a pre-stressing spring such that the blocking element is blocked by the blocking member when the first stops strike and can continue to latch in relation to the blocking member under the force of the brake piston when the second stops strike.

A brake caliper for a disk brake or to a disk brake with a brake caliper for rail vehicles. A brake caliper has caliper arms at which at the ends brake shoes are mounted and which are pivotally driven against each other by a brake cylinder. The brake caliper or disk brake has the advantage that the brake cylinder and the wear adjusting device are contained in a common housing and that the wear adjusting device acts along the same linear axis of movement as the force which is generated between two carriers which are pivotally connected to the caliper arms and drive the same for pivoting in order to subject the brake shoes to tension against each other.

A brake unit for a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, has a brake cylinder, a brake piston and a device for adjusting a clearance. The latter has two first stops that strike against each other when the brake unit is opened. One of the first stops is formed on a blocking element that is functionally connected to the brake piston. In order to be able to open the brake unit beyond the clearance, a blocking member is in engagement with the blocking element under the force of a pre-stressing spring. The blocking element is blocked by the blocking member when the first stops strike. Actuators displace the blocking member that is in engagement with the blocking element counter to a force of the pre-stressing spring into a position detached from the blocking element.

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 slack adjuster for railroad car braking system is provided. The slack adjuster includes a first jaw positioned at a first end of the slack adjuster and a second jaw positioned at a second end of the slack adjuster. A rod assembly is attached to the first jaw and a tube is attached to the second jaw. A nut assembly is provided for transferring a force between the rod assembly and the tube. One or more components configured to bear an axial load of the slack adjuster are attached to the tube by crimping at least a portion of the tube into a groove defined in an outer surface of such component.

A contaminant mitigation device for use with a slack adjuster for a railway brake rigging to protect the critical operating area of the slack adjuster. The critical operating area of a slack adjuster includes the components that are configured to operate together to adjust the brake rigging. The slack adjuster includes at least a main housing portion, a cone nut housing portion enclosing the critical operating area of the slack adjuster, and an overtravel housing portion. The contaminant mitigation device includes a sealing system configured for cooperating with at least one of the main housing portion, cone nut housing portion, and overtravel housing portion to seal the critical operating area against entrance of fluid and/or contaminants therein and/or to at least reduce the exposure of this area to fluid and/or contaminants. The contaminant mitigation device can also include a drainage system associated therewith.