A distributor valve for a brake control system of a railway vehicle is provided with an access interface that includes a plurality of access ports for measuring the operational pressures of the distributor valve. The distributor valve includes a pipe bracket and a main line and main portions mounted on the pipe bracket. The pipe bracket includes a plurality of passages for communicating the main portion and the main line portion with each other and with a brake pipe, brake cylinder, and reservoir of the brake control system. The plurality of access ports of the access interface includes ports in communication with the working chamber passage, valve chamber passage, brake pipe passage, reservoir passage, and the brake cylinder passage of the pipe bracket.

A distributor valve for a brake control system of a railway vehicle is provided with an access interface that includes a plurality of access ports for measuring the operational pressures of the distributor valve. The distributor valve includes a pipe bracket and a main line and main portions mounted on the pipe bracket. The pipe bracket includes a plurality of passages for communicating the main portion and the main line portion with each other and with a brake pipe, brake cylinder, and reservoir of the brake control system. The plurality of access ports of the access interface includes ports in communication with the working chamber passage, valve chamber passage, brake pipe passage, reservoir passage, and the brake cylinder passage of the pipe bracket.

A service brake device for vehicles is provided which permits rapid venting of a service brake pressure chamber. The service brake device includes at least one pneumatic service brake device with at least one piston and/or a diaphragm. The piston and/or diaphragm delimits the service brake pressure chamber on one side which can be supplied with compressed air from a brake line for applying the service brake and can be purged of compressed air for releasing the service brake, delimits a spring chamber on the other side which receives a spring that prestresses the piston and/or the diaphragm in the release position of the service brake. The pressure chamber includes a pressure connection communicating with the brake line. A quick air release valve between the brake line and the pressure chamber is arranged to connect the brake line to the pressure chamber when the pressure in the brake chamber is greater than in the pressure chamber, and to connect the pressure chamber to the spring chamber when the pressure in the pressure chamber is greater than the brake line pressure.

An automatic single-car test device for a distributor valve of a railway vehicle includes an air supply source, an adapter having a working chamber fitting, a valve chamber fitting, a reservoir fitting, a brake cylinder fitting, and a brake pipe fitting, an operating portion in fluid communication with the air supply source and the adapter, where the operating portion is configured to measure pressure within the working chamber fitting, the valve chamber fitting, the reservoir fitting, the brake cylinder fitting, and the brake pipe fitting and generate an electrical signal representing the respective pressure with the fittings. The test device further including a processing portion having a microprocessor, an input/output device, and a power supply. The processing portion configured to manipulate pressure within the working chamber passage, the valve chamber passage, the reservoir passage, the brake cylinder passage, and the brake pipe passage of the distributor valve via the adapter.

An automatic single-car test device for a distributor valve of a railway vehicle includes an air supply source, an adapter having a working chamber fitting, a valve chamber fitting, a reservoir fitting, a brake cylinder fitting, and a brake pipe fitting, an operating portion in fluid communication with the air supply source and the adapter, where the operating portion is configured to measure pressure within the working chamber fitting, the valve chamber fitting, the reservoir fitting, the brake cylinder fitting, and the brake pipe fitting and generate an electrical signal representing the respective pressure with the fittings. The test device further including a processing portion having a microprocessor, an input/output device, and a power supply. The processing portion configured to manipulate pressure within the working chamber passage, the valve chamber passage, the reservoir passage, the brake cylinder passage, and the brake pipe passage of the distributor valve via the adapter.

A braking device for a hydraulic motor vehicle brake system, with an energy-store-free, electronically controlled electric-motor-driven on-demand braking force booster and with a master brake cylinder, in which, for the purpose of reducing the foot force on the brake pedal in the fall-back level, the braking pressure in the pressure chamber is built up stepwise and at least one active surface involved in generating brake pressure is switchable so as to be hydraulically ineffective.

An air actuated brake system for use on a heavy-duty vehicle having a frame. Each of a first pair of air actuated brake assemblies is mounted to a first axle supported by the frame. Each of a second pair of air actuated brake assemblies is mounted to a second axle supported by the frame. A source of pressurized air is provided. Valve structure is in fluid communication with the source of pressurized air. The valve structure is located substantially central relative to each of the air actuated brake assemblies. Conduits of substantially equal length and/or volume fluidly connect the valve structure with the first pair of air actuated brake assemblies and with the second pair of air actuated brake assemblies to actuate the air actuated brake assemblies at substantially the same time.

An air actuated brake system for use on a heavy-duty vehicle having a frame. Each of a first pair of air actuated brake assemblies is mounted to a first axle supported by the frame. Each of a second pair of air actuated brake assemblies is mounted to a second axle supported by the frame. A source of pressurized air is provided. Valve structure is in fluid communication with the source of pressurized air. The valve structure is located substantially central relative to each of the air actuated brake assemblies. Conduits of substantially equal length and/or volume fluidly connect the valve structure with the first pair of air actuated brake assemblies and with the second pair of air actuated brake assemblies to actuate the air actuated brake assemblies at substantially the same time.

A master cylinder for a hydraulic brake or clutch, the master cylinder comprising a lever and a cylinder housing in which a piston is slidably arranged, wherein the piston is secured against rotation in the cylinder housing, and a piston position detection device having a signal member asymmetrically arranged with respect to a circumference of the piston and a detection member that is at least one of assigned to the signal member and opposite to the signal member.

A master cylinder for a hydraulic brake or clutch, the master cylinder comprising a lever and a cylinder housing in which a piston is slidably arranged, wherein the piston is secured against rotation in the cylinder housing, and a piston position detection device having a signal member asymmetrically arranged with respect to a circumference of the piston and a detection member that is at least one of assigned to the signal member and opposite to the signal member.