A support unit includes a first flange portion, a second flange portion and a guiding portion, wherein the first flange portion has a first engagement geometry for securing the support unit to a chassis, wherein the second flange portion has a second engagement geometry for securing a brake cylinder, wherein the guiding portion is arranged adjacent to the second flange portion and has a guiding geometry for guiding a guiding element along a guiding axis, wherein an expansion wedge unit is provided adjacent to the guiding portion and wherein the expansion wedge unit has a housing which is constructed integrally with the guiding portion.

Spring failure detection systems include an air brake cylinder having a spring axially extending therein, a sensor coupled to the air brake cylinder and configured to sense forces applied to the air brake cylinder, an indicator coupled to the sensor and configured to indicate failure of the spring based on the forces sensed by the sensor, and a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to control the indicator. Methods for detecting failure of a spring are also disclosed.

A brake system for a rail vehicle including a brake cylinder having a housing, a port on the housing for receiving fluid pressure signals, a pressure piston carried inside the housing, and a shaft connected to the pressure piston. The pressure piston and the shaft form an actuator to apply and release the brakes of the rail vehicle. A parking brake locking mechanism is connected to the actuator and is responsive to fluid signals from a fluid charged brake pipe to lock and unlock the parking brake locking mechanism. Further included is a manual release device configured to unlock the parking brake locking mechanism from the locked position.

A brake system for a rail vehicle including a brake cylinder having a housing, a port on the housing for receiving fluid pressure signals, a pressure piston carried inside the housing, and a shaft connected to the pressure piston. The pressure piston and the shaft form an actuator to apply and release the brakes of the rail vehicle. A parking brake locking mechanism is connected to the actuator and is responsive to fluid signals from a fluid charged brake pipe to lock and unlock the parking brake locking mechanism. Further included is a manual release device configured to unlock the parking brake locking mechanism from the locked position.

An electropneumatic brake control device controls a parking brake of a vehicle with a service brake and the parking brake. It includes an electromagnetic valve device which can be supplied with compressed air from a compressed air storage via a storage connection; a parking brake signal connection for inputting parking brake signals output by an electric parking brake signaling device; and an air quantity-boosting valve device which is pneumatically controlled by the electromagnetic valve device and which has a working outlet that can be connected to a first outlet connection for at least one spring applied brake cylinder. A control air line is provided between an outlet of the electromagnetic valve device and a pneumatic control inlet of the air quantity-boosting valve device. A pneumatically controlled 2/2-way valve has an inlet which can be connected to the control air line or the working outlet of the air quantity-boosting valve device, an outlet which is connected to a pressure sink, and a pneumatic control connection for a stored pressure of the service brake. The pneumatically controlled 2/2-way valve has two positions: a conducting position, which is smaller than a specified threshold value in the event of a stored pressure of the service brake and in which the inlet is connected to the outlet, and a blocking position, which is larger than a specified pressure threshold in the event of a stored pressure of the service brake and in which the inlet is blocked from the outlet.

A brake chamber includes a rod member that makes reciprocating motion within a cylinder through a pressure of compressed air or an urging force of a spring, thereby causing a pushrod for activating a brake device of a vehicle to proceed into the brake device. The brake chamber further includes a diaphragm that deforms in response to supply of the compressed air to push the rod member, and a housing that forms an accommodation space for the diaphragm. The housing is connected to the cylinder with a first end of the cylinder being inserted in the housing. The brake chamber further includes a boot member connected to the cylinder and the rod member. The boot member includes a sealing portion to prevent entry of foreign matter into a connection portion between the housing and the cylinder by contacting an inner circumferential surface of the housing.

A spring brake cylinder is provided for brake systems of vehicles. It includes a spring brake piston, which is arranged in a housing of the spring brake cylinder and can be actuated by at least one accumulator spring and separates a spring chamber containing the accumulator spring from a spring brake chamber of the spring brake cylinder that can be filled with air for release and can be vented of air for application. A circulation device is provided at least for venting the spring chamber directly into the atmosphere. The circulation device is configured as a diaphragm valve device having at least one elastically movable outlet diaphragm and at least one elastically movable inlet diaphragm. The inlet diaphragm and the outlet diaphragm are in a closed position in contact with an associated valve seat in the home position of the diaphragms and, when a pressure difference between the spring chamber and the atmosphere exceeding a minimum pressure value is present, the diaphragms are moved into an open position lifted from the valve seat in order to build up and reduce pressure in the spring chamber.

To extend a power cylinder bore in a hydraulic block of a power brake system, a cylinder cover, which is in the form of a cylinder tube and is closed at one end, is fastened by means of a circumferential caulking in a fastening groove of the hydraulic block which encloses the power cylinder bore. An interference fit of a fastening flange of the cylinder cover in the fastening groove reliably seals the cylinder cover against the hydraulic block in a pressure-proof manner.

To extend a power cylinder bore in a hydraulic block of a power brake system, a cylinder cover, which is in the form of a cylinder tube and is closed at one end, is fastened by means of a circumferential caulking in a fastening groove of the hydraulic block which encloses the power cylinder bore. An interference fit of a fastening flange of the cylinder cover in the fastening groove reliably seals the cylinder cover against the hydraulic block in a pressure-proof manner.

An integrated brake component mounting bracket for a mechanical spring axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle includes an axle seat that is disposed on and is rigidly connected to an axle of the vehicle. An air chamber mounting bracket is rigidly connected to the axle seat, and a cam shaft assembly mounting bracket is rigidly connected to the axle seat. A brake air chamber of a brake system is attached to the air chamber mounting bracket, and a cam shaft assembly of the brake system is mounted to the cam shaft assembly mounting bracket. The integrated brake component mounting bracket thus provides mounting of the brake air chamber and the cam shaft assembly on the axle seat, which reduces the number of components that are welded to the axle and enables the use of a thinner-wall axle, desirably reducing the weight and cost associated with the axle/suspension system.