A device for actuating valves and determines an actuation duration for a valve of a target system from a specified actuation duration for a valve of a reference system with which a required pressure change can be achieved in the reference system in order to achieve the required pressure change in the target system. The device ascertains the effective valve opening time belonging to the specified actuation duration for the valve of the reference system, calculates the effective opening time of the valve of the target system from the effective opening time said opening time of the valve of the target system being used to achieve the same pressure change in the target system as in the reference system, and then determines a valve actuation duration required to achieve the effective opening time of the valve of the target system.

The invention relates to a use of a contactlessly working optical laser triangulation method for detecting at least one geometric property of a brake lining of a disc brake of a vehicle and/or of at least one component of the components of the brake lining before an initial commissioning or before an assembly of the brake lining and/or the at least one component of the components of the brake lining in the disc brake.

A degradation detection system includes: a storage that stores measured values of command pressure and measured values of response pressure; and a simulator that calculates, using a physical model, the response pressure in accordance with the command pressure, thereby obtaining a waveform of the calculated response pressure corresponding to a waveform of the command pressure in a case in which the command pressure is changed. A waveform identifier identifies a waveform of the calculated response pressure that matches a waveform of the detected response pressure. A degradation identifier identifies a degraded component of a pressure regulating valve from a value of parameter acquired by the waveform identifier and a normal range defined for the parameter.

A system that allows an electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) railcar to be optionally selected as the ECP End of Train (EOT) device when that car is positioned at the end of a train regardless of its physical orientation. This eliminates the requirement to use and install a traditional End of Train (EOT) device at the end of an ECP train while maintaining the same train integrity monitoring functionality that is typically provided for train brake-in-two detection and closed cut-out cock detection. The system also eliminates the requirement for a dedicated EOT device at the end of the train for ECP “RUN” Mode operation, and allows any ECP car to function normally as part of the train or act as the EOT device when selected.

A brake control system includes an interface controller configured to communicate with different control paths of sources for control of a brake system of a vehicle system. Each of the control paths is configured to communicate a control signal from a different source of the sources to control operation of the brake system. The interface controller is configured to arbitrate between the control signals concurrently received from the different sources via the control paths to dictate which of the different sources controls operation of the brake system at different times and prevent control by other sources of the different sources from concurrently controlling the operation of the brake system.

A brake line pressure sensor calibration system for an end of train device includes one or more computer processors, a display screen, and a sensor configured to measure the brake line pressure of the train. The processors are configured to implement a calibration of the sensor, guide a user through a sensor calibration, and acquire calibration data during the calibration. The processors guide the user through the calibration by generating calibration instructions, which the display screen displays, and receiving input responsive to the instructions. To perform the calibration, the sensor acquires at least one pressure measurement of a controlled air pressure applied to the sensor in response to a pressure setpoint input by the user in accordance with the calibration instructions. The device includes an internal memory configured to store the calibration expiration data, which is also displayed on the display screen.

A recognition system of a position of a mechatronic braking control device associated with a railway vehicle along a train is described. The recognition system includes a sustaining and fixing support installed on the railway vehicle, an identifying binary coding of the position along the train, and a mechatronic braking control device adapted to be fixed to the sustaining and fixing support and including an optical reading device arranged to detect the identifying binary coding. The mechatronic braking control device determines the position along the train according to the binary coding that is read by the optical reading device.

A system for identifying whether the braking system of a train is functioning properly such as during a train terminal test. A monitor on a rail car is used to detect abnormalities in the braking system and can report problems to a handheld terminal or a central controller in the locomotive. The monitor has a pressure sensor for measuring brake pipe pressure, auxiliary reservoir pressure, emergency reservoir pressure, and brake cylinder pressure at the rail car. The monitor also has a controller that can calculate whether brake pipe reduction resulting the appropriate amount of brake cylinder pressure. The monitor can then provide the results locally via a visual indicator or remotely to a handheld terminal used by a train inspector or the controller in the locomotive. Testing data over time may be stored for future reference or transmitted remotely to assist with maintenance and service scheduling.

A braking control system for a vehicle system includes a control chamber configured to control air pressure of a brake pipe of the vehicle system. The system also includes first and second charge valves and first and second vent valves. The first charge valve and the first vent valve are controllable to vent or charge the brake pipe, and the second charge valve and the second vent valve are separately controllable for the same purpose. The system also includes a controller configured to switch operation of the vehicle system between a first operation mode, where the first charge valve and the first vent valve are enabled, and a second operation mode, where the second charge valve and the second vent valve are enabled, in response to an input.

A system, methods and devices for automating inspection of a brake system on a railway vehicle, such as a freight car or train of a plurality of cars is provided. According to preferred embodiments, the system may be configured for use in conjunction with existing braking systems currently on railway vehicles, such as those on freight cars and other railway vehicles. The system, methods and devices comprise a wireless brake monitoring sensor that includes a radar unit or circuitry and directs a beam toward a target to monitor a condition or position of a brake or brake component.