Various systems and methods for braking a vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a brake assembly is provided that includes a lever attachment interface pivotally coupled with two degrees of freedom to a joint between a first lever and a second lever and a brake cylinder coupled to the first lever and designed to engage and disengage a brake lining in a brake component. The brake cylinder includes a slack adjuster configured to adjust a throw of the second lever.

A braking system for a steel wheeled vehicle is provided. The braking system includes an actuator assembly and a brake member operably engaged with the actuator assembly. The brake member contacts a flat surface of a wheel of the steel wheeled vehicle. A method for applying brakes to a steel wheeled vehicle is also provided. The method includes applying brake pressure, via a brake member, to a flat surface of a wheel of the steel wheeled vehicle.

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 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 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.

Various systems and methods for braking a vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a brake assembly is provided that includes a lever attachment interface pivotally coupled with two degrees of freedom to a joint between a first lever and a second lever and a brake cylinder coupled to the first lever and designed to engage and disengage a brake lining in a brake component. The brake cylinder includes a slack adjuster configured to adjust a throw of the second lever.