United States Patent (19) 11) Patent Number: 4,626,039

Worbois (45. Date of Patent: Dec. 2, 1986

(54 RAILWAY VEHICLE PENALTY BRAKE 57 ABSTRACT
CONTROL SYSTEM
A penalty brake control system for a railway vehicle
75 Inventor: Robert J. Worbois, N. Huntingdon, equipped with a straight air-type brake valve device is
Pa. arranged so that failure of the vehicle operator to indi
73) Assignee: American Standard Inc., Wilmerding, cate his alertness and/or well-being by maintaining a
Pa. foot valve pedal depressed results in an automatic pen
alty brake application. Pressure in a volume reservoir
21) Appl. No.: 705.940 exhausts through a whistle to evoke a warning of an
22 Filed: Feb. 22, 1985 impending penalty brake application any time the foot
51 Int. Cl. ............................................... B60T 7/14
valve pedal is released. When the volume reservoir
52 U.S. C. ......................................... 303/19; 303/13
pressure drops below a first predetermined value, an
58 Field of Search ....................... 303/19, 20, 13, 14; interlock pilot valve is operated to connect the volume
246/186, 189R, 167 R; 200/61, 86, 81 R, 81 H, reservoir pressure to exhaust at the brake valve device.
83 R A penalty pilot valve subject to volume reservoir pres
sure initiates a penalty brake application when the vol
56) References Cited ume reservoir pressure drops below a second predeter
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS mined pressure. Brake application pressure in excess of
2,961,274 11/1960 McClure et al. ...................... 303/19
this second predetermined pressure is connected to the
3,60,444 12/1964 Linhart .............. ... 303/19 penalty pilot valve in parallel with the volume reservoir
3,656,814 4/1972 Scheele et al. ........................ 303/19 pressure to suppress the penalty application of a brake
Primary Examiner-Douglas C. Butler application is in effect through the normal brake circuit.
Assistant Examiner-Alvin Oberley
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-G. J. Falce 10 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure
U.S. Patent Dec. 2, 1986 4,626,039

O)
s
() s
s

St

CO
CN

3.
 4,626,039
1 2
application zone. The foot valve device is pedal
RALWAY VEHICLE PENALTY BRAKE operated to connect a volume reservoir to either a
CONTROL SYSTEM source of compressed air or to a warning whistle de
pending upon whether the foot pedal is depressed or
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5 not.
The present invention relates to penalty brake control As long as the foot pedal is depressed, indicative of
systems for railway locomotives and, in particular, to the operator's alertness and/or well-being, the volume
such locomotives employing a straight air-type locomo reservoir is in a charged condition, cut off from the
tive brake valve device,
10
warning whistle. The control chamber of the first pilot
Penalty brake control systems have been typically valve is subject to this volume reservoir pressure to cut
employed on locomotives having automatic-type brake off a source of compressed air from the brake means.
equipments, such as the well-known, standard 26-L If the foot pedal is released for any reason, the vol
Locomotive Brake Equipment manufactured by the ume reservoir pressure blows down through the warn
Westinghouse Air Brake Company. This automatic 15
ing whistle. The resultant reduction of volume reservoir
type brake equipment is employed where a locomotive pressure initiates an impending penalty brake applica
is used to haula train of cars, since the locomotive brake tion. In the event the brake valve device is providing
valve device operates to vary brake pipe pressure, brake pressure at the time, this brake pressure is con
which in turn controls the car control valves and nected to the control chamber of the first pilot valve in
thereby provides substantially synchronized braking parallel with the volume reservoir pressure to maintain
throughout the train. 20
the first pilot valve device in its cut-off position, thus
Locomotives or power cars used as service vehicles, suppressing a penalty brake application.
such as track inspection vehicles and the like, are typi In the absence of brake application pressure or brake
cally single-unit vehicles equipped with a straight air application pressure less than a predetermined value
type brake system, which employs the well-known, corresponding to the pressure at which the first pilot
standard, SA-2 or SA-7 type brake valve device also 25
manufactured by the Westinghouse Air Brake Com valve is actuated, a second pilot valve connects the first
pany. The straight air-type brake valve device controls pilot valve control pressure to atmosphere at the brake
brake pressure directly, without regulating a train line valve, thus requiring operation of the brake valve to
control pressure, as in the counterpart 26-type brake obtain brake pressure in excess of the predetermined
valve device. Since these locomotives are not used to 30 value in order to release the penalty brake application.
haul cars, there is no requirement to provide interre BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
lated locomotive/car control functions, thus making it The foregoing objectives, as well as other advantages
advantageous to employ a straight air-type brake valve
device, because of its lower cost as compared to a 26 of the invention will become apparent from the follow
type automatic brake valve device. 35 ing detailed explanation when taken in conjunction with
However, it is desirable to continuously monitor the the single FIGURE drawing showing a diagrammatic
locomotive operator's alertness and well-being in these arrangement of a preferred embodiment of the inven
single-unit service cars, as well as in locomotives haul tion.
ing a train of cars. DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
40
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The penalty brake control system of the present in
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a vention is intended for use on a service-type locomotive
penalty brake control system for use with a straight having a straight air-type brake valve device 1, such as
air-type brake valve device. the aforementioned SA-2 or SA-7 straight air brake
A further object of the invention is to provide a pen 45 valve. This brake valve device 1 has, as its source of
alty brake control system in which a penalty brake compressed air, the locomotive main reservoir 2, which
application is automatically imposed when the vehicle is connected to brake valve device 1 by conduit 3. The
operator is detected as incapacitated or inattentive to self-lapping unit (not shown) of brake valve device 1
the requirement to maintain a foot pedal depressed as an regulates the pressure in a conduit 4, according to the
indication of his alertness. 50 position of the brake valve handle 5, by supplying ser
A still further object of the invention is to suppress an vice brake control pressure thereto from conduit 3 or
impending penalty brake application by the application exhausting pressure therefrom via an exhaust port 6.
of the locomotive brakes in a normal manner. Conduit 4 is connected to one inlet of a double check
A final object of the invention is to prevent release of valve 7, the outlet of which is connected by a conduit 8
a penalty brake application until a full service brake 55 to the control port of a relay valve device 9, such as a
application is made to bring the vehicle to a complete standard, well-known J-type relay valve manufactured
stop. by the Westinghouse Air Brake Company. The relay
These objectives are accomplished in a preferred valve outlet is connected to a conventional-type brake
embodiment of the present invention utilizing a dual cylinder device 10, which is pressurized according to
path brake circuit via which brake pressure is con 60 the pressure delivered to the relay valve control port by
trolled in accordance with normal service operation of brake valve device 1. This control of brake cylinder
the locomotive brake valve device in one path of the pressure by brake valve device 1 constitutes the normal
brake circuit or operation of a foot valve device in circuit for operating the vehicle brakes in accordance
conjunction with first and second pilot valves in the with the well-known straight air concept of brake con
other path of the brake circuit. The locomotive brake 65 trol.
valve device is basically a self-lapping type regulating In a penalty brake control circuit, there is provided a
valve capable of establishing brake pressure in propor foot valve device 11, such as a standard, well-known
tion to the degree of handle movement into the brake D-1 type foot valve manufactured by the Westinghouse
 4,626,039
3 4.
Air Brake Company. A volume reservoir 12 is con expiration of the warning period. In the shifted position
nected to the delivery port of foot valve device 11 by a of pilot valve device 18, volume reservoir 12 is con
conduit 13. In the depressed position of foot valve pedal nected to atmosphere at brake valve device 1 via con
14, which position the operator is required to establish duits 13, 16, and 21, double check valve 29, conduit 21,
and maintain to indicate his alertness and/or well-being, pilot spool valve device 18, conduit 27, one way check
conduit 13 is connected to a conduit 15 leading to main valve 32, conduit 4, and the brake valve exhaust port 6.
reservoir 2, so as to charge volume reservoir 12. Thus, even if pedal 14 of foot valve 11 is depressed to
A branch conduit 16 of conduit 13 connects the con connect main reservoir pressure from conduit 15 to
pressed air from reservoir volume 12 to the control port conduit 13 and volume reservoir 12, the afore-men
17 of a two-position, three-connection, pneumatic pilot 10 tioned interlock connection will preclude charging of
valve device 18. As long as this pressure exceeds a first reservoir 12 to a pressure sufficient to reset pilot valve
predetermined value, valve device 18 is actuated to device 18. In this way, suppression of a penalty brake
make the connection represented in the drawing by the application by depressing the foot valve pedal is not
dotted line of the valve envelope symbol. Volume reser possible after the warning period has expired. However,
voir pressure is thus connected to the control port 19 of 15 a penalty application can still be suppressed by operat
another two-position, three-connection, pneumatic pilot ing brake valve handle 5 to provide a service brake
valve device 20 via a branch conduit 21 of conduit 16 application (via the normal brake circuit) of such mag
and a conduit 22. These pilot valve devices 18, 20 may nitude as to prevent dissipation of control pressure at
be well-known, conventional H-5 type Relayair Valves pilot valve device 20, as hereinafter explained.
manufactured by the Westinghouse Air Brake Com 20 With handle 5 of brake valve device 1 positioned in
pany. When the pressure at control port 19 exceeds a the brake application zone, such that the pressure in
second predetermined value, e.g., 5 psi. less than the conduit 4 exceeds the predetermined value at which
first predetermined value, valve device 20 is actuated to pilot valve device 20 is set to actuate, this pressure in
make the connection represented in the drawing by the conduit 4 is connected via a conduit 28 and a double
dotted line in the valve envelope symbol. In this posi 25 check valve 29 in conduit 21 to the downstream side of
tion, a conduit 23, connected to the other inlet of double a one-way check valve 30 in a bypass conduit 31 that
check valve 7, is vented to atmosphere via a one-way connects conduits 21 and 22 in parallel with the connec
check valve 24 and the exhaust port of actuated pilot tion therebetween by pilot valve 18 (dotted line). Ac
valve device 20. Accordingly, the penalty brake control cordingly, the control pressure at port 19 of pilot valve
circuit is maintained in a vented condition as long as the 30 device 20 is prevented from being dissipated below the
pressure of volume reservoir 12 exceeds the predeter pressure in conduit 4, thus maintaining pilot valve de
mined value at which pilot valve device 20 is set to vice 20 in its actuated condition. It will be appreciated
actuate. As an example, the predetermined value at therefore that by operating brake valve 1 to provide
which pilot valve device 18 is set to actuate may be 85 brake application pressure in excess of approximately 80
psi. and the predetermined value at which pilot valve 35 psi., corresponding to the actuating pressure of pilot
device 20 is set to actuate may be 80 psi. These predeter valve 20, during or immediately following expiration of
mined values are less than the maximum pressure for the warning period, a penalty brake application can still
which brake valve device 1 is adjusted, such as 90 psi. be suppressed. It will be appreciated, however, that the
In the event foot valve pedal 14 is released by the degree of brake application required to suppress an
operator, either due to his being incapacitated or negli impending penalty brake application, as above ex
gent, the foot valve device 11 will assume a position in plained, is sufficient to bring the vehicle to a safe halt.
which conduit 13 is connected to a conduit 25 having a In order to reset the system to release the brakes, foot
warning whistle 26. Consequently, charging of volume valve pedal 14 must be depressed, so that volume reser
reservoir 12 is cut off and the volume reservoir pressure voir 12 is cut off from whistle 26 and accordingly is
is vented via warning whistle 25 to evoke an audible 45 recharged. At approximately 85 psi., pilot valve 18 is
warning of an impending penalty brake application. As reset, in turn connecting volume reservoir pressure to
the pressure in volume reservoir 12 is reduced by ex control port 19 (dotted connection) of pilot valve de
hausting through warning whistle 26, a timing period is vice 20. This control pressure, being at least 85 psi., is
established, which is defined by the time required for sufficient to maintain pilot valve device 20 in its reset
the volume reservoir pressure to blow down to the 50 position and thereby permit movement of brake valve
predetermined actuating pressure of pilot valve device handle 5 to release position without a penalty applica
18. During this warning period, foot valve pedal 14 can tion occurring. The effective brake cylinder control
be depressed to prevent the impending penalty brake pressure at relay valve 9 is thus exhausted to in turn
application from occurring. If the operator fails to ac release the service brake cylinder pressure.
knowledge the warning whistle during this warning 55 When brake application pressure is less than the con
period by depressing the foot valve pedal, the loss of trol pressure required to actuate pilot valve device 20,
pilot pressure at control port 17 results in pilot valve i.e., less than 80 psi, or the brake valve device is in
device 18 being shifted to a position represented by the release position so that the brake application pressure in
solid lines in the valve envelope symbol, thereby cutting conduit 4 is completely exhausted at the time the warn
off the supply of volume reservoir pressure to the con 60 ing whistle is sounded, the volume reservoir pressure is
trol port 19 of pilot valve device 20, and connecting this reduced to the level of the effective brake application
pressure to a conduit 27 that is connected to conduit 4. pressure via conduit 16, conduit 21, double check valve
In the normal release position of brake valve device 1, 29, pilot valve device 18, conduit 27, a one-way check
conduit 4 is vented to atmosphere via a connection valve 32, conduit 4, and the brake valve exhaust port 6.
within the brake valve leading to exhaust port 6. 65 This allows pilot pressure at control port 19 of pilot
This provides an interlock feature that prevents the valve device 20 to be dissipated with the volume reser
operator from suppressing an impending penalty appli voir pressure, whereby pilot valve 20 is switched to a
cation (by depressing the foot valve pedal) following position represented by the solid line in the valve enve
 4,626,039
5 6
lope symbol, when the control pressure drops below (d) a first pilot valve device including a control port
approximately 80 psi. In the switched position of pilot subject to said reservoir fluid under pressure, an
valve device 20, pressure in main reservoir 2 is con inlet connected to said source of fluid under pres
nected to a conventional-type regulating valve 33 in sure, an outlet connected to said first double check
conduit 23 of the penalty control circuit. The regulating valve device, and an exhaust port, said first pilot
valve is adjusted to provide output pressure, as desired, valve device having an actuated position in which
for the penalty brake application. Typically, this pres said inlet is connected to said outlet in response to
sure would correspond to the maximum pressure pro said reservoir fluid under pressure being reduced
duced by brake valve device 1, that is 90 psi., and is below a first predetermined value to thereby pro
supplied via double check valve 7 to conduit 8 and the O
vide penalty brake control pressure, and having a
control port of relay valve device 9, which operates to reset position in which said outlet is connected to
pressurize brake cylinder 10 in accordance with the said exhaust port in response to said reservoir fluid
penalty brake application. under pressure exceeding said first predetermined
The aforementioned penalty brake application can pressure to thereby exhaust said penalty brake con
only be released by movement of brake valve handle 5 15
trol pressure;
to a position in the brake application zone correspond (e) suppression means for preventing operation of
ing to at least 85 psi, brake application pressure, while said first pilot valve device to said actuated posi
foot valve pedal 14 is concurrently depressed to reestab
lish the connection between conduits 13 and 15. With tion when said service brake control pressure ex
the pressure in conduit 4 eing at least 85 psi, pressure 20 ceeds said first predetermined value; and
supplied to volume reservoir 12 from main reservoir 2 is (f) interlock means for preventing operation of said
able to build up at control port 17 of pilot valve device first pilot valve device from said actuated position
18, since the fluid pressure in conduits 21 and 27 is to said reset position when said penalty control
unable to exhaust at brake valve exhaust port 6. When means is in said second position comprising:
this build-up of pressure at control port 17 reaches 85 25 (i) a second pilot valve device having a control
psi, pilot valve device 18 is actuated to the position port, an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet,
represented by the dotted line in the valve envelope said second pilot valve device being operable to
symbol. In this position, volume reservoir pressure is, in an actuated position in response to said reservoir
turn, connected to control port 19 of pilot valve device fluid under pressure being less than a second
20 to reset this pilot valve 20. In this position of pilot 30 predetermined value, wherein said inlet thereof
valve 20, as represented by the dotted line in the valve is connected to said second outlet thereof, and
envelope symbol, conduit 23 is connected to atmo being operable to a reset position in response to
sphere to exhaust the regulating valve supply pressure said reservoir fluid under pressure exceeding
in conduit 23. This allows the penalty brake control said second predetermined value, wherein said
pressure at the penalty control circuit side of double 35 inlet thereof is connected to said first outlet
check valve 7 to be exhausted via one-way check valve thereof;
24, conduit 23, and pilot valve 20. (ii) a first conduit between said reservoir and said
This requirement to move brake valve handle 5 suffi control port of said second pilot valve device;
ciently to provide brake application pressure in the (iii) a second conduit between said first conduit and
normal brake circuit in excess of 85 psi. is intended to said inlet of said second pilot valve device; and
assure complete stopping of the vehicle before the pen (iv) a third conduit between said brake valve de
alty application can be released. A control choke 34 is vice and said first double check valve device
provided in conduit 15 between main reservoir 2 and having said service brake control pressure, said
foot valve device 11. The purpose of this control choke reservoir fluid under pressure being exhausted
is to prevent a buildup of pressure at control port 17 of 45 via said brake valve device when said service
pilot valve device 18, in the event foot valve pedal 14 is brake control pressure is less than said reservoir
depressed following a penalty brake application with fluid under pressure, whereby said second pilot
out concurrently operating brake valve device 1 to valve is prevented from being operated to said
application position. Accordingly, pilot valve device 18 reset position until said service brake control
is prevented from being inadvertently reset to prema 50 pressure exceeds said second predetermined
turely release a penalty application. value.
Having thus described the invention, what I claim as 2. A brake control system, as recited in claim 1, fur
new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: ther comprising regulating valve means for limiting the
1. A railway vehicle brake control system including
braking means, an operator's brake valve device opera 55 maximum fluid under pressure connected from said
tive to provide service brake control pressure according outlet of said first pilot valve device to said brake
12.S.
to the selected position of an operating handle thereof in
a brake application zone, and a source of fluid under 3. A brake control system, as recited in claim 2, fur
pressure comprising: ther comprising a one-way check valve in parallel with
(a) a reservoir; 60 said regulating valve means to connect fluid under pres
(b) penalty control means for connecting said source sure from said first double check valve device to atmo
of fluid under pressure to said reservoir in a first sphere via said exhaust port when said first pilot valve
position and for venting said reservoir in a second device is in said reset position.
position; 4. A brake control system, as recited in claim 1,
(c) a first double check valve device via which either 65 wherein said first predetermined value is less than said
said service brake control pressure or said penalty second predetermined value.
brake control pressure is connected to said braking 5. A brake control system, as recited in claim 1, fur
means; ther comprising:
 4,626,039
7 8
(a) a fourth conduit between said third conduit and ly-operated, two-position, three-connection valve de
said second outlet of said second pilot valve device; vice, a first one of said three connections being with said
and source of fluid under pressure, a second being with said
(b) a first one-way check valve in said fourth conduit reservoir, and a third being to atmosphere.
to prevent flow of fluid under pressure from said 8. A brake control system, as recited in claim 7, fur
fourth conduit to said second outlet of said second ther characterized in that said pedally-operated valve
pilot valve device. device establishes fluid pressure communication be
6. A brake control system, as recited in claim 5, fur tween said first and second connections in said first
ther comprising: position thereof, and establishes fluid pressure commu
(a) a fifth conduit between said first outlet of said O
nication between said second and third connections in
second pilot valve device and said control port of said second position thereof.
said first pilot valve device; 9. A brake control system, as recited in claim 7,
(b) a sixth conduit connected between said second
and fifth conduits in parallel with said second pilot wherein said penalty control means further comprises a
valve device; and 15 whistle via which said third connection of said pedally
(c) a second one-way check valve device in said sixth operated valve device is connected to atmosphere.
conduit to prevent flow of fluid under pressure 10. A brake control system, as recited in claim 7,
from said second conduit to said third conduit in further comprising a fluid pressure restriction via which
bypass of said second pilot valve device when said said source of fluid under pressure is connected to said
second pilot valve device is in said second position. 20 reservoir in said first position of said pedally-operated
7. A brake control system, as recited in claim 1, valve device.
wherein said penalty control means comprises a pedal k sk k

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65