Braking systems for railway cars
View Patent ↗Braking systems for railway cars are provided. A braking system defines a longitudinal axis, and includes a first brake assembly, a second brake assembly, and an actuator operable to generate a linear force, the actuator disposed proximate the second brake assembly. The braking system further includes a movable rod and a fixed rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly. In some embodiments, the braking system further includes a lever and a slack adjuster disposed proximate the first brake assembly, the slack adjuster connected to the first brake assembly and the lever and operable to adjust a distance along the longitudinal axis between a reference point of the first brake assembly and a pivot point of the lever. In some embodiments, the braking system includes a strut connected to the second brake assembly, the actuator, fixed rod and movable rod connected to the strut.
1. A braking system for a railway car, the braking system defining a longitudinal axis and comprising:
a first brake assembly, the first brake assembly comprising a bar assembly and a plurality of brake heads connected to the bar assembly, the bar assembly comprising a tension bar and a compression bar;
a second brake assembly spaced apart from the first brake assembly along the longitudinal axis, the second brake assembly comprising a bar assembly and a plurality of brake heads connected to the bar assembly, the bar assembly comprising a tension bar and a compression bar;
an actuator operable to generate a linear force, the actuator disposed between the tension bar and the compression bar of the second brake assembly;
a movable rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly, the movable rod connected to the actuator and translatable along the longitudinal axis based on operation of the actuator;
a fixed rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly;
a strut disposed between the tension bar and the compression bar of the second brake assembly, the strut comprising a base connected to the tension bar and an arm extending from the base and connected to the compression bar of the second brake assembly, wherein the actuator, the fixed rod and the movable rod are connected to the strut, and wherein a second end of the fixed rod is connected to the arm of the strut,
wherein the strut further comprises a pocket defined in the arm, and wherein a second end of the fixed rod is disposed within the pocket.
2. The braking system of claim 1 , wherein the strut further comprises a passage defined in the arm, and wherein the movable rod extends through the passage.
3. The braking system of claim 2 , wherein the passage is defined in a free end of the arm.
4. The braking system of claim 1 , wherein the strut further comprises a flange extending from the base.
5. The braking system of claim 4 , wherein the actuator is connected to the flange.
6. The braking system of claim 5 , wherein the flange is a first flange, and wherein the strut further comprises a second flange, the actuator connected to and between the first flange and the second flange.
7. The braking system of claim 6 , wherein the second flange comprises a body and a pocket defined in the body, and wherein a second end of the movable rod is disposed within the pocket.
8. The braking system of claim 7 , wherein the pocket is centrally located on the body.
9. The braking system of claim 4 , wherein the flange comprises a body and a passage defined in the body.
10. The braking system of claim 9 , wherein the strut further comprises a connector flange extending through the passage and threadably connected to the actuator.
11. The brake system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is an air bag.
12. The brake system of claim 1 , wherein the base and the arm of the strut are integral and monolithic.
13. The brake system of claim 4 , wherein the base, the arm and the flange of the strut are integral and monolithic.
14. A strut for connecting a fixed rod, a movable rod and an actuator in a braking system for a railway car, the strut comprising:
a base extending between a first end and a second end;
a flange extending from the first end of the base, the flange connectable to the actuator;
an arm extending from the second end of the base, the arm extending between a first end connected to the second end of the base and a second free end;
a pocket defined in the arm, the pocket sized to receive the fixed rod therein; and
a passage defined in the second free end of the arm, the passage sized to receive the movable rod therethrough.
15. The strut of claim 14 , wherein the base, the arm and the flange are integral and monolithic.
16. The strut of claim 14 , wherein the flange is a first flange, and wherein the strut further comprises a second flange, the actuator connectable to and between the first flange and the second flange.
17. The strut of claim 16 , wherein the second flange is separate from the base, the arm and the first flange.
18. The strut of claim 16 , wherein the second flange comprises a body and a pocket defined in the body, the pocket sized to receive the movable rod therein.
19. The strut of claim 18 , wherein the pocket is centrally located on the body.
20. The strut of claim 14 , wherein the flange comprises a body and a passage defined in the body.
21. The strut of claim 20 , further comprising a connector flange extendable through the passage and threadably connectable to the actuator.