Power sheave

Abstract

A power sheave comprising a first chain having a first end coupled to a brake mechanism, a second chain having a first end coupled to a railway car brake rigging, a wheel rotatably coupled to the railway car and operatively coupled to a second end of the first chain and a second end of the second chain, a sensor operatively coupled to the railway car proximate the wheel, and a spring mechanism operatively coupled to the wheel, the spring mechanism configured to bias the wheel in a first rotational direction. When the railway car brake mechanism is applied, the wheel rotates in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction into a first position. When the railway car brake mechanism is released, the wheel rotates in the first rotational direction under the bias of the spring mechanism into a second position. The sensor is configured to detect when the wheel is in the second position.

1 . A brake mechanism having a power sheave comprising:
 a. a first chain having a first end coupled to a brake mechanism;   b. a second chain having a first end coupled to a railway car brake rigging;   c. a wheel rotatably coupled to a railway car and operatively coupled to a second end of said first chain and a second end of said second chain;   d. a sensor operatively coupled to the railway car proximate said wheel; and   e. a spring mechanism operatively coupled to said wheel, said spring mechanism configured to bias said wheel in a first rotational direction;   wherein
 when said railway car brake mechanism is applied, said wheel rotates in a second rotational direction opposite said first rotational direction into a first position, 
 when said railway car brake mechanism is released, said wheel rotates in said first rotational direction under the bias of said spring mechanism into a second position, and 
   said sensor is configured to detect when said wheel is in said second position.   
     
     
         2 . The brake mechanism of  claim 1 , said wheel further comprising a first annular groove configured to receive a portion of said first chain and a second annular groove configured to receive a portion of said second chain. 
     
     
         3 . The brake mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame that may be secured to the railway car, said frame being configured to rotatably receive said wheel. 
     
     
         4 . The brake mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said spring mechanism is a coil spring that is operatively coupled to said wheel through said second chain. 
     
     
         5 . The brake mechanism of  claim 4 , said spring having a first end coupled to the railway car and a second end coupled to said second chain. 
     
     
         6 . The brake mechanism of  claim 3 , wherein said spring mechanism is operatively coupled intermediate said frame and said wheel. 
     
     
         7 . The brake mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor senses a marker on said wheel when said wheel is in said second position. 
     
     
         8 . The brake mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein when said marker is sensed, said brake mechanism is in a released state. 
     
     
         9 . The brake mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein a depth of said first groove is different than a depth of said second groove to provide a mechanical advantage when said wheel rotates. 
     
     
         10 . A brake mechanism having a power sheave comprising:
 a. a first chain having a first end coupled to a brake mechanism;   b. a second chain having a first end coupled to a railway car brake rigging;   c. a wheel rotatably coupled to the railway car and operatively coupled to a second end of said first chain and a second end of said second chain;   d. a spring mechanism operatively coupled to said wheel and configured to bias said wheel in a first rotational direction;   wherein
 when said railway car brake mechanism is applied, said wheel rotates in a second rotational direction against said spring bias, and 
 when said railway car brake mechanism is released, said wheel rotates in said first rotational direction under the bias of said spring mechanism. 
   
     
     
         11 . The brake mechanism of  claim 10 , further comprising a sensor operatively coupled to the railway car proximate said wheel, wherein said sensor is configured to detect when said wheel is in a predetermined position. 
     
     
         12 . The brake mechanism of  claim 10 , said wheel further comprising a first annular groove configured to receive a portion of said first chain and a second annular groove configured to receive a portion of said second chain, wherein a depth of said first groove differs from a depth of said second groove to provide a mechanical advantage when said wheel rotates. 
     
     
         13 . The brake mechanism of  claim 10 , further comprising a frame coupled to the railway car and configured to rotatably receive said wheel so that
 a. when said wheel rotates in said first direction, said first chain wraps around said wheel and said second chain unwraps from said wheel, and   b. when said wheel rotates in said second direction, said second chain wraps around said wheel and said first chain unwraps from said wheel.   
     
     
         14 . The brake mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein said spring mechanism is a coil spring having a first end attached to the railway car and a second end attached to said second chain. 
     
     
         15 . The brake mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein said spring mechanism is a torsion spring having a first end coupled to said wheel and a second end coupled to said frame. 
     
     
         16 . The brake mechanism of  claim 11 , wherein said sensor senses a marker on said wheel when said wheel is in said predetermined position. 
     
     
         17 . A brake mechanism having a power sheave comprising:
 a. a brake mechanism;   b. a railway car brake rigging;   c. a first chain having a first end coupled to said brake mechanism;   d. a second chain having a first end coupled to said railway car brake rigging;   e. a frame coupled to a railway car;   f. a wheel rotatably coupled to said frame and operatively coupled to a second end of said first chain and a second end of said second chain; and   g. a spring mechanism operatively coupled to said wheel and configured to bias said wheel in a first rotational direction.   
     
     
         18 . The brake mechanism of  claim 17 , wherein
 when said railway car brake mechanism is applied, said wheel rotates in a second rotational direction opposite against said spring bias, and   when said railway car brake mechanism is released, said wheel rotates in said first rotational direction under the bias of said spring mechanism.   
     
     
         19 . The brake mechanism of  claim 18 , wherein said spring mechanism is a coil spring having a first end attached to the railway car and a second end attached to said second chain. 
     
     
         20 . The brake mechanism of  claim 18 , wherein said spring mechanism is a torsion spring having a first end coupled to said wheel and a second end coupled to said frame. 
     
     
         21 . The brake mechanism of  claim 17 , further comprising a sensor operatively coupled to said frame proximate said wheel, wherein said sensor is configured to detect when said wheel is in a predetermined position.