Train brake and hand brake release systems, and related methods

Abstract

Train brake systems, hand brake release systems and related methods are provided. The brake system can include a hand brake release system that can automatically releasing a hand brake on a railway car. A differential value can be used to measuring an air pressure differential between an air pressure in a train line of a train and an air pressure on a brake cylinder of the railway car to determine if air should transfer from the emergency reservoir to assure the hand brake is released. A hand brake position valve can be used to determine whether the hand brake is applied or released. The air from the emergency reservoir can then be directed within a motion detector valve to assure that the hand brake us released.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for automatically releasing a hand brake on a railway car, the method comprising:
 measuring an air pressure differential between an air pressure in a train line of a train and an air pressure on a brake cylinder of the railway car to determine if air should transfer from an emergency reservoir of a train brake system to assure the hand brake is released;   determining whether the hand brake is applied or released using a hand brake position valve; and   directing the air from the emergency reservoir within a motion detector device to assure that the hand brake is released.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the determining whether the hand brake is applied or released further comprises directing the air from the emergency reservoir to locking spools of the motion detector device to release the hand brake. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising indicating that the brake is released and the train is ready to depart if the air from the emergency reservoir has been directed to the locking spools. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the determining whether the hand brake is applied or released further comprises directing the air from the emergency reservoir to a center port of the motion detector device. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising leaving the pendulum unstable if the air from the emergency reservoir is directed to the center port of the of the motion detector device and locking spools of the motion detector device are vented. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising tripping the pendulum to direct the air from the emergency reservoir to a hand brake release cylinder disposed on the hand brake to release the hand brake. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the motion detector device comprising a pneumatic motion detector valve. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the motion detector device comprising an electronic solenoid. 
     
     
         9 . A hand brake release system on a railway car, the system comprising:
 a differential valve in communication with a train line of a train and a brake cylinder, the differential valve measuring an air pressure differential between an air pressure in a train line of a train and an air pressure on a brake cylinder of the railway car to determine if air should transfer from an emergency reservoir of a train brake system;   a hand brake position valve configured to determine whether the hand brake is applied or released using; and   a motion detector device configured to direct the air from the emergency reservoir within the motion detector device to assure that the hand brake is released.   
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the motion detector device comprises shifting yoke with locking spools attached to the shifting yoke and a pendulum controllably movable with the shifting yoke. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the locking spools are configured to lock the pendulum in a vertical direction to lock the hand brake in a release position. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the motion detector device comprises a center port configured to determine whether the hand brake is applied or released when the air from the emergency reservoir is directed to the center port. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the motion detector device comprising a pneumatic motion detector valve. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the motion detector device comprising an electronic solenoid.