Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02327024 2000-11-21
LOCOMOTIVE BRAKE VALVE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The invention taught in the present application is
closely related to the invention taught in co-pending patent
application titled "Spring With Enhanced Damping
Capabilities", filed concurrently herewith and having serial
number This application is assigned to the
assignee of the present application. The teachings of this
co-pending patent application are incorporated herein by
reference thereto.
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates, in general, to a
locomotive brake valve and, more particularly, this invention
relates to a spring having enhanced damping capabilities in
combination with a locomotive brake valve.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Prior to the present invention, a locomotive brake valve
is equipped with at least one spring that provides a
mechanical force against a diaphragm in order to generate air
pressure in the valve. Spring vibration occurs as a result
of either the spring operating at its natural frequency, or
vibration that is introduced to_ the spring through its
environment during normal operation of the brake valve. This
vibration can damage the brake valve assembly components.
CA 02327024 2000-11-21
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a first aspect, the present invention provides for a
locomotive brake valve having a spring with enhanced damping
capabilities. The spring includes a compression member
having a predetermined load rating and a predetermined
length, and an elastomeric material encasing the compression
member.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides for
a type 26 automatic brake valves having a spring with
enhanced damping capabilities.
In still a further aspect, the present invention
provides for an SA-type automatic brake valve having a spring
with enhanced damping capabilities.
In still a further aspect, the present invention
provides for a 30-type automatic brake valve having a spring
with enhanced damping capabilities.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a primary object of the present
invention to provide a brake valve having a spring with
enhanced damping capabilities.
It is a further object of the present invention to
substantially minimize spring vibration in a brake valve
assembly.
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Still a further object of the present invention is to
substantially minimize brake valve assembly component damage
as a result of spring vibration.
In addition to the various objects of the invention that
have been described above, various other objects and
advantages will become more readily apparent to those persons
skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed
description of the invention, particularly, when such
description is taken in conjunction with the attached figures
and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a presently
preferred embodiment of a locomotive brake valve assembly
comprising a spring having enhanced damping capabilities; and
Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view, which shows the
portion of the locomotive brake valve assembly comprising a
spring having enhanced damping capabilities.
BRIEF DECSCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY
PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE
EMBODIMENTS OE THE PRESENT INVENTION
Prior to proceeding to a more detailed description of
the invention, it should be noted that identical components
having identical functions have, been designated with
identical reference numerals for the sake of clarity.
CA 02327024 2000-11-21
Now refer more particularly to Figures 1 and 2 of the
drawings. Illustrated therein is a locomotive brake valve,
generally designated 10, comprising a spring, generally
designated 20 for providing enhanced damping capabilities,
having a compression member 21 of a predetermined load rating
and a predetermined length, and an elastomeric material 22
encasing the compression member 21. Preferably, the
compression member 21 is helical, wherein the elastomeric
material 22 substantially surrounds the compression
member 21. The elastomeric material 22 is a predetermined
shape. Preferably, the shape is cylindrical, and includes an
inside cylinder 25 and an outside cylinder 26. The
compression member 21 is disposed intermediate such inside
cylinder 25 and such outside cylinder 26 of the elastomeric
material 22. The compression member 21 is metal.
Preferably, the metal is steel.
The elastomeric material 22 further includes a
predetermined composition as a means for substantially
limiting the vibration of the spring 20. The elastomeric
material 22 is pre-selected from the group consisting of
neoprene, chloroprene, silicon rubber, and nitrile rubber.
Preferably, the elastomeric material 22 is neoprene.
The spring 20 is disposed intermediate to a pressure
regulating means, generally designated 30, and a spring
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seat 40. The spring 20 further includes a first end 23 and a
second end 24. Preferably, the first end 23 of the spring 20
contacts the pressure regulating means 30 and the second
end 24 is located at a predetermined position. Preferably,
the pressure regulating means 30 is a diaphragm 31, and the
predetermined position of the second end 24 is adjustable.
The spring 20 is engaged against the diaphragm 31 as a
means of exerting mechanical force for generating air
pressure in the brake valve 10.
In combination with a locomotive brake valve 10 having a
diaphragm 31, and a spring seat 40, the improvement comprises
at least one spring 20 having enhanced damping capabilities.
In combination with a 26-C automatic brake valve, the
improvement further comprises one spring 20 having enhanced
damping capabilities. In combination with an SA-type
independent brake valve, the improvement comprises one
spring 20 having enhanced damping capabilities. In
combination with a 30-type brake valve, the improvement
comprises two springs 20 having enhanced damping
capabilities.
Although the invention has been shown in connection with
a certain specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art that various changes in form and
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arrangement of parts and method may be made to suit
requirements without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention.
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