US1229325A - Safety-valve for air-brakes. - Google Patents

Description

M. H. RYAN.

SAFETY VALVE FOR AIR BRAKES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.14,I916.

1,229,3g5 o Patented J une 12, 1917.

2 SHEETSSHEET l- Attorneys Min. RYAN.

SAFETY VALVE FOR AIR BRAKES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.14, 1916.

11 229 9 Patented June 12, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Witnesses A ya inventor Attorneys ENTTE MICHAEL H. RYAN, OF SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA.

SAFETY-VALVE FOR AIR-BRAKES.

i,22s,s25.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 12, 1917.

Application filed February 14, 1916. Serial N 0. 78,238.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, MICHAEL H. RYAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Bernardino, in the county of San Bernardino and State of California, have invented a new and useful Safety-Valve for Air-Brakes, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention is a valve structure adapted for use between the triple valve and train pipe of a car equipped with an automatic air brake, the present device being so operable that should the triple valve assume an undesired emergency position, there will not be such a reduction of pressure in the train pipe, as would invariably apply the brakes in all other cars. This, under ordinary circumstances, invariably results in the application of the brakes of the entire train unexpectedly, resulting in the excessive strain upon the draft riggings, and consequent rupture of the train at one or more points. The brakes are usually applied gradually by the engineer, but it sometimes happens that one of the triple valves of the cars will apply the corresponding brake suddenly, due to some defect in the triple valve, or the like, and this invariably results in such a reduction in the air pressure in the train pipe, as to cause the application of all brakes, which is beyond the control of the engineer.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a valve structure for each car to be interposed between the train pipe and triple valve, for preventing the sudden reduction of pressure in the train pipe should the triple valve be operated suddenly to emergency position, although a restricted amount of air can flow from the train pipe to the triple valve which is essential to the operation of the system, and the flow of air from the triple valve to the train pipe being unrestricted.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a whistle or acoustic signal which is operated when the triple valve assumes an undesired emergency position, in order that the car whose triple valve is defective can be readily found, and the cut off cock closed to out out the triple valve and brake of that car, so that the entire system will not be disrupted.

It is also within the scope of the invention to provide a device of the nature indicated which is comparatively simple and inexpensive in construction, which is practical and reliable in operation, and which is improved generally in its construction and details, to enhance the utility and efiiciency thereof. I

WVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross section thereof taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal median section of the device, parts being shown in elevation, and a portion of the whistle being broken away.

The present valve structure embodies a casing or body 1 constructed of suitable metal, and interposed between and connecting the pipe or branch 2 connected to the train pipe and having a cut off cock 3 therein, and the pipe 4: connected to the triple valve 5 of a car equipped with an automatic air brake, it being understood that each car is equipped with one of the present devices.

The body 1 comprises a solid section 6 and a hollow chambered section 7, said sections'having contacting flanges 8 which are fastened together by bolts 9 or otherwise, the section 7 having a chamber 10 therein with which the pipe 2 communicates. The pipe 2 is in threaded or other engagement with the section 7, while the pipe 4: is threaded or otherwise engaged within the outer end of a longitudinal bore or passage 12 with which the section 6 is provided. The

section 6 has a portion or extension 11 pro- '29 of the valve.

end of the bore 12, and against which is seatable a suspended swinging flap valve 1 1. Said valve has a pair of upwardly projecting apertured ears 15 pivotally engaging a transverse rod 16 which has its ends engaged through a pair of outstanding ears17 with which the extension 11 is provided above the bore 12, whereby the valve 1d swings by gravity against the seat 13. The valve 1a has a restricted aperture 18 for permitting a restricted flow of air from. the pipe 2 into the pipe 1, but the air can readily flow from the pipe 4 into the pipe 2 since the valve 1 1 will swing open freely when this takes place. i

The section 6 has at its outer end a longitudinal bore 19 above the bore 12, and the extension 11 has a longitudinal bore 20 above the bore 12 and in alinement with the bore 19, the bore 20 being disposed between the ears 17. The inner end of the bore 19 is of conical form to provide a valve seat 21, and there is a restricted bore or passage 22 between the valve seat 21 and the bore 20: The bore 20 provides a cylinder for the reception of a piston as will hereinafter more fully appear. The section 6 also has a trans verse or vertical passage 23 intersecting the valve seat 21, and provided at its upper end with a counter bore 24. into which is threaded the nipple 25 of a whistle or acoustic audible signal 26. l i

In order to normally close the passage 23, v

a valve 27 is slidable within the bore or chamber 19 and has a conical portion 28 seatable against the seat 21 to thereby close the passage 23, and the portion 28 has a stem 29 projecting therefrom within the bore 22. A plug 30 is threaded into the outer end of the bore 19, and the valve 27 has a stem 31 projecting toward the plug 30, and a coiled wire expansion spring 32 surrounds the stem 31 and is confined between the valve 27 and plug 30, so as to normally seat the valve 27. The section 6 is also provided with a passage 38 extending from the bore 12 to thebore 19 in rear of the valve 27, and the section 6 also has a passage 341 extending from the bore 12 to'that end' of the bore 20 remote from the section 7. The other end of the bore 20 is open and communicates with the chamber 10. p

In order to automatically open the valve 27 when an undesired emergency condition exists, a piston 35 is slidable snugly within the bore 20, and has a stem 36 projecting into the bore 22 to abut. against the stem During the undesired emergency condition, there is a' relatively high pressure of air within the chamber 10 against the respective face of the piston 35,

whilethe air pressure within the bore 12 is at a lower pressure, and the respective end of the bore 20 being in communlcatlon with the bore 12 by way of the passage 34: will provide for piston 35 than in front of the same, resulting in the movement of the piston 35 toward the valve 27 to unseat the same.

The extension 11 is provided above and in communication with the bore 20 with avertical or transverse bore 37 in which is slidable a piston-shaped catch 38 having a a less air pressure behind the downwardly projecting finger 39 normally I seating upon theplston 35, so that when the position as ordinarily done, and the valve 14 does not retard or impair the flow of air from the triple valve to the train pipe when there is a reduction in pressure in the train pipe, as when the engineer operates the triple valve under his control in the engine. The utility of the present device resides in the fact that it prevents an unrestricted flow of air from the train pipe should the triple valve 5 assume an undesired emergency position,'which would ordinarily allow the air to escape from the train pipe so that a number of the brakes, if not all of them, would be applied. Thepresent device permits of the emergency or service application of the brake by a reduction in the pressure in the train pipe under the control of the engineer, or should the train line be broken, but should the triple valve assume an undesired emergency position, there cannot be an unrestricted flow of air from the train pipe to the triple valve, since the valve 14: will prevent this, although a limited amount of air can flow through the aperture 18, this being necessary in order that the system will be operated under normal conditions. Duerto the fact that the aperture 18 restricts the flow of air, the pressureof air within the chamber 10 will be greater than that within the bore or chamber 12, and the pressure against the front face of the piston 35 will be greater than that against the rear face thereof, resulting in the movement of the piston 35 toward the valve 27 The stem 36 thus abuts against the ,stem 29 and moves the same to unseat the valve 27 against the tension of the spring 32. It will be noted that the valve 27 is disposed between the passages 23 and 33, so that the air pressure upon the opposite portions of the valve is balanced. When the valve is unseated, air can flow from the bore 12 through the passage 23 to the whistle 26, and an audible signal is thus provided in order that the inspector or trainmen can locate the car having the de fective triple valve or brake cylinder. hen the piston 35 is moved to unseat the valve 27, the catch 38 drops and holds the piston in such position, to assure of the continuance of the signal. When the car is located having the defective brake mechanism, the cut off cock 3 thereof is closed, soas to cut out the brake mechanism from the system. The car can then be repaired subsequently to remove the defects.

From the foregoing, taken in connection with the drawings, the advantages and attributes of the present device will be obvious to those versed in the art without further comment beingnecessary.

The section 7 is preferably provided with a pin l0 acting as a stop to limit the movement of the valve 14, whereby to prevent the excessive movement of said valve away from its seat.

To restore the catch 38 to normal position, either before or after the defective triple valve is detached, or when the triple valve is replaced, the section 7 and pipe 2 are disconnected, and the body 1 is rotated to an upside down position. A pin or other ele ment is then inserted into the section 7 through the aperture from which the pipe 2 was removed, and the piston 35 is pushed in, thereby releasing the finger 39, and allowing the catch 38 to drop, and the piston 35 can then return to normal position,

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A valve structure adapted to be interposed between a train pipe and triple valve having a swinging valve to prevent an unrestricted flow of air from the train pipe to the triple valve and having an aperture to establish communication between the train pipe and triple valve, said valve swinging open freely when air flows from the triple valve to the train pipe.

2. A valve structure adapted to be interposed between a train pipe and triple valve, having an inclined valve seat, a suspended swinging valve adapted to gravitate against said seat for preventing the unrestricted flow of air from the train pipe to the triple valve, said valve having a restricted aperture.

3. A valve structure adapted to be interposed between a train pipe and triple valve, comprising a body having two sections secured together, one section having a cham ber, and the other having an extension projecting into said chamber, the last mentioned section having a passage opening through said extension, the extension having a valve seat surrounding said passage, and a valve carried by said extension normally seatable against said seat to provide for a restricted flow of air from said chamber to said passage.

t. A valve structure adapted to be interposed between a train pipe and triple valve, comprising a body having two sections secured together, one section having a chamber, and the other having an extension projecting into said chamber, the last mentioned section having a passage opening through said extension, the extension having a valve seat surrounding said passage, said seat being inclined, and a swinging suspended valve pivoted to said extension to normally swing against said seat and having a restricted aperture.

5. A valve structure of the character described having a, chamber to communicate with a train pipe and a chamber to communicate with a triple valve, a valve providing a. restricted flow of air from the first mentioned to the second mentioned chamber and an unrestricted flow of air from the second mentioned to the first mentioned chamber, an acoustic signal communicating with the second mentioned chamber, a valve for normally cutting olf communication between said signal and second mentioned chamber, and means operated by air pressure in the first mentioned chamber to open the last mentioned valve.

6. A valve structure adapted to be interposed between a train pipe and triple valve including a casing having a chamber to communicate with the train pipe and a second chamber to communicate with the triple valve, said casing having a valve seat between said chambers, a valve seatable against said seat to provide a restricted flow of air from the first mentioned to the second mentioned chamber and an unrestricted flow of 105 air in the opposite direction, an acoustic signal, said casing having a passage connectin said signal with the second mentioned chamber, a valve movable within the casing for normally closing said passage, the casing 11o having a bore communicating at its opposite ends with said chambers, and pressure fluid operated means within said bore operated by the air in the first mentioned chamber to open the last mentioned valve.

7. A valve structure of the character described having two air chambers, a bore whose opposite ends communicate with said chambers, another bore alining with the aforesaid bore and having a conical valve 120 seat at that end nearest the first mentioned bore, a restricted bore between the first mentioned bore and valve seat, a passage interv secting said valve seat, and a passage communicating with the other end of the second mentioned bore, said passages communicating with one of said chambers, a valve for restricting the flow of air from the other chamber to the aforesaid one, an vacoustic signal communicating with the first mentioned passage, a spring pressed valve Within In testimony that I claim the foregoing the second mentioned bore having a conical as my own, I have hereto affixed my signaportion seatable in said seat to close the first ture in the presence of two wltnesses.

mentioned passage, and a piston Within the MICHAEL H. RYAN. first mentioned bore having a stem project- Witnesses: r

ing into the third mentioned bore for un- V ALFRED H. WOOLLEY, 1

Seating the valve. HARRY C. LEMON.

I Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the .Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G.

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