211results about "Brakes for specific applications" patented technology

A device is provided for detecting inadequate electric braking and commutation to a safety brake is intended for a vehicle with electric traction, in particular a rail vehicle, which is provided with a traction chain, the system including a first electric, non-safety brake which is integrated in the traction chain and a second safety brake.The device includes a member for commutation from the first brake to the second brake, a device for monitoring the braking performance of the first brake using data for measurement of the intensity of a current, a decision device for commutating from the first brake to the second brake when a predetermined threshold value is exceeded and a device for transmitting a commutation command to the at least one commutation member.

The invention provides an elastic high-speed brake lining, consisting of a steel backing (1), a brake block (2), a dovetail plate (3), a gasket (4), a disk spring (5), a guide sleeve (6), a bushing (7) and a rivet (8). The elastic structure high-speed brake lining provided by the invention has the advantages of high mechanical strength, small wearing capacity, stable friction performance, good thermal stability, good heat conductive performance, high dynamic moment and static moment, no noise, seawater corrosion resistance, sand wind prevention, excellent salt mist resistance and the like. Due to the elastic structure, the brake block of the high-speed brake lining is protected from eccentric wear caused by insufficient contact of the brake block of the high-speed brake lining and the surface of a brake disc, so that a high-speed train can brake smoothly, and the braking distance is short.

A vehicle system comprises an interface assembly and a controller both on board a first rail vehicle. The interface assembly comprises one or more mechanical couplers, fuel couplers, fluid couplers, and electrical connectors, to detachably couple the first rail vehicle to a separate, adjacent fuel tender vehicle, for the transfer of one or more of fuel (e.g., compressed natural gas) from the fuel tender vehicle to the first rail vehicle, heated fluid from the first rail vehicle to the fuel tender vehicle (e.g., for regasification of liquid natural gas stored in the fuel tender vehicle to the compressed natural gas), or electrical power and / or control signals between the first rail vehicle and the fuel tender vehicle. The controller is configured to at least partially control operations of the first rail vehicle in relation to interfacing with the fuel tender vehicle for fuel transfer, heated fluid transfer, etc.

A zipline trolley system comprises a cable, trolley, launcher, and a catch block. The launcher is fixed on the cable and comprises a substantially cylindrical inner body with a rigid outer body adapted to rotate about the inner body. A return spring attaches the inner body with the outer body. The catch block is also fixed on the cable and comprises a block with left and right retaining arms pivotably connected to the block and adapted to clasp onto the front plate of the frame of the trolley.

The invention relates to a system for detecting insufficient electric braking and converting to a safe brake. The system is used for a vehicle drawn by electric power, in particular for a rail vehicle provided with a drawing chain (1). The system comprises a first electric unsafe brake and a second safe brake (2, 117) integrated in the drawing chain (1). The system is characterized in that the system comprises a component (20) for converting from the first brake to the second brake (2, 117), a device (3) monitoring braking performance of the first brake by using data for measuring current intensity, a judging device (4) for converting the first brake into the second brake (2, 117) when a predetermined threshold value (240) is surpassed, and a device (5) transmitting conversion instructionto at least one converting component.

A system comprising a cable held in suspension and a trolley traveling along the cable relies on a brake to control velocity and limit net downhill acceleration of the trolley. The trolley may include a brake pad positioned to contact the cable. At the downhill end of the ride, the lever actuating the brake is caught and lifted by a capture ring, thus relieving the braking load on the trolley. Also, the trolley engages a comparatively modest, second resistance mechanism, such as, for example, a system of springs, that gradually increases in resistance with distance of motion of the trolley thereagainst, bringing the trolley to a gradual halt at a rate to improve comfort of a rider and reduce acceleration forces (loads) on the trolley.

The Ricky Braking System for Zipline Riders is a new method of braking and controlling rider's speed on ziplines. The Ricky Braking System for Zipline Riders is a dual cable zipline design that utilizes pulleys and counterweights to safely bring the rider to a complete stop. Because the rider is not required to use an active braking method, such as leather gloves rubbed on the cable to provide friction, and the rider is not brought to an abrupt stop such as ziplines using stop blocks, my invention improves safety and comfort of zipline riders.

A high-speed magnetic trolley that utilizes an eddy current brake that may reduce the speed of a person in a harness traveling on a relatively steep zip line cable, making it possible to reach a landing brake at a reasonable speed and becomes easy to adjust an amount of braking force needed to reach a desired speed by taking off or adding more magnets without throwing one or more aluminum wheels out of balance. The high-speed magnetic trolley produce an eddy current that generates an opposing magnetic field, which then resists rotation of one or more aluminum wheels providing braking force.

A device for monitoring the status of a railcar handbrake having a hand operated handle, which device has a load bearing member configured to be inserted in the linkage of a railcar handbrake system so that the force applied to the brake system passes through the load bearing member. A strain gauge mounted on the load bearing member measures the strain. The information from the strain gauge is indicative of the force applied by the handbrake to the brake and is used to determine the status of the handbrake. Means for determining motion of the railcar is also provided. In one form, if it is determined that the brake is on and the railcar is in motion, information, such as an alarm, is transmitted. A system and method of monitoring a railcar handbrake are also provided.

A zipline trolley system comprises a cable, trolley, launcher, and a catch block. The launcher is fixed on the cable and comprises a substantially cylindrical inner body with a rigid outer body adapted to rotate about the inner body. A return spring attaches the inner body with the outer body. The catch block is also fixed on the cable and comprises a block with left and right retaining arms pivotably connected to the block and adapted to clasp onto the front plate of the frame of the trolley.

An electronic control system (20) for an electropneumatic brake for a rail vehicle having a power trainline (18), comprising a battery (34); a functional control module (30) and a power management module; wherein the functional control module (30) includes a brake controller for the electropneumatic brake, an interface to the power trainline, a transceiver for receiving brake signals, a power supply circuit deriving a power supply from the power trainline (18), and a control management controller for the transceiver and the power supply circuit; and wherein the power management module includes a battery charging circuit connected to the power supply and a power controller for the battery charging circuit and the power supply circuit.

A trolley braking system for smoothly reducing the speed of a rider supported by a harness on a cable or rope approaching a landing platform comprises a cylinder having a closed end and a piston slidably mounted in the interior. A braking cable is secured to the piston and routed through an opening in the closed end of the cylinder to a braking block, which is slidably mounted on the cable between the trolley and the landing platform. The system may also may also include a relief valve to release compressed air from the cylinder, so that the braking force may be controlled.

An apparatus for transporting a rider between two points on a cable or rope, having a plurality of supports configured to suspend the cable or rope between two points of unequal elevation and a trolley for transporting the rider supported by a harness on the cable or rope, the trolley having a mounting plate configured with a connection point to receive the rider's harness, a pulley rotatably mounted to the mounting plate to support the plate on the cable or rope, and a friction shoe mounted on the plate forward of the pulley to contact the upper portion of the cable or rope, wherein the connection point is located beneath the cable or rope between the centers of the pulley and the friction shoe.

A high-speed magnetic trolley that utilizes an eddy current brake that may reduce the speed of a person in a harness traveling on a relatively steep zip line cable, making it possible to reach a landing brake at a reasonable speed and becomes easy to adjust an amount of braking force needed to reach a desired speed by taking off or adding more magnets without throwing one or more aluminum wheels out of balance. The high-speed magnetic trolley produce an eddy current that generates an opposing magnetic field, which then resists rotation of one or more aluminum wheels providing braking force.

A zipline braking system comprising a zipline cable and a destination supporting member; a rider carrier coupled to the zipline cable for movement towards the destination supporting member, such movement generating kinetic energy; a damper having a posterior end and an anterior end and connected to the destination supporting member at the posterior end; a tension line; a stopping member coupled to the zipline cable and the tension line; and the tension line for transferring the kinetic energy to the damper upon the rider carrier engaging the stopping member in movement to the destination supporting member.

An energy transportation and grid support system utilizes at least one transportable containment module capable of storing thermal or chemical energy typically produced from renewable or geothermal sources and providing connectivity with energy conversion equipment typically located in a land or sea-based operating facility. The system includes circuitry to hookup to an adjacent electricity grid for the provision of grid support and / or piping to move thermal energy typically used to drive steam turbines generating ′ electricity. The operating facility also includes a communication arrangement to link with and exchange operations control data with a grid or heating operator and the energy transportation operator. The invention is directed to both apparatus and method for the energy transportation and grid support system.

An apparatus for transporting a rider between two points on a cable or rope, having a plurality of supports configured to suspend the cable or rope between two points of unequal elevation and a trolley for transporting the rider supported by a harness on the cable or rope, the trolley having a mounting plate configured with a connection point to receive the rider's harness, a pulley rotatably mounted to the mounting plate to support the plate on the cable or rope, and a friction shoe mounted on the plate forward of the pulley to contact the upper portion of the cable or rope, wherein the connection point is located beneath the cable or rope between the centers of the pulley and the friction shoe.

Emergency egress systems carry multiple riders simultaneously accessing a zip line (catenary) from higher, accessible, working locations to lower, safer areas in a marine environment. Hangers above the track line suspend trolleys to avoid weighting the catenary unduly at the high end, which might otherwise alter (reduce) clearance distances and safety of riders above a launch platform (deck). Catenary shape is controlled against approaching the launch deck by sequencing the release from the hangers of each trolley to roll along the catenary with its own rider. Track line systems installed may be left undeployed indefinitely. Deployment of a track line will typically be fully effected at the time of egress, adding time but eliminating permanent obstructions that would result if a permanent deployment of track lines were undertaken. Terminal ends are anchored and configured to accommodate workers arriving after escape.

An improved control arrangement is used in a high power rectifier and comprises two or more power controllers ganged together in parallel. Each power controller rectifies an AC voltage signal using zero voltage crossing switching to produce a binary switched signal and each power controller is connected to an independent connectable load. Each power controller includes a fast acting binary power switch that selectively connects the respective independent connectable load to the rectified AC voltage signal. The control arrangement selectively activates the power controllers to define a desired connected load. This high power rectifier and control arrangement is advantageously used to provide fast up down power regulation to a grid by selective storage of thermal energy and deriving power from the thermal energy storage system to add fill in power to the grid.

An improved zip line trolley allowing a rider control of his or her speed while traversing along a suspended cable. The trolley comprises front and back wheels conjoined via left and right trolley plates and a handle bar. Front and back hand brake levers are mounted onto the handle bar. When front and back hand brake levers are squeezed by the rider, they create a constricting force which applies friction to the suspended cable via brake pads. This frictional force slows the rider's speed to his or her desired rate and brings the rider to a safe stop at a precise location along the suspended cable. The rider is able to quickly and easily remove the trolley from the suspended cable and transport it to another.

A speed control system for controlling vehicle speed of one or more vehicles in a personal rapid transit system when the one or more vehicles travel along a track, the personal rapid transit system including a vehicle propulsion system including one or more motors, each motor being adapted to generate a thrust for propelling one of the one or more vehicles. The speed control system includes: a speed regulation subsystem adapted to control the thrust generated by at least one of said motors based on one or more sensor signals received from vehicle position and / or speed sensors, so as to control the speed of the one or more vehicles; and a vehicle control system included in each of said one or more vehicles and adapted to activate, independently from the speed regulation subsystem, an emergency brake mounted on said vehicle.

The invention relates to a single wing plate operated aerodynamic braking device at least comprising a box body and a braking wind wing. The box body is fixedly connected at top of a train, the left side and the right side of the lower surface of the braking wind wing are connected with the left edge and the right edge of the inner portion of the box body respectively through link mechanisms, a pair of pin axis telescoping mechanisms are respectively arranged at the front edge and the back edge of the inner portion of the box body, a pair of supports corresponding to the pin axis telescoping mechanisms are respectively arranged at front edge and the back edge of the lower surface of the braking wind wing, a cylinder driving portion, a linear guide rail and a supporting pull rod are arranged inside the box body, the upper end of the supporting pull rod is connected with the middle portion of the lower surface of the braking wind wing, and the lower end of the supporting pull rod is driven by the cylinder driving portion to slide in the linear guide rail. Compared with the prior art, the single wing plate operated aerodynamic braking device has the advantages of high reliability, small occupy space, convenience in maintenance and mounting and the like.

A zip line trolley includes a frame assembled from a pair of spaced-apart parallel side plates and an inner beam, which is partially sandwiched between the side plates. The inner beam has a gallery of block-T-shaped cross section which extends its length. A shackle, from which a rider is suspended, can be pinned anywhere within the gallery. A main pulley, which is installed in an upper middle portion of the frame, rotates on a pair of sealed ball bearing races that are pressed on a hollow keyed shaft which slides into opposed grooves machined into each of the side plates. The keyed shaft is bolted between the side plates with a shoulder bolt passing transversely through both side plates. A water-wiping brake pad is pivotally mounted within the frame in front of the main pulley. A bumper is bolted between front portions of the side plates.

A brake for a trolley which travels atop a zip line is presented. The brake includes a brake body having a brake body with a top plate and two side plates extending downward from the top plate, the top plate having an underside which faces the zip line. One or both of the side plates may contain an aperture for accepting a rigid member which secures the trolley to the brake body. A brake pad is preferably positioned on the underside of the top plate. Exemplary embodiments may contain a brake extension which connects with the brake body and extends downward towards the user.

A brake and capture system for zip lining are disclosed. The brake has a housing with first and second ends. Inside the brake are a number of fixed guide plates, each with an angled slot. A number of wheels are mounted are movably mounted within the housing so as to be guided by the angled slots. When the brake is struck by a trolley with sufficient momentum, the wheels within the brake are driven inwardly by the angled slots, into rolling engagement with the zip line, to slow the trolley. The trolley and brake may be provided with complementary engaging structures, such that the brake may be sent out on the zip line to capture the trolley if it has insufficient momentum.

A lateral support element (304) include an element wall with a first surface facing away from an associated flexible wall (264) and a second surface facing toward the associated flexible wall. The lateral support element is disposed along the associated flexible wall such that an interface (334) is formed between an outer surface of the associated flexible wall and the second surface of the lateral support element. The interface is operative to generate a lateral spring-rate profile in an associated gas spring assembly that varies according to lateral displacement of the associated flexible wall and the lateral support element relative to one another. The interface can include a quantity of friction-reducing material and / or can be at least partially formed by a cross-sectional profile of the lateral support element that includes a convex profile segment. Gas spring assemblies and methods of assembly are also included.