Interface adapter for controlling a valve and control valve with interface adapter

Abstract

The invention relates to an interface adapter (9) for a control valve (1), in particular for a rail vehicle pneumatic brake system, having at least two housing compartments which are in fluid communication with one another via a fluid interface (23), the interface adapter (9) comprising a fluid interface replica (33) for enabling fluid communication between the housing compartments through the interface adapter and a further interface (35) for enabling access to the fluid communication between the housing compartments from outside the housing, the further interface being in fluid communication with the fluid interface replica.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an interface adapter for a control valve, particularly a control valve for a pneumatic braking system of a railcar, and to a control valve comprising such an interface adapter. Background Technology

[0002] In a pneumatic braking system, the control valves must respond precisely to changes in brake line pressure and provide corresponding brake cylinder pressure. Modern pneumatic braking systems use electrically operated valves that receive braking signals via wires or radio waves to control the airflow into and out of the brake cylinder. To provide a safe and reliable pneumatic braking system, it is necessary to monitor and inspect the valves and the piping systems connected to them.

[0003] For such electrically controlled braking systems, EP 3 608 184 A1 proposes a valve diagnostic and monitoring system, which is particularly useful for distributor valves in pneumatic braking systems of rail vehicles. The monitoring system can monitor and inspect various parameters, especially different pressures in the control valve and the piping system in fluid communication with it.

[0004] The referenced solution only provides a general overview of such a diagnostic and monitoring system, but does not specifically mechanically implement the concept within the control valve, nor does it offer a solution on how to implement the monitoring system within the control valve. A further drawback of the solution is that the monitoring system is designed for use with a new generation of control valves and has an interface suitable for this generation. Existing control valves have standardized interfaces, and the interface of the new monitoring system is incompatible with these standardized interfaces. Therefore, the monitoring system cannot be used as a modification solution for upgrading existing control valves. Another problem is that, especially in railcar pneumatic braking systems, the limited installation space for control valves makes it difficult to integrate the monitoring system without interfering with the control valve or other adjacent components. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art, and in particular to provide a mechanical solution for integrating a monitoring system into an existing control valve as a modification, and to provide a standardized interface across all valve products, preferably for easy access to all pressures that need to be monitored by the monitoring system, so as to provide a reliable pneumatic braking system.

[0006] This objective is achieved through the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are subject to the dependent claims and will be set forth below.

[0007] According to the present invention, an interface adapter for control valves, particularly control valves for pneumatic braking systems of rail vehicles, is designed to be integrated into a control valve having at least two housing compartments. The interface adapter enables a modular structure of the control valve when additional housing compartments or modules with interfaces incompatible with the standardized interfaces of existing control valves need to be integrated into the control valve. Preferably, the interface adapter is placed between the two housing compartments of the control valve. The housing compartments and / or additional modules or housing compartments can preferably be connected to the interface adapter in a readily detachable manner, for example, by screws. The interface adapter can be made of steel, aluminum, polymer, or other materials suitable for operating temperatures between -50°C and 70°C.

[0008] The control valve may also include one or more additional housing compartments. These housing compartments can be easily rearranged or replaced, thus providing a modular structure for the control valve. The housing compartments are preferably connected to each other in a easily detachable manner. Each housing compartment may include or be connected to one or more modules of the control valve. These modules may include, but are not limited to, valve arrangements, such as distributor valves or relay valve arrangements, or electronic modules, such as monitoring systems. The relay valve arrangement may include one or more relay valves. The advantage of such a modular structure is that the control valve can be flexibly adapted to potential needs, and all modules requiring maintenance can be easily disassembled. The housing compartments may be made of steel, aluminum, polymers, or other materials to be suitable for operating temperatures between -50°C and 70°C. In one example embodiment, the control valve includes a first housing compartment, specifically a valve support, which does not include and is not connected to any modules of the control valve. Alternatively, the valve support may be connected to one or more additional housing compartments. Each of these additional housing compartments may include or may be connected to a module of the control valve, such as a distributor valve, relay valve arrangement, or electronic module. In this embodiment, the interface adapter is preferably placed between the valve bracket and other housing compartments, each of which includes or is connected to a module of the control valve, such as a distributor valve, a relay valve arrangement, or an electronic module.

[0009] At least two housing compartments of the control valve are in fluid communication with each other via a fluid interface. Through this fluid interface, fluid, particularly airflow, from the braking system can be transferred from one housing compartment to another. Since the control valve may include more than two housing compartments, the fluid interface can be designed to enable fluid communication between more than two housing compartments, preferably between all housing compartments. Furthermore, more than one fluid interface may exist, wherein each fluid interface enables fluid communication between two housing compartments, particularly to enable fluid communication between all housing compartments. Preferably, each housing compartment includes at least one fluid interface. The fluid interface can be implemented through at least one fluid inlet or outlet. The fluid interface may also include one or more additional fluid inlets and / or outlets. Preferably, at least one housing compartment has additional fluid inlets and / or outlets to enable fluid communication with other components of the braking system. This fluid communication can be achieved through a piping system. For example, the piping system connects the control valve to the brake, wherein brake pipes direct airflow from the control valve to the brake, and to emergency reservoirs, auxiliary reservoirs, and brake cylinders, wherein the pipes direct airflow to the control valve. In this example, the fluid interface between the housing compartments guides airflow from the valve support into the valve holder via fluid channels to the distributor valve and the relay valve. From there, the airflow can be returned to the valve support and then transmitted to the brake via the brake tube.

[0010] To achieve a modular structure for the control valve, preferably, all housing compartments are fluidly connected via standardized interfaces. With the development of next-generation control valves, some housing compartments or modules integrated into the control valve may need to have different interfaces, particularly new standardized interfaces. For example, a monitoring system has been developed to monitor and inspect different parameters in the control valve and piping system to provide a reliable braking system. This monitoring system has a new standardized interface that is incompatible with the existing standardized interfaces of control valves.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, the interface adapter includes a fluid interface replica for enabling fluid communication between the housing compartments of the control valve via the interface adapter. Therefore, the fluid interface replica matches the fluid interfaces of existing control valve housing compartments, particularly standardized interfaces of existing control valves. This allows the interface adapter to be placed between the housing compartments without interrupting fluid flow and thus fluid communication, and without requiring changes to existing, particularly standardized, fluid interface designs.

[0012] The interface adapter also includes another interface in fluid communication with the fluid interface replica, for enabling fluid communication between the housing compartments from outside the housing, particularly for enabling fluid communication with additional modules and / or housing compartments that need to be integrated. The additional modules or housing compartments are preferably connected, particularly mounted, to the other interface. The two interfaces of the interface adapter can be designed independently of each other and can be easily adapted to specific requirements. Therefore, the other interface can be adapted to be compatible with interfaces of additional modules and / or housing compartments that are incompatible with the standardized interface of the control valve, as needed. For example, the other interface can be adapted to a new standardized interface for a monitoring system.

[0013] Another interface of the interface adapter is in fluid communication with the fluid interface replica, and therefore also in fluid communication with the fluid interface between the housing compartments of the control valve. Thus, this other interface allows access from outside the housing to the fluid communication between the housing compartments for the integration of additional modules or housing compartments. For example, the fluid communication between the housing compartments can be accessed via a monitoring system with a standardized interface for a new generation of control valves. In this embodiment, the interface adapter can adapt an older standardized interface of an existing control valve to a new standardized interface for a new generation of control valves. Therefore, the interface adapter enables the mechanical implementation of a monitoring system as a modification solution for upgrading existing control valves. The interface adapter also provides a standardized interface across all valve products, particularly across existing and new generation control valves, because the same housing compartments and / or modules (e.g., monitoring systems) can be integrated into all control valves.

[0014] The monitoring system can inspect and monitor various parameters to provide a reliable braking system. These parameters may relate to the flow rate and / or pressure of the fluid at various points in the control valve or piping system. Other parameters may include, but are not limited to, temperature, humidity, or vibration at various points in the control valve or piping system. One or more additional pressures and / or one or more other additional parameters may also be monitored. In one example embodiment, there are various pressures that need to be monitored by the monitoring system to provide a reliable braking system. These pressures include, but are not limited to, the pressures of the auxiliary and emergency reservoirs of the control valve, the relay valve arrangement, the brake cylinder, the brake line, and the distributor valve. In this embodiment, the interface adapter according to the invention makes it possible to easily access all pressures that need to be monitored by the monitoring system because these pressures can be accessed from outside the housing via another interface that is in fluid communication with the fluid interface replica and thus with the fluid interface between the housing compartments.

[0015] In an example embodiment, the interface adapter includes a substantially flat plate structure. The plate structure has a fluid interface replica plate portion and another interface plate portion. The fluid interface replica plate portion and the other interface plate portion extend in the same plane and / or are manufactured as a single piece. In this embodiment, the interface adapter, particularly the intermediate plate, provides a simple mechanical solution for integrating monitoring systems as a modification solution for existing control valves.

[0016] In another example embodiment, the interface adapter is configured to branch the fluid communication at least partially along a direction parallel to the cross-section of the fluid interface between the housing compartments. This allows the other interface to be placed at a distance from the replica of the fluid interface in an more accessible location, or in a location where additional modules connected to the interface adapter and / or housing compartments (e.g., monitoring systems) will not interfere with the housing compartment of the control valve or other components of the braking system adjacent to the control valve. Therefore, it allows for optimal use of limited installation space, especially in railcar pneumatic braking systems. In one example embodiment, the monitoring system may be placed next to the existing housing compartment, rather than mounted on the housing compartment. This reduces the installation space required for the control valve.

[0017] In another example embodiment, the fluid interface replica of the interface adapter includes at least one through-hole, preferably at least two, three, four, five, six, seven, or eight through-holes, for allowing different fluid flows to pass through the interface adapter. The fluid interface replica may also include one or more additional through-holes to allow different fluid flows to pass through the interface adapter. In this embodiment, the other interface includes a plurality of openings adapted to the number of through-holes of the fluid interface replica. In one example embodiment, the number of through-holes of the fluid interface replica and the number of openings of the other interface may be adapted to the amount of pressure that needs to be monitored by the monitoring system. The other interface may also include one or more openings for breathers and safety valves to balance the internal pressure of the control valve with the environment and to release internal overpressure in the event of, for example, a pipe rupture.

[0018] In a further development, each opening of the other interface is in fluid communication with a through-hole of the fluid interface replica. The through-hole enables uninterrupted fluid flow between the housing compartments of the control valve. The fluid communication between each through-hole and each opening allows access to the fluid flow between the housing compartments from outside the housing, for example, via a monitoring system.

[0019] Preferably, fluid communication between each opening and through-hole is achieved through a fluid channel extending through the interface adapter, the special floor structure, or a groove disposed on the outer surface of the interface adapter, the special floor structure. An advantage of this embodiment is that it eliminates the need for pipes to achieve fluid communication between the fluid interface of the housing compartment and additional modules or housing compartments (e.g., monitoring systems).

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention (which can be combined with the foregoing aspects and exemplary embodiments of the invention), a control valve, particularly a control valve for a pneumatic braking system of a railcar, includes a housing having at least two housing compartments. The housing may also include one or more additional housing compartments. The housing compartments are in fluid communication with each other via fluid interfaces. The control valve according to the invention further includes an interface adapter configured to transfer the fluid interfaces of the housing compartments to an accessible space outside the housing, allowing further access to the fluid communication, for example, via a monitoring system. Therefore, the control valve provides a mechanical solution for integrating a monitoring system into an existing control valve as a modification solution for upgrading existing control valves. The control valve also provides a standardized interface across all valve products, particularly a standardized interface across existing control valves and next-generation control valves.

[0021] In one example embodiment, the control valve includes an interface adapter according to one of the foregoing aspects or example embodiments to take advantage of the aforementioned advantages.

[0022] In another example embodiment, the interface adapter is configured to transfer the fluid interface in a direction at least partially, preferably parallel to, the interface between the housing compartments. This allows another pathway to the fluid communication to be placed at a distance from the fluid interface in an more accessible location or in a location that provides more installation space for integrating additional modules and / or housing compartments (e.g., monitoring systems). Therefore, it allows for optimal use of limited installation space, particularly in railcar pneumatic braking systems.

[0023] Preferably, another interface of the interface adapter is an electronics interface, which is configured to connect to an electronic module or an analog component for occupying the electronics interface. Preferably, the electronic module is mounted to the interface adapter, particularly the electronics interface. Preferably, the electronic module or analog component is mounted in a removable manner, for example, by screws. The advantage of this embodiment is that it provides a modular structure for the control valve, wherein the electronic module or analog component can be connected to the same electronics interface of the interface adapter. In braking systems without electronic modules, an analog component is needed to seal the opening of the electronics interface to prevent air from entering the braking system. The analog component preferably comprises a substantially flat plate structure.

[0024] In another example embodiment, the electronic module includes measuring and / or monitoring devices, particularly in a data center, configured to determine and / or monitor at least one parameter of the fluid flow, such as pressure. The measuring and / or monitoring devices may also determine and / or monitor one or more other parameters of the fluid flow, such as pressure. Other parameters that can be determined and / or monitored may include, but are not limited to, temperature, vibration, and / or humidity. In one example embodiment, the pressures that need to be measured and / or monitored include the pressures of the auxiliary and emergency reservoirs of the control valve, the relay valve arrangement, the distributor valve, the brake cylinder, and the brake line.

[0025] In further developments, the measurement and / or monitoring device, particularly a data center, includes a predetermined sensor arrangement of at least one sensor (particularly a pressure sensor). The predetermined sensor arrangement may also include one or more additional sensors, particularly one or more additional pressure sensors. The predetermined sensor arrangement may further include additional temperature sensors, accelerometers, and / or humidity sensors. The data center facilitates the integration and processing of data from all sensors. The data center can also transmit data to the processing unit wirelessly or via wired means. Preferably, the electronic device interface is designed to be adapted to the predetermined sensor arrangement.

[0026] Preferably, the pressure sensors in the predetermined sensor arrangement are each assigned to an electronic interface opening, thereby enabling easy access to all parameters, such as all pressures, that need to be monitored to provide reliable braking system information.

[0027] In a particular embodiment of the control valve, each of the housing compartments includes or is connected to a valve arrangement, such as a distributor valve or a relay valve arrangement. The relay valve arrangement includes one or more relay valves capable of rapidly increasing or decreasing air pressure. These help to shorten the pressurization time of the brake cylinder and also act as a rapid venting valve when the brake is released.

[0028] In a further development, the other interface includes a connector, such as an opening or hole, for connection to a fluid conduit that enables fluid communication between the other interface and the relay valve arrangement, particularly enabling access to the control pressure of the relay valve arrangement. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals may be used to identify the same or similar elements in different drawings. In the following description, specific details such as particular structures and functions are set forth for illustrative purposes and not for limitation, in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of the claimed invention.

[0030] However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, who will benefit from this disclosure, that the claimed aspects of the invention may be practiced in other examples departing from these specific details. In some cases, descriptions of well-known apparatuses and methods have been omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the invention.

[0031] Figure 1 An example embodiment of a control valve according to the invention is shown, the control valve including an interface adapter according to the invention, the interface adapter being configured to implement a monitoring system.

[0032] Figure 2 Shown from the back Figure 1 The control valve in the middle.

[0033] Figure 3 This shows the interface of a monitoring system that is incompatible with the fluid interface of the control valve.

[0034] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an interface adapter according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0035] In the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, the control valve according to the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 1 in the drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diagram shows a control valve 1, specifically a control valve for a railcar pneumatic braking system. This control valve has a modular design to allow it to be adapted as flexibly as possible to potential needs. The control valve comprises three housing compartments 3, 5, and 7.

[0037] The first housing compartment (valve support 3) is designed to hold the other two housing compartments 5, 7 and / or to mount the control valve 1 to, for example, the chassis structure of a railcar and to connect the control valve 1 to other components of the braking system. Valve support 3 includes a fluid passage 13 to direct fluid, particularly an airflow of compressed air from a pneumatic braking system, into the control valve 1. Valve support 3 further includes various pressure inlets and outlets 15, 17, 19, 21, particularly one pressure outlet and three pressure inlets, to enable connection to piping systems connected to other components of the braking system. Figure 1 and Figure 2 (Not shown in the diagram) Fluid communication. The piping system connects control valve 1 to the brake, wherein the brake pipe guides airflow from control valve 1 to the brake, as well as the emergency reservoir, auxiliary reservoir, and brake cylinder, wherein the pipe guides airflow to control valve 1.

[0038] The other two housing compartments each include a module for control valve 1. The second housing compartment 5 includes a distributor valve, and the third housing compartment 7 includes a relay valve arrangement comprising a relay valve. A second relay valve may also be present adjacent to the first relay valve.

[0039] At least two, and in particular all three housing compartments 3, 5, and 7, are in fluid communication with each other via a standardized fluid interface 23. Through this fluid interface 23, airflow entering the valve support 3 via fluid passage 13 can be transmitted from the valve support 3 to the distributor valve 5 and the relay valve 7. From there, the airflow can be transmitted back to the valve support 3 and then to the brake via the brake pipe.

[0040] Control valve 1 further includes an interface adapter, generally indicated by reference numeral 9 in the accompanying drawings, in Figures 1 to 4 In an example embodiment, the interface adapter is formed as an intermediate plate 9 with a flat plate structure. The intermediate plate 9 is positioned between the valve support 3 and two additional housing compartments, including a distributor valve 5 and a relay valve 7. All three housing compartments 3, 5, and 7 are connected to the intermediate plate 9 in a readily detachable manner. The valve support 3 and the housing compartment including the relay valve 7 are mounted to the intermediate plate 9 by screws. The housing compartment including the distributor valve 5 is mounted to the intermediate plate 9 by screws and two control levers 27 and 29.

[0041] An intermediate board 9 is required to integrate additional modules and electronic modules into the control valve 1, specifically without requiring modifications to the interface structure and / or design of the control valve and / or the additional modules. This electronic module is the monitoring system 11, which measures and / or monitors various parameters in the control valve 1 and the piping system to provide a reliable pneumatic braking system. Specifically, the monitoring system 11 measures various pressures in the control valve 1 and the piping system. These pressures are in fluid communication with the piping system (which is connected to the valve support 3). Figure 1 and Figure 2 The monitoring system 11 includes four pressures (not shown in the diagram), as well as the pressure of the fluid flow between valve support 3 and distributor valve 5, and between valve support 3 and relay valve 7. The monitoring system 11 includes a predetermined sensor arrangement, with one pressure sensor provided for each pressure to be monitored. The monitoring system also includes a data hub to integrate data from all sensors for processing and transmission. The monitoring system 11 is mounted to the intermediate plate 9 by screws.

[0042] The fluid interface of the monitoring system 11 is preferably designed to be implemented in a new generation of control valves with a new standard fluid interface. Therefore, it has a new standardized fluid interface, namely sensor interface 25. Figure 3 The interface is incompatible with the standardized fluid interface 23 of the housing compartments 3, 5, and 7.

[0043] The control valve 1 further includes an additional fluid conduit 31 that connects an opening 95 on the back side 37 of the intermediate plate 9 to a relay valve 7 to approach the control pressure of the relay valve 7.

[0044] The intermediate plate 9 enables fluid communication between the monitoring system 11 and the housing compartments 3, 5, and 7 of the control valve 1, and thus provides a mechanical solution for integrating the monitoring system into the existing control valve 1 as a modification solution for upgrading the control valve 1. The intermediate plate also makes it easy to access all pressures that need to be monitored by the monitoring system 11, as these pressures can be accessed from outside the housing compartments 3, 5, and 7. Figure 4 The front side 39 of the intermediate plate 9 is shown schematically to illustrate how the intermediate plate 9 works.

[0045] The front side 39 of the intermediate plate 9 includes two fluid interface plate portions that extend in the same plane and are manufactured as a single piece. Each of the fluid interface plate portions includes a fluid interface. The first fluid interface is a fluid interface replica 33, which is compatible with the standardized interface 23 of the valve support 3 and the housing compartment including the distributor valve 5 and the relay valve 7. The fluid interface plate portion 33 is positioned between the housing compartments 3, 5, and 7. It includes a plurality of through holes 41, 43, 45, 47, and 49 to enable uninterrupted fluid communication between the housing compartments 3, 5, and 7 of the control valve 1 via the intermediate plate 9. The second fluid interface (another fluid interface 35) is an electronic device interface compatible with a predetermined sensor interface 25 of the monitoring system 11. The other interface 35 includes a plurality of openings 51, 53, 55, 57, and 59 adapted to the number of through holes 41, 43, 45, 47, and 49 of the fluid interface replica 33. The monitoring system 11 is mounted on the other fluid interface plate portion 35.

[0046] The fluid interface replica 33 and another interface 35 are in fluid communication with each other. This means that the monitoring system 11, which is in fluid communication with the other interface 35, is also in fluid communication with the fluid communication between the housing compartments 3, 5, and 7. To enable this fluid communication, each opening 51, 53, 55, 57, and 59 of the other interface 35 is in fluid communication with a through-hole 41, 43, 45, 47, and 49 of the fluid interface replica 33. The fluid communication is achieved by a plurality of slots, notches, or channels 61, 63, 65, 67, and 69. The slots are arranged on the outer surface 37 of the intermediate plate 9. Alternatively, the channels 61, 63, 65, 67, and 69 may extend through the solid material of the intermediate plate 9 and be inaccessible from the outside along their extensions. A slot is provided for each through-hole of the fluid interface replica 33, thereby enabling fluid communication with the corresponding opening of the other interface 35. For example, through-hole 41 is in fluid communication with opening 51 via slot 61.

[0047] The intermediate plate 9 branches out fluid communication with the standardized fluid interface 23 between the valve support 3 and the housing compartment including the distributor valve 5 and the relay valve 7 via slots 61, 63, 65, 67, and 69 parallel to the valve support 3. This allows another interface 35 to be placed in a location easily accessible to the monitoring system 11. It also allows the monitoring system 11 to be placed anywhere within a limited installation space to prevent interference with the housing compartments 3, 5, and 7 of the control valve 1 or other components of the braking system. In particular, Figure 1 As shown, the monitoring system 11 is placed next to the valve bracket 3 rather than mounted on the valve bracket 3, thereby reducing the installation space required for the control valve 1.

[0048] Figure 3 The actual interface of the monitoring system 11, namely sensor interface 25, is shown. As described above, the interface has multiple openings adapted to the number of pressures that need to be monitored by the monitoring system 11. These openings are adapted for a predetermined sensor arrangement of the monitoring system 11, with each pressure sensor assigned to one opening of sensor interface 25. Two openings (79, 81) are provided for the distributor valve 5 to monitor the pressure of the airflow between the valve support 3 and the distributor valve 5. Two openings (75, 77) are also provided for the relay valve 7 to monitor the airflow between the valve support 3 and the relay valve 7. If the control valve 1 includes a second relay valve adjacent to the first relay valve 7, then sensor interface 25 includes two additional openings adjacent to the openings 75 and 77 for the first relay valve 7. The openings of sensor interface 25 also enable fluid communication with a piping system. There is an opening for the pressure of the brake pipe (79) that guides the air flow from the valve support 3 to the brake, as well as the pressure of the brake cylinder (75), the pressure of the pre-control pressure element (81), the pressure of the emergency storage (83), and the pressure of the auxiliary storage (35), each of which guides the air flow to the valve support 3.

[0049] Furthermore, the sensor interface 25 includes two openings 71, 73 for a ventilator and a safety valve (not shown) to balance the internal pressure of the control valve 1 with the environment and to release internal overpressure in the event of, for example, a pipe rupture.

[0050] Furthermore, four holes 87, 89, 91, and 93 are provided for mounting the monitoring system 11 onto the sensor interface 25. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a simulation element, preferably a simulation board, can be mounted onto the sensor interface 25. In braking systems without a monitoring system, the simulation board prevents air from entering the braking system.

[0051] It should be clear that, Figure 3 The sensor interface 25 described herein is merely one example of an electronic device interface suitable for the exemplary monitoring system 11, used to illustrate the functionality of such an electronic device interface. In another example of an electronic device interface, the interface may include more or fewer openings to monitor more or fewer pressures or other parameters, and / or the openings may be arranged in different ways.

[0052] The features disclosed in the above description, drawings, and claims, individually or in any combination, may be important for the implementation of the invention in its various embodiments.

[0053] List of reference numerals

[0054] 1. Control valve

[0055] 3 Valve Support

[0056] 5. Housing compartment including distributor valve

[0057] 7. Housing compartment including relay valve

[0058] 9. Intermediate Plate

[0059] 11. Monitoring System

[0060] 13 Fluid Channels

[0061] 15, 17, 19, 21 Pressure inlet and outlet of valve support

[0062] 23. Standardized fluid interfaces for existing control valves

[0063] 25 Sensor Interface

[0064] 27, 29 control levers

[0065] 31 Additional fluid pipes

[0066] 33. Fluid interface replicas

[0067] 35 Another interface

[0068] 37. Back side of the middle plate

[0069] 39. Front side of the middle plate

[0070] 41, 43, 45, 47, 49 Through holes of fluid interface replicas

[0071] 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 Another interface opening

[0072] Slots 61, 63, 65, 67, 69

[0073] 71, 73 Openings for ventilators and safety valves

[0074] 75, 77 Openings for relay valves

[0075] 79, 81 Openings for distributor valves

[0076] 83 Openings for emergency storage devices

[0077] 85 Opening for auxiliary storage

[0078] Holes 87, 89, 91, and 93 are used for installing monitoring systems.

[0079] 95. Opening for connecting additional fluid lines.

Claims

1. An interface adapter (9) for a control valve (1), the control valve being a control valve for a pneumatic braking system of a railcar, the control valve (1) having at least two housing compartments in fluid communication with each other via a fluid interface (23), the interface adapter comprising a fluid interface replica (33) for enabling fluid communication between the housing compartments via the interface adapter (9) and another interface (35) for enabling access from outside the housing to the fluid communication between the housing compartments, the other interface being in fluid communication with the fluid interface replica (33); wherein the interface adapter (9) comprises a substantially flat plate structure having a fluid interface replica plate portion and another interface plate portion, wherein the fluid interface replica plate portion and the other interface plate portion extend in the same plane.

2. The interface adapter (9) according to claim 1, wherein the fluid interface replica board portion and the other interface board portion are manufactured as a single unit.

3. The interface adapter (9) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The interface adapter (9) is configured to branch the fluid communication in a direction at least partially parallel to the fluid interface (23).

4. The interface adapter (9) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The fluid interface replica (33) includes at least one through-hole for allowing different fluid flows to pass through the interface adapter (9), and the other interface (35) includes a plurality of openings adapted to the number of the through-holes.

5. The interface adapter (9) according to claim 4, wherein, Each opening is in fluid communication with a through-hole.

6. The interface adapter (9) according to claim 5, wherein, Fluid communication between the opening and the through hole is achieved by a fluid channel extending through the interface adapter (9) or by a groove arranged on the outer surface of the interface adapter (9).

7. The interface adapter (9) according to claim 5, wherein, Fluid communication between the opening and the through hole is achieved by a fluid channel extending through the plate structure or by a groove arranged on the outer surface of the plate structure.

8. A control valve (1), the control valve being a control valve for a pneumatic braking system of a railcar, comprising a housing having at least two housing compartments and an interface adapter (9), the housing compartments being in fluid communication with each other via a fluid interface (23), the interface adapter being configured to transfer the fluid interface (23) to a space accessible from the outside of the housing so as to allow further access to the fluid communication; in, The interface adapter includes a fluid interface replica (33) for enabling fluid communication between the housing compartments via the interface adapter (9) and another interface (35) for enabling access to the fluid communication between the housing compartments from outside the housing, the other interface being in fluid communication with the fluid interface replica (33); wherein the interface adapter (9) includes a substantially flat plate structure having a fluid interface replica plate portion and another interface plate portion, wherein the fluid interface replica plate portion and the other interface plate portion extend in the same plane.

9. The control valve (1) according to claim 8, wherein, The interface adapter (9) is constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. The control valve (1) according to claim 8, wherein, The interface adapter (9) is configured to transfer the fluid interface in a direction at least partially parallel to the fluid interface (23) between the two housing compartments.

11. The control valve (1) according to claim 8, wherein, The other interface (35) is an electronic device interface (25), which is configured to connect to an electronic module or to an analog device for occupying the electronic device interface (25), wherein the electronic module is installed to the interface adapter (9).

12. The control valve (1) according to claim 11, wherein, The electronic module includes a measuring and / or monitoring device (11) configured to determine and / or monitor at least one parameter of the fluid flow.

13. The control valve (1) according to claim 12, wherein, The measuring and / or monitoring device (11) includes a predetermined sensor arrangement of at least one sensor, and the electronic device interface (25) is designed to be adapted to the predetermined sensor arrangement.

14. The control valve (1) according to claim 13, wherein, The pressure sensors in the predetermined sensor arrangement are each assigned to an electronic device interface opening.

15. The control valve (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein, Each of the housing compartments includes or is connected to a valve arrangement.

16. The control valve (1) according to claim 15, wherein, The valve arrangement is either a distributor valve arrangement or a relay valve arrangement.

17. The control valve (1) according to claim 16, wherein, The other interface (35) includes a connector for connection to a fluid conduit that enables fluid communication between the other interface (35) and the relay valve arrangement, allowing access to control pressure from the relay valve arrangement.

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