Automatic Retainer Valve Assembly for Air Brake Pressure Hold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air brake systems require manual actuation of retainer valves to retain and release air pressure, which is time-consuming and prone to errors, especially in long vehicle systems like freight trains.
Innovation Solution
A retainer valve assembly that includes a retainer check valve and a lock-up piston assembly, which automatically retains and vents air pressure in brake cylinders based on the engagement and release of the air brake system, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual retainer valves are used to retain air pressure in brake cylinders, then brake engagement can be maintained after release, but the system requires significant manual intervention time and is prone to operator error
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer valve assembly is designed to automatically retain air pressure in the brake cylinder without manual intervention. The valve self-actuates based on pneumatic signals from the brake system, eliminating the need for operators to manually set and reset the valves while maintaining reliable brake engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical valve actuation is replaced with an automatic pneumatic control system. The retainer valve responds to pneumatic signals from the brake pipe and reservoir pressure changes, substituting manual mechanical operation with automated pneumatic control.
2Reliability
If manual retainer valves are actuated to retain air pressure during emergency brake applications, then vehicle movement can be prevented, but the brakes may remain engaged after vehicle movement resumes causing wheel damage
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer valve assembly incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor brake pipe and reservoir pressure changes. When the brake system is released and pressure is restored, the valve automatically detects this change and vents the retained air pressure from the brake cylinder, preventing wheel locking and damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer valve is designed to automatically vent retained air pressure when the brake system is released, preparing the system for normal operation before the vehicle actually moves. This preliminary action prevents the harmful effect of brakes remaining engaged during vehicle movement.
3Reliability
If multiple retainer valves are installed in long vehicle systems, then brake pressure can be retained at multiple points, but the complexity of manual operation and likelihood of error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer valve assembly is designed as a universal component that can be installed at multiple locations in the brake system. Each valve performs the same automatic retention and venting function, allowing the system to maintain reliability across multiple points without increasing operational complexity, as all valves operate automatically without manual intervention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The automatic retainer valve assembly ensures that air pressure is retained in the brake cylinders to maintain brake engagement after release, preventing wheel locking and damage, while also allowing for efficient re-setting of the valves without manual operation.
Implementation Method 1
The retainer check valve may retain air pressure at a designated air pressure within the brake cylinder
Implementation Method 2
In a release state of the air brake, the lock-up piston assembly may direct the at least part of the air pressure that is vented from the brake cylinder to a system exhaust
Implementation Method 3
To engage the brakes, the pressure in the brake pipe is reduced. This causes a service portion of each of the vehicles to direct air from the reservoir of that vehicle to a brake cylinder of that vehicle
Implementation Method 4
When a brake pipe extending along the length of a vehicle system and associated reservoirs onboard vehicles of the vehicle system are pressurized with air, the air brakes in the vehicle systems are released
Data Source
AI summary
A set and release retainer valve assembly of an air brake system engages and releases an air brake while retaining a designated pressure within a brake cylinder. The pressure is retained within the brake cylinder to generate a higher brake cylinder pressure on a subsequent brake application and/or prevent movement of the vehicle system after release of the air brake system. The air brake is subsequently re-engaged to re-set the retaining valve assembly and exhaust the designated air pressure out of the brake cylinder, where the air brake of the vehicle system is released to permit the movement of the vehicle system after re-setting the retaining valve assembly.