Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
Parking brake control

Abstract:

A parking brake control module using pneumatic logic to control a parking brake on a vehicle. The control module includes a brake pipe passageway, a reservoir passageway, a reservoir release valve; and an actuation cylinder vent valve. The control module applies or releases the parking brake based on pressures of the brake pipe and reservoir. A method uses pneumatic logic to control a parking brake on a vehicle. The parking brake is applied when the brake pipe pressure falls below a lower brake pipe pressure threshold and is released when the brake pipe pressure exceeds an upper brake pipe pressure threshold and the reservoir pressure exceeds a reservoir pressure threshold. A hold valve can allow an operator to manually prevent the release of the parking brake.