Inventors:
Herman Marshall Force - Parkville MO
Assignee:
Technical Services and Marketing, Inc. - Kansas City MO
International Classification:
B60T 700
Abstract:
An air distribution apparatus (10) configured to retrofit with an existing air brake valve (18) of a locomotive braking system (12) to act as an interface with an electronic braking control device (14). The air distribution apparatus (10) includes a distribution body (56) configured for connection between the relay valve (28) and pipe bracket (30) portions of the brake valve (18), a plurality of passageways (58,60,62,64,66 and 68) formed in the distribution body (56) for delivering air between the brake valve (18) and the other components of the locomotive braking system (12), and a plurality of solenoid valves (70,72 and 74) electrically coupled with the electronic control device (14) and positioned in the passageways (62,66 and 68) for controlling the air flow through the passageways for permitting electronic control of the brake valve (18) utilizing feedback from pressure sensors (76,78) for safety and decision-making purposes.