Empty and load brake device

Abstract

An empty and load brake device for a railroad vehicle air brake system for controlling brake application pressure comprises a housing having an inlet connected to a pressure source and an outlet connected to an air brake cylinder. A valve is positioned within the housing to control communication between said inlet and outlet. A pressure proportional piston is movable within the housing and is positioned to open and close the valve. A latch is positioned within the housing and cooperates with the piston to lock the piston in a position in which said valve is held in an open position providing full communication between said inlet and outlet. Release of the latch permits the pressure proportional piston to throttle the flow of air through said valve to provide reduced pressure at the outlet. A load sensing arm is movably attached to the housing and controls operation of the latch.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.