Dual force range TMX cylinder using an air bag actuator

A brake cylinder for use in a railway vehicle braking system comprising:

• (a) a cylindrical casing engageable with such railway vehicle braking system having a first end, a second end and a peripheral sidewall;
• (b) a hollow piston assembly mounted for reciprocal movement within said cylindrical casing;
• (c) at least one air bag actuator disposed between and engageable with a first surface of said hollow piston assembly and an inner surface of said first end of said cylindrical casing upon actuation of said at least one air bag actuator;
• (d) air communication means in fluid communication with an interior portion of said at least one air bag actuator for supplying air pressure to said at least one air bag actuator during a brake application of such railway vehicle braking system and for evacuating air pressure from said at least one air bag actuator during a brake release of such railway vehicle braking system;
• and
• (e) a piston rod assembly integrally formed with a second surface of said hollow piston assembly and extending through an opening in said second end of said cylindrical casing, said piston rod assembly capable of movement in an outward direction during such brake application to initiate a braking sequence of such railway vehicle braking system.

A brake cylinder for use in a railway vehicle braking system comprising:

• (a) a cylindrical casing engageable with such railway vehicle braking system;
• (b) a hollow piston assembly mounted for reciprocal movement within said cylindrical casing;
• (c) at least one air bag actuator disposed between and engageable with a first surface of said hollow piston assembly and an opposed inner surface of said cylindrical casing upon actuation of said at least one air bag actuator;
• (d) air communication means in fluid communication with an interior portion of said at least one air bag actuator for supplying air pressure to said at least one air bag actuator during a brake application of such railway vehicle braking system and for evacuating air pressure from said at least one air bag actuator during a brake release;
• (e) a piston rod assembly connected with a second surface of said hollow piston assembly, said piston rod assembly capable of movement in an outward direction during such brake application to initiate a braking sequence of such railway vehicle braking system;
• and
• (f) protecting means adjacent at least a portion of said second surface of said hollow piston assembly for protecting said second surface of said hollow piston assembly.