Slack adjuster contaminant mitigation device

A double-acting tension actuatable slack adjuster to adjust the slack in a railway vehicle brake linkage, said slack adjuster comprising:

• (a) an elongated hollow cylindrical housing member which is restrained against rotation and pivotally connectable at a first end thereof, said elongated hollow cylindrical housing including a main housing portion, a cone nut housing portion, and an overtravel housing portion;
• (b) an elongated rod member which is restrained against rotation and pivotally connectable at a first end thereof, said rod member having at least a portion thereof threaded, said threaded portion of said rod member extending into said housing member through a second end of said housing member;
• (c) a cone lock nut threadedly engaged with said threaded portion of said rod member intermediate a first and second end thereof, said cone lock nut axially movable for rotating about said threaded portion of said rod member to change the length of said slack adjuster by changing the relative longitudinal position between said housing member and said rod member, said cone lock nut being located within the cone nut housing portion;
• (d) at least a first spring for urging said cone lock nut into a first position with respect to said housing member;
• (e) a second spring for overcoming a force applied by said first spring and for urging said cone lock nut into a second position;
• and
• (f) a sealing system configured for cooperating with at least one of the main housing portion, cone nut housing portion, and overtravel housing portion to seal the cone nut housing portion against entrance of fluid and/or contaminants therein,
• wherein the sealing system includes at least one of:
• (a) a sealing member positioned between a threaded engagement between the rod guide and the first end of the cone nut housing portion;
• (b) at least one sealing member associated with each of a trigger pin positioned within the rod guide;
• (c) a sealing member associated with a conical spring or conical spring seat member located at the second end of the cone nut housing portion;
• and
• (d) a sealing member configured for cooperating with at least one end of the cone nut housing portion.

A slack adjuster for a railway brake rigging, said slack adjuster including a main housing portion, a cone nut housing portion enclosing a critical operating area of the slack adjuster, and an overtravel housing portion,

• wherein the cone nut housing portion is positioned between the overtravel housing portion and the main housing portion, and
• wherein the cone nut housing portion includes a first end positioned adjacent to the overtravel housing portion and a second end positioned adjacent to the main housing portion, the slack adjuster including a sealing system configured for reducing or preventing the critical operating area from contact with fluids and/or contaminants, and
• wherein the sealing system includes at least one of:
• (a) a sealing member positioned between a threaded engagement between the rod guide and the first end of the cone nut housing portion;
• (b) at least one sealing member associated with each of a trigger pin positioned within the rod guide;
• and
• (c) a sealing member associated with a conical spring or conical spring seat member located at the second end of the cone nut housing portion.

A method of sealing a critical operating area of a slack adjuster for a railway vehicle for a railway brake rigging, said slack adjuster including a main housing portion, a cone nut housing portion enclosing a critical operating area of the slack adjuster, a rod guide associated with the cone nut housing portion, and an overtravel housing portion, said method comprising providing a sealing system for sealing the critical operating area against entrance of fluid and/or contaminants therein or to reduce the exposure of the critical operating area to fluid and/or contaminants, wherein the sealing system includes at least one of:

• (a) a sealing member positioned between a threaded engagement between the rod guide and an end of the cone nut housing portion;
• (b) at least one sealing member associated with each of a trigger pin positioned within the rod guide;
• (c) a sealing member associated with a conical spring or conical spring seat member located at an end of the cone nut housing portion;
• and
• (d) a sealing member configured for cooperating with at least one end of the cone nut housing portion.