Patent ID: 9669818
Date: 2017-06-06
CPC Classifications: B60T,G01L,G01M

Claim:
1. A method for detecting leaks in at least one brake pressure line, under braking pressure, of a pneumatic brake device of a rail vehicle that includes an indirect electro-pneumatic brake, which indirect electro-pneumatic brake has a main air reservoir line for carrying a main air reservoir line pressure and a compressed air source supplying the main air reservoir line with compressed air and is controlled by the main air line pressure in a main air line, the at least one brake pressure line which is under the braking pressure extending between a valve device which modulates the braking pressure in dependence on the main air line pressure in the main air line and at least one brake actuator, the method comprising: checking whether the main air reservoir line pressure exceeds a predefined limit value when the replenishment of compressed air from the compressed air source to the main air reservoir line is cut off and, in response to the main air reservoir line pressure exceeding a predefined limit value, controlling the main air line pressure in the main air line so as to apply the at least one brake actuator; monitoring the main air reservoir line pressure to determine whether the value of the main air reservoir line pressure established after the application of the at least one brake actuator deviates by more than a predefined difference from a predefined plausible value for the main air reservoir line pressure, and/or whether the pressure gradient of the main air reservoir line pressure exceeds a predefined pressure gradient in the interval between the start and the end of the application of the at least one brake actuator; and generating an error message indicating a leak is present in the at least one brake pressure line in response to the value of the main air reservoir line pressure established after the application of the at least one brake actuator deviating by more than the predefined difference from a predefined plausible value for the main air reservoir line pressure, and/or the pressure gradient of the main air reservoir line pressure exceeds the predefined pressure gradient in the interval between the start and the end of the application of the at least one brake actuator, wherein the checking and monitoring are performed while the rail vehicle is stationary.