Patent ID: 8197013
Filing Date: 2012-06-12
Classification: B60T

Abstract:
1. A brake system for use in a railway vehicle comprising an air supply adapted to supply, in use, air via first and second air channels to first and second brake actuators, the pressure of the air supplied to each actuator being controlled by a respective inlet and an exhaust valve, wherein a further valve is provided, which further valve is adapted to control, in use, airflow in an air channel between the respective inlet valves, actuating of the respective inlet, exhaust, and the further valve being controlled by an electronic control unit, which electronic control unit has a counter for counting the number of valve operations performed by each respective inlet and exhaust valve, wherein the electronic control unit, in use, determines which of the respective inlet and exhaust valves are to be actuated to brake the railway vehicle, at least in part in dependence on the number of valve operations performed by the respective inlet and exhaust valves, wherein each respective inlet valve and exhaust valve constitute a control group, wherein, the electronic control unit operates the inlet and exhaust valves of a control group of a respective axle based on adhesion to the rail, and wherein, the electronic control unit switches between control groups after a predetermined plurality of valve operations.