Patent ID: 7325567
Filing Date: 2008-02-05
Classification: B61K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A modular retarder control valve for selectively controlling a flow of pressurized air supplied to and discharged from a pneumatic retarder in a railroad marshalling yard, said marshalling yard having a compressor producing a pressurized air supply, said modular retarder control valve comprising: a housing having an interior compartment containing an intake/exhaust manifold, a supply/return manifold and first, second and third control lines positioned between said manifolds; said intake/exhaust manifold having an intake pathway for receiving pressurized air from the pressurized air supply of the yard and an exhaust pathway for exhausting the air from said retarder, said intake/exhaust manifold having a first set of ports including first, second and third matable ports, said intake pathway being in pneumatic communication with at least one of said matable ports, and said exhaust pathway being in pneumatic communication with at least one other of said matable ports; said supply/return manifold having a supply pathway for supplying the pressurized air to said retarder and a return pathway for returning air from said retarder, said supply/return manifold having a second set of ports including first, second and third matable ports, said supply pathway being in pneumatic communication with at least one of said matable ports, and said return pathway being in pneumatic communication with at least one other of said matable ports; and, said first, second and third control lines, each of said control lines forming a separate flow path and having a control valve selectively movable between open and closed positions to control the flow of the pressurized air along its said flow path, said control lines using interchangeable fastening mechanisms to releasably secure said opposed ends of each said control line to said intake/exhaust and supply/return manifolds, said first control line pneumatically connecting said first matable port of said intake/exhaust manifold to said first matable port of said supply/return manifold, said second control line pneumatically connecting said second matable port of said intake/exhaust manifold to said second matable port of said supply/return manifold, and said third control line pneumatically connecting said third matable port of said intake/exhaust manifold to said third matable port of said supply/return manifold; and wherein said manifolds are fixed a predetermined distance apart with said first set of ports being diametrically opposed to said second set of ports, and each of said control lines extends between said manifolds, said control line having an expansion joint between its opposed ends to facilitate the release and securement of said control line to said manifolds.