DESC:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See sections 10 & rule 13)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ROLLING STOCK MANUAL PARKING BRAKE RELEASE OPERATED FROM SALOON/CUBICLE
2. APPLICANT (S)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
BEML LIMITED IN BEML Soudha, No 23/1, 4th Main S.R. Nagar, Bengaluru- 560027, Karnataka, India.
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present invention relates to the field of rail transport. The present invention in particular relates to a system and method for rolling stock manual parking brake release (with electrical feedback) operated from saloon/cubicle.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART:
[002] In case of third rail current collection system, the Train Operator (TO) has to request Operation Control Center (OCC) for a power block so that TO can de-board the train to access the manual release arrangement of Parking brake. This power block will affect the passenger service on the main line. Parking brake release from the saloon with electrical feedback will ensure that the operator need not de-board the train for manually releasing the parking brake specific to any bogie or axle. Also, the status of the of the manual release of parking brake is continuously monitored and status is available to the train operator. This helps to avoid unintentional parking brake release in any train at an axle level thereby ensuring safety during parking.
[003] Reference may be made to the following:
[004] Publication No. RU2009132519 (A) relates to rolling stock brakes. Parking brake drive comprises hollow housing, piston assembly, piston rod, piston rod lock, spring element, hydraulic fluid line, first elongated thread, ratchet gear, opening made axially in the latter, second thread made on axial hole surface, shaft and pawl. Parking brake comprises ratchet arranged on piston rod with brake drive thread to turn thereon, and pawl to be engaged with said pawl.
[005] Publication No. RU2690131 relates to railway transport, particularly, to parking brakes of railway rolling stock. Brake comprises a "screw-nut" pair with self-braking thread, a rotor of the screw rotation and a device for transfer from the "screw-nut" pair of the pressing force to the friction elements of the brake. Device is flexible for drawing by axial force of the "screw-nut" pair so that at the stage of the brake elastic tightening the required value of pressing forces on the friction elements of the brake is achieved not less than three complete rotations of the screw relative to the nut.
[006] Publication No. CA2188107 relates to the air pressure actuated and hydraulic applied railway car parking brake system includes air source to actuate. A control valve receives air from source to initiate air communication. Pneumatic to hydraulic pressure intensifier receives air in first chamber therein from valve. A second intensifier chamber is connected at open first end thereof with partially open second end of first chamber.
[007] Publication No. CN208411702 discloses a passenger train electron manual brake system, including gas circuit unit and circuit unit, gas circuit unit includes that inflating pump, condenser, desicator, four -circuit protection valve brake gas receiver, parking gas receiver, brake master cylinder, ASR valve, voltage limiting valve, bi -pass check valve, relay valve, differential valve, ABS valve, service brakeswitch, parking braking switch, back brake chamber, parking braking air chamber and two five solenoid valve after, the utility model discloses on the basis of original passenger train gas braking, increased ASR valve, electron manual brake switch, voltage limiting valve, two five solenoid valve, a plurality of pencils etc.
[008] Publication No. US4478319 relates to a brake actuator device having a pneumatic service brake piston and a spring parking or emergency brake piston operation of either one of which effects displacement of a brake actuator rod which includes a screw-threaded spindle that operates in a non-rotatable nut member in order to adjust the length of the actuator rod. The nut member is provided with an external projection to which the vehicle brakes are mounted. A cogwheel is rotatably fixed to the actuator rod and is normally locked against rotation by a locking pin that engages the cogwheel teeth. The actuator rod is formed in two portions that are connected together through a clutch arrangement, the actuator rod portion having the threaded spindle being free to rotate during brake release to increase the actuator rod length and thereby take up the brake slack. The cogwheel may be manually released following a parking or emergency brake operation to relieve the spring-applied brake force by allowing the threaded spindle to rotate in a direction to decrease the length of the actuator rod and thereby cage the spring.
[009] Publication No. US4550811 relates to a manually releasable, spring-applied, air-released parking brake device that has a hollow guide rod and a non-rotatable spindle connectable to the brake rigging extending through a portion of a cylindrical housing. On one end of the guide rod is secured a portion of a clutch arrangement, and on the opposite end is secured a spline member having a plurality of externally disposed spline grooves. A latching member having an extending surface engages the spline grooves of the spline member, thus preventing rotational movement of the spline member, guide rod, and clutch portion. A release lever, connected to the latching member, allows for engaging and disengaging the latching member and spline member. When the latching member has been disengaged from the spline member, as corresponds to a manual release of the parking brake device, a retractable blocking member is urged against the end surface of the spline member. The blocking member prevents engagement of the latching member and spline member, thus no longer preventing rotational movement of the spline member.
[010] Publication No. CN206802594 relates to the technical field of pneumatic braking system for the rail vehicle, its includes straight joint and three way connection, straight joint includes the straight joint and the nut of living, and the straight joint lower part is equipped with the cone, and straight joint is equipped with the bulge loop in the top position of cone, the inboard of nut alive includes epicoele and cavity of resorption, and the lateral wall of cavity of resorption is equipped with the screw thread, and the lateral wall of epicoele overlaps the outside at the bulge loop to the top card of epicoele lateral wall is on the top edge of the outside of bulge loop, three way connection's upper portion interface is equipped with the external screw thread, and the inside of upper portion interface is equipped with the toper chamber, the cone inserts behind the toper chamber does not have clearance fit with the toper chamber, and the upper portion interface inserts the inboard lower part of the nut of living to with the nut and threaded connection that lives.
[011] Publication No. US2001050027 relates to an integral intermodal train is provided for carrying standard over-the-highway semi-trailers. Each segment can have a plurality of platforms and may be loaded or unloaded independently of any other segment using a self contained, roll-on/roll-off system. Several sub-systems to speed performance and enhance reliability, such as an electronic assisted air brake, health monitoring, trailer tie-down and locomotive interface subsystems, can be provided on each segment. A spring applied parking brake is provided for the segments and operably connected to the train pneumatic brake systems. In a preferred embodiment the brake is automatically applied when brake pipe pressure falls below 40 psi nominal. The pneumatic valving for the parking brake prevents application of the valve in an emergency braking situation, until the pressure has bled off in normal system leakage, preventing wheel damage. A handle is provided for manual application and release of the parking brake when desired.
[012] Publication No. US5848550 relates to a quick relief mechanism including a sleeve having an external circumferential groove and a locking ring located on the sleeve and sized to seat in the groove. The locking ring is split at one location to provide split-end portions, and a rotatable clamping device is provided with a recess for receiving the split-end portions.
[013] In rolling stock / metro trains, parking brake is applied by spring actuation and pneumatically released. Application of pneumatic air pressure releases the parking brake and release of pneumatic air pressure ensures parking brake is applied. Any air leakage due to hose burst will result in unintended parking brake application. This would require a brake release at the parking brake cylinder using the manual release arrangement provided on either side of the bogie frame as per conventional design used for existing metro systems.
[014] Also the conventional handle arrangement for manual parking brake release arrangement from the bogie level gives no indication to the train operator as to which bogie parking brakes are isolated. Also, there is no live monitoring status available to indicate the invocation of manual parking brake release in any bogie of the train.
[015] In order to overcome above listed prior art, the present invention aims to provide a system and method for rolling stock manual parking brake release (with electrical feedback) operated from saloon/cubicle. A rolling stock is provided where a failure of parking brake pneumatics will require manual release of parking brake by having an access to the bogie region from outside the saloon. Present invention relates to the manually release arrangement of Parking brake in absence of air. Conventional parking brake release cable is only accessible near the bogie level below the saloon. In this invention release cable is provided with an extension mechanism for saloon access with electrical feedback to TO/TCMS/OCC which is external to the Parking brake actuator.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[016] The principal object of the present invention is to provide system and method for rolling stock manual parking brake release (with electrical feedback) operated from saloon/cubicle.
[017] Another object of the present invention is to provide which doesn’t need the operator to leave the saloon or access the under frame region for manually releasing the parking brake.
[018] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide combined possibility of ease in manually releasing the parking brake from the saloon with an electric feedback for indication to the train operator in the cabin as to which bogie parking brake has been manually isolated is the novel features implemented in this invention/idea.
SUMMARY:
[019] The present invention relates to a system and method for rolling stock manual parking brake release (with electrical feedback) operated from saloon/cubicle. The system comprises splitter mechanism (1) for simultaneous release operation of parking brakes, hand/ foot operated Lever (2) with mechanical advantage to reduce the effort required for operation, cleats (3) for routing Bowden cables, special grommet for bowden cable (4) routed inside the saloon area through underframe and limit switch actuating device (5) integrated with splitter mechanism.
BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[020] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
[021] Figure 1 shows a system for rolling stock manual parking brake release (with electrical feedback) operated from saloon/cubicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
[022] The present invention provides a system and method for rolling stock manual parking brake release (with electrical feedback) operated from saloon/cubicle. The system comprises splitter mechanism (1) for simultaneous release operation of parking brakes, hand/ foot operated Lever (2) with mechanical advantage to reduce the effort required for operation, cleats (3) for routing Bowden cables, special grommet for bowden cable (4) routed inside the saloon area through underframe and limit switch actuating device (5) integrated with splitter mechanism.
[023] A release arrangement is provided to ensure that passenger service shall not be affected and wheel-flat shall not take place in the rolling stock. However conventional arrangement involves access and operations constraints due to its location on either side of the bogie. This conventional type of release arrangement of parking brakes, which is installed on the bogie frame, can only be accessed from track level or platform level for manually releasing parking brake in case of no compressor air is available in the system. In case of metro which are powered through third rail will be a safety concern in case of emergency. Additionally, in view of passenger safety all the metro operators have installed Passenger Screen Door (PSD) at Platforms which also obstruct the process of release of parking brake at platform level. Keeping in view being a safety critical operation, the release arrangement located below the underframe within close proximity to third rail supply for traction, Passenger Screen Door (PSD) at Platforms etc.in not an optimal arrangement and this novel idea addresses the constraints which are practically faced by the metro operators during the passenger service.
[024] This invention will provide the train operator an easily accessible manual parking brake release mechanism at the saloon area itself without having to access the underframe/bogie in the event of a hose burst or heavy air leakage in the parking pneumatic line. There are two parking brakes cylinders installed on each bogie of a metro car (Two bogie per car). Each parking brake cylinder shall have a manual release arrangement which has to be operated in case of unintended parking brake application and in case of no compressed air is available in the system. In totality each car will have four parking brake release arrangement which has to be operated individually for manually releasing the parking brakes. This mechanism will ensure that irrespective of the number of axle level parking brake cylinders provided, the complete bogie level parking brake release can be controlled from a single point in the saloon area of a car which is protected in a lockable protection cover for stopping it from any unauthorized access during passenger services. This lockable protection cover arrangement inside the saloon area can only be accessed by the authorized and trained personnel with a help of a square key.
[025] This mechanism is also provided with an electric feedback signal which is triggered during the actuation of the parking brake release arrangement which can be further used as an indication of caution for the train operator in the visual display unit for easy tracking.
[026] The system comprises tread brake unit with parking brakes (1), bogie frame (2), wheel set (3), saloon cubicle floor(4), bowden cable (5), splitter with limit switch (6), hand/foot operated lever (7),
[027] The Splitter Mechanism is provided for simultaneous release operation of Parking Brakes. Hand / Foot Operated Lever (7) is provided with mechanical advantage to reduce the effort required for operation. Cleats routes Bowden cables (5). Special grommet for Bowden cable routed inside the saloon area through underframe. Limit switch (6) actuating device is integrated with Splitter Mechanism.
[028] This method for rolling stock manual parking brake release (with electrical feedback) operated from saloon/cubicle.
[029] As shown in the figure 1, the method of manually releasing parking brake can be realized by using a Hand/Foot Operated Lever (7) which will be available inside a lockable protection cover in the saloon area of the car. By pushing this lever (7), the Bowden cable (5) connected to the Splitter with Limit Switch (6) will pull the Bowden cable (5) connected to both of the Tread Brake Unit with Parking Brakes (1) of that bogie together. Doing so, the parking brake applied in that bogie will be released and an indication lamp will be glowing in the driver’s cab showing the status of parking brakes in that bogie. This indication lamp is connected to the limit switch which is a part of Splitter with Limit Switch (6). The limit switch will be actuated when the Bowden cable (5) will be controlled by the Hand/Foot Operated Lever (7).
[030] The advantages are given below:
1. It doesn’t need the operator to leave the saloon or access the under frame region for manually releasing the parking brake.
2. In case of third rail current collection system, the train operator (TO) has to request operation control center (OCC) for a power block so that TO can de-board the train to access the manual release arrangement of parking brake. This power block will affect the passenger service on the main line and may have a safety concern to the TO because of high voltage.
3. The present invention helps to provide the status of manual parking brake release handle directly to the train operator in the driver cab utilizing the electrical feedback available in the present invention/idea.
[031] Abbreviations:
1. PTBU: Tread Brake Unit with Parking Brakes
2. VDU: Visual Display Unit for Train Operator/Driver
3. TCMS: Train Control and Management System
[032] Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A system and method for rolling stock manual parking brake release (with electrical feedback) operated from saloon/ cubicle comprises splitter mechanism (1) for simultaneous release operation of parking brakes, hand / foot operated lever (2) with mechanical advantage to reduce the effort required for operation, cleats (3) for routing bowden cables (5), special grommet for bowden cable (4) routed inside the saloon area through underframe and limit switch actuating device (6) integrated with splitter mechanism and hand/ foot operated lever (7) is provided with mechanical advantage to reduce the effort required for operation.
2. The system and method for rolling stock manual parking brake release (with electrical feedback) operated from saloon/ cubicle, as claimed in claim 1, wherein release arrangement ensures that passenger service shall not be affected and wheel-flat shall not take place in the rolling stock.
3. The system and method for rolling stock manual parking brake release (with electrical feedback) operated from saloon/ cubicle, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the train operator has an easy access manual parking brake release mechanism at the saloon area itself without having to access the underframe/bogie in the event of a hose burst or heavy air leakage in the parking pneumatic line and ensures that irrespective of the number of axle level parking brake cylinders provided, the complete bogie level parking brake release can be controlled from a single point in the saloon area while also being access controlled with lock & key arrangement.
4. The system and method for rolling stock manual parking brake release (with electrical feedback) operated from saloon/ cubicle, as claimed in claim 1, wherein an electric feedback signal which is triggered during the actuation of the parking brake release arrangement which can be further used as an indication of caution for the train operator in the visual display unit for easy tracking.