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This system resembles the Westinghouse air brake. A locomotive employs a main reservoir of compressed air which is distributed along a brake pipe running the length of the train. For each car, a triple valve connects the brake pipe to an auxillary reservoir and a brake cylinder. If the pressure in the brake pipe is lower than that in the auxillary reservoir, the brakes are applied from compressed air inside the auxillary reservoir. If the pressure in the brake pipe is higher than that of the auxillary reservoir, the brakes are released and the auxillary reservoir is refilled from the brake pipe. Low pressure in the brake pipe (usually still higher than atmospheric pressure) thus applies the brakes, while high pressure releases the brakes. Due to the design of the triple valve, a partial brake application is possible while a partial release is basically not. The driver has a non-self lapping handle consisting of release, lap and service positions. ➟ See this external link for more information.
Compared to the air brake without partial release, this system replaces the triple valve by a distributor (a more sophisticated version of the triple valve) which allows for partial releases. The current "automatic air brake" implementation resembles this system. However, while technically a slide valve moves inside the triple valve and only gradually opens connections to the other components, the current implementation is more abrupt in this regard. This is going to be changed for smoother behavior. ➟ See this external link for more information.
Building up on the other air brakes, in this system, the brake pipe is complemented with a main reservoir pipe, which allows the auxillary reservoirs on distant cars to be refilled much quicker, which also results in faster brake releases. Partial releases are also possible. ➟ See this external link for more information.
The electro-pneumatic air brake adds electrical wires running the length of the train to the two-pipe air brake system. The brake pipe and the triple valve are basically only used as backups and are normally in the release position. In order to prevent brake cylinder exhaust, an electrically controlled holding valve prevents the exhaust if so desired. Brake applications are performed by directly connecting the main reservoir pipe to the brake cylinder via an electrically controlled application valve. The driver has a brake controller (or alternatively a driver's brake valve). The current implementation under the name of electro-magnetic air brake uses a one-pipe system in which the distributor is electrically controlled to allow for controlled brake cylinder pressure. It is uncertain yet whether to upgrade the current implementation of the electro-magnetic air brake to a full electro-pneumatic air brake as described above or to make two separate implementations. The observed differences are expected to be rather low anyway. ➟ See this external link for more information.
An air brake without a brake pipe. All cars have all braking equipments, from the main reservoir, air compressor to the brake cylinder, synchronized and controlled via electric commands. Currently implemented under the name of electric command brake.
A completely different system. Instead of using compressed air to apply the brakes, it uses vacuum to release the brakes while application is performed with athmospheric pressure. An exhauster in the locomotive is used to create the vacuum which is distributed along a brake pipe running the length of the train. In each car, the brake pipe is connected to a ball valve, which in turn is connected to the vacuum reservoir and brake cylinder. The vacuum cylinder is designed in such a way as to remain in the vacuum condition even if the pressure in the brake pipe rises. Rising brake pipe pressure causes the brakes to be applied while falling pressure releases them. The driver has a non-self-lapping valve consisting of release, running, lap and brake on positions. ➟ See this external link for more information.
A variation to the vacuum brake employing a reservoir pipe in addition to the brake pipe. Used to speed up brake releases. ➟ See this external link for more information. |