Improvements in an electro-pneumatic braking system for railway vehicles

1,002,365. Railway braking systems. WESTINGHOUSE BRAKE & SIGNAL CO. Ltd. July 7, 1964 [July 30, 1963], No. 30145/63. Headings F2E and F2F. An electro-pneumatic railway braking system including a plurality of electrical conductors which are energized in successive combinations to provide varying degrees of braking effort has a controller wherein the change from one combination to another is achieved substantially simultaneously. The controller may comprise a handle resiliently connected to a cam spindle locatable in successive positions by a detent, the cam engaging in turn a series of snap switches 1 to 7. A rectifier may be provided in one lead to prevent unwanted back e.m.f. In another embodiment, wherein the switch arms are spring-urged towards the spindle, the cam has an arcuate periphery to hold down the arms of switches previously operated. In a third embodiment the cam operates toggle action snap switches, the operation of one of which resets the switch previously operated.