Apparatus and method for testing brake actuator units used in railroad cars

摘要

An apparatus for testing tread and disk brake actuator units for use in railway cars in an overhaul backshop environment is disclosed. The apparatus includes a test bench on which multiple test fixtures are mounted to simultaneously receive and test a like number of brake actuator units. Each test fixture is provided with differently sized sets of brackets to enable respective simultaneous mounting of different brake actuator units made by a variety of manufacturers. The test bench includes a series of solenoids and directional valves operated by a programmable logic controller to supply low, high and maximum pressure air to the actuator units to perform pneumatic leakage, applied force, and slack adjuster travel tests. Pneumatic leakage detection is performed through an automatic test removing human subjectivity from the test process. A diagnostics panel provides functional information on the status of the equipment on the test bench. A control panel enables the test operator to select between automatic and manual modes of operation and to observe lights indicative of test type, cycle and pass versus failure mode following test completion.