Patent attributes
The present invention pertains to an electro-pneumatic retarder control (EPRC) valve for a pneumatic retarder that controls the speed of railroad cars in a marshaling yard. The EPRC valve has a housing that generally encloses and protects its various components. The housing has a lid that can be opened to gain access to a control panel mounted on an interior door. The control panel includes a display, keyboard and programmable logic controller or PLC module that can be adjusted to set the desired pressure levels of the retarder. The EPRC valve has a modular pressure control assembly that includes an intake and exhaust manifold, a retarder supply and return manifold and several interchangeable control lines formed by like-shaped control valves and components. A pilot air control assembly enables the PLC module to selectively open and close the control valves and lines to deliver or release pressurized air to the retarder.
