COMMUNICATIONS VEHICLE

• US 20110235303A1
• Filed: 01/29/2010
• Published: 09/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Jones, Dean L., Mitchell, Philip S., Myers, David, Clifton, Christopher, Pruett, James M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,789,261 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/814
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1235 Collapsible supports; Means for erecting a rigid antenna
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0004 comprising several parts forming a closed casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49018 with other electrical component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49194 Assembling elongated conductors, e.g., splicing, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49959 Nonresilient fastener

Abstract

A vehicle is provided that includes a shelter thereon that includes electronics therein. The shelter includes ports on the exterior thereof that permit data and power exchange between the vehicle and another similarly configured vehicle. The vehicle further includes dedicated wiring raceways that separate wiring having different uses.

Claims

1. A communications assembly including:

a shelter housing;

a first cabling raceway disposed within the shelter housing, the first cabling raceway being exclusively dedicated for radio frequency transmitting cabling;

a second cabling raceway disposed within the shelter housing, the second cabling raceway being exclusively dedicated for non-radio frequency data transmitting cabling; and

a third cabling raceway disposed within the shelter housing, the third cabling raceway being exclusively dedicated for alternating current and direct current transmitting cabling.

2. The communications assembly of claim 1, further including first cabling disposed within the first cabling raceway, the first cabling being coupled to at least one radio antenna.

3. The communications assembly of claim 1, further including second cabling disposed within the second cabling raceway, the second cabling being coupled to at least one non-radio frequency data transmission source.

4. The communications assembly of claim 3, wherein the second cabling is further coupled to a signal interface assembly, the signal interface assembly providing a port accessible to the outside of the shelter housing, the port shaped and sized to receive a cable therein to electrically couple the cable to the at least one non-radio frequency data transmission source.

5. The communications assembly of claim 1, further including third cabling disposed within the third cabling raceway, the third cabling being coupled to an electronic device, the electronic device receiving power from the third cabling.

6. The communications assembly of claim 5, wherein the third cabling is further coupled to a signal interface assembly, the signal interface assembly providing a port accessible to the outside of the shelter housing, the port shaped and sized to receive a cable therein to electrically couple the cable to the electronic device.

7. The communications assembly of claim 6, wherein the cable provides power to the electronic device.

8. The communications assembly of claim 6, wherein the cable transmits power from the electronic device.

9. The communications assembly of claim 6, wherein the cable is further coupled to a power generator.

10. The communications assembly of claim 1, wherein the first raceway extends generally parallel to a top of the shelter assembly and at a first distance from the top of the shelter assembly.

11. The communications assembly of claim 10, wherein the second raceway extends generally parallel to the top of the shelter assembly and at a second distance from the top of the shelter assembly, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

12. The communications assembly of claim 11, wherein the third raceway extends generally parallel to the top of the shelter assembly and at a third distance from the top of the shelter assembly, the third distance being greater than the second distance.

13. A method of assembling a communications assembly, the method including:

obtaining a shelter housing having side walls, a front wall, a rear wall, a floor, and a top wall;

coupling a first cabling raceway to the walls at a first height, the first cabling raceway extending generally parallel to the top wall;

coupling a second cabling raceway to the walls at a second height, the second cabling raceway extending generally parallel to the top wall;

coupling a third cabling raceway to the walls at a third height, the third cabling raceway extending generally parallel to the top wall;

placing radio-frequency transmission cabling exclusively within the first cabling raceway;

placing non-radio-frequency data transmission cabling exclusively within the second cabling raceway; and

placing alternating current transmission cabling and direct current transmission cabling exclusively within the third raceway.

14. The method of claim 13, further including the step of coupling the radio frequency transmission cabling to an antenna coupled to the shelter housing and coupling the radio frequency transmission cabling to a radio located within the shelter housing.

15. The method of claim 13, further including the step of coupling the non-radio-frequency data transmission cabling to a signal interface assembly, the signal interface assembly providing a port accessible to the outside of the shelter housing, the port shaped and sized to receive an interconnect cable therein to electrically couple the interconnect cable to the non-radio-frequency data transmission cabling.

16. The method of claim 13, further including the step of coupling the alternating current transmission cabling and direct current transmission cabling to a signal interface assembly, the signal interface assembly providing a port accessible to the outside of the shelter housing, the port shaped and sized to receive an interface cable therein to electrically couple the electrical interface cable to the electronic device.

17. The method of claim 16, further including the step of coupling the electrical interface cable to a power source to permit electrical current to flow therethrough.

18. The method of claim 16, further including the step of coupling the electrical interface cable to a second signal interface assembly that is part of a second shelter housing.

19. The method of claim 13, further including the step of locating the shelter housing on a readily transportable vehicle.

20. A communications vehicle, including:

a vehicle frame;

a shelter housing supported by the frame, the shelter housing defining an interior and an exterior;

a first communication device located within the interior of the shelter housing; and

a signal interface positioned on the shelter housing, the signal interface including ports thereon in communication the first communication device;

wherein the first communication device includes software therein that permits the first communication device to control and operate a second communication device that is substantially similar to the first communication device, that is located in a shelter housing separate from the shelter housing containing the first communication device, and that is electrically coupled via a wire to the signal interface.

21. The vehicle of claim 20, wherein the first and second communication devices are radios.

22. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein each radio independently provides four channels of radio frequency communication.

23. The vehicle of claim 22, wherein the first radio, when coupled to the second radio, controls all provided channels of radio frequency communication.

24. A method of expanding a communications array including the steps of:

providing a first shelter on a first vehicle frame, the first shelter including a first radio therein and a first signal interface accessible from the exterior of the first shelter, the first radio providing a plurality of communication channels;

providing a second shelter on a second vehicle frame, the second shelter including a second radio therein and a second signal interface accessible from the exterior of the second shelter, the second radio providing a plurality of communication channels;

electrically coupling ports on the first signal interface to ports on the second signal interface; and

controlling all provided communications channels with the first radio.

25. A vehicle array including:

a first vehicle including a power input interface and a power output interface;

a second vehicle including a power input interface and a power output interface;

a power generator having a power output interface;

a first power cable linking the power output interface of the power generator to the power input interface of the first vehicle; and

a second power cable linking the power output interface of the first vehicle to the power input interface of the second vehicle.

26. The vehicle array of claim 25, wherein the power input interfaces and power output interfaces of the first and second vehicles are each disposed in exterior walls of respective housings that are disposed on frames of the respective first and second vehicles.

27. The vehicle array of claim 26, wherein the housings of each vehicle contain communications equipment in electrical communication with the respective power input interface.

28. The vehicle array of claim 27, further including a data cable linking a signal interface of the housing of the first vehicle to a signal interface of the second vehicle.

29. A method of powering a vehicle array including the steps of:

providing a first vehicle having a frame and a first shelter supported on the frame, the first shelter including a power input interface and a power output interface;

providing a second vehicle having a frame and a second shelter supported on the frame, the second shelter including a power input interface and a power output interface;

providing a power generator having a power output;

coupling the power output of the power generator to the power input interface of the first vehicle such that the power generator provides power to electronics housed within the first shelter;

coupling the power output interface of the first shelter to the power input interface of the second shelter to provide power to electronics housed within the second shelter.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein power is provided to the second shelter exclusively via the power output interface of the first shelter.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the power generator is coupled to a mobile frame configured to be towed by the first vehicle.

32. A method of transporting a communications array including the steps of:

providing a first vehicle having a frame and a first shelter supported on the frame at a first location, the first shelter including plurality of communications devices therein, the communications devices being coupled to each other and to a signal interface disposed on the first shelter, the signal interface providing a plurality of ports that are accessible on the exterior of the first shelter;

providing a second vehicle having a frame and a second shelter supported on the frame at the first location, the second shelter including plurality of communications devices therein, the communications devices being coupled to each other and to a signal interface disposed on the second shelter, the signal interface providing a plurality of ports that are accessible on the exterior of the second shelter;

providing interconnect cables that interface with the signal interfaces of the first and second shelters to provide data connections between the plurality of electronics in the first and second shelters;

uncoupling the interconnect cables from the first and second shelters;

driving the first and second vehicles to a second location; and

coupling the interconnect cables to the signal interfaces of the first and second shelters to provide data connections between the plurality of electronics in the first and second shelters at the second location.

33. The method of claim 32, further including the steps of:

uncoupling power cables coupled between the first and second shelters before the step of driving the first and second vehicles to a second location; and

coupling power cables between the first and second shelters at the second location.

34. A vehicle including:

a frame,

an engine supported by the frame, the engine operatively coupled to ground engaging members and capable of imparting motion to at least one of the ground engaging members;

a shelter housing coupled to the frame and dependent upon the frame for supporting the shelter housing;

a first communication device located within the interior of the shelter housing; and

a signal interface positioned on the shelter housing, the signal interface including ports thereon in communication the first communication device;

wherein the first communication device includes software therein that permits the first communication device to control and operate a second communication device that is substantially similar to the first communication device, that is located in a shelter housing separate from the shelter housing containing the first communication device, and that is electrically coupled via a wire to the signal interface.

35. The vehicle of claim 34, wherein the position of the engine relative to the shelter housing is fixed.

36. The vehicle of claim 34, wherein all ground engaging members providing support to the shelter housing also provide support for the engine.