Acoustic signal transmission between a tractor and trailer within the air brake system
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for communicating trailer antilock system diagnostic status to a tractor operator through an existing air brake line comprising:
- means for generating and transmitting an acoustic signal in said air brake line in a trailer in response to a predefined diagnostic status of said antilock system;
means for receiving said acoustic signal disposed on said air brake line on a tractor; and
means for displaying receipt of said signal in direct view of said tractor operator.
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Abstract
A technique for acoustically communicating through existing air brake lines between a tractor and a trailer. The diagnostic status of the trailer antilock system is communicated via acoustic signals from the trailer antilock system through the air brake lines of the trailer and into the tractor air brake line. A piezo crystal located in the tractor air brake line converts the acoustic signal into an electrical signal which may be used to illuminate a lamp providing a display on the tractor dashboard.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. An apparatus for communicating trailer antilock system diagnostic status to a tractor operator through an existing air brake line comprising:
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means for generating and transmitting an acoustic signal in said air brake line in a trailer in response to a predefined diagnostic status of said antilock system; means for receiving said acoustic signal disposed on said air brake line on a tractor; and means for displaying receipt of said signal in direct view of said tractor operator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An antilock brake system for a tractor-trailer comprising:
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a microprocessor for controlling an antilock function of a trailer; a relay valve for modulating trailer brake force in response to control by said microprocessor; a diagnostic means for producing a signal in response to verification of preselected performance parameters of said microprocessor; means for generating an acoustic signal in an air brake line in said trailer in response to lack of verification of preselected performance parameters; means for receiving said acoustic signal in said air brake line on a tractor; and means for displaying receipt of said acoustic signal in direct view of a vehicle operator. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for communicating a trailer antilock system status to a tractor through existing air brake lines comprising:
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a voltage to frequency convertor for providing a frequency signal in response to a preselected trailer antilock system status; a first piezo crystal disposed in an air brake line of a trailer and connected to a frequency convertor; a second piezo crystal disposed in said air brake line on said tractor; a frequency to voltage convertor connected to said second piezo crystal; and a warning indicator connected to said frequency to voltage convertor and positioned to provide notification of trailer antilock system status to an operator of said tractor. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A method of continuously providing trailer antilock system diagnostic status to a tractor operator operating a tractor-trailer combination comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first signal from a trailer antilock system in response to said antilock system providing indication of a predefined diagnostic status; generating an acoustic signal in response to receipt of said first signal; transmitting said acoustic signal through air lines of said tractor-trailer; receiving said acoustic signal at a tractor; converting said acoustic signal to a voltage signal; and displaying said voltage signal to provide notification of trailer antilock system status to said tractor operator.
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Specification