System for automatic identification of rail cars
First Claim
1. A system for automatic identification of rail cars, comprising:
- a) a transponder adapted to transmit a first signal containing information identifying one of said rail cars when interrogated, said transponder having first and second transverse ends, a flange having a thickness formed on one of said transverse ends, an opening formed in said flange;
b) a reader adapted to interrogate said transponder by transmitting a second signal thereto and to receive and decode said first signal transmitted by said transponder; and
c) a bracket for attaching said transponder to said rail car, said bracket having;
(i) means for applying a force clamping said transponder to said bracket, said clamping force applying means having first and second means for applying a spring force at said first and second transverse ends of said transponder, respectively, said first spring force applying means comprising a spring, a threaded member extending through said flange opening, and a nut having an active threaded length adapted to thread onto said threaded member, and(ii) means for positively limiting the amount of said clamping force applied by said first spring force applying means, said spring force limiting means comprising the length of said threaded member being greater than the combination of said thickness of said flange and said active threaded length of said nut.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system is provided for automatic identification of objects, such as rail cars and the like, utilizing two transponders, each attached to the rail car by a bracket. The bracket, which is welded along its ends to the rail car, has a lower planar surface which is placed against the side of the rail car when the bracket is welded thereto. A bottom planar surface of the transponder mates with an upper planar surface of the bracket, thus ensuring a good conduction heat flow path to the rail car and preventing over heating of the transponder when the rail car is placed in a thaw shed. The transponder is attached to the bracket by inserting a flange formed one end of the transponder under a clip projecting from the upper surface of the bracket. A threaded stud projecting upward from the bracket upper surface extends through a hole in a second flange formed at the other end of the transponder. The controlled length of the stud, and the use of an acorn nut and conical washer threaded onto the stud to clamp the transponder to the bracket, prevents generating excessive clamping force.
34 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A system for automatic identification of rail cars, comprising:
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a) a transponder adapted to transmit a first signal containing information identifying one of said rail cars when interrogated, said transponder having first and second transverse ends, a flange having a thickness formed on one of said transverse ends, an opening formed in said flange; b) a reader adapted to interrogate said transponder by transmitting a second signal thereto and to receive and decode said first signal transmitted by said transponder; and c) a bracket for attaching said transponder to said rail car, said bracket having; (i) means for applying a force clamping said transponder to said bracket, said clamping force applying means having first and second means for applying a spring force at said first and second transverse ends of said transponder, respectively, said first spring force applying means comprising a spring, a threaded member extending through said flange opening, and a nut having an active threaded length adapted to thread onto said threaded member, and (ii) means for positively limiting the amount of said clamping force applied by said first spring force applying means, said spring force limiting means comprising the length of said threaded member being greater than the combination of said thickness of said flange and said active threaded length of said nut. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13)
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9. An apparatus for attaching a transponder to an object, said transponder having a bottom surface, first and second longitudinal sides, and first and second transverse ends, comprising a bracket having:
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a) a first surface adapted to mate with said transponder bottom surface; b) means for applying a spring force for clamping said transponder bottom surface against said bracket first surface, said spring force applying means comprising (i) a spring, (ii) a threaded member extending a predetermined distance above said bracket first surface, and (iii) a nut adapted to thread onto said threaded member; and c) means for preventing said spring clamping force from exceeding a predetermined amount comprising means for limiting the travel of said nut on said threaded member. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification