Pneumatic-based communications system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for communicating information between a plurality of serial nodes linked by a fluid-containing enclosure, said apparatus comprising:
- a first fluid pressure transducer in fluid communication with the fluid-containing enclosure at a first one of the plurality of serial nodes;
a second fluid pressure transducer in fluid communication with the fluid-containing enclosure at a second one of the plurality of serial nodes;
wherein at least one of said first and said second fluid pressure transducers induces a serial stream of pressure variations in the form of alternating periods of increased pressure and decreased pressure in the fluid-containing enclosure, and wherein another one of said first and said second fluid pressure transducers senses said serial stream of pressure variations in the fluid-containing enclosure; and
wherein said serial stream of pressure variations propagates through the fluid-containing enclosure, the alternating periods of increased pressure and decreased pressure collectively conveying information between the first one of the plurality of nodes and the second one of the plurality of nodes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for communicating information over a pressurized fluid-carrying pipe connecting a plurality of serial nodes. A sounder node (i.e., transmitter) creates variable pressure patterns within the fluid-carrying pipe, which pressure patterns are identified and detected by other nodes. The patterns convey information or solicit responses from the receiving nodes. The receiving nodes reply to the pressure fluctuations by inducing reply pressure fluctuations in the fluid-carrying pipe or by communicating with the sounder node via a separate radio frequency communications system. The apparatus and method can be used as an information-carrying communications medium or a train linking methodology for a railroad train.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. An apparatus for communicating information between a plurality of serial nodes linked by a fluid-containing enclosure, said apparatus comprising:
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a first fluid pressure transducer in fluid communication with the fluid-containing enclosure at a first one of the plurality of serial nodes; a second fluid pressure transducer in fluid communication with the fluid-containing enclosure at a second one of the plurality of serial nodes; wherein at least one of said first and said second fluid pressure transducers induces a serial stream of pressure variations in the form of alternating periods of increased pressure and decreased pressure in the fluid-containing enclosure, and wherein another one of said first and said second fluid pressure transducers senses said serial stream of pressure variations in the fluid-containing enclosure; and wherein said serial stream of pressure variations propagates through the fluid-containing enclosure, the alternating periods of increased pressure and decreased pressure collectively conveying information between the first one of the plurality of nodes and the second one of the plurality of nodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An apparatus for identifying and ordering the railcars of a railroad train, said apparatus comprising:
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a pneumatic brake pipe extending from the locomotive to each railcar of the train; a locomotive pressure transducer at the locomotive in fluid communication with the brake pipe; a radio frequency transceiver on the locomotive; a railcar pressure transducer on at least a first one of the plurality of railcars, wherein said railcar pressure transducer is in fluid communication with the brake pipe; a radio frequency transceiver at the first one of the plurality of railcars; wherein said locomotive pressure transducer creates a serial stream of pneumatic pressure variations in the form of alternating periods of increased pressure and decreased pressure in the brake pipe, which pressure variations are sensed by said railcar pressure transducer, and wherein the pneumatic pressure variations indicate initiation of the railcar identification and ordering process; and wherein in response to received pneumatic pressure variations sensed by said railcar pressure transducer, the railcar transceiver transmits a radio frequency signal to the locomotive transceiver for identifying the railcar. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method for communicating information between first and second nodes linked by a fluid-containing enclosure, said method comprising:
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forming a serial stream of first pressure variations in the form of alternating periods of increased pressure and decreased pressure in the fluid containing enclosure at the first node; receiving the first pressure variations at the second node; and at the second node, determining the information conveyed by the first pressure variations, by comparison to a plurality of pressure variations from which the first pressure variations are selected. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method for identifying and ordering the railcars of a railroad train including a locomotive and a pneumatic brake pipe connecting the locomotive to each railcar, said method comprising:
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forming a first serial stream of pressure variations in the form of alternating periods of increased pressure and decreased pressure in the pneumatic brake pipe at the locomotive; receiving the first serial stream of pressure variations at a railcar of the train; and in response to the first serial stream of pressure variations, transmitting a response signal. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification