Data communications apparatus for tractor/trailer using pneumatic coupler
US5677667A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 23, 1995 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 23, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60T17/043
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In combination with a tractor and a trailer, an apparatus and method are provided for monitoring various operating conditions of at least the trailer by a driver positioned on the tractor. The apparatus preferably has a pneumatic braking system carried by the tractor and the trailer to permit the driver to supply pneumatic braking pressure from the tractor to the trailer. The pneumatic braking system preferably includes at least one pair of air hoses connected to the tractor and the trailer and a coupler connected to the pair of air hoses. The coupler has interconnecting first and second coupler portions arranged to facilitate connecting and disconnecting the pair of air hoses. The apparatus also has a data communications system which preferably includes a respective pair of transceivers connected to the first and second coupler portions for communicating signals representative of monitoring data from the trailer to the tractor so as to in turn be monitored by a driver positioned on the tractor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.