Patent Publication Number: US-11654943-B2

Title: End of vehicle device with integrated antenna

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of rail car end of train devices and, in particular, an end of train device having an integrated antenna. The present invention also relates to a rail car system having an end of train device with an integrated antenna. 
     Description of Related Art 
     Rail car transportation of goods and people is a ubiquitous and essential part of modern economies. Train systems typically include one or more locomotives driving a series of freight cars and, optionally, any number of specialized cars. The train system including the locomotives and all of the cars coupled thereto is referred to as a consist. The brake system of a train typically includes a brake pipe extending along the length of the consist and branching off at each rail car to supply pressure for activating the brake. In some train arrangements, an end of train (hereinafter “EOT”) device is attached to the final car in the consist and receives pressure from the brake pipe. The EOT device typically includes a sensor for measuring the pressure at the brake pipe and a transceiver for communicating the brake pipe pressure to a control unit in the locomotive. As such, an operator or control unit in the locomotive is able to monitor the state of brake pipe pressure at the rear of the consist and can deduce from the best brake pipe pressure if the EOT device has detached or if a car in the consist has derailed. The resulting loss in brake pipe pressure can be used to stop the train. 
     EOT devices typically communicate with the locomotive wirelessly via an antenna. To keep pace with freight companies increasing length of the consist to include more and more cars, the EOT devices must be capable of communication over a greater distance. One solution to improve communication is simply to increase the length of the antenna mounted to the EOT device. However, such length increases often require external mounting of the antennas, which unfavorably subjects the antennas to harsh environmental conditions including dust, weather, vibration, and impact. All of these factors can lead to damage and/or compromised performance of the antennas. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing deficiencies, there exists a need for EOT devices having improved communication ranges. Moreover, there exists a need for EOT devices with large antennas which are nevertheless protected from environmental conditions. Additionally, there exists a need for a rail car system utilizing such EOT devices. 
     Non-limiting embodiments of the prevent invention are directed to a device adapted for attachment to a coupler of a trailing railcar of a train. The device includes an enclosure defining an internal compartment, a port adapted for connection to an air brake hose receiving air from a brake pipe of the train, a handle extending from the enclosure, a communication device disposed within the internal compartment of the enclosure, and at least one antenna connected to the communication device and extending at least partially through the internal compartment of the enclosure and into an internal cavity of the handle. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the at least one antenna includes a monopole antenna including a single conducting rod. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the at least one antenna includes a dipole antenna including two conducting rods attached to one another at a junction. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the at least one antenna includes a first primary antenna and a second diversity antenna. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the communication device includes a first communication device connected to the first primary antenna and a second communication device connected to the second diversity antenna. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the handle is spaced apart from the enclosure via one or more struts. A channel extends through at least one of the one or more struts to connect the internal cavity of the handle to the internal compartment of the enclosure. 
     Other non-limiting embodiments of the prevent invention are directed to a device adapted for attachment to a coupler of a trailing railcar of a train. The device includes an enclosure defining an internal compartment, a port adapted for connection to an air brake hose receiving air from a brake pipe of the train, a communication device disposed within the internal compartment of the enclosure, and at least one antenna connected to the communication device and disposed in at least a portion of the enclosure or in at least a portion of the air brake hose connected to the port. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the at least one antenna includes at least one of a monopole antenna or a dipole antenna. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the at least one antenna includes a first primary antenna and a second diversity antenna. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the communication device includes a first communication device connected to the first primary antenna and a second communication device connected to the second diversity antenna. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the enclosure includes at least one sidewall defining an internal cavity. The at least one antenna is at least partially disposed in the internal cavity of the at least one sidewall. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the at least one sidewall of the enclosure defines a channel connecting the internal cavity of the sidewall to the internal compartment of the enclosure. The at least one antenna extends through the channel of the at least one sidewall into the internal cavity of the at least one sidewall. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, a flexible wall of the air brake hose defines an internal cavity in the air brake hose. The at least one antenna is at least partially disposed in the internal cavity of the air brake hose. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the port defines a channel connecting the internal cavity of the air brake hose to the internal compartment of the enclosure. The at least one antenna extends through the channel of the port into the internal cavity of the air brake hose. 
     Other non-limiting embodiments of the prevent invention are directed to a train system including a plurality of railcars connected in a series, at least one locomotive connected in series to the plurality of rail cars and including a receiver adapted to receive wireless communication, a brake pipe adapted to supply pressurized air to each of the plurality of railcars, and an end of train device affixed to a coupler of a trailing railcar of the plurality of railcars. The end of train device includes an enclosure defining an internal compartment, a port connected to an air brake hose receiving air from the brake pipe, a communication device disposed within the internal compartment of the enclosure, and at least one antenna adapted to transmit signals from the communication device to the receiver of the at least one locomotive. The a least one antenna is disposed in at least a portion of the enclosure or in at least a portion of the air brake hose connected to the port of the enclosure. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the at least one antenna includes a first primary antenna and a second diversity antenna. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the enclosure of the end of train device includes a handle having an internal cavity. The at least one antenna is at least partially disposed in the an internal cavity of the handle. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the enclosure includes at least one sidewall having an internal cavity. The at least one antenna is at least partially disposed in the internal cavity of the at least one sidewall. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, a flexible wall of the air brake hose defines an internal cavity in the air brake hose. The at least one antenna is at least partially disposed in the internal cavity of the air brake hose. 
     In some non-limiting embodiments, the port of the end of train device defines a channel connecting the internal cavity of the air brake hose to the internal compartment of the enclosure. The at least one antenna extends through the channel of the port into the internal cavity of the air brake hose. 
     These and other features and characteristics of EOT devices and implementations of the same in a train system will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the disclosure. As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an existing EOT device; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of an EOT device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of an EOT device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of an EOT device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of an EOT device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of an EOT device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of an EOT device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of an EOT device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of an EOT device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  10    is a cross-section view of the EOT device of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  11    is a cross-section view of the EOT device of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  12    is a cross-section view of the EOT device of  FIG.  3   ; and 
         FIG.  13    is a schematic of a train system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As used herein, spatial or directional terms, such as “inner”, “outer”, “left”, “right”, “up”, “down”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “lateral”, “forward”, “backward”, “rearward”, and the like, relate to the invention as it is shown in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention can assume various alternative orientations and, accordingly, such terms are not to be considered as limiting. It is also to be understood that the specific apparatuses and configurations illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless otherwise indicated. 
     As used herein, the term “at least one of” is synonymous with “one or more of”. For example, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” means any one of A, B, and C, or any combination of any two or more of A, B, and C. For example, “at least one of A, B, and C” includes one or more of A alone; or one or more B alone; or one or more of C alone; or one or more of A and one or more of B; or one or more of A and one or more of C; or one or more of B and one or more of C; or one or more of all of A, B, and C. Similarly, as used herein, the term “at least two of” is synonymous with “two or more of”. For example, the phrase “at least two of D, E, and F” means any combination of any two or more of D, E, and F. For example, “at least two of D, E, and F” includes one or more of D and one or more of E; or one or more of D and one or more of F; or one or more of E and one or more of F; or one or more of all of D, E, and F. 
     As used herein, the terms “communication” and “communicate” may refer to the reception, receipt, transmission, transfer, provision, and/or the like, of information (e.g., data, signals, messages, instructions, commands, and/or the like). For one unit (e.g., a device, a system, a component of a device or system, combinations thereof, and/or the like) to be in communication with another unit means that the one unit is able to directly or indirectly receive information from and/or transmit information to the other unit. This may refer to a direct or indirect connection (e.g., a direct communication connection, an indirect communication connection, and/or the like) that is wired and/or wireless in nature. Additionally, two units may be in communication with each other even though the information transmitted may be modified, processed, relayed, and/or routed between the first and second unit. For example, a first unit may be in communication with a second unit even though the first unit passively receives information and does not actively transmit information to the second unit. As another example, a first unit may be in communication with a second unit if at least one intermediary unit (e.g., a third unit located between the first unit and the second unit) processes information received from the first unit and communicates the processed information to the second unit. In some aspects, a message may refer to a network packet (e.g., a data packet, and/or the like) that includes data. It will be appreciated that numerous other arrangements are possible. 
     As used herein, the term “diversity antenna” and derivatives thereof may refer to one antenna in a system of more than one antennas. The diversity antenna may be used as a supplement to a primary antenna of the system to improve the quality and reliability of the communication from the primary antenna to a receiver. 
       FIG.  1    shows a typical EOT device  10  known in the art. The known EOT device  10  includes a hollow enclosure  20  adapted for mounting to a rail car. The enclosure  20  is adapted to receive a hose  30  connected to the brake pipe of a train system. The enclosure  20  houses a radio  40  and an antenna  50  for communicating with a transceiver. 
     Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to EOT devices having integrated antennas. Referring now to  FIGS.  2 - 9   , the EOT devices  100  according to embodiments of the present invention generally include an enclosure  200  housing one or more communication devices, such as one or more transmitters  300 . The enclosure  200  may be at least partially hollow, with the one or more transmitters  300  housed in an interior cavity defined by the enclosure  200 . The enclosure  200  defines a port  210  adapted to receive an air brake hose  400  in communication with a brake pipe of a train system. 
     The one or more transmitters  300  are in communication with one or more antennas  500  configured to transmit a signal from the one or more transmitters  300  to a remote transceiver. Each of the one or more transmitters  300  may be in communication with one of the one or more antennas  500 , and/or each of the one or more transmitters  300  may be in communication with two or more of the one or more antennas  500 , and/or each of the one more antennas  500  may be in communication with two or more of the one or more transmitters  300 . 
     The enclosure  200  may include or define one or more handles  220  extending from one or more sidewalls  222  of the enclosure  200 . Each handle  220  may include one more gripping portions  224  spaced apart from the corresponding sidewall  222  of the enclosure  200  by one or more struts  226 . 
     As shown in the embodiments of  FIGS.  2 - 9   , the one or more antennas  500  may be arranged in various configurations with respect to the enclosure  200 , the one or more handles  220 , and the air brake hose  400 . Additionally, each of the one or more antennas  500  may be of monopole, dipole, or other configuration. Moreover, the one or more antennas  500  may include any combination of primary, diversity, and/or other communication types. 
     In the embodiment of the EOT device  100  shown in  FIG.  2   , the one or more antennas  500  include(s) a single antenna in communication with a single transmitter  300  and embedded in one or more of the sidewalls  222  of the enclosure  200 . The single antenna  500  is shown as a dipole antenna having a first conductor rod  500   a  and a second conductor rod  500   b  attached at a junction  502 . The first and second conductor rods  500   a ,  500   b  of the antenna  500  are protected from the external environment by being embedded within the one or more sidewalls  222  of the enclosure  200 . The conductor rods  500   a ,  500   b  may each extend as long as is practical, dictated by the size of the one or more sidewalls  222  of the enclosure  200 , or as long as is required to achieve a desired range of communication. Though not shown, the conductor rods  500   a ,  500   b  may extend uninterrupted through and/or across multiple of the one or more sidewalls  222  of the enclosure  200 . 
     In the embodiment of the EOT device  100  shown in  FIG.  3   , the one or more antennas  500  include(s) a single antenna in communication with a single transmitter  300  and embedded in the air brake hose  400 . In some embodiments, the single antenna  500  may be integrally formed with the air brake hose  400  and passed through the port  210  of the enclosure  200  when the air brake hose  400  is attached to the EOT device  100 . The single antenna  500  is shown as a monopole antenna having a single conductor rod  500   a . The conductor rod  500   a  of the antenna  500  is protected from the external environment by being embedded within the air brake hose  400 . The conductor rod  500   a  may extend as long as is practical, dictated by the length of the air brake hose  400 , or as long as is required to achieve a desired range of communication. 
     In the embodiment of the EOT device  100  shown in  FIG.  4   , the one or more antennas  500  include(s) a single antenna embedded in one of the handles  220  of the enclosure  200 . The single antenna  500  is in communication with a single transmitter  300  and passes through one of the sidewalls  222  of the enclosure, through an internal cavity of one of the struts  226 , and into the gripping portion  224  of the handle  220 . The single antenna  500  is shown as a monopole antenna having a single conductor rod  500   a . The single conductor rod  500   a  of the antenna  500  is protected from the external environment by being embedded within the handle  220  of the enclosure  200 . The conductor rods  500   a  may each extend as long as is practical, dictated by the size of the handle  220  of the enclosure  200 , or as long as is required to achieve a desired range of communication. 
     The embodiment of the EOT device  100  shown in  FIG.  5    is similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG.  4   , except that the single antenna  500  is shown as a dipole antenna having a first conductor rod  500   a  and a second conductor rod  500   b  attached at a junction  502 . The single antenna  500  passes through the strut  226  located generally near a midpoint of the handle  220  to equalize the length of the first and second conductor rods  500   a ,  500   b  extending in opposite directions in the handle  220 . Other than the difference noted above, the embodiment of  FIG.  5    may be identical to the embodiment of  FIG.  4   . 
     The embodiment of the EOT device  100  shown in  FIG.  6    is substantially identical to the embodiment of  FIG.  5   , except that the first and second conductor rods  500   a ,  500   b  of the single antenna  500  are in a helical dipole configuration. 
     The embodiment of the EOT device  100  shown in  FIG.  7    is similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG.  4    except that the one or more antenna(s)  500  include(s) a first antenna  510  and a second antenna  520 . The first and second antennas  510 ,  520  are, respectively, in communication with a first transmitter  300   a  and a second transmitter  300   b . Each of the first and second antennas  510 ,  520  passes through one of the sidewalls  222  of the enclosure, through an internal cavity of one of the struts  226 , and into the gripping portion  224  of one of the handles  220 . The first and second antennas  510 ,  520  are shown as monopole antennas, each having a single conductor rod  510   a ,  510   b . The first antenna  510  may serve as a primary antenna while the second antenna  520  may serve as a diversity antenna. The single conductor rods  510   a ,  510   b  of the first and second antennas  510 ,  520  are protected from the external environment by being embedded within the handles  220  of the enclosure  200 . The conductor rods  510   a ,  510   b  may each extend as long as is practical, dictated by the size of the handles  220  of the enclosure  200 , or as long as is required to achieve a desired range of communication. 
     The embodiment shown in  FIG.  8    is similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG.  7   , except that each of the first and second antennas  510 ,  520  are shown as dipole antennas. The first antenna  510  has a first conductor rod  510   a  and a second conductor rod  510   b  attached at a junction  512 . The second antenna  520  has a first conductor rod  520   a  and a second conductor rod  520   b  attached at a junction  522 . The first and second antennas  510 ,  520  each pass through a strut  226  located generally near a midpoint of the handles  220  to equalize the length of the first conductor rods  510   a ,  520   a  and the second conductor rods  510   b ,  520   b  extending in opposite directions in the respective handles  220 . Other than the difference noted above, the embodiment of  FIG.  8    may be identical to the embodiment of  FIG.  7     
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  9   , the one or more antennas  500  include(s) a first antenna  510  and a second antenna  520 . The first and second antennas  510 ,  520  are, respectively, in communication with a first transmitter  300   a  and a second transmitter  300   b . Each of the first and second antennas  510 ,  520  passes through one of the sidewalls  222  of the enclosure, through an internal cavity of one of the struts  226 , and into the gripping portion  224  of one of the handles  220 . The first antenna  510  is shown as a monopole antenna having a single conductor rod  510   a . The second antenna  520  is shown as a helical dipole antenna having first and second conductor rods  520   a ,  520   b  connected at a junction  522 . The first antenna  510  may serve as a primary antenna, while the second antenna  520  may serve as a diversity antenna. The conductor rods  510   a ,  520   a ,  520   b  of the first and second antennas  510 ,  520  are protected from the external environmental by being embedded within the handles  220  of the enclosure  200 . The conductor rods  510   a ,  510   b  may each extend as long as is practical, dictated by the size of the handles  220  of the enclosure  200 , or as long as is required to achieve a desired range of communication. 
     The embodiments shown in  FIGS.  2 - 9    are intended as exemplary only, and various combinations and modifications to the embodiments shown may be appreciated by those skilled in the art and are to be considered within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, any of the one or more antennas  500  which are shown in  FIGS.  2 - 9    as monopole antennas may be substituted with a dipole or other configuration of antenna, and vice versa. Similarly, any of the embodiments of  FIGS.  2 - 9    showing a primary antenna  510  and a diversity antenna  520  may be modified such that the roles of the primary and diversity antennas  510 ,  520  are switched. Moreover, the present disclosure is not limited to primary and diversity antennas, and other types of antennas may be readily added to or substituted for any of the one or more antennas  500  shown in  FIGS.  2 - 9   . Further, each of the one or more antennas  500  may be embedded in more than one of the sidewalls  222  of the enclosure  200 , the handles  220  of the enclosure  200 , and the air brake hose  400 . The one or more antennas  500  may additionally or alternatively be embedded in one or more other components of the EOT device  100  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Additionally, any of the embodiments shown in  FIGS.  2 - 9    may be combined with a known EOT device  10  as shown in  FIG.  1   . In particular, the EOT device  100  of any of  FIGS.  2 - 9    may be modified to include an antenna  50  of the known EOT device  10  of  FIG.  1    in communication with the at least one transmitter  300 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  10 - 12   , cross-section views of various embodiments of the EOT device  100  are shown to illustrate the arrangement of the one or more antennas  500 . The cross-section view of  FIG.  10    generally corresponds to the embodiment of the EOT device  100  shown in  FIG.  2   . As shown in  FIG.  10   , the sidewalls  222  of the enclosure  200  define an internal compartment  230  in which the transmitter  300  is housed. The transmitter  300  is in communication with the one or more antennas  500 , at least one processor  310 , and a pressure sensor  320 . The pressure sensor  320  is mounted in the internal compartment  230  in fluid communication with the port  210 . The pressure sensor  320  is adapted to measure the air pressure received at the EOT device  100  via the air brake hose  400 . The pressure sensor  320  transmits a signal to the at least one processor  310 , which processes the signal and/or transmits the signal to transmitter  300 . In some embodiments of the EOT device  100 , any of the transmitter  300 , the at least one processor  310 , and the pressure sensor  320  may be integrated into a single processing unit. 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  10   , the antenna  500  is at least partially disposed in one or more sidewalls  222  of the enclosure  200 . In particular, the one or more sidewalls  222  define a cavity  240  in which the conducting rods  500   a ,  500   b  of the antenna  500  are disposed. The cavity  240  may be connected to the internal compartment  230  of the enclosure  200  via a channel  242  also defined in the one or more sidewalls  222 . The antenna  500  may pass through the channel  242  for connection to the transmitter  300  within the internal compartment  230 . In some embodiments, the cavity  240  and the channel  242  may be machined or otherwise formed in the one or more sidewalls  222  prior to the antenna  500  being disposed in the cavity  240  and the channel  242 . The antenna  500  may then be inserted into the cavity  240  via the channel  242  during assembly of the EOT device  100 . In other embodiments, the antenna  500  may be integrally formed into the one or more sidewalls  222  during a molding or other forming process for manufacturing the enclosure  200 , such that the cavity  240  and the channel  242  are defined by and/or around the antenna  500 . In some embodiments, the antenna  500  may be integrally molded into the one or more sidewalls  222  such that cavity  240  and the channel  242  are defined as the material forming the one or more sidewalls  222  flows against and encases the antenna  500  during the molding process. The antenna  500  is thus in direct contact with the material of the one or more sidewalls  222 , such that no gap is present between the antenna  500  and the material of the one or more sidewalls  222 . In such embodiments, the cavity  240  and the channel  242  may thus be entirely occupied by the antenna  500 . 
     The cross-section view of  FIG.  11    generally corresponds to the embodiment of the EOT device  100  shown in  FIG.  5   . The arrangement of the transmitter  300 , the at least one processor  310 , and the pressure sensor  320  within the internal compartment  230  of the enclosure  200  is substantially as described above with reference to  FIG.  10   . The antenna  500  is at least partially disposed in one or more of the handles  220  of the enclosure  200 . In particular, the one or more handles  220  define a cavity  250  in which the conducting rods  500   a ,  500   b  of the antenna  500  are disposed. The cavity  250  may be located in the gripping portion  224  of the handle  220 , the struts  226  of the handle  220 , or a combination thereof. The cavity  250  may be connected to the internal compartment  230  of the enclosure  200  via a channel  252  also defined in one or more of the struts  226 . The antenna  500  may pass through the channel  252  for connection to the transmitter  300  within the internal compartment  230 . In some embodiments, the cavity  250  and the channel  252  may be machined or otherwise formed in the one or more handles  220  prior to the antenna  500  being disposed in the cavity  250  and the channel  252 . The antenna  500  may then be inserted into the cavity  250  via the channel  252  during assembly of the EOT device  100 . In other embodiments, the antenna  500  may be integrally formed into the one or more handles  220  during a molding or other forming process for manufacturing the handles  220  such that the cavity  250  and the channel  252  are defined by and/or around the antenna  500 . In some embodiments, the antenna  500  may be integrally molded into the one or more handles  220  such that cavity  250  and the channel  252  are defined as the material forming the one or more handles  220  flows against and encases the antenna  500  during the molding process. The antenna  500  is thus in direct contact with the material of the one or more handles  220 , such that no gap is present between the antenna  500  and the material of the one or more handles  220 . In such embodiments, the cavity  250  and the channel  252  may thus be entirely occupied by the antenna  500 . 
     The cross-section view of  FIG.  12    generally corresponds to the embodiment of the EOT device  100  shown in  FIG.  3   . The arrangement of the transmitter  300 , the at least one processor  310 , and the pressure sensor  320  within the internal compartment  230  of the enclosure  200  is substantially as described above with reference to  FIG.  10   . The antenna  500  is at least partially disposed in the air brake hose  400 . In particular, a flexible wall of the air brake hose  400  defines a cavity  410  in which the conductor rod  500   a  of the antenna  500  is disposed. The cavity  410  may extend from an end of the air brake hose  400  connected to the port  210  of the enclosure  200 . The port  210  may further define a channel  262  connecting to cavity  410  of the air brake hose  400  with the internal compartment  230  of the enclosure  200 . The antenna  500  may pass through the channel  262  for connection to the transmitter  300  within the internal compartment  230 . In some embodiments, the cavity  410  may be formed in the air brake hose  400  prior to the antenna  500  being inserted into the cavity  410 , i.e., during manufacturing of the air brake hose  400 . The antenna  500  may then be inserted into the cavity  410  via the channel  262  during assembly of the EOT device  100 . In other embodiments, the antenna  500  may be integrally formed into the air brake hose  400  during a molding, braiding, wrapping, or other forming process of the air brake hose  400  such that the cavity  410  is defined around the antenna  500 . 
     In some embodiments, the antenna  500  may be integrally molded into the air brake hose  400  such that cavity  410  is defined as the material forming the air brake hose  400  flows against and encases the antenna  500  during the molding process. The antenna  500  is thus in direct contact with the material of the air brake hose  410 , such that no gap is present between the antenna  500  and the material of the air brake hose  400 . In other embodiments, the antenna may be integrally formed with the air brake hose  400  by braiding or winding the material of the air brake hose  400  around the antenna  500 . Again, the antenna  500  is thus in direct contact with the material of the air brake hose  410 , such that no gap is present between the antenna  500  and the material of the air brake hose  400 . In such embodiments, the cavity  410  and the channel  242  may thus be entirely occupied by the antenna  500 . Similarly, the channel  262  of the port  210  may be integrally molded into the enclosure as the same manner as discussed above with respect to the channel  242  of the sidewalls  222  and the channel  252  of the handle  220 . 
       FIGS.  10 - 12    are intended to be illustrative of various embodiments of EOT devices  100  but are not to be construed as limiting. The cavity  240  and the channel  242  of the one or more sidewalls  222  may be readily adjusted based on the size, type, and configuration of the one or more antennas  500 . For example, the location of the channel  242  shown in  FIG.  10    is generally located centrally in sidewall  222  to balance the respective lengths of the first and second conducting rods  500   a ,  500   b  of the dipole antenna  500 . However, the channel  242  may be readily located toward an end of the sidewall  222  in an embodiment having a monopole antenna  500  with only a single conducting rod  500   a  in order to maximize the length of the conducting rod  500   a . Similarly, with respect to  FIG.  11   , the channel  252  of the handle  220  may be relocated from the central strut  226  as shown to the lower or upper strut  226  to better accommodate a monopole antenna  500 . Moreover, in embodiments of the EOT device  100  having multiple antennas  500 , a plurality of the cavities  240  and the channels  242  in the sidewalls  222 , the cavities  250 , and the channels  252  in the handles  220 , and/or the cavity  410  in the air brake hose  400 , may be implemented in any combination to accommodate the multiple antennas  500 . One skilled in the art will readily appreciate these and similar variations which are understood to be within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  13   , embodiments of the EOT devices  100  as described with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 12    may implemented into a train system  1000  including a consist of at least one locomotive  1100  and a plurality of rail cars  1200   a - 1200   n  connected in series via a coupler  1220   a - 1220   n  of each of the rail cars  1200   a - 1200   n . A brake pipe  2000  may extend along the length of the consist and may have a branch connection at each of the rail cars  1200   a - 1200   n  to supply air brake pressure to each rail car  1200   a - 1200   n . The brake pipe  2000  is shown schematically in  FIG.  13    but may include a plurality of rigid sections and solid sections along the length of the consist. The EOT device  100  according to any of the embodiments described above may be affixed to the coupler  1220   n  of the trailing rail car  1200   n  and connected to the air brake hose  400  branching from the brake pipe  2000 . The locomotive  1100  may include a receiver  1120  in wireless communication with the EOT device  100  via the one or more transmitters  300 . In particular, the receiver  1120  of the locomotive  1100  is adapted to receive one or more communication signals S 1 , S 2  generated by the one or more transmitters  300  and transmitted via the one or more antennas  500 . The one or more communication signals S 1 , S 2  may include, for example, brake pressure data indicating the air brake pressure measured by the pressure sensor  320 . If the one or more communication signals S 1 , S 2  received by the receiver  1120  of the locomotive  1100  indicate(s) an abnormally low brake pressure, a control unit or operator onboard the locomotive  1100  can take corrective action, such as stopping the train system  1000 . In this manner, the implementation of the EOT device  100  in the train system  1000  may be used by the control unit or operator to detect abnormal brake pressure drops in the air brake hose  400 . 
     In embodiments of the EOT device  100  having a single antenna  500 , such as the EOT devices shown in  FIGS.  2 - 6   , only one communication signal S 1  may be transmitted by the antenna  500  and received by the receiver  1120  of the locomotive  1100 . In embodiments of the EOT device  100  having multiple antennas  500 , such as the EOT devices  100  shown in  FIGS.  7 - 9   , the first antenna  510  may transmit a first of the communication signals S 1  and the second antenna  520  may transmit a second of the communication symbols S 2 . In such embodiments, the first antenna  510  may be a primary antenna and the second antenna  520  may be a diversity antenna. 
     The one or more antennas  500  used in the various embodiments of the EOT device  100  described herein may be selected to obtain desirable communication properties such as length, gain, and/or frequency. For example, the one or more antennas  500  may be ½ wavelength or 1¼ wavelength dipole antennas. In one embodiment, the antenna  500  may be approximately 13 inches long and have a peak gain of approximately 5.1 dBi. These properties of the one or more antennas  500  may be particularly selected based on the distance between the antennas  500  of the EOT device  100  and the receiver  1120  of the locomotive  1100  in the train system  1000 . 
     While several examples of EOT devices and an implementation of the same in a train system are shown in the accompanying figures and described in detail hereinabove, other examples will be apparent to and readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. For example, it is to be understood that aspects of the various embodiments described hereinabove may be combined with aspects of other embodiments while still falling within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. The assembly of the present disclosure described hereinabove is defined by the appended claims, and all changes to the disclosed assembly that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.