Vehicle coupling fault detecting system

1. A coupling fault detecting system, comprising:

a first selectively-pressurized fluid conduit;

a first communication cable disposed within the first selectively-pressurized fluid conduit and configured to transmit a communication signal;

a second selectively-pressurized fluid conduit;

a second communication cable disposed within the second selectively-pressurized fluid conduit and configured to transmit a communication signal;

a coupling, the coupling including at least a first connector and a second connector, wherein:

the first connector is connected to the first selectively-pressurized fluid conduit;

the second connector is connected to the second selectively-pressurized fluid conduit; and

the first and second connectors are connectable to each other and are configured to transmit a communication signal from the first communication cable to the second communication cable when the first and second connectors of the coupling are connected together; and

a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure at the coupling and configured to communicate a signal indicative of the pressure at the coupling through at least one of the first communication cable and the second communication cable; and

a controller configured to receive the signal and determine from the signal whether there is a fault in the connection between the first and second connectors.

2. The coupling fault detecting system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor is a first pressure sensor configured to detect a first pressure in the first selectively-pressurized fluid conduit on a first side of the coupling, the coupling fault detecting system further including:

a second pressure sensor configured to detect a second pressure in the second selectively-pressurized fluid conduit on a second side of the coupling opposite from the first side, and communicate a signal indicative of the second pressure to the controller; and

the controller further configured to determine whether a pressure difference across the coupling based upon the first and second pressures is indicative of a potential fault.

3. The coupling fault detecting system of claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to compare the pressure difference across the coupling with a threshold.

4. The coupling fault detecting system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor is further configured to include a signal indicative of a location of the coupling with the signal indicative of the pressure at the coupling.

5. The coupling fault detecting system of claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine the pressure difference across the coupling as a function of time.

6. The coupling fault detecting system of claim 5 , wherein the controller is further configured to compare the pressure difference across the coupling as a function of time with a threshold.

7. The coupling fault detecting system of claim 1 , wherein the first selectively-pressurized fluid conduit is on a first consist vehicle and the second selectively-pressurized fluid conduit is on a second consist vehicle, the coupling fault detecting system further including:

a third selectively-pressurized fluid conduit on the first consist vehicle;

a fourth selectively-pressurized fluid conduit on the second consist vehicle;

the third and fourth selectively-pressurized fluid conduits forming part of a consist air brake system; and

the pressure sensor further configured to detect a pressure differential between the first and third selectively-pressurized fluid conduits on the first consist vehicle or between the second and fourth selectively-pressurized fluid conduits on the second consist vehicle.

8. The coupling fault detecting system of claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether the pressure differential is indicative of a potential fault.

9. The coupling fault detecting system of claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured to compare the pressure differential with a threshold.

10. The coupling fault detecting system of claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine the pressure differential as a function of time.

11. The coupling fault detecting system of claim 10 , wherein the controller is further configured to compare the pressure differential as a function of time with a threshold.

12. A method of detecting a fault in a group of vehicles, wherein the group of vehicles includes at least first and second selectively-pressurized fluid conduits containing first and second communication cables that are communicatively coupled when the first and second selectively-pressurized fluid conduits are connected together, the method comprising:

detecting a pressure within the selectively-pressurized fluid conduits when the conduits are connected together;

communicating a signal indicative of the pressure through at least one of the first and second communication cables;

receiving the signal at a controller for the group of vehicles; and

determining from the signal whether there is a fault in the connection between the first and second selectively-pressurized fluid conduits.

13. The method of claim 12 , further including:

detecting a first pressure in the first selectively-pressurized fluid conduit;

detecting a second pressure in the second selectively-pressurized fluid conduit;

communicating signals indicative of the first and second pressures to the controller; and

determining whether a pressure difference between the first and second pressures is indicative of a potential fault in the connection between the fluid conduits.

14. The method of claim 13 , further including comparing the pressure difference between the first and second pressures with a threshold.

15. The method of claim 12 , further including communicating a signal indicative of a location at which the pressure is detected within the selectively-pressurized fluid conduits.

16. The method of claim 13 , further including determining the pressure difference between the first and second pressures as a function of time.

17. The method of claim 16 , further including comparing the pressure difference as function of time with a threshold.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the group of vehicles further includes at least a third fluid conduit located on a same vehicle as one of the first and second selectively-pressurized fluid conduits, the third fluid conduit forming a portion of an air brake system for the group of vehicles, the method further including detecting a pressure differential between the third fluid conduit and the one of the first and second selectively-pressurized fluid conduits.

19. The method of claim 18 , further including comparing the pressure differential as a function of time with a threshold.

20. A coupling fault detecting system for a communication conduit, comprising:

a first selectively-pressurized fluid conduit;

a first communication cable disposed within the first selectively-pressurized fluid conduit, and configured to transmit a communication signal;

a second selectively-pressurized fluid conduit;

a second communication cable disposed within the second selectively-pressurized fluid conduit, and configured to transmit a communication signal;

a first coupling, the first coupling having a first end and a second end, and being connected at the first end of the first coupling to the first selectively-pressurized fluid conduit;

a second coupling, the second coupling having a first end and a second end, and being connected at the first end of the second coupling to the second selectively-pressurized fluid conduit;

the first and second couplings being connectable to each other at their respective second ends, and being configured to transmit a communication signal from the first communication cable to the second communication cable when the first and second couplings are connected together;

a first pressure sensor configured to detect pressure at the first coupling, and configured to communicate a first signal indicative of the pressure at the first coupling to the first communication cable;

a second pressure sensor configured to detect pressure at the second coupling, and configured to communicate a second signal indicative of the pressure at the second coupling to the second communication cable; and

a controller configured to receive the first and second signals and determine from the first and second signals whether there is a fault in the connection between the first and second couplings.