Carrier brake for pneumatic transport system

A brake for use in a pneumatic tube carrier system, comprising:

• a pneumatic tube having an internal bore extending between a first open end and a second open end, wherein said internal bore is sized to accommodate the passage of a pneumatic carrier there through;
• a first gate assembly disposed along a length of the pneumatic tube at a first location, wherein said first gate assembly is configured to move a first plate into and out of said internal bore to open and close said internal bore;
• a second gate assembly disposed along a length of the pneumatic tube at a second location, wherein said second gate assembly is configured to move a second plate into and out of said internal bore to open and close said internal bore;
• a first valve disposed between said first open end and said first gate assembly and a second valve disposed between said second open end and said second gate assembly, said valves configured to controllably open and close first and second ports in a sidewall of said pneumatic tube between said first and second ends;
• ducting extending external to said internal bore between said first valve and said second valve, wherein when said first and second valves are open, pneumatic system air flow can bypass said gate assemblies for continuing downstream operations in the pneumatic tube carrier system;
• and
• a controller configured to controllably move said gate assemblies and said valves to create an air cushion in front of a carrier upon arrival of a carrier into said pneumatic tube.