Abstract:
An intermodal shipping container including a top wall, a bottom wall, opposite side walls, and a composite frame structure including upper and lower longitudinals interconnecting the side walls with the top and bottom walls, and a pair of stacking frame assemblies for supporting the weight of one or more other containers. Each stacking frame assembly includes a pair of vertical stacking posts each integrated into one of the side walls and a horizontal crossmember integrated into the top wall. The stacking posts and the crossmember are pultruded of composite material, and the stacking post can include layers of different material to optimize performance. Each of the stacking frame assemblies also includes a pair of upper connector assemblies at the intersections between the upper longitudinal members, the stacking posts, and the crossmember, and a pair of lower connector assemblies at the intersections of the lower longitudinal members and the stacking posts. Each connector assembly includes a hollow metal fitting, a pair of splice plates adhesively bonded to one of the stacking posts to form a double lap joint, and a tubular member telescopically received in, and adhesively bonded to, one of the longitudinal members to form a telescopic lap joint.
Abstract:
A floor for a vehicle body, the floor including a plurality of modular floor panels adhesively bonded to one another in adjoining series relation to form joints therebetween. Each floor panel includes an integrally formed panel member that is pultruded of composite material and that includes a floor section which interfits with the floor sections of adjoining panels. The floor section includes spaced apart upper and lower sheet members interconnected by webs having filamentary reinforcing material predominantly oriented lengthwise of the panel member to improve structural and thermal performance of the panel member. The floor section can be optionally filled with an insulating material. The panel member of each floor panel also includes a reinforcing section for resisting bending moments applied to the associated floor section and for reinforcing one of the joints.
Abstract:
A vehicle body including top, bottom and opposite side walls each including a plurality of modular panel members adjoining one another in series relation. Each panel member is an integral pultrusion and includes a pair of spaced apart sheet members, a pair of spaced apart webs interconnecting the sheet members, and wedge-shaped male and female members that interfit with the male and female members of adjoing panel members. Adhesive material is provided at the joints between panel members to bond the panel members together. To prepare suitable bonding surfaces for the adhesive, fabric material can be pultruded as an integral part of the male and female members and peeled off prior to application of the adhesive to reveal clean, gritty textured surfaces.
Abstract:
A multi-channel, reconfigurable fiber-coupled Raman instrument uses fiber optic switches for laser and calibration light routing to facilitate automated calibration, diagnosis and operational safety. The system allows wavelength axis calibration on all channels; laser wavelength calibration (including multiple and/or backup laser options); fiber coupling optimization; fault detection/diagnosis; and CCD camera binning setup. In the preferred embodiment, dedicated calibration channels surround data channels on a 2-dimensional CCD dispersed slit image implemented using a unique cabling architecture. This “over/under” calibration interpolation approach facilitates quasi-simultaneous or sequential calibration/data acquisitions. CCD binning between sequential calibration and data acquisitions enables higher density multi-channel operation with tilted images based upon a multiplexed grating configuration. A diamond sample is used as a Raman shift reference for laser calibration, preferably in the form of a small disc sampled with an edge-illuminating probe using two unfiltered fibers. Detection of beam transmitted through the diamond reference is also used to optimize laser coupling efficiency with motion servos. An “intrinsically safe” laser interlock circuit also serves as current source for probe head “laser on” diode indicator. The integrity of key components is monitored through strategically placed photodiodes positioned, for example, at fiber bends to detect light leakage from bent fiber as verification of commanded laser path through fiber switches and at neon and halogen lamp locations to verify lamp operation. The optical switches used for calibration may also be configured for use as a laser shutter.
Abstract:
A modular insulated intermodal freight container or other vehicle body constructed primarily of lightweight non-metallic composite material. The container includes a frame constructed substantially of pultruded composite frame components, and modular panels including pultruded composite panel members that are adhesively bonded together to form top, bottom and side walls. The walls are adhesively bonded to the frame to provide a substantially fastenerless container construction having light weight and good thermal and structural properties.
Abstract:
The present invention is an exercise seat comprising a base, a seat, and a movement device comprising a lower platform engaged with the base and an upper platform engaged with the seat. The movement device further comprises a movement mechanism engaged with the lower platform and the upper platform to cause a wobble movement of the upper platform and the seat while maintaining the upper platform and the seat in a stationary position.
Abstract:
Thermally stable GRISMs comprise a substrate and cover plate composed of a first material keeps the spatial frequency of the grating stable with temperature, and a prism composed of a second material having lower thermal coefficient of refractive index than that of the first material. In the preferred embodiment, the first material is fused silica, and the second material is BK7 glass.
Abstract:
A compact Raman/fluorescence probe is capable of collecting spectra from a relatively large spot size as compared to tradition confocal Raman probes. The inventive probe collects spectra from an area of 1 mmm or greater, preferably 3-12 mm or more, compared to current instruments which utilize spot sizes on the order of 2-60 microns. The larger spot size facilitates the collection of statistically useful data from inhomogeneous and laser-sensitive samples, among other applications. Potential pharmaceutical applications include tablet dosage level measurements, as well as online and at-line quality-control (QC) monitoring opportunities. Other applications include tablet identification as a forensic tool to identify counterfeit pharmaceutical products; granulation and blend uniformity for improved formulation via better process understanding, and reactor cleanliness validation.
Abstract:
Unsaturated polyester resin compositions with improved weathering characteristics are presented. Further, the manufacture of these unsaturated polyester resin compositions and their potential applications are presented.
Abstract:
A stent used to drill a pilot hole for dental implants is the subject of this invention. The stent has a base plate with drill directional cylinders fixed in this base plate. These cylinders are positioned so that they will reach the bone structure of a patient prior to and during the drilling of the pilot hole in the patient's jawbone.