Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090278141 | Light-emitting devices and displays with improved performance - Light-emitting devices and displays with improved performance are disclosed. A light-emitting device includes an emissive material disposed between a first electrode, and a second electrode. Various embodiments include a device having a peak external quantum efficiency of at least about 2.2%; a device that emits light having a CIE color coordinate of x greater than 0.63; a device having an external quantum efficiency of at least about 2.2 percent when measured at a current density of 5 mA/cm | 11-12-2009 |
20100051901 | Light emitting devices and displays with improved performance - Light emitting devices and devices with improved performance are disclosed. In one embodiment, a light emitting device includes an emissive material disposed between a first electrode, and a second electrode, wherein the emissive material comprises semiconductor nanocrystals capable of emitting light including a maximum peak emission in the blue region of the spectrum upon excitation, wherein the light emitting device can have a peak external quantum efficiency of at least about 1.0 percent. Also disclosed is a display including at least one light emitting device including an emissive material disposed between a first electrode, and a second electrode, wherein the at least one light emitting device can have a peak external quantum efficiency of at least about 1.0 percent. In another embodiment, a light emitting device includes an emissive material disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode. The emissive material comprises semiconductor nanocrystals capable of emitting light including a maximum peak emission in the blue region of the spectrum upon excitation. The device further includes a first spacer material disposed between the emissive material and the first electrode. In certain embodiments, the device further includes a first material capable of transporting charge disposed between the emissive material and the first electrode, wherein the first spacer material is disposed between the emissive material and the first electrode. In certain embodiments, for example, light emitting devices can have a maximum peak emission in a range from about 380 nm to about 500 nm. In certain embodiments, the light emitting device can have a maximum peak emission peak in the range from about 450 nm to about 490 nm. Displays including light emitting devices are also disclosed. | 03-04-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090084379 | DRY POWDER INHALER - An dry powder inhaler is disclosed. The dry powder inhaler is designed so that a user's breath vacuums the dry powder from a well within the housing and directs the powder in a direct path to the user. This design prevents impaction and agglomeration of powder within the inhaler. A flow restrictor may be added within the inhaler to increase turbulence and thus increase dispersion of powder within the air inhaled by the user. | 04-02-2009 |
20110319930 | DEVICE FOR MIXING AND DISPENSING OF TWO-COMPONENT REACTIVE SURGICAL SEALANT - An applicator for mixing and applying multi-component compositions to a work surface, such as two-component surgical sealants, while avoiding clogs, preventing cross-contamination of the components until a point of intended mixing at a location within the apparatus immediately upstream of an application opening in a tip cap, decreasing pressure drop along the applicator to facilitate fluid delivery, and increasing efficiency of mixing of the components. A luer hub sub-assembly having a proximal hub and a distal hub, an elongate, four-lumened cannula, and a spray tip sub-assembly are provided, with interconnections between the sub-assemblies preserving isolation of the fluid components from one another. The tip cap sub-assembly includes registration structure to assure proper alignment between tip cap and tip insert. The end wall of the tip cap includes a spinner region with three feeders leading thereto, the fluid components remaining isolated from one another in two of the feeders, and initiating mixing with one another in a third of the feeders. | 12-29-2011 |
20120158048 | DEVICE FOR MIXING AND DISPENSING OF TWO-COMPONENT REACTIVE SURGICAL SEALANT - An applicator for mixing and applying multi-component compositions to a work surface, such as two-component surgical sealants. A luer hub sub-assembly having a proximal hub and a distal hub, an elongate, four-lumened cannula, and a spray tip sub-assembly are provided, with interconnections between the sub-assemblies preserving isolation of the fluid components from one another. The tip cap sub-assembly includes registration structure to assure proper alignment between tip cap and tip insert. The end wall of the tip cap includes a spinner region with three feeders or feeder channels leading thereto, the fluid components remaining isolated from one another in two of the feeders or feeder channels, and initiating mixing with one another in a third of the feeders or feeder channels. | 06-21-2012 |
20130334078 | ASSEMBLY TO FACILITATE USER RECONSTITUTION - A reconstitution assembly includes a housing including a lower sleeve and an upper sleeve, including a first container and a second container disposed vertically opposite the first container. A transfer set assembly is disposed within the housing between the first container and the second container. The transfer set assembly includes an upper spike housing and a lower spike housing, with a flow path defined through the upper spike housing and the lower spike housing. The transfer set assembly is configured to access contents of the first container and then upon the activation of a triggering mechanism, create a fluid pathway between the first container and the second container. The triggering mechanism ensures the transfer set assembly sequentially accesses the contents of the first container before accessing the contents of the second container. The disposition of the first container activates the triggering mechanism. | 12-19-2013 |
20150053711 | DEVICE FOR ENCOURAGING ADHERENECE TO MEDICATION SCHEDULE AND PROPER ADMINISTRATION TECHNIQUE - A method of using a device for encouraging adherence to a medication schedule and proper administration technique includes placing the device on a surface. The device includes a body, a timer associated with the body for measuring and displaying an elapsed time since an immediately prior medication dose was administered; and a button on the body that, when depressed relative to the body, resets the timer. The button is sized and shaped for accommodating a medication container used to store or activate the medication. The button and the body are configured for cooperating with the medication container for facilitating mixing of the medication. The method further includes engaging the medication container with the button and resetting the timer. | 02-26-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100038867 | WORK-HOLDING CHUCK WITH QUICK-RELEASE JAWS - A system, in certain embodiments, includes a wedge-lock coupling configured to connect a jaw to an actuator arm of a chuck. The wedge-lock coupling includes a wedge portion having a path of travel between a release position and a lock position, and a locking direction along the path of travel gradually wedges the wedge portion between the actuator arm and the jaw. | 02-18-2010 |
20130320638 | WORK-HOLDING CHUCK WITH QUICK-RELEASE JAWS - A system, in certain embodiments, includes a wedge-lock coupling configured to connect a jaw to an actuator arm of a chuck. The wedge-lock coupling includes a wedge portion having a path of travel between a release position and a lock position, and a locking direction along the path of travel gradually wedges the wedge portion between the actuator arm and the jaw. | 12-05-2013 |
20140252728 | WORK-HOLDING CHUCK WITH QUICK-RELEASE JAWS - A system, in certain embodiments, includes a wedge-lock coupling configured to connect a jaw to an actuator arm of a chuck. The wedge-lock coupling includes a wedge portion having a path of travel between a release position and a lock position, and a locking direction along the path of travel gradually wedges the wedge portion between the actuator arm and the jaw. | 09-11-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110179231 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ACCESS TO SHARED STORAGE DEVICE - A system and method for controlling access to a shared storage device in a computing cluster having at least two nodes configured as cluster members provide fencing and quorum features without using the device controller hardware/firmware so fencing can be provided with storage devices that do not support disk reservation operations, such as with non-SCSI compliant disks. A polling thread on each node periodically reads a designated storage space on the shared storage device at a polling interval to determine if its corresponding node registration key is present, and halts the node if the key has been removed. A cluster membership agent removes a corresponding node registration key from the designated storage space of the shared storage device and publishes new membership information indicating that the corresponding node has departed the cluster only after delaying for a time period greater than the polling interval. | 07-21-2011 |
20110238984 | MULTI-LEVEL SECURITY CLUSTER - Some embodiments may include multiple computers comprising a multi-level security system. The security system includes a first set of zones and a second set of zones, each having access to resources of a computer, a first security container having a first security label containing the first set of zones, and a second security container with a second security label containing the second set of zones. The resources and data of each of the first and second set of zones inherit the security label of their corresponding security container. The security system further includes a global zone, the global zone has access to the resources of the computer, a kernel having access to the security label information for each security container and zone, where requests for data and resources stored on the computer are first sent to the kernel, and the kernel adds the security label data, the kernel or the global zone on any computer perform security checks, and then the request may then be processed by the kernel or global zone on any computer. | 09-29-2011 |
20150331760 | PERFORMANCE DURING PLAYBACK OF LOGGED DATA STORAGE OPERATIONS - Technology is disclosed for improving performance during playback of logged data storage operations. The technology can monitor a log to which data storage operations are written before data is committed to a data storage device or a volume; determine counts of various types of data storage operations; and when the counts exceed a specified threshold, cause the data storage operations to be committed to the data storage device or the volume. Some data storage operations can be coalesced during playback to further improve performance. | 11-19-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090089406 | VIRTUAL CLUSTER BASED UPON OPERATING SYSTEM VIRTUALIZATION - Virtual clusters are based upon virtual operating systems. The physical cluster includes a plurality of physical server nodes. Each physical server node includes a plurality of physical resources and a virtualizing subsystem. The virtualizing subsystem is capable of creating separate environments that logically isolate applications from each other. The separate environments are virtual operating systems. A virtual operating system is configured on each physical server node by defining properties of the virtual operating system. A virtual cluster is composed of a plurality of virtual operating systems that are on a plurality of physical server nodes. A cluster application runs on the virtual cluster. The virtual cluster presents the plurality of virtual operating systems that compose the virtual cluster to the cluster application such that the cluster application is isolated from any other virtual operating systems that compose other virtual clusters on the plurality of physical server nodes. | 04-02-2009 |
20100318610 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A WEAK MEMBERSHIP TIE-BREAK - In general, the invention relates to a method for managing a two-node cluster. The method includes determining, by a first server node, that a second server node is disconnected from the two-node cluster when a first heartbeat response is not received from the second server node and sending a first echo request from the first server node to a first external system, where the first external system is specified on each server node of the two-node cluster. The method further includes receiving a first echo response for the first echo request from the first external system at the first server node and, in response to receiving the first echo response, providing, by the first server node, services of the two-node cluster independent of the second server node. | 12-16-2010 |
20110307886 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MIGRATING THE STATE OF A VIRTUAL CLUSTER - The administrative work needed to configure a virtual cluster is a major obstacle that limits its adoption by customers. Moreover, an organization can spend much time and effort testing a cluster configuration and would like to deploy this cluster configuration at many sites. To address these problems, the disclosed embodiments provide a mechanism that facilitates migrating a virtual cluster from a first computer system to a second computer system. During operation, the system captures the virtual cluster configuration state, including application configuration state and executables. The system then instantiates this captured state on a second computer system, thus re-creating the virtual cluster state of the first computer system on the second computer system. | 12-15-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090285680 | COOLING CIRCUIT FOR USE IN TURBINE BUCKET COOLING - A system and a method to supply a coolant to a turbine bucket of a turbine. The system includes an extraction system configured to extract air from a main compressor airflow, a supply circuit, at least a part of which is disposed at an exterior of the gas turbine, coupled to the extraction system and configured to transport the extracted air, as an ingredient of the coolant, from the extraction system to a coolant insertion region, and a cooling system, disposed proximate to the coolant insertion region of the gas turbine and coupled to the supply circuit at a position on-board the gas turbine, the cooling system being configured to supply the turbine bucket with the coolant, including the extracted air. | 11-19-2009 |
20100068035 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COOLING A TURBINE - A cooling system for a turbine includes a blower configured to generate a cooling gas flow to be passed through a rotor cavity of the turbine; piping configured to deliver the cooling gas flow to the turbine; and at least one valve configured to control the cooling gas flow. The piping is operatively connected to the rotor of the turbine. A method of cooling a turbine includes generating a cooling gas flow with a blower to be passed through a rotor cavity of the turbine; and delivering the cooling gas flow to the turbine. | 03-18-2010 |
20100272568 | Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Thermally Isolating a Turbine Rotor Wheel - Embodiments of the invention can provide systems, methods, and an apparatus for thermally isolating a turbine rotor wheel. According to one embodiment, a method for thermally isolating a turbine rotor wheel can be provided. The turbine rotor wheel can include a pair of blade posts, or shanks, supporting respective turbine rotor blades such that a shank cavity is formed between respective blade posts. To thermally isolate the turbine rotor wheel, at least one seal operable to partition the shank cavity into an upper region and a lower region can be provided. In addition, this seal can be inserted within the shank cavity to partition the shank cavity into an upper region and a lower region. In doing so, cooling air flow can be divided between the upper region and the lower region so that the lower region can be maintained at a lower temperature than the upper region. | 10-28-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090104020 | SYSTEM FOR DELIVERING AIR FROM A MULTI-STAGE COMPRESSOR TO A TURBINE PORTION OF A GAS TURBINE ENGINE - A system for providing air from a multi-stage to a turbine includes a turbine having a high pressure input port and a low pressure input port. The system also includes a compressor having at least one high pressure extraction air output and at least one low pressure extraction air output. A valve is fluidly connected to the at least one high pressure extraction air output, at least one low pressure extraction air output and low pressure input port of the turbine. The valve is selectively operated to fluidly connect the at least one low pressure extraction air output with the low pressure input port during normal operating conditions and fluidly connect the at least one high pressure extraction air output and the low pressure input port during a turn down condition or below design temperature operation to enhance turbine engine performance. | 04-23-2009 |
20100171268 | System and Method for Providing Compliant Rotating Seals - A system for providing compliant rotating seals including a rotating portion that has one or more teeth extending radially from it, and a stationary portion that has a plurality of bristles extending radially from it. The one or more teeth rotatively engage the plurality of bristles creating a tortuous path between them that resists a leakage of gas or fluid through them. | 07-08-2010 |
20130121803 | COMPRESSOR HAVING PURGE CIRCUIT AND METHOD OF PURGING - A compressor having a purge circuit. In one embodiment, the compressor includes: a rotor having a plurality of stages, each of the plurality of stages including a set of radially extending rotor wheels; a working fluid supply path for providing working fluid to each of the plurality of stages for compression by each set of radially extending rotor wheels; a purge circuit for diverting a first portion of the working fluid from an upstream portion of the working fluid supply path to at least one downstream stage of the plurality of stages; and a substantially axial bypass path bypassing the at least one downstream stage, the substantially axial bypass path for diverting a second portion of the working fluid around the at least one downstream stage. | 05-16-2013 |
20130251528 | VARIABLE LENGTH COMPRESSOR ROTOR PUMPING VANES - A compressor rotor includes a rotor body mounting a disk supporting an array of blades on a radially outer surface of the disk in a primary flow path. A radially inner portion of the disk is formed with an annular array of radially extending vanes adapted to move cooling air flowing in a secondary flow path from a radially-inward direction to an axial direction at a substantially center portion of said disk. Some of said radially-extending vanes have relatively longer radial lengths and some of the radially extending vanes having relatively shorter radial lengths to thereby provide a sufficient flow area while also lessening the formation of vortices along the vanes. | 09-26-2013 |
20140133971 | ROTATING SEAL CONFIGURATION AND METHOD OF SEALING A ROTATING MEMBER TO A HOUSING - A seal configuration includes a housing and a rotatable member rotationally mounted relative to the housing. The rotatable member has at least one portion defining an outer perimetrical face that is configured to contact the housing during operational conditions that cause a radial dimension of the at least one portion to increase. The at least one portion has opposing axial surfaces with each of the opposing axial surfaces being dimensionally axially nearer to the other of the opposing axial surfaces immediately radially inwardly of the outer perimetrical face than a furthest part of the outer perimetrical face. | 05-15-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080284693 | ACTIVE MATRIX ORGANIC LIGHT EMITTING DIODE DISPLAY - An improved AM OLED pixel circuit and method of wide dynamic range dimming for AM OLED displays are disclosed that maintain color balance throughout the dimming range, and also maintain the uniformity of the luminance and chromaticity of the display at low gray-levels as the display is dimmed to lower luminance values. As such, AM OLED displays can meet the stringent color/dimming specifications required for existing and future avionics, cockpit, and hand-held military device display applications. Essentially, the OLED pixel circuit and method of dimming that are disclosed use Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) of the OLED pixel current to achieve the desired display luminance. Two example circuits are disclosed that externally PW modulate the common cathode voltage or common power supply voltage to modulate the OLED current in order to achieve the desired display luminance. Three example circuits are disclosed that incorporate additional transistor switches in the pixel circuit to modulate the OLED current during the frame time. By PWM of the OLED current, in combination with data voltage (or current) modulation, wide dynamic range dimming can be achieved while maintaining the color balance and the luminance and chromaticity uniformity required over the surface of the display involved. | 11-20-2008 |
20080297452 | Apparatus, systems, and methods for dimming an active matrix light-emitting diode (LED) display - Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for dimming pixels on an active matrix light-emitting diode display. One apparatus includes an LED couplable between a voltage source and ground. First and second pulse-width modulation (PWM) drivers are also coupled to the LED. A system includes a plurality of LEDs forming a plurality of rows coupled between a voltage source and ground. A plurality of PWM drivers, each coupled to each of the LEDs in one of the plurality of rows, and a global PWM driver coupled to each of the plurality of LEDs in each of the plurality of rows are also included. One method includes providing current to each LED of a row of LEDs for a first portion of a cycle via a PWM driver, and providing current to each LED in the row for a second portion of the cycle via a different PWM driver. | 12-04-2008 |
20080303804 | HYBRID DRIVER FOR LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE DISPLAYS - Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for controlling the luminance of a display. One apparatus includes a pre-charge circuit configured to supply a pre-charge voltage to a column of LED pixels, a programming circuit configured to supply current to the column, and a switch configured to selectively couple the pre-charge circuit or the programming circuit to the column. A system includes an array of LED pixels arranged in a plurality of columns. A plurality of pre-charge circuits, each configured to selectively supply a pre-charge voltage to at least one column of pixels, and a plurality of current sources, each configured to selectively supply current to at least one column of pixels are also included. One method includes determining a pre-charge voltage for each of a plurality of columns based on a target luminance level selected from the plurality of luminance levels and supplying the determined pre-charge voltages to the columns. | 12-11-2008 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100197419 | Bowling lane with mural image - A bowling lane with a mural image is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of bowling lane panels are provided, wherein each bowling lane panel depicts a different portion of a mural image. The plurality of bowling lane panels are assembled and secured onto a surface such that the assembly of the plurality of bowling lane panels forms the mural image. In another embodiment, a bowling center is provided with at least two bowling lanes. Each bowling lane depicts a mural image, and the mural images on the various bowling lanes form a composite multi-lane mural image. | 08-05-2010 |
20120270669 | Bowling lane with mural image - A bowling lane with a mural image is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of bowling lane panels are provided, wherein each bowling lane panel depicts a different portion of a mural image. The plurality of bowling lane panels are assembled and secured onto a surface such that the assembly of the plurality of bowling lane panels forms the mural image. In another embodiment, a bowling center is provided with at least two bowling lanes. Each bowling lane depicts a mural image, and the mural images on the various bowling lanes form a composite multi-lane mural image. | 10-25-2012 |
20140087891 | Bowling lane with mural image - A bowling lane with a mural image is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of bowling lane panels are provided, wherein each bowling lane panel depicts a different portion of a mural image. The plurality of bowling lane panels are assembled and secured onto a surface such that the assembly of the plurality of bowling lane panels forms the mural image. In another embodiment, a bowling center is provided with at least two bowling lanes. Each bowling lane depicts a mural image, and the mural images on the various bowling lanes form a composite multi-lane mural image. | 03-27-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120234828 | Container Sidewall Connector - Presented is an improved panel and connector sidewall construction. While maintaining the benefits of standard structural panel designs, the post connector construction also achieves many benefits of traditional sheet and post designs, including simplified replacement of damaged interior panels. The design also allows for simplified replacement of the outer panels of the container while simultaneously providing an aerodynamic surface without protruding rivets. The sidewall construction also achieves the important objective of providing smooth trailer walls with minimal recesses, protrusions and snag points. | 09-20-2012 |
20120234842 | Container Sidewall Connector - Presented is an improved panel and connector sidewall construction. While maintaining the benefits of standard structural panel designs, the post connector construction also achieves many benefits of traditional sheet and post designs, including simplified replacement of damaged interior panels. The design also allows for simplified replacement of the outer panels of the container while simultaneously providing an aerodynamic surface without protruding rivets. The sidewall construction also achieves the important objective of providing smooth trailer walls with minimal recesses, protrusions and snag points. | 09-20-2012 |
20140059814 | Connector Between Non-metallic Scuff and Lining - A connector securing a liner to a scuff in a container sidewall is disclosed. The connector is adapted to receive and secure various thicknesses of liners and scuffs. The connector is made of a light weight, high strength flexible material and well suited to secure non-metallic scuffs and non-metallic linings. The connector includes a transition piece that utilizes clamping force (pre-tightening force) to connect two different thicknesses of panels made of continuous glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic material. The connector includes a thick lower opening adapted to secure the scuff and a thin upper opening adapted to secure the liner. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the width of the lower opening is between 5.0 mm and 5.5 mm while the width of the upper opening is between 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm. | 03-06-2014 |
20140239666 | Trailer Roof with Removable Panels - A cargo container is disclosed having removable panels secured between roof bows that extend across the width of the cargo container. The roof bows may be constructed out of a metal or high strength composite material while the panels may be constructed from a similar high strength material or a lightweight plastic depending on the intended use of the trailer. A top sheet over the roof bows maybe required to secure the panels to the bows, or the top sheet may be optional for additional protection from the weather. Insulation may also be placed between the top sheet and panels if the container is to be used to carry refrigerated cargo. | 08-28-2014 |
20150197291 | Trailer Sail - A flexible trailer fairing for reducing aerodynamic drag on an over the road trailer is disclosed. A fourfold flexible fairing system may be used to reduce drag from both the trailer landing gear and wheel assembly. Numerous systems for keeping the flexible fairing taught while in continued use are also disclosed. | 07-16-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080272617 | Trailer With Aerodynamic Rear Door - An aerodynamic cargo container with rounded rear doors is disclosed. The aerodynamic cargo container includes an angled rear area that reduces base drag when the container is transported. The rear sliding door allows for partial opening of the door and allows for operation of the door when the rear of the container is in close proximity to another object. The crash attenuating skirt deflects vehicles away from the cargo container. A pair of cargo doors may define the curved contour of the trailer rear section. These doors may have a plurality of pivoted and segmented sections that assume the curved contour of a stationary edge when the doors are moved to a closed position. | 11-06-2008 |
20080284131 | Cargo Tube - A tube shaped cargo container and method of manufacture. The cargo container is manufactured by a process that includes pultruding or extruding a seamless container with two sides, a roof, and a floor. Doors, landing gear, structural supports, another side, and a wheel assembly may be added after the pultrusion/extrusion process. The cargo container may include rounded side/floor and side/roof connections. The cargo container may include one or two rounded ends. | 11-20-2008 |
20080296930 | Trailer keel - A trailer fairing for reducing aerodynamic drag from trailer landing gear and/or wheel assembly is disclosed. The fairing may be directly connected to the forward facing structural supports of the landing gear, and an air tank may be located between the fairing and the cargo storage area. A single fairing may be used to reduce the drag from both the trailer landing gear and wheel assembly. The fairing may include a tapered front section and/or a rear section. The fairing may have rounded, oval, angled, and/or tapered sections. A plurality of fairings may also be used. | 12-04-2008 |
20080303311 | Crash attenuating underride guard - An aerodynamic underride guard comprising an angled front section located ahead of the trailer landing gear, a crash attenuating middle section located between the trailer landing gear and the trailer wheel assembly, and an angled rear section located in proximity to the trailer wheel assembly. The front angled section deflects air away from the non-aerodynamic features of the trailer landing gear. The rear angled section deflects air away from the non-aerodynamic features of the trailer wheel assembly, and the crash attenuating middle section can prevent vehicles from under riding the trailer. | 12-11-2008 |
20090021047 | Cargo Container with U-Shaped Panels - A cargo container that includes a U-shaped panel, and/or an L-shaped panel is disclosed. The cargo container has a top, bottom, and two sides, each U-shaped and/or L-shaped panels forms part of the top and a side, or the bottom and a side. The cargo container may further include doors with hinges and/or doors that slide. Landing gear may support the container when not in transit. The U-shaped and/or L-shaped panels may be inhomogeneous in size and thickness to reinforce the areas of highest stress concentration such as the container edges or the attachment location of the landing gear. The cargo container may also have a bottom floor with a greater thickness than each of the significantly parallel sides, or a bottom floor with parallel or interconnected support protrusions. The U-shaped and/or L-shaped panels may include internal support structures. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing U-shaped and/or L-shaped panels. | 01-22-2009 |
20090026215 | Container sidewall connector - An improved structural panel and connector sidewall construction is presented. While maintaining the benefits of standard structural panel designs, a two post connector construction achieves many benefits of traditional sidewall designs, including simplified replacement of damaged panels. The novel sidewall construction also achieves the important objective of providing smooth trailer walls without rivets and minimal recesses, protrusions and snag points. The easy panel replacement of the novel sidewall construction is achieved by utilizing interlocking posts as connectors. An interior post and an exterior post interlock to form a panel connector. Adhesive is also used to secure the posts together, and the strength of the adhesive bond is aided by the posts having a substantial area of contact with each other. The posts of the panel connectors may be designed to be easily separable by bonding the two posts together with a thermally degradable adhesive. Because the posts are connected by interlocking features and adhesives, rivets are unnecessary, and a smooth inner surface for the container is provided. | 01-29-2009 |
20090033060 | Converter Dolly Backup Device - A backup device for limiting the rotation of converter dollies about a trailer hitch is presented. A dolly mounted, laterally extending moveable bar is selectively pressed against the vertical members of the trailer's underride guard in order to prevent rotation of the dolly relative to the trailer. The bar is retracted from the trailer to allow significant rotation of the dolly during normal forward operation. The backup device is operable with many makes and models of trailers because the laterally extending bar provides a large area that the trailer underride guard may contact. In addition to being operable with many models of trailers, the present invention does not require specific features to be added onto a trailer pulling the converter dolly. Additionally, the large contact area of the laterally extending bar allows the device to function with dollies that are significantly rotated about a trailer hitch. The backup device is also robust, aerodynamic, and self contained. Although manual operation of the device is possible, by connecting the device to the pressurized trailer brake line, the electrical circuitry of the trailer, or other means, the backup device may be operated from within the tractor cab. | 02-05-2009 |