Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylindrical cargo container includes: providing a plurality of rigid panels together formable into a cylindrical shell; forming a first semi-cylindrical shell from a first set of the panels; forming a second semi-cylindrical shell from a second set of the panels; forming the cylindrical shell from the first semi-cylindrical shell and the second semi-cylindrical shell; forming a collar conformably encircling the cylindrical shell; constricting the collar to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels; rolling the cylindrical shell and collar to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to a lower position, and welding an inside seam of the joint when at the lower position; removing the collar from the cylindrical shell; and rolling the cylindrical shell to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to an upper position, and welding an outside of the joint when at the upper position.

Abstract: A cargo container has a tubular shell, an annular mounting ring mounted thereto, and a nose cone clamped to the annular mounting ring by an annular clamping collar. The mounting ring has a coupling slot and an annular flange. The nose cone has an annular flange. The clamping collar has an inwardly facing annular groove, and a constriction device. The mounting ring is mounted to the tubular shell wherein an annular edge of the tubular shell is rigidly held in the coupling slot. The nose cone and mounting ring annular flanges together form a mounting wedge. The clamping collar clamps the nose cone to the annular mounting ring wherein the mounting wedge is rigidly held in the annular groove by constriction of the clamping collar by the constriction device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylindrical cargo container includes: providing a plurality of rigid panels together formable into a cylindrical shell; forming a first semi-cylindrical shell from a first set of the panels; forming a second semi-cylindrical shell from a second set of the panels; forming the cylindrical shell from the first semi-cylindrical shell and the second semi-cylindrical shell; forming a collar conformably encircling the cylindrical shell; constricting the collar to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels; rolling the cylindrical shell and collar to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to a lower position, and welding an inside seam of the joint when at the lower position; removing the collar from the cylindrical shell; and rolling the cylindrical shell to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to an upper position, and welding an outside of the joint when at the upper position.

Abstract: A quasi-cylindrical cargo container is formed of a plurality of rigid, curved panels together forming first and second semi-cylindrical shells, and a plurality of rigid, flat extension panels bridging the first and second semi-cylindrical shells. A method of manufacturing the container includes forming the first and second semi-cylindrical shell from the curved panels, forming the quasi-cylindrical shell from the first and second semi-cylindrical shells and the flat extension panels, forming collars conformably encompassing the quasi-cylindrical shell, constricting the collars to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels, rolling the shell and collars sequentially to bring the joints to a lower position, welding inside seams of the joints when at the lower position, removing the collars, rolling the shell sequentially to bring the joints to an upper position, and welding outside seams of the joints when at the upper position.

Abstract: A livestock container has a plurality of levels and compartments formed by a plurality of convertible platforms and compartment gates. In some embodiments, the convertible platforms are bi-fold platforms hingedly mounted to sidewalls of the container and moveable between deployed and stored positions. When in the stored positions, the convertible platforms extend minimally from the sidewall, eliminating or reducing obstacles to movement of livestock or humans. The convertible platforms are configured to rest on upper edges of corresponding compartment gates below, and the container may be free of any central post, thereby eliminating obstacles caused thereby to movement of livestock or humans. The sidewalls and floor may be formed of hollow-core extruded aluminum panels, and longitudinal channels formed therein may house pipes or electrical wires for conducting water or electricity to ventilation fans, lights, or misters, or for storing water.

Abstract: A quasi-cylindrical cargo container is formed of a plurality of rigid, curved panels together forming first and second semi-cylindrical shells, and a plurality of rigid, flat extension panels bridging the first and second semi-cylindrical shells. A method of manufacturing the container includes forming the first and second semi-cylindrical shell from the curved panels, forming the quasi-cylindrical shell from the first and second semi-cylindrical shells and the flat extension panels, forming collars conformably encompassing the quasi-cylindrical shell, constricting the collars to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels, rolling the shell and collars sequentially to bring the joints to a lower position, welding inside seams of the joints when at the lower position, removing the collars, rolling the shell sequentially to bring the joints to an upper position, and welding outside seams of the joints when at the upper position.

Abstract: A cylindrical cargo container is formed of longitudinal, extruded arcuate panels joined pairwise at abutting edges to form a cylindrical tube. The container is mountable on a separate wheeled chassis to form a semi-trailer or railcar, or a chassis integral with a truck. The container may be substantially smooth on inner and outer surfaces, to provide optimal aerodynamics and freedom of motion of cargo within the container. The panels may have inner and outer skins bridged by multiple webs. Such structure may provide protection from punctures to the outer or inner skins. The container is useful to transport waste including municipal or industrial waste, and may be part of a tipper trailer. The container, trailer, truck, or railcar may be used with a compactor for compacting the waste within the container.

Abstract: A livestock container has a plurality of levels and compartments formed by a plurality of convertible platforms and compartment gates. In some embodiments, the convertible platforms are bi-fold platforms hingedly mounted to sidewalls of the container and moveable between deployed and stored positions. When in the stored positions, the convertible platforms extend minimally from the sidewall, eliminating or reducing obstacles to movement of livestock or humans. The convertible platforms are configured to rest on upper edges of corresponding compartment gates below, and the container may be free of any central post, thereby eliminating obstacles caused thereby to movement of livestock or humans. The sidewalls and floor may be formed of hollow-core extruded aluminum panels, and longitudinal channels formed therein may house pipes or electrical wires for conducting water or electricity to ventilation fans, lights, or misters, or for storing water.

Abstract: A quasi-cylindrical cargo container is formed of a plurality of rigid, curved panels together forming first and second semi-cylindrical shells, and a plurality of rigid, flat extension panels bridging the first and second semi-cylindrical shells. A method of manufacturing the container includes forming the first and second semi-cylindrical shell from the curved panels, forming the quasi-cylindrical shell from the first and second semi-cylindrical shells and the flat extension panels, forming collars conformably encompassing the quasi-cylindrical shell, constricting the collars to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels, rolling the shell and collars sequentially to bring the joints to a lower position, welding inside seams of the joints when at the lower position, removing the collars, rolling the shell sequentially to bring the joints to an upper position, and welding outside seams of the joints when at the upper position.

Abstract: A cylindrical cargo container is formed of longitudinal, extruded arcuate panels joined pairwise at abutting edges to form a cylindrical tube. The container is mountable on a separate wheeled chassis to form a semi-trailer or railcar, or a chassis integral with a truck. The container may be substantially smooth on inner and outer surfaces, to provide optimal aerodynamics and freedom of motion of cargo within the container. The panels may have inner and outer skins bridged by multiple webs. Such structure may provide protection from punctures to the outer or inner skins. The container is useful to transport waste including municipal or industrial waste, and may be part of a tipper trailer. The container, trailer, truck, or railcar may be used with a compactor for compacting the waste within the container.

Abstract: A livestock container has a plurality of levels and compartments formed by a plurality of convertible platforms and compartment gates. In some embodiments, the convertible platforms are bi-fold platforms hingedly mounted to sidewalls of the container and moveable between deployed and stored positions. When in the stored positions, the convertible platforms extend minimally from the sidewall, eliminating or reducing obstacles to movement of livestock or humans. The convertible platforms are configured to rest on upper edges of corresponding compartment gates below, and the container may be free of any central post, thereby eliminating obstacles caused thereby to movement of livestock or humans. The sidewalls and floor may be formed of hollow-core extruded aluminum panels, and longitudinal channels formed therein may house pipes or electrical wires for conducting water or electricity to ventilation fans, lights, or misters, or for storing water.

Abstract: A fence system comprises a plurality of fence posts and a fence rail. The fence rail is characterized by a fence rail longitudinal axis and a fence rail cross-sectional profile in a plane orthogonal to the fence rail longitudinal axis. The fence rail cross-sectional profile has a hollow, obround shape. Each fence post has at least one rail opening having a substantially obround shape matching the obround shape of the cross-sectional profile of the fence rail, whereby a longitudinal end of the fence rail is slidingly insertable into the rail opening. The fence rail is mounted to and supported by a bracketing pair of the fence posts, wherein longitudinally opposing ends of the fence rail are positioned within corresponding rail openings of the bracketing pair of the fence posts.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylindrical cargo container includes: providing a plurality of rigid panels together formable into a cylindrical shell; forming a first semi-cylindrical shell from a first set of the panels; forming a second semi-cylindrical shell from a second set of the panels; forming the cylindrical shell from the first semi-cylindrical shell and the second semi-cylindrical shell; forming a collar conformably encircling the cylindrical shell; constricting the collar to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels; rolling the cylindrical shell and collar to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to a lower position, and welding an inside seam of the joint when at the lower position; removing the collar from the cylindrical shell; and rolling the cylindrical shell to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to an upper position, and welding an outside of the joint when at the upper position.

Abstract: A self-propelled welding carriage has a body supported by a wheeled suspension having a plurality of wheels including a carriage guide wheel having a tapered rim sized and shaped to roll in conforming contact with a carriage guiding seam of a workpiece, restricting lateral movement of the welding carriage for alignment with the carriage guiding seam. Welding equipment is mounted to the body, and has a welding torch for welding an unwelded seam of the workpiece. The welding torch is mounted to the body relative to the carriage guide wheel for disposition of a welding torch tip of the welding torch in alignment with the unwelded seam of the workpiece to weld the unwelded seam when the welding carriage moves with the carriage guide wheel rolling in the carriage guiding seam. The welding carriage has a motor coupled to drive the carriage guide wheel to propel the welding carriage.

Abstract: A welding apparatus includes a welding torch mounted to a frame and electrically connectable in a source current path of a welding current source, and an electrically conductive return current roller rollably mounted to the frame a substantially fixed distance from the welding torch. The return current roller is electrically connectable in a return current path of the welding current source, and has a rim sized and shaped to roll in electrically conductive contact with an unwelded seam of a workpiece.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylindrical cargo container includes: providing a plurality of rigid panels together formable into a cylindrical shell; forming a first semi-cylindrical shell from a first set of the panels; forming a second semi-cylindrical shell from a second set of the panels; forming the cylindrical shell from the first semi-cylindrical shell and the second semi-cylindrical shell; forming a collar conformably encircling the cylindrical shell; constricting the collar to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels; rolling the cylindrical shell and collar to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to a lower position, and welding an inside seam of the joint when at the lower position; removing the collar from the cylindrical shell; and rolling the cylindrical shell to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to an upper position, and welding an outside of the joint when at the upper position.

Abstract: A quasi-cylindrical cargo container is formed of a plurality of rigid, curved panels together forming first and second semi-cylindrical shells, and a plurality of rigid, flat extension panels bridging the first and second semi-cylindrical shells. A method of manufacturing the container includes forming the first and second semi-cylindrical shell from the curved panels, forming the quasi-cylindrical shell from the first and second semi-cylindrical shells and the flat extension panels, forming collars conformably encompassing the quasi-cylindrical shell, constricting the collars to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels, rolling the shell and collars sequentially to bring the joints to a lower position, welding inside seams of the joints when at the lower position, removing the collars, rolling the shell sequentially to bring the joints to an upper position, and welding outside seams of the joints when at the upper position.

Abstract: A cargo container has a tubular shell, an annular mounting ring mounted thereto, and a nose cone clamped to the annular mounting ring by an annular clamping collar. The mounting ring has a coupling slot and an annular flange. The nose cone has an annular flange. The clamping collar has an inwardly facing annular groove, and a constriction device. The mounting ring is mounted to the tubular shell wherein an annular edge of the tubular shell is rigidly held in the coupling slot. The nose cone and mounting ring annular flanges together form a mounting wedge. The clamping collar clamps the nose cone to the annular mounting ring wherein the mounting wedge is rigidly held in the annular groove by constriction of the clamping collar by the constriction device.

Abstract: A cylindrical cargo container is formed of longitudinal, extruded arcuate panels joined pairwise at abutting edges to form a cylindrical tube. The container is mountable on a separate wheeled chassis to form a semi-trailer or railcar, or a chassis integral with a truck. The container may be substantially smooth on inner and outer surfaces, to provide optimal aerodynamics and freedom of motion of cargo within the container. The panels may have inner and outer skins bridged by multiple webs. Such structure may provide protection from punctures to the outer or inner skins. The container is useful to transport waste including municipal or industrial waste, and may be part of a tipper trailer. The container, trailer, truck, or railcar may be used with a compactor for compacting the waste within the container.