Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an automated vehicle such as an autonomous vehicle may include an autonomous guidance system, a method of automatically controlling and autonomous vehicle based on electronic messages from roadside infrastructure or other-vehicles, a method of automatically controlling an autonomous vehicle based on cellular telephone location information, pulsed LED vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication system, a method and apparatus for controlling an autonomous vehicle, an autonomous vehicle with unobtrusive sensors, and adaptive cruise control integrated with a lane keeping assist system. The systems and methods may use information from radar, lidar, a camera or vision/image devices, ultrasonic sensors, and digital map data to determine a route or roadway position and provide for steering, braking, and acceleration control of a host vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an automated vehicle such as an autonomous vehicle may include an autonomous guidance system, a method of automatically controlling and autonomous vehicle based on electronic messages from roadside infrastructure or other-vehicles, a method of automatically controlling an autonomous vehicle based on cellular telephone location information, pulsed LED vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication system, a method and apparatus for controlling an autonomous vehicle, an autonomous vehicle with unobtrusive sensors, and adaptive cruise control integrated with a lane keeping assist system. The systems and methods may use information from radar, lidar, a camera or vision/image devices, ultrasonic sensors, and digital map data to determine a route or roadway position and provide for steering, braking, and acceleration control of a host vehicle.

Abstract: A heated fuel injector for supplying fuel to a fuel consuming device includes a fuel inlet for receiving fuel, a fuel outlet for dispensing fuel from the fuel injector, and a fuel injector body extending along an axis and fluidly connecting the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet such that fuel flows within the injector body. A cylindrical heating element radially surrounds the fuel injector body and operates to heat fuel flowing through the fuel injector body. An annular space is defined between the heating element and the fuel injector body sufficiently large to accommodate thermally caused radial differential expansion between the fuel injector body and the heating element. A conductive material fills the annular space and has a melting point sufficiently low to be a liquid as the heating element operates to thereby substantially prevent transfer of mechanical stress to the heating element due to the radial differential expansion.

Abstract: An inner wall liner of a wall panel of a refrigerated trailer includes a liner sheet formed of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) and a scuff plate formed of FRP. The scuff plate and the liner sheet are fused together such that the scuff plate is coupled to a bottom portion of the liner sheet. The inner liner further includes an upper wall plate formed of FRP. The upper wall plate and the liner sheet are fused together such that the upper wall plate is coupled to an upper portion of the liner sheet.

Abstract: A heated fuel injector for supplying fuel to a fuel consuming device includes a fuel inlet for receiving fuel, a fuel outlet for dispensing fuel from the fuel injector, and a fuel injector body extending along an axis and fluidly connecting the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet such that fuel flows within the injector body. A cylindrical heating element radially surrounds the fuel injector body and operates to heat fuel flowing through the fuel injector body. An annular space is defined between the heating element and the fuel injector body sufficiently large to accommodate thermally caused radial differential expansion between the fuel injector body and the heating element. A conductive material fills the annular space and has a melting point sufficiently low to be a liquid as the heating element operates to thereby substantially prevent transfer of mechanical stress to the heating element due to the radial differential expansion.

Abstract: A floor system configured for use with a storage container such as a trailer. The floor system includes an upper floor section including a plurality of upper floor boards made of glass fiber reinforced polymer, and a lower floor section including a plurality of lower floor boards made of glass fiber reinforced polymer. The upper floor boards are configured to extend along a length of the trailer and the lower floor boards are configured to extend across the width of the trailer.

Abstract: A sidewall for a refrigerated trailer includes a plurality of wall panels configured to extend along a horizontal length of the trailer. Each wall panel includes an outer wall member, an inner wall member spaced-apart from the outer wall member, and a foam core coupled to and extending between the inner and outer wall members.

Abstract: An inner wall liner of a wall panel of a refrigerated trailer includes a liner sheet formed of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) and a scuff plate formed of FRP. The scuff plate and the liner sheet are fused together such that the scuff plate is coupled to a bottom portion of the liner sheet. The inner liner further includes an upper wall plate formed of FRP. The upper wall plate and the liner sheet are fused together such that the upper wall plate is coupled to an upper portion of the liner sheet.

Abstract: A floor system configured for use with a storage container such as a trailer. The floor system includes an upper floor section including a plurality of upper floor boards made of glass fiber reinforced polymer, and a lower floor section including a plurality of lower floor boards made of glass fiber reinforced polymer. The upper floor boards are configured to extend along a length of the trailer and the lower floor boards are configured to extend across the width of the trailer.

Abstract: A roof assembly for a storage container, such as a truck trailer, includes a sheet having a plurality of laterally-extending corrugations formed therein. Illustratively, each corrugation is configured to progressively flatten outwardly from a longitudinal centerline of the roof assembly towards an outer end of the sheet. The longitudinal centerline of the roof assembly extends perpendicular to each corrugation. The outer end of the sheet is configured to be coupled to a sidewall of the truck trailer.

Abstract: A panel for a storage container, such as a trailer, for example, includes a first, generally planar layer and a second layer coupled to the first layer. The second layer is configured to define a plurality of channels therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a full face wheel comprising a full face wheel disc and a partial wheel rim. The wheel disc has an annular inboard portion. The wheel rim has an annular outboard end. A chemical bond is formed between the outboard end of the wheel rim and the inboard portion of the wheel disc to secure the wheel rim to the wheel disc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a full face wheel comprising a full face wheel disc and a partial wheel rim. The wheel disc includes an inboard portion having an annular groove formed therein. The wheel rim includes an annular tapered outboard end. The tapered outboard end of the wheel rim is received in the groove in a slip fit. A bond such as a weld is formed between the outboard end of the wheel rim and the inboard portion of the wheel disc to secure the wheel rim to the wheel disc.

Abstract: A plastic ball retainer with a by-pass moldable design includes ball pocket bases joined with connector bars that occupy less radial space than the radial thickness of the pocket bases, with V shaped bridge members spanning the gaps between the pockets that occupy only radial space not occupied by the connector bars.