Abstract: A gridded ion propulsion system comprising two power controllers, four ion thrusters, and two switch assemblies. One switch assembly is connected to the two power controllers and to two of the four ion thrusters. The other switch assembly is connected to the two power controllers and to the other two ion thrusters. Each switch assembly has first and second switching states which can be selected to enable either power controller to supply power to any one of the four ion thrusters. Each switch assembly comprises a respective movable body and a respective multiplicity of switches which change state in unison when the movable body changes position. For example, the movable body may be a rotatable hollow shaft driven by a stepper motor.

Abstract: Mounting devices for attaching electronics equipment to a cargo container. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a mounting plate comprising a first portion for securing the electronics equipment to the mounting device, a second portion, coupled to the first portion at an edge of the first portion, at an approximate right angle to the first portion, and a third portion, coupled to the second portion at a second edge, wherein the third portion is approximately parallel to the first portion, wherein a length of the second portion being substantially similar to a width of a door of the cargo container, and the third portion is of sufficient length to retain the mounting device on the cargo container when the door of the cargo container is closed.

Abstract: Network-centric systems and methods for monitoring the security of a cargo container during shipment from an origination point to a destination are described. The cargo container includes a container security unit (CSU) having an electronic container identifier. As the container is loaded with various contents, a container processing system obtains produces a manifest of the contents using wireless data collection. The manifest, which also includes the container identifier, is sent to a central server for storage. As the cargo container is shipped through a port, warehouse or other shipping location, the CSU provides a status update to the central server. The status update may include a location of the cargo container, the container identifier and a status of a door seal, hazard detector and/or the like. As the cargo container arrives at its destination, another container processing system creates an arrival report of the received contents that can be compared to the manifest at the central server.

Abstract: Mounting devices for attaching electronics equipment to a cargo container. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a mounting plate comprising a first portion for securing the electronics equipment to the mounting device, a second portion, coupled to the first portion at an edge of the first portion, at an approximate right angle to the first portion, and a third portion, coupled to the second portion at a second edge, wherein the third portion is approximately parallel to the first portion, wherein a length of the second portion being substantially similar to a width of a door of the cargo container, and the third portion is of sufficient length to retain the mounting device on the cargo container when the door of the cargo container is closed.

Abstract: Mounting devices for attaching electronics equipment to a cargo container. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a mounting plate comprising a first portion for securing the electronics equipment to the mounting device, a second portion, coupled to the first portion at an edge of the first portion, at an approximate right angle to the first portion, and a third portion, coupled to the second portion at a second edge, wherein the third portion is approximately parallel to the first portion, wherein a length of the second portion being substantially similar to a width of a door of the cargo container, and the third portion is of sufficient length to retain the mounting device on the cargo container when the door of the cargo container is closed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for attaching electronics equipment to a cargo container are disclosed. A device in accordance with the present invention comprises a first portion, comprising a wireguide, a second portion, coupled to the first portion at an edge of the first portion, at an approximate right angle to the first portion, the wireguide continuing to at least a part of the second portion, and a third portion, coupled to the second portion, the third portion being approximately perpendicular to the first portion and approximately parallel to the second portion, wherein the second portion and the third portion are designed to accommodate a door flange of a cargo container to attach the mounting device to the cargo container.

Abstract: Apparatuses for mounting an antenna on a cargo container. An embodiment in accordance with the present invention comprises an antenna cover, disposed for mounting within a void of a corrugated wall of the cargo container, the antenna cover mounting over at least one opening in the corrugated wall of the cargo container, wherein the antenna is disposed through the at least one opening and mounted inside of the antenna cover, such that the antenna the antenna is disposed to perform a function selected from a group comprising transmitting radio frequency (RF) radiation from outside the cargo container and receiving RF radiation from outside the cargo container.