Abstract: A system, equipment; and processes for extending the scope of automation in port container facilities, and thereby increasing port capacity within fixed land resources, increasing operational productivity, increasing safety, increasing the velocity and reliability of goods movement, increasing freight security, reducing negative environmental impacts, and reducing the overall cost of goods movement. A storage area is accessed by automated guided vehicles which receive and unload containerized loads. On the waterside, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and ships using quay cranes. On the ground transportation side, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and truck or rail carriers using semi automated or automated remote-controlled bridge cranes. Within the storage area, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and the storage facilities using automated stacking cranes. The vehicles are adapted to receive a cassette storage platform which in turn receives standard ISO containers.

Abstract: Systems, equipment and processes involving one or more aspects such as extending the scope of automation in port container facilities, increasing port capacity within fixed land resources, increasing operational productivity, increasing safety, increasing the velocity and reliability of goods movement, increasing freight security, reducing negative environmental impacts, and/or reducing the overall cost of goods movement are disclosed. In some implementations, storage areas may be accessed by automated guided vehicles which receive and unload containerized loads.

Abstract: Systems, equipment and processes involving one or more aspects such as extending the scope of automation in port container facilities, increasing port capacity within fixed land resources, increasing operational productivity, increasing safety, increasing the velocity and reliability of goods movement, increasing freight security, reducing negative environmental impacts, and/or reducing the overall cost of goods movement are disclosed. In some implementations, storage areas may be accessed by automated guided vehicles which receive and unload containerized loads.

Abstract: A storage area is accessed by automated guided vehicles which receive and unload containerized loads. On the waterside, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and ships using quay cranes. On the ground transportation side, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and truck or rail carriers using semi automated or automated remote-controlled bridge cranes. Within the storage area, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and the storage facilities using automated stacking cranes. The vehicles are adapted to receive a cassette storage platform which in turn receives standard ISO containers.

Abstract: A connection system is provided to charge a high voltage battery (42) in an electric vehicle with multiple low voltage solar panels (21-n). The connection system includes sets of transmission lines (94) to individually connect each one of the solar panels (2n-1) to each individual one of the battery cells (341-n) making up the battery (42). With the connection system the high voltage battery (42) can be charged by the lower voltage solar panels (21-n). The system can include charge controllers (96) connecting the solar panels (21-n) and battery cells with an interconnection to enable charging of battery cells (341-n) relative to each other. Interconnected charge controllers (96) can function to charge the battery cells (341-n) at equal rates. Alternatively the interconnected charge controllers (96) can charge the battery cells (341-n) at different rates to enable charge balancing between battery cells (341-n).

Abstract: A connection system is provided to charge a high voltage battery (42) in an electric vehicle with multiple low voltage solar panels (21-n). The connection system includes sets of transmission lines (94) to individually connect each one of the solar panels (21-n) to each individual one of the battery cells (341-n) making up the battery (42). With the connection system the high voltage battery (42) can be charged by the lower voltage solar panels (21-n) without using a lossy DC-DC converter system that converts the DC solar panel output to AC for transforming to the much higher voltage across the primary terminals of battery (42) before converting back to DC to connect to the battery (42).

Abstract: A storage area is accessed by automated guided vehicles which receive and unload containerized loads. On the waterside, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and ships using quay cranes. On the ground transportation side, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and truck or rail carriers using semi automated or automated remote-controlled bridge cranes. Within the storage area, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and the storage facilities using automated stacking cranes. The vehicles are adapted to receive a cassette storage platform which in turn receives standard ISO containers. The vehicles also are adapted to receive one or more alternative platforms including a coning platform for workers to manage container coning, a reefer access and maintenance platform, and a worker transport platform.

Abstract: A connection system is provided to charge a high voltage battery (42) in an electric vehicle with multiple low voltage solar panels (21-n). The connection system includes sets of transmission lines (94) to individually connect each one of the solar panels (21-n) to each individual one of the battery cells (341-n) making up the battery (42). With the connection system the high voltage battery (42) can be charged by the lower voltage solar panels (21-n) without using a lossy DC-DC converter system that converts the DC solar panel output to AC for transforming to the much higher voltage across the primary terminals of battery (42) before converting back to DC to connect to the battery (42).

Abstract: A series charger (80) is provided to charge a high voltage battery (42) in an electric vehicle with a low voltage solar panel (50). The series charger (80) provides switches (841, 842) to connect the terminals of solar panel (50) across individual battery cells (341-n) in series connected battery (42) one battery cell at a time. Charging by series charger (80) can occur while the cells (341-n) of battery (42) remain connected in series. With the series charger (80), the high voltage battery (42) can be charged by the low voltage solar panel (50) without using a lossy DC-DC converter. The high voltage battery (42) charged by series charger (80) can be connected in parallel with a second high voltage battery to enable charging all cells of the second battery together. The solar panel (50) can be provided in a moon roof or truck bed cover adjustable to track the sun.

Abstract: To provide additional charge storage for an electric vehicle, an additional battery (100) is connected in parallel with a regenerative braking direct charged battery (22) through a current limiting circuit (104 or 120). The additional battery (100) is charged by an external charger such as a plug-in charger or a solar panel that supply minimal current to prevent generation of battery heat. Current flows from the additional battery (100) to the regenerative braking charged batteries (22) so that both batteries can be charged. However, when excessive charge is drawn to drive the vehicle electric motor (20), the current limiter circuit (104 or 120) serves to prevent the discharge of additional battery (100) from creating excessive heat in the additional battery (100).

Abstract: A system, equipment, and processes for extending the scope of automation in port container facilities, and thereby increasing port capacity within fixed land resources, increasing operational productivity, increasing safety, increasing the velocity and reliability of goods movement, increasing freight security, reducing negative environmental impacts, and reducing the overall cost of goods movement. A storage area is accessed by automated guided vehicles which receive and unload containerized loads. On the waterside, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and ships using quay cranes. On the ground transportation side, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and truck or rail carriers using semi automated or automated remote-controlled bridge cranes. Within the storage area, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and the storage facilities using automated stacking cranes. The vehicles are adapted to receive a cassette storage platform which in turn receives standard ISO containers.

Abstract: A series charger (80) is provided to charge a high voltage battery (42) in an electric vehicle with a low voltage solar panel (50). The series charger (80) provides switches (841, 842) to connect the terminals of solar panel (50) across individual battery cells (341-n) in series connected battery (42) one battery cell at a time. Charging by series charger (80) can occur while the cells (341-n) of battery (42) remain connected in series. With the series charger (80), the high voltage battery (42) can be charged by the low voltage solar panel (50) without using a lossy DC-DC converter. The high voltage battery (42) charged by series charger (80) can be connected in parallel with a second high voltage battery to enable charging all cells of the second battery together. The solar panel (50) can be provided in a moon roof or truck bed cover adjustable to track the sun.

Abstract: A fire retardant, intumescent, curable composition for use in composite materials has as its principal ingredients a curable resin system and a fire retardant combination of a polyhydroxy compound, a polyphosphate, a nitrogen-containing compound and a polyacrylate monomer. Significant reduction of the flame spread index is achieved.

Abstract: The scent dispersal system of this invention includes a reservoir for holding a liquid scent, a cap to close an opening in the reservoir, a conduit extends outward from the cap, a wick extends from the reservoir's interior to the exterior via the conduit and a way is provided to attach the scent dispersal system to an individual. A wick retainer is used to prevent pulling the wick from the reservoir and to retain the end of the wick in the liquid scent. A tube plug is used to close and seal the end of the conduit. Through capillary action the scent is automatically drawn to an exposed end of the wick extending outward from the end of the conduit. The scent is automatically dissipated or dispersed from the exposed end of the wick. As one walks, the scent creates a trail by rubbing off on grasses, leaves or other flora in the woods. At a fixed location the scent is dissipated by evaporation from the wick. Strength of the scent is controlled by the amount of the wick exposed.

Abstract: A transformer core-coil frame attachment and ground. The core-coil is mounted on a metal frame with flanges extending along the bottom of the frame. Nonconductive support members in the form of channels are mounted on the flanges of the cross member to support the coil to relieve stresses and reduce the no-load electrical losses. The nonconductive support members have a profile shaped for ease in receiving and retaining the support members on the flanges of the cross member. The frame has an opening in the bottom for receiving a mounting boss protruding above the tank bottom of the transformer to locate the core-coil within the tank and resist movement of the core-coil within the tank in a horizontal plane. A compressible grounding structure is attached to the bottom of the core which allows for variation between the core and frame.

Abstract: A self adjusting lap table includes a strap to maintain the table in a coiled position when not in use. When used the storage strap is released and the lap table is uncoiled and placed on the users lap. When the table is placed on the users lap it tends to return to the coiled position causing the table edges to grip the users legs. Openings in the table top provide locations to insert drinking cups or other items.

Abstract: A device for partially shearing single or multiple sheets of material comprising a base having a recess and a lower blade fixed in the recess. A pair of movable blades having opposed ends are pivotally attached to the base at one end. A lost-motion connecting link connects the free ends of the pair of movable blades together and is connected to a hydraulic piston which moves the link a limited distance towards the base, thereby to rotate both movable blades relative to the fixed blade with a scissors-like action. When the pair of blades is moved towards the lower blade, the material is cut inward from both sides or edges of the material, leaving an inner uncut portion of material having a width which corresponds to the stroke of the movable blades.

Abstract: A dual polarized cross notch array employing a positioner for locating and grounding metallized portions of unrestrained element ends with respect to metallized restrained element ends. The positioner is a planar member having spaced rows and slots in intersecting rows and columns. Conductive tabs are formed adjacent to the slots at the intersections of the rows and columns corresponding to intersections of the element ends. The conductive tabs receive corresponding portions of the intersecting element ends in secure mechanical engagement and electrical contact. The positioner maintains the polarized elements rigidly in orthogonal configuration. In alternative embodiment employs conductive members preferably formed of tape at the inside corners of the array. Improved radiator elements and a positioner for preconfiguring the array is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an intumescent curable composition which contains as a resinous binder a flexible polyepoxide resin. The polyepoxide is cured with an appropriate curing agent adapted for the particular resin. An additive component is present which contains a mixture of materials which provide a source of(i) zinc,(ii) boron,(iii) phosphorus, and(iv) an expansion gas upon thermal decomposition. The composition is capable of forming a carbonaceous char upon exposure to heat or flame, with the proviso that the cured, unburned composition has sufficient flexibility that is passes at least 10 continuous cycles of a cold cycle test without cracking. The cold cycle test involves the following steps: the composition is applied at a thickness of 0.5 inch (12.7 millimeters) to a 10 inch (0.0254 meter) section of a 4W13 I-beam having two thermocouples attached to the surface, allowed to cure at ambient temperature for 16 hours, force cured for 5 days at about 60.degree. C. and subjected to the cold cycle test.

Abstract: Disclosed is an intumescent curable composition which contains as a resinous binder a flexible polyepoxide resin. The polyepoxide is cured with an appropriate curing agent adapted for the particular resin. An additive component is present which contains a mixture of materials which provide a source of(i) zinc,(ii) boron,(iii) phosphorus, and(iv) an expansion gas upon thermal decomposition. The composition is capable of forming a carbonaceous char upon exposure to heat or flame, with the proviso that the cured, unburned composition has sufficient flexibility that it passes at least 10 continuous cycles of a cold cycle test without cracking. The cold cycle test involves the following steps; the composition is applied at a thickness of 0.5 inch (12.7 millimeters) to a 10 inch (0.254 meter) section of a 4W13 I-beam having two thermocouples attached to the surface, allowed to cure at ambient temperature for 16 hours, force cured for 5 days at about 60.degree. C. an subjected to the cold cycle test.