Abstract: This invention is an apparatus and method for reversible intermodal conversion of transport tractors and trailers, highway-to-rail. Trailer add-ons are wheel mount shims and an axle housing draft sill pin receptacle. No add-ons are required for tractors. Highway-to-rail conversion involves securing a rail interface apparatus, consisting of rail carriage assemblies, bogies, and end coupler draft sills beneath each vehicle to align and bear loads-to-rails, and to provide draft load transfer. Staging is on paved grade slightly above rail level. Vehicle conversion is made without loading/unloading mechanized infrastructure, add-on weight, wheel removal, or powered actuators. Full use of inherent vehicle suspension and anti-roll devices is afforded. Draft sills, pneumatic brake lines, and knuckle couplers are employed for train configurations. Draft may be afforded by either a locomotive or a rail converted highway tractor.

Abstract: This invention comprises an apparatus and method for sonic welding and materials forming by superposition of high-power-density sonic shear wave and sonic compression wave impulses directed by a sonic lens into a workpiece. The shear impulse is induced by refraction and mode conversion of a compression impulse. Materials subjected to shear impulses are transformed from solid-to-viscoelastic state. The compression impulse is superimposed on the shear impulse. Welding is effected by shear induced viscoelasticity, combined with quasistatic and dynamic compressive stress, at interfaces among workpiece elements. Further, superimposed shear and compression impulses are applied to fuse, shape, and transform materials. The apparatus functions with a range of energy sources. The shear impulse is partitioned from the compression impulse. Waveguide may be applied for impedance matching among the energy sources, sonic lenses, and workpiece.