Composite anti-tamper container with embedded devices
First Claim
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1. A system, comprising:
- a plurality of structural panels that define a volume of a shipping container comprising;
a first structural panel including a continuous composite material comprising a first embedded electrical power path and a first embedded data path, wherein the first structural panel in its entirety includes the composite material and wherein the first structural panel comprises a flange extending away from an outer edge of the first structural panel, wherein the flange comprises a first plurality of electrical contacts; and
a second structural panel including the continuous composite material comprising a second embedded electrical power path and a second embedded data path, wherein the second structural panel includes in its entirety the composite material and comprises a groove extending along an outer edge of the second structural panel and dimensioned to accept snuggly therein the flange of the first structural panel, wherein the groove comprises a second plurality of electrical contacts arranged such that the first plurality of electrical contacts engages the second plurality of electrical contacts upon joining of the first structural panel and the second structural panel by insertion of the flange into the groove, such that the first plurality of electrical contacts and the second plurality of electrical contacts are protected from exposure to environmental conditions;
wherein each of the first and second embedded data paths comprises at least one respective first optical fiber that is embedded within the continuous composite material of a respective one of the first structural panel and the second structural panel, wherein the at least one respective first optical fiber is configured to propagate, within the respective first optical fiber, radiation from a source connected to the at least one respective optical fiber, resulting in propagated radiation;
respective of each of the first structural panel and the second structural panel, such that respective electrical power paths and respective data paths are protected from exposure to environmental conditions;
a coupler to couple the propagated radiation by evanescent light coupling across a door included in the container;
an embedded sensor in communication with one of the respective electrical power paths and one of the respective data paths and configured to detect a variation in the radiation that is caused by an external condition imposed on the container; and
a processor embedded within the continuous composite material, the processor in communication with the respective electrical power paths and the respective data paths and configured to initiate sending a signal that represents the variation.
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Abstract
A design and manufacturing methods for reusable, stackable shipping containers made from composite materials is described. The composite material is embedded with optical fibers, data and electrical paths, and various types of components. These embedded devices are capable of detecting intrusions through the container walls, securely storing and processing information, and securely communicating information to other containers and to remote devices.
24 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a plurality of structural panels that define a volume of a shipping container comprising; a first structural panel including a continuous composite material comprising a first embedded electrical power path and a first embedded data path, wherein the first structural panel in its entirety includes the composite material and wherein the first structural panel comprises a flange extending away from an outer edge of the first structural panel, wherein the flange comprises a first plurality of electrical contacts; and a second structural panel including the continuous composite material comprising a second embedded electrical power path and a second embedded data path, wherein the second structural panel includes in its entirety the composite material and comprises a groove extending along an outer edge of the second structural panel and dimensioned to accept snuggly therein the flange of the first structural panel, wherein the groove comprises a second plurality of electrical contacts arranged such that the first plurality of electrical contacts engages the second plurality of electrical contacts upon joining of the first structural panel and the second structural panel by insertion of the flange into the groove, such that the first plurality of electrical contacts and the second plurality of electrical contacts are protected from exposure to environmental conditions; wherein each of the first and second embedded data paths comprises at least one respective first optical fiber that is embedded within the continuous composite material of a respective one of the first structural panel and the second structural panel, wherein the at least one respective first optical fiber is configured to propagate, within the respective first optical fiber, radiation from a source connected to the at least one respective optical fiber, resulting in propagated radiation; respective of each of the first structural panel and the second structural panel, such that respective electrical power paths and respective data paths are protected from exposure to environmental conditions; a coupler to couple the propagated radiation by evanescent light coupling across a door included in the container; an embedded sensor in communication with one of the respective electrical power paths and one of the respective data paths and configured to detect a variation in the radiation that is caused by an external condition imposed on the container; and a processor embedded within the continuous composite material, the processor in communication with the respective electrical power paths and the respective data paths and configured to initiate sending a signal that represents the variation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A stacking system of shipping containers, comprising:
a plurality of stackable shipping containers that each include a plurality of structural panels that define a volume of each respective container, wherein each shipping container of the plurality of stackable shipping containers comprises; a first structural panel including a continuous composite material, wherein the first structural panel in its entirety includes the composite material and wherein the first structural panel comprises a flange extending away from an outer edge of the first structural panel, wherein the flange comprises a first plurality of electrical contacts; a second structural panel including the continuous composite material, wherein the second structural panel in its entirety includes the composite material and comprises a groove extending along an outer edge of the second structural panel and dimensioned to accept snuggly therein the flange of the first structural panel, wherein the groove comprises a second plurality of electrical contacts arranged such that the first plurality of electrical contacts engages the second plurality of electrical contacts upon joining of the first structural panel and the second structural panel by insertion of the flange into the groove, such that the first plurality of electrical contacts and the second plurality of electrical contacts are protected from exposure to environmental conditions; a respective plurality of optical fiber grids that are respectively embedded within each portion of the continuous composite material of each of the first structural panel and the second structural panel, wherein each optical fiber grid is configured to propagate, within the respective plurality of optical fiber grids, radiation from at least one source respectively connected to the optical fiber grid, resulting in propagated radiation; a coupler to couple the propagated radiation by evanescent light coupling across a door included in at least one shipping container of the plurality of stackable shipping containers; respective electrical power paths and respective data paths respectively embedded within each portion of the continuous composite material of each of the first structural panel and the second structural panel, such that the respective electrical power paths and the respective data paths are protected from exposure to environmental conditions; a coupling configured to permit a flow of one or more of optical signals of the respective plurality of optical fiber grids, electrical power of the respective electrical power paths and electrical data of the respective data paths between shipping containers when arranged in a stack; a plurality of embedded sensors in communication with the respective electrical power paths and the respective data paths, wherein the plurality of embedded sensors are respectively embedded in each portion of the continuous composite material and configured to detect a variation in the radiation that is caused by an external condition imposed on the respective container, wherein sensors of the plurality of embedded sensors are configured to pass data that represents the variation among each other; and a respective processor embedded within the continuous composite material, the respective processor in communication with the respective electrical power paths and the respective data paths and configured to initiate sending a signal that represents the variation. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system, comprising:
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a plurality of substantially monolithic shipping containers, each shipping container of the plurality of substantially monolithic shipping container comprising; a first structural portion implemented with a composite material, wherein the first structural portion in its entirety includes the composite material and wherein the first structural portion comprises a flange extending away from an outer edge of the first structural portion, wherein the flange comprises a first plurality of electrical contacts; and a second structural portion implemented with the composite material, wherein the second structural portion in its entirety includes the composite material and comprises a groove extending along an outer edge of the second structural portion and dimensioned to accept snuggly therein the flange of the first structural portion, wherein the groove comprises a second plurality of electrical contacts arranged such that the first plurality of electrical contacts engages the second plurality of electrical contacts upon joining of the first structural portion and the second structural portion by insertion of the flange into the groove, such that the first plurality of electrical contacts and the second plurality of electrical contacts are protected from exposure to environmental conditions; at least one respective optical fiber that is embedded within the composite material, wherein the at least one respective optical fiber is configured to propagate, within at least one respective optical fiber, radiation from a source connected to the at least one respective optical fiber, resulting in propagated radiation; a coupler to couple the propagated radiation by evanescent light coupling across a door included in at least one container of the plurality of substantially monolithic shipping containers; respective electrical power paths and respective data paths embedded within the composite material of each of the first structural portion and the second structural portion, such that the respective electrical power paths and the respective data paths are protected from exposure to environmental conditions; an embedded sensor in communication with one of the respective electrical power paths and one of the respective data paths and configured to detect a variation in the radiation that is caused by an external condition imposed on the shipping container; and a processor embedded within the composite material, the processor in communication with the respective electrical power paths and the respective data paths and configured to initiate sending a signal that represents the variation. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification