Intelligent reconfigurable container system and method

Abstract

Described herein are devices and techniques for a standard-sized composite freight container, assembled from multiple composite sub-containers, whereby the assembled freight container is compliant with standard-sized freight containers, such as 20-foot and 40-foot ISO compliant single and double TEU containers. Each of the composite sub-containers is assembled from multiple panels, that can include one or more of embedded sensors, data paths, and electrical paths. Composite panels can be assembled together with screws or fasteners or flanges to form an enclosed sub-container. Such sub-containers can be joined together with screws or mechanical fasteners securely to form the standard sized freight container.

1 . A method of assembling a standard-sized composite container for maritime transport, comprising:
 preparing a plurality of sub-containers, each sub-container comprising a plurality of composite panels, at least some of the composite panels including one or more of embedded sensors, data paths, electrical paths and fastening together the plurality of composite panels together to form an enclosed sub-container;   joining the sub-containers of the plurality of sub-containers together securely to form a standard ISO complain maritime shipping container.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising embedding an antenna in a composite wall of one or more sub-containers of the plurality of sub-containers. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising stacking several such assembled standard-sized composite containers on top of one another, thereby forming a stack of assembled containers. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising rapidly disassembling the stack of several assembled standard-sized composite containers into sub-containers. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising rapidly disassembling each sub-container into composite panels. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising rapidly assembling a plurality of composite sub-containers. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising bracing the sub-containers together so as to meet ISO strength requirements. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein bracing comprises application of strapping to the plurality of sub-containers. 
     
     
         9 . A method of assembling a composite container for air cargo transport, comprising:
 preparing a plurality of sub-containers, each having a substantially rectangular form, composed of six composite panels with embedded sensors, data paths, electrical paths, having four sides and top and bottom and adjoining sub-containers that accommodate the interior cargo bay of an aircraft, that can be assembled by one or more of screws or fasteners or flanges;   joining the sub-containers of the plurality of sub-containers together with one or more of screws or mechanical fasteners to form an ISO compliant air cargo container.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising embedding an antenna in a composite wall of one or more sub-containers of the plurality of sub-containers. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising stacking several such assembled standard-sized composite containers on top of one another, thereby forming a stack of assembled containers. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising rapidly disassembling the stack of several assembled standard-sized composite containers into sub-containers. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising rapidly disassembling each sub-container into composite panels. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising rapidly assembling a plurality of composite sub-containers. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising rapidly and easily disassembling composite panels into sub-containers composite panels into sub-containers. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising bracing the sub-containers together so as to meet ISO strength requirements. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein bracing comprises application of strapping to the plurality of sub-containers. 
     
     
         18 . A container assembly comprising:
 a plurality of sub-containers, each comprising a respective plurality of structural panels formed from composite material; and   means for releasably securing the plurality of sub-containers together.   
     
     
         19 . The container assembly of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the structural panels of at least one of the plurality of sub-containers comprises an electrical device at least partially embedded within the composite material.