William Frederick Schneider

US Patent:

6431789, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

Feb 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/505167

Inventors:

William A. Schneider - Conroe TX
Robert B. Sergent - Spring TX
Edgar C. Crosby - Montgomery TX

Assignee:

Containment Solutions, Inc. - Conroe TX

International Classification:

E02D 2912

US Classification:

404 26, 404 73, 405133, 405135, 527417, 5274503, 52 20

Abstract:

A fiberglass manhole adjustment ring comprising a fiberglass pipe and a self-centering lip attached to the edge of the pipe, and a method for installing the fiberglass manhole adjustment ring in an existing fiberglass manhole. The self-centering lip can either be attached to the interior edge of the pipe to form a sleeve or to the exterior edge of the pipe to form a collar. An interior self-centering lip, or sleeve, slides into an adjoining fiberglass manhole section while an exterior self-centering lip, or collar, slides over an adjoining manhole section. The manhole adjustment ring is inserted between the cone section and barrel section of an existing fiberglass manhole to accommodate changes in elevation of the surrounding grade level. The self-centering lip may also be used on manhole sections to enable field assembly of a manhole.

US Patent:

6547189, Apr 15, 2003

Filed:

Apr 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/826403

Inventors:

Jasen L. Raboin - League City TX
Gerard D. Valle - Pearland TX
Gregg A. Edeen - Friendswood TX
Horacio M. de la Fuente - Friendswood TX
William C. Schneider - Houston TX
Gary R. Spexarth - Houston TX
Shalini Gupta Pandya - Ithaca NY
Christopher J. Johnson - Houston TX

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

B64G 112

US Classification:

244159, 52 211

Abstract:

An inflatable module comprising a structural core and an inflatable shell, wherein the inflatable shell is sealingly attached to the structural core. In its launch or pre-deployed configuration, the wall thickness of the inflatable shell is collapsed by vacuum. Also in this configuration, the inflatable shell is collapsed and efficiently folded around the structural core. Upon deployment, the wall thickness of the inflatable shell is inflated; whereby the inflatable shell itself, is thereby inflated around the structural core, defining therein a large enclosed volume. A plurality of removable shelves are arranged interior to the structural core in the launch configuration. The structural core also includes at least one longeron that, in conjunction with the shelves, primarily constitute the rigid, strong, and lightweight load-bearing structure of the module during launch. The removable shelves are detachable from their arrangement in the launch configuration so that, when the module is in its deployed configuration and launch loads no longer exist, the shelves can be rearranged to provide a module interior arrangement suitable for human habitation and work. In the preferred embodiment, to provide efficiency in structural load paths and attachments, the shape of the inflatable shell is a cylinder with semi-toroidal ends.

US Patent:

6886390, May 3, 2005

Filed:

Dec 19, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/739143

Inventors:

William A. Schneider - Conroe TX, US

Assignee:

Containment Solutions, Inc. - Conroe TX

International Classification:

G01M003/04
B65B001/30

US Classification:

73 492, 73 40, 73 493, 141 94

Abstract:

A containment enclosure system at least a portion of which is double-walled. An exemplary system of the invention provides enhanced leak protection by monitoring the space within the double-walled portion of the containment enclosure system. The system is capable of providing continuous monitoring of the enclosure, collar, penetrations, and/or joints for potential leaks. Containment enclosures of the invention may be used as, used with, or attached to tanks, piping, dispensers, or any other type of storage container including vessels, boxes, spheres or containers of any shape. These containment enclosures may be underground, partially underground, or aboveground. In addition, these containment enclosures may be completely enclosed or enclosed on the bottom and sides with an open or covered top. Where these containment enclosures are attached to a storage tank or other storage container, embodiments also include the associated apparatus for affixing the enclosures to the storage tank or other storage container.

US Patent:

6938858, Sep 6, 2005

Filed:

Jun 24, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/875709

Inventors:

William C. Schneider - Houston TX, US
Edwin E. Lardizabal - Las Vegas NV, US

Assignee:

Bigelow Aerospace - North Las Vegas NV

International Classification:

B64G001/22

US Classification:

244158R, 244159, 2441293, 52 211

Abstract:

A spacecraft window assembly for providing external viewing from inside an inflatable module is claimed. The inflatable shell has a plurality of layers and each layer has a window opening. The spacecraft window assembly comprises a body, a window assembly window opening, and at least one pressure pane disposed within, and forming a substantially airtight seal with, the window assembly. The body of the window assembly is adapted for securedly receiving each one of the plurality of layers of the inflatable shell to the body of the window assembly such that the window opening in each layer of the inflatable shell is substantially aligned with the pressure pane. Further, the body of the window assembly is adapted to form a substantially air tight seal with at least one layer of the inflatable shell.

US Patent:

6997637, Feb 14, 2006

Filed:

Dec 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/005820

Inventors:

William C. Schneider - Houston TX, US
P. James Locke - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

E01F 13/00

US Classification:

404 6, 244110 R, 256 131, 49 34

Abstract:

Roadway barrier system and method are disclosed for decelerating a moving vehicle in a controlled manner and for retaining the decelerated vehicle. A net or mesh of the roadway barrier system receives and captures the moving vehicle. The net or mesh is secured to anchors by energy absorbing straps. The energy absorbing straps deploy under a tensional load to decelerate the moving vehicle, the straps providing a controlled resistance to the tensional load over a predefined displacement or stroke to bring the moving vehicle to rest. Additional features include a sacrificial panel or sheet in front of the net that holds up the net or mesh while deflecting vehicles that collide only tangentially with the roadway barrier system.

US Patent:

7043965, May 16, 2006

Filed:

Mar 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/085072

Inventors:

William A. Schneider - Conroe TX, US

International Classification:

G01M 3/04
B65B 1/30

US Classification:

73 492, 73 40, 73 493, 141 94

Abstract:

A containment enclosure system at least a portion of which is double-walled. An exemplary system of the invention provides enhanced leak protection by monitoring the space within the double-walled portion of the containment enclosure system. The system is capable of providing continuous monitoring of the enclosure, collar, penetrations, and/or joints for potential leaks. Containment enclosures of the invention may be used as, used with, or attached to tanks, piping, dispensers, or any other type of storage container including vessels, boxes, sphere or containers of any shape. These containment enclosures may be underground, partially underground, or aboveground. In addition, these containment enclosures may be completely enclosed or enclosed on the bottom and sides with an open or covered top. Where these containment enclosures are attached to a storage tank or other storage container, embodiments also include the associated apparatus for affixing the enclosures to the storage tank or other storage container.

US Patent:

20050284085, Dec 29, 2005

Filed:

Jun 24, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/875713

Inventors:

William Schneider - Houston TX, US
Brian Lardizabal - Las Vegas NV, US

International Classification:

E04C003/30

US Classification:

052738100

Abstract:

A multi-purpose laminate beam for providing structural support to a spacecraft and to contain a pressurized gas, or pressure vessel. The inside of the beam has a metal layer that is over wrapped with at least one laminae. Disposed within the beam is a pair of dividers that allow for a pressurized volume or a least one pressure vessel. There is an access port through the beam for accessing the pressure vessel. The composite nature of the beam allows the beam to be relatively lightweight, but strong enough to support a load. By having the pressure vessel inside the beam, space is optimized. Furthermore the beam provides a measure of protection for the pressure vessel and any inhabitants of the spacecraft should the pressure vessel leak or explode.

US Patent:

20110203192, Aug 25, 2011

Filed:

Feb 19, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/709320

Inventors:

William A. Schneider - Conroe TX, US
Kevin A. Soeder - Conroe TX, US

Assignee:

CONTAINMENT SOLUTIONS, INC. - Conroe TX

International Classification:

E04H 7/00
E02D 29/12

US Classification:

52 20, 5274501

Abstract:

In one aspect, a method for providing an enclosure is disclosed, which method in one embodiment may include: providing a container having an access opening; providing a channel around the access opening of a size and strength sufficient to retain therein a selected amount of an adhesive and to support weight of a riser; placing the selected amount of the adhesive in the channel; placing an end of the riser in the channel after placing the adhesive in the channel; aligning the riser in the channel; and curing the adhesive with the riser aligned in the channel to provide a watertight connection between an inside of the access opening and an outside of the riser.