A -- Apparatus for Stopping Vehicles

LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY SEEKS A LICENSEE TO COMMERCIALIZE AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STOPPING VEHICLES Announcement: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the University of California under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), seeks licensee(s) to commercialize its apparatus and method for stopping vehicles. LLNL has developed and is patenting a truck stopping device (TSD) that remotely activates the truck’s brake system to stop the vehicle. In one form, the TSD actuates the truck’s air brake system through an external pressure plate that can be impacted by pursuing police patrol cars. When the pressure plate is impacted by a patrol car in a specific manner, the truck or trailer’s service and/or emergency brakes are applied. Other forms of the TSD are actuated by remote radio control devices. Portable versions of the TSD can be installed easily and temporarily on trucks entering and operating in critical areas so that trucks can be kept under local radio control at all times. The TSD is being tested by the California Highway Patrol on over-the-road fuel tanker trucks. Anti-vandalism features are built into the TSD design, as requested by trucking industry representatives. An anti-disabling feature is incorporated into the system that activates the vehicle’s emergency brakes if an effort is made to disable or bypass the device. Hijacked vehicles such as trucks are a major threat to public safety. Trucks are almost unstoppable by patrol cars, barriers or spikes in the road. The large mass of trucks and trailers prevents a patrol car from approaching the truck from the side or getting in front of it without great danger. Note that air brake systems are standard on all big trucks and trailers. The TSD provides an inexpensive, and yet effective means whereby police patrol cars can stop the truck/trailer by simply bumping the back or rear of the truck/trailer in one mode or by sending a radio signal in a second mode. The radio signal mode also allows security personnel to stop a truck by remote control. Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in developing and commercializing LLNL's truck stopping device technology should provide a written statement of interest, which includes the following: 1. Company Name and address. 2. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact. 3. A description of corporate expertise and facilities relevant to commercializing this technology. Written responses should be directed to: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Industrial Partnerships and Commercialization P.O. Box 808, L-795 Livermore, CA 94551-0808 Attention: FBO000015-03 Please provide your written statement within thirty (30) days from the date this announcement is published to ensure consideration of your interest in commercializing LLNL's apparatus and method for stopping vehicles technology.