Abstract: A hose assembly having a resilient hose constructed of an elastomeric material. A hose clamp is positioned over one end of the hose. This hose clamp is then secured to the tube by applying a molten thermoplastic material over a portion of the hose as well as a portion of the hose clamp. The hose assembly thus achieves accurate positioning of the hose clamp on the hose prior to installation of the hose assembly in its intended application.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fluid coupling including the steps of forming an elongated bar stock having a profile with a longitudinally extending protuberance projecting radially outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the bar stock. A longitudinal section of the bar stock is then machined in the end of the bar and that section includes a portion of the protuberance. A first fluid passageway is machined longitudinally in the machined section while a second fluid passageway is machined in the protruding portion of the machined section. The axis of the first fluid passageway intersects the axis of the second fluid passageway at an angle.

Abstract: A spud assembly for use with a fuel tank having a body defining an interior chamber and having an outer periphery. The spud assembly includes a base attached to the outer periphery of the fuel tank and the base has a throughbore open to both the interior chamber of the tank as well as exteriorly of the tank. An elongated spud having an axial throughbore is movable relative to the base between a connected and an unconnected position. In its connected position, the spud is positioned through the base throughbore so that the spud fluidly connects the interior of the fuel tank to the spud. Additionally, when the spud is moved to its fully connected position, a locking finger on the base engages a lock abutment surface on the spud to secure the spud and base together. In an alternate embodiment, a locking ring is coaxially disposed over the spud and base when the spud is in its connected position.

Abstract: A die assembly is disclosed for forming a bead on a cylindrical tube. The assembly includes a holder which secures the tube against axial movement so that a portion of the tube protrudes outwardly from the holder along a predetermined axis and in which the holder has a forming surface circumscribing the tube. The die assembly further includes a first die part having a cylindrical mandrel aligned with and slidably receivable into the outwardly protruding portion of the tube. A tubular cylindrical sleeve is mounted to the first die part so that the sleeve is coaxial with the mandrel and so that the tube extends between the mandrel and the sleeve. The sleeve also includes a conical surface coaxially formed about a free end of the sleeve. A second die part has a throughbore complementary in size and shape to the outer periphery of the sleeve so that the sleeve is slidably receivable within the throughbore.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for thermosetting thermoplastic tubes in a predefined shape having at least one bend. The apparatus includes an oven with an interior chamber which is heated to a temperature approaching that at which the tube thermally deforms. An elongated former has a channel dimensioned to receive the tube, and this channel has the predefined shape. A thermally absorbent coating is disposed only on a surface of the former adjacent to and extending across each bend of the former. This thermally absorbent coating locally adds the thermal energy required to reset the memory of the tube at the bend location. A conveyor extends through the oven chamber from an inlet end and to an outlet end of the oven, and the former is attached to the conveyor.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of preparing a fluoropolymer composite comprising the steps of activating the fluoropolymer substrate and thereafter applying a layer of a different polymer to the activated fluoropolymer substrate. The activation step can be described as a mixed gas plasma discharge or an electrically formed plasma. Also described herein are other methods of surface activation including exposure to excimer laser, gamma rays, x-ray flux, electron beam, sodium naphthalate bath, coupling or curing agents, and others. In particular, described is a fuel pipe comprised of an inner fluorocarbon layer having electrostatic discharge resistance and hydrocarbon evaporative emission resistance chemically bonded to an outer layer of a cross-linked polyethylene polymer. There is no need for additional adhesives. Fluoropolymer layers have excellent chemical resistance.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling for use with a conduit having a free end with a bead is disclosed. The coupling includes an elongated tubular and cylindrical housing having a female end portion at one end and a male end portion at its other end. An axial passageway is formed through the housing and forms a fluid passageway connecting the female end to the male end. The housing, furthermore, includes a first part and a second part which are coaxially detachably secured together at a midpoint of the housing. A retainer positioned within the female end portion automatically lockingly engages the bead on the conduit upon insertion of the conduit into the female end portion on the first housing part. A one-way check valve is contained within the second housing part which enables fluid flow in a single direction through the fluid passageway.

Abstract: A positive sealing inlet (PSI) valve assembly is provided for an automotive fuel tank fill tube. The PSI valve assembly includes a tubular housing having an interior and an exterior and this housing is fluidly mounted in series with the fuel tank fill tube. The housing includes a wall extending across the interior of the housing adjacent one end and this wall includes a through opening. A flapper valve is movable between an open and a closed position. In its closed position, the flapper valve overlies and closes the wall opening. Conversely, in its open position, the flapper valve is positioned away from the wall opening to permit nozzle insertion through the wall opening. The PSI valve is pivotally connected to a valve holder and this valve holder is mounted entirely within the interior of the housing. A spring is operatively disposed between the valve holder and flapper valve and urges the vent valve towards its closed position.

Abstract: An automotive fuel tank fill assembly for a fuel tank is disclosed having a fuel fill tube with a first end adapted to receive fuel and a second end open to the fuel tank. The fill tube includes a spiral indentation formed around its first end so that the spiral indentation forms both an external and internal thread at the first end of the tube. An inlet valve housing containing a normally closed inlet valve has an external thread. This external thread is dimensioned to threadably engage the internal thread on the fill tube while a latch and detent mechanism locks the inlet valve housing to the fill tube at a predetermined rotational position. Similarly, a mount housing includes an internal thread which threadably engages the external thread on the fill tube. The mount housing includes a locking tab which engages the detent formed on the fill tube at a predetermined rotational position of the mount housing relative to the fill tube.

Abstract: A system is provided for unloading finished parts from and also loading new raw material into a compression mold having two halves in which the mold halves are in a spaced apart position. The system includes an elongated endless conveyor which extends laterally away from the mold halves. An unloader platform is secured to and spaced upwardly from the conveyor so that an opening is formed between the platform and the conveyor. Raw material is positioned on the conveyor such that, upon actuation of the conveyor, the raw material passes under the platform. The conveyor is mounted on rails while an actuator moves the conveyor between an extended position, in which the platform is positioned in between the mold halves, and a retracted position, in which the conveyor as well as the platform is spaced laterally from the mold halves.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for coating fibers with a thermoplastic material. The apparatus includes a housing which defines a reservoir and having an open top open to the reservoir. A lid is selectively movable between an open and a closed position so that, in its open position, the lid exposes the reservoir and in its closed position, the lid overlies the open top of the housing and forms a slot between the lid and the housing at opposed ends of the housing. An elongated wiper is secured to the lid and this wiper extends into the reservoir when the lid is in its closed position. At least one infeed guide bar is secured to the housing between the wiper and one of the opposed ends of the housing and, similarly, at least one outfeed guide bar is secured to the housing between the wiper and the other of the opposed ends of the housing.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed having a frame with a work station adapted to receive a work member, such as a die set. The apparatus includes a turntable pivotally mounted to the frame at a position spaced from the work station. A first and second linear conveyor section are mounted to the turntable and each section has a first end and a second end. The second ends of the conveyor sections are adjacent each other and the conveyor sections extend outwardly on the turntable in a direction substantially perpendicular to each other. An actuator selectively pivots the turntable between a first position in which the first end of the first conveyor section is aligned with the work station, and a second position in which the first end of the second conveyor section is aligned with the work station.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for measuring the area density of a low density material sample. The system includes an x-ray emitter which emits x-rays in the range of 3 kilovolts to 20 kilovolts and the x-rays pass through the sample. An imaging device converts the x-rays which pass through the sample to visible light to produce a visible image corresponding to the sample and in which the visible image has an intensity which varies as a function of the area density across the sample. A camera produces an output signal representative of the intensity of the visible image across the sample while a computer processor processes the signal from the camera after digitization to produce an analysis of the area density of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a colony counter and classifier for bacterial specimens on a petri dish. The device includes a housing having a tray which accepts the petri dish containing the bacteria colonies. A line scan camera is mounted within the housing above the tray. Upon actuation, a linear motor transports the tray across the scanning line of vision for the line scan camera. Simultaneously, a fiber optic illumination system illuminates the petri dish from its side opposite the camera. As the tray is transported by the linear motor, the line scan camera successively obtains an optical image of the petri dish containing the bacteria colonies. Each line scan has a width equal to one pixel and the resulting optical images from the line scan camera are combined together to form an overall optical image of high resolution. That image is stored utilizing a digital computer. The computer then analyzes the stored optical image to both identify and count the bacteria colonies.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing an outer layer from a portion of a multi layer tube is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support assembly which holds the portion of the tube at a preset position. A nozzle is fluidly connected to a source of high pressure water and has its outlet directed towards the portion of the tube. A relative, rotary motion about a concentric axis between the nozzle and the tube directs the water such that it removes the outer layer from the tube portion around the entire circumfery of the tube. In one embodiment, the nozzle is held stationary while the tube portion is rotated relative to the nozzle while in a second embodiment the tube portion is held stationary while the nozzle is rotated relative to the tube portion. The apparatus is particularly useful for removing an outer nylon covering from a metal tube.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling is disclosed for use with a tubular conduit having a radially outwardly extending bead adjacent a free end of the tubing. The coupling includes an elongated tubular and cylindrical housing having an axial passageway formed through it which forms a fluid passageway and is open at both ends. One end of the housing has a enlarged diameter internal bore portion adapted to axially receive the free end of the conduit including the conduit bead as the conduit is inserted to a magnet position. A retainer within the internal bore portion of the housing lockingly engages the conduit bead when the conduit is moved to its connected position while fluid seals engage the outer periphery of the conduit. A one way valve is also contained within the housing passageway which permits fluid flow in only one direction through the housing passageway.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling having a male part and a female part in which the female part includes a housing open at one end. The housing also forms a generally cylindrical internal chamber adjacent to and aligned with the open end of its housing. An annular and readily inwardly extending lip is also provided around the open end of the housing. A retainer constructed from an elongated band of a resilient material, such as spring steel is formed into a tubular cylindrical shape having a diameter at least as large as the diameter of the chamber. In addition, the band is dimensioned such that one end of the band overlies the other end of the band. A plurality of locking tabs is secured to and extend radially inwardly from the band. The retainer is radially inwardly compressible and insertable into the open end of the housing such that, after insertion, the retainer expands radially outwardly so that an outer end of the retainer is entrapped by the lip.

Abstract: An x-ray source of the type used in medical or inspection devices having a first and second housing part which are detachably secured together to define an interior chamber for the housing. A plurality of power feeds is secured to the first housing part wherein each power feed has an elongated conductor extending into the chamber such that the conductors are parallel to each other. A removable cathode assembly includes a mounting plate having a plurality of tubular standoffs constructed of an electrically insulating material. These standoffs, furthermore, are secured to the mounting plate and protrude outwardly therefrom so that one standoff is associated with and registers with the conductor for each power feed.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of preparing a fluoropolymer composite tube comprising the steps of forming a fluoropolymer substrate, and thereafter layering and chemically bonding the fluoropolymer with a polymer layer, preferably a thermosetting or thermoplastic elastomer. The fluoropolymer substrate can be activated by subjecting the substrate to a charged gaseous atmosphere formed by electrically ionizing a gas which contacts the substrate. Thereafter, a layer of a thermosetting or thermplastic elastomer is applied to the activated fluoropolymer substrate resulting in a stronger chemical bond. The ionizing step can be described as a mixed gas plasma discharge or an electrically formed plasma. The thermosetting elastomer can, but does not have to contain a curing agent.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of preparing a fluoropolymer composite comprising the steps of exposing a formed fluoropolymer substrate to a flame, then activating the fluoropolymer substrate by subjecting the substrate to a charged gaseous atmosphere formed by electrically ionizing a gas which contacts the substrate and thereafter applying a layer of a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer to the activated fluoropolymer substrate. The ionizing step can be described as a mixed gas plasma discharge or an electrically formed plasma. Also described herein are other methods of surface activation including exposure to excimer laser, gamma rays, x-ray flux, electron beam, sodium naphthalate bath, and others. In particular, described is a fuel pipe comprised of an inner fluorocarbon layer having electrostatic discharge resistance and hydrocarbon evaporative emission resistance chemically bonded to an outer layer of a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer. There is no need for additional adhesives.