Abstract: A device for mixing liquids, solids or combinations thereof, particularly viscous liquids and polymeric solids comprises a mixing vessel having therein a substantially cylindrical mixing chamber; a rotor with a cross-section in the shape of a convex-convex lens having outer convex surfaces substantially identical in shape to the inner wall surface of the cylindrical mixing chamber and with a longitudinal dimension substantially identical to that of said cylindrical mixing chamber, the rotor being variably positionable so it's rotating axis is parallel to the axis of the mixing chamber, but eccentric thereto, and mounted within the mixing chamber upon a base having a drive mechanism for the rotor disposed through it; and a lid for tightly sealing the chamber formed by the mixing vessel and the base. The rotor preferably fills from 28 to 100% of the volume of the mixing chamber; most preferably 50 to 75%. The rotor may be heliciform along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An in situ curometer has been developed to follow the cure of thick articles during molding, by measuring continuously the dynamic mechanical properties (shear modulus and loss angle). The apparatus is designed to provide cure data on curable articles such as rubber products and components in situ, during the curing of the article, to improve manufacturing cure efficiencies. The curometer is a small-scale version of an Oscillating Disk Rheometer, designed to operate through a mold wall. An approximate theoretical treatment has been developed to relate the observed torque and loss angle to the dynamic properties of the rubber compound.

Abstract: An energy absorber comprises an elastomeric member in a substantially trapezoidal configuration, a piston connected to the apex of the trapezoid, and piston retaining and mounting supports. The elastomer absorbs energy by virtue of its inclined buckling columns forming the sides of the trapezoid while the piston is forced to move in a substantially horizontal plane by the piston retaining and mounting supports. The energy absorber, when applied to vehicle applications, provides a bumper mount that accepts frontal and lateral force impact and lends itself to bumper jacking and towing forces.