Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method of making a flexible flat cable for use in a clockspring, comprising the steps of placing a series of parallel spaced conductors between a pair of insulating layers, printing the conductors onto one of the insulating layers, removing a portion of at least one end of the cable to expose the conductors, and attaching the conductors to contacts on a mounting header.

Abstract: A sound dampener including a first layer that has first and second opposite surfaces. The first layer is substantially ring-shaped with a first central aperture with a first perimeter. A second layer is disposed on one of the first and second opposite surfaces of the first layer. The second layer is substantially ring-shaped with a second central aperture with a second perimeter. The second perimeter defines a circumference that is smaller than a circumference of the first perimeter of the first central aperture so that an extended portion of the second layer extends beyond the first perimeter of the first central aperture of the first layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a flexible flat cable of a vehicular clockspring whose conductors are directly attached to the contacts of a mounting header. The flat cable comprises a series of conductors “printed” in-between a pair of insulating layers. The conductors are directly connected to the contacts of a mounting header, which partially form the connection module of a clockspring. Other devices or cables within the vehicle can than quickly mate to the clockspring connection module, via a corresponding connector. This method of termination is in contrast to prior art clockspring cables which typically weld their cable conductors to rigid printed circuit boards or overmolded metallic insert grids.

Abstract: A method of securing a flat cable to a circuit board including the steps of providing a flat cable with a plurality of round conductors therein and a circuit board having a plurality of solder pads. The method also includes stripping an end of the flat cable to expose the round conductors therein, placing the round conductors onto the solder pads, and soldering the round conductors to the solder pads.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flat cable circuit board assembly having solder joints between the flat cable's round conductors and the solder pads of a circuit board, particularly in the clockspring of an automobile. The flat cable is formed without the use of adhesives by sonically bonding a top and bottom layer of insulating material around the round conductors. The end of the flat cable is stripped so that the round conductors can be soldered to the solder pads on the circuit board using a hot bar soldering process. The use of round conductors and solder pads on the circuit board allow for greater conductor density in the flat cable.

Abstract: A one-trip assembly that includes the mill or mills for milling a window, the whipstock, the whipstock anchor or packer, and a valving assembly is disclosed which permits running in all the equipment needed for setting and orienting a whipstock and squeezing cement below the whipstock in one trip. Valving is provided which allows for the squeezing to go on after the whipstock packer is set. A feedback technique to determine that the milling assembly been pulled away from the cementing tube is incorporated into the assembly. In one embodiment, upon initiation of milling, pressure differential is used to shift a tube for valve actuation, effectively isolating the squeezed formation from pressures above the whipstock. In another embodiment, the whipstock is shifted to actuate an upper flapper. A second flapper valve is provided, preferably below the whipstock packer, which, responsive to pressure from below, is urged into a closed position.