Abstract: A bipolar electrodialysis (BPED) cell is able to bipolar convert salt solutions into acid and base solutions. However, protons migrate through the anion exchange membranes and tend to neutralize the base solution. In a bipolar electrodialysis system described herein, multiple BPED cells are arranged to provide a multi-stage treatment system. Up to half, or up to one third, of the stages have cells with acid block anion membranes. The one or more stages with acid block anion membranes are located at the acid product output end of the system, where the acid concentration in the system is the highest. Replacing the traditional anion membranes in some of the stages with acid block anion membranes allows higher concentration products to be produced with moderate increase in energy consumption.

Abstract: An electrodialysis cell includes a housing defining an internal chamber, a core positioned within the internal chamber, a first electrode positioned in the internal chamber adjacent the housing, a second electrode coupled to the core and spaced from the first electrode, and a membrane assembly positioned between the first and second electrodes in a spiral wound configuration. The housing includes an inlet end for receiving a feed fluid and an outlet end in fluid communication with the inlet end. The membrane assembly includes a plurality of ion exchange membranes spaced from each other to define a plurality of fluid channels between the inlet and outlet ends.

Abstract: A treatment system and method for continuous deionization of a biologically derived feed stream includes a plurality of electrodialysis units (3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) arranged in stages along a treatment line, and stages are controlled such that the feed stream attains a certain quality before entering the next stage. The feed and concentrate streams move in generally opposite sense along the line, matching fluid characteristics of dilute and concentrate cells. The treatment line has two or more stages. Systems may have phased staging operations, and cell constructions may adapt the electrodialysis units for enhanced processing of difficult process fluids. A controller sets operating potentials in different electrical stages, and simple control parameters optimize ion removal and current efficiency without polarization of the fluid. The invention also includes phased staging of reversal operation, and cell constructions or fillings that adapt the treatment cells for enhanced processing.

Abstract: A variety of embodiments are disclosed, in both apparatus and method form, that relate to the use of fabric material in the manufacture of an air bag deployment system. In addition, fabric weakening is disclosed according to a technique that does not result in physical alteration of the fabric. This invention therefore includes an air bag cover for an air bag safety system for a vehicle comprising a fabric outer layer having a frontside and a backside and a substrate containing an opening wherein the opening has a periphery. The substrate is preferably formed by low pressure molding, wherein the fabric outer layer overlies the opening in the substrate, and wherein the fabric outer layer is weakened at a location that is adjacent or overlies the substrate opening periphery.

Abstract: A treatment system and method for continuous deionization of a biologically derived feed stream includes a plurality of electrodialysis units (3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) arranged in stages along a treatment line, and stages are controlled such that the feed stream attains a certain quality before entering the next stage. The feed and concentrate streams move in generally opposite sense along the line, matching fluid characteristics of dilute and concentrate cells. The treatment line has two or more stages. Systems may have phased staging operations, and cell constructions may adapt the electrodialysis units for enhanced processing of difficult process fluids. A controller sets operating potentials in different electrical stages, and simple control parameters optimize ion removal and current efficiency without polarization of the fluid. The invention also includes phased staging of reversal operation, and cell constructions or fillings that adapt the treatment cells for enhanced processing.

Abstract: A variety of embodiments are disclosed, in both apparatus and method form, that relate to the use of fabric material in the manufacture of an air bag deployment system. In addition, fabric weakening is disclosed according to a technique that does not result in physical alteration of the fabric. This invention therefore includes an air bag cover for an air bag safety system for a vehicle comprising a fabric outer layer having a frontside and a backside and a substrate containing an opening wherein the opening has a periphery. The substrate is preferably formed by low pressure molding, wherein the fabric outer layer overlies the opening in the substrate, and wherein the fabric outer layer is weakened at a location that is adjacent or overlies the substrate opening periphery.

Abstract: An air bag door construction for air bag deployment comprises a trim panel and air bag door of unitary construction, at least a portion of the door defined by an area of reduced cross-section outlining at least a portion of the periphery thereof. One or more tethers are formed in the panel, outlined by an area of reduced cross-section, preferably in a dovetail shape which does not direct the propagation of tearing into the tether. A tear stop may be formed at the ends of the tether. The improvement comprises a stiffening frame that is attached to the backside and/or the topside of the panel just outboard of the air bag door periphery but not located across the tethers to improve deployment performance.

Abstract: A variety of embodiments are disclosed, in both apparatus and method form, that relate to the use of fabric material in the manufacture of an air bag deployment system. In addition, fabric weakening is disclosed according to a technique that does not result in physical alteration of the fabric. This invention therefore includes an air bag cover for an air bag safety system for a vehicle comprising a fabric outer layer having a frontside and a backside and a substrate containing an opening wherein the opening has a periphery. The substrate is preferably formed by low pressure molding, wherein the fabric outer layer overlies the opening in the substrate, and wherein the fabric outer layer is weakened at a location that is adjacent or overlies the substrate opening periphery.

Abstract: An instrument panel for a vehicle comprising a first coverstock segment having an outer surface and an inner surface and a mating edge disposed along a portion of a common perimeter of the outer surface and inner surface. A second coverstock segment is supplied having an outer surface and inner surface and a mating edge disposed along a portion of a common perimeter bounding the outer surface and the inner surface, the second coverstock segment bonded to the first coverstock segment along the respective mating edges forming a joint line. At least one of the first coverstock segment and the second coverstock segment is a cloth or fabric.

Abstract: An airbag door construction for airbag deployment comprising a hard instrument panel having a weakened area outlining at least a portion of an integrally molded airbag door. A reaction plate is attached to the underside of the panel at the airbag door location. A deployment chute is molded with the reaction plate and attached to the hard instrument panel just outboard of the outline of the airbag door. A tether is included that engages with the reaction plate whereupon airbag deployment the tether allows the airbag door/reaction plate welded combination to break loose from the hard instrument panel in a controlled manner.

Abstract: An airbag door system is provided comprising a substrate, an outer shell and a foam where all three layers possess a line of mechanical weakness with each line of mechanical weakness at least partially separating each layer into an airbag door portion and a trim member portion. The substrate line of mechanical weakness comprises at least one substrate aperture. The outer shell line of mechanical weakness comprises an outer shell reduced thickness portion defined by an outer shell sever extending partially through an outer shell thickness from an outer shell lower surface towards an outer shell upper surface. The foam line of mechanical weakness comprises a foam reduced thickness portion defined by a foam sever extending partially through a foam thickness from a foam lower surface towards a foam upper surface. The outer shell line of mechanical weakness is displaced relative to a foam line of mechanical weakness.

Abstract: An apparatus for deploying an air bag through an automotive dash panel (12) includes an air bag door (16) integrally formed in the panel and defined by a door perimeter including a frangible edge (18) of reduced cross section. A dispenser (20) supports the air bag (24) behind the door. A metal reaction plate (28) is positioned between the air bag (24) and the door (16). When the air bag inflates, it forces the reaction plate (28) to bend around a horizontal hinge line (36). As the reaction, plate pivots it concentrates inflation force along a lower portion of the frangible door edge. This helps to predictably separate the door from the dash panel by tearing along the lower door edge and allowing the tear to propagate up two side edges. In one embodiment, the tear also propagates across an upper edge to completely separate the door from the panel. At least one, and preferably two or three tethers (50) limit how far the door can travel during air bag inflation.

Abstract: An air bag door construction for air bag deployment comprises a trim panel and air bag door of unitary construction, at least a portion of the door defined by an area of reduced cross-section outlining at least a portion of the periphery thereof. One or more tethers are formed in the panel, outlined by an area of reduced cross-section, preferably in a dovetail shape which does not direct the propagation of tearing into the tether. A tear stop may be formed at the ends of the tether. The improvement comprises a stiffening frame that is attached to the backside and/or the topside of the panel just outboard of the air bag door periphery but not located across the tethers to improve deployment performance.

Abstract: An airbag door system is provided comprising a substrate, an outer shell and a foam where all three layers possess a line of mechanical weakness with each line of mechanical weakness at least partially separating each layer into an airbag door portion and a trim member portion. The substrate line of mechanical weakness comprises at least one substrate aperture. The outer shell line of mechanical weakness comprises an outer shell reduced thickness portion defined by an outer shell sever extending partially through an outer shell thickness from an outer shell lower surface towards an outer shell upper surface. The foam line of mechanical weakness comprises a foam reduced thickness portion defined by a foam sever extending partially through a foam thickness from a foam lower surface towards a foam upper surface. The outer shell line of mechanical weakness is displaced relative to a foam line of mechanical weakness.

Abstract: A variety of embodiments are disclosed, in both apparatus and method form, that relate to the use of fabric material in the manufacture of an air bag deployment system. In addition, fabric weakening is disclosed according to a technique that does not result in physical alteration of the fabric. This invention therefore includes an air bag cover for an air bag safety system for a vehicle comprising a fabric outer layer having a frontside and a backside and a substrate containing an opening wherein the opening has a periphery. The substrate is preferably formed by low pressure molding, wherein the fabric outer layer overlies the opening in the substrate, and wherein the fabric outer layer is weakened at a location that is adjacent or overlies the substrate opening periphery.

Abstract: An airbag door construction for airbag deployment comprising a hard instrument panel having a weakened area outlining at least a portion of an integrally molded airbag door. A reaction plate is attached to the underside of the panel at the airbag door location. A deployment chute is molded with the reaction plate and attached to the hard instrument panel just outboard of the outline of the airbag door. A tether is included that engages with the reaction plate whereupon airbag deployment the tether allows the airbag door/reaction plate welded combination to break loose from the hard instrument panel in a controlled manner.

Abstract: An airbag door construction for airbag deployment comprising a hard instrument panel having a weakened area outlining at least a portion of an integrally molded airbag door. A reaction plate is attached to the underside of the panel at the airbag door location. A deployment chute is molded with the reaction plate and attached to the hard instrument panel just outboard of the outline of the airbag door. A tether is included that engages with the reaction plate whereupon airbag deployment the tether allows the airbag door/reaction plate welded combination to break loose from the hard instrument panel in a controlled manner.

Abstract: An airbag door system is provided comprising a substrate, an outer shell and a foam where all three layers possess a line of mechanical weakness with each line of mechanical weakness at least partially separating each layer into an airbag door portion and a trim member portion. The substrate line of mechanical weakness comprises at least one substrate aperture. The outer shell line of mechanical weakness comprises an outer shell reduced thickness portion defined by an outer shell sever extending partially through an outer shell thickness from an outer shell lower surface towards an outer shell upper surface. The foam line of mechanical weakness comprises a foam reduced thickness portion defined by a foam sever extending partially through a foam thickness from a foam lower surface towards a foam upper surface. The outer shell line of mechanical weakness is displaced relative to a foam line of mechanical weakness.

Abstract: A method of molding a plastic shell having an outer pliable skin layer and a foam backing layer comprises casting a first skin layer portion from wear resistant material in a first casting sequence for those areas of the panel susceptible to high wear and in a second casting sequence casting self-skinning foamable material against the remaining portion of the mold surface and over the first-cast skin layer portion to develop, simultaneously, the remaining outer skin layer portion of the shell and a foam backing layer which extends across the entire skin layer.

Abstract: An airbag door construction for airbag deployment comprising a hard instrument panel having a weakened area outlining at least a portion of an integrally molded airbag door. A reaction plate is attached to the underside of the panel at the airbag door location. A deployment chute is molded with the reaction plate and attached to the hard instrument panel just outboard of the outline of the airbag door. A tether is included that engages with the reaction plate whereupon airbag deployment the tether allows the airbag door/reaction plate welded combination to break loose from the hard instrument panel in a controlled manner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for holding a generally cylindrical workpiece for honing or otherwise machining an internal bore. The workpiece is held by a gripping surface over most of the innermost turn of a spirally wound spring and coil. The workpiece is grasped circumferentially over its outer surface without excess contact pressure at any particular point. A tendency of the machining operation to rotate the workpiece serves to secure the workpiece more tightly in position by tightening the outer turns of the spring band coil. A rotatable tensioning member acts under the influence of a biasing spring to decrease the diameter of the innermost turn of the spring band coil to bring the gripping surface into contact with the workpiece. A method for adapting the work-holding apparatus to smaller or irregularly shaped workpieces consists of molding an annular piece around the workpiece.