Abstract: Improved thermal energy storage materials, devices and systems employing the same and related methods. The thermal energy storage material may be employed in a heater module capable of generating and storing heat. The thermal energy storage materials may include a phase change material that includes a metal-containing compound. The thermal energy storage materials may be encapsulated. Preferably the heater module includes an electric heater and/or a fan.

Abstract: A reinforced composite article and method for making the same. The article and method employ at least one elongated plastic member as a reinforcement phase. An intermediate form including the elongated member is made and can be processed, for example, to form a composite article with a smooth exposed reinforcement surface.

Abstract: Improved thermal energy storage materials, devices and systems employing the same and related methods. The thermal energy storage material may be employed in a heater module capable of generating and storing heat. The thermal energy storage materials may include a phase change material that includes a metal-containing compound. The thermal energy storage materials may be encapsulated. Preferably the heater module includes an electric heater and/or a fan.

Abstract: The thermal energy storage material (TESM) system includes a container having a wall surface, and a TESM in at least partial contact with the wall surface. The TESM may include, consist essentially of, or consist of a metal containing compound comprising lithium, one or more different metal cations (i.e., different from lithium) and one or more polyatomic anions. The TESM may have a liquidus temperature, TL, from about 100° C. to about 250° C. The TESM may exhibits a heat storage density from 1 MJ/l to 1.84 MJ/l, as measured from 300° C. to 80° C. The TESM system may be free of water. If any water is present in the TESM system, the water concentration preferably is less than 10 wt. %. Preferably, the TESM system is generally resistant to corrosion at temperatures of about 300° C.

Abstract: Reinforced composite pipes and methods for making the same, generally employ at least one polymeric reinforcement phase, typically provided as an intermediate form. The intermediate form is typically applied over a core pipe, and may be consolidated. An optional jacket may be employed.

Abstract: A molded plastic seat back assembly for a vehicle including at least two polymeric vertical support members including a top portion, a center portion, and a lower portion, wherein at least a portion of the polymeric vertical support members have a alternating wall section portion including a front wall section, a connective middle wall section and a back wall section; at least one cross-seat member connectively disposed between the polymeric vertical support members; at least one recliner bracket connectively disposed to the lower portion of the polymeric vertical support members for anchoring the molded plastic seat back assembly to a seat back recliner assembly; and at least one strap reinforcement member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal energy storage material (TESM) system (and associated methods). The TESM system comprises i) a container having a wall surface; and ii) a TESM in at least partial contact with the wall surface. The TESM may include, consist essentially of, or consist of a metal containing compound comprising at least two different metal cations and one or more polyatomic anions. The at least two metal cations may include lithium cations. The TESM may have a liquidus temperature, TL, from about 100° C. to about 250° C. The TESM may exhibits a heat storage density from 300° C. to 80° C. of at least 1 MJ/l. The TESM system may be free of water. If any water is present in the TESM system, the water concentration preferably is less than about 10 wt. %. Preferably, the TESM system is generally resistant to corrosion at temperatures of about 300° C.

Abstract: Improved microlayer structures and methods typically employing at least 4 stacked layers of polymers (e.g., including alternating layers of components A and B), such as that obtained by coextrusion. The layers each have a thickness of less than about 50 microns. One optional approach involves forming an intermediate form that includes at least one elongated member made from the plurality of layers, from which a shaped composite article may be made.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal energy storage material (TESM) system (and associated methods) that reproducibly stores and recovers latent heat. The Thermal energy storage material system comprises i) at least one first metal containing material including at least one first metal compound that includes a nitrate ion, a nitrite ion, or both; and ii) at least one second metal containing material including at least one second metal compound. The thermal energy storage material system may water. If any water is present in the thermal energy storage material system, the water concentration should be less than about 10 wt. %. The thermal energy storage material has a liquidus temperature, TL, from about 100° C. to about 250° C. and exhibits a heat storage density from 300° C. to 80° C. of at least about 1 MJ/l, so that upon being used in a system that generates heat, at least a portion of the heat is captured and stored by the thermal energy storage material and subsequently released for use.

Abstract: Improved microlayer structures and methods typically employing at least 4 stacked layers of polymers (e.g., including alternating layers of components A and B), such as that obtained by coextrusion. The layers each have a thickness of less than about 50 microns. One optional approach involves forming an intermediate form that includes at least one elongated member made from the plurality of layers, from which a shaped composite article may be made.

Abstract: A molded plastic seat back assembly for a vehicle including at least two polymeric vertical support members including a top portion, a center portion, and a lower portion, wherein at least a portion of the polymeric vertical support members have a alternating wall section portion including a front wall section, a connective middle wall section and a back wall section; at least one cross-seat member connectively disposed between the polymeric vertical support members; at least one recliner bracket connectively disposed to the lower portion of the polymeric vertical support members for anchoring the molded plastic seat back assembly to a seat back recliner assembly; and at least one strap reinforcement member.

Abstract: Reinforced composite pipes and methods for making the same, generally employ at least one polymeric reinforcement phase, typically provided as an intermediate form. The intermediate form is typically applied over a core pipe, and may be consolidated. An optional jacket may be employed.

Abstract: Reinforced composite pipes and methods for making the same, generally employ at least one polymeric reinforcement phase, typically provided as an intermediate form 214. The intermediate form is typically applied over a core pipe 216, and may be consolidated. An optional jacket may be employed.

Abstract: The present invention is an article comprising a shaped rigid foam part; a heat activated foamable adhesive applied directly to at least a portion of the outer surface of the shaped foam part and an integral locating means. A second aspect of the invention is a method of forming a foam filled vehicle hollow member comprising, (a) inserting into a vehicular hollow member a rigid foam part comprised of a rigid foam having a heat activated foamable adhesive on at least a portion of the rigid foam insert and at least one integral locating means extending from a surface of the rigid foam, (b) engaging the locating means with the hollow member to locate the rigid foam part within the hollow member, and (c) heating the hollow member having the rigid foam part therein to a temperature and for a time sufficient to activate the heat activated expandable adhesive to form the foam filled vehicle hollow member.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage material (TESM) system (and associated methods) that reproducibly stores and recovers latent heat comprising i) at least one first metal containing material including at least one first metal compound that includes a nitrate ion, a nitrite ion, or both; ii) at least one second metal containing material including at least one second metal compound; and iii) optionally including water, wherein the water concentration if any is present is less than about 10 wt. %; wherein the TESM has a liquidus temperature, TL, from about 100° C. to about 250° C.; and wherein the TESM exhibits a heat storage density from 300° C. to 80° C. of at least about 1 MJ/l; so that upon being used in a system that generates heat, at least a portion of the heat is captured and stored by the TESM and subsequently released for use, and the system is generally resistant to corrosion at temperatures of about 300° C.

Abstract: A process for forming a shaped three dimensional article, comprising the steps of deforming an intermediate form (10), including a plurality of thermoplastic elongated members that are initially movable relative to each other, while displaceably clamping the intermediate form during the deforming in such a way that while a force is applied for deforming the intermediate form, the intermediate form is free to move within a predetermined limit; and optionally at least partially consolidating the thermoplastic elongated members of the intermediate form for forming a three dimensional article having a predetermined orientation of the elongated members. An apparatus including a press (32) for forming the shaped three-dimensional article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A reinforced composite article and method for making the same. The article and method employ at least one elongated plastic member as a reinforcement phase. An intermediate form including the elongated member is made and can be processed, for example, to form a composite article with a smooth exposed reinforcement surface.

Abstract: A reinforced composite article and method for making the same. The article and method employ at least one elongated member as a reinforcement phase. Specific elongated members are multiple layer structures wherein the layers are each polyolefinic (e.g., at least one of the layers may be a propylene-based polymer, such as a propylene-ethylene copolymer, an isotactic polypropylene homopolymer, or a combination thereof). Optionally, at least one of the layers may include a non-migratory process aid or surface modifier agent. An intermediate form including the elongated member may made and processed (for example, with a step of consolidation) to form a composite article.

Abstract: Reinforced composite pipes and methods for making the same, generally employ at least one polymeric reinforcement phase, typically provided as an intermediate form 214. The intermediate form is typically applied over a core pipe 216, and may be consolidated. An optional jacket may be employed.

Abstract: Improved microlayer structures and methods typically employing at least 4 stacked layers of polymers (e.g., including alternating layers of components A and B), such as that obtained by coextrusion. The layers each have a thickness of less than about 50 microns. One optional approach involves forming an intermediate form that includes at least one elongated member made from the plurality of layers, from which a shaped composite article may be made.