Abstract: Methods of manufacturing carbon/carbon preforms and carbon/carbon composites formed therefrom. Such a method includes extruding a polymer composite material using an extrusion deposition additive manufacturing process to form a preform, and heating the preform via pyrolysis to form the carbon/carbon composite.

Abstract: An agent is installed on a computing device of a vehicle (e.g., an ECU); the agent receives messages from an application installed on the same computing device. The computing device is connected to a gateway computing device via a physical communication channel (e.g., CAN bus or Ethernet cable). When the gateway agent receives a message from the application, it converts the message into a different protocol based on a mapping of the protocols to physical communication channels. The message is sent to a gateway agent at the gateway device, where it is converted back to the original protocol so the message can be processed/transmitted to the internet. By using an agent, the in-vehicle application does not need to know about the vehicle's network architecture or changes to it in order to access the internet.

Abstract: A door latch system for a heating system is provided. The door latch system may be installed with a fireplace, wood stove, pellet stove, or other suitable system. The door latch system comprises a handle, a handle head and a catch. The handle head may be configured to engage the catch. Moreover, the catch may be configured with a self adjusting tension system, such that when the handle head engages the catch, the catch is configured to exert a tension force on the handle head. This tension force also causes the handle head to compress the seal of a fireplace door where the door latch system is installed.

Abstract: A door latch system for a heating system is provided. The door latch system may be installed with a fireplace, wood stove, pellet stove, or other suitable system. The door latch system comprises a handle, a handle head and a catch. The handle head may be configured to engage the catch. Moreover, the catch may be configured with a self adjusting tension system, such that when the handle head engages the catch, the catch is configured to exert a tension force on the handle head. This tension force also causes the handle head to compress the seal of a fireplace door where the door latch system is installed.

Abstract: A control for a vehicle mounted accessory that has an electrically operable device. The accessory is operated by a switch that is mounted on the vehicle remote from the accessory. The switch and the electrically operable device are electrically connected by programmable controllers and a communications bus. The control has the capability of automatically determining the presence of a vehicle DRL mode, and the accessory turn signal lights are automatically illuminated to provide an accessory DRL mode. The control can automatically detect different accessories and reprogram itself to control them. The control provides a secured communications link between it and the accessory to prevent accessory theft.

Abstract: A control for a vehicle mounted accessory that has an electrically operable device. The accessory is operated by a switch that is mounted on the vehicle remote from the accessory. The switch and the electrically operable device are electrically connected by programmable controllers and a communications bus. The control has the capability of automatically determining the presence of a vehicle DRL mode, and the accessory turn signal lights are automatically illuminated to provide an accessory DRL mode. The control can automatically detect different accessories and reprogram itself to control them. The control provides a secured communications link between it and the accessory to prevent accessory theft.

Abstract: A control for a vehicle mounted accessory that has an electrically operable device. The accessory is operated by a switch that is mounted on the vehicle remote from the accessory. The switch and the electrically operable device are electrically connected by programmable controllers and a communications bus. The control has the capability of automatically determining the presence of a vehicle DRL mode, and the accessory turn signal lights are automatically illuminated to provide an accessory DRL mode. The control can automatically detect different accessories and reprogram itself to control them. The control provides a secured communications link between it and the accessory to prevent accessory theft.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an accessory that has an electrically operable device and is attachable to a vehicle. The apparatus has a switch that is mounted on the vehicle remote from the accessory and operable by an operator of the vehicle. The switch and the electrically operable device are electrically connected by controllers and a single dedicated communications wire. The apparatus has the capability of automatically determining if a DRL lighting system is present on the vehicle; and if so, accessory lights such as plow headlights are automatically illuminated to simulate the vehicle DRL lighting mode. The apparatus has the further capability of detecting an erroneous electrical operation of the electrically operable device on the accessory, for example, an excessive current.