Abstract: A thermoelectric device including a panel, formed of a thermally insulating material, and having a plurality of thermoelectric elements including compacted conductors inside the insulating material and expanded conductors outside the insulating material wherein the thermoelectric elements run substantially parallel to or at an acute angle relative to the long dimension of the panel. The thermoelectric device may be integrated into a variety of surfaces or enclosures needing heating or cooling with controls and configurations to optimize the application.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device including a panel, formed of a thermally insulating material, and having a plurality of thermoelectric elements including compacted conductors inside the insulating material and expanded conductors outside the insulating material wherein the thermoelectric elements run substantially parallel to or at an acute angle relative to the long dimension of the panel. The thermoelectric device may be integrated into a variety of surfaces or enclosures needing heating or cooling with controls and configurations to optimize the application.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device including a panel, formed of a thermally insulating material, and having a plurality of thermoelectric elements including compacted conductors inside the insulating material and expanded conductors outside the insulating material wherein the thermoelectric elements run substantially parallel to or at an acute angle relative to the long dimension of the panel. The thermoelectric device may be integrated into a variety of surfaces or enclosures needing heating or cooling with controls and configurations to optimize the application.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes seat pads included in seat bottoms and seat backs. The seat pads are configured to provide both a cold sensation and a warming sensation to an occupant sitting on the seat pads. According to the present disclosure, a vehicle seat includes an occupant-support base. The occupant-support base includes a cushion cover defining a cushion-receiving space and a cushion positioned to lie in the cushion-receiving space.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device comprising an elongated panel, formed of a thermally insulating material, and having a plurality of thermoelectric elements comprising compacted conductors inside the insulating material and expanded conductors outside the insulating material wherein the thermoelectric elements run substantially parallel to or at an acute angle relative to the long dimension of the panel. The thermoelectric device may be integrated into a variety of surfaces or enclosures needing heating or cooling with controls and configurations to optimize the application.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device includes an elongated panel, formed of a thermally insulating material, and having a plurality of thermoelectric elements formed from compacted conductors inside the insulating material and expanded conductors outside the insulating material wherein the thermoelectric elements run substantially parallel to or at an acute angle relative to the long dimension of the panel. The thermoelectric device may be integrated into a variety of surfaces or enclosures needing heating or cooling with controls and configurations to optimize the application.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a thermoelectric device comprising a panel comprising an electrically and thermally insulating material, and a thermoelectric string comprising a plurality of thermoelectric elements mounted on a strain relief element within the panel. The thermoelectric elements may comprise an n-type thermoelectric element and a p-type thermoelectric element electrically coupled to one another in series. The thermoelectric string may be (i) compacted in cross section inside the panel and (ii) expanded in cross section outside the panel. The strain relief element may permit the thermoelectric string to be movable in proximity to the strain relief element.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device comprising an elongated panel, formed of a thermally insulating material, and having a plurality of thermoelectric elements comprising compacted conductors inside the insulating material and expanded conductors outside the insulating material wherein the thermoelectric elements run substantially parallel to or at an acute angle relative to the long dimension of the panel. The thermoelectric device may be integrated into a variety of surfaces or enclosures needing heating or cooling with controls and configurations to optimize the application.

Abstract: An access assembly for a vehicle body. The access assembly includes a body panel movably mounted to the vehicle body for movement between an open position and a closed position and defining an access opening. A door assembly is provided on the body panel and has a cover that is movable between an open position and a closed position. A vehicle component is disposed in a substantially fixed position with respect to the vehicle body, the vehicle component having a receptacle that is substantially aligned with the access opening when the body panel is in the closed position. The access opening is exposed when the cover is in the open position, and the access opening is concealed when the cover is in the closed position.

Abstract: Pool balls falling into the pockets of a pool table during a game are fed through primary conduits below the table and then passed one at a time through the field of view of a camera which identifies the color and/or markings on the ball and forwards each ball through an appropriate secondary conduit to a rack located in a receiving position adjacent one end of the table. The rack is mounted on a carriage pivotally secured to the table at one end thereof so that, when the rack is full, the carriage can be pivoted from the receiving position to a discharge position over the table so that the balls can then be discharged from the rack in the correct formation on the table. Releasable retainers are provided to retain the balls in the rack during the pivoting movement and until the rack is in position over the table.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes longitudinally extending elements such as roof side rail outer and inner members, a reinforcement member and a gusset that are part of a side impact energy management system for vehicles that include a sunroof. A laterally extending cross member is connected to the roof side rail members, and the roof side rail members are connected to an upper portion of an approximately vertical B-pillar. The cross-member is connected to the roof side rail members approximately perpendicular to the B-pillar, but longitudinally offset from the B-pillar. The reinforcement member extends between the roof side rail members to the cross-member.

Abstract: A unitized vehicle rear body structure is disclosed that includes a vehicle floor and a structural support member. The structural support member is fixed to the vehicle floor and extends longitudinally within the vehicle rear body structure. The structural support member includes a generally U-shaped support element and an upper brace. The generally U-shaped support element has a lower wall portion and a pair of generally vertical side wall portions with laterally spaced apart upper edges and lower edges coupled to lateral sides of the lower wall portion. The upper brace is fixedly attached between the side wall portions. Further, the upper brace is spaced apart upwardly from the lower wall portion and spaced below the upper edges.

Abstract: A unitized vehicle rear body structure is disclosed that includes a vehicle floor and a structural support member. The structural support member is fixed to the vehicle floor and extends longitudinally within the vehicle rear body structure. The structural support member includes a generally U-shaped support element and an upper brace. The generally U-shaped support element has a lower wall portion and a pair of generally vertical side wall portions with laterally spaced apart upper edges and lower edges coupled to lateral sides of the lower wall portion. The upper brace is fixedly attached between the side wall portions. Further, the upper brace is spaced apart upwardly from the lower wall portion and spaced below the upper edges.

Abstract: A slatted endless plastics conveyor belt preferably with draining slots therethrough is supported over its conveying distance on a bed of runners and passes about end sprockets engaging directly with the belting and one set of which is driven. The edge of the belt is specially shaped to provide a bearing face supported on an inclined step in the side wall of the housing. This arrangement confines the product on the belt while it is "worked" by transverse mechanical manipulators at intervals along the conveying length. The conveyor is used in a food processor principally for processing curd or curd and whey in the cheese industry.

Abstract: A modular garage structure is disclosed which provides an easily transportable, tamper proof housing for vehicles. Two housing enclosures are telescopically movable along a track to permit the garage to be longitudinally opened and closed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of fabricating ceramic/metal or ceramic/ceramic composites. A porous surface region is produced on a ceramic material by sintering a granular substance onto the latter. Metal infiltrated into the porous region is then firmly mechanically bonded to the ceramic. Alternatively, the porous region provides a surface of large effective area to which another ceramic may be bonded chemically and mechanically.