Abstract: An air inlet for a flight vehicle engine includes at least one fin, at least partially upstream of a throat of the engine. The fin protrudes into a flow channel, extending beyond a boundary layer into the main airstream in the inlet. The fin causes mixing in the flow, bringing high-momentum flow into areas of the flow channel containing low-momentum flow by aggregating the boundary layer and causing it to lift from the surface. The fin may have a width and/or height that varies along its length in the flow direction, which may allow it to shape the flow around it in predictable ways, without resulting in excessive drag.

Abstract: An inlet for a flight vehicle engine, such as for a supersonic or hypersonic engine, includes an internal flow diverter to divert boundary layer flow. The flow diverter is configured to minimize disruption to flow outside the diverted boundary by being configured through use of a flow field that is also used to configure the walls of the inlet. The flow field that is used to configure an inlet-creating shape and a diverter-creating shape has the same flow generator, contraction ratio, compression ratio, mass capture ratio, pressure ratio between entrance and exit, and/or Mach number, for example. The internal diverter may be configured so as to allow arbitrary selection of a leading edge shape for the internal diverter, for example to use a shape that helps avoid radar detection.

Abstract: An inlet for a flight vehicle engine, such as for a supersonic or hypersonic engine, includes an internal flow diverter to divert boundary layer flow. The flow diverter is configured to minimize disruption to flow outside the diverted boundary by being configured through use of a flow field that is also used to configure the walls of the inlet. The flow field that is used to configure an inlet-creating shape and a diverter-creating shape has the same flow generator, contraction ratio, compression ratio, mass capture ratio, pressure ratio between entrance and exit, and/or Mach number, for example. The internal diverter may be configured so as to allow arbitrary selection of a leading edge shape for the internal diverter, for example to use a shape that helps avoid radar detection.

Abstract: An air inlet for a flight vehicle engine includes at least one fin, at least partially upstream of a throat of the engine. The fin protrudes into a flow channel, extending beyond a boundary layer into the main airstream in the inlet. The fin causes mixing in the flow, bringing high-momentum flow into areas of the flow channel containing low-momentum flow by aggregating the boundary layer and causing it to lift from the surface. The fin may have a width and/or height that varies along its length in the flow direction, which may allow it to shape the flow around it in predictable ways, without resulting in excessive drag.

Abstract: Cooling apparatus having a cooling box with integrated cooling and attachment features providing end of arm tooling to demold and cool molded parts. There is provided a net fit between a porous tool nest portion of the cooling box and the molded part being manufactured to allow the cooling cycle time to be reduced as the molded part finishes the cooling cycle in the end of arm tooling while a mold is closed and starts making the next molded part. The cooling box is connected to at least one vacuum line having a vacuum unit to generate a vacuum allowing for part demolding and cooling. The fully assembled form fitting cooling box is 3D printable to effectively create a partially solid and partially microporous cooling box.

Abstract: An exhaust module made of a thermoplastic material which is connected to a fascia or bumper of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the hybrid fascia mounted exhaust tip assembly includes a bracket. The bracket has a large diameter portion which surrounds, but is not in contact with, an exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe is free to move around as a result of the vehicle traveling over bumps in the road and around turns. The bracket also has a small diameter portion which is connected to the large diameter portion. A ring tip has a portion that slides onto a bezel portion of the small diameter portion.

Abstract: An exhaust module made of a thermoplastic material which is connected to a fascia or bumper of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the hybrid fascia mounted exhaust tip assembly includes a bracket. The bracket has a bracket inlet which surrounds, but is not in contact with, an exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe is free to move around as a result of the vehicle traveling over bumps in the road and around turns. The bracket also has a bracket outlet which is connected to the bracket inlet. A ring tip has a portion that slides onto a bezel portion of the bracket outlet.

Abstract: An exhaust module made of a thermoplastic material which is connected to a fascia or bumper of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the hybrid fascia mounted exhaust tip assembly includes a bracket. The bracket has a bracket inlet which surrounds, but is not in contact with, an exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe is free to move around as a result of the vehicle traveling over bumps in the road and around turns. The bracket also has a bracket outlet which is connected to the bracket inlet. A ring tip has a portion that slides onto a bezel portion of the bracket outlet.

Abstract: A spare tire assembly which includes a spare tire or under mount frame, a spare tire, and a cover. The assembly may optionally include an electric winch, and a jack. The cover is connected to the under mount frame when assembled to the vehicle, and is disconnected from the under mount frame when the spare tire is needed. The cover has dimples which improve air flow underneath the vehicle. The cover is made of different sizes to be used with different size spare tires for different types of vehicles, such as trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans.

Abstract: An exhaust module made of a thermoplastic material which is connected to a fascia or bumper of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the hybrid fascia mounted exhaust tip assembly includes a bracket. The bracket has a large diameter portion which surrounds, but is not in contact with, an exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe is free to move around as a result of the vehicle traveling over bumps in the road and around turns. The bracket also has a small diameter portion which is connected to the large diameter portion. A ring tip has a portion that slides onto a bezel portion of the small diameter portion.

Abstract: An exhaust module made of a thermoplastic material which is connected to a fascia or bumper of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the hybrid fascia mounted exhaust tip assembly includes a bracket. The bracket has a large diameter portion which surrounds, but is not in contact with, an exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe is free to move around as a result of the vehicle traveling over bumps in the road and around turns. The bracket also has a small diameter portion which is connected to the large diameter portion. A ring tip has a portion that slides onto a bezel portion of the small diameter portion.

Abstract: An automatic micro-pump which is able to replace the depleted air in a tire without any required action from the driver of a motor vehicle. Using the kinetic energy of the rotating tire, the micro-pump maintains the tire pressure from losses due to rubber permeability or temperature changes. The micro pump has an off-balance winding wheel (26) and a primary gear set (50). The off-balance winding wheel drives the primary gear set (50), and a secondary gear set (58) connected to and driven by the primary gear set (50). A pump assembly (86) is connected to and driven by the secondary gear set (58) such that as the off-balance winding wheel rotates, the off-balance winding wheel drives the primary gear set (50), and the primary gear set (50) drives the secondary gear set (58), driving the pump and increasing the air pressure in the tire. The pump assembly (86) draws air from the atmosphere, and forces the air into the tire.

Abstract: A spare tire assembly which includes a spare tire or under mount frame, a spare tire, and a cover. The assembly may optionally include an electric winch, and a jack. The cover is connected to the under mount frame when assembled to the vehicle, and is disconnected from the under mount frame when the spare tire is needed. The cover has dimples which improve air flow underneath the vehicle. The cover is made of different sizes to be used with different size spare tires for different types of vehicles, such as trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans.

Abstract: An exhaust module made of a thermoplastic material which is connected to a fascia or bumper of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the hybrid fascia mounted exhaust tip assembly includes a bracket. The bracket has a large diameter portion which surrounds, but is not in contact with, an exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe is free to move around as a result of the vehicle traveling over bumps in the road and around turns. The bracket also has a small diameter portion which is connected to the large diameter portion. A ring tip has a portion that slides onto a bezel portion of the small diameter portion.

Abstract: A plasma spray process used for coating surfaces of a variety of components made of a plastic substrate. Powder particles are injected into a plasma jet where they soften and then strike the surface at high velocity to produce a strongly adherent coating. The component or work piece the coating is being applied to remains cool because the plasma is localized at the plasma gun. The plasma spray process allows for the melting of glass particles, creating a transfer mechanism to the plastic substrate. Components having complex shapes can be coated, without the issues currently encountered in dip coating. The powder coating is applied via plasma spraying, as a protective layer, giving glass like surface properties to a component having complex molded or formed shapes.

Abstract: A vehicular storage enclosure comprising a sub-compartment (108) disposed within a passenger compartment (P) of a vehicle (V), wherein the sub-compartment (108) includes a closure panel (106) that provides selective access to the sub-compartment (108), wherein the closure panel (106) includes an outboard surface (116) that is substantially exposed to the passenger compartment (106) and an inboard surface (114) that is substantially exposed to the sub-compartment (108) when the sub-compartment (108) is closed off by the closure panel (106), and a handle (204) that is accessible from within the sub-compartment (108), and wherein one of or both of the handle (204) and an area proximate the handle (204) on the inboard surface (114) includes indicia (G) to conspicuously provide one or more instructions for opening the closure panel (106) from within the sub-compartment (108).

Abstract: A door handle assembly for a door substrate having an aperture, said door handle assembly comprising: a bell crank capable of pivoting about an axis, the bell crank including a first arm, a second arm and a base therebetween; a door handle that operatively engages the second arm of the bell crank, wherein a free end of the second arm extends upward and outward away from the base such that the free end of the second arm sweeps around a generally conical shape as the bell crank pivots about the axis; means for securing the door handle to the bell crank including a pin and notch assembly, wherein the pin is inserted through an aperture in the door handle and engages a notch located on the second arm; and a plurality of ribs formed on one or more surfaces of the bell crank.

Abstract: A part having foam tape integrated into a base component. The base component of the part is a body side molding which is attached to a vehicle using an adhesive. More specifically, the part includes a foam layer integrally formed with the body side molding such that a first side of the foam layer is formed with the body side molding, and an adhesive layer attached to a second side of the foam layer. A release film material is selectively attached to the adhesive layer such that the adhesive layer is disposed between the release film material and the foam layer. The release film material is able to be removed from the adhesive layer, and the body side molding is attached to a vehicle using the adhesive layer. The body side molding is used to protect the vehicle, as well as provide an improvement in the appearance of the vehicle.

Abstract: A part having foam tape integrated into a base component. The base component of the part is a body side molding which is attached to a vehicle using an adhesive. More specifically, the part includes a foam layer integrally formed with the body side molding such that a first side of the foam layer is formed with the body side molding, and an adhesive layer attached to a second side of the foam layer. A release film material is selectively attached to the adhesive layer such that the adhesive layer is disposed between the release film material and the foam layer. The release film material is able to be removed from the adhesive layer, and the body side molding is attached to a vehicle using the adhesive layer. The body side molding is used to protect the vehicle, as well as provide an improvement in the appearance of the vehicle.

Abstract: A THIXOMOLDING™ process and a die are utilized to fabricate a hinge assembly for moving a step on a motor vehicle between a stowed position and a deployed position. The hinge assembly includes a rail bracket fixedly secured to the vehicle and including inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. A step bracket includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. The step is fixedly secured to the step bracket. An inner arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the inner arm and are pivotally disposed in the inner bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively. An outer arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the outer arm and are pivotally disposed in the outer bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively.