Abstract: A method of processing a substrate, with a first major surface of the substrate removably bonded to a first major surface of a first carrier and a second major surface of the substrate removably bonded to a first major surface of a second carrier, includes initiating debonding at a first location of an outer peripheral bonded interface between the substrate and the first carrier to separate a portion of the first carrier from the substrate. The method further includes propagating a first debond front from the first debonded location along a first direction extending away from the first debonded location by sequentially applying a plurality of lifting forces to the first carrier at a corresponding plurality of sequential lifting locations of the first carrier.

Abstract: A die body apparatus (101) includes a first discharge member (105) configured to be bonded with respect to a base member (103) such that aligned elongated openings (209) of the base member (103) and first discharge member (105) provide a plurality of elongated feed passages placing a plurality of feed holes (106) of the base member (103) in fluid communication with a first honeycomb network of discharge slots (415) of the first discharge member (105). In further examples, methods of assembling a die body apparatus (101) includes the step of bonding a selected discharge member (105) of at least one discharge member with respect to a base member (103). In further examples methods of extruding batch material into a honeycomb body includes the steps of bonding a selected discharge member (105) with respect to a base member (103) and extruding a quantity of batch material through the die body apparatus (101) into an extruded honeycomb body with a honeycomb network of channels.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate, with a first major surface of the substrate removably bonded to a first major surface of a first carrier and a second major surface of the substrate removably bonded to a first major surface of a second carrier, includes initiating debonding at a first location of an outer peripheral bonded interface between the substrate and the first carrier to separate a portion of the first carrier from the substrate. The method further includes propagating a first debond front from the first debonded location along a first direction extending away from the first debonded location by sequentially applying a plurality of lifting forces to the first carrier at a corresponding plurality of sequential lifting locations of the first carrier.

Abstract: A die body apparatus (101) includes a first discharge member (105) configured to be bonded with respect to a base member (103) such that aligned elongated openings (209) of the base member (103) and first discharge member (105) provide a plurality of elongated feed passages placing a plurality of feed holes (106) of the base member (103) in fluid communication with a first honeycomb network of discharge slots (415) of the first discharge member (105). In further examples, methods of assembling a die body apparatus (101) includes the step of bonding a selected discharge member (105) of at least one discharge member with respect to a base member (103). In further examples methods of extruding batch material into a honeycomb body includes the steps of bonding a selected discharge member (105) with respect to a base member (103) and extruding a quantity of batch material through the die body apparatus (101) into an extruded honeycomb body with a honeycomb network of channels.

Abstract: A honeycomb extrusion apparatus includes a die body and a mask defining a peripheral gap. The peripheral gap includes a first extrusion cross section at a first radial location relative to the extrusion axis and a second extrusion cross section at a second radial location relative to the extrusion axis. An overall flow area of the first extrusion cross section is less than an overall flow area of the second extrusion cross section. In further examples, methods include co-extruding a honeycomb body with an integral skin with the overall flow area of the first extrusion cross section being less than the overall flow area of the second extrusion cross section. In further examples, methods include compensating for different skin flow characteristics associated with a particular honeycomb network configuration of discharge slots in a die body.

Abstract: A three-wheeled leaning passenger vehicle comprises a frame rigidly mounting a passenger seat; a rear wheel rotatably mounted on the frame in a rearward region thereof; a frame-mounted rotary drive cooperatively coupled with the rear wheel for rotation of the rear wheel relative to the frame; and a frame-mounted coast/steer system including two front wheels freely rotatable relative to the frame in a forward region thereof, and a handlebar coupled with the two front wheels for turning the two front wheels in a plane defined by their rotational axes substantially parallel with one another to corner, the vehicle being configured to substantially freely lean left and right in a natural response to a driver thereof in the driver seat steering the vehicle and leaning respectively left and right, and, alternatively or additionally, to have controlled leaning in response to a hydraulically or otherwise provisioned front-wheel suspension subsystem.

Abstract: A honeycomb extrusion apparatus includes a die body and a mask defining a peripheral gap. The peripheral gap includes a first extrusion cross section at a first radial location relative to the extrusion axis and a second extrusion cross section at a second radial location relative to the extrusion axis. An overall flow area of the first extrusion cross section is less than an overall flow area of the second extrusion cross section. In further examples, methods include co-extruding a honeycomb body with an integral skin with the overall flow area of the first extrusion cross section being less than the overall flow area of the second extrusion cross section. In further examples, methods include compensating for different skin flow characteristics associated with a particular honeycomb network configuration of discharge slots in a die body.

Abstract: Honeycomb extrusion die apparatus include a die body including a first set of die pins circumscribed by a second set of die pins. At least a portion of the end face of die pins of the second set of die pins are positioned along a peripheral surface extending at an oblique angle with respect to the extrusion direction. A lateral width of the open end of a plurality of discharge slots defined by the second set of die pins is larger than a lateral width of the open end of a plurality of discharge slots defined by the first set of die pins. Methods of making a honeycomb extrusion die apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A three-wheeled leaning passenger vehicle comprises a frame rigidly mounting a passenger seat; a drive wheel rotatably mounted on the frame preferably in a rearward region thereof; a frame-mounted rotary drive cooperatively coupled with the drive wheel for rotation of the drive wheel relative to the frame; and a frame-mounted coast/steer system including two rotatable and preferably front wheels freely rotatable relative to the frame in a forward region thereof, and a handlebar coupled with the two front wheels for turning the two rotatable wheels in a plane defined by their rotational axes substantially parallel with one another to corner, the vehicle being configured to substantially freely lean left and right in a natural response to a driver thereof in the driver seat steering the vehicle and leaning respectively left and right, and, alternatively or additionally, to have controlled leaning in response to a hydraulically or otherwise provisioned leaning, suspension, and stand-up mechanisms.

Abstract: Honeycomb extrusion die apparatus include a die body including a first set of die pins circumscribed by a second set of die pins. At least a portion of the end face of die pins of the second set of die pins are positioned along a peripheral surface extending at an oblique angle with respect to the extrusion direction. A lateral width of the open end of a plurality of discharge slots defined by the second set of die pins is larger than a lateral width of the open end of a plurality of discharge slots defined by the first set of die pins. Methods of making a honeycomb extrusion die apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb structure having reduced stress joints between its webs and skin is provided. The webs define a plurality of cells, and the skin surrounds the plurality of webs and has an inner wall that is connected to peripheral ends of the webs such that a plurality of angularly spaced wall joints are formed. Portions of the inner wall disposed between the angularly spaced wall joints include continuous arches. Each of the arches includes a curved central portion that terminates on either end on curved corner portions that are more sharply curved than the central portion. The arches eliminate sharp angles faces between the peripheral ends of the webs and the inner wall of the skin, thereby reducing stress concentrations in the interface between the webs and the skin. The arches also strengthen the skin, which allows it to be made thinner, thereby reducing thermally induced stresses in the joints between the webs and skin.