Abstract: Multiple cutting heads are provided in a single cutting cell whereby vibrations created in one cutting head is isolated from the other cutting head(s). Each cutting head is supported by separate support structures to prevent the transfer of vibration from one cutting head to another. The multi-head laser cell includes a series of support structures that are staggered with respect to each other so that the lasers are isolated from each other. In the preferred embodiment, each laser cutting head has a dynamic pre-programmed operating zone to prevent collisions with other cutting heads. The control system will have the proper communications needed to coordinate motion used to develop the dynamic pre-programmed operating zone. Furthermore, the laser cutting heads preferably have multi-axes motion control; e.g., five axis motion control.

Abstract: A non-return valve has a valve housing with a flow channel having a vertical channel section, an inlet aperture, an outlet aperture and a blocking device closing the flow channel. The blocking device comprises a valve seat surrounding the outlet aperture and a valve disc movable between an open position and a closed position. The valve disc is guided in the valve housing via a guide surface on its outer circumference, and comprises flow apertures radially outside its sealing surface. The valve disc possesses a diameter that becomes smaller towards the valve seat, forming an inclined external surface. Flow apertures start from the inclined external surface and converge in the direction facing away from the sealing surface, and are disposed in a uniform distribution over the circumference of the valve disc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preserving a starter/alternator in an I.C. engine system installation from repeated operation in the starter mode by detecting and preventing an I.C. engine stall by disabling the generator function of the starter/alternator. The system describes a method of comparing the detected rotational speed of the starter/alternator in generator mode with a reference rotational incipient stall speed of the system I.C. engine. If the I.C. engine speed falls below a threshold stall speed, the generator function of the starter/alternator is disabled. In addition, a second detected speed of the I.C. engine is detected following the disabling of the generator function to determine if the I.C. engine has resumed an engine speed above a second threshold speed, whereupon the generating function is restored.

Abstract: A motor-vehicle window lift comprises a mounting structure, a drive system, a cable system having two cable segments running substantially parallel to each other, reversing rollers for the cable system and two window-pane actuators each affixed to a respective one of the cable segments, the actuators are displaceably guided along a respective guide of the mounting structure, wherein the actuators are rigidly connected to each other by a rigid coupling such that the actuators are non-movably fixed to the rigid coupling in a lift operating condition.

Abstract: A multizone, segmented showerhead provides a gas impingement flux distribution which is controllable in two lateral dimensions to achieve programmable uniformity in chemical vapor deposition, in plasma deposition and etching and other processes. Recirculation (pumping) of exhaust gases back through the showerhead reduces intersegment mixing to achieve a high degree of spatial control of the process. This spatial control of the impinging gas flux distribution assures that uniformity can be achieved at process design points selected to optimize materials performance. Spatial control also permits rapid experimentation by enabling the introduction of intentional nonuniformities so that combinatorial data from across the wafer/substrate provides results of simultaneous experiments at different process design points. This ability is useful for process tuning and optimization in manufacturing or for rapid materials and process discovery and optimization in research and development.

Abstract: A fastening element and method that utilizes a fastener or stamping which is capable of forming a fastening assembly by engagement with a self-tapping fastener is disclosed. The fastening element includes one or more indentations formed within a portion of the circumference of an unthreaded bore located within the fastening element. Each indentation has an edge that can have the same helix angle or pitch as the self-tapping fastener that it is to engage to serve as a guide to properly align the fastener within the bore. The indentations also assist formation of mating threads within the element by significantly reducing the required end load to start the tapping process.

Abstract: An electric grill comprised of a primary cooking unit that includes a ribbed grilling surface adjacent to a planar cooking surface with a containment wall around the unit and an adjustable food divider that is used to keep unwanted liquids such as fat and water separate from other foods. One side of the ribbed grilling surface is elevated above the planar cooking surface and includes channels between the ribs that direct grilling liquids into a flat reservoir area. The ribs slope downwardly into the flat reservoir area. The detachable and slideable food divider has a lower portion that may be formed in a “U” or “V” shape. The food divider is used to isolate selected areas of the primary cooking unit and thereby restrict the mixing of foods and grilling liquids.

Abstract: The vehicular axle assembly includes an input shaft, a drive gear assembly connecting the input shaft to a pair of output shafts, pair of opposite wheel ends mounted to the outboard ends of the output shafts, a pair of wheel end disconnect assembly disposed between and selectively connecting each of the pair of the output shafts to the corresponding one of the wheel ends, and a control system controlling the wheel end disconnect assemblies to selectively transfer torque from the input shaft to either the wheel ends. Each of the wheel end disconnect assemblies has a hydraulically actuated friction clutch assembly integrated with the corresponding wheel ends for facilitating both selective torque coupling and limited slip between the wheel ends and the corresponding output shafts. The friction clutch assemblies are actuated by a hydraulic actuator, also adapted to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to a vehicle wheel brake system.

Abstract: A method of joining two vehicle axle housing components made from the same or dissimilar materials includes providing a first axle housing component, and providing a second axle housing component made from a material which is same/dissimilar to the material used to make the first axle housing component, where one of the first and second axle housing components is a metallic component made of a metallic material. A portion of one of the first and second axle housing components is positioned within a portion of the other of the axle housing components in an overlapping manner, thereby forming an overlapping portion. A metallic band may be disposed around the overlapping portion. An inductor is positioned around the overlapping portion.

Abstract: Solid state shear pulverization is utilized to form a compatibilized homogenous polymeric blend which has improved melt processing properties including a higher melt flow rate than the moldable base polymer without sacrificing, and often increasing the other physical properties including tensile strength, impact strength and elongation. The compatibilized, homogenous polymeric blend improves melt processing of the moldable polymer in injection molding, extrusion molding and blow molding, including the ability to down gauge blow molded films without sacrificing melt strength and the physical properties of the film.

Abstract: Air-diffusion panel for a motor vehicle including at least one air inlet and at least one air duct in communication with the said air inlet and air-distribution means, characterised in that it includes at least one resonant cavity (8) tuned so as at least partially to reduce the airstream noise in the said duct (4, 5, 6).

Abstract: A method for joining vehicle components together to form a vehicle frame assembly where the components are formed from dissimilar materials such as metallic and non-metallic materials. A composite body mount bracket may be attached to a structural component of a vehicle body and frame assembly by providing a body mount bracket having an opening formed therethrough and by providing a first structural component formed from a metallic material also having an opening formed therethrough. The body mount bracket is then positioned adjacent the first structural component such that the respective openings are aligned with one another. A second structural component formed of a metallic material is then inserted through the aligned openings. Next, the second structural component is welded first structural component through a magnetic pulse welding technique, and lastly, the second structural component is pulse formed or deformed so as to mechanically clamp the body mount bracket thereto.

Abstract: A phenyl ester is produced by allowing benzene, a carboxylic acid and molecular oxygen to react with each other in the presence of a catalyst comprising (A) palladium, (B) at least one element selected from elements of groups 13, 14, 15, and 16 and the fourth to sixth periods of the periodic table, and (C) at least one element selected from elements of groups 3, 4 and lanthanoid elements of the periodic table. Preferably, element (B) is selected from elements of group 16 and the fourth to sixth periods of the periodic table, and element (C) is contained in a metal oxide form in the catalyst.

Abstract: A controlled exhaust brake for an engine comprises an exhaust restrictor located in an exhaust system downstream of an exhaust manifold of an engine. An actuator operably associated with the restrictor adjusts the restrictor. A pressure sensor operably associated with the exhaust manifold senses pressure in the exhaust manifold. A controller determines a set pressure in the exhaust manifold correlated with speed of the engine. The controller is in communication with the pressure sensor and the actuator, and causes adjustment of the restrictor in order to achieve and maintain the set pressure in the exhaust manifold.

Abstract: A cathode cartridge of a testing device for electroplating is provided, and includes a dummy plate 7 as a negative pole provided outside a tabular front insulator 6. The dummy plate includes an orifice a having the same shape as a plated part 2a of a plated base 2 as a negative plate. Protruding portions 4 press contact to a peripheral part of the plated base 2a. A tabular cathode conductor 4 connects with a direct voltage source not soaked in a plating solvent. A tabular rear insulator 5 covers rear sides of the plated base 2 and the cathode conductor 4, and has a recess, into which the plated base 2 and the cathode conductor 4 are retained. A tabular front insulator 6 having an orifice having the same shape as the plated base 2a covers a front side of the cathode conductor 4. An elastic thin board 9 is sandwiched between the plate base 2 and the tabular front insulator.

Abstract: A floating and captured cage nut assembly includes a structural member that is U-shaped with a pair of rolled sides defining mounting legs and a rolled front end defining an anti-rotation flange. The rolled sides of the structural member are positioned on the component and are welded or otherwise secured thereto over the opening during manufacture. The floating and captured cage nut assembly further includes an anti-rotation plate having a hexagonal opening to receive a flange nut and a locking window. The anti-rotation plate and the flange nut are inserted within the structural member and the anti-rotation flange is received within the locking window with clearance to loosely secure the components together. The flange nut is retained on the component, and the anti-rotation plate prevents its rotation. The clearance between the anti-rotation flange and the locking window facilitates the threading of the fastener into the nut within a predetermined tolerance zone.

Abstract: A low-voltage drive circuit for driving a sensor coil in a coordinate input device at a constant current includes a DC coupling capacitor and a constant-current output bias circuit unit. The DC coupling capacitor is provided between an output of a constant-current output drive circuit unit and a sensor coil. The constant-current output bias circuit unit controls a DC bias voltage of the output of the constant-current output drive circuit unit to be a midpoint potential of an operating voltage range for the constant-current output drive circuit unit. The constant-current output drive circuit unit may include a drive source circuit segment and a drive sink circuit segment that function as a complementary constant-current circuit unit. Preferably, the drive source circuit segment and the drive sink circuit segment are connected to respective constant-current output bias circuit units.

Abstract: The invention concerns a tube (1) internally divided into two longitudinal channels (16) by a median spacer (9). In an end zone (4) penetrating a fluid box (19), the tube is deformed so as to be widened in its transverse section and shortened on either side of the spacer in the direction thereof. The space requirement of the fluid box in the longitudinal direction of the transverse sections of the tubes, and consequently the space requirement of the whole heat exchanger, can thereby be reduced relatively to the maximum space requirement of the array formed by the tubes and the separators (5) stacked therewith. The invention is applicable to cooling radiators of engines powering motor vehicles.