Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the recycling of trim components of vehicles. The method comprises the steps of shredding manufacturing scrap and post-consumer scrap from vehicle headliners into small particles to produce fluff. This fluff is then combined with water and a binder reagent composed of either polyisocyanates, or polyisocyanates combined with various polyols. The solution of fluff, binder reagent and water are mixed, and then placed in a mold where the mixture is formed into a pre-preg sheet. Subsequently, the pre-preg sheet is subjected to compression molding at elevated temperatures to produce a finished composite trim panel. As part of the final compression molding step, a decorative coverstock can be included to produce a finished trim panel having a decorative cover.

Abstract: A mounting device for securing an appliance such as a flat screen television to a support including a base that is mounted to the support and a frame that is adapted to releasably secure the appliance. The base and frame are connected together by arms which are rotatably connected to the frame and base by hinges which permit the appliance to be positioned in a number of horizontal positions with respect to the support. Vertical positioning of the appliance with respect to the support is accomplished by further including pivoting connectors on the frame to which the arms are attached.

Abstract: A beauty coil that is in the form of a rod which is comprised of a mass of continuous fibers which run the length of the rod. The fibers are held in a compressed state by an outer sheathing, which when removed, allows the fiber mass to expand or blossom prior to use.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for allowing a powder paint system to utilize reclaimed oversprayed powder paint of various colors by collecting it in a common reclaim collector system. The reclaimed powder paint is then applied to a work piece as a base coat to attain a portion of the total film build required. The remainder of the film thickness is then applied in subsequent application of virgin powder paint.

Abstract: This invention discloses new and improved multi-layer coatings for gas turbine engine parts that are exposed to elevated temperatures, such as blades and vanes in the high pressure compressor and turbine of multi-stage aircraft engines, by applying a diamond film over columnar thermal barrier coatings such as yttria-stabilized zirconia, improving the erosion resistance of the thermal barrier coating.

Abstract: A lighting system mountable to a support surface comprising a mounting bracket and a light housing having a lens attached thereto and a bulb located the lens. A photo control is also include which has a gradient of decreased opacity which controls the duration of operation of the light by adjustably limiting the amount of light sensed by the control. In addition, a shield located between the bulb and the lens may be provided. The shield is positionable about the bulb to selectively block light emitted by the bulb.The mounting bracket has a first support and a second support and the housing is adapted to releasably engage the supports in a sequential manner whereby when the first support is engaged, the housing is pivoted about the first support until the housing is in engagement with the second support. The housing then coacts with the second support so that it is secured to the mounting bracket in a fixed manner.

Abstract: An torch having a configuration for having a plurality of self sustaining positions is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention discloses a flexible torch sleeve including a plurality of pivotable elements in combination with a torch tip that reduces or eliminates thermal conductivity by the plume to the torch sleeve, thus enabling the adjustment of the sleeve to a variety of self sustaining positions during operation.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion into a body cavity having a flexible, elongated, hollow wall. An electrosensitive gel is located in the hollow elongated wall with an electrode connected to the gel. The application of a voltage to the electrode enables the catheter to be made rigid or flexible.

Abstract: An intelligent material unit formed of an intelligent gel encapsulated within an enclosure. When the gel is actuated by a change in temperature thereof, such as heat and/or by an externally applied field such as an electrical current, electric field, magnetic field, ultrasonic energy (or sonic), microwave energy, a laser beam or a combination thereof, at least a portion of the wall of the container or enclosure is deformed to perform a mechanical function or operation; such as to valve a fluid or cause movement of the container and gel through a fluid or in a passageway. The container may be a thin-skinned flexible plastic, such as an elastomer and may be elongated or sausage-like in shape, or strip-like. It may be free travelling, cantilever-supported or otherwise mounted or attached to a device, machine or element. It may also carry a drug for delivery therefrom at a select location and time.

Abstract: An uncooked meat portion that has shape-retaining and non-agglomeration properties is formed by subjecting the meat product to a process that causes controlled migration of soluble protein to the surface of nugget portions for positive internal binding characteristics, and subsequently heating the portions to a sufficient level to denature the surface proteins thereby encapsulating each portion in a thin-layer that will not stick to other encapsulated portions and that will enable each uncooked portion to retain it shape during handling.

Abstract: A tubing pinch valve and mounting bracket assembly is disclosed, the valve having a cylindrical valve body, and the bracket having a flexible base with two upstanding jaws. The valve body and each jaw have releasably engagable retention members, such that upon flexing of the base, the retention members may be disengaged to permit assembly or disassembly from the valve to the bracket.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of making new and improved diamond, "diamond-like carbon" (a-C) and "diamond-like hydrocarbon" (a-C:H) coatings bonded to substrates by using intermediate bonding layers comprising amorphous "glassy" metals, engineered to reduce the residual stress in the diamond coatings, and to articles of manufacture made using such methods.

Abstract: An improved trigger circuitry for a high side thyristor application having a thyristor connected to an A/C line, a capacitor connected across the A/C line to A/C neutral through impedance, an electronic switch connected from the thyristor to the junction of the capacitor and associate impedance. During the positive portion of the A/C cycle, the thyristor is triggered in quadrant III via the switch and the capacitor is charged. During the negative portion of the A/C cycle, the discharge of the capacitor triggers quadrant II of the thyristor via the switch.

Abstract: A flow control device for providing variable resistance to liquid flow through a flow passageway. A cylindrical housing communicates with the passageway. The housing has a sidewall, and an inlet and an outlet each disposed at two ends. A vortex generator is located within the housing, and has a base spaced from the inlet end of the housing and an annular flow guide radially spaced from the housing sidewall. The flow guide includes a number of slots. Liquid enters the housing through the inlet and is directed outside the vortex generator and through the slots. This creates a vortex flow path within the generator as the liquid flows to the housing outlet, so that as the pressure of the liquid at the inlet increases the flow factor of the device decreases to reduce the liquid flow rate through the device at higher inlet pressures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for forming a hermetically sealed package for a slice of a food item. A web of thermoplastic material is first formed into a tubular arrangement with a hermetic longitudinal seal. To form the tubular arrangement, means are provided for folding a continuous web of thermoplastic material into V-folded condition and for continuously forming a hermetic seal along the open longitudinal edge of the V-folded web. The hermetic seal is formed between the inner surfaces of the front and rear faces of the web to define a tubular web member. The food item which has been formed into a soft mass, is then inserted into the tubular member and the tubular member is flattened to form a thin film tube. Means are provided for forming a hermetically sealed cross-seal which are disposed substantially transverse to the longitudinal forward moving direction of the web.

Abstract: An automobile door receiver module (30) and a plurality of keychain fob transmitter units (16) contain identification numbers, secret initial values, and secret feedback masks so as to authenticate encrypted messages from any of the assigned fobs, indicative of commands registered by closing switches on the fob. Each fob is synchronized with the receiving module by means of a truly random number concatenated with a secret initial value and encrypted, through a linear feedback shift register or other operations. A second secret initial value is encrypted and command bits are exclusive ORed into the low order bit positions; the two encrypted numbers are concatenated and encrypted to form a key word which is transmitted with the fob ID. Synchronization includes decrypting to recover the truly random number and the secret initial value concatenated therewith; the truly random number is compared with previously received random numbers in order to avoid copying of recently transmitted synchronization commands.