Abstract: A method for integrated processing of a high Voltage MOSFET device and a split gate MOSFET device whereby a novel method is provided to form the split gate device and the high voltage MOSFET device in parallel processing steps including an oxide formation step whereby an oxide spacer layer in a split gate device is formed using about the same overall thermal budget while forming in parallel a thick gate oxide for a an embedded high voltage MOSFET device.

Abstract: A reticle position detection system which detects an abnormal position of a reticle in order to prevent damage to the reticle by a reticle fork or pre-alignment unit used to orient the reticle for subsequent internalization into a process tool or other equipment. The reticle position detection system includes a laser beam generator provided on one side of the reticle and a laser beam sensor provided on the opposite side of the reticle. The laser beam generator emits a laser beam which is received by the laser beam sensor in the event that the reticle is correctly positioned for engagement by a reticle fork or pre-alignment unit.

Abstract: A heat curable resin composition consists essentially of a thermosetting resin, a curing agent chemically reacting with the resin for curing the resin upon the application of a predetermined amount of heat for a predetermined period of time, and a chemically inert salt which is soluble in the resin for increasing the dielectric loss factor of the composition without a significant increase in viscosity of the composition to accelerate the dielectric heating rate.A method of preparing the heat curable resin composition includes the steps of mixing the thermosetting resin and curing agent which chemically reacts with the resin for curing the resin upon the application of a predetermined amount of heat for a predetermined period of time and dissolving a chemically inert salt in the resin and increasing the dielectric loss factor of the composition without a significant increase in viscosity of the composition.

Abstract: A two-staged or sequential reaction injection molding (RIM) method of manufacturing a glass fiber mat reinforced plastic part having at least one appearance surface in which a high viscosity RIM material and a low viscosity RIM material are sequentially injected into a mold cavity containing at least one reinforcing member of a glass fiber mat.

Abstract: A vehicular powertrain mount assembly comprising two metal bracket members and a volume of a resilient elastomeric material sandwiched between and adhesively bonded to the two brackets. An epoxy adhesive is used in bonding the metal to the elastomer producing a bond having a minimum tensile rupture strength of 3,000 Newtons when tested by ASTM D-429.

Abstract: Thermoformable laminate films with a decorative feature include a polymer carrier film, a paint layer and a protective clearcoat and the clearcoat and paint layer have a preconfiguration which causes desired decorative features following deformation of the laminate by a thermoforming process. The laminated film has a paint coat of a desired hue and the protective clearcoat has a variable thickness selected to produce a two tone appearance in a finished molded product. The process of manufacture includes the steps of painting a polymeric support or carrier film and laminating the painted carrier film by process steps which will control the finished appearance of the laminate when applied to an underlying relatively rigid substrate or body part.

Abstract: A vehicular powertrain mount assembly comprising two metal bracket members and a volume of a resilient elastomeric material sandwiched between and adhesively bonded to the two brackets. An epoxy adhesive is used in bonding the metal to the elastomer producing a bond having a minimum tensile rupture strength of 3,000 Newtons when tested by ASTM D-429.

Abstract: Epoxy tooling which inherently expands and contracts with temperature changes for making parts of metal or plastic has elongated rods extending through guide tubes within the tooling and compression washers or plates on opposite sides thereof. These compression devices for strengthening the tool can be selectively adjusted toward and away from one another using nuts threaded on the rods for varying the compression load on the tooling in accordance with varying tool operating loads, working temperatures and amounts of expansion or contraction. Epoxy tools for molding plastics are heated and expanded to a working temperature and then compressively loaded in selected areas prior to molding operations to prevent tool stress cracking or epoxy tools for metal stamping are compressively loaded and supported in selected areas of high tensile stress and operated at room temperatures for high load metal stamping without fracture.

Abstract: A method of producing glass fiber mat reinforced plastic panels having at least one smooth appearance surface in a set of two matched mold members having interior mold surfaces defining a mold cavity contained therein of which at least one interior surface is the mirror image of the appearance surface of the panel. The method includes the steps of placing at least one layer of glass fiber mat in a mold cavity, pouring a polymeric material into the cavity saturating the glass fiber mat, closing the two mold members together with at least one layer of a flexible sheeting material disposed over and adjacent to the interior mold surface opposing the interior mold surface producing the appearance surface of the panel, clamping the two mold members together, curing the polymeric material for a sufficient time into a hard plastic panel, and opening the matched mold members and demold a finished panel having at least one smooth appearance surface.

Abstract: This mold tooling has a hot drop assembly operatively mounted in a bore formed therein which opens to a mold face. Heated plastic material is fed to a feed tube of the hot drop assembly and this material is heated at a temperature higher than the working temperature of the mold during its transit the face of the tool by electrically energized heater bands encircling the feed tube. The space between the heater bands and bore wall accommodates tubing through which a flow of chilled cooling air is injected. The temperature and amount of the cooling air may be regulated to match the heat energy discharged by the heating bands into the bore and to the body of the tooling. The flow of cooling air transmits heat energy out of the bore so that heat sensitive plastic materials being molded is not degraded by hot drop assembly heat energy that otherwise would be conducted by the tool body to the tool face.

Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension has a thin high strength elastomeric membrane. The membrane is formed from block copolymer material by a process in which a sheet is extruded and tensioned to orient molecules in a select direction with respect to the membrane; the oriented membrane is annealed to retain the orientation during cyclical deformation of the membrane. The sheet form membrane is adapted to be connected with respect to a vehicle seat assembly frame and to serve as a backing for foam seating material and wherein the oriented structure of the membrane provides a two stage modulus in the direction of the orientation for providing static and dynamic load support characteristics which impart passenger comfort without increasing the weight of a seat assembly.

Abstract: A method for making a composite foam part includes the steps of forming a retainer member, forming a foam member having an outer skin portion and an inner barrier film portion, and applying a contact curable adhesive system to the retainer member and barrier film portion of the foam member. The retainer member is clamped against the barrier film portion of the foam member capturing the adhesive therebetween.

Abstract: A rotary indirect printing assembly for printing objects to be sequentially cycled past the assembly including a printing drum presenting a printing surface and a platform with the printing drum rotatably supported upon the platform. The assembly also includes a transfer roller presenting a transfer surface with the transfer roller rotatably supported upon the platform and rotating in time with the printing drum. The printing surface of the printing drum and the transfer surface of the transfer roller are in tangential rotational contact with respect to each other to transfer an ink image from the printing surface to the transfer surface to transfer the image to an object as an object is sequentially cycled past the assembly. The printing drum and the transfer roller are disposed vertically with respect to the platform.

Abstract: A spark plug has a center electrode and a side electrode made of an iron-base, heat resistant (iron, chromium, aluminum, rare earth) alloy. Each electrode has a precious metal insert of a composition that thermally matches the base alloy of the electrodes. The electrodes are made by a method which coats the electrodes with a protective coating to reduce operational oxidation and lead/oil deposit degradation of the interface between such iron based heat resistant alloys and an insert button in the center and side electrodes so as to extend the spark plug's life.

Abstract: A composite tread member used in a track for a track-laying vehicle. The tread member is molded of a polymeric material reinforced with abrasion resistant fibers. It can be molded in a reaction injection molding process or in a resin transfer molding process by first placing a metal support member and a plurality of reinforcing fiber bundles in the mold and then inject a polymeric matrix material into the mold. The reinforcing fiber bundles used in or novel composite tread member can be first interwoven with polyester fiber bundles into narrow webbing and then rolled up in elongated rolls or pleated in pleats of predetermined width and thickness. The polymeric matrix material used in the composite tread member can be either a Nylon 6 RIM, a polyurethane RIM, or a polyurea RIM material. Our novel composite tread members have superior abrasion resistant properties and durability when compared to a conventional unreinforced tread member.

Abstract: A thermoplastic blend of polyethylene terephthalate, a polyester elastomer, and an aromatic phosphite. The polyblend has greatly improved impact strength.

Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension has a thin high strength elastomeric membrane. The membrane is formed from block copolymer material by a process in which a sheet is extruded and tensioned to orient molecules in a select direction with respect to the membrane; the oriented membrane is annealed to retain the orientation during cyclical deformation of the membrane. The sheet form membrane is adapted to be connected with respect to a vehicle seat assembly frame and to serve as a backing for foam seating material and wherein the oriented structure of the membrane provides a two stage modulus in the direction of the orientation for providing static and dynamic load support characteristics which impart passenger comfort without increasing the weight of a seat assembly.

Abstract: A method of producing a smooth surface on a premolded glass fiber reinforced plastic panel where protruding fibers would otherwise produce a rough surface. The method is practiced by coating the surface of a premolded glass fiber reinforced plastic panel maintained at or near the molding temperature with a polyurethane composition, and applying molding pressure on the coated surface to cause the coating resin to flow and fill the valleys between the protruding fibers. The molding pressure is released while the coating resin is still in its fluid state. A finished, smooth panel is made by this process which can be readily painted and used as an automotive exterior body panel. Optionally, a layer of a predecorated sheet material can first be placed in the upper mold cavity of a mold, then compressed against a premolded panel positioned in the lower mold cavity with a layer of coating resin sandwiched in between.

Abstract: A method of applying a carrier film prepainted with metallic paint containing metal flakes to an automobile body panel in a vacuum forming process.

Abstract: A high bond strength, high heat resistant water-based adhesive designed for bonding a vinyl substrate to a polyolefin surface.