Abstract: An adhesive composition containing a polyvinyl alcohol-stabilized butadiene polymer latex and a methylene donor compound. The butadiene polymer latex is prepared by an emulsion polymerization in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol. The adhesive composition may also contain other optional ingredients such as a supplemental polymeric film-forming component, a nitroso compound crosslinker, a maleimide compound crosslinker, a vulcanizing agent, and an acid-scavenging compound. The polyvinyl alcohol-stabilized butadiene polymer latex and methylene donor compound combine to provide a tightly crosslinked, robust film which provides for excellent adhesion and environmental resistance.

Abstract: Polyurethane compositions including the reaction product of a polyurethane prepolymer component including (a) at least one isocyanate-terminated polyalkadiene prepared by capping hydroxy-terminated polyalkadiene having a molecular weight from about 1500 to about 5000 grams per mol (g/mol) with isocyanate; and (b) at least one additional isocyanate-terminated polyalkadiene prepared by capping hydroxy-terminated polyalkadiene having a molecular weight from about 500 to about 1500 g/mol with isocyanate with a curative component. The compositions exhibit numerous useful properties, such as low glass transition temperature (Tg) high temperature stability, low viscosity at room and elevated temperatures, flexibility and flat dynamic mechanical properties versus temperature.

Abstract: An adhesive composition including as principal components: (a) about 10-90% by weight of at least one free radical-polymerizable monomer, (b) about 0-20% by weight of an adhesion promoter, (c) about 10-80% by weight of a primary low molecular weight toughener (or toughening agent) with a weight average molecular weight (Mw) less than about 18,000 or a number average molecular number (Mn) less than about 10,000 and; (d) about 1-15% by weight of an auxiliary high molecular weight toughener (or toughening agent) with a Mw greater than about 18,000 or a Mn greater than about 10,000 based on the total weight of components (a)-(d).

Abstract: Magnetorheological fluid compositions that include a carrier fluid, magnetic-responsive particles and an organoclay. These fluids exhibit superior soft sedimentation.

Abstract: Benzylidenecyanoacetates having a structure represented by wherein each R4 and R5 is the same or different and is selected from alkoxy, alkyl or alkyl ether. These benzylidenecyanoacetates are liquid at room temperature, have low volatility and are odor free and, thus, are useful in formulating adhesives and coatings. There is also provided a method for making a benzylidenecyanoacetate having a structure represented by formula B the method including: (e) reacting an alkyl cyanoacetate with a benzaldehyde to produce an alkyl benzylidenecyanoacetate and then (f) reacting the resulting alkyl benzylidenecyanoacetate with a hydroxy-functional reactant to produce the benzylidenecyanoacetate of formula B, wherein R6 is an alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl ether or a polymer backbone residue moiety.

Abstract: A composition that includes (a) at least one elastomer; (b) at least one curing agent; and (c) at least 15 parts (per hundred parts by weight of the elastomer) of an antiozonant package that includes at least two antiozonants that are each selected from different antiozonant classes wherein the antiozonant classes are dialkyl p-phenylenediamine, N-alkyl N-aryl phenylenediamine and 2,4,6-tris(N-alkyl-p-phenylenediamino)-1,3,5 triazine. The composition is useful to make a shear element for use in a damper or a load element for use in a mount.

Abstract: A deformable grip (10) for handheld implements such as writing pen (20) and other handheld equipment such as shaving instruments, medical instruments, sporting equipment, and similar articles, which is capable of being deformed in conformance with the user's s hands and fingers. The present grip (10) includes an elastomeric sleeve (40) filled with a magnetorheological (MR) fluid (60) and a magnetic field generator that acts upon such fluid to adjust grip deformability. In a preferred form of the invention, the implement body (32) or other equipment handle is configured to include a recessed cavity (35) wherein the (MR) fluid-filled sleeve (40) resides. A permanent magnet assembly (34) is disposed within the tubular sleeve (40) such that in an on-state of the present grip (10), the magnetic flux field extends radially to pass through the (MR) fluid (60) to instantaneously solidify it in a relatively nondeformable set condition in conformance with the user's anatomical contours.

Abstract: A controllable valve assembly (18) applicable in Magnetorheological (MR) fluid devices (20), such as MR mounts and MR dampers. The valve assembly (18) includes a valve body (32) having a magnetic circuit (40) contained therein which carries magnetic flux .phi., a controllable passageway (42) within the magnetic circuit (40), a MR (magnetically controlled) fluid (44) including soft-magnetic particles in a liquid carrier contained in the controllable passageway (42), a magnetic flux generator, such as a wound wire coil (46), generating magnetic flux .phi. which is directed through the MR fluid (44) in the controllable passageway (42) thereby generating "rheology" changes causing restriction in flow of MR fluid (44) therethrough.

Abstract: A composition that includes an epoxy compound, a thiol curing agent, a catalyst and a phosphorus--containing compound having at least one P--OH group and at least one organic moiety characterized by the presence of an ethylenically unsaturated group. The composition is particularly useful as a sealer for an adhesive joint.

Abstract: Magnetorheological fluid compositions that include an aqueous carrier fluid, magnetic-responsive particles and an additive selected from bentonite or hectorite. This fluid exhibits excellent stability and is easy to re-disperse. Preferably, all the ingredients are inorganic.

Abstract: An aqueous phenolic resin dispersion that includes an aqueous continuous phase and, dispersed within the aqueous phase, the reaction product of a phenolic resin precursor and a modifying agent wherein the modifying agent includes at least one ionic group and at least one functional moiety that enables the modifying agent to undergo condensation with the phenolic resin precursor. The resulting dispersed phenolic resin reaction product includes at least one phenolic ring to which is bound the ionic group from the modifying agent. The pendant ionic group is a sulfate, sulfonate, sulfinate, sulfenate or oxysulfonate and the reaction-enabling moiety preferably is a hydroxy or hydroxyalkyl.

Abstract: An aqueous adhesive composition includes at least one vinyl silane and at least one water dispersible polyisocyanate. The aqueous adhesive composition exhibits low VOC emissions and can be used to bond vulcanizable rubbers to a variety of substrates.

Abstract: An isolator (26) and assembly method therefor. The isolator (26) is particularly useful for aircraft thrust reverser doors, and the like, and includes an outer member (28), and a isolator component (29). The outer member (28) has a central axis (A--A), a generally non-planar inner peripheral surface (32), and first and second axially extending slotted entryways (48, 48'). The isolator component (29) preferably includes a component axis (B--B), an inner member (30) having an external radial peripheral surface (33), and an elastomer or metal mesh member (40) surrounding said external radial peripheral surface (33). The isolator component (29) is assembled and retained within said outer member (28) by insertion endwise through said first and second slotted entryways (48, 48'), and rotating 90.degree. such that the component axis (B--B) is substantially aligned with the central axis (A--A).

Abstract: A fluid damper to damp unwanted vibration between a first member (21) and a second member (23, 23'), such as between a rotor blade and hub within a helicopter rotor system. According to a first aspect, the fluid damper (20) includes an outer member (22), first and second inner members (24, 24'), first and second elastomeric elements (26, 26'), a hollow (28), a divider (30) subdividing hollow (28) into first (32) and second (32') operating chambers, a connector (34) interconnecting first (24) and second (24') inner members, a fluid passageway (36) interconnecting operating chambers (32, 32'), a fluid (38) contained within said passageway (36) and operating chambers (32, 32'), and a volume compensator (40) including a compensator chamber (42) housed within one of first (24) and second (24') inner members. In another aspect, an annular bubble trap (58) is formed in a wall portion (62) of the operating chamber (32) to focus any air bubbles into a fill port (54) during fill.

Abstract: A method for controlling end stop collisions in electro-mechanical systems including dampers or actuators. In a first aspect, a velocity-squared control method determines an end stop control signal (V.sub.end stop) based, at least in part, upon a square of the relative velocity (V.sub.inst). Preferably, the displacement (.delta..sub.end) to the end stop is also used to derive the end stop control signal (V.sub.end stop). In another aspect, a snubber control method is employed which produces a snubber control signal (V.sub.snub) based, at least in part, upon a continuous function of a snubber incursion distance (.delta..sub.z) within a snubber zone (Z). Preferably, the velocity-squared end stop and the snubber control methods operate together. When used in conjunction with an end stop control method, the snubber control method prevents end stop collisions for cases where the end stop control algorithm alone would not.

Abstract: A fluid and elastomer damper includes a first and second members and an elastomer section flexibly mounting the second member to the first member and allowing lateral movement therebetween. The elastomer section includes an inner wall forming a portion of a cavity defined within the damper and a damping fluid disposed within the cavity. A flexible damping plate separates the cavity into first and second chambers. At least one passageway is formed between the damping plate and the inner wall, the passageway exhibiting a gap dimension between the wall and the damping plate. When lateral movement occurs between the first and second members, the gap dimension is maintained substantially constant by flexing of the damping plate along the lateral direction.

Abstract: A fluid mounting (20) for isolating or damping vibration between a vibrating member (21) and a structure (23). In one aspect, the fluid mounting (20) includes inner (22) and outer (24) members, a flexible element (26), first (28) and second (30) operating chambers, a fluid passageway (32) interconnecting operating chambers (28, 30), and a partitionless volume compensator (36) including a compensator chamber (38) separated into a gas-filled portion (40) and a fluid-filled portion (42). Notably, the chamber (38) is devoid of any separating barrier. At least one lock passage (44) interconnects the fluid-filled portion (42) with one of the first and second operating chambers (28, 30), and a working fluid (34). Preferably a bubble trap depression (46) focuses any gas bubbles into the lock passage (44). In another aspect, mounting (20) may include laminated shim construction with sloping profiles thereon to prevent bubble trapping.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid that includes a carrier component and a magnetizable particle component wherein the magnetizable particle component is a mixture of at least a first particle group having an average particle diameter and a second particle group having an average particle diameter wherein the average particle diameter of said first particle group is 3 to 15 times larger than the average particle diameter of said second particle group.

Abstract: An Active Vibration Absorber assembly (20) including a casing (24), a first tuning mass (32) supported relative to the casing (24) which is actively vibratable by a force generator (40) in a first direction (along an A--A axis), a second tuning mass (32') supported relative to said casing (24) which is actively vibratable by a force generator (40') in a second direction (along axis B--B) generally orthogonal to the first direction, and a flexible member (26) flexibly supporting the casing (24). In a first embodiment, the tuning masses (32, 32') are vibratable by a magnet and coil assembly within shakers (25, 25') and the flexible member (26) is a beam. In other embodiments, multiple beams are employed to restrict the vibration of casing (24) to substantially planar motion. The AVA assembly (20) finds application in Active Structural Control (ASC) systems for actively canceling vibration or noise in vehicle cabins (example: automobiles, aircraft).

Abstract: A primerless method for repairing a substrate surface that includes applying to the surface a curable filler composition that includes (i) an epoxy compound, (ii) a polythiol curing agent, and (iii) a catalyst and then curing the composition. The filler composition can also include a polyamine in addition to the catalyst.