Abstract: The present invention relates to light weight molded plastic articles and methods of making same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a hollow-core, foamed-plastic, film-laminate article utilizing convention gas assisted molding apparatus with corresponding high production rate capabilities. The resulting film-laminate, hollow-core, foamed-plastic part comprises a class A show-face surface. The method comprises formation of a porous mass of molten plastic in the mold cavity containing the laminate. The molten plastic is cored out or hollowed by injection of gas into the mold cavity.

Abstract: A windshield molding for insertion in the space between a windshield glass panel and a window opening of a vehicle body panel. The windshield molding structure includes a clasp portion, a bendable portion, and a channel lip portion. The clasp portion conformingly adheres to the edge of the windshield glass and the bendable portion engages the periphery of the window opening wherein the bendable portion bends and folds under the channel lip portion to provide an air-tight compression seal between the window glass and vehicle body panel, thereby minimizing undesirable air flow whistling and collection of dirt or other debris within the windshield molding structure. A windshield molding is also provided with a water drain channel which guides rainwater along the edge of the molding structure to prevent the water fluid from being sprayed onto the side windows.

Abstract: A garage monitoring system for use with an automatic garage door opening mechanism that includes a carbon monoxide detector configured to sense the presence of carbon monoxide within the garage and generate an audible alarm when carbon monoxide reaches a predetermined level in the garage. A heater is positioned adjacent the carbon monoxide detector for maintaining the carbon monoxide detector above a minimum operational temperature. The garage monitoring system further includes a garage door position sensor for determining the position of the garage door and generating a signal corresponding to the position of the garage door.

Abstract: A transmission device between a primary motor shaft and a drive shaft for the wheels of self-propelled lawn mowers having a driving member connectable to a motor shaft, an output shaft, and a helically threaded driven gear rotatably mounted and moveable axially on the output shaft, the driven gear including an exterior driving surface and an interior surface, the interior surface including a plurality of teeth fixed in rotation with the gear, the teeth having a sloped leading edge and trailing edges substantially on a plane extending radially outward from the center of the driven gear, the outer engaging surface in constant engagement with the driving member so that the driven gear rotates whenever the driving member rotates.

Abstract: Rocker panel/clip house combination is shown wherein a first support member of the clip house is connected to the rocker panel at a first junction that is located between the top surface of the part and a depending side surface. The side surface is connected to a part surface at a second juncture or radiused section. A second support member of the clip house is attached to the surface at a location that is laterally spaced from the second juncture.

Abstract: A muffler for coupling to an exhaust port of an internal combustion engine. The muffler includes a housing having an exhaust inlet configured to receive exhaust gas from the engine, at least one internal expansion chamber and an outlet opening. The muffler further includes a diffuser cover attached to the housing over the exhaust opening of the housing forming an exhaust outlet of the muffler. The diffuser cover forms a trap chamber, a restricted throat and an ejector portion. The ejector portion is configured to draw in ambient air through an air inlet to cool the exhaust gas as it passes through the exhaust outlet. The restricted throat is positioned downstream from said trap chamber and has a smaller cross-sectional area than said trap chamber so as to increases the velocity of the exhaust gas as the exhaust gas passes through the restricted throat and into the ejector portion so as to aid in drawing in ambient air.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting depletion of mineral values from pregnant lixiviant solutions comprise contacting the requisite metal ore with a preg-robbing inhibition agent (PRIA) comprising (I) alkyl polyglucoside surfactants; (II) imidazoline based amphoteric surfactants; (III) hydroformylation products of lower (C2–C8) alkanes in an organic solvent medium, and (IV) esters and aldehydes.

Abstract: A sputtering target and a backing plate are diffusion-bonded with or without an insert or inserts interposed there-between so as to have a solid phase diffusion-bonded interface. The sputtering target substantially maintains its metallurgical characteristic and properties even though it has been diffusion-bonded to the backing plate. The solid-diffusion bonding of the target and backing plate, is achieved at a low temperature and pressure and results in interdiffusion of constituent atoms to attain high adhesion and bond strength without attendant deterioration or large deformation of the target material, while inhibiting the crystal growth in the target material. The bond undergoes no abrupt decrease in bond strength upon elevation of the service temperature. One hundred percent bonding is achieved with non-bonded portions such as pores left along the interface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a desiccant cartridge (10) adapted for use in a canister (14) of an integrated receiver/dryer or accumulator assembly of an automotive air conditioning system wherein the canister (14) has an offset inlet port (16). The desiccant cartridge (10) includes a desiccant cup (18) having a center tube (36) and a desiccant cap (12) including a planar portion (44) having a recessed port area (46) provided with a first aperture (56), or first tube (72), for cooperation with a side tube (78) and/or the offset inlet port (16) of the canister (14). The cap (12) further includes a docking piece (80) provided with a second aperture (88), or second tube (92), for cooperating with the center tube (36) of the cup (18) when the cap (12) is retained therein.

Abstract: Quinone methide derivatives such as 4-benzylidene-2,6-di-tert-butyl-cyclohexa-2,5 dienone are used to inhibit styrene monomer polymerization in the dehydrogenator portion of a styrene monomer production system. The inhibitor contacts the dehydrogenation effluent and does not partition in substantial amounts to the aqueous phase that is separated in the phase separator.

Abstract: A desiccant container (2) which comprises a generally cylindrically cross-sectioned cup, two dual-density fiberglass discs (6, 8), desiccant material (4), and a cap (16). The cup includes an outer annular portion, an inner tubular portion, and a bottom which connect together to define a space within. The cap (16) has a planar portion with an aperture for receiving the inner wall portion of the cup and is designed for receipt in the chamber to cover the opening. The cap further includes an outer annular rim portion extending transversely from the planar portion. The peripheral flange portion having tabs with an edge portion which permit the cap to cooperate with the outer wall portion having tabs with an edge portion which permit the cap to cooperate with the outer wall portion so that the cap can be retained within the chamber in one of a number of axially spaced positions to prevent shifting of, and escape of the desiccant.

Abstract: The present application pertains to unconventional sputter target/backing plate assemblies (10) for high power operation and to the low temperature method of making them. The sputter target/backing plate assemblies (10) comprise targets (12) and backing plates (16) having dissimilar thermal coefficients of expansion. Although the consolidated targets (12) and backing plates (16) have dissimilar thermal coefficients of expansion, they are able to be bonded together and used at high sputtering temperatures without bowing or bending and are able to utilize backing plates (16) normally associated with a specified target metal. In the method of making, a plurality of male projections (16) are formed in one member of the assembly (10) with a plurality of corresponding female grooves (32) formed in the other surface. The assembly (10) is bonded by conventional techniques around an annular zone that surrounds the male (26) and female portions (32).

Abstract: A process for removing iron impurities from sand by treatment of an aqueous slurry of the sand with a chelating agent for iron cations.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a process of making ASTM quality masonry cement, mortar cement, and stucco cement (also called plastic cement) and to the products themselves which are useful in making ASTM quality mortar for masonry construction or ASTM quality stucco for plastering construction. These cements are classified as hydraulic cements and are made using selected pozzolan(s), such as natural pozzolan and fly ashes, Portland Cement, hydrated lime, and an air-entraining agent. Other additives, such as fibers, may be added to further modify its properties. The pozzolans act as functional ingredients in the mix rather than as a filler. As a result, concentrations of greater than 25 wt. % and more pozzolan can be produced.

Abstract: Processes for making acrylic acid/allyl ether copolymers are provided wherein hypo phosphorous acid and its salts are used as chain transfer agents during the polymerization process. The hypo phosphorous acid feed time is regulated in comparison to the feed time of the acrylic acid feed at a duration of about 0–75% hypo phosphorous acid feed:total acrylic acid feed time. Phosphorus containing copolymers made by the processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a critical size for a diameter of an Al2O3 inclusion (38) in an Al or Al alloy sputter target (42) to prevent arcing during sputtering thereof. This method includes providing a sputtering apparatus having an argon plasma. The plasma has a plasma sheath of a known thickness during sputtering under a selected sputtering environment of an Al or Al alloy sputter target having an Al2O3 inclusion-free sputtering surface. When the thickness of the sheath is known for a selected sputtering environment, the critical size of an Al2O3 inclusion (38) can be determined based upon the thickness of the sheath. More specifically, the diameter of an Al2O3 inclusion (38) in an Al or Al alloy sputter target (42) must be less than the thickness of the plasma sheath during sputtering under the selected sputtering environment to inhibit arcing.

Abstract: An improved rocker panel on side sill construction includes a substantially planar horizontal top portion, a side portion with a substantially convex show surface and a substantially concave hidden surface opposite the show surface, and a clip house mounting structure disposed on the hidden surface. The improvement consists of joining the clip house to the rocker panel or side sill at the juncture formed between the top show surface and side show surface of the part. Preferably, this joint comprises at least one hollow channel surrounded by a reinforcing rib connecting to the hidden surface proximate the juncture of the top portion with the side portion and connecting the clip house mounting structure to this rib. The channel and reinforcing rib may run substantially longitudinally the length of the rocker panel. The channel and reinforcing rib inhibiting sagging in the top portion of the part between adjacent clip house mounting structures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the monitoring and measurement of chemical and/or biological deposition in heat exchangers and other fluid processing vessels. The new and original sensing system includes at least two hollow fluid vessels conductively mounted across a constant heat transfer path. Thin film heat flux sensors are attached to a heat transfer surface of the vessels in order to measure changes in differential heat flux that occur when deposition begins to accumulate in the vessel. In this way, it is shown that differential heat flux measurements can be used to detect and measure the early onset of chemical and/or biological deposition.

Abstract: A preferred sputter target assembly (10, 10?) comprises a target (12, 12?), a backing plate (14, 14?) bonded to the target (12, 12?) along an interface (22, 22?) and dielectric particles (20, 20?) between the target (12, 12?) and the backing plate (14, 14?). A preferred method for manufacturing the sputter target assembly (10, 10?) comprises the steps of providing the target (12, 12?) and the backing plate (14, 14?); distributing the dielectric particles (20, 20?) between mating surfaces (24, 26) of the target (12, 12?) and the backing plate (14, 14?), most preferably along a sputtering track pattern on one of the mating surfaces; and bonding the target (12, 12?) to the backing plate (14, 14?) along the mating surfaces (24, 26).