Abstract: A thermostatic expansion valve includes a valve body having an evaporator inlet port, an evaporator outlet port, a suction line port, and a liquid line port. A sensor chamber formed within the valve body is disposed between the evaporator outlet port and the suction line port. A valve is disposed within the valve body controls a flow of refrigerant from the liquid line port to the evaporator inlet port. A diaphragm separates a charge chamber and a pressure chamber where a pressure differential between a charge chamber and a pressure chamber controls the positioning of the valve. A restriction flow passage located to provide fluid communication between the sensor chamber and the pressure chamber is configured to limit a flow rate from the pressure chamber to sensor chamber, thereby slowing the opening of the valve resulting in a reduction of noise generated following an initial startup of a compressor.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hollow parison includes forming a parison having a wall of multiple layers of polymer including a barrier layer, and open ends, each end having an end surface extending around the periphery of the respective end. A mold is formed having a first section and a second section facing the first section, the mold forming a cavity between the two mold sections when the mold is closed, and defining surfaces to which the parison conforms when the mold is closed. The mold sections are closed on the parison such that in the mold at each end of the parison a first portion of each end surface is compressed against a second portion of the respective end surface. The mold sections are further closed on the parison such the barrier layer of the first portion and second portion of the end surface at each parison end are joined and welded mutually along a seal line. Then the mold is opened and a hollow, formed tank is removed from the mold.

Abstract: An integrated air bag chute structure that provides means for providing automatic interlocking attachment of the chute to the substrate of an instrument panel. By inserting the air bag chute into a substrate aperture and utilizing slots, depressions and notches formed in the chute structure beneath a surrounding flange, the aperture edges are captured and retained to thereby lock the chute in place.

Abstract: A work surface/storage system can be attached to a motor vehicle which has a passenger compartment with a driver seat, a passenger seat, a passenger restraint belt, and a dash panel in front of the passenger seat. A main body section of the system includes at least one flat surface for providing a writing support for a person in the driver seat, at least one storage bin, and a bottom surface for positioning on the passenger seat. A belt receptacle is located at a rearward end of the main body for capturing the passenger restraint belt so that tension in the passenger restraint belt loads the rearward end against the passenger seat. A front wing section extends forward and upward from the main body section to a distal end. The distal end includes an attachment tab. A bay is provided in the dash panel including a holder for capturing the attachment tab.

Abstract: An integrated air bag support structure that functions to dissipate excessive energy from a door panel during air bag deployment includes a support base configured to surround a door support panel. An air bag chute tube extends downward from the support base and contains a plurality of skirt walls. The door support panel separated from the support base by a gap on all four sides. A hinge element extends between one of the skirt walls of the air bag chute tube and one edge of the door support panel, and includes a plurality of pivoting elements and an arm extension to absorb energy during deployment.

Abstract: A console retainer mounts to a floor of a motor vehicle and receives a floor transmission shifter assembly. The shifter assembly has a forward end and a rearward end. The console retainer includes a frame portion for coupling to the floor and configured to receive at least one console trim piece. A pair of lateral side walls are integrally formed with the frame portion as a molded thermoplastic unit, wherein the lateral side walls are substantially parallel to delimit a mounting space for the shifter assembly therebetween, wherein the lateral side walls each have a forward retention feature for fixedly retaining the forward end of the shifter assembly, and wherein the lateral side walls each have a rearward retention feature for fixedly retaining the rearward end of the shifter assembly.

Abstract: An upper glove box for the passenger side of an automotive vehicle in which a door is upwardly hinged and has an upper edge that is received into a void defined in the instrument panel when the door is opened. The revealed wall forward of the opening of the void is an integral portion of the foam injected instrument panel to provide the desired aesthetics.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiment provides a beverage container holder for a vehicle that utilizes a bin-like member having a floor and generally vertical walls defining a compartment with an opening at its top. A partition member extends across the opening of the bin-like member to divide the compartment into two parts, wherein the partition member is manually adjustable to a plurality of locations within the bin-like member to provide for the retention of beverage containers of various sizes.

Abstract: An integrated air bag support structure that includes a support base for attachment to the rear side of a substrate. The support base is configured to surround a door support panel and both are configured for attachment to the rear side of a substrate in an area that is pre-weakened to define an air bag deployment door in a vehicle instrument panel or a steering wheel air bag module. The upper surfaces of the support base and door support panel are attached to the rear surface of the substrate, and a test tab extends from the base that is attached to the rear surface of the substrate in the same manner as the support base and the door support panel. The test tab has an unattached extension portion for the purpose of gripping and pulling to test the integrity of the attachment without affecting the attachment of the support panel.

Abstract: An integrated air bag support structure that includes a support base for attachment to the rear side of a substrate. The support base is configured to surround a door support panel and both are configured for attachment to the rear side of a substrate in an area that is pre-weakened to define an air bag deployment door in a vehicle instrument panel or a steering wheel air bag module. The upper surfaces of the support base and door support panel are attached to the rear surface of the substrate, and a test tab extends from the base that is attached to the rear surface of the substrate in the same manner as the support base and the door support panel. The test tab has an unattached extension portion for the purpose of gripping and pulling to test the integrity of the attachment without affecting the attachment of the support panel.

Abstract: A method for securing a component to a tank includes forming the tank having a wall of multiple layers of polymer material with an opening in the wall, outer layers of polymer, and an inner layer of polymer having an inner surface whose color is dark relative to a natural color of the outer layers. The component is formed with a mounting surface of polymer. The tube wall opening is used to install the component in the tank such that the mounting surface contacts the inner surface. Energy is transmitted onto an area of a surface of the tank wall where the mounting surface contacts the inner surface. The transmitted energy is use to produce a weld between the mounting surface and the tank wall.

Abstract: A method is provided for assembling a plurality of catalytic substrates and support materials within a catalytic converter housing using a uniform compression. Outer profiles of a plurality of catalytic substrates are determined. Weight factors of a plurality of the support materials are determined. A lookup table containing a list of associated outer profiles of catalytic substrates and weight factors of support materials are provided. A first catalytic substrate and a first support material are joined as a first pre-assembly based on a matching outer profile and weight factor from the lookup table. A second catalytic substrate and a second support material are joined as a second pre-assembly based on a matching outer profile and weight factor from the lookup table. The first and second pre-assemblies are inserted into the catalytic converter housing. The first catalytic element and the second catalytic element are secured within the catalytic converter housing.

Abstract: A console retainer mounts to a floor of a motor vehicle and receives a floor transmission shifter assembly. The shifter assembly has a forward end and a rearward end. The console retainer includes a frame portion for coupling to the floor and configured to receive at least one console trim piece. A pair of lateral side walls are integrally formed with the frame portion as a molded thermoplastic unit, wherein the lateral side walls are substantially parallel to delimit a mounting space for the shifter assembly therebetween, wherein the lateral side walls each have a forward retention feature for fixedly retaining the forward end of the shifter assembly, and wherein the lateral side walls each have a rearward retention feature for fixedly retaining the rearward end of the shifter assembly.

Abstract: A valve assembly for an air conditioning system includes a liquid line port pressurized at a discharge pressure, an evaporator inlet port pressurized at a suction pressure, a sequence valve for controlling a first flow path between the liquid line port and an outlet in response to a differential between the discharge pressure and the suction pressure, and a thermostatic expansion valve that includes an actuator and an expansion valve member for controlling a second flow path between the outlet and the evaporator inlet port in response to a pressure differential across the actuator.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust system is provided that includes a first exhaust member having an end that includes an enlarged section. A second exhaust member is sized to receive a portion of the first exhaust member. The enlarged section of the first exhaust member has an outer diameter that is larger than an inner diameter of at least one section of the second exhaust member for creating an interference condition between the first and second exhaust member to prevent axial movement of the first exhaust member in at least one axial direction. The first exhaust member is secured to the second exhaust member by magnetic pulse welding.

Abstract: A catalytic converter assembly is provided that includes a metallic tubular member having a first end and a second end. A first substrate is disposed within the metallic tubular. A second substrate is disposed within the metallic tubular member. A spacer is axially positioned the between the first and second substrate that includes a cylindrical body with a first wall and a second wall formed substantially perpendicular to the cylindrical body. The first wall abuts an end of the first substrate for retaining the first substrate between the first end and the first wall for preventing movement. The second wall abuts an end of the second substrate for retaining the second substrate between the second end and the second wall for preventing movement.

Abstract: An integrated air bag chute structure that provides means for providing automatic interlocking attachment of the chute to the substrate of an instrument panel. By inserting the air bag chute into a substrate aperture and utilizing slots, depressions and notches formed in the chute structure beneath a surrounding flange, the aperture edges are captured and retained to thereby lock the chute in place.

Abstract: An integrated air bag chute structure that provides sealing of an air bag aperture in an instrument panel substrate during a foam-in-place process. The structure provides an extended flange with flexible tapered edges that surround the aperture. The tapered edges are compressed against the upper surface of the substrate to seal and surround the substrate aperture when the chute structure is inserted into and retained in the substrate aperture. The air bag chute structure further defines a door support panel with pre-weakened molded edges and a hinge which are all integrally connected to the structure and flange without gaps that would allow for leakage during the foam-in-place process.

Abstract: A catalytic converter assembly is provided that includes a metallic tubular member having a first end and a second end. The metallic tubular member includes an aperture centrally formed between the first end and the second end. A sensor is received in the aperture and extends into an interior of the metallic tubular member for sensing a content of gas flowing through the metallic tubular member. At least one substrate is disposed within the metallic tubular member. The at least one substrate has a cavity formed in an exterior surface of the at least one substrate and extends radially inward. The cavity is aligned with the aperture of the metallic tubular member and receives a portion of the sensor extending into the interior of the metallic tubular member.

Abstract: An integrated air bag support structure that includes a support base for attachment to the rear side of a substrate. The support base is configured to surround a door support panel and both are configured for attachment to the rear side of a substrate in an area that is pre-weakened to define an air bag deployment door in a vehicle instrument panel or a steering wheel air bag module. The upper surfaces of the support base and door support panel are attached to the rear surface of a substrate and a test tab extends from the base that is attached to the rear surface of the substrate in the same manner as the support base and the door support panel. The test tab has an unattached extension portion for the purpose of gripping and pulling to sample test that the attachment of the test tab without affecting the attachment of the support panel.