Abstract: An energy attenuation device for a fluid-conveying line, and a method for attenuating energy in such a line, are provided. The device includes one or more hose sections disposed in the fluid-conveying line, and at least one spring disposed in at least a portion of each of the hose sections.

Abstract: An endless positive drive power transmission belt is described for use with a cooperating pulley member, wherein the endless positive drive transmission belt comprises an elastomeric body portion, a plurality of longitudinally extending spaced apart tensile members, and a layer of wear-resistant fabric material positioned on the cooperating pulley member engaging surface of said belt, wherein a layer of a high ethylene-containing elastomer composition is bonded to a surface of the layer of wear-resistant fabric material in such a manner that the surface layer of the high ethylene-containing elastomer is disposed between the layer of wear-resistant fabric material and the cooperating pulley member. A method for coating a wear-resistant fabric material with a high ethylene-containing elastomer is also described.

Abstract: An energy attenuation apparatus for a system conveying a liquid under pressure is provided. The apparatus includes a liquid-conveying unit or the like that includes three chambers disposed in series. At least one of the chambers contains no tube. A first tube is disposed in one of the chambers and has a first end connected to and in fluid communication with an inlet or outlet end of its chamber. A second, free end of the tube is spaced by an open gap from the outlet or inlet end of such chamber. The tube has at least one aperture in the free end and/or on the peripheral surface thereof for providing fluid communication between the tube and its chamber. A second tube can be disposed in the remaining chamber.

Abstract: A fuel vapor storage canister is provided. The canister includes a vapor storage chamber of variable volume, a partition, vapor adsorbing material, and a volume compensator. The partition is movable within the canister and partially defines the vapor storage chamber. The vapor adsorbing material is located in the vapor storage chamber. The volume compensator includes a spring having at least three legs that are deflected by and exert pressure against the movable partition to control the volume of the vapor storage chamber. In one embodiment, the legs of the spring may be evenly spaced to exert a balanced pressure. The spring may include two pairs of opposing legs, where the spring rate between the pairs of legs may vary. The spring may be comprised of two angularly offset band springs and may be formed from a unitary member.

Abstract: An extrusion system for extruding a layer of a plastic or rubber material onto a work piece without having to continuously adjust the extrusion system during the “set-up” mode to “full-run” mode, wherein the extruded layer exhibits a predetermined cross-section size and a uniform wall gauge concentricity.

Abstract: A fuel transport tube having improved fuel vapor permeation characteristics comprising an inner conductive high density polyethylene tubular structure, an aluminum barrier layer on the outside surface of the high density polyethylene inner tubular layer, and a non-conductive thermoplastic layer on the outer surface of the aluminum layer; and a method for making the fuel transport tube are disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible fuel hose having improved fuel vapor barrier properties wherein the fuel hose includes a fluoropolymer barrier layer forming an inner tubular structure, a second synthetic elastomer tubular structure around the first fluoropolymer barrier layer, and a protective cover; and a method for the manufacture of such hose are described.

Abstract: A high performance thermoplastic hose useful as a power steering hose, the high performance thermoplastic hose comprising a high performance engineering thermoplastic such as polyurethane and a chlorine-containing polyolefin such as chlorinated polyethylene, chlorinated polypropylene, chlorinated copolymers containing ethylene and propylene, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, chlorosulfonated polypropylene, chlorosulfonated copolymers of ethylene and propylene or mixture thereof, is disclosed. Also disclosed are a method for manufacturing the high performance thermoplastic hose, and a thermoplastic vulcanizate capable of resisting chemical attack and withstanding temperatures up to about 300° F.

Abstract: A method and system are taught for a tensioner for an endless power transmission belt in an engine. The method and system comprise an AGS pulley and crankshaft pulley coupled to the belt, one of the AGS pulley or the crankshaft pulley operating as a driving pulley that drives the belt so that a tight span and slack span are created in the belt on opposite sides of the driving pulley. The method and system also comprise accessory pulleys coupled to the belt. The tensioner comprises first and second arms, each arm rotatably coupled to a pulley, the pulleys being positioned such that a first one of the pulleys is coupled to the tight span and a second one of the pulleys is coupled to the slack span.

Abstract: A method of forming a gas impermeable joint in a fluid system includes: providing a tube having a metallic barrier layer disposed between an inner plastic layer and an outer plastic layer; forcing at least one of the inner plastic layer and the outer plastic layer into contact with a plastic surface of a component; and welding the at least one of the inner plastic layer and the outer plastic layer with the plastic surface to form the gas impermeable joint. The welding may include: spin welding, hot plate welding, vibration welding, and ultrasonic welding. The metallic barrier layer extends substantially to the component, thus improving the gas impermeability of the joint between the tube and the component.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a power transmission belt may be provided that operates on an endless path and that utilizes asymmetric motion control. The belt tensioner may have an arm with a belt engaging section and a drum section, a support member for securing the tensioner relative to the belt, where the arm pivots on the support member, and a tension spring that urges the arm to pivot about the support member in a first direction and urges the belt engaging section against the belt with a force to tension the belt. The tensioner also may have a fluid filled chamber inside a portion of the drum section of the arm and a value pivotally attached to the tensioner so that the valve extends across the fluid containing chamber.

Abstract: A fuel filler assembly collar comprising: a first semicircular shaped structure having a first pair of terminal ends which lie in a common vertical plane, each of the terminal ends including at least two locking means, a top edge forming an upper semicircular rim, a bottom edge forming a lower semicircular rim, the top edge and the bottom edge lying in spaced apart horizontal planes with respect to each other, a chamber duct in the top edge of the first semicircular structure, and an outer circumferential side separating the top edge and the bottom edge, and an elbow-shaped tubular structure connected to a fuel vapor vent tube; and a second semicircular shaped structure having a second pair of terminal ends which lie in a common vertical plane, the two terminal ends including at least two locking means, a top edge forming an upper semicircular rim, a bottom edge forming a lower semicircular rim, the top edge and the bottom edge lying in spaced apart horizontal planes with respect to each other, and one or mor

Abstract: A fuel fill system includes an outer funnel and one or more components, each formed from a thermoplastic material. The components, which may include a flange, a tube, and a vapor recirculation fitting, are in fluid communication with the outer funnel via welded joints. The welded joints may be formed by at least one of: spin welding, hot plate welding, laser welding, vibration welding, and ultrasonic welding. The plastic to plastic weld provides an electrically conductive, substantially seamless, vapor permeation resistant joint between each of the components and the outer funnel.

Abstract: A conductive tubular connector insert for use in a fuel conveying system to couple a first conductive polymeric tubular member to a second conductive polymeric tubular member such that electrical conductivity is insured in the system as described.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a power transmission belt is provided that operates on an endless path and that utilizes asymmetric motion control. The belt tensioner has an arm with a belt engaging section and a drum section, a support member for securing the tensioner relative to the belt, where the arm pivots about the support member, and a tension spring that urges the arm to pivot about the support member in a first direction and urges the belt engaging section against the belt with a force to tension the belt. The tensioner also has a stator inside the drum section utilized to form arcuate spaces circumferentially spaced around the stator between the stator and the drum section and arcuate shaped wedges in the arcuate spaces.

Abstract: An improved adhesive composition and method for adhering textile reinforcing elements to rubber, particularly ethylene-propylene-diene rubber in the manufacture of rubber articles such as power transmission belts, wherein the adhesive composition comprises a latex of a hydrogenated styrene-butadiene rubber, a carboxylated hydrogenated styrene-butadiene rubber, a hyddogenated nitrile-butadiene rubber, a carboxylated hydrogenated nitrile-butadiene rubber, a chlorosulfonated polyethylene or blends thereof; an aqueous solution of a half-ester of maleinized liquid poybutadiene; and, optionally, up to about 15% by weight carbon black in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A thermoplastic tube for transfer of hydrocarbon fuel comprising an inner fluoroplastic layer and an outer polyamide layer bonded to the fluoroplastic layer wherein an adhesion promoter is included in at least one of the layers is disclosed. The adhesion promoter is an unsubstituted or substituted phenol salt of 1,8-diazabicyclo-[5,4,0]undec-7-ene on a novolac carrier which functions to increase the adhesive bond strength between the two layers. The adhesion promoter provides a chemically bonded adhesion in addition to the mechanical adhesion associated with extrusion or lamination of the layers.

Abstract: The invention provides a low modulus drive belt for an automotive accessory drive system that allows for relatively high elongation during installation and that maintains a relatively high percentage of its install tension throughout the useful life of the belt. The invention also provides an automotive accessory drive system that utilizes such a belt and a method for constructing such a belt. One embodiment of the invention is directed to an accessory drive system for an automobile that includes: (a) a drive pulley; (b) an accessory pulley operatively coupled to an accessory drive shaft; and (c) an endless drive belt engaged between the drive pulley and the accessory pulley, where the drive belt includes an endless band of rubber composite material having a plurality of circumferentially extending an axially aligned polyamide 6.6 twisted cords formed therewithin.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved power transmission belt which has a relatively thick rubber backing layer for improved interface with associated pulleys and improved wear resistance. The belt also has an aramid, glass, or other high modulus relatively inextensible cord secured by a layer of fabric.

Abstract: A clamp subassembly includes an annular clamp and a clip attached to the clamp. A hose and clamp assembly includes a hose having an outer surface and an opposing sealing surface and includes the clamp subassembly. The clamp surrounds the hose and has an inner surface with an adjustable diameter. The clip includes a tang having a free end embedded in the hose providing attachment of the clamp subassembly to the hose, wherein no portion of the clamp and no portion of the clip interferes with the sealing surface of the hose. A method for attaching an annular clamp to a hose includes attaching a clip to the clamp, wherein the clip includes a tang having a free end. The clamp is disposed to surround the hose. The free end of the tang is embedded in the hose. In a different embodiment, for the assembly and the subassembly, the clamp and the tang together define a monolithic structure.