Abstract: A bumper system 10 for an automotive vehicle is provided. The bumper system includes a composite valance 12 adapted for attachment to a chassis of the automotive vehicle, where the composite valance includes a reinforcement section 18 formed therein. Preferably, the reinforcement section is formed longitudinally along a central portion of the composite valance, is recessed with respect to a front surface 22 of the composite valance, and includes a plurality of structural ribs 24 provided therein. A cover beam 28, preferably constructed from a metallic material, is adapted for attachment to the composite valance. The cover beam is sized to substantially cover the reinforcement section when attached to the composite valance, and give the bumper system an overall metallic appearance.

Abstract: There is provided a surface alloyed component which comprises a base alloy with a diffusion barrier layer enriched in silicon and chromium being provided adjacent thereto. An enrichment pool layer is created adjacent the diffusion barrier and contains silicon and chromium and optionally titanium or aluminum. The method comprises depositing a surface alloy on the base alloy at a temperature in the range of 400 to 1000° C. and heat treating the surface alloy at a ramp temperature rate of at least 5C°/minute, preferably 10 to 20° C./minute, to a desired maximum temperature at which the surface alloyed component is maintained for a time sufficient to provide the enrichment pool or the enrichment pool with a diffusion barrier layer. A reactive gas treatment may be used to generate a replenishable protective oxide scale of alumina or chromia on the outermost surface of the surface alloyed component.

Abstract: A method for protecting high temperature stainless steel from coking and corrosion at elevated temperatures in corrosive environments, such as during ethylene production by pyrolysis of hydrocarbons or the reduction of oxide ores, by coating the stainless steel with a coating of MCrAlX in which M is nickel, cobalt, iron or a mixture thereof and X is yttrium, hafnium, zirconium, lanthanum or combination thereof deposited onto and metallurgically bonded to the stainless steel by plasma transferred arc deposition of atomized powder of MCrAlX. The coating has a thick, dense, continuous and smooth transition region providing an effective metallurgically bond of the coating with the stainless steel. The coating retains a relatively high aluminum content which permits generation of an adherent alumina layer on the surface, providing good resistance to high temperature oxidation together with good anti-coking and hot erosion resistance properties.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a floating vessel such as a ship, around a cylindrical turret structure moored to the sea bottom. The vessel has a circumturret structure passing through the hull of the vessel and surrounding the turret structure. The apparatus comprises a hook roller assembly, a load roller assembly, a radial roller assembly, and a drive mechanism. The hook roller assembly prevents the turret structure from moving upward from the wave and current forces exerted on the floating vessel. The load roller assembly rotatably supports the turret structure on the circumturret structure. The plurality of radial roller assemblies mounted to the circumturret radially support the turret. The drive mechanism is used to rotate the vessel around the turret.

Abstract: Disclosed are machines and methods of orienting and stacking a stream of workpieces when it is desirable to stack at lease some of the workpieces in a face-to-face or back-to-back orientation. The apparatus has a receiving assembly for receiving a continuous stream of workpieces. A flipping assembly follows the receiving assembly for selectively flipping selected workpieces onto their opposing faces. Downstream from the flipping assembly, a stacking guide is positioned for guiding the workpieces into stacks for further manual or automated handling.

Abstract: A cathode assembly for magnetron sputtering of a workpiece, and sputtering apparatus and methods of sputtering using same are provided. The cathode assembly includes a tubular cathode, which may be cylindrical in cross section along its length, or which may be curved or flexible, depending on the shape of workpiece that is to be sputtered, and which has a sputtering length of Ls. The cathode assembly also includes a magnet package, or a plurality of spaced magnet packages, each magnet package including either one magnet or a plurality of spaced magnets of alternating polarity, and having a magnet package length Lpkg which is less than Ls. The cathode assembly further includes one or more means for positioning, and preventing radial displacement of, the cathode along the axis of symmetry of the cathode.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a first portion and a second portion which form an enclosure for a light source. The first portion extends from a first end to a second end, where the first end has a collar adapted to couple with an electrical socket with a snap fit connection. The electrical socket receives a light source therein. The second end of the first portion is hingedly coupled with the second portion, thereby allowing removal of the light source.

Abstract: The invention disclosed and claimed is an improved plug with an internal anchor. The plug has particular utility in masking openings in parts to be coated. Generally, the plug comprises a compressible, resilient plug body and a compression mechanism. The compression mechanism compresses the plug body between an internal plug anchor and an opposed plug compression surface. The compressive force causes the plug circumference to increase forming a tight seal between the plug and walls forming the opening. The internal anchor design and absence of any axial opening through the entire plug body prevent fluids and other coating materials from passing through the internal plug body and into the interior of the part to be coated thereby avoiding costly damage to the part.

Abstract: A spring clip having a flexible leg portion ending in a tab is made to be mountable in an expansion slot of a PC to allow the tab of the clip to capture either an expansion slot cover or a PC expansion card by having the tab spring into a hole found in both the expansion card and the blank cover fitting therein.

Abstract: A low cost air filter restriction indicator gauge for use in conjunction with an internal combustion engine can be achieved by both simplifying individual part configuration and reducing overall part count. More specifically, a simplified design can be achieved by utilizing a one piece base cap which includes a locking extension and reset button integral therewith. By having this part injection moldable, it is easy to fabricate and lower in cost as a complex locking pin assembly can be eliminated. Further, the low cost device can be further enhanced by providing a two color visual indicator which displays one color when the device is in its reset position and a second color when the device is in its locked or set position.

Abstract: A two stage air filter restriction indicating device communicates with the supply of air passing from an air filter to the air intake of an engine. The amount of vacuum required by the engine to supply air is directly indicative of the amount of blockage in the air filtering system. The gauge or air filter restriction indicating device monitors this vacuum level and provides signals at an output indicating whether a predetermined vacuum level has been achieved. In one configuration, the gauge locks into this configuration and maintains its output, even when the engine is shut off. Alternatively, the gauge of the present invention automatically resets, thus not requiring a manual reset of the gauge.

Abstract: A fuel filter restriction indicating device communicating with the supply of fuel passing from a fuel tank to an internal combustion engine. The indicating device senses a decrease in the supply of fuel drawn through the fuel filter by the engine based upon changes in the amount of vacuum in the negative side of the fuel supply, the amount of restriction being indicated by the movement of an indicating device. A mechanism included in the indicating device senses the movement of the indicating device and progressively locks the indicating device into various indicating positions as the vacuum increases due to an increased restriction of the filter, so that the maximum reading of restriction achieved during engine operation remains visible to the operator or maintenance personnel even after the engine is turned off.

Abstract: There is provided a surface alloyed component which comprises a base alloy with a diffusion barrier layer enriched in silicon and chromium being provided adjacent thereto. An enrichment pool layer is created adjacent said diffusion barrier and contains silicon and chromium and optionally titanium or aluminum. A reactive gas treatment may be used to generate a replenishable protective scale on the outermost surface of said component.

Abstract: An air filter restriction indicating device communicating with the supply of air passing from an air filter to the air intake of an internal combustion engine. The indicating device senses a decrease in the supply of air drawn through the air filter by the engine based upon changes in the amount of vacuum in the negative side of the air supply, the amount of restriction being indicated by the movement of an indicating device. Improved means included in the indicating device senses the movement of the indicating device and progressively locks the indicating device into various indicating positions as the vacuum increases due to an increased restriction of the filter, so that the maximum reading of restriction achieved during engine operation remains visible to the operator or maintenance personnel even after the engine is turned off.

Abstract: A brush seal includes a retainer and a multiplicity of single bristles each bristle having a fixed end and a free sealing end, the fixed ends being individually attached in a continuous arrangement at the same angle to the retainer, the bristles having a uniform pack density throughout the extent of the bristles from the fixed to the sealing end.

Abstract: An inventive air duct includes a blow molded tubular body of a first material having at least one annular open end, the open end terminating at a radially outwardly extending lip. A cuff of a second material is molded to the main body such that at least a portion of the lip is embedded within the cuff. Before molding the cuff, a portion of the main body adjacent the open end is pre-formed to remove any seams created during blow molding and to provide improved dimensional stability. Thus, leak pathways are minimized. The improved dimensional stability in combination with the use of an outwardly extending lip, a portion of which is embedded within the cuff, helps promote a strong seal between the cuff and the main body.

Abstract: A damper valve includes a base, a valve blade pivotally mounted on the base and two serially arranged valve seats. Each valve seat comprises adjustable valve seat portions on opposite sides of a pivot axis of the valve blade, the valve seat portions being positioned on opposite sides of the blade. Each valve seat portion includes a stationary member fixed to the base, an adjustable element movable relative to the stationary member, and bolts fixing the adjustable element to the stationary member. Adjustment devices are provided for moving each adjustable element toward the valve element to provide a precise fit along the entire length of the valve seat. The valve seats and the valve blade define an annulus which can contain gas at a higher pressure than the fluid controlled by the valve, so that none of the controlled fluid flows past the valve.