Abstract: A tube plug seal has an improved tear line pattern which tears when a mating tube having a circumference smaller than the seal is inserted through the seal. The improved tear line pattern is designed to initially tear where the circumference of the mating tube applies the highest stress. As a result, the improved tear line includes a portion which extends at least partially circumferentially about an axial center point of the seal. More specifically, the circumferential portion of the improved tear line pattern generally aligns with a circumference of the mating tube. In one embodiment the improved tear line pattern is C-shaped.

Abstract: In a method for securing an end fitting to a coated tube, a tube having a standard outer diameter is coated with a non-corrosive material. The coated tube is then held in a clamp while an outer end of the tube is inserted into the opening of a reduction punch. The reduction punch is then forced axially towards the tube, reducing the outer diameter of the tube and coating to approximately the original outer diameter of the uncoated tube. As a result, a standard end fitting having an inner diameter generally equal to the uncoated tube outer diameter can be utilized on the reduced end of the coated tube. The end fitting is then secured to the reduced end of the coated tube in a known manner, such as by flaring.

Abstract: A transmission fluid cooling system includes a cooler-bypass unit having a banjo bolt relief valve. The banjo bolt relief valve includes a head portion and a body portion. A relief valve is incorporated into the body portion. A valve seat is formed between the head portion and body portion. A ball is biased against the valve seat toward the head portion by a spring within the body portion. When the transmission fluid is cool and viscous, pressure buildup in the head portion overcomes the spring bias of the ball against the valve seat, permitting the flow of transmission fluid through the cooler-bypass unit, bypassing the transmission fluid cooling unit.

Abstract: A plastic tube, particularly for use in motor vehicles, having one or more layers, has defined varying thicknesses and/or a defined varying number of layers in its longitudinal direction, such that the given end product has a characteristic profile specific to its application.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling having a self-contained releasable collet generally comprises a housing having an axial bore extending inwardly from an entrance. The axial bore includes a large diameter portion adjacent the entrance. A tube having a bead of relatively large diameter is insertable into the bore. A generally annular radially expandable collet disposed within the bore of the housing expands upon insertion of the tube into the housing and contracts onto the tube between the bead and the housing, thereby retaining the tube within the housing. The tube is selectably releasable from the housing by an annular pilot disposed within the housing having an inclined surface complementary to an inclined surface on the collet. Release members are provided to facilitate axial inward movement of the collet into the housing. The collet then rides up the inclined surface of the pilot, thereby radially expanding the collet and releasing the tube from the housing.

Abstract: A former for use in a core sandwich of composite reinforced plastics material, the former comprising a rib section (5) divided into a plurality of sub-sections (8) by slits or openings (10) extending partway through said rib section (5) to define a hinge or web section (11) between each adjacent sub-section. A sheet former (22) may be produced by a number of parallel rib sections (5) each joined to adjacent rib sections by a flexible bridge portion (20) to define openings (25) in the former between each bridge portion (20) and the rib sections (5) and/or sub-sections (8). Venting between the sub-sections (8) may be provided by a venting channel (21) formed in the bridge portion (20). An array of upstanding formations (30) each joined at their base 31 by a flexible bridge portion (20) to produce a former sheet (22) is also disclosed. The bridge portion (20) allows venting between these formations through a channel (21) and allows bonding through openings (25) in the sheet (22).

Abstract: A quick connect coupling generally comprises a housing having an axial bore extending inwardly from an entrance and increasing in diameter moving into the housing. A tube has a tube bead of increased diameter spaced from an inner end of the tube and is insertable into the bore. A generally annular radially expandable collet disposed within the bore expands upon insertion of the tube and contracts onto the tube outwardly of the tube bead. The collet functions as a wedge between the tube bead and the increasing diameter portion of the housing, thereby retaining the tube within the housing. In one embodiment, a spring disposed within the housing biases the collet toward the entrance of the housing, ensuring proper position of the collet in extreme conditions. The inventive collet allows smaller tube bead diameters to be used.

Abstract: An improved fluid quick connect coupling includes a retainer and a lock ring. The lock ring locks the retainer legs against radially outward flexing. The lock ring is initially contacted by a tube being moved into the coupling, and moves with the tube, until it no longer prevents radially outward flexing of the retainer legs. The retainer legs then flex radially outwardly, allowing the tube to move to its fully inserted position. The lock ring is biased back outwardly once the tube is connected, and has tabs that extend axially outwardly beyond the retainer to provide a visual indication to the installer of when the tube is fully connected.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling for tubing. The coupling includes a tubular male connector member adapted to be telescopically received within a tubular female connector member assembly. The female assembly includes a first member defining a seal bore and a cylindrical socket portion forwardly of the seal bore. A second female member includes a cylindrical portion which plugs into the socket of the first member and is held in position relative to the first member by sonic welding. A plurality of circumferentially spaced feet on the inner end of the second member are positioned proximate the seal to hold the seal in the seal bore and further engage the outer periphery of the pilot portion of the male member to minimize cocking of the male member relative to the female assembly.

Abstract: A one-piece relief valve is incorporated into a transmission cooling system. The one-piece relief valve replaces the prior art systems which have used plural T-connections to achieve the relief valve function. The one-piece relief valve reduces the number of fluid connections on the transmission cooling system, thus reducing the possibility of leakage.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling including a tubular male connector member and a female connector assembly. The male connector member is tubular and defines a front pilot portion and an external bead positioned rearwardly of the pilot portion. The female assembly comprises a tubular housing, a cap which is snap fit over the front end of the housing, a seal which seats in a seal bore defined by the housing, and a seal retainer which is positioned against the front end of the housing and acts to maintain the seal in position within the seal bore.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling for tubing. The coupling includes a tubular male connector member adapted to be telescopically received within a tubular female connector member. The female connector member includes a tubular housing and a tubular retainer cap which is permanently bonded to the housing utilizing a sonic welding technique and which defines prong portions for latching coaction with an annular bead on the male member. The coupling further includes a unitary elastomeric seal positioned in a bore of the female member housing and defining a series of axially spaced, radially inwardly extending seal ribs slidably and sealingly engaging the outer circumferential surface of the male connector member.