Abstract: A quick connect coupling having a housing with a throughbore to receive a tube. A verifier is mounted to the housing which nests in the housing when the coupling is fluidly connected. Otherwise, the verifier protrudes outwardly from the housing to provide an indication that the coupling is not fully connected.

Abstract: A fuel inlet assembly for an automotive vehicle having an elongated tubular and cylindrical housing open at each end and defining a port in between the ends of the housing. A flapper valve is associated with the fluid port and is movable between an open and a closed position. At least two latches are pivotally mounted to the housing adjacent the fluid port and movable between a latch position and a release position. The latches engage the flapper valve to prevent the flapper valve from moving to its open position. A flexible bump is attached to each latch so that the bump pivots with its associated latch and each bump protrudes radially inwardly from its associated latch. Each bump has a cam surface which, when engaged by a fuel nozzle, pivots the bump and its associated latch to the release position.

Abstract: A hot metal forming apparatus having a pair of dies which are movable between an open and closed position relative to each other. The dies have facing metal forming surfaces corresponding to the shape of the desired stamped part. At least one elongated heat pipe is mounted within at least one die for transferring heat away from the stamped part thus quenching the stamped part.

Abstract: A capless fuel system having an elongated tubular and cylindrical housing open at each end and in which the housing defines a first and a second longitudinally spaced fluid ports. A first flapper valve is associated with the first fluid port and a second flapper valve is associated with the second fluid port. A pair of diametrically opposed latches pivotally mounted to the housing adjacent the second fluid port retain the second flapper valve in a closed position until a fuel nozzle of a predetermined size is inserted towards the second port. The fuel nozzle engages camless surfaces which pivot the latches away from the second flapper valve allowing the fuel filling nozzle to pass through the second port.

Abstract: A method for hot stamping an iron based component in which the component is heated to a temperature sufficient to transform the component into austenite. The heated component is then positioned in an open stamping die and the stamping die is closed to mechanically change the shape of the heated component to a desired end shape of the component. At least one opening is punched in the heated component and, thereafter, the component is quenched at a rate and to a temperature sufficient to transform the component into martensite.

Abstract: A method for hot stamping an iron based component in which the component is heated to a temperature sufficient to transform the component into austenite. The heated component is then positioned in an open stamping die and the stamping die is closed to mechanically change the shape of the heated component to a desired end shape of the component. At least one opening is punched in the heated component and, thereafter, the component is quenched at a rate and to a temperature sufficient to transform the component into martensite.

Abstract: A waterborne thermoset cured anticorrosion formulation includes a water dispersed or emulsified phosphonated or water dispersed or emulsified sulfonated epoxy resin that is cured with a phenoxy resin having a polyhydroxyl ether backbone and terminal alpha glycol moieties. Water is present as a predominant volatile in which the epoxy resin and phenoxy resin are present in a weight ratio of epoxy resin to phenoxy resin of between 0.1 and 3:1. An aqueous curative is provided to induce cure between the epoxy resin and phenoxy resin, A corrosion inhibiting metal salt is also present having a salt anion of phosphate, biphosphate or tetraborate and a metal cation with the proviso that the metal cation formulation as a whole is devoid of chromium, lead, cobalt, and cadmium. Ideal curatives include aqueous aminoplast crosslinkers, aqueous unblocked isocyanates, aqueous blocked isocyanates, and a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A fuel tank having a top shell with an outwardly extending flange about its outer periphery and a bottom shell also having an outwardly extending flange about its outer periphery. The top and bottom shells are dimensioned so that, with the top shell positioned on top of the bottom shell, an outer peripheral portion of the top shell flange flatly abuts against an outer peripheral portion of the bottom shell flange and these outer peripheral portions are secured together. A component support has an outer edge portion sandwiched in between the flanges at a position spaced inwardly from the flange outer peripheral portions. The flanges and the outer edge portion of the component support are then bent to a plane oblique to the component support to thereby mechanically lock the outer edge portion of the component support and the flanges together.

Abstract: A waterborne thermoset cured anticorrosion formulation includes a water dispersed or emulsified phosphonated or water dispersed or emulsified sulfonated epoxy resin that is cured with a phenoxy resin having a polyhydroxyl ether backbone and terminal alpha glycol moieties. Water is present as a predominant volatile in which the epoxy resin and phenoxy resin are present in a weight ratio of epoxy resin to phenoxy resin of between 0.1 and 3:1. An aqueous curative is provided to induce cure between the epoxy resin and phenoxy resin, A corrosion inhibiting metal salt is also present having a salt anion of phosphate, biphosphate or tetraborate and a metal cation with the proviso that the metal cation formulation as a whole is devoid of chromium, lead, cobalt, and cadmium. Ideal curatives include aqueous aminoplast crosslinkers, aqueous unblocked isocyanates, aqueous blocked isocyanates, and a mixture thereof.

Abstract: An automotive axle housing having a center housing with two aligned side openings. A pair of axle tubes is secured to the center housing so that the axle tubes are aligned with the center housing side openings on opposite sides of the center housing. A pair of wheel bearing assemblies is then secured to the outer or free end of each axle tube.

Abstract: An automotive fuel filling system which inhibits automotive fueling from a smaller of two different diameter fuel nozzles. The system includes a funnel assembly having a circular port adapted to receive the fuel nozzle. A nozzle valve assembly includes at least two segments and is disposed in series with the port. Each segment, furthermore, is pivotal between an open and a closed position. When all segments are in the closed position, the nozzle valve assembly serves to prevent dust and debris from reaching the flapper valve. A hook is attached to a radially inner end of each nozzle valve segment and a cam is also attached to each nozzle valve segment configured to provide a clearance between the end of only the larger nozzle and the hooks upon insertion of the larger nozzle, but not upon insertion of the smaller nozzle.

Abstract: A tube bending fixture having a frame. An upper and lower tube support are both pivotally mounted to the frame between a first and second pivotal position. A bar is slidably mounted to the upper tube support and movable between an extended and a retracted position. At least one lower mandrel is mounted to the lower tube support and is dimensioned to fit within one end of a tube to be bent. At least one upper mandrel is mounted to the slidable bar, and the upper and lower mandrels are aligned with each other when the upper and lower tube supports are in their first pivotal position. The upper mandrel is dimensioned to fit within the second end of the tube to be bent when the bar is in its extended position. A former is secured to the frame and includes a channel which engages a midportion of the tube and conforms to the desired shape of the tube when the first and second tube supports are in their second pivotal position.

Abstract: A capless automotive fueling system having a funnel with a port open to receive a fuel filling nozzle. A spring loaded valve is movable between an open position in which the port is open and a closed position in which the fuel valve overlies and sealingly covers the port. A shield is movable between a first position in which the shield overlies and covers the valve, and a second position in which the shield is laterally disposed to one side of the valve to permit insertion of the fuel filling nozzle. A motor is drivingly connected to the shield and, on activation, moves the shield from its first and to its second position. Alternatively, two latches engage the valve to retain the valve in a closed position. Upon insertion of a properly sized fuel nozzle, the nozzle engages the latches and pivots them to an open position.

Abstract: A fluid coupling assembly having a first and second metal tube, each tube having an outwardly flared end. A first connector includes a throughbore, a first end and a second end with a radially inwardly extending rim at the first end of the first connector. The first connector is disposed over the first tube so that the tube extends outwardly from the first end of the first connector and so that the rim registers with one side of the first tube. A second connector also includes a throughbore with a first and second end and in which the second end of the second connector is flared outwardly. The second connector is disposed over the second tube so that the second tube extends outwardly from the first end of the second connector and so that the second connector flared surface registers with one side of the second tube flared end. An annular seal member is longitudinally slidably mounted within the first connector throughbore.

Abstract: A capless automotive fueling system having a funnel with a port open to receive a fuel filling nozzle. A spring loaded valve is movable between an open position in which the port is open and a closed position in which the fuel valve overlies and sealingly covers the port. A shield is movable between a first position in which the shield overlies and covers the valve, and a second position in which the shield is laterally disposed to one side of the valve to permit insertion of the fuel filling nozzle. A motor is drivingly connected to the shield and, on activation, moves the shield from its first and to its second position. Alternatively, two latches engage the valve to retain the valve in a closed position. Upon insertion of a properly sized fuel nozzle, the nozzle engages the latches and pivots them to an open position.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for annealing only a portion of an elongated tubular workpiece. The apparatus includes an elongated tube dimensioned to receive the workpiece so that a first end of the workpiece together with the portion to be annealed is positioned within the tube while a second end of the workpiece extends outwardly from the tube. An induction coil is disposed coaxially around only a portion of the workpiece portion exteriorly of the tube while a source of pressurized nitrogen/hydrogen is fluidly connected to the interior of the tube. In an annealing operation, the tube is filled with hydrogen/nitrogen and the induction coil is energized thus heating only the portion of the workpiece for which annealing is desired. Simultaneously, hydrogen/nitrogen flows through the tube thus cooling the workpiece and maintaining an oxygen-free environment within the tube.

Abstract: A spud assembly for use with a fuel tank having a body defining an interior chamber and having an outer periphery. The spud assembly includes a base attached to the outer periphery of the fuel tank and the base has a throughbore open to both the interior chamber of the tank as well as exteriorly of the tank. An elongated spud having an axial throughbore is movable relative to the base between a connected and an unconnected position. In its connected position, the spud is positioned through the base throughbore so that the spud fluidly connects the interior of the fuel tank to the spud. Additionally, when the spud is moved to its fully connected position, a locking finger on the base engages a lock abutment surface on the spud to secure the spud and base together. In an alternate embodiment, a locking ring is coaxially disposed over the spud and base when the spud is in its connected position.

Abstract: A fuel tank fill tube assembly is disclosed for use with a conventional gasoline fill nozzle. The assembly includes a fill tube having a first tubular and cylindrical main body with a predetermined inside diameter. The fill tube further includes an enlarged diameter inlet portion joined at one end to one end of the main body. This inlet portion has a second predetermined diameter which is greater than the diameter of the main body. Both the main body and inlet portions are coaxial with each other. The inlet portion is dimensioned so that the gas fill nozzle is insertable through the inlet portion and, upon insertion, a free end of the gasoline fill nozzle is positioned within the interior of the main body. Additionally, the diameter of the main body is configured so that, upon fuel flow from the gasoline fill nozzle into the interior of the main body, a liquid seal is formed by the fuel flow from the gasoline fill nozzle within the main body.