Abstract: A hydraulic steering assist assembly is provided for a vehicle with a mechanical steering assembly operable by a user to steer the vehicle. The hydraulic steering assist assembly includes a hydraulic actuator adapted to be coupled to the mechanical steering assembly and has a first side and a second side. A bi-directional hydraulic pump is placed in fluid communication with the first side and the second side of the hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic steering assist assembly further includes a valve in fluid communication with the first side and the second side of the hydraulic actuator, and a control system for controlling the bi-directional hydraulic pump and the valve. The bi-directional hydraulic pump provides a pressurized fluid to the hydraulic actuator, which applies a force on the mechanical steering assembly to assist steering the vehicle. The valve can act as a steering damper.

Abstract: A method of preparing a curable polyorganosiloxane composition including kneading a uniform mixture of an alkenyl group-containing polyorganosiloxane, a polyorganohydrogensiloxane, and a platinum group metal compound, and defoaming the kneaded mixture under reduced pressure, the alkenyl group-containing polyorganosiloxane includes a linear polyorganosiloxane of the formula (I): R is R1 or R2, and at least two Rs are R1; R1 is C2-C6 alkenyl; R2 is C1-C6 alkyl; and n is a value that yields a viscosity at 23° C. of 10 to 10,000 cPs, a branched polyorganosiloxane containing SiO4/2 and R?3SiO1/2 units, optionally a R?2SiO and/or a R?SiO3/2, R? represents a monovalent aliphatic or alicyclic, and at least three R? groups per molecule are alkenyls, the alkenyl group-containing polyorganosiloxane having a weight ratio of the branched to linear polyorganosiloxane of 1 to 5; and a number of hydrogens bonded to a silicon atom of the polyorganohydrogensiloxane exceeds 2.

Abstract: A valve including a valve body having a central bore for passage of fluid there through and a longitudinal axis. The valve can also include a seal installed within the valve body along the central bore. The seal can include a first seal member having an annular ring portion and a hub portion extending from the annular ring portion. The seal can also include a second seal member including an annular ring configured to engage a distal end of the hub portion and create a sealing engagement between the hub portion and the annular ring when a compressive force is applied to the first and the second seal members.

Abstract: A composition comprising a carbocyclic group and a hydrophilic moiety attached thereto an alpha, beta-unsaturated organosilicon compound. Such compounds are useful in developing water absorbing silicone-hydrogel films. Silicone-hydrogel films provide increased oxygen to pass through a lens or other treated materials.

Abstract: Slide bearings and methods of producing slide bearings are disclosed. The slide bearing has a metal support, an adhesive layer and a sliding layer. The adhesive layer is applied directly to the metal support. The adhesive layer comprises a blend of at least two fluoropolymers P1 and P2, wherein P1 is selected from perfluoroalkoxyethylene (PFA) or tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene (FEP). P2 is different from P1 and can be a fluoropolymer.

Abstract: A steering yolk bearing assembly includes a body. The body can include a first end having a flat surface and a second end opposite the first end. The second end can have a concave surface having a radius of curvature, RCS, a first lateral side and a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side. A first bearing pad can extend from the first lateral side of the concave surface and a second bearing pad can extend from the second lateral side of the concave surface opposite the first bearing pad. Each bearing pad can include a shaft contact surface having a radius of curvature, RSCS, and RSCS?2×RCS.

Abstract: A method of making a lightweight thermal shield that includes obtaining a mold having a shaped support screen with a molding surface configured to allow the passage of air and moisture therethrough, and with the mold being adapted for drawing a vacuum from behind the support screen. The method also includes applying a wet insulation material onto the molding surface of the support screen and drawing a vacuum to withdraw moisture through the support screen and consolidate a layer of insulation material on top the molding surface. The method further includes removing the consolidated layer of insulation material from off the molding surface, installing the consolidated layer of insulation material into an outer shell layer, and drying the consolidated layer of insulation material within the outer shell layer to form a lightweight core insulation layer.

Abstract: A multi-layer or single layer antifouling coating system. A multi-layer coating system comprises (a) a base coating for coating a substrate, and (b) an antifouling coating composition adapted to be disposed over the base coating, the antifouling coating composition comprising a functionalized polymer, and a curable polyether-containing silane of the Formula (1): (R1O)a(R1)(3-a)Si—R2—(Si(R1)2O)p—Si(R1)2—R2—O—(CH2—CHR1—O)q—R1 (1) where a is 1-3; R1 is H or alkyl radical from C1-C10; R2 is alkylene from C2-C10; p is 1-100; and q is 1-50. The base coating composition can comprise an epoxy modified adhesion promoter. Additionally, the anti-fouling coating composition can comprise an acetoxy, alkoxy, and/or ketoxime functional adhesion promoter.

Abstract: A method to form quartz glass ingots of ultra low contamination and defect levels by firing a high-purity quartz form as the feedstock, wherein the quartz glass ingot is free-formed on a platen rotating concentrically with the feedstock quartz article.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an ignition coil assembly includes an ignition coil cover, a boot, and an ignition coil. The ignition coil cover includes a plurality of fins, an opening, and a channel. The boot includes a slotted opening and a centralized orifice and is configured to be disposed within the opening of the ignition coil cover. The ignition coil includes a seat and a tab. The ignition coil is configured to be disposed within the centralized orifice. The seat is capable of supporting the ignition coil within the centralized orifice of the boot. The tab is configured to be inserted into the slotted opening and the channel when the ignition coil is disposed within the centralized office and the boot is disposed within the opening.

Abstract: A brake assembly for use on vehicles includes a rotor having connection tabs and a hub having bobbins, integrally formed or separate, with the rotor connection tabs being positioned between the hub bobbins and clamped together with a top plate. An ABS tone ring is fastened to the hub and is circumscribed by the rotor. Alternatively, an ABS tone ring can be formed as part of the top plate. A spring clip can be used with the top plate to accommodate thermal expansion of the rotor and eliminate rotor rattling. Torque is transferred from the brake rotor to the hub in a common plane to prevent twisting in the fastener connection.

Abstract: Diol derived blocked mercaptofunctional silane compositions in which the silanes comprise cyclic and bridged alkoxy groups derived from hydrocarbon-based diols and processes for their preparation are provided. Also provided are rubber compositions comprising the cyclic diol-derived blocked mercaptofunctional silanes, processes for their preparation and articles of manufacture comprising the rubber compositions, in particular, automotive tires and components thereof.

Abstract: A pervaporation membrane may be an acid-resistant polybenzidimazole (PBI) membrane. The acid-resistant PBI membrane may be a PBI membrane chemically modified by a process selected from the group consisting of sulfonation, phosphonation, cross-linking, N-substitution, and/or combinations thereof. The membrane may be thermally stabilized. A method for the dehydration of an acid material may include the steps of: contacting an acidic aqueous solution with a membrane of an acid-resistant polybenzidimazole; taking away a permeate stream rich in water; and taking away a concentrate steam rich in the acid material. The acidic aqueous solution may be acetic acid.

Abstract: The floating brake drum and hat assembly includes a brake drum (12) having a braking surface (14) and an attachment flange (16), a hat (18) having an outer diameter (20) and a brake drum mounting flange (22) for mounting to the attachment flange (16) of the brake drum, and means for coupling (24) the attachment flange of the brake drum to the brake drum mounting flange of the hat, the means for coupling structured and arranged to allow radial thermal expansion and contraction of at least a portion of the attachment flange of the brake drum and/or at least a portion of the brake drum mounting flange of the hat.

Abstract: A steering yoke is disclosed and includes a hollow cylindrical body that can be formed from a laminated sheet of metal and polymer. The hollow cylindrical body includes a substantially uniform wall thickness. Further, the hollow cylindrical body can include a first half, a second half, a seam extending at least partially along the body between the first half and the second half, an upper end having a surface, and a lower open end. The steering yoke can also include a bearing surface coupled to the surface of the upper end of the hollow cylindrical body and a spring perch disposed in the lower end of the hollow cylindrical body. The spring perch can include a spring pocket configured to support and retain a spring for supplying a biasing force to the yoke.

Abstract: A method for growing a crystalline composition, the first crystalline composition may include gallium and nitrogen. The crystalline composition may have an infrared absorption peak at about 3175 cm?1, with an absorbance per unit thickness of greater than about 0.01 cm?1. In one embodiment, the composition may have an amount of oxygen present in a concentration of less than about 3×1018 per cubic centimeter, and may be free of two-dimensional planar boundary defects in a determined volume of the first crystalline composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are epoxy-based compositions that include a polysiloxane flexibilizer and amino-functional alkoxysilane, which provides flexibility, hardness and gloss to such compositions and that are useful as coatings, adhesives, sealants and composites. Also disclosed are cured compositions and substrates coated with such epoxy-based compositions.

Abstract: A piston including a crown and at least one pin tower coupled to the crown. The pin tower has an opening therein configured to receive a pin therein along a pin axis. The piston further includes a skirt extending generally away from the crown, the skirt including a pair of opposed skirt panel portions. The skirt has a generally non-circular oval shape having a major axis extending generally parallel to the pin axis, wherein the panel portions are offset from the major axis.