Abstract: An apparatus and method for utilizing NIR spectrography for measuring major constituents of substances in real time includes a monochromator or other sensor having no moving optical parts. At least one of the monochromator and the substance are moving relative to one another. An NIR radiation source irradiates a substance and the reflected or passed-through radiation is transmitted to the monochromator, which isolates and detects narrow portions of the received spectrum. By analyzing the intensities and wavelengths of the received radiation, the presence and amount of major constituents of the substance can be determined.

Abstract: A vehicle interior trim panel and method of making is provided where the vehicle interior trim panel comprises a skin, a substrate, a foam located between the skin and the substrate, and a flat wire at least partially surrounded by and embedded in the foam.

Abstract: An improved vehicle glareshield having a structural body having a predetermined size and shape adapted to protect an instrument panel in a vehicle from glare; and a plurality of controlled strength members carried in said structural body which collapse in a controlled manner upon high force impact by an occupant in order to reduce a deceleration force experienced by an occupant upon impact with said instrument panel.

Abstract: A process for formation of a plastic composite includes providing a two part mold system wherein one of the parts is moveable and includes cavities and the other of the parts is stationary and includes cores each having less mass and sequentially moving the moveable mold part with respect to the stationary mold part to form an injection volume between each of said mold cavities of variable capacity.

Abstract: An anvil is provided for use in a blind fastening system. The anvil is made using a process of wrapping a piece of wire stock around a mandrel. This process provides significant cost advantages compared to the process of machining the anvil.

Abstract: A shift washer which is used in a blind fastening system. The shift washer is made using a process of wrapping a piece of wire stock around a mandrel. This process provides significant cost advantages compared to the process of machining the shift washer. A flange can be provided on the shift washer to prevent the shift washers from nesting with one another and results in easier assembly of the blind fasteners.

Abstract: A cable testing system for testing individual lines of a cable. The cable testing system includes a main unit having an input jack and a plurality of identifying lights connected to the input jack, and at least one remote module including an input jack and an output jack, a power source in communication with the output jack, and a plurality of identifying lights connected to the input jack. Preferably, the output jack of the remote module is configured to receive one end of a multiple line cable and the input jacks of both the main unit and remote module are configured to receive the other end of the multiple line cable. The remote module preferably includes a test signal generator configured to send test signals sequentially along each line of the cable, and includes an identifying signal generator which is configured to send an identifying signal along a line of the cable.

Abstract: A method of forming a motor vehicle instrument panel with a flexibly tethered air bag deployment door includes the steps of molding an instrument panel with a first plastics material to a desired shape and with an integral air bag deployment door whose opening is defined by a tear seam formed by a groove molded in one side of the panel and with an integral mounting/hinge flange that extends from an inside surface of the door, and forming a bonded layer of second plastics material on one side of the flange and the inside surface of a potentially frangible portion of the door.

Abstract: A control system for an electric vehicle, such as a golf car, that includes a plurality of power MOSFETs. The vehicle includes a shunt wound motor including an armature coil and a field coil. One of the MOSFETs is connected in parallel across the armature coil and another MOSFET is connected in series with the armature coil. The MOSFET across the armature coil includes a freewheel diode. When the motor is operating below its base speed, i.e., when the back EMF is below the power supply voltage, a current flow can be induced by momentarily turning on the series MOSFET, shorting the armature coil. Because of the residual inductance in the motor, a current flow in the counter clockwise direction is initiated at which point the series MOSFET is turned off. Consequently, a large voltage spike across the motor occurs which results in current flow back into the battery pack. By quickly turning the series MOSFET on and off the current flow can be maintained, and the regenerative braking can occur even at slow speeds.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint apparatus for an automotive vehicle includes an air bag deployment door formed in a trim panel. The air bag deployment door outer surface has an area of 5 in2 to 35 in2, and at least a portion of the perimeter comprises a frangible marginal edge. The frangible marginal edge includes a frangible length, and at least 20% of the frangible length is non-linear. The apparatus also includes an air bag dispenser containing an air bag having a volume of at least 90 liters. The air bag dispenser includes an elongated container having an air bag receptacle containing an air bag and an inflator receptacle containing an inflator.

Abstract: A golf car having a hydraulic fluid brake system. The hydraulic fluid brake system is implemented as a disk brake system which is responsive to hydraulic fluid pressure generated from a master cylinder. A brake pedal and associated linkage provides input to a master cylinder to generate a hydraulic fluid pressure to control a brake caliper assembly. The brake pedal has a range of travel, where a first portion of the range defines a service mode of operation and a second portion of the range defines a parking mode of operation. In the parking mode of operation, the brake pedal and linkage engages a detent to maintain application of the brake to provide a parking mode of operation. An accumulator in the brake system provides an input force to maintain hydraulic fluid pressure sufficient to retain a parking mode of operation.

Abstract: A metallized composite comprising a first thermoplastic layer, a discontinuous intermediate layer comprising discrete islands of metal in an adhesive, and a second thermoplastic layer. The metallized composites of the invention can be employed as reflective surfaces, such as are used as mirrors or substitutes for chrome trim on automobiles. A particularly preferred metal as a component of the discontinuous layer of the composite is indium.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel structures for spin weld assemblies and a method for forming same. The spin weld assemblies are formed by attaching a fastener to a plastic insert which is then attached to a plastic workpiece. The fastener can take the form of many different structures, preferably a stud or a nut. The fastener is formed with a drive for driving the fastener into a bore of the plastic insert having first and second ends. Self-tapping threads on the fastener engage the fastener with the plastic insert when the fastener is driven into the bore of the insert. The insert, having the fastener threadedly engaged thereto, is then rotated and generally axially displaced into an opening of the plastic workpiece, thereby spin welding the insert to the workpiece. The first end of the insert provides proper alignment for the insert to be spin welded into the opening as the diameter of the first end is smaller than that of the opening.

Abstract: A riveting tool (11) for placing a blind breakstem rivet (28), which tool comprises: a body (12, 13, 14), a nosepiece (18) removably and replaceably securable to the body (14); a drawbar (17) reciprocable with respect to the body (14) and the nose-piece (18); and stem-engaging means (22) removably and replaceably securable to the drawbar (17), in which the nosepiece (18) is readily and rapidly removable from and replaceable on the body (14), and the stem-engaging means (22) is readily and rapidly removable from and replaceable on the drawbar (17); thereby to enable the rapid removal and replacement of the nosepiece (18) and stem-engaging means (22).

Abstract: A headlamp adjuster which includes an adjuster output shaft which is engageable with a reflector of a headlamp assembly. The adjuster output shaft extends from a housing, and the headlamp adjuster is configured such that in an overload condition, the adjuster output shaft is prevented from translating substantially axially, thereby reducing the risk of damage resulting from over-travel of the adjustor output shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining a vehicle screen (12) supported with respect to a vehicle by a gasket (16, 24), said screen (12) comprising first (22) and second (27) edge regions wherein said gasket (16, 24) has a first conduit (20) means having an opening (21) proximate to said first edge region (22) and second conduit (25) means having an opening (26) proximate to said second edge region (27) and wherein the apparatus further comprises supply apparatus coupled to said first conduit means (20) for supplying a liquid thereto and collection apparatus coupled to said second conduit (25) means for collecting said liquid.

Abstract: A headlamp adjuster which includes an adjuster output shaft which is engageable with a reflector of a headlamp assembly. The adjuster output shaft extends from a housing, and the headlamp adjuster is configured such that in an overload condition, the adjuster output shaft is prevented from translating substantially axially, thereby reducing the risk of damage resulting from over-travel of the adjustor output shaft.

Abstract: A threaded fastener which includes a shank, a radially enlarged head at one end, an external thread on at least a part of the shank, and a bore which extends through the head and into the threaded part of the shank. At least the threaded part of the shank is radially expandable into the threaded engagement with the wall of a suitable unthreaded bore in a workpiece in which the threaded part has been inserted. The fastener thereafter is removable by unscrewing it from the workpiece bore. The expandable part of the shank is provided with a plurality of radially extending lugs or other protrusions provided on the threaded part of the shank thereby to resist unscrewing of the fastener from the workpiece bore.

Abstract: A gear pump having two meshing gears which are each assigned to a shaft and which are each driven by a driving unit. The driving units are controllable by a control unit such that the shafts rotate at a definable angular velocity. The control units have a symmetrical construction, and a control device provided in each control unit, each control device being connected to the other by way of a data line.

Abstract: A method of forming a tubular member with longitudinal slots along part of its wall, comprising the steps of: firstly, forming longitudinal zones of weakness along part of the wall of the tubular member, and secondly, expanding the said part of the tubular member radially to cause fracture of the wall of the member along the longitudinal zones, thereby to form longitudinal slots.