Abstract: A novel process of forming a member, process of forming an extruded and axially twisted member, such as a drill, a fastener, a self-drilling/tapping fastener, and the member formed by the process is disclosed. The process includes the steps of: providing a blank; extruding a predetermined shape along at least a section of the blank, thereby forming at least two first portions and at least two portions on the extruded section; forming a head on the end of the blank to define a head and a shank; and axially twisting at least a section of the first and second portions a predetermined amount. As a result of the twisting step, each first portion forms a spiral along the length of the twisted section and each second portion forms a spiral along the length of the twisted section. The first portions alternate with the second portions and each second portion defines a spiral groove for transporting material along the length of the shank. The resulting member can be threaded along all or a portion of the shank.

Abstract: A gear pump for delivering liquid media has a pump housing with at least two bores, in which at least two meshing gears with tooth tips are contained. The gears are radially mounted by bearing surfaces which on one side consist of areas of the tooth tips and on the other side, of areas of the interior of the bores. This arrangement requires no slide bearings in the conventional sense, which results in a smaller number of pump parts and hence to reduced manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A method stabilizes the temperature in a gear pump lubricated with material to be delivered. At least one housing part has at least two slide bearings in which shafts are mounted and are lubricated by medium to be delivered. A medium is adjusted in a temperature stabilizer to a predetermined temperature and then flows firstly through the housing part and secondly through shafts and/or slide bearings to stabilize the temperature.

Abstract: An automotive interior trim panel has an outer flexible skin that overlies a rigid backing panel formed with a foam entry hole through which foam precursors are poured into a space between the skin and panel and they react and expand to generate a foam layer within the space. Tab projections are carried by the panel and extend into the foam space to at least partially cover the opening and provide rigid backing support for foam expanding in the region of the entry hole to control the density of the foam in this entry hole region such that it conforms more closely with the density of the immediate surrounding foam.

Abstract: A dual motor windshield wiper system and windshield washer system integrated together into a single assembly. The system includes two motors (22, 22′), a control circuit (12), a fluid reservoir (120), a pump (112), and at least one mounting member (108, 108′) that supports said motors. The reservoir can be located between the two motors and can be supported in place by the motors. The motors can be thermally coupled to the reservoir so that fluid within the reservoir acts as a heat sink for the motors. The positions of the wipers can be controlled to follow targeted positions that are determined in accordance with acceleration, velocity, and deceleration values that are calculated using a wiper speed setting selected by the vehicle driver.

Abstract: A method of molding a plastic shell having an outer pliable skin layer and a foam backing layer comprises casting a first skin layer portion from wear resistant material in a first casting sequence for those areas of the panel susceptible to high wear and in a second casting sequence casting self-skinning foamable material against the remaining portion of the mold surface and over the first-cast skin layer portion to develop, simultaneously, the remaining outer skin layer portion of the shell and a foam backing layer which extends across the entire skin layer.

Abstract: A passenger protection apparatus for a motor vehicle is provided comprising a first interior trim member and a second interior trim member. The first interior trim member, preferably an instrument panel, is attached to the motor vehicle and the second interior trim member attached to the first interior trim member. The second trim member is attached to the first trim member such that the second interior trim member is removable from the first interior trim member without detaching the first interior tnm member from the motor vehicle The second interior trim member is located in the knee impact region of the motor vehicle and comprises a first energy management device in the form of an inflatable restraint apparatus having an airbag and an inflator.

Abstract: A shock absorber mounted electromagnetically operated damper valve which is mounted upon a piston rod and provides a flow path for fluid which bypasses the piston which separates a cylinder of the shock absorber into a pair of fluid containing chambers. The damper valve includes a spool reciprocally mounted within the hollow interior of a housing. A retainer is also received within the hollow interior and includes a tube which defines a space between its outer surface and the inner surface of the hollow interior of the housing to receive a skirt extending from the spool.

Abstract: An air cell support system for vehicle seat and mattress applications includes an air cell constructed from facing sheets of flexible material that are sealed along their marginal edges. One of the sheets is impermeable and the other of the sheets is perforated to direct air from the air cell for ventilating an occupant support surface while providing a source of pressure for inflating the air cell.

Abstract: A passive ranging optical system is coupled to an active radar system. The passive ranging optical system provides range and rate information to the active radar system. After receiving the range and rate information, the active radar system uses fewer transmission pulses but achieves higher resolution of the range of the target because of improved range gate information.

Abstract: A support assembly for supporting a rotating shaft relative to a structure in which a first magnetized member is attached to the shaft for rotation therewith, a support member is connected to the structure and at least one damper member connects the support member to a second magnetized member for supporting the second magnetized member in a portion relative to the first magnetized member. The respective magnetic fields of the first and second magnetized members are such that radial deflective movement of the shaft, and therefore the first magnetic member, causes corresponding radial movement of the second magnetized member which is dampened by the damping member.

Abstract: A complex object, such as a spar for a tilt-rotor aircraft rotor blade, is manufactured from fiber composite materials. Unbroken fiber strips are laid along the length of the spar to maximize the number of full length fibers used in the spar. Cross-sectional areas along the length of the spar can change in both shape and area. The fibers are laid to accommodate and form these variable shapes. The locations for the fibers are determined by defining locations for the strips for each cross-section, then connecting corresponding points together to specify where the strips are to be laid down.

Abstract: A cladding element having sound-absorbent properties is provided for screening an engine and/or exhaust system of a motor vehicle, for example as an underbody cover panel for same, in the form of a substantially plate-shaped, self-supporting stiff component of thermoplastic material formed at least in part as a hollow body, which at least partially accommodates a sound-absorbent filling of foamed thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A method of molding a plastic shell having an outer pliable skin layer and a foam backing layer comprises casting a first skin layer portion from wear resistant material in a first casting sequence for those areas of the panel susceptible to high wear and in a second casting sequence casting self-skinning foamable material against the remaining portion of the mold surface and over the first-cast skin layer portion to develop, simultaneously, the remaining outer skin layer portion of the shell and a foam backing layer which extends across the entire skin layer.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint assembly for passengers in automotive vehicles including an air bag door integrally formed in an automotive trim of a first material. The integral air bag door is defined at least in part by a tear guide when in a closed position. The air bag door is movable from the closed position to provide a path for an air bag to deploy through. The air bag door is movable out of the closed position by at least partially separating from the trim panel along a door seam at least partially defined by the tear guide. A retaining structure is configured to preclude at least a portion of the air bag door from departing the immediate vicinity of the trim panel during air bag deployment. According to one embodiment a hinge comprising a second material may is embedded at least partially within the first material and spans the door seam.

Abstract: A magnetic particle damper apparatus is provided for damping motion between two relatively movable members. The damper apparatus comprises first and second conductor members each attachable to one of the relatively movable members. The conductor members are disposed with confronting surfaces having a gap therebetween filled with a quantity of magnetic particles. A magnetic element is attached to one of the conductor members, producing magnetic flux which is substantially confined to a magnetic flux path defined by relatively magnetically permeable regions and relatively magnetically non-permeable regions of the conductor members to flow across the gap and through the magnetic particles. The magnetic field causes the magnetic particles along the flux path to adhere to one another and to the confronting surfaces of the conductor members producing a force opposing relative motion between said movable members and dissipating energy when the conductor members move relative to one another.

Abstract: A quick-release fastener system for attaching a first structural body to a second structural body. The quick-release fastener system includes a stud assembly that is engaged with the first structural body and a receptacle assembly that is engaged with the second structural body. The stud assembly includes a stud and a nut body engaged with the stud. The receptacle assembly includes a retaining clip, and a biasing member and receptacle which are engaged with the retaining clip. The stud includes a receptacle-engaging portion which engages the receptacle, and the nut body is engaged with the stud such that rotation of the nut body effects rotation of the receptacle-engaging portion of the stud in the receptacle. The biasing member contacts the stud and biasing the receptacle-engaging portion of the stud into engagement with the receptacle. The engagement between the receptacle-engagement portion of the stud and the receptacle effects attachment of the first structural body to the second structural body.

Abstract: A motor for powering a cutting unit in an electric mower. The motor is mounted above the cutting unit. A second motor is provided to drive one or more accessories and is also mounted above the cutting unit. The motors are symmetrically placed toward opposite ends of the cutting unit. The second motor acts as a counterbalance to the first, so the cutting unit has similar weight on both of its ends. This eliminates the need for a torsion spring counterbalance system, allows increased mobility of the cutting unit, and facilitates servicing of the cutting unit.

Abstract: A variable gradient control stick force feel adjustment system for use in aircraft is disclosed. A gradient actuator is operationally coupled to at least one spring cartridge assembly in order to move the pivot point of the spring cartridge assembly with respect to the aircraft's directional hardware so that the tension of at least one manual control stick onboard the aircraft can be adjusted. At least one operational parameter input is provided to the gradient actuator from at least one of the aircraft's onboard control devices in order to effect a change in pivot point for the spring cartridge assembly.