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 restricted orifice which produces a differential pressure across the spool to assist in retaining the spool in a predetermined position in the absence of electromagnetic signal.

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: Disclosed is a plug and fastener for sealing in an opening formed in a workpiece, and the plug and fastener includes a shank having a threaded portion for engaging with an internal wall of the opening and providing a first seal, and having a sealing portion extending from the threaded portion. The sealing portion initially enters the opening and is configured to engage and provide a second seal against the internal wall of the opening.

Abstract: A method for manufacture an air bag cover includes providing a cover skin made of a polymeric material and weakening a seam region in the skin by selective exposure to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel fastener member, stud, or other threaded member, for engagement with a female member, and the method of assembly thereof. The fastener member has a novel point which facilitates engagement of the fastener member in the threaded bore, greatly reduces the possibility of cross-threading and is especially suited for use in applications involving blind holes or the use of very thin threaded holes. The fastener member has a threaded shank portion. A point is provided at the end of the shank portion and includes an unthreaded radiused portion and a threaded transition portion between the shank portion and the radiused portion. The major diameters of the threads of the transition portion gradually lessen between the opposite ends thereof. The radiused portion can be provided with a truncated end surface.

Abstract: An improved polymer processing system having a pair of filtration units and a diverter valve arrangement for directing the flow of molten polymers alternately through the filtration units includes an improved manifold for the diverter valve arrangement for positioning the filtration units at opposite sides of the diverter valve arrangement allowing connection between the diverter valve arrangement and the filtration units with relatively shorter connecting pipes. The improved polymer processing system also includes an improved vent valve arrangement extending through the lid of the filtration unit and a means for introducing gas into an inactive filtration unit for speeding the draining of the polymer from the unit. The improved polymer processing system also includes a means for protecting the annular seal of the inlet port of each filtration unit during the process of reinstalling the filter vessel into the surrounding jacket.

Abstract: A hydraulically driven utility vehicle which supports and powers work attachments. An electronic system is incorporated in the vehicle for having the vehicle traverse the ground at a selected speed and for operating the attachment at a selected speed so that the work of the attachment can be performed in a uniform rate, as desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for deploying an air bag through an automotive dash panel includes an air bag door integrally formed in the panel and defined by a frangible edge of reduced cross section. A dispenser supports the air bag behind the door. A metal reaction plate is positioned between the air bag and the door. When the air bag inflates it forces the reaction plate to bend around a horizontal hinge line. As the reaction plate rotates it concentrates inflation force along a lower portion of the frangible door edge. This helps predictably separate the door from the dash panel by tearing along the lower door edge and allowing the tear to propagate up two side edges. In one embodiment, the tear also propagates across an upper edge to completely separate the door from the panel. At least one, and preferably two or three tethers limit how far the door can travel during air bag inflation. A stop member may be included to limit reaction plate bending.

Abstract: A reel-type lawn mower and tractor assembly which includes a pivotally-mounted lift arm on the tractor. A lawn mower is pivotally attached to the laterally extending end of the lift arm and is caster-connected relative to the lift arm by a device of an intervening link which is angulated to be at one elevation at the top of the mower and at a lower elevation to the rear of the mower where the connection is made with the tractor lift arm.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a multi-layer automotive interior trim panel (10) comprises a decorative covering layer (12) and a supportive substrate layer (16). The substrate layer (16) is comprised of a rigid material formed into a predetermined shape for supporting the covering layer. The trim panel also includes an intermediate layer (18) disposed between the covering layer and the supportive substrate layer comprised of cushioning material. The intermediate layer includes a mat (20) of polymeric fibers, with the mat having a plurality of indentations (24) to provide a cushioning effect. A corresponding method for producing the interior trim panel having the three layers includes several steps. The first step is heating the cushion layer (18) to a predetermined temperature. The second step is melting a portion of the polymeric fibers in the cushion layer. The third step is stamping the cushion layer to form the plurality of indentations (24).

Abstract: A gear pump has a housing, a pump shaft supported in a housing wall by a bearing, and a pumping gear supported on the pump shaft which is operable to pump newtonian and non-newtonian liquid of different densities. A relief collection zone is arranged on a low-pressure side of the bearing for collecting leakage liquid passing through the bearing along the shaft. At least two return ducts or bores are provided which connect the collection or relief zone with a suction side of the pump in order to return the collected leakage liquid.

Abstract: An instrument panel of an automotive vehicle includes a rigid retainer preformed with an air bag opening and a recessed ledge extending about the opening. A separately formed door is installed on the opening and hinged to the retainer along one edge. The remaining three edges overlie the ledge to prevent inward movement of the door. The retainer and door are placed in a cavity of a mold tool in spaced relation to an outer skin and foam constituents are reacted therebetween to develop a foam layer. A foam seal is provided at the interface of the ledge and door to prevent the escape of foam past the ledge.

Abstract: An adjustable impact test fixture (10) for testing impact characteristics of interior trim panels (22). The fixture (10) comprises a support (12), a backing plate (14) attached to the support, and a movable floating plate (16) supported in spaced-apart relation to the backing plate. The fixture further includes one or more energy absorbing inserts (18) that are removably disposed between the backing plate (14) and the floating plate (16). Each insert (18) causes the fixture (10) to have a predetermined or known impact characteristic. The fixture (10) further includes a mounting assembly (20) adapted to fixedly secure a trim panel portion (22) to the floating plate (16).

Abstract: An electric mower having constant speed control. The mower is powered by a battery and a controller connected to the electric motor. The controller monitors mower operation and ensures that a constant speed is maintained while mowing and transporting even on inclines and declines.

Abstract: An oil cooler movably supported on a vehicle, and being in combination with a radiator supported preferably on a tractor. The two exchangers are in tandem position, relative to air flow, and each has it own vertically clear space, and the oil cooler can be moved in its space to an inoperative position and out of tandem so that both the cooler and radiator can be maintained, such as by cleaning. The support for the cooler is shown to be a pivotal support and the hoses remain connected while the cooler is moved, and there is an air filter screen which is also movably mounted in the assembly, and there is a stand for supporting the cooler in its inoperative position.

Abstract: A low density, epoxy-based intumescent fire resistive coating, having a density below about 1.10 grams/cc, and most preferably below about 1.0 grams/cc, and a method for forming the same, are disclosed. This method includes the steps of forming an epoxy-based intumescent mastic, having minute particles of amorphous silica dispersed therein. The mastic is then sprayed in droplets on at least one surface of a substrate to form a low density mastic coating on the surface. The low density mastic coating then cures to form a low density, intumescent fire resistive coating. Preferably, the method of invention further includes the step of dispersing at least one type of gas within the mastic, or within at least one part of the mastic to further reduce the density of the cured intumescent coating.

Abstract: A system of inflatable air cells is constructed and installed in a seat at locations that are strategic to the comfort of the user. The air cells are connected to a pump through a manifold which sequentially connects each cell independently to the pump. The manifold controls the flow of fluid in the air cell distribution system by means of a system of valves and senses the pressure in each cell by means of a transducer. A microcomputer is programmed with data representing a desired comfort level for each of the air cells. By sequentially activating individual manifold valves, a pressure signal from the transducer can be generated for each cell. The pressure signals are received by the microcomputer and are correlated with the predetermined comfort data to generate a control signal which activates the pump. In this manner each of the cells can be individually inflated or deflated to the desired pressure level.

Abstract: An exterior cladding attachment for a motor vehicle includes a main body portion and a plurality of carets integrally formed therewith which extend in an inboard direction. Each of the plurality of carets is adapted to engage an aperture provided in a body side panel of the motor vehicle and is formed to include a base portion and an engagement portion. The engagement portion passes through the associated aperture and has a stop surface for retaining the caret therein. The base portion includes first and second spaced apart sides having a thickness adjacent to the main body portion which is approximately 25% or less than the nominal thickness of the main body portion. To further secure the main body portion to the motor vehicle, the cladding attachment includes an adhesive strip disposed adjacent horizontally extending adjacent a lower edge of the main body portion.

Abstract: A drill assembly for facilitating the removal of a rivet from a workpiece. The drill assembly includes a cutter housing which has an end portion that defines a recess for receiving a head of the rivet. The cutter housing also has a channel for receiving a cutter, and the channel communicates with the recess for cutting a notch in the head of the rivet. A longitudinal axis of the channel is offset from a longitudinal axis of the rivet when the head of the rivet is positioned in the recess defined by the end portion of the cutter housing.

Abstract: A system of inflatable air cells is constructed and installed in a seat at locations that are strategic to the comfort of the user. The air cells are connected to a pump through a manifold which sequentially connects each cell independently to the pump. The manifold controls the flow of fluid in the air cell distribution system by means of a system of valves and senses the pressure in each cell by means of a transducer. A microcomputer is programmed with data representing a desired comfort level for each of the air cells. By sequentially activating individual manifold valves, a pressure signal from the transducer can be generated for each cell. The pressure signals are received by the microcomputer and are correlated with the predetermined comfort data to generate a control signal which activates the pump. In this manner each of the cells can be individually inflated or deflated to the desired pressure level.