Abstract: A window lift bracket for attachment to a mounting edge of a movable window and which is connectable to a window lifting mechanism. The window lift bracket includes a base which is attachable to the window lifting mechanism and spaced apart portions extending from the base being positionable on either side of the movable window. The spaced apart portions define a channel therebetween. Opposing surfaces of the spaced apart portions include protrusions which abut corresponding surfaces of a window placed in the channel. Depressions are defined by the protrusions and are adapted for receiving an adhesive placed in the channel and effectively increasing the surface area contact of the adhesive on the window bracket thereby improving the adhesion of the adhesive to the window bracket and window. Further, the bracket is integrally formed of a suitable plastics material compatible with the adhesive used to attach the bracket to the window.

Abstract: A self-clinching fastener is provided, of the type for connection to a section of sheet material having an aperture formed therein for receiving the fastener. The self-clinching fastener comprises a head portion and a shank portion having a smaller outer diameter than the head portion and extending axially from one side of the head portion. A displacement portion extends axially from the one side of the head portion extending radially outwardly of the shank portion. An undercut annular groove is formed inwardly of the displacement portion, extending axially in the direction of the head portion and radially surrounding the shank portion. A generally annular sizing ring is formed about the shank portion axially spaced from the one side of the head portion by an amount somewhat greater than the axial extent of the displacement portion. The outer diameter of the sizing ring is greater than the outer diameter of the shank portion and also greater than the inner diameter of the undercut annular groove.

Abstract: A fastener is mounted in preassembly with a workpiece through an aperture in the workpiece. The fastener has a head and an elongate shank integrally formed therewith. The shank has a threaded portion and an unthreaded portion with the threaded portion having a major diameter which is greater than the inside diameter of the aperture in the workpiece and the unthreaded portion having an outside diameter which is less than the inside diameter of the aperture in the workpiece. To engage the fastener with the workpiece, the threaded portion is passed through the aperture to dispose the unthreaded portion within the aperture. When the fastener is engaged with the aperture, a partial internal thread is formed therein which does not materially enlarge or decrease the effective inside diameter of the aperture.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a lightweight composite panel in which an outer skin is developed by spraying a heat curable reactive urethane formulation onto a contoured heated surface of a mold cavity of a press mold and maintained thereon in a semi-cured state. A substrate-forming foam layer impregnated with a hardening compound is positioned against a second foam layer and the layers in turn laid over the semi-cured urethane skin. The foam layers are urged together within the mold under heat and pressure at a temperature sufficient to accelerate activating of the hardening compound to render the substrate-forming foam layer relatively stiff, hard and self-supporting and less compressible than that of the second foam layer, and to bond the foam layers to one another at their interface, while forcing the semi-cured skin material into interstices of the second foam layer and thereafter curing the skin producing a bond between the skin and the second foam layer.

Abstract: A direct drive servovalve wherein a limited angle force motor is interconnected with a spool valve to convert rotary motion of the drive motor rotor to linear motion of the spool for the control of fluid from a source thereof to a load. The permanent magnets utilized in the rotor of the drive motor are positioned in such a manner that a resultant magnetic force is generated so as to urge the rotor against a bearing which supports the rotor shaft so as to substantially eliminate any radially play or sloppiness in the motor rotor.

Abstract: An improved airblast fuel injector for a gas turbine engine wherein the injector comprises an inner air discharge chamber, a first fuel discharge chamber disposed outboard of the inner air chamber, an intermediate air discharge chamber disposed radially outboard of the first fuel chamber, a second fuel discharge chamber disposed radially outboard of the first outer air chamber, and an outer air discharge chamber disposed radially outboard of the second fuel chamber. The fuel flow from the first fuel discharge chamber is subjected to inner and outer atomizing air flows from the inner and intermediate air chambers. The fuel flow from the second fuel discharge chamber is subjected to inner and outer atomizing airflows from the intermediate and outer air discharge chambers. The individual fuel flow streams discharged from the first and second fuel discharge chambers provide an aggregate, high mass flow of fuel necessary for engine operation.

Abstract: A direct drive servovalve which includes a limited angle force motor having an eccentric engaging a two landed spool for converting rotary motion of the motor rotor into linear motion of the spool so as to control the flow of fluid from a source under pressure thereof of to a load. The two landed spool is in direct contact with a wall of the bore defined within the valve housing as opposed to utilization of a sleeve interposed between the wall of the bore and the spool valve. A pressure equalizing passageway is connected between the pressure passageways for the purpose of substantially reducing pressure drop when the spool valve translates to allow flow of fluid through the valve.

Abstract: An impact resistent flexible grille is located in an impact zone at a front end of an automobile having a grille support structure and an energy absorbing bumper. The flexible grille is rigidly fastened to the grille support structure and the bumper by rigid attachments that are located so that the flexible grille flexes to avoid damage when the front bumper collapses rearwardly responsive to a front end impact. Elastomeric tethers connect deflected portions of the flexible grille to the grille support structure to guide them back to their original position when the bumper returns to its original position. In one arrangement, the rigid attachments are located along a vertical centerline of the flexible grille and an elastomeric tether connects each upper corner of the flexible grille to the grille support structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for forming a cover for an air bag deployment opening, the cover having a tear seam defined by a reduction in thickness of the cover. The cover can be formed as an unitary part of an outer skin layer for an automobile interior trim structure. The apparatus includes a thin shell having an inner surface upon which a thermoplastic material is cast to form the outer skin. A multiplicity of pins are disposed on and extend away from a backside thereof to transfer heat to the inner surface. The density of the pins is reduced on the portion of the backside of the shell proximate the portion of the inner surface upon which the tear seam of the outer skin is to be formed. The shell can be heated or cooled by using a plurality of nozzles to impinge heated or cooled air onto predetermined locations of the backside. A cover and tear seam construction is also disclosed.

Abstract: A door trim panel component that has a nominal thickness includes an arm rest that has a die locked pocket for opening the door. The die locked pocket has a wall that is substantially thicker than the nominal thickness of the trim panel component to provide a comfortable hand grip. The door trim panel is molded with the aid of a preformed core block that is embedded in the hand grip to reduce the effective thickness of the hand grip during the molding process. The preformed core block is configured with a stand-off feature that facilitates molding and demolding the door trim panel.

Abstract: An integrated compliance electrohydraulic servovalve system connected to a load such as a simulated living being to provide more realistic movement thereto. The system includes a pressure transducer for sensing the pressure appearing at the output of the electrohydraulic servovalve and which is applied to an actuator connected to the load. The pressure as sensed is developed into a corresponding electrical signal which is used as a feed back signal to the drive motor of the electrohydraulic servovalve. The actuator position signal is also provided and is summed with the position command input signal to provide the command signal which is also summed with the pressure signal prior to application to the drive motor. The utilization of the pressure feed back signal provides compliance to the over all system resulting in a realistic movement of the simulated living being.

Abstract: A solenoid valve for use in controlling the flow of pneumatic fluid under pressure between a pair of flow ports defined by a housing. The flow of fluid is controlled by a spool disposed within a bore and is movable between first and second positions. When in one of the first and second positions, the spool blocks communication between the ports and when in the other of those positions it allows communication between the flow ports. The spool is reciprocated by a motor means which includes a core of magnetic material connected to the spool so that when the motor is energized, the spool is placed in one of its first and second positions and when the motor is de-energized, a spring moves the spool to the other of its positions.

Abstract: A method of simultaneously vacuum forming a plastic article and integrally joining a device thereto is disclosed wherein a lock defining surface is formed on an anchoring end of the device, a heat activated adhesive is applied to the lock defining surface, and air is drawn through vacuum holes in the mold surface that defines the shape of the article and is also drawn through vacuum holes in the lock defining surface to draw a heated sheet of thermoplastic material onto the mold surface and also into interlocking relationship with the lock defining surface to form the article and to mechanically interlock and adhere the device to the formed article.

Abstract: An interior trim panel for a motor vehicle has an opening for deployment of an air bag and a discrete air bag door that is attached to the interior trim panel covering the opening. The door includes a relatively rigid retainer that hinges the door to the trim panel so that it opens responsive to deployment of the air bag. An unhinged end of the door is held down by two tether tear straps that break away when the air bag is deployed.

Abstract: A vehicle steering control system and apparatus for controlling steering radius to prevent vehicle and surface damage and to provide improved low speed vehicle maneuverability. The steering control system and apparatus provides a first controllably limited turning radius range in relation to a first condition and a second controllably limited turning radius range in relation to a second condition. Examples of the first and second conditions include speed related conditions, such as, the actual speed of the vehicle, a selected gear of the vehicle, and manual selection of the turning radius. The system and apparatus includes a dual stroke hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder body housing a hydraulically controllable primary piston. A shaft is attached to and extends from the primary piston, projects through the cylinder body, and connects to the steering linkage of the vehicle. Hydraulic operation of the primary piston transfers forces along the shaft to the linkage.

Abstract: A covered article such as an automotive trim panel comprises a substrate having a front surface to be covered, a back surface and a plurality of holes extending through it for vacuum drawing a trim cover stock against the front surface. The substrate has sets of parallel saw-tooth holder grooves in a peripheral margin of the back surface adjacent to an edge of the substrate that is to be wrapped by the trim cover stock and transverse manifold grooves that communicate with the holder grooves. An adhesive is applied to the front surface and the peripheral margin and the substrate is supported on a vacuum buck so that the peripheral margin overhangs the buck and the manifold grooves communicate with a vacuum source of the buck. The trim cover stock is drawn against the front surface of the substrate and a marginal portion of the trim cover stock is simultaneously drawn against the peripheral margin of the back surface by vacuum to wrap the trim cover stock around the edge of the substrate.

Abstract: A cover for an air bag unit is disclosed having a patterned tear seam therein defined by an integrally bonded, thermoplastic filler strip as the cover material and comprising a material having properties different than that of the cover material, Apparatus for forming the cover includes a thin shell mold having an inner surface that is heated to melt thermoplastic material cast thereon, A powder box adapted to contain thermoplastic material therein for distribution onto the thin shell mold carries a gasket having a shape corresponding to the tear seam shape. The powder box and gasket are adapted to be connected to the thin shell mold for forming a sealed footprint on the inner surface during distribution of the cast material against heated surface portions of the thin shell mold to form a thermoplastic cover with an opening therein that have the tear seam pattern, The opening is later filled with the lesser strength thermoplastic material to form an integrally bonded thermoplastic filler strip.

Abstract: An impact resistent flexible grille is located in an impact zone at a front end of an automobile having a grille support structure and an energy absorbing bumper. The flexible grille is rigidly fastened to the grille support structure and the bumper by rigid attachments that are located so that the flexible grille flexes to avoid damage when the front bumper collapses rearwardly responsive to a front end impact. Elastomeric tethers connect deflected portions of the flexible grille to the grille support structure to guide them back to their original position when the bumper returns to its original position. In one arrangement, the rigid attachments are located along a vertical centerline of the flexible grille and an elastomeric tether connects each upper corner of the flexible grille to the grille support structure.

Abstract: A quantity of fluid resin material is rendered into a flowable state without the use of solvents. The fabric then is beaded with at least one elongate bead of the flowable resin, wherein at least a portion of bead remains on the surface of the fabric to tackify the fabric and facilitate lay-up of the beaded fabric in the composite molding process. The fabric then is laid-up into a molding apparatus, wherein the bead adheres to surfaces in the molding apparatus and assists in positioning of the fabric therein. A further quantity of resin is disposed or injected under pressure into the molding apparatus and into contact with the fabric and contours of the mold. The resin then is cured to form the composite body.

Abstract: An automobile is provided with a speed control system operably connected to a drive system of the automobile. The speed control system includes an accelerator pedal assembly having an accelerator pedal movably connected to a frame of the assembly, an actuator rod connected to the accelerator pedal, and an induction sensor stationarily connected to the frame. The sensor is adapted to generate an electrical output signal corresponding to the position of the actuator rod relative to the sensor without the actuator rod contacting the sensor. The accelerator pedal assembly is connected to the chassis of the automobile as a substantially modular unit.