Abstract: A reinforced vinyl shell comprises a two layer construction for covering air bag doors that open through the shell when an air bag is deployed. The reinforced vinyl shell includes a first layer of unreinforced vinyl and a second layer is fused to the first layer and is formed of a vinyl material mixed with reinforcing fibers. Such fibers are randomly dispersed in the vinyl and may be comprised of fillers, such as glass, recycled RIM, or recycled vinyl. Other thermoplastic castable materials may be used in place of the vinyl.

Abstract: A steering wheel mounted air bag cover door (10) includes a horn switch (20) disposed on its outside surface (16) for actuating a vehicle horn (40) in response to the application of a predetermined horn actuating force to the cover door. The horn switch (20) is spaced apart laterally from the tear seam (18) on the cover door (10). A cover band (22) extends over and conceals the horn switch (20), the cover band also being spaced apart laterally from the tear seam (18). The cover band (22) includes a removable attachment feature (26) whereby the cover band may be removed easily from the cover door (10) to replace the horn switch (20). An adjustment feature (28) enables one to adjust the distance between the cover band (22) and the cover door (10) to prevent pinching of the horn switch (20).

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning an internal passage of an article, such as a fuel passage of a gas turbine or other engine. The apparatus comprises a container for containing cleaning fluid, means for communicating a first end of the passage to the cleaning fluid in the container, and cleaning fluid conduit means communicated to a second end of the passage in a manner to draw cleaning fluid from the container to flow through the passage from the first end toward the second end in response to flow of cleaning fluid through the conduit means. The apparatus includes means for blocking flow of cleaning fluid through the conduit means so as to direct the cleaning fluid therein to flow through the passage from the second end toward the first end and into the container.

Abstract: A system for controlling the liquid pressure for a liquid cutting dispenser includes an intensifier for producing a predetermined constant pressurized liquid through a conduit to the cutting dispenser. A plurality of reducing dispensers are connected to the conduit and selectively controlled to reduce the pressure from the predetermined pressure of liquid. By actuating different combinations of reducing dispensers having different jewel sizes, variable pressures are obtained. The selection and duration of the reducing dispensers are programmed into memory along with a path a robot is to follow to allow automated cutting with variable pressures.

Abstract: A thread forming screw for cold forming, using primarily compressive forces, internal threads in a workpiece comprised of a low ductility material, such as magnesium and the like, comprises a shank having an entering end and a head end. External threads are disposed on the shank between the entering end and the head end. The external threads define an angular configuration with the angular configuration defining an angle measuring substantially within the range of ninety degrees to one hundred and twenty degrees.

Abstract: An autonomous covert Inertial Navigation System uniquely suited for underwater applications wherein Schuler and siderial errors are bounded without external navigation aids or active instrumentation of ground speed is achieved by integrating a conventional Inertial Navigation System with a gravity gradiometer capable of measuring gravity field components independently of platform accelerations.

Abstract: A separate door assembly with an outer shell, a layer of backing foam and a rigid substrate for covering an inflatable air bag system of a supplemental restraint system to protect the occupant of a vehicle, the separate door seats within an opening in an interior trim structure of a vehicle and is attached to the interior trim structure so that the whole door assembly can separate from the interior trim product during air bag deployment without delamination of the outer shell from the layer of backing foam.

Abstract: Automatic test equipment for testing hydraulic/pneumatic devices which devices are included within the test system as well as those which may be attached to the test system. Object oriented programming preferably using C++ language is utilized. Abstract classes representative of characteristics of a group of devices to be tested are provided. Also provided are subclasses characteristic of types of units to be tested. Upon declaration of a specific instance of a type of unit to be tested, the abstract class is inherited into a subclass which in turn is incorporated into the unique characteristics for the declared unit to be tested. A test program is activated for the specific unit to be tested. The test program is also constructed by utilizing abstract and subclasses of information characteristic to the unit to be tested.

Abstract: A process for producing a motor vehicle bumper includes the steps of depositing chopped glass fibers (19) and a curable binder (24) to a center section (38) of a preform (11) that is retained on a preform screen (14) by a vacuum draw from a suction fan (15). A ratio of shredded structural reinforced injected molded plastic (23) and glass fiber (19) is sprayed to form end sections (41) and flanges (39) of the preform (11) along with binder (24). The preform (11) is then cured on the screen (14).

Abstract: A powered line fishing device, which can also be used as a vacuum or a blower. The device includes a thin-walled container having a bottom, side walls and a mouth. A top plate is positioned over the mouth and an intermediate plate is positioned in the thin-walled container between the mouth and the bottom and is adjustably attached to the top plate. The vacuum/blower unit is positioned between the top plate and the intermediate plate. When the assembled top plate, intermediate plate, and the associated vacuum/blower unit is inserted into the thin-walled container, the intermediate plate seals against the inside surface of the walls. The intermediate plate provides support to prevent the thin-walled container from collapsing when the device creates a vacuum. The vacuum/blower unit, retained between the top plate and intermediate plate, are retained entirely within the thin-walled container to protect the vacuum/blower unit and lower the center of gravity of the device to provide greater stability.

Abstract: A tester for image intensifier tubes used in night vision goggles used by aircraft crew members includes a photosensor, dc. power supply, lamp, optical filter, neutral density optical filters, feedback control, and columnating lens. The intensity of the lamp is controlled with reference to the magnitude of an electrical variable that changes with the intensity of light produced by the lamp. A differential amplifier having a constant current bridge circuit varies base current to cascaded transistor amplifiers in accordance with changes in the electrical variable. The bridge and amplifier stages stabilize the intensity of light produced by the lamp. An array of optic filters of graduated intensity shows the intensity of light in a range of wavelengths near infrared able to pass through an ANVIS filter.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a crankcase, an output crankshaft, and an input shaft assembly. The input shaft assembly has an input shaft and a crank plate press-fit connected to the input shaft. The crank plate comprises a single sheet metal member with slightly elongate radial slots adapted to receive the crankpin of the output crankshaft. The slots are open ended to allow for misalignment between the output crankshaft and the input shaft whereby the crankpin can longitudinally move in its crank plate slot.

Abstract: A rivet for joining two panels together including a solid member and a member having a tubular portion surrounding part of the solid member. In one form, the rivet has a solid shank and a tail with a tubular forward portion. The shank extends entirely through an aperture in the panels to provide good shear strength. The deformable tail retains the rivet within the aperture but does not damage the edges of the aperture, which may be composite material. The tail forward tubular portion surrounds the shank and is fastened thereto mechanically or by welding. A cavity is created between the head of the tail and the rear face of the shank so that under axial compression the tubular walls of the tail buckle outward. The tail is configured to provide grip range wherein the buckling will occur against the rear wall of the workpieces being joined within a given range of workpiece thickness.

Abstract: A low band width passive vehicle suspension system for utilization with land vehicles which includes a shock absorber of the cylinder-piston type suspended between each wheel of the vehicle and its chassis. The piston divides the cylinder into a pair of chambers and the chambers are interconnected with a bypass passageway within which there is mounted a variable orifice controlled by a moveable valve. Sensors are mounted on each wheel to detect movement thereof as well as acceleration roll and pitch sensors being mounted on the vehicle. Fluidic signals are developed by each of the sensors and are applied through a fluidic circuit for application to the valve structure controlling the variable orifice. By control of the orifice, the characteristics thereof are changed to in turn change the damping characteristics of each of the shock absorbing units to thereby stabilize the vehicle.

Abstract: An inflatable neck support is a U-shaped collar comprising an inflatable bladder and a decorative cover that provides a wide range of styling choices. The inflatable neck support is attached to a seat back or a head restraint in a variety of ways so that it is easily adjusted by the seat occupant to meet the seat occupant's comfort needs. When not in use, the inflatable neck support is deflated and stored in a number of convenient ways.

Abstract: A fuel-injector system for a combustor of a gas turbine engine includes first and second fuel injectors rendered operative to discharge fuel to the combustor during a high power regime of engine operation and rendered non-operative during a lower power regime of engine operation. The first and second fuel injectors include respective first and second fuel discharge passages in fuel flow communication to one another and to the combustor via associated fuel discharge lips to sustain a flame region. The first and second fuel injectors are operatively associated with respective first and second air discharge means having air discharge lips for discharging air to the combustor for sustaining the flame region therein.

Abstract: A process for producing a preform (44) includes pretreating roving by submerging it in a tank (18) and cooling the binder (20) on the glass fibers before the glass fibers are chopped. The fibers and solidified binder are then chopped and deposited onto a preform screen (32). Heat is applied to soften the binder that is on the chopped glass fibers and cooled to set the binder and form the preform on the screen.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an automobile trim component includes the step of coextruding a plastic unfoamed material and foamed material into a multilayer parison, which is thereafter blow molded to a desired form. After the layers are cured, the article is removed from the blow mold and sectioned into multilayer skin halves, and one skin is placed in an injection mold. The core resin, either thermoplastic or thermoset in nature, is then injected into the injection mold and onto the skin, and then compresses the resin against the skin to produce a shell comprising a resin core layer, intermediate foam layer, and decorative outer layer.