Abstract: A method of making a hollow fiber reinforced plastic structure with integrally molded fastening devices for attaching external components. The fastening device is attached to a piece of fibrous material into which resin is injected. The finger holds the fastening device in place during the resin injection step. The resin is cured to form a molded structure with the fastening device lying on an outer surface thereof. After removal from the mold, the fastening device can be used to attach external components to the part.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a module to which the door hardware can be attached and tested off line prior to shipment to the vehicle manufacturer.

Abstract: A split outer panel construction for a vehicle door includes an upper/outer panel member fixed to the window frame of the inner door panel. The lower edge of the upper/outer panel includes a fin which fits within a slot formed in the upper inboard edge of a removably attachable lower/outer panel member. Door hardware can be easily assembled onto the exposed inner panel prior to attaching the lower/outer panel to the door.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a module to which the door hardware can be attached and tested off line prior to shipment to the vehicle manufacturer.

Abstract: A clarifier tank for a water and sewage treatment system is provided. A plurality of spaced columns extending along the lengths of the tank include arms extending therefrom to receive rails on which flight members ride. Cables are connected from the ends of the tank to the arms of the columns to maintain the columns stabilized.

Abstract: A method of forming a hollow reinforced fiber structure includes the steps of providing fiber reinforced material around a flexible expandable member and placing the resulting package inside of a mold which includes inner surfaces conforming to the shape of the structure being formed. A second expandable means is included in the mold on both sides of the package. After the mold is closed, pressure is applied to force the second expandable means against the fiber reinforced material. Resin is injected into the fiber reinforced material. The pressure is then decreased in the second expandable means as inflatable member is expanded to force the fiber material to conform to the inner surfaces of the mold. The fiber material is then cured to form the structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a charge used in molding a fiber reinforced part. Continuous strands of fibers are impregnated with resin and then cut into segments of predetermined lengths. The segments are collected so that the resin impregnated fiber segments are piled together to form the charge. In one embodiment, the fibers are collected in a controlled manner to provide preselected fiber orientation for the molded part. Also a cutter mechanism is provided for cutting resin impregnated fiber strands pulled over a first rotating drum.

Abstract: A vehicle door includes a module to which the door hardware can be attached and tested off line prior to shipment to the vehicle manufacturer.

Abstract: A bead lock device includes a plurality of bows and a frame for connecting the bows together to form an annular structure. The structure is placed in the interior of a tire which is placed onto a wheel. Wheel flanges compress the bows which, in turn, effectively lock the tire beads against the wheel flanges. A method of making a bead lock device by attaching bows onto a pair of flexible rods and joining the rods at their ends to form hoops is also disclosed.

Abstract: A main door unit including an inner/outer panel subassembly is mounted to the vehicle in a generally conventional manner so that it can be painted along with other parts of the vehicle during on-line assembly. However, the inner panel includes a generally centrally located enlarged opening therein and is devoid of any substantial door hardware during painting. The door hardware including the window glass, lower front and rear glass tracks and the regulator mechanisms for the window are mounted to a plate to form an integral door hardware module. After painting, the module is mounted to the inner panel with the window glass tracks mating with upper glass tracks in the inner/outer panel subassembly. The plate covers the opening in the inner panel and a trim pad can be used to cover the plate and peripheral portions of the exposed interior inner panel for cosmetic purposes.

Abstract: An automatic measured shot starting fluid assembly (10) injects a predetermined amount of starting fluid into a passageway (11) of a diesel engine. The assembly includes a power source (12) to supply electrical current and a starter motor (14) and solenoid (16) for engaging and rotating the crankshaft of the engine upon receiving electrical current from the power source (12). An ignition switch (18) interconnects the power source (12) and the starter motor solenoid (16) for allowing electrical current to flow upon closing the ignition switch (18). An atomizer (30) is disposed in the passageway (11) of the engine for atomizing the starting fluid into the passageway (11). A measured shot valve (26) is connected to a fluid cylinder (24) for measuring a predetermined amount of starting fluid from the fluid cylinder (24) and injecting the measured amount of starting fluid through a conduit (28) to the atomizer (30).

Abstract: A hopper car comprises two substantially similar units which are relatively short and have low roof lines. A pair of trucks is connected to opposite ends of the car. A third truck is connected between the two units. A coupler between the units and the third truck provides articulation therebetween.

Abstract: A chain conveyor system includes a plurality of interconnected links. The links include first barrel portions connected to engage and be driven by a mechanical drive mechanism including a sprocket wheel. Removable high wear preformed coiled bands having free ends are wrapped around the barrel portions of the links to provide bearings to minimize wear on the links resulting from contact with the mechanical drive member.

Abstract: A programmed welding control system is provided for welding automatically a variation of different weld patterns on different assemblies. The system includes a rotary table indexed to be moved to home, idle, and weld stations. An assembly of parts to be welded together are positioned on the rotary table at the work station and held by mechanical elements. Means are provided to identify a particular assembly to control a subsequent welding pattern, and to detect the presence or absence of the operator near the home station. When an assembly is present and the operator is away from the work station, the rotary table is rotated to the welding station when a robot with a welding gun is activated to automatically weld the parts of the assembly in accordance with a weld pattern previously determined at the home station. After the welding operation, the rotary table is rotated back to the home station.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced structure formed by layers of fiber having a metallic reinforcement element disposed therebetween. The metallic element includes bent portions or fingers formed at the edges thereof, which extend toward the outer surfaces of the layers of fiber. The fiber layers and metallic element are held in place by resin injected during a molding process. The bent portions of the metallic element bridge the inner plane surfaces of the layers of fiber to strengthen the areas at the resin plane where stress areas normally causes the layers of fiber to separate.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced plastic composite wheel and method of making it is disclosed. The wheel includes a rim and a disc, with the disc comprising reinforcing fibers oriented predominantly in a radially outwardly extending direction. The rim, in the preferred construction, has a plurality of radially disposed and substantially distinct layers. The inner and outermost layers have fibers that extend essentially in the same direction, with one or more middle layers having fibers extending in an opposite direction. Preferably, the inner and outer layers have directional fibers extending essentially parallel to the wheel axes.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for fabricating a composite disc brake rotor. In accordance with this invention, a composite rotor having a stamped center section and a cast or forged braking face portion is mounted onto a press which produces a central axially deflected "bubble" of metal. The formation of such a bubble causes radially inward straining of the material defining the rotor center section which has been found to substantially reduce surface waviness and imperfections in the surface. Such improvements in flatness of the rotor center section provide accurate positioning of the rotor braking when mounted on the vehicle for improved brake performance and life. Following the step of producing the center bubble, a subsequent operation is used to blank out a center mounting hole and clearance holes for wheel mounting studs.

Abstract: A resin transfer molding system includes a plurality of ports for injecting resin into reinforcement material, which preferably comprises fabric, disposed between upper and lower mold pieces to form a structural part. Channels are provided adjacent the fabric reinforcement material and act as reservoirs to permit relatively fast and efficient injection of the resin without excessive applied pressure.

Abstract: Damping elements physically contact some of the coils on one or more mechanical coil springs disposed between a railway car body and a truck. The coils contacted may be at the ends of the springs or at areas between the ends. When double springs are involved, with one being spaced within the other, the damping elements are disposed in the space between the springs at the ends thereof.