Abstract: An article manufactured from a polymeric material filled with fibers has an exterior surface having an impact portion with an arcuate configuration to impart impact resistance to the article. The article also includes a plurality of ribs orientated and configured in a unique manner to also impart impact resistance to the article. The ribs extend from the exterior surface of the article. A fillet having a fillet radius interconnects the ribs and the exterior surface. The fibers of the polymeric material are aligned within the article parallel to a flow of the polymeric material when injected into a mold during a molding process. The ribs are oriented in a pattern relative to the fibers to maximize the impact resistance of the article.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polyamide containing components, as well as compositions, articles of manufacture, and methods for their production and installation are provided.

Abstract: An article manufactured from a polymeric material filled with fibers has an exterior surface having an impact portion with an arcuate configuration to impart impact resistance to the article. The article also includes a plurality of ribs orientated and configured in a unique manner to also impart impact resistance to the article. The ribs extend from the exterior surface of the article. A fillet having a fillet radius interconnects the ribs and the exterior surface. The fibers of the polymeric material are aligned within the article parallel to a flow of the polymeric material when injected into a mold during a molding process. The ribs are oriented in a pattern relative to the fibers to maximize the impact resistance of the article.

Abstract: A fluid reservoir assembly having a pan defining a drain opening and a plug disposed therein is disclosed. The pan includes a pair of ramps disposed on an inner surface thereof adjacent the drain opening. The plug includes a pair of wings in engagement with the ramps. The ramps increase in height relative to the inner surface of the pan along a first direction of rotation about the central axis. The plug is drawn into sealing engagement with an outer surface of the pan by rotating the plug in the first direction of rotation about the central axis thereby moving the wings up the ramps. The pan includes at least one stop to prevent over-rotation of the plug. The ramps define a recess to secure the wings in a closed position.

Abstract: An article manufactured from a polymer filled with fibers includes a plurality of ribs orientated and configured in a unique manner to improve resistance to an impact from an object. The ribs extend from a planar portion of the article. A fillet interconnects the ribs and the planar portion and includes a fillet radius of at least 0.75 mm. The fibers of the polymer are aligned within the article parallel to a flow of the polymer when injected into a mold during a molding process. The ribs are oriented in a pattern relative to the aligned fibers to maximize the impact resistance of the article.

Abstract: A fluid reservoir assembly having a pan defining a drain opening and a plug disposed therein is disclosed. The pan includes a pair of ramps disposed on an inner surface thereof adjacent the drain opening. The plug includes a pair of wings in engagement with the ramps. The ramps increase in height relative to the inner surface of the pan along a first direction of rotation about the central axis. The plug is drawn into sealing engagement with an outer surface of the pan by rotating the plug in the first direction of rotation about the central axis thereby moving the wings up the ramps. The pan includes at least one stop to prevent over-rotation of the plug. The ramps define a recess to secure the wings in a closed position.

Abstract: A frictionally welded, filled thermoplastic article is strengthened by restricting lateral flow of molten material out of the gap between the workpieces, so that a molten pool of substantial depth is maintained from the beginning of melting to the onset of solidification. The restriction to lateral flow of material is provided by dams (projections) of essentially rectangular cross-section at each lateral edge of one of the workpieces, while the other workpiece has a substantially flat mating surface.

Abstract: A co-injection molded air intake manifold shell comprises an inner and outer skin layer separated by a sound absorbing or sound insulation core. Each skin layer is composed of a polyamide resin which, optionally, contains glass fiber reinforcement and high specific gravity fillers such as barium sulfate or tungsten. The sound insulating core is composed of a high density material having a foam structure, such as a polyamide resin. Skin layers are provided with a plurality of pockets to permit distribution of localized lumped masses at predetermined locations tailored to increase noise transmission losses. A single layer air intake manifold shell having non-uniform thickness is also provided. The thickness of the single layer air intake manifold shell is larger over preselected noise sources of larger amplitude to maximize noise attenuation for a nominal air intake manifold shell thickness.

Abstract: A frictionally welded, filled thermoplastic article is strengthened by restricting lateral flow of molten material out of the gap between the workpieces, so that a molten pool of substantial depth is maintained from the beginning of melting to the onset of solidification. The restriction to lateral flow of material is provided by dams (projections) of essentially rectangular cross-section at each lateral edge of one of the workpieces, while the other workpiece has a substantially flat mating surface.

Abstract: A co-injection molded air intake manifold shell comprises an inner and outer skin layer separated by a sound absorbing or sound insulation core. Each skin layer is composed of a polyamide resin which, optionally, contains glass fiber reinforcement and high specific gravity fillers such as barium sulfate or tungsten. The sound insulating core is composed of a high density material having a foam structure, such as a polyamide resin. Skin layers are provided with a plurality of pockets to permit distribution of localized lumped masses at predetermined locations tailored to increase noise transmission losses. A single layer air intake manifold shell having non-uniform thickness is also provided. The thickness of the single layer air intake manifold shell is larger over preselected noise sources of larger amplitude to maximize noise attenuation for a nominal air intake manifold shell thickness.

Abstract: A frictionally welded, filled thermoplastic article is strengthened by restricting lateral flow of molten material out of the gap between the workpieces, so that a molten pool of substantial depth is maintained from the beginning of melting to the onset of solidification. The restriction to lateral flow of material is provided by dams (projections) of essentially rectangular cross-section at each lateral edge of one of the workpieces, while the other workpiece has a substantially flat mating surface.

Abstract: Two polygon shaped articles having walls of different thicknesses are mated and welded together. Specimens cut from this composite part are used to evaluate the performance of welded joints with the influence of design, processing conditions such as welding, molding, and the like, and material composition. The evaluation advantageously provides an accurate predictor for linear vibration, orbital vibration, hot plate, hot gas, hot gas extrusion and infrared welding at a variety of bead thicknesses.

Abstract: A reserve-recording method and apparatus for a VCR are described which generate a voice signal to inform the user of information required to set and perform the reserve-recording. The apparatus includes a recording switching circuit to form a recording line between the apparatus and one of a plurality of external input devices, including a tuner for receiving a television broadcast. The reserve-recording method informs the user by voice and screen of information required to set a reserve-recording program, sets a reserve-recording mode, sorts the reserve-recording programs in their reserve numbers in order of the recording start time, and discriminates the reserve recording mode. A method of sorting reserve-recording programs according to recording start time is also provided.