Abstract: A method of manufacturing at least one structural panel (20) for an engineering structure comprises conveying a layered structure (40) through a roller assembly comprising at least one pair of heating rollers (50) and at least one pair of cooling rollers (52), where the cooling rollers are at a lower temperature than the heating rollers. The layer structure comprises a thermoplastic foam layer 24 and at least one skin layer (22). The heating rollers 0 heat the skin layer (22) to melt at least part of the foam layer (24) adjacent to the skin layer (22) and bond the foam layer (24) to the skin (22). The cooling rollers (52) cool the layered structure (40) so that the thermoplastic resolidifies, retaining its bond with the skin to form the bonded panel (20). This approach greatly reduces manufacturing costs for structural panels.

Abstract: A method of positioning a vehicle seat is provided in which the vehicle seat is configured to allow movement laterally (i.e., side-to-side), fore-aft (i.e., forwards-backwards), and rotationally. In addition to allowing a user to select a particular seat position, the method monitors an internal vehicle door handle and automatically moves the seat from its current position to a preset position whenever the door handle is activated (e.g., touched).

Abstract: A method of assembling a vehicle structure is provided in which a laser system is used to expedite adhesive curing at a plurality of locations within an adhesive layer, where the adhesive layer bonds a first vehicle component to a second vehicle component. Once cured by laser irradiation and heating, the localized adhesive regions maintain the relative positions of the first and second vehicle components without the aid of a curing fixture, even though the remaining areas of the adhesive layer are uncured. This approach to tacking vehicle components together can be used to decrease fabrication time and cost.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing at least one structural panel (20) for an engineering structure comprises conveying a layered structure (40) through a roller assembly comprising at least one pair of heating rollers (50) and at least one pair of cooling rollers (52), where the cooling rollers are at a lower temperature than the heating rollers. The layer structure comprises a thermoplastic foam layer 24 and at least one skin layer (22). The heating rollers 0 heat the skin layer (22) to melt at least part of the foam layer (24) adjacent to the skin layer (22) and bond the foam layer (24) to the skin (22). The cooling rollers (52) cool the layered structure (40) so that the thermoplastic resolidifies, retaining its bond with the skin to form the bonded panel (20). This approach greatly reduces manufacturing costs for structural panels.

Abstract: A method of positioning a vehicle seat is provided in which the vehicle seat is configured to allow movement laterally (i.e., side-to-side), fore-aft (i.e., forwards-backwards), and rotationally. In addition to allowing a user to select a particular seat position, the method monitors an internal vehicle door handle and automatically moves the seat from its current position to a preset position whenever the door handle is activated (e.g., touched).

Abstract: A method of positioning a vehicle seat is provided that allows a vehicle passenger seat, preferably a rear passenger seat mounted within the rear portion of the passenger cabin, to move laterally (i.e., side-to-side), fore-aft (i.e., forwards-backwards), and rotationally. As a result, an occupant of the passenger seat can optimize their seat position for the task at hand, e.g., relaxing, obtaining additional leg and/or shoulder room, rotating inwards during a conversation with others in the car, rotating outwards to aid vehicle egress, etc.

Abstract: A seat mounting system is provided that allows a vehicle passenger seat, preferably a rear passenger seat mounted within the rear portion of the passenger cabin, to move laterally (i.e., side-to-side), fore-aft (i.e., forwards-backwards), and rotationally. As a result, an occupant of the passenger seat can optimize their seat position for the task at hand, e.g., relaxing, obtaining additional leg and/or shoulder room, rotating inwards during a conversation with others in the car, rotating outwards to aid vehicle egress, etc. Seat movement may be performed automatically or manually using dual track assemblies.