Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for cooling a metal component, the process comprising the step of cooling said component in a confined space, said cooling involving cooling by means of a gas, the gas being cooled by heat exchange with a cooling surface of a heat sink inside said confined space, wherein a low frequency sound wave is provided into said confined space in order to improve heat exchange both between the gas and a cooling surface of the at least one heat sink, and between the gas and the metal component, characterised in that the cooling gas comprises at least one protective inert gas. The invention further relates to an apparatus for performing the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle bumper beam for attachment to a vehicle body, which bumper beam is extending generally horizontally when attached to a vehicle body, said bumper beam having a generally U-shaped section, providing a central portion and side walls; wherein at least one local area of at least one side wall is provided with reduced tensile strength in comparison to major portions of said bumper beam, and wherein said at least one local area with reduced tensile strength is placed adjacent attachment points for the bumper beam to the vehicle body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming a metal component (20), the process comprising the steps of heating a metal blank (20) coated with a protective layer; cooling said metal blank (20) in a confined space (14), said cooling involving cooling by means of a gas, the gas being cooled by heat exchange with a cooling surface of a heat sink (22) inside said confined space (14), wherein a low frequency sound wave is provided into said confined space (14) in order to improve heat exchange both between the gas and a cooling surface of the at least one heat sink (22), and between the gas and the metal component (20), wherein the heated coated blank is cooled to a temperature below the melting point of the protective layer, and forming the coated blank to a component. The invention also relates to a production line for performing the process.

Abstract: A bumper beam is roll formed so that it gets a closed cross section with, along the length, constant cross section having at least two closed chambers (15, 16) separated by an essentially horizontal partition wall (14). Each chamber has a side (19), which is turned away from the vehicle, with at least one longitudinal concave portion (20, 21; 22, 23) extending along the entire length and one side (24), which is facing the vehicle, with at least one longitudinal convex portion (25, 26; 27, 28) extending along the entire length. After the roll forming, some portions (32) of the cross section are pressed together vertically or horizontally in order to adapt the deformation properties.

Abstract: A bumper beam is roll formed so that it gets a closed cross section with, along the length, constant cross section having at least two closed chambers (15, 16) separated by an essentially horizontal partition wall (14). Each chamber has a side (19), which is turned away from the vehicle, with at least one longitudinal concave portion (20, 21; 22, 23) extending along the entire length and one side (24), which is facing the vehicle, with at least one longitudinal convex portion (25, 26; 27, 28) extending along the entire length. After the roll forming, some portions (32) of the cross section are pressed together vertically or horizontally in order to adapt the deformation properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides steam reforming catalyst compositions containing Pd and Zn, and methods of steam reforming alcohols over a catalyst. Surprisingly superior results and properties of the present invention, including low temperature activity and/or low carbon monoxide output, are also described. Methods of making a steam reforming catalyst are also provided.

Abstract: A compact integrated combustion reactor is described. In a preferred embodiment, the combustion catalyst is disposed in a staggered configuration such that the hot spot in an adjacent endothermic reaction chamber is substantially less than would occur with a conventional, unstaggered configuration. The integrated reactor may also include a methanation chamber for methanation of a reformate product. Systems containing reactant and product streams, and methods of conducting integrated combustion reactions are also described. A staggered catalyst conformation can be used more broadly for thermal chemical reactions requiring heat transfer in a layered device.

Abstract: The present invention provides steam reforming catalyst compositions containing Pd and Zn, and methods of steam reforming alcohols over a catalyst. Surprisingly superior results and properties of the present invention, including low temperature activity and/or low carbon monoxide output, are also described. Methods of making a steam reforming catalyst are also provided.