Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for providing a unique navigation experience for a user interacting with an electronic commerce site by dynamically generating a navigation interface according to a user context for a given shopping experience. The user context associated with a user interacting with an electronic commerce site can be determined following an analysis of a variety of context factors. A navigation interface can be dynamically generated based on the user context. In some examples, navigation components within the navigation interface can be associated with different categories that the user can navigate through. The navigation components can visually indicate a level of completeness for a given category so that the user is aware of where he or she is in a given shopping experience.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for providing a unique navigation experience for a user interacting with an electronic commerce site by dynamically generating a navigation interface according to a user context for a given shopping experience. The user context associated with a user interacting with an electronic commerce site can be determined following an analysis of a variety of context factors. A navigation interface can be dynamically generated based on the user context. The navigation interface can be integrated with a user interface such that the navigation interface relative to additional content included in the user interface such that the navigation interface remains in a static viewable position when a user scrolls to view additional content.

Abstract: A weld joint is disclosed that weld bonds together an aluminum workpiece and a steel workpiece. The weld joint includes an aluminum weld nugget, an intermetallic layer, and an annular ring of aluminide particles that is selected from the group consisting of nickel aluminide particles, iron aluminide particles, and a combination thereof. The annular ring of aluminide particles extends upwards from a weld bond surface of the weld joint such that the annular ring of aluminide particles extends radially inwardly into the aluminum weld nugget and protects the weld bond surface of the weld joint against crack propagation that may originate from a notch root of the weld joint.

Abstract: A method of resistance spot welding an aluminum workpiece and an adjacent overlapping steel workpiece is disclosed in which a source of a reactive metal in a diffusible state is located along a faying interface of an aluminum workpiece and an adjacent overlapping steel workpiece. The source of the reactive metal in a diffusible state may take on a variety of forms including (1) a composite adhesive layer that includes reactive particles dispersed throughout a structural thermosetting adhesive matrix or (1) a reactive alloy layer that confronts and is in proximate contact with a faying surface of the aluminum workpiece. Once the source of a reactive material in a diffusible state is in place and the workpiece stack-up is assembled, an electrical current is passed through the workpiece stack-up and between a set of opposed welding electrodes at a weld zone to ultimately produce a weld joint.

Abstract: A weld joint is disclosed that weld bonds together an aluminum workpiece and a steel workpiece. The weld joint includes an aluminum weld nugget, an intermetallic layer, and an annular ring of aluminide particles that is selected from the group consisting of nickel aluminide particles, iron aluminide particles, and a combination thereof. The annular ring of aluminide particles extends upwards from a weld bond surface of the weld joint such that the annular ring of aluminide particles extends radially inwardly into the aluminum weld nugget and protects the weld bond surface of the weld joint against crack propagation that may originate from a notch root of the weld joint.

Abstract: A method of resistance spot welding an aluminum workpiece and an adjacent overlapping steel workpiece is disclosed in which a source of a reactive metal in a diffusible state is located along a faying interface of an aluminum workpiece and an adjacent overlapping steel workpiece. The source of the reactive metal in a diffusible state may take on a variety of forms including (1) a composite adhesive layer that includes reactive particles dispersed throughout a structural thermosetting adhesive matrix or (1) a reactive alloy layer that confronts and is in proximate contact with a faying surface of the aluminum workpiece. Once the source of a reactive material in a diffusible state is in place and the workpiece stack-up is assembled, an electrical current is passed through the workpiece stack-up and between a set of opposed welding electrodes at a weld zone to ultimately produce a weld joint.

Abstract: A web-based system and method for configuring test equipment is provided. In one aspect, the invention provides a method for configuring a test instrument, the method including receiving a first configuration file previously generated by a web server, the first configuration file including information indicative of a configuration including at least one component for the test instrument, providing a user interface enabling modification of the configuration of the at least one component and the test instrument, and generating a second configuration file including information indicative of the modified configuration.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to additives for improved weldable composites. A metal composite structure (10) features two metal members (12)(14) sandwiching a viscoelastic layer (26) where the viscoelastic layer entrains carbide-forming, carbon trapping particles (28) configured and sized to provide an effective inhibitor to carbon migration from the viscoelastic layer during welding.

Abstract: This utility patent invention is for a high capacity bridge overhang bracket which utilizes a timber diagonal member and a threaded rod vertical member for maximum geometric adjustability. The hanger assembly for this bracket consists of rotational connection to the body of the bracket and is supported by a single bolt through the bridge girder web. This support consists of an over-sized hole which is slotted above for erection and disassembly over a loosened bolt in order to minimize the time and people involved. The bracket is designed for the use of either a 4×4 or 4×6 timber diagonal members and ½ inch coil rod vertical members.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to additives for improved weldable composites. A metal composite structure (10) features two metal members (12) (14) sandwiching a viscoelastic layer (26) where the viscoelastic layer entrains carbide-forming, carbon trapping particles (28) that provide an effective inhibitor to carbon migration from the viscoelastic layer during welding.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved weldable metal composites and methods. A metal composite structure (10) features two metal members (12) (14) sandwiching a viscoelastic layer (26) where the viscoelastic layer entrains electrically conductive particles (28) and a carbon extracting attractant layers (32) (34) to inhibit and/or prevent carbon migration and carbide formation during welding.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved laminated, sound damping resistance weldable composite and a method for its manufacture. The metal composite structure (10) features two metal members (12)(14) sandwiching a viscoelastic layer (26) where the viscoelastic layer entrains electrically conductive particles (28). Barrier elements (32) (34) are disposed between the metal members and the viscoelastic layer to inhibit and/or prevent contaminant migration into the metal from the viscoelastic layer and/or conductive particles during welding.

Abstract: Laminated composites such as noise damping sheet metal sandwiches with viscoelastic adhesive cores are strengthened against delamination during forming and made more conductive for welding. Electrically conductive, metal-element containing particles, wires, wire meshes, or the like conductive bonding elements are included in the core material and fused to facing surfaces of the metal sheets to provide many mechanical bonding connections and electrical connections over the bonded area of the composites.

Abstract: Electrically conductive workpieces with facing surfaces are bonded with an adhesive that is filled with conductive metal particles that are reactive with the surfaces of the workpieces. In the bonding process the surfaces are coated with the adhesive, pressed together and an electric current passed between them to momentarily melt the conductive particles. The molten droplets agglomerate and wet the facing surfaces. When the molten clusters re-solidify, electrically conductive paths are formed between the workpieces. For example, the practice is useful for bonding ferrous-based or aluminum-based alloy sheets, strips or plates in making products such as bipolar plates for fuel cells.

Abstract: A current collector plate, also called a bipolar plate, for a fuel cell includes two facing metal sheets with fluid channels for the fuel (often hydrogen) on the non-facing side of one sheet and fluid channels for air on the non-facing side of the other sheet. Such a plate is made by applying a patterned coating of particles of a soft and reactive metal to at least one of the sheets and rolling them together so that the soft metal particles deform and interact with the facing sheets to selectively join them at the patterned areas. Pressurized fluid is introduced between the sheets to expand non-bonded portions and define the fluid channels.

Abstract: A method for making a current collector plate includes providing a first sheet of material having a first bonding face and a first outer face. A second sheet of material is provided having a second bonding face and a second outer face. A work area is defined on at least one of the first bonding face and the second bonding face. The first and second sheets are bonded together at a bonding area which is different from the work area. The bonded first and second sheet is placed into a die having a pattern defining at least one flow channel. Fluid is injected between the first and second sheets thereby causing at least one of the first and second sheets to project outward at the work area causing at least one flow channel to be formed in the work area as defined by the die pattern.

Abstract: An anti-bonding material is placed in a desired pattern onto a first sheet of conductive material. A second sheet of conductive material is roll bonded with the first sheet of material. Fluid is injected between the bonded first and second sheets of material to expand the sheets of material at the desired pattern. A flow channel is formed at the desired pattern between the first and second sheet during fluid injection.

Abstract: A design of a copper welding electrode is disclosed. The electrode can be used in successive spot welding operations on assembled aluminum alloy sheet parts of widely varying thicknesses, e.g., from 0.9 to 4+ mm. The electrode has a round body terminating in a truncated cone with a crowned face. The face has a diameter of about eleven millimeters up to the diameter of the body and the radius of the crowned face is about twenty to thirty five millimeters. The dimensions and shape of the electrode provide robust welding performances despite varying part thicknesses and off angle electrode positioning, and the textured surface provides good electrical contact.