Abstract: An elastomeric conductive bipolar plate for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells is described. The plate reduces the weight of the fuel cell and eliminates the need for gaskets typically used in these fuel cells.

Abstract: An intumescent fire retardant system for making polymeric moldings that is halogen-free and provides fire shielding, thermal shielding and a low heat release rate. The intumescent fire retardant system of the present invention comprises, on the basis of 100 parts by weight blended mixture, 20-45 parts of a polymeric binder based on high density polyethylene and an ?-olefin-containing copolymer, such as linear low density polyethylene, and 5-25 parts of a nitrogenous gas-generating agent, 10-30 parts of a water vapor-generating agent, 1-5 parts of an antioxidant, and 0-15 parts of a reinforcing agent. The fire retardant system of the present invention is essentially halogen-free.

Abstract: A fire resistant plastic pallet comprises greater than or equal to 65 wt. % high density polyethylene; and a sufficient amount of intumescence additive material to impart fire resistant properties to the fire resistant plastic pallet such that the fire resistant plastic pallet is capable of passing a fire test standard consistent with UL 2335, wherein weight percents are based on a total weight of the fire resistant plastic pallet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for customizing the pressure within an inflatable cushion of an air bag module is provided. The method comprises determining whether additional venting of an air bag is required. A sensing and diagnostic module will receive its relative inputs from a plurality of sensors and will determine whether vents in an inflatable cushion should be opened to allow diffusion of an inflation gas. The apparatus allowing vents to open at specified times to allow for diffusion of the inflation gas.

Abstract: An arc quenching electrical connector has a male pin terminal which inserts longitudinally into a receptacle or terminal having a gassing wall engaged concentrically about the receptacle. During “hot unplugging” of the electrical connector, an arc is carried between a tip of the male pin and a contact surface of a leading end of the receptacle. The gassing wall extends over and is directly engaged to a portion of the contact surface. Because the gassing wall is also preferably an electrical insulator, the arc communicates electrically with the exposed contact surface and is biased directly against the gassing wall. The gassing wall, when heated by the adjacent arc, quenches or reduces the energy of the arc by releasing gas which eliminates arc erosion of the terminals.

Abstract: A battery case made of an intumescent flame retardant polymeric composition that provides fire shielding, thermal shielding and a low heat release rate. A fire resistant additive is blended with a base polymer to produce the flame retardant polymeric material that is molded into the battery case. In one embodiment, one or more vent holes are provided in the battery case, advantageously in the cover portion, to permit gases to escape. In another embodiment, the fire resistant additive used for the battery case composition comprises a polymeric binder that includes an ?-olefin-containing copolymer and a high density polyethylene, a nitrogenous gas-generating agent; a water vapor-generating agent; an antioxidant; and optionally a reinforcing agent. In another embodiment, the base polymer comprises a polyphenylene oxide and polypropylene blend, unfilled or filled with up to 60 wt. % glass fiber.

Abstract: An intumescent fire retardant system for making polymeric moldings that is halogen-free and provides fire shielding, thermal shielding and a low heat release rate. The intumescent fire retardant system of the present invention comprises, on the basis of 100 parts by weight blended mixture, 20-45 parts of a polymeric binder based on high density polyethylene and an ?-olefin-containing copolymer, such as linear low density polyethylene, and 5-25 parts of a nitrogenous gas-generating agent, 10-30 parts of a water vapor-generating agent, 1-5 parts of an antioxidant, and 0-15 parts of a reinforcing agent. The fire retardant system of the present invention is essentially halogen-free.

Abstract: A moldable elastomeric intumescent material comprises chlorinated polyethylene, plasticizers, phosphate based foaming agents, char forming materials, antioxidants, intumescent materials, flame retardant materials, and graphite and/or expandable graphite. A curing agent, and optionally a co-curing agent or an accelerator, may further be incorporated into the material to improve the rigidity of the material when it is exposed to fire. The composition also possesses enhanced intumescence and flame retardancy properties by the addition of graphite, and preferably expandable graphite, to the composition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for customizing the pressure within an inflatable cushion of an air bag module is provided. The method comprises determining whether additional venting of an air bag is required. A sensing and diagnostic module will receive its relative inputs from a plurality of sensors and will determine whether vents in an inflatable cushion should be opened to allow diffusion of an inflation gas. The apparatus allowing vents to open at specified times to allow for diffusion of the inflation gas.

Abstract: One embodiment of an intumescent composition comprises a halogenated polymer, antimony oxide, and intercalated graphite, while one embodiment of an intumescent additive mixture comprises antimony oxide and intercalated graphite. One embodiment of the method of making an intumescent composition comprises melt blending a halogenated polymer with antimony oxide, and intercalated graphite.

Abstract: An intumescent fire retardant polymeric composition includes a thermoplastic polymer and an intumescent and fire-resistant additive for the thermoplastic polymer having less than fifty percent by weight of a total weight of the composition.

Abstract: One embodiment of an intumescent composition comprises a halogenated polymer, antimony oxide, and intercalated graphite, while one embodiment of an intumescent additive mixture comprises antimony oxide and intercalated graphite.

Abstract: A moldable elastomeric intumescent material comprises chlorinated polyethylene, plasticizers, phosphate based foaming agents, char forming materials, antioxidants, intumescent materials, flame retardant materials, and graphite and/or expandable graphite. A curing agent, and optionally a co-curing agent or an accelerator, may further be incorporated into the material to improve the rigidity of the material when it is exposed to fire. The composition also possesses enhanced intumescence and flame retardancy properties by the addition of graphite, and preferably expandable graphite, to the composition.

Abstract: An arc quenching electrical connector has a male pin terminal which inserts longitudinally into a receptacle or terminal having a gassing wall engaged concentrically about the receptacle. During “hot unplugging” of the electrical connector, an arc is carried between a tip of the male pin and a contact surface of a leading end of the receptacle. The gassing wall extends over and is directly engaged to a portion of the contact surface. Because the gassing wall is also preferably an electrical insulator, the arc communicates electrically with the exposed contact surface and is biased directly against the gassing wall. The gassing wall, when heated by the adjacent arc, quenches or reduces the energy of the arc by releasing gas which eliminates arc erosion of the terminals.

Abstract: A heated wiper blade has a conductive elastomer body and a pair of electrodes along each side of the body. The elastomer which has a resistivity in the range of 20-128 ohm-cm and a hardness of Shore A 64-70 comprises a rubber compound including carbon black in the range of 37-60 phr, a small amount of graphite in the range of 13 to 20 phr and a low concentration of plasticizer oil in the range 20-40 phr.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyblend of high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, a polyester elastomer, and a mixture of two aromatic phosphites. The polyblend has greatly improved impact strength and low gasoline permeation properties.

Abstract: An oriented elastomeric filament spun from a thermoplastic elastomeric material selected from the group consisting of a block copolymer of polybutylene terephthalate and polytetramethylene glycol, a block copolymer of polybutylene terephthalate/polybutylene isophthalate and polyethylene glycol/polypropylene glycol, a block copolymer of polybutylene terephthalate/polyhexene terephthalate and polytetramethylene glycol, and a block copolymer of polyurethane and polytetramethylene glycol, the mole fraction of the polybutylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate/polybutylene isophthalate and polybutylene terephthalate/polyhexene terephthalate in the block copolymers is less than 0.5, the elastomeric filament is further oriented after the spinning by stretching at temperatures between 20.degree. C. to 120.degree. C.

Abstract: A woven mat of oriented elastomeric filaments wherein the filaments are spun from a thermoplastic elastomeric material selected from the group consisting of a block copolymer of polybutylene terephthalate and polytetramethylene glycol, a block copolymer of polybutylene terephthalate/polybutylene isophthalate and polyethylene glycol/polypropylene glycol, a block copolymer of polybutylene terephthalate/polyhexene terephthalate and polytetramethylene glycol, and a block copolymer of polyurethane and polytetramethylene glycol, the mole fraction of the polybutylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate/polybutylene isophthalate and polybutylene terephthalate/polyhexene terephthalate in the block copolymers is less than 0.5, the elastomeric filament is further oriented after the spinning by stretching at temperatures between 20.degree. C. to 120.degree. C.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly has a seat frame, and an integrated elastomeric filament suspension and fabric cover in which the elastomeric filaments and yarn for the fabric are knitted together and stretched over the frame to provide a low profile finished seat or back rest which functions both as a suspension and as an aesthetic trim cover.

Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension has a thin high strength elastomeric membrane. The membrane is formed from block copolymer material by a process in which a sheet is extruded and tensioned to orient molecules in a select direction with respect to the membrane; the oriented membrane is annealed to retain the orientation during cyclical deformation of the membrane. The sheet form membrane is adapted to be connected with respect to a vehicle seat assembly frame and to serve as a backing for foam seating material and wherein the oriented structure of the membrane provides a two stage modulus in the direction of the orientation for providing static and dynamic load support characteristics which impart passenger comfort without increasing the weight of a seat assembly.