Abstract: Various embodiments of a slurry composition for investment casting and a method of forming such composition are disclosed. The slurry composition can include a refractory material, a binder, a solvent, and a thixotropic agent that includes fibrillated fibers. The slurry composition can also include a filler that includes glass bubbles.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a steering column control module to a steering column of a vehicle comprises a bracket for mounting the steering column control module and a collet for interconnecting the bracket and the steering column. The collet snaps into engagement with the bracket and with the steering column. One of the bracket and the collet includes a first projection and the other of the bracket and the collet including a recess for receiving the first projection. The recess includes a second projection for engagement with the first projection when the first projection is received in the recess.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a steering column control module to a steering column of a vehicle comprises a bracket for mounting the steering column control module and a collet for interconnecting the bracket and the steering column. The collet snaps into engagement with the bracket and with the steering column. One of the bracket and the collet includes a first projection and the other of the bracket and the collet including a recess for receiving the first projection. The recess includes a second projection for engagement with the first projection when the first projection is received in the recess.

Abstract: A controller for selectively adjusting a power seat includes a seat adjuster including a base panel, a stepped panel extending laterally from a surface of the base panel, selector areas inclined with respect to and extending between the base panel and the stepped panel and along at least a portion of a periphery of the stepped panel. Multiple spaced depressions are formed on an outer surface of the selector areas. A contactless sensor is secured to an inner surface of the selector areas at each a depression, each sensor selectively producing a signal representing a seat adjustment function.

Abstract: A vehicle control switch assembly for use with a printed circuit board that includes a switch having an elastomeric pad portion and a first insert interface attached to the pad. The assembly also includes first and second electrical contacts, each contact being selectively operable to actuate a vehicle function. The switch assembly also includes a pivotable beam member bridging a span between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact. Movement of the switch in a first direction causes the first insert interface to depress the beam member thereby engaging the first electrical contact with the printed circuit board to actuate the first electrical contact. Further movement of the switch in the first direction causes the first insert interface to slide along the beam member in a second direction to further depress the first beam member thereby actuating the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

Abstract: A movable panel assembly for a vehicle includes a housing adapted to be mounted within the interior of a vehicle. A panel is pivotably mounted to the housing about an axis. The panel is pivotably movable between a closed position and an open position through a vertical position. A spring member is operatively connected to the panel and biases the panel to move from the closed position to the vertical position. A damper is operatively connected to the panel for selectively retarding movement of the panel toward the open position.

Abstract: A control panel assembly including at least one moveable button defining an outer surface. The control panel assembly also includes an electroluminescent film operatively supported on the outer surface of the button such that the electroluminescent film is adapted for selectively emitting light from the outer surface of the button. A method for making the control panel assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A panel assembly includes a housing defining first and second troughs. Each trough has an arcuate surface. A panel is pivotally attached to the housing. The panel is moveable between first and second positions. The panel includes first and second protrusions. The first protrusion extends in the first trough adjacent the arcuate surface of the first trough. The second protrusion extends in the second trough adjacent the arcuate surface of the second trough. Movement of the panel between the first and second positions moves the first protrusion over the arcuate surface of the first trough, and moves the second protrusion over the arcuate surface of the second trough.

Abstract: A remote keyless entry electroluminiescent (EL) device includes at least one depressible button segment for activating a vehicle function. The entry device includes an upper housing with at least one aperture in the upper housing. An EL film is integral to the upper housing for illuminating at least one display area. A printed circuit board is disposed under the upper housing. An electrical contact is provided for supplying a power source from the printed circuit board to the EL film for illumination. A lower housing is adjoined to the upper housing, the upper housing and the lower housing encasing the printed circuit board wherein the EL film is in-molded as part of the upper housing for forming a single component.

Abstract: A vehicle steering column stalk switch assembly is provided having at least one enclosed switch cell unit used in lieu of metal connector contacts. More particularly, one or more enclosed switch cell units are used in place of conventional all-opened or exposed switch contacts. A switch cell is connected to a printed circuit board within the stalk switch assembly, and positioned for actuation upon movement of a corresponding actuating member of a stalk switch lever. Various switch cells can be positioned so that movement of the lever or knob on the lever in a particular direction will selectively control operation of different vehicle devices or functions.

Abstract: A multifunction switch assembly includes a handle having an actuator mounted at an inner end. The actuator and handle are pivotally mounted in a housing. First and second return springs mounted in the housing bias the actuator towards the neutral position from the left and right turn positions, respectively. The first return spring preferably imparts a higher force against the actuator than the second return spring, in order to counter the effects of gravity acting upon the handle. The first and second return spring preferably both impart opposite forces on the actuator when in the neutral position in order to eliminate play.

Abstract: A multifunction switch assembly includes a secondary detent system for a contactor carrier. The multifunction switch assembly generally comprises a rotatable knob mounted on an outer end of a handle. The knob rotatably drives a shaft extending toward an inner end of the handle. A contactor carrier is linearly driven by a gear on the inner end of the shaft. The electrical contactor includes an indexing arm which is biased against a plurality of detents formed on a base.

Abstract: An electrical switch for use in an automotive vehicle includes a rotary carrier rotatable in response to engagement of a finger projecting from a movable main carrier. A detent structure is provided within a switch housing for engagement by a projection extending from the rotary carrier. The rotary carrier supports a conductive rotary contactor which is selectively actuable to conduct electrical current to a high beam headlamp conductive trace or a low beam headlamp conductive trace. The present invention provides a method for operating the electrical switch having a rotary mechanism. A channel is disposed between a plurality of conductive traces and the switch housing.

Abstract: An electrical switch for use in an automotive vehicle includes an actuator and a carrier movable to electrically actuate a steering column tilting device and a steering column telescoping device. A post and a receptacle assist to align the carrier during its linear switching movement. An actuator assembly is provided which includes a shaft, a partially spherical ball, a first set of crossed arms and a second set of crossed arms while a centering spring biases an actuator toward a centralized neutral position. A modularized electrical switch is also mechanically and electrically connected to a second circuit and housing in a single assembly motion.

Abstract: A method for assembling a multifunctional switch stalk includes the steps of providing a handle having an inner end and an outer end, the handle including a base portion at the inner end for being mounted on a vehicle steering column, mounting a shaft having an axis and an outer end on the outer end of the handle, mounting a control ring on the shaft, the control ring being rotatable to selectively actuate a first predetermined vehicle function, mounting a control knob on the shaft, said control knob being rotatable to selectively actuate a second predetermined vehicle function, and mounting a push button on an outer end of the control knob, the push button being axially compressible to selectively actuate a third predetermined vehicle function.

Abstract: A turn signal cancellation mechanism has an actuator and a pawl engagably interfacing therewith. In one aspect of the present invention, the pawl is disposed on an opposite side of a steering shaft from a handle interfacing segment of the actuator. In another aspect of the present invention, a unique pawl movably engages with a modified T-shaped slot within an actuator. A further aspect of the present invention provides a modularized system wherein a common housing interchangeably retains differing circuit boards, pivoting actuators coupled to handles, and various switches, depending on the specific options desired. In still another aspect of the present invention, a detent plunger has a shaft with a quadrilateral cross sectional shape along a portion thereof and an integrally formed semi-spherical cap. An improved fastening means is also employed to attach the present invention turn signal cancellation mechanism onto the steering column.

Abstract: A universal world clock (10) for indicating universal standard and fast time at any geographical location in the world. A south polar projected world map superimposed onto a manually rotatable map disk (14) is divided with twenty-four time zone indicator lines (20) representing the time zones of universal time, the map disk (14) being positioned such that the user's geographic location is vertically oriented to represent map north, and the map disk (14) being further positioned so that the time zone indicator lines (20) are aligned with time zone pointers (22) located on a separate zone pointer disk (16) which is fixed in position over the map disk (14). A time disk (18) having hour indicators differentiated by a.m. and p.m.

Abstract: A side loading system and method for the underground disposal of radioactive waste is disclosed herein. The vault system is formed from at least one vault cell that comprises a floor slab disposed within a recess in the earth, a ceiling slab disposed over the floor slab, an earth cap disposed over the ceiling slab and an elongated wall assembly disposed around the periphery of the floor slab for supporting the ceiling slab and earth cap. The elongated wall assembly is preferably four times as long as it is wide, and includes a back wall and a front wall, the front wall having an accessway for the side loading of radioactive waste. Radioactive waste is loaded in sequential rows starting from the back wall of the vault cell.

Abstract: A granular fill material is disclosed for use in a storage module for the storing of nuclear and hazardous waste materials. The waste materials are packaged in a waste container which is in turn deposited within the storage module, thereby creating a void space between the waste package or packages and the interior sidewalls of the module. The filler material is reintroduced within the module to fill within this void space, to immobilize the waste containers within the module, and to provide a physical and chemical barrier around the waste containers. The granular filler material comprises a sand filler, an absorbent clay such as Wyoming bentonite, and an organic liquid absorbent material such as Fuller's earth. Other constituents that can be mixed in the granular fill material are an acid neutralizing material such as quicklime or slaked lime, and a getter material for absorbing radionuclides.

Abstract: A vault system is disclosed herein for the disposal of hazardous waste formed from vault cells, each of which has a liquid collection and monitoring system. Each vault cell comprises a liquid impermeable floor slab having a drainage channel for collecting liquids, a wall assembly disposed around the periphery of the floor slab, a ceiling slab overlying the wall upper edge of the assembly, and a monitoring and inspection aisleway disposed between the wall assembly and radioactive waste stacked within the vault cell that encompasses the drainage channel to render it both observable and accessible. The floor slab includes a plurality of feeder channels arranged in a rectangular grid pattern that ultimately drain into the drainage channel and are arranged such that each feeder channel collects liquid from a different rectangular zone within the floor slab so that the location of a leakage condition may be generally determined by observing which feeder channel conveys liquid to the drainage channel.