Abstract: The present invention relates to a dampened gear system for reducing gear rattle. More specifically, a dampened gear system includes a first gear vibrationally isolated from a second gear. At least one damper prevents rotational engagement between the first gear and second gear until a rotational load is applied. When a rotational load is applied, the at least one damper is compressed, resulting in at least one lug on the second gear contacting an engagement surface on the first gear, allowing the rotational load to be mechanically transferred from one gear to the other gear.

Abstract: This invention relates to power takeoff devices (PTOs), which are useful for mounting on transmissions and for performing, directly or indirectly, useful work via the PTO's rotatable output shaft. A system and method designed for quick and convenient installation of a PTO and an attachment element. In some embodiments, the attachment element is an adapter configured to secure a transmission and the PTO is configured to attach to the adapter.

Abstract: Power takeoff devices (PTOs) are useful for mounting on transmissions and for performing, directly or indirectly, useful work via the mechanical energy generated by the PTO's rotatable output shaft. Systems and methods for reducing PTO gear rattle include a moveable input gear engaging and intermediate to an output gear and a transmission gear. The input gear is carried on an input gear carrier moveable such that the input gear centerline moves along a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane running between the centerlines of the output and transmission gears. The input gear travel is limited by the output and transmission gears such that the input gear is biased to engage at least one of the output gear and the transmission gear, thereby reducing or eliminating gear rattle from overly loose engagement between meshing teeth on the input gear and the transmission gear or output gear.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dampened gear system for reducing gear rattle. More specifically, a dampened gear system includes a first gear vibrationally isolated from a second gear. At least one damper prevents rotational engagement between the first gear and second gear until a rotational load is applied. When a rotational load is applied, the at least one damper is compressed, resulting in at least one lug on the second gear contacting an engagement surface on the first gear, allowing the rotational load to be mechanically transferred from one gear to the other gear.

Abstract: Power takeoff devices (PTOs) are useful for mounting on transmissions and for performing, directly or indirectly, useful work via the mechanical energy generated by the PTO's rotatable output shaft. Systems and methods for reducing PTO gear rattle include a moveable input gear engaging and intermediate to an output gear and a transmission gear. The input gear is carried on an input gear carrier moveable such that the input gear centerline moves along a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane running between the centerlines of the output and transmission gears. The input gear travel is limited by the output and transmission gears such that the input gear is biased to engage at least one of the output gear and the transmission gear, thereby reducing or eliminating gear rattle from overly loose engagement between meshing teeth on the input gear and the transmission gear or output gear.

Abstract: A pattern implementation technique in which a pattern is defined as a software artifact that comprises a pattern signature representing one or more parameters of the pattern and a pattern implementation model representing one or more methods for expanding the pattern in a selected software context by assigning one or more arguments to the one or more parameters.

Abstract: A pattern implementation technique in which a pattern is defined as a software artifact that comprises a pattern signature representing one or more parameters of the pattern and a pattern implementation model representing one or more methods for expanding the pattern in a selected software context by assigning one or more arguments to the one or more parameters.

Abstract: A pattern implementation technique in which a pattern is defined as a software artifact that comprises a pattern signature representing one or more parameters of the pattern and a pattern implementation model representing one or more methods for expanding the pattern in a selected software context by assigning one or more arguments to the one or more parameters. The pattern implementation model can be based on one or more framework code sets, each of which supports the creation of plural patterns by providing a pattern implementation model for a particular software context. The framework code sets can be rendered extensible by a pattern author by virtue of providing methods whose code is adapted to be modified by a pattern author when defining a pattern. The pattern can be applied by creating an instance of the pattern in a software context and presenting a graphical representation of the pattern instance that can be manipulated by the pattern user in order to apply arguments to the pattern parameters.

Abstract: A combined muffler and heat exchanger apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a housing defining a heat transfer chamber and an acoustic attenuation chamber separated by a partition. A flow regulator and a fluid transport member are disposed within the heat transfer chamber. The flow regulator is adapted to regulate the flow of a first fluid, such as a heat source, between an input end of the housing and the partition. The fluid transport member is adapted to contain the flow of a second fluid. An acoustic regulator is disposed in the acoustic attenuation chamber and extends longitudinally from the partition to an output end of the housing. The acoustic regulator is a metal tube including a plurality of apertures adapted to attenuate exhaust stream acoustics associated with an automotive vehicle power source.

Abstract: A method (40) and system (10) are provided for knowledge based design. Conceptual model elements (12) are stored. Also, stereotype knowledge bases (14) are stored. Ones of the conceptual model elements (12) are matched with ones of the stereotype knowledge bases (14) to select a closest matching one (16) of the stereotype knowledge bases (14). Design model elements (18) are generated by applying scripts in response to the selected stereotype knowledge base (16).

Abstract: A method (40) and system (10) are provided for knowledge based design. Conceptual model elements (12) are stored. Also, stereotype knowledge bases (14) are stored. Ones of the conceptual model elements (12) are matched with ones of the stereotype knowledge bases (14) to select a closest matching one (16) of the stereotype knowledge bases (14). Design model elements (18) are generated by applying scripts in response to the selected stereotype knowledge base (16).

Abstract: A method of assembling a catalytic converter by inserting a catalyst substrate and surrounding support mat through the open end and into the central portion of an oval sheet metal tube, after which the reduced section and longitudinal ribs are formed in the central portion of the tube to compress the mat and securely engage the substrate, and the ends of the tube are pinched together to form sealed end closures with gas flow passages therein.

Abstract: A muffler of the type used to attenuate exhaust gas noise in exhaust systems of automobiles, trucks, or the like, particularly characterized by a gas flow conduit which is axially slotted and laterally flattened to form a closure and a pair of openings axially inward of the closure, wherein the end walls of the shell are pressed into engagement with the conduit ends to close the conduit and support the conduit.

Abstract: A muffler of the type used to attenuate exhaust gas noise in exhaust systems of automobiles, trucks, or the like, particularly characterized by a gas flow conduit which is axially slotted and laterally flattened to form a closure and a pair of openings axially inward of the closure, wherein the end walls of the shell are pressed into engagement with the conduit ends to close the conduit and support the conduit.

Abstract: A catalytic converter with a one piece housing is made by inserting catalyst elements into opposite open ends of a sheet metal tube until their support mats abut against preformed annular ribs after which annular ribs are formed in the tube to engage the other ends of the support mats and the ends of the tube are pinched together to form sealed end closures with gas flow passages in them.

Abstract: A catalytic converter of the automotive type comprising a reduced central oval section that compresses a support mat around a catalyst substrate, the reduced central section comprising radially inwardly biased ribs that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the converter.The converter can be made by inserting a catalyst substrate and surrounding support mat through the open end and into the central portion of an oval sheet metal tube, after which the reduced section and longitudinal ribs are formed in the central portion of the tube to compress the mat and securely engage the substrate, and the ends of the tube are pinched together to form sealed end closures with gas flow passages therein.