Abstract: A system for a composite battery tray structure, the system including a floor extending in a longitudinal and transverse direction, the floor configured to receive at least one battery, at least one cross member disposed on the floor and extending in the transverse direction, the at least one cross member having a top surface, bottom surface and sidewalls extending vertically therbetween, the at least one cross member having a first flange extending vertically upward from the top surface, the at least one cross member having a second flange extending laterally from the bottom surface, the at least one cross member being hollow, with a support rib extending between the sidewalls and a lid disposed above the cross member, the lid having a channel extending upward, the channel configured to receive the first flange of the at least one cross member.

Abstract: A system for structural health monitoring of a panel includes a panel of a composite laminate structure. The system further includes a plurality of sensors disposed on at least a surface of the panel each configured to measure at least an electrical datum associated with a portion of the panel. The system further includes a data acquisition system electrically coupled to the plurality of sensors and configured to receive the at least an electrical datum. The system further includes an alert system electrically coupled to at least the data acquisition system and configured to alert a user based on the at least an electrical datum.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite vehicle components (e.g. walls, floor, roof) having interleaved foam core members and pre-pultruded reinforcing pillars by pultruding the cores and pillars into a vehicle component (e.g. bus sidewall formed as integral component front to rear) and cutting apertures therein for insertion of vehicle accessories (e.g. windows). Also, vehicle components can be formed having interlocking profiled edges where a first component is inserted into a second component, and rotated to bring the two components into locking engagement. A plurality of components can be formed with the same geometry, and oriented 180 degrees offset from each other to bring their profiled edges adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A seat includes an air discharge port configured to provide a thin stream of conditioned air along a body surface of a seat occupant. The air discharge port is part of an air supply component located in or along the seat bottom or backrest. The air discharge port is positioned to direct conditioned air along an external surface of the air supply component or of another surface of the seat to form an initial thin stream of conditioned air that follows external seat surfaces to reach and flow along the seat occupant. The air supply component can be made adjustable to allow the location and/or direction of the discharged air to be changed to accommodate and maintain the conditioned air in a thin stream.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a composite frame with continuous-fiber reinforced (CFR) material along laterally spaced side members and cross members. The CFR material may be in a continuous piece along all four frame members to provide structural rigidity that is superior to that of separate pieces of CFR material. The pieces of CFR material may define a foundation portion of the seat frame and may be at least partly embedded in a thermoplastic accessory mounting portion, which is also part of the frame. An overmolding process can be used to at least partially encapsulate the CFR material in the accessory mounting portion with thermoplastic material along opposite sides of the CFR material. The overmolding process can also be used to embed recliner support plates in the composite frame. The frame may have an S-shaped cross section, facilitating simplified mold design and providing beam-like rigidity along multiple directions.

Abstract: A seat includes an air discharge port configured to provide a thin stream of conditioned air along a body surface of a seat occupant. The air discharge port is part of an air supply component located in or along the seat bottom or backrest. The air discharge port is positioned to direct conditioned air along an external surface of the air supply component or of another surface of the seat to form an initial thin stream of conditioned air that follows external seat surfaces to reach and flow along the seat occupant. The air supply component can be made adjustable to allow the location and/or direction of the discharged air to be changed to accommodate and maintain the conditioned air in a thin stream.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is equipped with a seat tilt mechanism capable of adjusting the amount one seat component is tilted relative to another. The tilt mechanism can couple a seat frame with a seat pan to adjust the relative amount of tilt therebetween. The tilt mechanism includes a housing and a bracket in sliding engagement with a surface of the housing that faces away from the seat pan during use. The bracket may include a bearing surface in sliding engagement with the housing. The bracket can be monolithic with generally U-shaped side walls extending away from the seat pan on opposite sides of the housing. Each side wall may extend partially around the housing with the seat pan providing structure that closes off the open end of the U-shape. The mechanism includes an optional cap on the seat pan side of the housing that may provide a low-friction bearing surface.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a composite frame with continuous-fiber reinforced (CFR) material along laterally spaced side members and cross members. The CFR material may be in a continuous piece along all four frame members to provide structural rigidity that is superior to that of separate pieces of CFR material. The pieces of CFR material may define a foundation portion of the seat frame and may be at least partly embedded in a thermoplastic accessory mounting portion, which is also part of the frame. An overmolding process can be used to at least partially encapsulate the CFR material in the accessory mounting portion with thermoplastic material along opposite sides of the CFR material. The overmolding process can also be used to embed recliner support plates in the composite frame. The frame may have an S-shaped cross section, facilitating simplified mold design and providing beam-like rigidity along multiple directions.

Abstract: A horizontal drive apparatus for use with a vehicle seat slide having mating fixed and movable track members which are movable between forward and rearward configurations. The horizontal drive apparatus includes an elongate spindle, a spindle nut, a transmission, and a mounting apparatus. The spindle defines a spindle axis, and has a longitudinally extending spindle thread. The spindle nut is securely mountable to a first track member, and has an internal thread that is engagable with the spindle thread. The transmission is mountable to a respective other track member, and selectively rotates the spindle about the spindle axis. The mounting apparatus is interposable between the transmission and the other track member in securable relation to each. The mounting apparatus includes a damping apparatus for attenuating noise and vibration emanating from the transmission during use.