Abstract: An oil pan assembly for a vehicle is provided which reduces and the movement of the oil pan relative to the engine block, and reduces the mechanical strain on the Room Temperature Vulcanizing (RTV) layer between the oil pan and the engine block. The oil pan assembly includes a brace and an oil pan having a base and sidewalls, and optionally an oil pan cover. The oil pan may include a peripheral flange operatively configured to be coupled to an engine block. The brace may be affixed to the oil pan about the peripheral area of the oil pan.

Abstract: An oil pan assembly for a vehicle is provided which reduces and the movement of the oil pan relative to the engine block, and reduces the mechanical strain on the Room Temperature Vulcanizing (RTV) layer between the oil pan and the engine block. The oil pan assembly includes a brace and an oil pan having a base and sidewalls, and optionally an oil pan cover. The oil pan may include a peripheral flange operatively configured to be coupled to an engine block.

Abstract: A rotary working component for use in a pump, compressor, blower or the like having an impeller, rotor, fan blade or other similar component includes a metallic insert and a composite structure overmolded on the metallic insert. The metallic insert can include an aperture adapted to mount the rotary working component to a drive shaft and a fluted catenoid or truncated spherical or spheroid outer surface having smooth contours between fluted regions thereof.

Abstract: A seal retention assembly is disclosed. The seal retention assembly includes a cover defining an aperture along a longitudinal axis. The seal retention assembly further includes a seal coupled to the cover adjacent to the aperture. The seal retention assembly also includes a retention device cooperating with the cover and the seal to secure the seal in engagement with the cover. In addition, a seal is disclosed. The seal includes a body portion, with the body portion including a first side and a second side opposing each other along a longitudinal axis. The body portion also includes an outer periphery disposed between the first and second sides and faces away from the longitudinal axis. The seal further includes a first retainer extending from at least one of the outer periphery and the first and second sides for securing the body portion to a cover.

Abstract: A vehicle and a compression load limiter assembly for the vehicle are disclosed. The assembly includes a first component defining a first hole along a first axis to present a first wall radially spaced from the first axis. The assembly also includes a second component defining a second hole along a second axis to present a second wall radially spaced from the second axis. The first and second holes generally align with each other to couple together the first and second components. The assembly further includes a load limiter member including a first body portion engaging one of the first and second walls when disposed in one of the first and second holes. The first body portion has a radially compliant feature to allow movement of the load limiter member within one of the first and second holes in response to a force being applied to the load limiter member.

Abstract: A joint assembly includes a first container portion, a second container portion, a band strip, and a fastener. The first container portion has a first flange including a first sealing surface and a first outer surface. The second container portion has a second flange including a second sealing surface and a second outer surface. The second sealing surface is configured to cooperate with the first sealing surface to form together a sealed connection. The fastener is configured to attach the band strip to one of the first and second container portions. An inner surface of the band strip is configured to engage at least one of the first and second outer surfaces such that the sealing surfaces of the first and second flanges are fixed with respect to one another when the band strip is attached to at least one of the first and second container portions.

Abstract: A rotary working component is provided for use in a pump, compressor, blower or the like. The rotary working component can include an impeller, rotor, fan blade or other similar component and includes a metallic insert and a composite structure overmolded on the metallic insert. The metallic insert can include an aperture adapted to mount the rotary working component to a drive shaft and a fluted catenoid or truncated spherical or spheroid outer surface having smooth contours between fluted regions thereof.

Abstract: An assembly includes a first component and a second component. A sealant is disposed between the first component and the second component. The second component has a recess on a second surface of the second component opposite the first surface of the second component. A composite fastener has a threaded portion and a head portion. The head portion has a retention clip on a side of the head portion that faces the second surface of the second component when the threaded portion is received in aligned openings of the first component and the second component so that the retention clip is received in the recess when the composite fastener is turned. A method of attaching a first component and a composite component is provided.

Abstract: A combination usable together in an automotive vehicle includes an engine block, a cover, and a band clamp. The engine block includes an opening configured to provide access to an interior volume, a first flange having a periphery that surrounds the opening, and a first engagement surface disposed proximate the first flange. The cover includes a second flange disposed around a periphery of the cover, and a second engagement surface disposed proximate the second flange, the second engagement surface configured to mate with the first engagement surface, wherein when the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface are disposed in engagement with each other the first flange and the second flange in combination define an exterior surface having a first profile. The band clamp includes an interior surface with a second profile that is complementary with the first profile.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine cover having a pump cavity through which fluid is pumped. A liner is configured to line the pump cavity to protect the engine cover from erosion due to the pumped fluid. The engine cover can be a composite material. The liner may be a composite material as well, or, in some embodiments, can be steel or another suitable material. A method of assembling an engine includes securing a liner to an engine cover so that the liner lines a pump cavity of the engine cover to protect the engine cover from erosion at the pump cavity.

Abstract: A composite material is disclosed that includes a matrix binder material and a plurality of elongated fiber strands. The strands have a longitudinally extending central portion having two or more lobes extending radially from the central portion and disposed longitudinally along the strand.

Abstract: A drainable container system for a vehicle includes a container having an exterior surface and defining an interior cavity configured for storing a fluid, and a drain hole configured for draining the fluid from the cavity. The hole has a central longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the surface. The system includes a drain plug, wherein the plug is insertable into the hole along the axis into a locked position so that the fluid does not drain, and removable from the hole along the axis when disposed in an unlocked position so that the fluid drains. The system includes a locking element configured for preventing rotation of the plug within the hole about the axis when the plug is disposed in the locked position, wherein the element is formed from a metal that is substantially elastic at a temperature of from about ?40° C. to about 10° C.

Abstract: A seal alignment system includes an engine block, a cover component spaced apart from the engine block and defining a first bore therethrough, and a crankshaft protruding from the engine block and extending through the first bore, wherein the crankshaft is rotatable about a central longitudinal axis and has an outer surface. The seal alignment system also includes an annular seal spaced apart from the engine block and defining a second bore therethrough, and an alignment device configured for coaxially aligning the annular seal with the central longitudinal axis so that the crankshaft extends through the second bore and the annular seal abuts the outer surface.

Abstract: A vehicle and a compression load limiter assembly for the vehicle are disclosed. The assembly includes a first component defining a first hole along a first axis to present a first wall radially spaced from the first axis. The assembly also includes a second component defining a second hole along a second axis to present a second wall radially spaced from the second axis. The first and second holes generally align with each other to couple together the first and second components. The assembly further includes a load limiter member including a first body portion engaging one of the first and second walls when disposed in one of the first and second holes. The first body portion has a radially compliant feature to allow movement of the load limiter member within one of the first and second holes in response to a force being applied to the load limiter member.

Abstract: A seal retention assembly is disclosed. The seal retention assembly includes a cover defining an aperture along a longitudinal axis. The seal retention assembly further includes a seal coupled to the cover adjacent to the aperture. The seal retention assembly also includes a retention device cooperating with the cover and the seal to secure the seal in engagement with the cover. In addition, a seal is disclosed. The seal includes a body portion, with the body portion including a first side and a second side opposing each other along a longitudinal axis. The body portion also includes an outer periphery disposed between the first and second sides and faces away from the longitudinal axis. The seal further includes a first retainer extending from at least one of the outer periphery and the first and second sides for securing the body portion to a cover.

Abstract: An impact resistant article is disclosed. The impact resistant article includes a body, with the body including a side wall and a base wall extending from the side wall. The base wall includes an exterior surface. The impact resistant article also includes an energy absorbing member, and in certain embodiments, includes a plurality of energy absorbing members each extending along a respective central axis from the exterior surface of the base wall to a respective distal end. Each of the energy absorbing members define an elliptical cross-sectional configuration transverse to the central axis of respective energy absorbing members. In certain embodiments, the energy absorbing members are spaced from each other such that during an impact to one of the energy absorbing members, the impacted one of the energy absorbing members absorbs energy independently of the other energy absorbing members.

Abstract: A combination usable together in an automotive vehicle includes an engine block, a cover, and a band clamp. The engine block includes an opening configured to provide access to an interior volume, a first flange having a periphery that surrounds the opening, and a first engagement surface disposed proximate the first flange. The cover includes a second flange disposed around a periphery of the cover, and a second engagement surface disposed proximate the second flange, the second engagement surface configured to mate with the first engagement surface, wherein when the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface are disposed in engagement with each other the first flange and the second flange in combination define an exterior surface having a first profile. The band clamp includes an interior surface with a second profile that is complementary with the first profile.

Abstract: A seal alignment system includes an engine block, a cover component spaced apart from the engine block and defining a first bore therethrough, and a crankshaft protruding from the engine block and extending through the first bore, wherein the crankshaft is rotatable about a central longitudinal axis and has an outer surface. The seal alignment system also includes an annular seal spaced apart from the engine block and defining a second bore therethrough, and an alignment device configured for coaxially aligning the annular seal with the central longitudinal axis so that the crankshaft extends through the second bore and the annular seal abuts the outer surface.

Abstract: A sealed assembly includes a first component having a first flange, and a second component having a second flange matable with the first flange. The sealed assembly also includes a sealant disposed between and along the first flange and the second flange such that the first component is sealingly mated to the second component. The sealed assembly further includes a wire disposed within the sealant, wherein the wire is configured for unsealing the second component from the first component. A method of unsealing the sealed assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sealed assembly includes a first component having a first flange, and a second component having a second flange matable with the first flange. The sealed assembly also includes a sealant disposed between and along the first flange and the second flange such that the first component is sealingly mated to the second component. The sealed assembly further includes a wire disposed within the sealant, wherein the wire is configured for unsealing the second component from the first component. A method of unsealing the sealed assembly is also disclosed.