Abstract: A self-tapping compression limiter for a structure of an automotive vehicle. The limiter includes a body having a first end extending to a second end. The body has a bore formed through the first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis. The body has an outer wall having a shoulder radially extending from the outer wall and formed adjacent one of the first and second ends to reduce tolerance to the structure. The outer wall has a threaded portion formed about the longitudinal axis. The threaded portion is matingly cooperable with the structure to provide a positive lock interface between the limiter and the structure.

Abstract: A limiting spring washer includes a main body portion and a side portion, which may be a frustoconical, extending from the main body portion. The main body portion defines a washer aperture therethrough. The main body portion is thicker than the side portion. A bolt assembly includes a part defining a part aperture therethrough. A limiter is disposed within the part aperture. A bolt is configured to attach the part to an item. In the bolt assembly, the limiting spring washer is disposed in contact with the limiter, the bolt, and the part. The bolt is configured to apply a total load, a first portion of the total load being absorbed by the part, and a second portion of the total load being absorbed by the limiter.

Abstract: A self-tapping compression limiter for a structure of an automotive vehicle. The limiter includes a body having a first end extending to a second end. The body has a bore formed through the first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis. The body has an outer wall having a shoulder radially extending from the outer wall and formed adjacent one of the first and second ends to reduce tolerance to the structure. The outer wall has a threaded portion formed about the longitudinal axis. The threaded portion is matingly cooperable with the structure to provide a positive lock interface between the limiter and the structure.

Abstract: A limiting spring washer includes a main body portion and a side portion, which may be a frustoconical, extending from the main body portion. The main body portion defines a washer aperture therethrough. The main body portion is thicker than the side portion. A bolt assembly includes a part defining a part aperture therethrough. A limiter is disposed within the part aperture. A bolt is configured to attach the part to an item. In the bolt assembly, the limiting spring washer is disposed in contact with the limiter, the bolt, and the part. The bolt is configured to apply a total load, a first portion of the total load being absorbed by the part, and a second portion of the total load being absorbed by the limiter.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold for an internal combustion engine includes a first exhaust port, a second exhaust port, and a septum that separates the first exhaust port and the second exhaust port. The septum has a surface with a J-groove to relieve stresses by looping a tip of a crack initiated by the J-groove back into a stress field of the J-groove.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides flanged joint or interface between two passageways. The flanged joint includes a first passageway, a connector, and a second passageway. The first passageway may, but not necessarily, be formed via casting process wherein an integrated flange may be defined at the opening of the first passageway such that the integrated flange defines a recess. The connector includes a support body having a fastener region at an upper end of the support body and a flange region at a lower end of the support body. The support body defines an aperture which is configured to support the second passageway. The flange region defined in connector is configured to engage with a recess defined in the first passageway.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold for an internal combustion engine includes a first exhaust port, a second exhaust port, and a septum that separates the first exhaust port and the second exhaust port. The septum has a surface with a J-groove to relieve stresses by looping a tip of a crack initiated by the J-groove back into a stress field of the J-groove.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides flanged joint or interface between two passageways. The flanged joint includes a first passageway, a connector, and a second passageway. The first passageway may, but not necessarily, be formed via casting process wherein an integrated flange may be defined at the opening of the first passageway such that the integrated flange defines a recess. The connector includes a support body having a fastener region at an upper end of the support body and a flange region at a lower end of the support body. The support body defines an aperture which is configured to support the second passageway. The flange region defined in connector is configured to engage with a recess defined in the first passageway.

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 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: 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: Methods and apparatus are provided for vehicle windshield washing-wiping and wiper de-icing. Primary nozzles provide washing fluid to the windshield during normal operations and secondary nozzles bathe the wiper arms with washing fluid to de-ice the wipers during a de-icing mode. Washing fluid is drawn from a reservoir and delivered to the nozzles by a pump. When the outside air temperature T is greater than Tc, the critical temperature for ice formation, the wipers and washing-wiping proceed normally with washing fluid delivered to the primary nozzles for windshield washing. When T?Tc and the wipers are not moving, a washer fluid supply line valve delivers washing fluid to the secondary nozzles to de-ice the wipers. The wiper motor, washing fluid pump and valve are operated by a controller based on inputs from wiper position and air temperature sensors, using predetermined information stored in on-board memory.

Abstract: A polymeric vessel includes a first shell formed from a thermoplastic polymer and including a weld stub, and a second shell formed from the thermoplastic polymer and including a weld anvil matable with the weld stub. The polymeric vessel also includes a friction weld joint joining the weld stub and the weld anvil, and a coupling element interconnecting the first shell and the second shell and spaced apart from the friction weld joint.

Abstract: A seal conforms to a surface geometry that enables the seal to meet performance objectives with a large number of material compositions. A corresponding seal system includes the seal having the surface geometry inside a groove defined by a member.

Abstract: An engine bracket assembly may include a first mounting portion, a second mounting portion, and a support member. The first mounting portion may fix a first end of the bracket assembly to the engine and the second mounting portion may fix a second end of the bracket assembly to the engine. The support member may support an engine component and may be disposed between and coupled to the first and second mounting portions. The coupling between the first and second mounting portions and the support member may provide relative displacement between the first mounting portion and the support member in a longitudinal direction extending from one of the first and second mounting portions toward the other of the first and second mounting portions during thermal expansion of the bracket assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for vehicle windshield washing-wiping and wiper de-icing. Primary nozzles provide washing fluid to the windshield during normal operations and secondary nozzles bathe the wiper arms with washing fluid to de-ice the wipers during a de-icing mode. Washing fluid is drawn from a reservoir and delivered to the nozzles by a pump. When the outside air temperature T is greater than Tc, the critical temperature for ice formation, the wipers and washing-wiping proceed normally with washing fluid delivered to the primary nozzles for windshield washing. When T?Tc and the wipers are not moving, a washer fluid supply line valve delivers washing fluid to the secondary nozzles to de-ice the wipers. The wiper motor, washing fluid pump and valve are operated by a controller based on inputs from wiper position and air temperature sensors, using predetermined information stored in on-board memory.

Abstract: An engine bracket assembly may include a first mounting portion, a second mounting portion, and a support member. The first mounting portion may fix a first end of the bracket assembly to the engine and the second mounting portion may fix a second end of the bracket assembly to the engine. The support member may support an engine component and may be disposed between and coupled to the first and second mounting portions. The coupling between the first and second mounting portions and the support member may provide relative displacement between the first mounting portion and the support member in a longitudinal direction extending from one of the first and second mounting portions toward the other of the first and second mounting portions during thermal expansion of the bracket assembly.

Abstract: A sealed cover assembly for a fluid-containing cavity of an engine includes a cover including a fluid-containing wall with a peripheral edge having a sealing surface adapted to oppose a corresponding sealing surface of the engine, and a plurality of mounting openings in the peripheral edge; a reaction pad adjacent each of the openings and disposed at the peripheral edge on an opposite surface of the sealing surface around a perimeter defining the cover; a brace disposed against the reaction pad around the perimeter defining the cover; and mechanical fasteners extending through the reaction pad and the brace for securing the cover to a mating edge of the engine cavity, the fasteners when engaged providing substantially equal compression forces on the reaction pad via the brace and supporting the cover sealing surface with a predetermined gap from the cavity mating edge for engagement with a compliant sealing material disposed between the surfaces.

Abstract: A sealed cover assembly for a fluid-containing cavity of an engine includes a cover including a fluid-containing wall with a peripheral edge having a sealing surface adapted to oppose a corresponding sealing surface of the engine, and a plurality of mounting openings in the peripheral edge; a reaction pad adjacent each of the openings and disposed at the peripheral edge on an opposite surface of the sealing surface around a perimeter defining the cover; a brace disposed against the reaction pad around the perimeter defining the cover; and mechanical fasteners extending through the reaction pad and the brace for securing the cover to a mating edge of the engine cavity, the fasteners when engaged providing substantially equal compression forces on the reaction pad via the brace and supporting the cover sealing surface with a predetermined gap from the cavity mating edge for engagement with a compliant sealing material disposed between the surfaces.