Abstract: An acoustic fiber silencer for a motor vehicle includes a first sound absorbing layer and a second sound insulating layer. The layers are formed of lightweight fibrous material, and the sound insulating layer is quilted. The acoustic fiber silencer includes a frame to which the sound absorbing and sound insulating layers are secured. The frame provides structural support and shape to the sound absorbing and sound insulating layers. The acoustic fiber silencer is lightweight while maintaining excellent noise attenuation properties.

Abstract: An acoustic fiber silencer for a motor vehicle includes a first sound absorbing layer and a second sound insulating layer. The layers are formed of lightweight fibrous material, and the sound insulating layer is quilted. The acoustic fiber silencer includes a frame to which the sound absorbing and sound insulating layers are secured. The frame provides structural support and shape to the sound absorbing and sound insulating layers. The acoustic fiber silencer is lightweight while maintaining excellent noise attenuation properties.

Abstract: A method of evaluating an optimization system is disclosed. The system is transitioned from an on state to an off state. Data is collected at time intervals for a time period before and after the system is transitioned from the on state to the off state. The transitioning occurs while a load of a particular type is active. In one embodiment, the optimization system is a Volt/VAR Optimization (VVO) system.

Abstract: A method of evaluating an optimization system is disclosed. The system is transitioned from an on state to an off state. Data is collected at time intervals for a time period before and after the system is transitioned from the on state to the off state. The transitioning occurs while a load of a particular type is active. In one embodiment, the optimization system is a Volt/VAR Optimization (VVO) system.

Abstract: A method of evaluating an optimization system is disclosed. The system is transitioned from an on state to an off state. Data is collected at time intervals for a time period before and after the system is transitioned from the on state to the off state. The transitioning occurs while a load of a particular type is active. In one embodiment, the optimization system is a Volt/VAR Optimization (VVO) system.

Abstract: A method of evaluating an optimization system is disclosed. The system is transitioned from an on state to an off state. Data is collected at time intervals for a time period before and after the system is transitioned from the on state to the off state. The transitioning occurs while a load of a particular type is active. In one embodiment, the optimization system is a Volt/VAR Optimization (VVO) system.

Abstract: The specification discloses a patterned thickness article, a patterned injection molding, and a method for manufacturing the article. The injection molding has patterned internal surface including high-flow channels and a plurality of intermediate and/or lower-flow channels having varying cross-sectional areas within the injection molding. The method includes providing such an injection molding; providing a flow of molten material through a sprue and into the high-flow channels; creating a flow front in the injection molding that advances from the sprue along the high-flow channels and the intermediate and/or lower-flow channels; and applying a clamping pressure to said injection molding.

Abstract: An acoustic barrier that achieves excellent noise insulating properties, and is relatively thin and relatively light in weight includes a flexible thermoplastic barrier layer having a plurality of apertures defining a latticed structure which includes apertures for pass-through components and non-pass-through apertures. The non-pass-through apertures are located where noise levels are expected or known to be relatively low. Effective acoustic performance can be maintained by completely eliminating material from the relatively thick and dense barrier layer at the low noise levels areas, and providing only absorptive decoupler material and/or lightweight sheet material such as plastic films in those areas.

Abstract: An acoustic barrier systems that reduces the amount of noise entering the passenger compartment of a vehicle includes a secondary acoustic attenuator that extends from a primary acoustic barrier to a vehicle component case to envelop space around a conduit passing from the engine compartment to the component case. In one embodiment, the secondary acoustic attenuator extends from the primary acoustic barrier to the component case, with the secondary acoustic attenuator enveloping space around the conduit between the vehicle component case and the primary acoustic barrier.

Abstract: An acoustical barrier comprises a layer of molded firm-flexible foam that is generally configured to match the acoustical requirements in an environment and mounted against a sound-transmitting substrate and can have one or more areas of patterned recesses along a substrate-facing side or varying thickness tailored to the intensity of sound transmitted through the sound-transmitting substrate with or without a thin, impervious barrier layer overlying the foam layer.

Abstract: An acoustic barrier systems that reduces the amount of noise entering the passenger compartment of a vehicle includes a secondary acoustic attenuator that extends from a primary acoustic barrier to a vehicle component case to envelop space around a conduit passing from the engine compartment to the component case. In one embodiment, the secondary acoustic attenuator extends from the primary acoustic barrier to the component case, with the secondary acoustic attenuator enveloping space around the conduit between the vehicle component case and the primary acoustic barrier.

Abstract: An acoustic barrier that achieves excellent noise insulating properties, and is relatively thin and relatively light in weight includes a flexible thermoplastic barrier layer having a plurality of apertures defining a latticed structure which includes apertures for pass-through components and non-pass-through apertures. The non-pass-through apertures are located where noise levels are expected or known to be relatively low. Effective acoustic performance can be maintained by completely eliminating material from the relatively thick and dense barrier layer at the low noise levels areas, and providing only absorptive decoupler material and/or lightweight sheet material such as plastic films in those areas.

Abstract: A dash mat for blocking the transfer of sound from a vehicle engine compartment, through a firewall, and into a passenger compartment. The dash mat being mounted to the firewall and comprising a planar sheet in which is formed a channel for receiving a vehicle accessory, such as a wiring harness, and a pair of resilient fingers positioned on opposite sides of and overlying the channel to hold the vehicle accessory within the channel.

Abstract: A dash mat for blocking the transfer of sound from the vehicle engine compartment, through the firewall, and into the passenger compartment. The dash mat comprising a planar sheet having a pair of opposed doors aligned with an opening in the firewall through which passes a vehicle accessory. The doors move between an open position, where the vehicle accessory can be passed through, and a closed position, where the doors seal the vehicle accessory relative to the planar sheet.

Abstract: An acoustical barrier (10) for mounting to the fire wall (20) of a motor vehicle includes a sound barrier layer (12) of a molded construction and sound dampening characteristics. The sound barrier layer (12) has an integrally molded boot (40) for receiving and acoustically sealing a steering column (70). The boot (40) has a base portion (42) integrally molded with a convolute portion (48), and a cap portion (56) integrally molded with the convolute portion (48). The convolute portion (48) includes a continuous outer wall section (50) surrounding an opening (46) in the sound barrier layer (12). The continuous outer wall section (50) has an upper end integrally formed with a flexible bight portion (54). A continuous inner wall (52) has an upper end integrally formed with the bight portion (54) and a lower end integrally formed with the cap portion (56). The cap portion (56) has an opening coincident with the openings (46, 78) in the sound barrier layer (12) and fire wall (20), respectively.

Abstract: An acoustical barrier (10) for a vehicle having a barrier wall which includes a floor area (23) and a fire wall area (25) extending between a wheel well area (41) and a drive train area (42). The acoustical barrier (10) includes a mass layer (12) that covers at least a portion of the barrier wall. The mass layer (12) has an inner surface (16) that faces the barrier wall with an integrally formed peripheral rib (52) projecting therefrom. A first set of elongate ribs (48) intersects and joins with a second set of elongate ribs (50). The first and second sets of elongate ribs (48, 50) are located within the enclosed area. Each elongate rib (48, 50) includes an upper portion integrally formed with the inner surface (16) of the mass layer and a lower portion with an outer edge (54, 60) adapted to at least face the barrier wall.

Abstract: A mold for molding thermoplastic parts having a plurality of pinholes wherein at least one of the mold cavities has a number of projections in the form of three-dimensional tapering shapes, for example, cones, which extend to a point near to but spaced from the confronting surface of the other mold half cavity. The taper of the angle of the projection and spacing between the apices of the projection and the surface of the other mold half are selected so that molten thermoplastic freezes before it covers the apices of the projections during the molding process to thereby form pinholes in the resulting plastic part. A method for molding plastic parts with pinholes with the use of the mold cavity with multiple projections is also disclosed.

Abstract: A barrier wall (24) separating a passenger compartment from an engine compartment of a motor vehicle has an acoustical barrier assembly (102) mounted thereto. The acoustical barrier assembly (102) includes first and second mat portions (104, 106) juxtaposed to each other in overlapping relationship. Each mat portion (104, 106) is preferably of a molded construction and has sound dampening characteristics. The first and second mat portions (104, 106) each have a terminal edge (130, 122). The terminal edge (130) of the second mat portion is in engagement with one of the surfaces of the first mat portion to thereby acoustically seal the first and second mat portions together. Spacer ribs (124, 132) are integrally with the first and second mat portions (104, 106). Each ribs (124, 132) extends from its corresponding mat portion to the other mat portion.

Abstract: A barrier wall (20) separating a passenger compartment from an engine compartment of a motor vehicle has an acoustical barrier assembly (10) mounted thereto. The acoustical barrier assembly (10) includes a sound barrier layer (12) of a molded construction and sound dampening characteristics. At least one fastener (28) is integrally molded as a single piece with the sound barrier layer (12). The fastener (28) includes a plurality of outer spacer ribs (30) that project laterally from a tube (32) and space an inner surface (24) of the sound barrier layer (12) away from the barrier wall (20). A circumferentially extending flange head (34) is integral with the tube (32) and includes a first frusto-conical section (36) and a second inverse frusto-conical section (38).

Abstract: An acoustical barrier (10) is mounted to the barrier wall (20) of a motor vehicle. The acoustical barrier (10) includes a mass layer (12) of molded construction and sound dampening characteristics. The mass layer (12) includes a plurality of grommets (14, 14', 14", 54) integrally molded as a single piece with a lower surface of the mass layer. Each grommet (14, 14', 14", 54) has a continuous wall with an inner peripheral surface (27, 27', 27") with an upper portion of the wall integrally formed with the inner surface (18) of the mass layer and a lower portion of the wall having a lower edge (22, 22', 22") abutting the barrier wall (20). The inner surface (27, 27', 27") of the continuous wall defines an opening in each grommet (14, 14', 14", 54). A plurality of openings (25, 25', 25") in the mass layer are in communication with at least some of the grommet openings.