Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for making a composite polyurethane skin, said method comprises providing a source of liquid polyol, providing a source of liquid isocyanate, providing a source of liquid blowing agent, providing a spray mold tool having a mold surface, providing a spraying device for spraying liquid material at the spray mold tool, directing polyol and isocyanate to the spraying device to form a polyurethane composition, spraying the polyurethane composition towards the spray mold tool to form a polyurethane skin layer on the spray mold tool, directing polyol, isocyanate and blowing agent to the spraying device to form an expandable polyurethane composition, and spraying the expandable polyurethane composition onto the skin layer to form a resilient expandable polyurethane layer on the skin.

Abstract: An interior trim panel for a vehicle door is provided according to alternative methods. The interior trim panel includes a bolster to which a polyurethane skin is molded by a spraying operation. Expanded polyurethane foam is sprayed over the polyurethane skin and a backing panel is either integrally formed or assembled to the polyurethane foam layer.

Abstract: A method of making a vehicle part includes spraying material proximate a surface of a tool to form a skin layer, and spraying material onto the skin layer to form a resilient layer. The method further includes removing the skin layer and the resilient layer from the tool and positioning the layers in a mold. Next, the method involves applying material onto the resilient layer to form a rigid substrate on the resilient layer.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include interior vehicle trim panel having a sprayed expanded polyurethane layer and method of making same. In at least one embodiment, the method of making the vehicle interior trim panel comprises providing a skin layer on a spray tool, spraying expandable polyurethane reactive components onto the skin layer to form a resilient layer, and securing a rigid substrate on the resilient layer, such that the resilient layer extends between and connects the skin layer with the substrate to form the vehicle interior trim panel.

Abstract: A method of making an interior vehicle part for use with a motor vehicle includes spraying material proximate a surface of a mold portion of a mold to form a skin layer, the surface defining a mold cavity of the mold portion. The method further includes positioning an insert proximate the mold cavity, the insert being configured for attachment to the vehicle, and introducing material into the mold cavity to form a foam layer that contacts the skin layer and the insert.

Abstract: A method and system for providing plastic injection molded parts with thin wall sections or portions. The mold has one or more plunger or piston members which operate to reduce the size of the mold cavity and thus the thickness of wall sections or portions of the molded parts, preferably at 70-75% or more of their surface area. Commercially acceptable parts with wall thicknesses on the order of 2.5 mm can be provided with the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for spraying polyurethane to form a skin on a mold. Polyurethane forming constituents are provided from a plurality of separate supply sources to separate recirculating fluid circuits. A mix head receives polyurethane constituents from the fluid circuits and mixes them to form a polyurethane mixture. A hydraulically operated valve controls the flow of the polyurethane constituents. The valve has a first position in which the polyurethane components are permitted to flow into the chamber of the mix head. The polyurethane mixture is then dispensed through a spray nozzle assembly. When the valve is in a second position, the polyurethane constituents are recirculated through the fluid circuits. A liquid solvent may be injected into the mix head under pressure to purge the mixture from the mix head and spray nozzle assembly in the second position.

Abstract: A masking system is provided that includes a supply roll of masking material, supported by a first roll support. The supply roll is rotatable on the first roll support, which allows the masking material to be dispensed. A take-up roll is provided to receive masking material after it has been used. A masking arm is positioned on an inside surface of the masking material, and contacts a portion of a mold to capture the masking material between the masking arm and the mold, thereby sealing off a portion of the mold during a coating process. After the coating process, the take-up roll is rotated, thereby dispensing new masking material from the supply roll.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel nucleic acids encoding a mammalian WNK, and proteins encoded thereby, preferably, human WNK1 and human WNK4. These novel nucleic acids, and mutant forms thereof, are associated with, inter alia, renal electrolyte handling, hypertension, and pseudohypoaldosterism type II (PHA II). That is, the present invention relates to novel mutations (e.g., deletions and missense mutations in an exon, intron, or both, of a nucleic acid encoding a WNK) that mediate and/or are associated with altered expression, among other things. These mutations are, in turn, associated with and/or mediate disease (e.g., hypertension, PHA II, and the like). Thus, these nucleic acids provide a novel target for treatment, diagnosis, and development of therapeutics to treat these diseases.

Abstract: Providing triatomic nitrogen (N.sub.3) as a relaxation species to an exhaust gas that includes nitrogen oxide compounds (NO.sub.x) increases the rate of reducing NO.sub.x in a corona discharge apparatus.

Abstract: A corona discharge pollutant destruction reactor employs two or more electrodes to enhance the effective corona discharge treatment volume by distributing a varying electric field pattern over the reactor's interior chamber. Appropriate delay circuitry allows the inner electrodes to be driven out of phase with each other by a sinusoidal voltage waveform, or corona producing voltage pulses to be cyclically supplied to the inner electrodes in sequence, preferably without overlapping the pulses.

Abstract: An indoor air pollutant destruction apparatus destroys pollutants by a corona discharge that is generated by a rapidly oscillating electric field. Free electrons generated by the corona discharge produces ozone (O.sub.3), which effectively destroys volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and biological forms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and spores. Fine particulate materials such as smoke and dust are charged by the corona discharge, and when they pass through the rapidly oscillating electric field, they coagulate to form larger particles which are then filtered out.

Abstract: In a gaseous pollutant destruction apparatus employing a corona discharge reactor for reducing nitrogen oxide compounds (NO.sub.x), a fuel injection system provides a precisely controlled small quantity of hydrocarbon fuel to the corona discharge reactor to facilitate the destruction of NO.sub.x.

Abstract: A corona discharge pollutant destruction reactor employs two or more electrodes to enhance the effective corona discharge treatment volume by distributing a varying electric field pattern over the reactor's interior chamber. Appropriate delay circuitry allows the inner electrodes to be driven out of phase with each other by a sinusoidal voltage waveform, or corona producing voltage pulses to be cyclically supplied to the inner electrodes in sequence, preferably without overlapping the pulses.

Abstract: Ceramic color compositions which are moisture or steam settable are described. The compositions are formulated from a dispersion of ceramic pigments or glass colors in certain moisture or steam set type vehicles and can be applied to green or bisque ceramic ware using standard decorating techniques and then set to a coating by exposure to moisture or steam. Over-glazing of the coating provides decoratively glazed ware of excellent quality and durability.