Abstract: A process for curing a porous muffler preform defined by a plurality of glass fibers and a heat-curing thermoset or thermoplastic materials applied to the plurality of glass fibers is disclosed herein. The process includes the step of enclosing the muffler preform in a chamber. The process also includes the step of surrounding the muffler preform with steam. The process also includes the step of causing steam to enter the muffler preform from multiple directions.

Abstract: A process for curing a porous muffler preform defined by a plurality of glass fibers and a heat-curing thermoset or thermoplastic materials applied to the plurality of glass fibers is disclosed herein. The process includes the step of enclosing the muffler preform in a chamber. The process also includes the step of surrounding the muffler preform with steam. The process also includes the step of causing steam to enter the muffler preform from multiple directions.

Abstract: A process for curing a porous muffler preform defined by a plurality of glass fibers and a heat-curing thermoset or thermoplastic materials applied to the plurality of glass fibers is disclosed herein. The process includes the step of enclosing the muffler preform in a chamber. The process also includes the step of surrounding the muffler preform with steam. The process also includes the step of causing steam to enter the muffler preform from multiple directions.

Abstract: A method of collecting a strand using an air stream dissipater comprises texturizing the strand with an air stream on a first side of the air stream dissipater, directing the texturized strand through the air stream dissipater and collecting the texturized strand in a container on the second side of the air stream dissipater. A system for texturizing a strand comprises a texturizer for texturizing the strand with an air stream, a container to collect and hold the texturized strand and an air stream dissipater provided between the texturizer and the container to dissipate excess air from the air stream and prevent the excess air from entering the container.

Abstract: The present invention provides composite muffler systems formed of a long fiber thermoplastic. Long fiber thermoplastic technology allows the fibers, to maintain a length sufficient to provide structural strength at lower fiber loading. The long fiber thermoplastic material for forming composite muffler systems also provides increased impact strength and creep resistance as well as chemical and thermal resistance. Mufflers molded with long fiber thermoplastics demonstrate improved dimensional stability as compared to known short fiber based moldings. One suitable muffler structure is a multi-piece muffler assembly including at least one long fiber thermoplastic shell section. In accordance with the present invention, the long fiber thermoplastic material and moldings may also be combined with over-molding of preforms of unidirectional or woven inlays, which provide local structural performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a muffler facia assembly including a muffler with at least one thermoplastic shell formed into a facia assembly on a motor vehicle. The facia may be any suitable body part of a motor vehicle, such as a bumper, a rocker panel, an air dam, a spoiler, a sideboard or a body module. An assembly in accordance with the present invention includes structural members to provide crash management features to increase the strength and impact resistance. In accordance with the present invention, the long fiber thermoplastic material and moldings may also be combined with over-molding of preforms of unidirectional or woven inlays, which provide local structural performance. The use of such preforms is particularly suited to use in the manufacture of high temperature, structural articles such as bumper muffler combinations.

Abstract: A method of collecting a strand using an air stream dissipater comprises texturizing the strand with an air stream on a first side of the air stream dissipater, directing the texturized strand through the air stream dissipater and collecting the texturized strand in a container on the second side of the air stream dissipater. A system for texturizing a strand comprises a texturizer for texturizing the strand with an air stream, a container to collect and hold the texturized strand and an air stream dissipater provided between the texturizer and the container to dissipate excess air from the air stream and prevent the excess air from entering the container.

Abstract: A process for curing a porous muffler preform defined by a plurality of glass fibers and a heat-curing thermoset or thermoplastic materials applied to the plurality of glass fibers is disclosed herein. The process includes the step of enclosing the muffler preform in a chamber. The process also includes the step of surrounding the muffler preform with steam. The process also includes the step of causing steam to enter the muffler preform from multiple directions.

Abstract: A method of forming a preform product includes filling a mold cavity with glass fibers. The mold cavity has an inlet end, a second end opposite the inlet end, and a longitudinal axis. Suction is applied simultaneously to the mold cavity axially from the second end, and suction is further simultaneously applied radially inwardly from a longitudinal passage within the mold cavity, thereby forming a preform product.

Abstract: A muffler assembly includes a housing defining at least one internal chamber. The housing is constructed from a composite material made from a thermoplastic resin and a reinforcing element. The reinforcing element is selected from a group of reinforcing materials consisting of glass fibers, aramid fibers, polyamide fibers, carbon fibers, graphite fibers, mineral fibers, ceramic fibers, carbon nanotubes, nano fillers, mineral fillers, ceramic fillers and combinations thereof. A pipe is received in the housing. The pipe includes at least one opening providing acoustic communication between an internal passage in the pipe and the chamber in the housing. An acoustic attenuating material is received in that chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides composite muffler systems formed of a long fiber thermoplastic. Long fiber thermoplastic technology allows the fibers, to maintain a length sufficient to provide structural strength at lower fiber loading. The long fiber thermoplastic material for forming composite muffler systems also provides increased impact strength and creep resistance as well as chemical and thermal resistance. Mufflers molded with long fiber thermoplastics demonstrate improved dimensional stability as compared to known short fiber based moldings. One suitable muffler structure is a multi-piece muffler assembly including at least one long fiber thermoplastic shell section. In accordance with the present invention, the long fiber thermoplastic material and moldings may also be combined with over-molding of preforms of unidirectional or woven inlays, which provide local structural performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides composite muffler systems formed of a long fiber thermoplastic. Long fiber thermoplastic technology allows the fibers, to maintain a length sufficient to provide structural strength at lower fiber loading. The long fiber thermoplastic material for forming composite muffler systems also provides increased impact strength and creep resistance as well as chemical and thermal resistance. Mufflers molded with long fiber thermoplastics demonstrate improved dimensional stability as compared to known short fiber based moldings. One suitable muffler structure is a multi-piece muffler assembly including at least one long fiber thermoplastic shell section. In accordance with the present invention, the long fiber thermoplastic material and moldings may also be combined with over-molding of preforms of unidirectional or woven inlays, which provide local structural performance.

Abstract: In a method of forming a silencer preform from fibers of a fiberizable material, the fibers are fed into a mold, and a low temperature cure binder is applied to the fibers. The binder is cured at a low temperature to bond together the fibers, thereby forming a preform having generally the shape of the mold. The preform is removed from the mold. The preform is structured for insertion into a silencer. A silencer preform includes fibers of a fiberizable material and a low temperature cure binder bonding together the fibers.

Abstract: A bumper/muffler assembly is provided comprising a bumper; and a muffler having an outer shell. The outer shell may be formed from a non-high impact resistant material, such as a thin metal or a composite material. The muffler may comprise a separate element from the bumper, which is coupled thereto, or is formed as an integral part of the bumper.

Abstract: The present invention provides composite muffler systems formed of a long fiber thermoplastic. Long fiber thermoplastic technology allows the fibers, to maintain a length sufficient to provide structural strength at lower fiber loading. The long fiber thermoplastic material for forming composite muffler systems also provides increased impact strength and creep resistance as well as chemical and thermal resistance. Mufflers molded with long fiber thermoplastics demonstrate improved dimensional stability as compared to known short fiber based moldings. One suitable muffler structure is a multi-piece muffler assembly including at least one long fiber thermoplastic shell section. In accordance with the present invention, the long fiber thermoplastic material and moldings may also be combined with over-molding of preforms of unidirectional or woven inlays, which provide local structural performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust silencer or muffler for an internal combustion engine, in particular a silencer with the damping characteristics of a resonator with the absorptive characteristics of a dissipative silencer. The silencer of the present invention provides an improved silencer or muffler for use with an internal combustion engine that incorporates both a dissipative silencer and a resonator in a single muffler assembly suitable for use with standard automotive construction techniques.

Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust silencer or muffler for an internal combustion engine, in particular a silencer with the damping characteristics of a resonator with the absorptive characteristics of a dissipative silencer. The silencer of the present invention provides an improved silencer or muffler for use with an internal combustion engine that incorporates both a dissipative silencer and a resonator in a single muffler assembly suitable for use with standard automotive construction techniques.

Abstract: A bumper/muffler assembly is provided comprising a bumper; and a muffler having an outer shell. The outer shell may be formed from a non-high impact resistant material, such as a thin metal or a composite material. The muffler may comprise a separate element from the bumper, which is coupled thereto, or is formed as an integral part of the bumper.

Abstract: A bumper/muffler assembly is provided comprising a bumper; and a muffler having an outer shell. The outer shell may be formed from a non-high impact resistant material, such as a thin metal or a composite material. The muffler may comprise a separate element from the bumper, which is coupled thereto, or is formed as an integral part of the bumper.

Abstract: An electronic control system for an automatic glassware forming machine includes a plurality of position sensors for monitoring the motions of individual glassware forming mechanisms. The sensors generate output signals which define the start and stop times and/or motion of the respective forming mechanisms. The electronic control is responsive to the sensor output signals for identifying any mechanical dead times in the forming cycle. Mechanical dead time is defined as time during which no machine motions are occurring, but could be occurring without interfering with essential heat transfer functions. The electronic control can then reduce or remove selected mechanical dead times to reduce the machine cycle length, and consequently, increase the production rate of the machine.