Abstract: A vehicle cargo construct including a floor having an upper surface and an oppositely opposed lower surface, a plurality of side wall panels extending from the floor, and an end wall panel extending from the floor between the plurality of side wall panels. Each of the plurality of side wall panels and end wall panel having an exterior surface and an oppositely opposed interior surface. Each of the floor, the plurality of side wall panels, and the end wall panel being formed of a composite sandwich panel material that includes a core defining a plurality of pores, a surface sheet adhered to a first face of the core by a first adhesive layer, and a structural skin adhered to a second face of the core by a second adhesive layer.

Abstract: A composite sandwich panel assembly with a defined set of breakpoints includes two or more open area cores, a high gloss surface sheet, and a structural skin. Each of the open area cores define a plurality of pores and each has a first face and an opposing second face. The high gloss surface sheet is adhered to the first face of the open area cores by a first adhesive layer. The high gloss surface sheet has a high gloss surface. The structural skin is adhered to the second face of each of the open area cores by a second adhesive layer. The interface between each of the open area cores determines the breakpoint of the composite sandwich panel.

Abstract: A battery containment construct including a first housing portion, a second housing portion complimentary to the first housing portion to define a cavity therebetween, and a fastening system to join the first housing portion to the second housing portion. The cavity defined therebetween being adapted to retain a plurality of reactive metal battery cells therein. The battery containment construct further including at least one fire department connection joined to at least one of the first housing portion or the second housing portion and in fluid communication with the cavity so enable connection of a fire hose to the battery containment construct for providing a fire inhibitor to the reactive metal battery cells in order to extinguish or contain a fire.

Abstract: A vehicle removable roof system including a fixed vehicle structure, one or more removable panels configured to engage with the fixed vehicle structure, and a water management system positioned between the one or more removable panels and the fixed vehicle structure. The removable panels may be formed of a composite sandwich panel assembly, which may include an open area core defining pores, a high gloss surface sheet adhered to a first face of the open area core by a first adhesive layer, and a structural skin adhered to a second side of the open area core by a second adhesive layer. The removable panels are configured for installation to and removal from the fixed vehicle structure by a single user and without the use of tools.

Abstract: A battery containment system is provided that includes a unitary battery tray having a bottom and walls that from the bottom of said tray and defining a cavity within the tray. A cover is includes having a cover body portion and a first flange extending from the cover body portion, the cover body portion configured to overlie the cavity within the tray and the walls of the tray, the first flange of said cover configured to extend beyond the walls of the tray. A shield having a shield body portion and a second flange extending from the shield body portion, the shield body portion is configured to underlie the bottom of the tray, the second flange of the shield is configured to extend beyond the bottom of the tray and configured to engage the first flange of the cover.

Abstract: A high strength frame of a sealable containment system is provided for containing and protecting energy cells or batteries. The protection provided by the high strength frame provides impalement resistance, impact resistance, fire resistance, and fluid penetration prevention. The frame includes a shock structure/energy absorber to protect the battery from forces during potential impacts with other vehicles or objects. The frame of a battery containment system is further designed to resist impalements in order to protect the batteries. Furthermore, because vehicle batteries are prone to extreme fire in the event of an impact or impalement, the containment system provides a sealed battery environment to keep fluid and moisture out during normal operation and to limit oxygen in the event of a battery fire.

Abstract: A vehicle removable roof system including a roof support structure removably attachable to a vehicle, the roof support structure including a plurality of vertically oriented supports and at least one horizontally oriented support. The at least one removable panel configured to engage with the roof support structure. The vehicle removable roof system formed of a light weight sandwich composite structure that affords a high gloss surface without resort to additional processing after production with improved moisture resistance and edges suitable for sealing the removable roof assembly to other vehicle components.

Abstract: A vehicle removable roof system including a fixed vehicle structure, one or more removable panels configured to engage with the fixed vehicle structure, and a water management system positioned between the one or more removable panels and the fixed vehicle structure. The removable panels may be formed of a composite sandwich panel assembly, which may include an open area core defining pores, a high gloss surface sheet adhered to a first face of the open area core by a first adhesive layer, and a structural skin adhered to a second side of the open area core by a second adhesive layer. The removable panels are configured for installation to and removal from the fixed vehicle structure by a single user and without the use of tools.

Abstract: A composite sandwich panel assembly including an open area core, a high gloss surface sheet, and a structural skin. The open are core defines a plurality of pores and has a first face and an opposing second face. The high gloss surface sheet is adhered to the first face of the open area core by a first adhesive layer. The high gloss surface sheet has a high gloss surface. The structural skin is adhered to the second face of the open area core by a second adhesive layer. A process for forming the composite sandwich panel assembly includes positioning the high gloss surface sheet, joining the first face of the open area core to the high gloss surface sheet with a first adhesive layer intermediate therebetween, and joining the structural skin to the second face of the open area core with a second adhesive layer intermediate therebetween.

Abstract: A vehicle component construct including a panel formed of a composite sandwich material. The composite sandwich material including an open area core defining a plurality of pores, a high gloss surface sheet adhered to a first face of the open area core by a first adhesive layer, and a structural skin adhered to a second face of the open area core by a second adhesive layer. The exterior surface of the panel being defined by the high gloss surface sheet of the composite sandwich panel material and the oppositely opposed interior surface of the panel being defined by the structural skin of the composite sandwich material. The vehicle component construct being suitable for use as a body section of a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle component construct and process of making the same including a frame formed of a composite sandwich panel material and a window formed of a transparent resin within the frame. The composite sandwich panel material of the frame including an open area core defining a plurality of pores, a high gloss surface sheet adhered to a first face of the open area core by a first adhesive layer, and a structural skin adhered to a second face of the open area core by a second adhesive layer. The frame defining a through opening that extends from an exterior surface of the frame to an oppositely opposed interior surface of the frame. The window being formed within the through opening of the frame.

Abstract: A puncture resistant shield is provided for use with a battery containment system that is light weight and resistant to corrosion, while improving the safety performance of the battery containment system by providing greater impact and impalement protection as compared to conventional vehicle components. The puncture resistant shield also has utility in that it may be used with existing battery containment systems as an aftermarket installation to increase protection of the batteries contained therein or may be designed for use with new manufactured battery containment systems.

Abstract: A vehicle removable roof system including a roof support structure removably attachable to a vehicle, the roof support structure including a plurality of vertically oriented supports and at least one horizontally oriented support. The at least one removable panel configured to engage with the roof support structure. The vehicle removable roof system formed of a light weight sandwich composite structure that affords a high gloss surface without resort to additional processing after production with improved moisture resistance and edges suitable for sealing the removable roof assembly to other vehicle components.

Abstract: A composite sandwich panel assembly including an open area core, a high gloss surface sheet, and a structural skin. The open are core defines a plurality of pores and has a first face and an opposing second face. The high gloss surface sheet is adhered to the first face of the open area core by a first adhesive layer. The high gloss surface sheet has a high gloss surface. The structural skin is adhered to the second face of the open area core by a second adhesive layer. A process for forming the composite sandwich panel assembly includes positioning the high gloss surface sheet, joining the first face of the open area core to the high gloss surface sheet with a first adhesive layer intermediate therebetween, and joining the structural skin to the second face of the open area core with a second adhesive layer intermediate therebetween.

Abstract: A high strength frame of a sealable containment system is provided for containing and protecting energy cells or batteries. The protection provided by the high strength frame provides impalement resistance, impact resistance, fire resistance, and fluid penetration prevention. The frame includes a shock structure/energy absorber to protect the battery from forces during potential impacts with other vehicles or objects. The frame of a battery containment system is further designed to resist impalements in order to protect the batteries. Furthermore, because vehicle batteries are prone to extreme fire in the event of an impact or impalement, the containment system provides a sealed battery environment to keep fluid and moisture out during normal operation and to limit oxygen in the event of a battery fire.

Abstract: A battery containment system is provided that includes a unitary battery tray having a bottom and walls that from the bottom of said tray and defining a cavity within the tray. A cover is includes having a cover body portion and a first flange extending from the cover body portion, the cover body portion configured to overlie the cavity within the tray and the walls of the tray, the first flange of said cover configured to extend beyond the walls of the tray. A shield having a shield body portion and a second flange extending from the shield body portion, the shield body portion is configured to underlie the bottom of the tray, the second flange of the shield is configured to extend beyond the bottom of the tray and configured to engage the first flange of the cover.

Abstract: A turbine wheel for a hydrokinetic torque converter. The turbine wheel is rotatable about a rotational axis and comprises an annular turbine shell member coaxial with the rotational axis and made of metallic material, and a plurality of turbine blades. The turbine shell member has an axially inner peripheral surface and an axially outer peripheral surface axially opposite to the axially inner peripheral surface. The turbine blades extend from the axially inner peripheral surface of the turbine shell member. The turbine blades are made of polymeric material as a single-piece component and are directly non-moveably secured to the turbine shell member.

Abstract: A turbine wheel for a hydrokinetic torque converter. The turbine wheel is rotatable about a rotational axis and comprises an annular turbine shell member coaxial with the rotational axis and made of metallic material, and a plurality of turbine blades. The turbine shell member has an axially inner peripheral surface and an axially outer peripheral surface axially opposite to the axially inner peripheral surface. The turbine blades extend from the axially inner peripheral surface of the turbine shell member. The turbine blades are made of polymeric material as a single-piece component and are directly non-moveably secured to the turbine shell member.

Abstract: An impeller assembly for a hydrokinetic torque converter. The impeller assembly is rotatable about a rotational axis and comprises an annular impeller wheel coaxial with the rotational axis, and an annular impeller hub made of metallic material and non-rotatably coupled to the impeller wheel. The impeller wheel is made of polymeric material as a single-piece component including an annular impeller shell member and a plurality of turbine blade members axially inwardly extending from the impeller shell member.

Abstract: A torque transmitting device comprising a torque input element (17a, 17b) and a torque output element (8) able to pivot about an axis (X) with respect to one another, at least one elastic leaf (22), rotationally coupled to the torque output element (8) or to the torque input element (17a, 17b) respectively, the elastic leaf (22) being able to be elastically and radially held torest on a supporting member (18) carried by the torque input element (17a, 17b) or the torque output element (8) respectively, the elastic leaf (22) being able to bend upon rotation of the torque input element (17a, 17b) with respect to the torque input element (8).