Abstract: A device for selectively allowing and disallowing passage of semi-solid from a container. A housing has an inlet port through which semi-solid can enter, an outlet port through which semi-solid can exit, and a bore. A barrel fits, and can turn, within the bore. An operator outside the housing is operable to turn the barrel within the bore. The barrel has a through-passage which in a first position of operation by the operator, allows passage of semi-solid through the device by registering the inlet port to the outlet port. In a second position of operation passage of semi-solid is disallowed by the operator unregistering the inlet port to the outlet port. A cover external to the housing is selectively positionable with the barrel for occluding the outlet port in the second position and for not occluding the outlet port in the first position. Semi-solids include medicinal, edible, and non-edible materials.

Abstract: A plastic intercooler assembly includes a plurality of plastic tubes that extend between plastic end plates. The plastic tubes are secured to the end plates to provide the desired seal between the end plates and the ends of the tubes. The plastic tubes are attached utilizing plastic welding methods that reduce assembly time and cost.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic heat exchanger (1), in particular for automotive applications, having an inlet tank (2) which has an inlet (5) for a first fluid and surrounds an inlet chamber (6), having an outlet tank (3) which has an outlet (7) for the first fluid and surrounds an outlet chamber (8), having multiple plastic tubes (4) which are tightly connected to the inlet tank (2) and to the outlet tank (3) and connect the inlet chamber (6) to the outlet chamber (8) so they communicate with one another and around which a second fluid flows during operation. To improve the heat transfer, at least some of the plastic tubes (4) have at least one longitudinal section (9) in which ring-shaped areas (13) having variable cross sections follow one another in the longitudinal direction of the tube.

Abstract: An intercooler assembly includes a housing that defines an internal space containing a plurality of tubes. A joint between a tube and a tube plate is created by a laser welding process. A form presses the walls of the tube outwardly to form the flange. The downward force of the form not only creates the desired flange, but also exerts a pressure that holds the flange against the tube plate. The form provides for the transmission of laser energy to that the creation of the flange can be performed concurrently with the welding process.

Abstract: An example plastic intake manifold is assembled with an inner shell received within an outer shell. The method of assembling the outer shell to the inner shell comprises a localized thickness that defines a desired laser weld joint along which laser energy is utilized to form the desired joint between the outer shell and the inner shell. The method also provides for completing a desired weld around an interfering protrusion on an outer surface of the outer shell.

Abstract: An intercooler comprises a plurality of plastic cooling tubes extending between a first end plate and a second end plate and a baffle arranged in the intercooler and extending at least partially between the first end plate and the second end plate. The baffle comprises a plurality of first openings for receiving a respective plastic cooling tube, the baffle further comprising a plurality of second openings arranged between the first openings. The second openings permit air to flow through the intercooler whilst creating turbulence in the air flow which increase the thermal transfer between the air and the tubes increasing the efficiency of the intercooler.

Abstract: A plastic intercooler assembly includes a plurality of plastic tubes that extend between plastic end plates. The plastic tubes are secured to the end plates to provide the desired seal between the end plates and the ends of the tubes. The plastic tubes are attached utilizing plastic welding methods that reduce assembly time and cost.

Abstract: An active noise cancellation system (26) for controlling engine noise propagation through a vehicle induction system (32) is customizable to achieve a desired engine noise profile. A controller (34) of the active noise cancellation system drives a speaker (36) to generate a noise cancellation sound in a manner consistent with an individual's indicated preference for a specific type of available engine noise profile. By customizing how the speaker is driven, the system customizes the resulting engine noise heard in the passenger compartment. In one example, the system is customizable using a hand held communication device (24) such as a cell phone, a personal digital assistant or a so-called palm top computer. In another example, a resident communication bus on the vehicle is accessed through a user communication interface (28) supported on the vehicle.

Abstract: An active noise attenuation system for an air induction assembly includes a housing that is mounted to a vehicle structure and a speaker assembly that is mounted within the housing to generate a sound field for attenuating noise. The housing defines an air inlet duct open end through which air is drawn. A microphone detects noise and modifies an anti-noise signal that is sent from an electronics center. The electronics center receives the signal, mixes with other engine signals, phase-shifts the signal, and sends the phase-shifted signal to the speaker to attenuate the noise. The speaker includes electrical connections that extend outwardly toward the air inlet duct open end for connection to the electronics center. The microphone and speaker are connected to the electronics center with flex cables.

Abstract: An active noise cancellation system has a speaker which is utilized to generate sound to cancel engine noise, as is known. An operator horn switch communicates with a control for the active noise cancellation system. Upon receiving a request from the operator for a horn signal, the control for the active noise cancellation system generates a horn tone from the speaker associated with the active noise cancellation system. If cancellation is in progress, the cancellation is preferably paused during the period of time when the horn signal is being emitted.

Abstract: An air induction system for an internal combustion engine utilizes localized heat generation to produce a desired acoustic profile that attenuates noise propagated through the air induction system. The noise propagated through the air induction system varies over time to form a variable noise profile. A heat generating mechanism, such as a laser array or electric spark generator, produces a predetermined amount of heat within a localized area adjacent to an inlet to the air duct housing. The predetermined amount of heat is an amount of heat sufficient to produce a desired acoustic energy as a result of rapid air expansion at the localized area. A controller varies the predetermined amount of heat over time to produce a desired acoustic profile that cancels the variable noise profile.

Abstract: A throttle valve for throttling the flow of combustion air to an internal combustion engine is disclosed having a throttle body made of a first plastic and defining a throat for passing combustion air and an intersecting passageway to rotatably support a throttle shaft. The throttle shaft is made of a second plastic that is filled with a solid lubricant and extends through the intersecting passageway supported on each end by a boss that is molded concurrently with the throat. The inside surfaces of the bosses support the throttle shaft and are molded in the same molding process that forms the throat. A butterfly is mounted to the shaft for rotation in the conduit to throttle the flow of combustion air. Boss to throat volumetric ratios of 0.5 or less are provided by this construction.

Abstract: An active noise control system (20) includes a controller (26) that drives a speaker (28) to cancel out or reduce noise. A microphone (30) provides information to the controller (26) regarding the system response to the noise source sound and the cancellation signal. The controller (26) uses a selected noise source sound as a calibration reference. By subsequently comparing the system response to the same sound, the controller (26) is able to calibrate the system and make any adjustments necessary to account for microphone drift, for example.

Abstract: An air induction system for an internal combustion engine utilizes localized heat generation to produce a desired acoustic profile that attenuates noise propagated through the air induction system. The noise propagated through the air induction system varies over time to form a variable noise profile. A heat generating mechanism, such as a laser array or electric spark generator, produces a predetermined amount of heat within a localized area adjacent to an inlet to the air duct housing. The predetermined amount of heat is an amount of heat sufficient to produce a desired acoustic energy as a result of rapid air expansion at the localized area. A controller varies the predetermined amount of heat over time to produce a desired acoustic profile that cancels the variable noise profile.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an air flow assembly having a valve disc within a bore. A first support is inserted into the bore from below the valve disc, and a second “floating” support is inserted from above the disc. The second support “floats” relative to the disc upon a fluid receiving member such as an inflatable bellows. As the fluid receiving member allows the second support to float when contacting the disc, any inconstancies of the disc are compensated by the “floating” second support. As the disc is squeezed between the supports heat conducted from heaters causes the material of the disc to be extruded radially outwardly into contact with the bore to obtain a consistent thickness at the disc outer periphery.

Abstract: A vehicle air intake system includes a noise cancellation assembly. A cooling member is provided at least partially within an air passageway for dissipating heat within an electronics module portion of the noise cancellation assembly. The cooling member preferably is a brass material insert that is supported at least partially within an air passageway by a housing that supports components of the noise cancellation assembly. A connecting member that thermally couples the electronics module to the cooling member also operates to secure the electronics module to the housing in one example embodiment.

Abstract: A vehicle sensor assembly includes a plurality of engagement members which lock into a sensor receipt member attached to a vehicle gas directing component. Each of the engagement members include a first segment which is receivable within a corresponding slot and an enlarged segment which is preferably sized greater than the slot. To install the sensor assembly, the sensor assembly is pressed into the sensor receipt member until the enlarged segment of each engagement member encounters an associated extension. By providing additional force on the sensor assembly the engagement members are spread outward from their normal position to pass by the extensions such that the first segment snaps into the slots and the enlarged segments lock the sensor assembly into the installed position. Although no tools and only a minimum of force is required to install the sensor assembly, a much greater force is required to remove it.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for snap-fit attachment of a throttle shaft to a throttle body. A pair of resilient cantilevered tangs is formed on a distal end of the throttle shaft. Bearings are installed within a bore formed in the throttle body to rotatably support the shaft. The shaft is inserted through an opening in the bearings to compress the tangs and the tangs are resiliently returned to an extended position to prevent withdrawal of the shaft from the throttle body.

Abstract: A vehicle sensor assembly includes a retainer which locks the sensor assembly onto a sensor receipt member of a vehicle gas directing component. The retainer is preferably a cup-shaped member having a base and a wall extending substantially perpendicular from the perimeter thereof. Resilient engagement members extend radially inward from the wall toward the base. To install the sensor assembly, the sensor is pressed onto the sensor receipt member such that the engagement members engage the outer surface of the sensor receipt member. Since the retainer is preferably manufactured of a spring steel or a hard resilient plastic such as nylon, the engagement members attempt to return to their free position thereby locking the sensor assembly onto the sensor receipt member. A method for producing the sensor assembly preferably includes locating the sensor body within an initially cup-shaped retainer having a base and an extended wall.

Abstract: A wiring assembly for a plastic intake manifold mounted to an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle includes a flexible circuit assembly disposed within foam covering the intake manifold. The flexible circuit assembly provides for electrical communication between a controller and a plurality of electrical devices. In one embodiment the electrical devices are integral to the flexible circuit assembly to create a flexible circuit/electrical device assembly forming a single replaceable unit. In another embodiment, multiple flexible circuits are sandwiched between layers of foam, with each flexible circuit separated from the others by layers of foam. Each of the multiple flexible circuits attaches to different types electrical devices or sensors. The invention also provides for a decorative skin disposed over the layers of foam that may include a printed design to eliminate the need for an additional decorative engine cover.