Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to identifying and locating a failed or failing system component within a computer system, and more specifically to providing indicator lights and/or associated voice alerts to indicate, identify, and locate failed or failing system components within a computer system. A method for indicating a fault in a computer system in accordance with an embodiment includes: detecting a fault in the computer system; obtaining a problem definition associated with the fault; and generating an audible voice fault alert corresponding to the problem definition.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to identifying and locating a failed or failing system component within a computer system, and more specifically to providing indicator lights and/or associated voice alerts to indicate, identify, and locate failed or failing system components within a computer system. A method for indicating a fault in a computer system in accordance with an embodiment includes: detecting a fault in the computer system; obtaining a problem definition associated with the fault; and generating an audible voice fault alert corresponding to the problem definition.

Abstract: A structural foam article suitable for molding into automobile trim, the article comprising at least one thermoplastic; about 2% to about 15% by volume reinforcing particles having one or more layers of 0.7 nm–1.2 nm thick platelets, wherein more than about 50% of the reinforcing particles are less than about 20 layers thick; at least one blowing agent present in a range from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight. A method of producing structural foam articles comprising this structural foam is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for molding large parts, comprises the steps of providing a reinforced plastic melt comprising at least one thermoplastic material and reinforcement particles dispersed within the at least one thermoplastic material, the reinforcement particles comprising less than 15% of a total volume of the plastic melt, at least 50% of the reinforcement particles having a thickness of less than about 20 nanomenters, and at least 99% of the reinforcement particles having a thickness of less than about 30 nanometers; communicating a tubular formation of the plastic melt to a mold assembly having a mold cavity defined by mold surfaces, the mold surfaces corresponding to a configuration of the part to be molded; applying pressurized gas to an interior of the tubular formation to expand the tubular formation into conformity with the mold surfaces; and solidifying the plastic melt to form the part; and removing the part from the mold assembly.

Abstract: A reinforced molded article having reinforced protrusions extending from the surface of the article is suitable for molding into automobile trim. The article comprises at least one thermoplastic; about 2% to about 15% by volume reinforcing particles having one or more layers of 0.7 nm–1.2 nm thick platelets, wherein more than about 50% of the reinforcing particles are less than about 20 layers thick; whereby the reinforcing particles reinforce a protrusion from the surface of the molded article, the protrusion having a thickness of less than 1/10 inch. A method of producing reinforced articles comprising this reinforced protrusion is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hollow, reinforced, molded automotive hard top is made using a sheet of thermoplastic material with nanoparticles dispersed therein. The particles comprise less than 15% of total volume of the plastic sheet, at least 50% of the particles have a thickness less than about 20 layers, and at least 99% of the particles have a thickness of less than about 30 layers. The sheet is preheated and molded in an assembly having mold surfaces corresponding to the hard top configuration. Vacuum is applied to one side of the assembly and pressurized gas is applied to the opposite side of the assembly to force the sheet into conformity with the mold surfaces. After cooling, the conformed sheet is transferred to another mold assembly, where a reinforced plastic melt having a blowing agent is applied. Together, the solidified melt and the conformed plastic sheet form the hard top.

Abstract: A reinforced continuous molded article which is equally reinforced in all aspects is suitable for molding into automobile exterior trim. The article comprises at least one thermoplastic, having essentially homogeneously mixed therein about 2% to about 15% by volume reinforcing particles having one or more layers of 0.7 nm-1.2 nm thick platelets, wherein more than about 50% of the reinforcing particles are less than about 20 layers thick. A method of producing reinforced articles comprising these reinforcing particles is also disclosed. Optionally, such articles may have embossed surfaces or may have a decorative film laminated thereto.

Abstract: An exterior panel (10) for a motor vehicle has a coefficient of linear thermal expansion of less than 20×10−6 inches of expansion per inch material per degree Fahrenheit. The exterior panel (10) comprises a rigid structure (14) formed from at least one thermoplastic material and reinforcement particles dispersed within the at least one thermoplastic. The reinforcement particles comprise less than 15% of a total volume of the rigid structure. At least 40% of the reinforcement particles have a thickness less than about 50 nanometers. A decorative coating layer (12) having at least one coloring agent is disposed on the rigid structure (14).

Abstract: Reinforced plastic pellets comprise thermoplastic material and reinforcement particles that are less than 15% of a total volume of the pellets, and at least 40% have a thickness of less than 50 nanometers. A manifold (56) has at least two spaced valve gates (64) that are independently opened and closed as directed by a controller (68) to selectively communicate the manifold to a cavity. A primary injection pressure is applied to the plasticized pellet material in the manifold (56) to fill the cavity through sequential opening and closing of the gates (64). A lower secondary injection pressure is applied to the material in the manifold to continue filling the cavity. The gates are closed to seal the manifold from the cavity when the cavity is filled. The material is held within the manifold in compression by the valves while the cavity is open to prevent expansion of the material.

Abstract: A hollow, reinforced, molded automotive hard top is made using a sheet of thermoplastic material with nanoparticles dispersed therein. The particles comprise less than 15% of total volume of the plastic sheet, at least 50% of the particles have a thickness less than about 20 layers, and at least 99% of the particles have a thickness of less than about 30 layers. The sheet is preheated and molded in an assembly having mold surfaces corresponding to the hard top configuration. Vacuum is applied to one side of the assembly and pressurized gas is applied to the opposite side of the assembly to force the sheet into conformity with the mold surfaces. After cooling, the conformed sheet is transferred to another mold assembly, where a reinforced plastic melt having a blowing agent is applied. Together, the solidified melt and the conformed plastic sheet form the hard top.

Abstract: A method for thermoforming a reinforced article, comprising: providing a reinforced plastic sheet comprising at least one thermoplastic material and reinforcement nanoparticles dispersed within the at least one thermoplastic material, the reinforcement particles comprising less than 15% of a total volume of the plastic sheet, at least 50% of the reinforcement particles having a thickness of less than about 20 layers, and at least 99% of the reinforcement particles having a thickness of less than about 30 layers; preheating said plastic sheet; communicating said preheated plastic sheet to a first mold assembly having a first mold cavity defined by mold surfaces, the mold surfaces corresponding to a configuration of the article to be molded, an amount of the plastic sheet communicated to the first mold assembly being sufficient to form a skin of the article; applying a vacuum to one side of the first mold assembly while concurrently applying pressurized gas to an opposing side of the first mold assembly so as t

Abstract: An interior trim component (100) for an automobile comprising a structure formed from at least one polyolefin material and reinforcement particles dispersed within the at least one thermoplastic olefin. The reinforcement particles comprise less than or equal to 10% of a total volume of the rigid structure. At least 40% of the reinforcement particles have a thickness less than about 50 nanometers. The interior trim component (100) is constructed and arranged to be devoid of any decorative coating layer disposed thereon in its final finished form for installation into a vehicle so that the trim component (100) is provided with an unpainted visible surface finish.

Abstract: A window for a motor vehicle includes transparent polycarbonate plastic material and reinforcement particles dispersed within the polycarbonate plastic material. The reinforcement particles constitute less than 10% of the total volume of the window. At least 50% of the reinforcement particles have a thickness of less than 10 nanometers. The reinforcement particles are selected and configured such that the window has a transmittance of visible light which is at least 95% of the transmittance of visible light that would exist through the window in the absence of the reinforcement particles.

Abstract: A fascia (10) for an automobile comprising a structure extending horizontally and vertically across an entire front end or rear end of the automobile, the structure having an average wall thickness of less than about 2.2 mm. The structure is formed from at least one polyolefin material and reinforcement particles dispersed within the at least one polyolefin material. The reinforcement particles comprise less than 15% of a total volume of the structure. At least 40% of the reinforcement particles have a thickness of less than about 50 nanometers. A decorative coating layer having at least one coloring agent is disposed on the rigid structure.

Abstract: An article including a panel-like structure mountable in an automobile vehicle to form a part of the interior thereof and conceal a secondary restraint system, and a process for making the same are disclosed. According to this process, an outer layer is established on a first mold surface, with the exterior surface of the outer layer having an opaque visual appearance and a configuration complementary to the first mold surface. A casting composition is then rotationally casted onto an inner surface of the outer layer to create an inner layer of a predetermined thickness while restricting the gel thickness along an elongated structurally weakened tear seam. The casting composition is then fused. The outer layer and inner layer collectively define a layered composite structure, with the outer layer presenting the same opaque visual appearance to the exterior surface thereof unaffected by change in the inner layer thickness so that the structurally weakened tear seam is hidden from view.

Abstract: An underwater thermoplastic pelletizer has an extruding die, and a cutter for cutting a thermoplastic polymer extruded from the die into pellets as the molten polymer is solidified under water that is circulated to cool the extruded polymer and convey the pellets away for collection. The extruding die includes a die plate that is mounted in the face of the die concentric with and opposite the cutter and has a plurality of groups of extruding die holes that are connected in the die to a central main feed passage by separate radially extending distribution feed passages. The die holes in the groups are arranged in circular patterns of uniform radius about a center line intersecting with a circle concentric with the cutter path and the groups are equally angularly spaced about the cutter center line.

Abstract: A door trim panel includes a cover assembly for concealing an air bag restraint system that has an air bag, a housing for the air bag and a gas generator located in the housing for supplying gas to the air bag in response to vehicle impact. The cover assembly includes a frame defining an air bag opening and a flexible covering attached to the frame in a taut manner. The flexible covering which is juxtaposed the air bag has a single tear seam that is ruptured when the flexible covering is impacted by the inflating air bag and forms an elliptic opening for deployment of the air bag into the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A rear shelf module for a passenger car includes a plurality of transverse reinforcing channels forming electrical cable ducts or air conditioning ducts through the module for locating electrical conduits for connection to rear light and sound system components located respectively in fore and aft facing housing segments formed integrally of the rear shelf module and for directing heating, air conditioning and ventilation air to the rear passenger compartment.

Abstract: Novel thermoplastic molding compositions are disclosed which comprise a polycarbonate molding powder in admixture with a minor amount of a volatile matter entraining agent selected from the group consisting essentially of monochlorobenzene, a polyhydric material and solutions of a polyhydric material in water. A method of preparing a polycarbonate molding composition containing reduced amounts of volatile impurities is also disclosed.