Abstract: A system and method for spray application of polyurethane used to spray form an article is disclosed. A spray nozzle is rotated as the polyurethane composition is sprayed onto a mold surface to apply a swath of polyurethane to the mold surface. The spray nozzle may be of an internal mixing or external mixing type that is moved relative to a mold surface in a path to create a skin layer with multiple partially overlapping swaths being applied in multiple passes. A motor and gear drive are used to rotate the nozzle tip and associated structure.

Abstract: A multi-bit continuous-time sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter (ADC) has a differential input stage which receives an analog input signal current. A multi-bit feedback current digital-to-analog converter (IDAC) generates a multi-level feedback current depending on a digital feedback signal from a flash ADC. An integrator has a differential input that integrates the difference of the generated current by the multi-bit IDAC and the input signal current on a continuous-time basis. The input stage further comprises a first biasing current source and a second biasing current source which bias the input stage in a mid-scale condition. A first summing node connects to the first differential input line, a first differential input of the integrator and the first output branch. A second summing node connects to the second differential input line, a second differential input of the integrator and the second output branch.

Abstract: A sigma-delta digital-to-analog converter comprises a current digital-to-analog converter (IDAC) stage which generates a current depending on an input digital signal. An output current-to-voltage converter converts the generated signal to a voltage on a continuous-time basis. The amplifier used in the output current-to-voltage converter is chopper-stabilized. The converter can be single bit or multi-bit. The IDAC stage can be implemented with a pair of branches, a first branch comprising a first biasing current source and a second branch comprising a second biasing current source. The biasing current sources can be chopper-stabilized by connecting the bias current sources to the output current-to-voltage converter by a set of switches. The switches connect the biasing current sources to the output current-to-voltage converter in a first configuration and a second, reversed, configuration. This modulates flicker noise contributed by the bias current sources to the chopping frequency.

Abstract: An improved lacrosse stick design and method of using same providing, inter alia, (1) an extendable lacrosse stick, (2) a quick release head/stick design, (3) a method of changing the lacrosse stick head or stick length “on the fly” so as to avoid leaving the playing field, and (4) a method of changing a lacrosse head or stick length without the use of any tools.

Abstract: An improved lacrosse stick design and method of using same providing, inter alia, (1) an extendable lacrosse stick, (2) a quick release head/stick design, (3) a method of changing the lacrosse stick head or stick length “on the fly” so as to avoid leaving the playing field, and (4) a method of changing a lacrosse head or stick length without the use of any tools.

Abstract: A reporting regulator for use in a gas transportation system includes an electrical interconnection that couples a plurality of input ports to a processor and a memory. Sensor data is received at the input ports and the data is stored into the memory. The reporting regulator is assigned a unique identification number such as a MAC address. The reporting regulator marks the received sensor data with attributes such as an identification number, a time stamp or a date stamp. After marking the data, the data is transmitted to a database location. The marked data can be reassembled in time and space by a central computer using the attributes. A processor can utilize this data to monitor, characterize and control an entire gas transportation system. System events can be pinpointed in time and space using the marked data. Further, system characterization and performance metrics can be utilized to improve system efficiency, emergency management, scheduling of preventive maintenance, and billing methods.

Abstract: A vehicle storage assembly includes a storage compartment having an opening to permit access to the compartment. A door adjacent the opening is moveable between a closed position that covers the opening and an open position that permits access to the compartment through the opening. The storage assembly further includes a controllable damper coupled to the door and actuable between high and low damping states, such that the door is maintained in one of the closed position, the open position, or any position therebetween when the controllable damper is in the high damping state. To move the door to a new position, the controllable damper is actuated from the high damping state to the low damping state whereby the door can then be freely moved to the desired position. The controllable damper may then be actuated from the low damping state to the high damping state to retain the door in the selected position.

Abstract: A center console for an automobile includes an armrest that is selectively adjustable by vehicle occupants to and between a first position wherein the armrest is in a substantially horizontal orientation, and a second position wherein the armrest extends angularly away from the console. The console further includes a controllable damper coupled to the armrest and actuable between high and low damping states. In the low damping state, the armrest may be selectively placed at any position desired by the vehicle occupants. When the damper is actuated to the high damping state, the damper maintains the selected position of the armrest.

Abstract: An automotive center console is adjustable in fore and aft directions. In one embodiment, the console includes a console housing slidably mounted within the vehicle interior and a controllable damper having high and low damping states. In the high damping state, the controllable damper maintains the console housing in a selected position. When it is desired to relocate the console housing to a new position, the controllable damper is actuated to the low damping state, whereby the console housing may be freely moved to the desired position. The controllable damper is actuated back to the high damping state to maintain the console housing in the new position.

Abstract: An in-mold degating device that includes a base having mounting ears for removable attachment to a mold system. The base is removably attached to the die half such that the uppermost surface of the base is flush with the surface of the die half. The insert further includes a body fixed to the base including a pair of opposed surfaces that define predetermined relief angles relative to the base. The body further includes a gate flow passage having an inlet within one of the opposed surfaces and an outlet within the other of the opposed surfaces. The gate flow passage tapers inwardly from the inlet to the outlet. The outlet includes an edge surface that forms an acute angle relative to the gate flow passage. The edge surface defines a shearing edge point that separates the finished molded part from cooled excess material.

Abstract: A technique for automatically finding and organizing items similar to example items includes providing related, not related, and suggestions group areas for one organization instance, each in these areas to contain items which may consist of documents. At least one example item for the one organization instance is provided by a user and placed in the related group area of the one organization instance. A database is searched using a relevance algorithm to try to locate at least one item which is related to the at least one item in the related group area based on a predetermined criterion and the located at least one item is placed in the suggestions group area of the one organization instance. The predetermined criterion is modified based on at least one of the user providing at least one additional example item and the user moving an item from one of the group areas to another of the group areas.

Abstract: A container closure device for facilitating withdrawal of a liquid from a collapsible sealed packet is disclosed. The device includes a needle guide and a septum retainer wherein the needle guide is fixable to an outer face of the packet and the septum retainer is fixable to an inner face of the packet in alignment with the needle guide. The needle guide includes a tube for receiving a needle and insures proper alignment of the needle. The septum retainer includes a septum chamber having a septum disposed therein.

Abstract: A portable storage assembly is disclosed. The assembly can include a carrying case having body panels that enclose a main storage volume. At least one of the body panels can have an opening and a cover that is selectively positioned in an open position to allow access to the storage volume and a stowed position to cover the opening. A storage unit can be disposed in the main storage volume. The storage unit can have a holder and plural members that each define a storage volume for small items. The members can be received by the holder and accessible through the opening so that the small items can be placed in and removed from the storage volumes without removal of at least the holder from the carrying case.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an interior component part having a relatively rigid substrate portion and a padded portion. The molding tool used to form the substrate portion includes a first mold part and a second mold part that form a substrate molding cavity into which a thermoplastic olefin is injected. The padded portion is formed by the first mold part and a third mold part that define a pad forming cavity. A mixture of a thermoplastic elastomer and a blowing agent is injected into the pad forming cavity. The expanded blown elastomer is enveloped within a skin formed when the blown elastomer contacts a cooled mold surface.

Abstract: A method and system of inertia friction welding that enables the production of inertia friction welds in which the final upset can be controlled to an operator specified target. The method utilizes any profile-based upset control technique, including but not limited to torque modulation and pressure (load) modulation. The method dynamically modifies the profile upset setpoints to systematically drive the upset formation to produce a weld with the targeted upset. The method and system also enables the production of inertia friction welds in which the final welded part length can be controlled to an operator specified target. The system and associated method comprises inertia friction welding a pair of sample parts to form a sample weld while acquiring data relating to the formation of the sample weld.

Abstract: A method and system of direct drive friction welding to reduce upset variation or reduce welded part length variation and a method and system of inertia friction welding to reduce upset variation. The system comprises a spindle which is configured to engage a part and a drive which is operatively connected to the spindle to rotate the spindle, and associated microprocessor based devices to store data and command the drive. The method comprises a sample friction weld of parts, and storing data in connection therewith, in order to generate a profile of upset versus speed. The method then, through the modulation of spindle drive torque, uses this profile for additional production friction welds having upset versus speed characteristics consistent with the profile of the sample weld during a deceleration phase of the friction weld.

Abstract: A method of making an integrated inner trim panel for a vehicle door and an inner trim panel made thereby are disclosed. The method includes sequentially spraying a skin layer, a padding layer, and applying a structural layer in an open mold that defines the facing surface of the inner panel of a door. The integrated inner trim panel may be provided with areas of greater and lesser padding. The skin layer may be formed from a reactant mixture of polyurethane. The padding layer may be a foam polyurethane composition. The structural layer may be a glass-reinforced polyurethane reactant mixture. The inner door panel is an integrated layered structure including a skin layer, a padding layer, and a structural layer. The padding layer may be varied in thickness to provide selectively variable padding in predetermined areas.

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 portable storage assembly and method of assembly is disclosed. The storage assembly can include a bag having at least one storage volume and a bottom member; and a tray that receives the bottom member in a stacked relationship and supports the bag such that a second storage volume is formed under the bottom member of the bag and above a base of the tray.