Abstract: A protective system for a high voltage module of an electrified vehicle arranged at least partially in a crush zone of the vehicle comprises a housing defining a front end and a rear end and having the high voltage module disposed therein, wherein the front end is securely connected to a frame of the vehicle and the rear end is disconnected from or loosely connected to the frame, the front end including high voltage wiring for the high voltage module, and a displacement device connected to the frame behind the rear end of the housing, wherein in response to a vehicle impact event that compresses the frame in the crush zone, the displacement is configured to vertically displace the rear end of the housing and the high voltage module therein, thereby protecting the high voltage module and the high voltage wiring from damage during compression of the crush zone.

Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle is provided. The door assembly includes a guide track attached to a door, a slider positioned within the guide track, and a connecting member connecting the slider to the vehicle door frame. The connecting member has a vehicle end and a slider end and is arranged to be attached to the vehicle at the vehicle end and to the slider at the slider end. The connecting member and the slider are arranged to enable the door to translate relative to the vehicle along the guide track.

Abstract: A utility rack for a vehicle is provided. The utility rack includes a platform, at least one support rail positioned on the platform, and a plurality of storage rails connected to the at least one support rail. The plurality of storage rails have a stowed position generally parallel to the upper surface, and a deployed position generally perpendicular to the upper surface. The plurality of storage rails are arranged to pivot between the stowed position and the deployed position.

Abstract: A method for cooling a marine propulsion system directs a portion of a recirculating stream of cooling water to a first port of an exhaust manifold so that a cooling jacket of the exhaust manifold can be maintained in a filled condition. Water flows upwardly through the cooling jacket and exits through a port in the exhaust manifold back into the recirculating stream of cooling water that passes through a recirculation pump, the cooling passage of an engine, and a cavity of a thermostat housing.

Abstract: A draining system for a marine propulsion engine is provided in which a manifold is located at a low portion of the cooling system to allow all of the water within the cooling system to drain through a common location, or manifold. A rigid shaft is connected to a valve associated with the manifold and extended upwardly from the manifold to a location proximate the upper portion of the engine so that a marine vessel operator can easily reach the upper end of the shaft and manipulate the shaft to open the valve of the manifold. In this way, the valve can be opened to allow all of the water to drain from the engine without requiring the marine vessel operator to reach toward locations at the bottom portion of the engine.

Abstract: A drain system for a marine vessel is provided which includes one or more pressure actuated valves associated with the coolant water drain system. The boat operator is provided with a pressure controller that allows pressure to be introduced into the system for the purpose of actuating the drain valves and, as a result, opening various drain conduits to allow cooling water to drain from the engine cooling system into the bilge or overboard.

Abstract: An engine cooling system is provided with a manifold that is located below the lowest point of the cooling system of an engine. The manifold is connected to the cooling system of the engine, a water pump, a circulation pump, the exhaust manifolds of the engine, and a drain conduit through which all of the water can be drained from the engine.

Abstract: An engine cooling system is provided with one or more flexible conduits attached to drain openings of the engine and its related components. First ends of the conduits are attached to the drain openings while the second ends are sealed by studs attached to a plate of a stationary bracket. A retainer is slidably associated with the flexible conduits and attached to a tether which is, in turn, attached to a handle. By manipulating the handle, the tether forces the retainer to slide along the flexible conduits and control the position of second ends of the flexible conduits. This allows the system to be moved from a first position with the second ends of the conduits above the first ends of the conduits to a second position with the second ends of the conduits below the first ends and in the bilge of the boat.

Abstract: A flushing system provides a pair of check valves that are used in combination with each other. One of the check valve is attached to a hose located between the circulating pump and the thermostat housing of the engine. The other check valve is attached to a hose through which fresh water is provided. Both check valves prevent flow of water through them unless they are associated together in locking attachment. The check valve attached to the circulating pump hose of the engine directs a stream of water from the hose toward the circulating pump so that the water can then flow through the circulating pump, the engine block, the heads, the intake manifold, and the exhaust system of the engine to remove seawater residue from the internal passages and surfaces of the engine. It is not required that the engine be operated during the flushing operation.

Abstract: A musical instrument amplifier has all solid state amplification stages but incorporates a pair of vacuum tube signal magnitude limiters to provide vacuum tube type sound when the amplifier is operating in a nonlinear condition. The vacuum tubes are connected to have no supply potential so as to minimize microphonics and are each provided with a small amount of reverse bias to provide a desirable shape of the tube conduction curve and space charge suppression.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solid material from cooling water in the cooling system of the engine block of a marine engine. The engine block comprises a plurality of cylinder bores surrounded by a cooling passage through which cooling water is pumped. The bottom portion of the block includes a drain outlet that communicates with the cooling passage and a tubular separating member has a first generally horizontal section that is sealed within the drain outlet. The tubular separator also includes a second section that is located within the cooling passage and extends downwardly from the inner end of the first section and is located between two adjacent cylinder bores. The lower end of the second section is closed and a port is provided in the side of the second section adjacent the closed end and facing toward one of the cylinder bores.

Abstract: A three plenum air distribution manifold for intake air to an internal combustion engine with long runners leading from first and second spaced side plenums for delivery of air and recirculating exhaust gases into corresponding combustion chambers of the engine. The side plenums are connected at their outer extremities by an acoustically balanced cross over passage selectively closed by a manifold tuning valve (MTV) for improving engine output torque during low engine speed. A third plenum intermediate the two side plenums communicates directly with the combustion chambers through short runner passages opened and closed by valves (SRVs) for optimizing the output of engine torque during a higher range of engine speeds. The air flow through the manifold is controlled by an onboard electronic controller responsive to operating signals from the engine to change the characteristics of the manifold with different engine speeds.

Abstract: A drain valve assembly for automatically draining water from a cooling system of an inboard marine engine when the ambient temperature drops to a preselected value. The drain valve includes a cup-shaped base having a group of inlets connected to portions of a cooling system of the engine to be drained, and the open end of the base is enclosed by a cover. Each inlet defines a valve seat and a sealing piston is mounted for movement in the base and includes a series of valve members that are adapted to engage the valve seats. An outlet is provided in the sidewall of the cup-shaped base. The valve members on the sealing piston are biased to a closed position by a coil spring and a temperature responsive element interconnects the sealing piston with the cover. The temperature responsive element is characterized by the ability to exert a force in excess of the spring force of the coil spring when the ambient temperature is above about 50.degree. F., to thereby maintain the valve members in the closed position.

Abstract: A three plenum air distribution manifold for intake air to internal combustion engine with long, narrow runners leading from first and second spaced side plenums for delivery of air and recirculating exhaust gases into corresponding combustion chambers of the engine. One end of the spaced side plenums are connected by an acoustically balanced cross over passage selectively closed by a manifold tuning valve for improving engine output torque during low engine speed. A third plenum is positioned intermediate the two side plenums to communicate with the combustion chambers in bypass relation to the side plenums thereby directly supplying air to the combustion chambers through short runners which are selectively opened by valves to optimize engine torque over a higher range of engine speeds. The manifold tuning valve and short runner valves are controlled by an onboard electronic controller responsive to signals from the engine corresponding to parameters such as engine speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solid material from cooling water in the cooling system of a marine engine. The apparatus includes a hollow member or housing having an inlet to receive cooling water and having an outlet. A drain opening is located in the housing above the bottom surface of the housing and is connected through a suitable conduit to a temperature responsive drain valve. A generally J-shaped tubular member is disposed in the housing and has one end connected to the drain outlet while a second end is slightly above the bottom surface of the housing, out of alignment with the inlet. When the drain valve is open, water will drain through the housing to the drain outlet, while solid debris will collect in the bottom of the housing beneath the second end of the tubular member.

Abstract: A cooled plasma source for producing ions by electrical discharge. A cooled plate is positioned in the chamber of the plasma source for blocking thermal radiation from an electron-emitting cathode. The presence of the cooled plate results in significantly decreased substrate temperatures, as compared to use of conventional plasma source apparatus. As a result, the cooled plasma source may be used for treatment of heat-sensitive plastic substrates.

Abstract: A cuff type air seal for sealing the overlap of partly telescoped parts that has an annular body of rubber or elastomer material having annular internal air sealing beads thereon which are adapted to fit on outer peripheral surfaces of the parts adjacent their overlap. Both parts have fixed outer diameters but the outer part may be a blow molded annular component having an internal diameter which varies so usually there is clearance and a potential air leak path at the overlap. An adjustable clamp encompasses the air seal and provides a constricting force so that the air sealing beads seal on the outer surfaces of the parts even though the clearance remains. The cuff is formed with a pocket that receives and retains a headed portion of the blow molded part when telescoped over the facing headed portion of the first part, particularly when the clamp is constricted.

Abstract: A controlled-environment entertainment system comprising a reclining chair entirely enclosed in a sound-proof rectangular enclosure, an audio-visual entertainment system, and a ventilation system. The enclosure is constructed of two modules arranged for quick disengagement. Retractable wheels on the enclosure provide an added measure of mobility.

Abstract: A multiple fluid conveying hose assembly comprising a principal vacuum conveying hose for a vacuum cleaning system, and a smaller diameter liquid conveying hose passing through its interior. A molded end connector on the principal hose provides an outlet for the smaller hose and serves to separate the ends of the two hoses for use. Alternatively, the hose may utilize reinforcing wire coils which also serve as electrical conductors.

Abstract: An electron-bombardment ion source includes means defining a chamber for containing an ionizable gas together with means for introducing such gas into that chamber. Disposed therein is an anode and an electron-emissive cathode. The potential impressed between the anode and the cathode to effect electron emission at a sufficient velocity to ionize the gas. Also included are means for accelerating ions out of the chamber together with means for establishing a magnetic field within the chamber that increases the efficiency of ionization of the gas by the electrons. Mounted within the chamber is an anode of non-magnetic material that defines an essentially continuous and smooth surface which encloses substantially all of the volume within which the ionization occurs except the exit for the accelerated ions out of the chamber. The entire design is such as to ensure ready removability of the different components for quick and easy cleaning.