Abstract: One embodiment disclosed includes a product comprising: a fuel cell component comprising a substrate and a first coating overlying the substrate, the coating comprising a compound comprising at least one Si—O group, at least one polar group and at least one group including a saturated or unsaturated carbon chain.

Abstract: A method for insulating wires is disclosed. A portion of the plurality of wires and an insulating material are placed in a tube having an open end. Pressure is applied to the tube. During the application of pressure, the tube, the plurality of wires, and the insulating material are heated to a temperature above a melting point of the insulating material. As a result, the insulating material is melted and driven toward the open end of the tube. Upon removal of the heat, the insulating material solidifies and forms a barrier proximal to the open end of the tube.

Abstract: A tool for joining a coupling element, such as a flange to a pipe, wherein the coupling element surrounds the pipe and has grooves facing the pipe to receive a corresponding plurality of beads provided on the pipe. The tool has a plurality of axially separated, radially movable segments. Each segment has a plurality of circle sector formed ridges. The plurality of segments thereby provides circumferentially extending ridges that are capable of deforming a pipe wall by a first pressing action on the inside wall of the pipe to create on the outside of the pipe circumferential beads in the pipe wall and to cause these beads to extend into corresponding grooves in the coupling element. The segments also have circumferentially extending portions located adjacent and between the ridges.

Abstract: An end piece for a flexible connector comprises a sleeve defining the proximal end thereof. A length of corrugated tubing is extended into the sleeve and the sleeve is crimped thereby joining the length of corrugated tubing to the end piece. For high pressure applications a length of polymeric tubing, a length of mesh tubing, and an outer sleeve are positioned in a surrounding relationship to the sleeve of the end piece and the outer sleeve is crimped thereby securing the length of mesh tubing to the end piece.

Abstract: A flexible connector comprises a length of corrugated tubing, a polymeric sleeve aligned with the distal end of the length of corrugated tubing, and a length of mesh tubing extending the entire length of corrugated tubing and over the polymeric sleeve. The distal end of the corrugated tubing, the polymeric sleeve, and the distal end of the length of mesh tubing are received in a sleeve which is formed integrally with an end piece. The sleeve is crimped into permanent retaining engagement with the length of corrugated tubing, the polymeric sleeve, and the length of mesh tubing. The end piece functions to secure the flexible connector into engagement with an adjacent component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described, which permit a simple, rapid manufacture of an end of an optical fiber bundle. According to the method a metallic sleeve is placed on an end section of the bundle, the end section with the sleeve on it is positioned in a shaping tool without pressing the sleeve and then pressure is exerted on the sleeve exclusively in a radial direction by press jaws of the shaping tool. In the optical fiber bundle made by the method the outer optical fibers (4?) of the optical fiber bundle (1) are embedded at least partially in the sleeve material. The apparatus for making the end of the bundle (1) with the sleeve (10) has a shaping tool (20) including at least two radially movable press jaws (22a-22f) that substantially surround the sleeve (10).

Abstract: An apparatus (30) and method for forming of a vehicle's driveshaft (32) is provided which makes use of a PMF process. The coil device used in the PMF apparatus is assembled around the shaft from two or more coil sections (40, 41, 43; 42, 44, 45) firmly attached to one another, and which may be disassembled from one another to allow to remove the formed driveshaft (32).

Abstract: A method for securing components of a vehicular driveshaft includes disposing a neck of an end fitting into the open end of a driveshaft tube. The end fitting is held with respect to the driveshaft tube so that an annular gap is formed between the neck and the driveshaft tube. An inductor is provided about the driveshaft tube adjacent the end receiving the neck. The inductor is energized to generate a magnetic field for collapsing the driveshaft tube about the neck at a high velocity so that the driveshaft tube and the end fitting are welded to each other.

Abstract: A method of joining two vehicle suspension components made from the same or dissimilar materials includes providing a first suspension component, and providing a second suspension component made from a material which is same/dissimilar to the material used to make the first suspension component, where one of the first and second suspension components is a metallic component made of a metallic material. A portion of one of the first and second suspension components is positioned within a portion of the other of the suspension components in an overlapping manner, thereby forming an overlapping portion. A metallic band may be disposed around the overlapping portion. An inductor is positioned around the overlapping portion. The inductor is energized to generate a magnetic field for collapsing at least one of the overlapping portion and the metallic band at a velocity sufficient to magnetic pulse weld the components to each other, thereby securing the first and second suspension components together.

Abstract: A wiper device has a pair of pivot holders each of which supports a pivot shaft and a pipe frame that connects the pivot holders to each other. When each pivot holder is fitted in an end of the pipe frame, the pipe frame is subjected to caulking to engage the pipe frame with recesses that are formed in the surfaces of the pivot holders. Each recess is shaped and located such that the open angle of the recess is constantly greater than zero and equal to or greater than the shaft angle of the corresponding pivot shaft, as viewed along any cross-sectional plane that includes a normal line corresponding to a maximum depth portion of the recess. As a result, the pivot holders are secured to the pipe frame easily and reliably, and the pivot holders are manufactured with a reduced cost.

Abstract: A load bearing structural joint that is fabricated using an electromagnetic process, features a tube that is joined to a fitting of another component. Lightweight materials and thicknesses can be used, because the welding is performed without the adverse effects of annealing or heat. The fabricated structure has an improved strength to weight ratio, and prolonged fatigue life.

Abstract: A method for securing components of a vehicular driveshaft includes disposing a neck of an end fitting into the open end of a driveshaft tube. The end fitting is held with respect to the driveshaft tube so that an annular gap is formed between the neck and the driveshaft tube. An inductor is provided about the driveshaft tube adjacent the end receiving the neck. The inductor is energized to generate a magnetic field for collapsing the driveshaft tube about the neck at a high velocity so that the driveshaft tube and the end fitting are welded to each other.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an engine cradle for use with a vehicular body and frame assembly includes the initial step of selecting desired materials for each of four hollow members that will be secured together to form the engine cradle. The selected materials can include metallic materials, such as steel, aluminum, magnesium, and non-metallic materials, such as fiber and other composites, or any combination thereof. The selected materials are formed into desired shapes using any known method, such as by hydroforming. Then, portions of the four members are disposed in a telescoping relationship with one another, such as by providing protrusions on some of the components and disposing the ends of the other components in a telescoping relationship with such protrusions. Lastly, the telescoping portions of the members are secured together using any securement method, including laser, MIG, or electromagnetic pulse welding techniques and adhesive bonding.

Abstract: A method for securing components of a vehicular driveshaft includes disposing a neck of an end fitting into the open end of a driveshaft tube. The end fitting is held with respect to the driveshaft tube so that an annular gap is formed between the neck and the driveshaft tube. An inductor is provided about the driveshaft tube adjacent the end receiving the neck. The inductor is energized to generate a magnetic field for collapsing the driveshaft tube about the neck at a high velocity so that the driveshaft tube and the end fitting are welded to each other.

Abstract: A method of joining two vehicle frame components made from dissimilar materials includes providing a first frame component, and providing a second frame component made from a material which is dissimilar to the material used to make the first frame component, where one of the first and second frame components is a metallic component made of a metallic material. A portion of one of the first and second frame components is positioned within a portion of the other of the frame components in an overlapping manner, thereby forming an overlapping portion. A metallic band is disposed around the overlapping portion, and an inductor is positioned around the metallic band. The inductor is energized to generate a magnetic field for collapsing the band about the overlapping portion at a velocity sufficient to magnetic pulse weld the band and metallic component to each other, thereby securing the first and second frame components together.

Abstract: A fastener for splicing wires and the like is mace by forming a tubular sleeve of spring material such as phosphor bronze. In its unrestrained shape, the tubular sleeve is too small to receive the wires, but the tubular sleeve is expanded elastically and held expanded by solder, so that the wires can be inserted. Upon the application of heat the solder melts, flowing into the joint and allowing the sleeve to spring back to its original size or at least to the diameter of the wires. The fastener can be mounted on a stud to provide a replacement for the familiar solder cup terminal. An expanded sleeve can be placed around a piece of heat shrinkable tube. When heated, the tube and the sleeve contract, the sleeve reinforcing the tube giving a much greater compressive force during shrinking. The sleeve then becomes a metallic protector for the tube.

Abstract: A grounding ferrule is characterized by a generally cylindrical hollow member having at least three equiangularly circumferentially spaced axially extending slots which cooperate to define a plurality of circumferentially adjacent webs. Each web has a plurality of radially inwardly extending protrusions provided on the inner surface thereof. The ferrule responds to a radially inwardly directed crimping force applied circumferentially to the exterior surface of the webs by deflecting radially inwardly to define a constricted central region.

Abstract: The change head (1) for a tool change apparatus is provided at its free end with a prism-shaped centering opening (15) and in the center thereof an axially displaceable screw driver (3). Arranged concentrically with respect thereto is a screwthreaded sleeve (9) which has a female screwthread and which is mounted slidably but non-rotatably in an axial bore (8) in the head (1) and which is urged towards the centering opening (15) by a spring (14). A respective radially displaceable clamping member (12) is provided in each of two radially extending bores (11) in the screwthreaded sleeve (9), the two radial ends of each clamping member being cones (12a, 12b) (or hemispheres).

Abstract: Superconductive conductors, having as many as thousands of filaments, are joined together to form a true superconductive joint. The method is particularly applicable in the situation in which superconductive filaments are embedded in an overlying or surrounding matrix of resistive material such as copper or aluminum. The resistive material is removed by chemical dissolution to expose a length of superconductive filaments. The filaments are juxtaposed within a sleeve of superconductive material which is crimped about the exposed filaments. The connection may be completed by thermally fusing the exposed ends of the filaments.

Abstract: An optical cable with an axial tensile strength member extending from one cable end beyond the cable jacket, and a pulling attachment secured to the extension of the strength member and does not seal directly around the cable jacket. A moulded plastic encapsulation encapsulates the cable end, an end portion of the jacket and the extension of the strength member to prevent fluid leakage between the exterior and interior of the cable.

Abstract: Apparatus for fastening to adjacent substantially co-axially disposed reinforcing rod ends a sleeve of uniform external cross-section throughout its length and having internal cross-sectional dimensions to enable it to receive and embrace both rod ends, comprising at least two fluid pressure operated jack units each having a cylinder, a piston and a piston rod; latching means for releasably securing the jack cylinders together in parallel spaced relationship to one another around one of the reinforcing rods in a zone not occupied by the sleeve; at least two die segments, which collectively provide an axial bore at least part of which is dimensionally smaller in cross-section than the external cross-sectional dimension of the sleeve, loosely mounted on the free ends of the piston rods so as to be capable of limited rotational movement relative thereto in a longitudinal direction; die segment retaining means at the extremities of the piston rods; ring-shaped locking members for temporarily securing the die segm

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to writing instrument tops as an article of manufacture and specifically to an improved construction and the method of making the same.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for securing swage sleeves upon a wire rope having a sling spliced thereon. The apparatus includes semi-automatic mechanisms for insuring the full and efficient fastening of the swage sleeve upon the splice in preparation for swaging, thereby effecting a stronger wire rope sling.

Abstract: A cylindrical metallic sleeve has opposite end portions and a cylindrical body portion with a longitudinal passageway for receiving the end portions of a conducting cable in overlapping relation. A shaped annular portion is positioned adjacent the sleeve end portions and include an inner, outwardly flared surface and an outer cylindrical surface that intersect in a rounded end portion. The outer cylindrical surface is planar and positioned substantially parallel to the sleeve cylindrical body portion so that the insulation surrounding the cables adjacent the sleeve end portions is not abraded upon flexing the spliced cable. The flared inner surface is removed from contact with the overlapping cable end portions in the sleeve to permit flexing of the cable end portions therein without abrading the cables. The sleeve body is crimped into frictional engagement with the overlapped cable end portions.