Abstract:
A treatment system and method for continuous deionization of a biologically derived feed stream includes a plurality of electrodialysis units (3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) arranged in stages along a treatment line, and stages are controlled such that the feed stream attains a certain quality before entering the next stage. The feed and concentrate streams move in generally opposite sense along the line, matching fluid characteristics of dilute and concentrate cells. The treatment line has two or more stages. Systems may have phased staging operations, and cell constructions may adapt the electrodialysis units for enhanced processing of difficult process fluids. A controller sets operating potentials in different electrical stages, and simple control parameters optimize ion removal and current efficiency without polarization of the fluid. The invention also includes phased staging of reversal operation, and cell constructions or fillings that adapt the treatment cells for enhanced processing.
Abstract:
A treatment system and method for continuous deionization of a biologically derived feed stream includes a plurality of electrodialysis units (3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) arranged in stages along a treatment line, and stages are controlled such that the feed stream attains a certain quality before entering the next stage. The feed and concentrate streams move in generally opposite sense along the line, matching fluid characteristics of dilute and concentrate cells. The treatment line has two or more stages. Systems may have phased staging operations, and cell constructions may adapt the electrodialysis units for enhanced processing of difficult process fluids. A controller sets operating potentials in different electrical stages, and simple control parameters optimize ion removal and current efficiency without polarization of the fluid. The invention also includes phased staging of reversal operation, and cell constructions or fillings that adapt the treatment cells for enhanced processing.
Abstract:
An air bag door construction for air bag deployment comprises a trim panel and air bag door of unitary construction, at least a portion of the door defined by an area of reduced cross-section outlining at least a portion of the periphery thereof. One or more tethers are formed in the panel, outlined by an area of reduced cross-section, preferably in a dovetail shape which does not direct the propagation of tearing into the tether. A tear stop may be formed at the ends of the tether. The improvement comprises a stiffening frame that is attached to the backside and/or the topside of the panel just outboard of the air bag door periphery but not located across the tethers to improve deployment performance.
Abstract:
A cover assembly for an airbag restraint has a smooth cover and a load bearing insert for concealing an airbag restraint system having a housing, an airbag and a gas generator which includes an inflatant for inflating the airbag for deploying the airbag through the smooth outer cover member. The outer cover member has weakened sections on the inboard surface and filler material is disposed against the cover member to prevent inward collapse of the outer cover member at the weakened sections. An insert is formed in situ of the filler material in an opening in a restraint member and the insert is engaged during initial inflation of the airbag to displace the filler material so as to stress the outer cover member at the weakened sections thereof for separating a hidden door segment from the cover member as the airbag is inflated and solely in response to such inflation prior to deployment of the airbag into the passenger compartment.
Abstract:
An air bag door construction for air bag deployment comprises a trim panel and air bag door of unitary construction, at least a portion of the door defined by an area of reduced cross-section outlining at least a portion of the periphery thereof. One or more tethers are formed in the panel, outlined by an area of reduced cross-section, preferably in a dovetail shape which does not direct the propagation of tearing into the tether. A tear stop may be formed at the ends of the tether. The improvement comprises a stiffening frame that is attached to the backside and/or the topside of the panel just outboard of the air bag door periphery but not located across the tethers to improve deployment performance.
Abstract:
An airbag door construction for airbag deployment comprising a hard instrument panel having a weakened area outlining at least a portion of an integrally molded airbag door. A reaction plate is attached to the underside of the panel at the airbag door location. A deployment chute is molded with the reaction plate and attached to the hard instrument panel just outboard of the outline of the airbag door. A tether is included that engages with the reaction plate whereupon airbag deployment the tether allows the airbag door/reaction plate welded combination to break loose from the hard instrument panel in a controlled manner.
Abstract:
An airbag door system is provided comprising a substrate, an outer shell and a foam where all three layers possess a line of mechanical weakness with each line of mechanical weakness at least partially separating each layer into an airbag door portion and a trim member portion. The substrate line of mechanical weakness comprises at least one substrate aperture. The outer shell line of mechanical weakness comprises an outer shell reduced thickness portion defined by an outer shell sever extending partially through an outer shell thickness from an outer shell lower surface towards an outer shell upper surface. The foam line of mechanical weakness comprises a foam reduced thickness portion defined by a foam sever extending partially through a foam thickness from a foam lower surface towards a foam upper surface. The outer shell line of mechanical weakness is displaced relative to a foam line of mechanical weakness.
Abstract:
A cover assembly for an air cushion restraint has a smooth cover with a layer of foam connected between the cover and a load bearing insert for covering a housing for an airbag and a gas generator which generates an inflatant for the airbag for deploying the airbag; three cutters are pivotally connected to the insert member to cut an insert cover member from the insert and to pierce the smooth outer cover member during inflation of the airbag so as to form a self-piercing cover assembly which will be cut to form a three sided opening through the cover assembly through which the airbag is deployed; the cutters are actuated by an insert cover member support system which will operate the cutters as the airbag is inflated to cause cutting edges on the cutters to pierce the smooth outer cover member. The cutters are recessed within the cover assembly to avoid incidental contact with the cutting edges prior to deployment. The cutters are configured such that on deployment the cutting edges have only a limited entry into the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The cutters are arranged to self-retract following airbag deployment to shield the cutting edges from passenger contact during secondary impacts.
Abstract:
An electrodialysis cell includes a housing defining an internal chamber, a core positioned within the internal chamber, a first electrode positioned in the internal chamber adjacent the housing, a second electrode coupled to the core and spaced from the first electrode, and a membrane assembly positioned between the first and second electrodes in a spiral wound configuration. The housing includes an inlet end for receiving a feed fluid and an outlet end in fluid communication with the inlet end. The membrane assembly includes a plurality of ion exchange membranes spaced from each other to define a plurality of fluid channels between the inlet and outlet ends.
Abstract:
An air bag door arrangement is incorporated in an instrument panel that has a substrate and an uninterrupted covering for the substrate. The substrate includes an air bag opening that is closed by a door. The door has a hinged end that is clamped to the substrate by a frame that is beneath the substrate, a reinforcement bar that is above the substrate and a plurality of fasteners that force the frame and reinforcement bar toward each other. An air bag canister is attached to the frame beneath the air bag opening of the substrate and the frame is attached to automotive body structure so that the substrate is isolated from the reaction forces of the canister when an air bag housed in the canister inflates and pushes the door through the instrument panel covering.