Christopher N Clements

US Patent:

7325652, Feb 5, 2008

Filed:

Dec 31, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/749281

Inventors:

Norman T. Huff - Novi MI, US
Andrew W. Sanders - Auburn Hill MI, US
Christopher J. Clements - Johnstown OH, US
Juergen Wiemann - Leiferde, DE
Ronald Tomaszewski - Washington MI, US
Larry J. Champney - Horton MI, US
Robert L. Crawley - Ypsilanti MI, US

Assignee:

OCV Intellectual Capital, LLC - DE

International Classification:

F16F 15/02
F01N 1/10
F01N 7/16

US Classification:

181246, 181252, 181209

Abstract:

A bumper/muffler assembly is provided comprising a bumper; and a muffler having an outer shell. The outer shell may be formed from a non-high impact resistant material, such as a thin metal or a composite material. The muffler may comprise a separate element from the bumper, which is coupled thereto, or is formed as an integral part of the bumper.

US Patent:

20050214519, Sep 29, 2005

Filed:

Mar 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/811249

Inventors:

Christopher Clements - White Lake MI, US

International Classification:

B32B003/00
B32B017/00
B32B027/12
D04H003/00
D04H013/00
D02G003/00
D04H001/00
D04H005/00
B32B003/26
B29C043/10
B32B018/00
B32B017/12
B29C049/00

US Classification:

428299400, 428364000, 428294100, 428426000, 428300100, 428312600, 428205000, 428210000

Abstract:

A process for forming muffler preforms using sugar as a binder is provided. Continuous glass strands and sugar are added to a preform mold which has the general shape and approximate volume of the internal cavity of the muffler in which the muffler preform is to be inserted. The sugar may be a sugar that has a melting point of 130 F. or greater. The continuous glass strands may be fed into the preform mold by a feeder that separates the strands and entangles the individual fibers. The preform mold is heated to a temperature sufficient to melt or at least partially caramelize the sugar. Once melted, the sugar adheres to the individual glass fibers, causing the individual glass fibers to stick together. The preform mold may be cooled to bind the sugar-coated glass fibers and form a muffler preform formed of continuous glass fibers bound together by sugar.