Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC

Bradley D McDonel

Maurice E Wheeler

Jeffrey J Schroeder

Scott A Churby

A constrained layer damping structure is provided, including a panel to be damped, a constraining layer and a layer of foam vibration damping material sandwiched therebetween. In one embodiment, the foam vibration damping material is provided from a composition including 5-50 weight percent polyvinyl butyral, 2-20 weight percent plasticizer, 25-65 weight percent filler, 1-15 weight percent tackifier, and 0.1-8 weight percent blowing agent, wherein the composition includes 15-65 weight percent total thermoplastic inclusive of polyvinyl butyral. In a further embodiment, the polyvinyl butyral is provided as recycled material from recycled auto glass, and includes a small quantity of plasticizer, typically but not necessarily of the phthalate-type or hexanoate-type.

Thermoplastic vibrational damper with constraining layer

A damping system includes a base substrate, a constraining substrate and a non-foam damping layer between them. The base substrate has greater lateral dimensions than the constraining substrate. Consequently, the damping system is provided in a localized region of the base substrate. The damping system can be provided, for example, at a region of the base substrate where a longitudinal projection or moving linkage extends through an opening in the base substrate, such as a steering column through a dashboard panel. In this embodiment, a composite opening is provided through the damping system to accommodate the extending projection or linkage, and the damping system is effective to provide localized damping against vibrations due to the through-the-panel linkage. The damping system provides these benefits without increasing the overall thickness of the body part, and without providing damping and constraining layers across its entire lateral expanse, saving cost and weight. Methods of making such a damping system are also provided.

Body panel having improved stiffness and method of making

A foam barrier heat shield is provided having a layer of foam adhesively disposed between opposing first and second metallic outer layers. The foam is expanded in between the outer layers and is adhesively formed to the outer layers without the use of a separate adhesive. In addition to shielding heat, the heat shield is effective as a noise barrier and is internally damped against vibration. In a preferred embodiment, the foam is a substantially rigid polyurethane foam that is sufficiently pliant to be bent to and accommodate a particular shape and contour to which the heat shield will conform in use, and it is reversibly deformable acoustical deflections.

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Cleveland, OH, United States of America

Bradley D McDonel