Ford Motor Company Limited

Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Joseph C Cassatta

Ray A Dickie

Mohinder S Chattha

Alex D Colvin

David L Garrett, Jr

Henk Van Oene

Mo-Fung Cheung

Jeffrey Hampton Helms

Edmund Joseph Blais

Daniel J Graham

A conductivity sensor ( ) and control circuit ( ) for determining the conductivity of a fluid is provided. Conductivity sensor ( ) is formed of a first annular electrode ( ) spaced apart from a second annular electrode ( ) having a tubular portion ( ) therebetween. The first annular electrode ( ) and the second annular electrode ( ) are coupled to a control circuit ( ). The control circuit ( ) preferably includes a square wave generating circuit ( ), a current-to-voltage converter circuit ( ) coupled to one of the electrodes, a buffer circuit ( ) coupled to the other one of the electrodes, a synchronous detector circuit ( ). The synchronous detector circuit ( ) is operated using the square wave from square wave generator circuit ( ). By oscillating between a negative and positive gain, a constant direct current output corresponding to the conductivity of the fluid between the first annular electrode and second annular electrode is provided.

Conductivity sensor for detecting conductivity of a fluid

The present invention relates to an interior automotive trim member comprising a backing substrate, a layer of elastomeric material bonded to and overlying the backing substrate, and a soft skin formed of polyolefinic material. The soft skin is bonded to and overlies the layer of elastomeric material. The soft skin is cured by electron beam curing. The present invention also relates to a method of making a soft skin for use with an interior automotive trim member comprising a backing substrate, a layer of elastomeric material bonded to and overlying the backing substrate, and the soft skin bonded to and overlying the layer of elastomeric material. The method comprises providing a polyolefinic material, and exposing the polyolefinic material to electron beam radiation to cure the polyolefinic material.

Interior automotive trim member having improved scratch resistance and a method of making the same

A method and apparatus for measuring the electrical conductivity of a liquid comprises an electrically insulating housing through which the liquid flows, and four electrodes inserted into the path of the liquid flowing through the housing. The first and third electrodes are current electrodes and the second and fourth electrodes are voltage electrodes. An AC current is injected into the first current electrode and exits at the second current electrode, with the resulting AC voltage across the voltage electrodes being measured. The first current electrode is driven to maintain a constant value of AC voltage on the voltage electrodes while measuring the current flow in the second current electrode which is representative of the electrical conductivity of the liquid. A DC bias voltage source is provided and is coupled to each of the electrodes by a resistor and a capacitor to prevent coating or plating of the electrodes. The method and apparatus permit continuous monitoring of the absolute conductivity of a liquid.

Continuous measurement of the absolute conductivity of a liquid

Crosslinked, preferably acrylic, preferably melamine crosslinked, polymer particles formed by reactions comprising free radical addition polymerization of:

Preparation of nonaqueous dispersions with the use of monofunctional

Crosslinked flow control additives for high solids paints I

A low dosage radiation polymerizable protective and decorative coating composition or paint, coated articles bearing such a protective coating and processess for preparing such articles. The radiation polymerizable coating composition comprises an organic resin/monomer mixture of:

Discoloration resistant, flexible, radiation curable coating compositions

A low dosage electron beam radiation polymerizable protective and decorative coating composition or paint with improved weatherability, coated articles bearing such a protective coating and processes for preparing such articles. The radiation polymerizable coating composition comprises an organic resin/monomer mixture of: (A) between about 97 and about 3 weight percent alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated organic resin containing between about 0.5 and about 5 vinyl unsaturation units per 1000 molecular weight of said resin; and (B) between about 3 and about 97 weight percent vinyl monomers polymerizable with said resin upon exposure to radiation, characterized in that said vinyl monomers include N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone in an amount of between about 3 and about 20 weight percent based on the total weight of (A) and (B); and (C) about 0.5 to about 5.0 parts each per 100 parts of the total of said organic resin and said monomer of:

Stabilization of electron beam curable compositions for improved

A radiation polymerizable protective coating composition or paint, coated articles bearing such a protective radiation polymerizable paint which, on a non-polymerizable solvent, pigment, initiator and particulate filler-free basis, consists essentially of a binder solution of: (1) between about 90 and about 10 parts of a saturated, thermoplastic vinyl polymer prepared from at least about 85 weight percent of monofunctional vinyl monomers; (2) between about 10 and about 90 parts of vinyl solvent monomers for said vinyl polymer, at least about 10 weight percent, preferably at least about 30 weight percent, of said solvent monomers being selected from the group consisting of divinyl monomers, trivinyl monomers, tetravinyl monomers and mixtures thereof; and (3) between about 1.0 and about 15.0 parts per 100 parts of the total of said thermoplastic vinyl polymer and said vinyl solvent monomers of a triester of phosphoric acid bearing one or more sites of vinyl unsaturation. The composition exhibits excellent quality and good adhesion to a variety of substrates, in particular metals, including vapor deposited metals. Preferred articles bearing such a coating are prepared by: applying a base coat to a substrate and curing the same; vapor depositing a coating of metal over the surface of the base coat; and applying to and curing on the surface of the deposited metal the radiation polymerizable topcoat, preferably with little or no pigment contained therein.

Radiation polymerized coated article and method of making same

A radiation polymerizable protective coating composition or paint, coated articles bearing such a protective radiation polymerizable paint, which on a non-polymerizable solvent, pigment, initiator and particulate filler-free basis consists essentially of a binder solution of: (1) between about 90 and about 10 parts of a thermoplastic vinyl polymer free of olefinic unsaturation and prepared from at least about 85 weight percent of monofunctional vinyl monomers: (2) between about 10 and about 90 parts of vinyl solvent monomers for said vinyl polymer, at least about 10 weight percent, preferably at least about 30 weight percent, of said solvent monomers being selected from the group consisting of divinyl monomers, trivinyl monomers, tetravinyl monomers and mixtures thereof; and (3) between about 0.05 and about 1.0 parts per 100 parts of the total of said thermoplastic vinyl polymer and said vinyl solvent monomers of a mono- or diester of phosphoric acid bearing one or more sites of vinyl unsaturation. The composition exhibits excellent quality and good adhesion to a variety of substrates, in particular metals, including vapor deposited metals. Preferred articles bearing such a coating are prepared by: applying a base coat to a substrate and curing the same; vapor depositing a coating of a metal over the surface of the base coat; and applying to and curing on the surface of the base coat; and applying to and curing on the surface of the deposited metal the radiation polymerizable topcoat, preferably with little or no pigment contained therein.

Plural coated article and process for making same

A radiation polymerizable protective coating composition or paint, coated articles bearing such a protective coating and processes for preparing such articles. The radiation polymerizable paint, on a non-polymerizable solvent, pigment, initiator and particulate filler-free basis consists essentially of a binder solution of: (1) an alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated organic resin containing between about 0.5 and about 5 units of olefinic unsaturation per 1,000 units of molecular weight; (2) a compound polymerizable with said resin upon exposure to ionizing radiation; and (3) between about 0.05 and about 1.0 parts per 100 parts of the total of said alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated resin and said compound polymerizable therewith of a mono- or diester of phosphoric acid bearing one or more sites of vinyl unsaturation. The composition exhibits excellent quality and good adhesion to a variety of substrates, in particular metals, including vapor deposited metals. Preferred articles bearing such a coating are prepared by: applying a base coat to a substrate and curing the same; vapor depositing a coating of a metal over the surface of the base coat; and applying to and curing on the surface of the deposited metal the radiation polymerizable topcoat, preferably with little or no pigment contained therein.

Plural coated abrasion and corrosion resistant article

A radiation polymerizable protective coating composition or paint, coated articles bearing such a protective coating and processes for preparing such articles. The radiation polymerizable paint, on a non-polymerizable solvent, pigment, initiator and particulate filler-free basis consists essentially of a binder solution of: (1) an alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated organic resin containing between about .5 and about 5 units of olefinic unsaturation per 1,000 units of molecular weight; (2) a compound polymerizable with said resin upon exposure to ionizing radiation; and (3) between about 1.0 and about 15.0 parts per 100 parts of the total of said alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated resin and said compound polymerizable therewith of a triester of phosphoric acid bearing one or more sites of vinyl unsaturation. The composition exhibits excellent quality and good adhesion to a variety of substrates, in particular metals, including vapor deposited metals. Preferred articles bearing such a coating are prepared by: applying a base coat to a substrate and curing the same; vapor depositing a coating of a metal over the surface of the base coat; and applying to and curing on the surface of the deposited metal the radiation polymerizable topcoat, preferably with little or no pigment contained therein.

Protective coating composition

A radiation polymerizable protective coating composition or paint, coated articles bearing such a protective radiation polymerizable paint, which on a non-polymerizable solvent, pigment, initiator and particulate filler-free basis consists essentially of a binder solution of: (1) between about 90 and about 10 parts of a saturated, thermoplastic vinyl polymer prepared from at least about 85 weight percent of monofunctional vinyl monomers: (2) between about 10 and about 90 parts of vinyl solvent monomers for said vinyl polymer, at least about 10 weight percent, preferably at least about 30 weight percent, of said solvent monomers being selected from the group consisting of divinyl monomers, trivinyl monomers, tetravinyl monomers and mixtures thereof; and (3) between about 0.05 and about 1.0 parts per 100 parts of the total of said thermoplastic vinyl polymer and said vinyl solvent monomers of a mono- or diester of phosphoric acid bearing one or more sites of vinyl unsaturation. The composition exhibits excellent quality and good adhesion to a variety of substrates, in particular metals, including vapor deposited metals. Preferred articles bearing such a coating are prepared by: applying a base coat to a substrate and curing the same; vapor depositing a coating of a metal over the surface of the base coat; and applying to and curing on the surface of the deposited metal the radiation polymerizable topcoat, preferably with little or no pigment contained therein.

Radiation polymerizable coating composition containing an unsaturated

A radiation polymerizable protective coating composition or paint, coated articles bearing such a protective coating and processes for preparing such articles. The radiation polymerizable paint, on a non-polymerizable solvent, pigment, initiator and particulate filler-free basis consists essentially of a binder solution of: (1) an alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated organic resin containing between about 0.5 and about 5 units of olefinic unsaturation per 1,000 units of molecular weight; (2) a compound polymerizable with said resin upon exposure to ionizing radiation; and (3) between about 0.05 and about 1.0 parts per 100 parts of the total of said alpha-beta olefinically unsaturated resin and said compound polymerizable therewith of a mono-or diester of phosphoric acid bearing one or more sites of vinyl unsaturation. The composition exhibits excellent quality and good adhesion to a variety of substrates, in particular metals, including vapor deposited metals. Preferred articles bearing such a coating are prepared by: applying a base coat to a substrate and curing the same; vapor depositing a coating of a metal over the surface of the base coat; and applying to and curing on the surface of the deposited metal the radiation polymerizable topcoat, preferably with little or no pigment contained therein.

Growing community of inventors

Taylor, MI, United States of America

Joseph C Cassatta