The Bendix Corporation

Allied Corporation

Robert S Kiwak

Tung Liu

Ian W Sorensen

A method of constructing a brake pedal comprises the steps of generating a continuous tubular member (18) by pultruding a thermoplastic or B staged thermosetting plastic resin through a die (16), attaching cross members (26 and 28) to the continuous tubular member (18), cutting the continuous tubular member (18) into segments (30 . . . 30.sup.N) of predetermined length, and deforming each segment (30 . . . 30.sup.N) to substantially define a pedal (60). The resin carries strands (14) and the segments (30 . . . 30.sup.N) are exposed to heat and pressure to permanently set the shape of the pedal (60). The cross members (26 and 28) are used to pivotally secure the brake pedal (60) to a vehicle in its installed position and also to connect the brake pedal (60) to an input member for a master cylinder or brake booster assembly.

Method of constructing a brake pedal

A continuous fiber composite having carbon microfibers dispersed in the resin filling the interstices between the continuous fibers to enhance the transverse properties of the composite. The carbon microfibers are made by soaking carbon fibers in an intercalating acid solution comprising a mixture of fuming nitric and sulfuric acid to weaken the intercrystallite bonds. Gentle stirring of solution separates the carbon microfibers from the host fibers. The microfibers are then separated from the intercalating acid solution and washed to remove the residual acid.

Method for making carbon microfibers

A continuous fiber composite having carbon micro-fibers dispersed in the resin filling the interstices between the continuous fibers to enhance the transverse properties of the composite. The carbon microfibers are made by soaking carbon fibers in an intercalating acid solution comprising a mixture of fuming nitric and sulfuric acid to weaken the intercrystallite bonds. Gentle stirring of solution separates the carbon microfibers from the host fibers. The microfibers are then separated from the intercalating acid solution and washed to remove the residual acid.

Secondary matrix reinforcement using carbon microfibers

A heat exchanger for cooling the recycled air of a self-contained closed loop breathing apparatus having a tank of high pressure breathable gas such as oxygen includes a heat sink located inside the tank, a heat exchange element located outside the tank in the stream of recycled air, and a heat pipe extending through one end closure of the tank providing heat communication between the heat exchanger element and said heat sink.

Air cooler for self-contained breathing system

A process for producing an organic friction article from a composition of materials in a dust free environment. Water is mixed with the composition of organic materials to produce a slurry. A fixed volume of the slurry is communicated into a first mold. The slurry in the first mold is compressed to remove up to 95% by weight of the water to form a briquette. The briquette is conveyed to a force air oven or dielectric heater where the water is further reduced to about 1% of the weight of the briquette. This dry briquette is then placed in a second mold and pressed into the shape of a friction pad. The pressed friction pad is placed in an oven and heated to cure the resin in the composition of materials to complete the manufacture of the organic friction pad.

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Ellicott City, MD, United States of America

Robert S Kiwak