A modular plastic pipe formation apparatus, wherein at least two components of the pipe formation apparatus are disposed with respect to at least one or more respective modules.

An exterior trim for a motor vehicle has a body that forms a surface of the exterior trim. The body has an exterior surface and an interior surface, and defines a recess or cut-out. The body has a single undulating wall formed on the interior surface of the body substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the body, and the single undulating wall at least partially surrounds the recess or cut-out. The exterior trim also includes a human-machine interface (HMI) device disposed at least partially within the recess or cut-out of the body. The HMI device may be used to externally control certain features of the motor vehicle.

An endoprosthesis has an expanded state and a contracted state, the endoprosthesis includes a stent having an inner surface defining a lumen, having an outer surface, and defining a plurality of apertures through the outer surface, wherein the apertures are arranged in a micropattern; and a coating (e.g., polymeric coating) attached to the outer surface of the stent. The coating includes a base and a tissue engagement portion including a second surface facing outwardly from the stent, the tissue engagement portion including a structure that defines a plurality of holes extending inwardly from the second surface toward the base. The holes are arranged in a micropattern. When the endoprosthesis is expanded to the expanded state in a lumen defined by a vessel wall, the structure applies a force that may reduce stent migration by creating an interlock between the vessel wall and the endoprosthesis.

A method of welding/joining corrugated pipe segments, an apparatus configured to weld/join corrugated pipe segments, and a method of circulating water are disclosed. The method of welding/joining corrugated pipe segments includes holding or securing an end of each of the corrugated pipe segments with a jig, and welding the ends of the corrugated pipe segments together. The jig includes at least two rings, each configured to receive one of the ends of the corrugated pipe segments, and a brace or connector connected to each of the two rings. The apparatus includes the jig, a welding ring configured to receive the ends of the corrugated pipe segments, a resistive heating coil for heating the welding ring, and a control circuit configured to control a temperature of the resistive heating coil and maintain the temperature of the resistive heating coil once a target temperature is reached.

A method of manufacturing cross-corrugated support structures is provided. A mold having a molding surface with a first plurality and a second plurality of corrugations therein is used to introduce corrugations into a flexible, carbonaceous sheet. Cross-corrugations are introduced into the sheet by placing the sheet onto the molding surface, encapsulating the sheet to form a vacuum chamber, and evacuating the vacuum chamber of air. As air is evacuated from the vacuum chamber, the sheet is drawn upon the molding surface causing the sheet to conform to the shape of the molding surface. Thermosetting resin is infused into the sheet and cured causing the sheet to rigidly retain the shape of the molding surface. The sheet is further reinforced by securing at least one support member to the sheet using thermosetting resin.

A core sheet includes a primary textured surface and separate secondary cuspations or corrugations. The core sheets are configured for use within a fluid or wastewater treatment unit that typically includes one or more fabric layers. The primary textured surface enhances retention of wastewater fluid received by the unit, which over time causes an increase in build-up of biomatter on the surface, which in turn enhances the efficacy of treatment of the wastewater. An inline process of making the core sheet includes extrusion forming a smooth flat sheet from raw polymeric material and immediately feeding the smooth flat sheet through texturizing rollers, followed by rolling flat textured sheets. Cuspations are added to the flat textured sheets, optionally at a different site, and then cut to preferred dimensions for incorporation into a wastewater unit.

An exterior trim for a motor vehicle has a body that forms a surface of the exterior trim. The body has an exterior surface and an interior surface, and defines a recess or cut-out. The body has a single undulating wall formed on the interior surface of the body substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the body, and the single undulating wall at least partially surrounds the recess or cut-out. The exterior trim also includes a human-machine interface (HMI) device disposed at least partially within the recess or cut-out of the body. The HMI device may be used to externally control certain features of the motor vehicle.

This disclosure relates generally to corrugated pipe, and more particularly to corrugated pipe with a reinforcing stiffener. The corrugated pipe may include an axially extended bore defined by a corrugated outer wall having axially adjacent, outwardly-extending corrugation crests, separated by corrugation valleys. In some embodiments, a stiffener may be positioned within the corrugation valleys. In other embodiments, a stiffener may be positioned within the corrugation crests.

A method of manufacturing cross-corrugated support structures is provided. A mold having a molding surface with a first plurality and a second plurality of corrugations therein is used to introduce corrugations into a flexible, carbonaceous sheet. Cross-corrugations are introduced into the sheet by placing the sheet onto the molding surface, encapsulating the sheet to form a vacuum chamber, and evacuating the vacuum chamber of air. As air is evacuated from the vacuum chamber, the sheet is drawn upon the molding surface causing the sheet to conform to the shape of the molding surface. Thermosetting resin is infused into the sheet and cured causing the sheet to rigidly retain the shape of the molding surface. The sheet is further reinforced by securing at least one support member to the sheet using thermosetting resin.

A high-performance optical absorber includes: a texturized base layer, the base layer comprising one or more of a polymer film and a polymer coating; and a surface layer located above and immediately adjacent to the base layer, the surface layer joined to the base layer, the surface layer comprising a plasma-functionalized, non-woven carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet. A method using capillary force lamination (CFL) for manufacturing a high-performance optical absorber, includes: texturizing a base layer of the high-performance optical absorber, the base layer comprising one or more of a polymer film and a polymer coating; joining a surface layer of the high-performance optical absorber to the base layer, the surface layer comprising a non-woven carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet; wetting the joined surface layer and base layer with a solvent; drying the joined surface layer and base layer; and treating the resulting base layer with plasma, creating the high-performance optical absorber.