Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring the performance of H.sub.2 --O.sub.2 PEM fuel cells. Outputs from a cell/stack voltage monitor and a cathode exhaust gas H.sub.2 sensor are corrected for stack operating conditions, and then compared to predetermined levels of acceptability. If certain unacceptable conditions coexist, an operator is alerted and/or corrective measures are automatically undertaken.

Abstract: Refractory coated gelatin-bonded foundry sand core made by waterproofing the surface of the core and immersing the waterproofed core in an aqueous refractory suspension to deposit the refractory.

Abstract: A method of making a secondary, cathode-loaded, lithium-ion cell having a carbon anode including the principal step of cathodizing the carbon in a non-aqueous lithium-ion-conducting solution to deactivate the carbon by neutralizing or passivating any active sites therein.

Abstract: A printed-circuit-type electrical contact pad having a plurality of electrically conductive metal traces and a plurality of protuberant electrical contacts projecting from the traces. The protuberances comprise an electrically conductive elastomer having a wide base portion anchored in the end of the trace by a truncated portion of the trace upstanding from the face of the pad. A denuded tip portion of the elastomer extends from the base portion for resiliently engaging a contact site on an electrical device to which the pad is coupled. A unique process for making the aforesaid pad is disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A child-proof door latch including a selector switch accessable from the door's exterior for enabling or disabling the functioning of a cable-driven latch of the type where a sheath about the cable pushes on the latches trigger to actuate the latchbolt. The selector switch includes a slot which controls the anchoring or movement of the end of the cable which, in turn, permits or prevents the tensioning of the cable sufficiently to straighten the sheath thereabout for actuating the trigger.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch and handle mechanism including a cable-driven door latch wherein a sheath encasing a cable pushes on a trigger in the latch mechanism to actuate a latchbolt and cause it to disengage a striker. Tensioning of the cable causes the sheath thereabout to straighten and push upon the trigger for the latch.

Abstract: Method of making pole segment for a Lundell-type AC generator rotor from a mixture of ferromagnetic particles and a fugitive binder where the teeth of the rotor are molded concurrently with the base of the rotor but from a mixture of particles which is different from the mixture used to mold the base. Thereafter the segment is fired to remove the binder and sinter the metal particles together.

Abstract: A cast iron exhaust manifold having an inside surface covered with a ceramic coating comprising, by weight, about 30% to about 70% unfused silica, about 5% to about 30% magnesia, about 5% to about 20% alumina and about 3% to about 10% sodium oxide. The coating will preferably be built up in multiple layers at least one of which is relatively porous and another is relatively dense resulting from vacuum degassing of the slurry used to deposit the coating.

Abstract: A PEM/SPE fuel cell including a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) having a plurality of oriented filament embedded the face thereof for supporting the MEA and conducting current therefrom to contiguous electrode plates.

Abstract: A loop-striker for use with a door latch of the type having (1) a bell-shaped mouth for receiving a complimentary wedge-shaped crossbar and a leading leg of the striker, and (2) a rotateable fork-bolt having a throat that traps the leading leg when the fork-bolt is in the latched condition. The striker is constructed such that the wedge-shaped crossbar can pivot about its leading leg so as to be self-aligning with respect to said mouth.

Abstract: A high ampacity, high voltage, fused electrical disconnect having a pair of input and output terminals carried by a housing and in registry with a pair of input and output rods carried by a cover and connected to each other by a fuse. The rods are readily detachable from the cover and the fuse. A switch in the housing signals when the rods are engaged with the terminals.

Abstract: Mold for permanent mold casting having a RPVD ceramic coating atop a mold surface which is textured to provide a specific microtopography suitable for eliminating misruns in the casting.

Abstract: A leak proof horizontal-type venting system for an electric storage battery including an exhaust chamber adjacent an exhaust port, a reservoir chamber for collecting and trapping electrolyte exiting the battery when it is laid on its end or side, and an isolation chamber between the exhaust and reservoir chambers. The reservoir chamber has inner and outer compartments formed by inner and outer partitions which partition each have an opening therein which is not aligned with the opening in the other partition, and which lies in a plane laying above a venting aperture in the floor of the reservoir chamber when the battery is oriented in certain directions and in a plane laying beneath such aperture when the battery is oriented in other directions thereby creating a maze which traps electrolyte within the reservoir chamber when the battery is tilted and becomes air locked.

Abstract: Heterogeneous metal matrix composite (MMC), and preform for making same. The MMC has two distinct interpenetrating metal-containing regions one of which is rich in reinforcement particles, and the other of which is devoid of reinforcement particles. The particle-free region pervades the composite in the form of a three-dimensional, open-cell reticulum of randomly oriented ligaments interconnecting a plurality of nodes and defining a plurality of interconnected interstitial cells of varying size. To make the MMC, a preform comprising an open cell foam substrate infiltrated with reinforcement particles is filled with the matrix metal. In one embodiment, the substrate is a fugitive polymer foam which is removed prior to filling the preform with metal. In another embodiment, the substrate is a metal foam which remains with the preform and the MMC after filling with metal.

Abstract: A mass of ferromagnetic particles encapsulated in a polymeric shell having a plurality of denuded organic lubricant particles adhering to the surface of the shell so as to stand in relief from said surface unimpaired by the polymer or any other binder.

Abstract: A secondary lithium ion cell having an anode, a cathode and a nonaqueous electrolyte wherein the cathode comprises sub-micron-size amorphous, microporous, lithium-intercalateable manganese oxide having an internal surface area greater than about 100 m.sup.2 /g. The cathode may include an electrically conductive lithium-intercalateable polymer binder. A sol-gel process for making the amorphous quatravalent manganese oxide is disclosed.

Abstract: A battery pack for easy access to, and uniform cooling/heating of, the individual battery modules thereof. The pack comprises stackable housing parts (i.e., top and bottom) housing multiple tiers of battery modules supported by underlying trays having openings/holes therein aligned with gaps/spaces between adjacent battery modules through which cooling/heating air is uniformly flowed in parallel between the modules from an underlying plenum. The battery modules are compressively immobilized in the housing by resilient foam pads which bear down on the tops of the modules.

Abstract: Moldable ferromagnetic particles and method of making a magnetizable molding therefrom. The ferromagnetic particles are spray-coated with a slurry comprising insoluble thermoplastic particles suspended in a solution of a soluble polymer to produce a coating on the ferromagnetic particles which comprises a majority of the insoluble thermoplastic particles embedded in a lesser amount of a binder polymer. When compression molded, the insoluble thermoplastic particles form a continuous matrix for the ferromagnetic particles.

Abstract: Method for controlling the supply of air to a PROX reactor for the preferential oxidation in the presence of hydrogen wherein the concentration of the hydrogen entering and exiting the PROX reactor is monitored, the difference therebetween correlated to the amount of air needed to minimize such difference, and based thereon the air supply to the PROX reactor adjusted to provide such amount and minimize such difference.

Abstract: A mass of ferromagnetic particles having a lubricous shell comprising a plurality of organic lubricant particles embedded in a film of a thermoplastic binder.