Abstract: A robotic hand includes a finger with first, second, and third phalanges. A first joint rotatably connects the first phalange to a base structure. A second joint rotatably connects the first phalange to the second phalange. A third joint rotatably connects the third phalange to the second phalange. The second joint and the third joint are kinematically linked such that the position of the third phalange with respect to the second phalange is determined by the position of the second phalange with respect to the first phalange.

Abstract: A method of operating a hybrid powertrain including an engine, an electric motor and a high voltage battery includes preventing fuel flow to the engine when the high voltage battery includes a state of charge at or above a pre-defined upper limit, and when the hybrid powertrain is operating in a second fueling condition in which fuel flow to the engine is preferably maintained. The engine is rotated with torque supplied by the electric motor to maintain rotation of the engine without producing any engine torque.

Abstract: A system for fabricating a radiation-cured structure is provided. The system includes a radiation-sensitive material having a first refractive index; a mask formed from a mask material having a second refractive index; and a radiation source. The mask is disposed between the radiation source and the radiation-sensitive material, and has a plurality of substantially radiation transparent apertures. The radiation source is configured to generate radiation beams for at least one of initiating, polymerizing, and crosslinking the radiation-sensitive material. The system includes at least one of a) an at least one normalizing surface disposed between the radiation source and the mask, b) a refractive fluid having a third refractive index disposed between the radiation source and the mask, and c) the refractive fluid having the third refractive index disposed between the mask and the radiation-sensitive material. A method for fabricating the radiation-cured structure is also provided.

Abstract: A system for fabricating a radiation-cured structure is provided. The system includes a radiation-sensitive material configured to at least one of initiate, polymerize, crosslink and dissociate with exposure to radiation. At least one radiation source is configured to project a radiation beam toward the radiation-sensitive material. A smart glass device is disposed between the radiation-sensitive material and the at least one radiation source. The smart glass device includes at least one switchable layer selectively operable from an active state to an inactive state. The smart glass device is configured to expose the radiation-sensitive material to a desired exposure pattern when in one of the active state and the inactive state. A method for fabricating the radiation-cured structure is also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming a casting using a casting apparatus is disclosed, the method including the steps of lowering a ladle having a hollow interior into a source of molten material and an aperture facilitating flow into the hollow interior, filling the interior of the ladle with the molten material through the aperture, introducing an inert gas into a portion of a nozzle, removing the ladle from the source of molten material, causing the nozzle to contact a casting mold, and pressurizing the hollow interior with an inert gas to cause the molten material to flow into the casting mold.

Abstract: A cutting tool that can cut concentric ringed features (e.g. protruding ridges or intruding grooves) onto a weld face of an electrical resistance welding electrode is disclosed. The cutting tool includes a cutter blade that can be rotated about the electrode weld face. The cutter blade has at least one cutting surface configured to cut the concentric ringed features onto the weld face when the cutting surface is rotated relative to the weld face while engaged therewith.

Abstract: A separator plate for a fuel cell is provided, including a substrate having a radiation-cured first flow field layer disposed thereon. A method for fabricating the separator plate is also provided. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate; applying a first radiation-sensitive material to the substrate; placing a first mask between a first radiation source and the first radiation-sensitive material, the first mask having a plurality of substantially radiation-transparent apertures; and exposing the first radiation-sensitive material to a plurality of first radiation beams to form a radiation-cured first flow field layer adjacent the substrate. A fuel cell having the separator plate is also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell component is provided, including a substrate disposed adjacent at least one radiation-cured flow field layer. The flow field layer is one of disposed between the substrate and a diffusion medium layer, and disposed on the diffusion medium layer opposite the substrate. The flow field layer has at least one of a plurality of reactant flow channels and a plurality of coolant channels for the fuel cell. The fuel cell component may be assembled as part of a repeating unit for a fuel cell stack. A method for fabricating the fuel cell component and the associated repeating unit for the fuel cell is also provided.

Abstract: A rotary actuator assembly is provided for actuation of an upper arm assembly for a dexterous humanoid robot. The upper arm assembly for the humanoid robot includes a plurality of arm support frames each defining an axis. A plurality of rotary actuator assemblies are each mounted to one of the plurality of arm support frames about the respective axes. Each rotary actuator assembly includes a motor mounted about the respective axis, a gear drive rotatably connected to the motor, and a torsion spring. The torsion spring has a spring input that is rotatably connected to an output of the gear drive and a spring output that is connected to an output for the joint.

Abstract: A rotary actuator assembly is provided for actuation of an upper arm assembly for a dexterous humanoid robot. The upper arm assembly for the humanoid robot includes a plurality of arm support frames each defining an axis. A plurality of rotary actuator assemblies are each mounted to one of the plurality of arm support frames about the respective axes. Each rotary actuator assembly includes a motor mounted about the respective axis, a gear drive rotatably connected to the motor, and a torsion spring. The torsion spring has a spring input that is rotatably connected to an output of the gear drive and a spring output that is connected to an output for the joint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a fuel cell stack is disclosed, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of dunnage cassettes adapted to cooperate with a plurality of containers, a fixture, and an assembly device to simultaneously assemble a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies together with a plurality of bipolar plates.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for encoding vehicle data comprising a first voltage pertaining to a first battery cell and a second voltage pertaining to a second battery cell is provided. A determination is made as to whether the first voltage is valid. In addition, a determination is made as to whether the second voltage is valid. One of a plurality of values is assigned to a validity measure based at least in part on whether the first voltage or the second voltage, or both, are valid. The plurality of values, in binary form, are at least two bit errors removed from one another.

Abstract: A double clutch assembly is provided in accordance with an embodiment. A pivot axis of a first lever and a pivot axis of a second lever is located at the same side of a first actuating element and of a second actuating element, namely at the same side of the tubular element and of the annular element. Furthermore, the first lever is provided with a first lever actuation area in form of the toe end area of the inner lever for a first actuator device, for example a piston. The first actuating element in form of the tubular element is situated in an area between the first lever actuation area and the pivot axis of the first lever.

Abstract: A pressure vessel includes an inner shell formed from a moldable material, an intermediate shell formed over the inner shell, and an outer shell formed over the intermediate shell. The inner shell has an inner surface that defines a cavity, and the outer shell is formed with a high temperature epoxy resin.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are active material based closure hinge assemblies, latch assemblies, and alignment methods. In one embodiment, a closure assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a first hinge portion having one end attached to a closure, a second hinge portion attached to the first hinge portion having one end attached to a vehicle body, and an active material configured to provide the first hinge portion with up to six degrees of freedom relative to second hinge portion upon receipt of an activation signal and less than or equal to two degrees of freedom in the absence of the activation signal.

Abstract: An internal gear and cap assembly includes a gear having a base that extends about an axis between a first and second end. The first end defines a groove that extends to a floor and the groove surrounds the axis. Teeth extend from the base. A lip extends from the first end and also surrounds the axis. A cap has a flange that is inserted into the groove. The lip is deformed toward the groove such that material from the lip flows to trap the flange between the lip and the floor of the groove to retain the cap to the gear in the axial direction. Slots may be defined in the flange such that the material from the lip flows into the slots to provide a key-lock between the cap and the gear to prevent rotation of the cap relative to the gear about the axis.

Abstract: A system comprises a particulate matter (PM) filter comprising an inlet for receiving exhaust gas. A zoned heater is arranged in the inlet and comprises a resistive heater comprising N zones, where N is an integer greater than one. Each of the N zones comprises M sub-zones, where M is an integer greater than one. A control module selectively activates one of the N zones to initiate regeneration in downstream portions of the PM filter from the one of the N zones and deactivates others of the N zones.

Abstract: The described method and system provides for dynamic adjustment of the lower charge threshold of an electrically-powered vehicle to allow a fuel-depleted vehicle also low on battery charge to continue to be operated. The vehicle's telematics unit monitors the fuel level and charge level via the vehicle bus or other vehicle resources to determine if the vehicle is running low on fuel and electric charge. If the telematics unit determines that the fuel is depleted and the charge level is approaching, meets or falls below the lower threshold, the telematics unit communicates the vehicle fuel status and vehicle position to a call center along with vehicle identification data. The call center determines the amount of charge required to reach one or more local fueling stations or other points of interests and propose destination recommendations to the driver. The driver may then select one of the recommendations, and the call center transmits a new lower charge threshold to the vehicle.