Abstract: Actuators are attached with plates of a fuel cell stack. Electrical power is provided to the actuators to drive the actuators to mechanically excite the plates to agitate liquid water restricting or blocking flow fields formed in the plates.

Abstract: An emission control device having a catalyst matrix, a microwave heater and a microwave energy reflective sleeve which substantially surrounds an outer surface of the matrix is provided. In one example, power is supplied to the microwave generator only as long as the temperature of the catalyst matrix is less than the activation temperature of the emission control reactions. The microwave energy reflective sleeve may reflect and confine substantially all of a microwave energy received from a microwave generator and waveguide, improving the operability of the emission control device and reducing the light-off time of the emission control reactions.

Abstract: Actuators are attached with plates of a fuel cell stack. Electrical power is provided to the actuators to drive the actuators to mechanically excite the plates to agitate liquid water restricting or blocking flow fields formed in the plates.

Abstract: An on-board monitoring system for estimating the hydrocarbon conversion efficiency of a vehicle catalytic converter receives temperature signals from a plurality of temperature sensors positioned to detect the temperature of exhaust gas entering the catalytic converter and to detect the temperature of the catalyst substrate in the catalytic converter at spaced positions along the direction of flow. Diagnostic routine initiation tests are performed to determine if the vehicle is operating within an acceptable range, and if so, then a plurality of sets of temperature values are measured and stored over a plurality of time intervals. During the time intervals, several engine operating parameters are checked to determine if the vehicle is operating within a range which conforms approximately to the range of operation encountered in the Federal Test Procedure (FTP).

Abstract: An oil monitoring system storing a remaining percent tachometer oil life, a remaining percent time oil life and a remaining percent odometer oil life. The oil monitoring system has means for selecting and displaying the lowest of these three remaining percent oil life values as the lowest remaining percent oil life. The selected lowest remaining percent oil life is compared to predetermined percentages to display on an in-vehicle display if the oil is OK, if the oil is to be changed soon, or if an oil change is required. The oil monitoring system may include an oil dielectric constant sensor and display if the oil is to be changed soon or an oil change is required as a function in the change in the oil's dielectric constant.

Abstract: An acoustic or ultrasonic device includes two ultrasonic energy transmission paths having substantially identical transmission characteristics for a neutral condition of the device. One or both of the transmission paths include path altering structure(s) or coating(s) for changing the transmission characteristics of one or both of the paths in response to a physical phenomenon to be sensed or monitored. The paths have input transducers coupled thereto for transmitting ultrasonic energy into the paths. The input transducers are driven by a single oscillator such that the ultrasonic energy waves generated in the two paths are substantially identical to one another. A drive adjusting circuit compensates for any differences between the two paths and/or the ultrasonic waves in the two paths. An output transducer is coupled to the two paths for receiving ultrasonic waves from the paths and generating an output signal which is the result of combining the acoustic or ultrasonic waves from the two paths.

Abstract: A flexible fuel sensor is disclosed where two concentric conductors, adapted to receive the fuel mixture, are shorted to provide a resonant electromagnetic cavity.

Abstract: A flexible fuel dielectric-effect sensor is disclosed wherein three capacitors, immersed in the fuel flow, are connected to define a pi filter.

Abstract: A multiple-reflection, long-path wave transmission device is fabricated from a single crystal silicon plate by micromachining straight walled rectangular cavities into the plate to reflect ultrasonic waves along an extended transmission path defined by the rectangular cavities. An input transducer is coupled to the silicon plate to introduce ultrasonic waves into the plate in response to an input signal. The ultrasonic waves travel in the silicon plate along the transmission path defined by the straight walled reflective cavities. An output transducer is similarly coupled to the silicon plate to receive the ultrasonic waves at the completion of the transmission path and to generate an output signal representative thereof. Additional sloped wall cavities are formed in the silicon plate to border the extended transmission path. The sloped wall cavities prevent cross coupling of waves traveling in different portions of the path and absorb energy traveling in undesired directions and modes.

Abstract: An on-board sensor system which compares the dielectric properties of lubricating oil in an internal combustion engine with the dielectric properties of unused oil in a contained volume and providing an output signal indicative of the changes in viscosity correlated to the dielectric constant changes of the lubricating oil.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for coupling ultrasonic energy from piezoelectric transducers to a liquid medium for use in cleaning or etching processes. The apparatus includes a vibration coupling plate which may be partially immersed in the liquid medium, while the upper, nonimmersed end of the plate is configured to support a pair of piezoelectric transducers disposed at 45 degree angles with respect to the lengthwise axis of the plate. The beams of ultrasonic mechanical wave energy are therefore reflected back and forth from the side edges of the plate and dispersed over a wider angle in the liquid.

Abstract: A composite light pickup device for use in an automotive vehicle to collect light from both the ambient surroundings and from oncoming vehicles and employing separate optical fiber couplings of the collected light to a headlamp system that responsively activates the vehicle headlamps when the ambient light level is too low and switches the activated headlamps between high and low beams in response to receiving light from oncoming vehicle headlamps.

Abstract: High frequency ultrasonic energy is applied to a liquid medium to produce low micron size cavitation in the liquid for enhancing the cleaning or etching action of exposed surfaces within the liquid. An ultrasonic transducer is bonded to a vibration coupler which is formed of a material that is inpervious to the liquid medium and functions to efficiently transmit the ultrasonic vibrations to the liquid medium. The coupler is partially immersed in the liquid while maintaining the transducer elevated above the liquid.

Abstract: An insulated transmission medium for propagating ultrasonic vibrational waves and conducting electromagnetic energy in a multiplex type communication system, whereby said medium is a metallic strip that interconnects an ultrasonic wave transmitting transducer, a D.C. power source, an ultrasonic wave receiving transducer and the controlled loads.

Abstract: An insulated transmission medium for propagating ultrasonic vibrational waves and conducting electromagnetic energy in a multiplex type communication system, whereby said medium is a metallic strip that interconnects an ultrasonic wave transmitting transducer, a D.C. power source, an ultrasonic wave receiving transducer and the controlled loads.

Abstract: This specification discloses a titanium dioxide rectifier element. A pair of spaced platinum electrodes are on a titanium dioxide main body. Groupings of PtTi.sub.3 are interspersed throughout the titanium dioxide main body thereby forming a rectifier with electrodes of one material and having a different forward and reverse electrical characteristics.

Abstract: This specification discloses a method of fabricating a titanium rectifier circuit element. A titanium dioxide main body is formed with a pair of spaced faces each of which having thereon a platinum electrode. A dc voltage is applied across this structure, heating the structure to a temperature of about 750.degree.-850.degree. C. In this temperature range, the titanium dioxide body is subjected to a cyclic sequence of exposures to oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. The final step includes cooling down the titanium dioxide body in the presence of a reducing atmosphere with an applied dc electric field.

Abstract: An exhaust gas sensor probe and its method of manufacture are disclosed. A tube of ceramic material is arranged to support a resistive type ceramic exhaust gas sensor within the cup-shaped cavity in the end portion of the tube. The tube is also provided with a generally continuous groove around the exterior of the cup-shaped end portion to support a heater wire in close heat conductive relation to the sensor ceramic wafer. The ceramic tube is fixedly received within a housing which may include for example sufficient electrical connective means in the form of electrical terminals to electrically communicate the sensor and the heater wire to an external source of electrical energy and/or a utilization means. The present invention also provides a heat retaining end cap member having an infrared reflective coating for assisting in the retention of heat for those resistive type sensor ceramics which require an operating temperature substantially higher than the temperature of their normal environment.

Abstract: An exhaust gas sensor probe and its method of manufacture are disclosed. A tube of ceramic material is arranged to support a resistive type ceramic exhaust gas sensor within the cup-shaped cavity in the end portion of the tube. The tube is also provided with a generally continuous groove around the exterior of the cup-shaped end portion to support a heater wire in close heat conductive relation to the sensor ceramic wafer. The ceramic tube is fixedly received within a housing which may include for example sufficient electrical connective means in the form of electrical terminals to electrically communicate the sensor and the heater wire to an external source of electrical energy and/or a utilization means. The present invention also provides a heat retaining end cap member having an infrared reflective coating for assisting in the retention of heat for those resistive type sensor ceramics which require an operating temperature substantially higher than the temperature of their normal environment.

Abstract: An exhaust gas sensor probe and its method of manufacture are disclosed. A tube of ceramic material is arranged to support a resistive type ceramic exhaust gas sensor within the cup-shaped cavity in the end portion of the tube. The tube is also provided with a generally continuous groove around the exterior of the cup-shaped end portion to support a heater wire in close heat conductive relation to the sensor ceramic wafer. The ceramaic tube is fixedly received within a housing which may include for example sufficient electrical connective means in the form of electrical terminals to electrically communicate the sensor and the heater wire to an external source of electrical energy and/or a utilization means. The present invention also provides a heat retaining end cap member having an infrared reflective coating for assisting in the retention of heat for those resistive type sensor ceramics which require an operating temperature substantially higher than the temperature of their normal environment.