Abstract: Belt-driven systems, such as a front-end accessory drive for an internal-combustion engine, often include one or more idler pulleys. It is typical for these idler pulleys to be retained by a bolt or bolt and washer. To obviate the bolt and washer, a fastener-less system has a shaft with a circumferential groove and a bearing with an inner race that has a circumferential ridge. An idler pulley is mounted on the bearing. The ridge engages with the groove of the shaft to retain the idler pulley/bearing on the shaft. Additionally, either a key inserted into keyways or stakes are used to avoid relative rotation of the inner race of the bearing with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: A zero distortion bearing pulley including a bearing is provided. The bearing clamps axially on the outer bearing raceway instead of radially. The pulley includes a stamped pulley body having a central axis, a pulley face having a periphery, a belt running surface extending perpendicularly from the periphery of the pulley face, a bearing slip pocket formed in the face coaxially with the axis of the pulley body, and a plurality of slots formed between the bearing pocket and the periphery of the pulley face. The slip pocket has a rear stop for retaining the bearing. A disc-shaped, stamped bearing retainer is provided having tabs that fit into the slots in the pulley body. The tabs may be folded over. Optionally, the tabs may have close-ended slots that allow attachment of the stamped retainer bearing to the pulley body face by rotation following insertion of the tabs into the slots.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for removing condensate from an intercooler of a turbocharged internal combustion engine. Using valves to drain condensate may create a direct fluidic connection between the compressed air of the intercooler and ambient exterior air, allowing both condensate and compressed air to escape due to valve design or failure of valve actuation devices. To provide a simple and reliable method for removing condensate without removing compressed air, a hollow valve is used to shuttle condensate from the intercooler to the exterior environment.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for removing condensate from an intercooler of a turbocharged internal combustion engine. Using valves to drain condensate may create a direct fluidic connection between the compressed air of the intercooler and ambient exterior air, allowing both condensate and compressed air to escape due to valve design or failure of valve actuation devices. To provide a simple and reliable method for removing condensate without removing compressed air, a hollow valve is used to shuttle condensate from the intercooler to the exterior environment.

Abstract: An idler pulley is described for a front end accessory drive. The idler pulley includes plurality of angled spokes, such as angled ribs molded into the pulley to join an outer hub and an outermost belt interacting region. As the belt runs over the surface of the pulley, any defects on the belt running surface of the pulley due to shrinkage and fill are now angled, and angling of the defects reduces direct impact with the belt and therefore reduces the structureborne noise produced by operation of the belt and the pulley.

Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly for a truck having a bed and a pair of upstanding sidewalls generally includes a panel and a mechanism for enabling movement of the panel between the first position abutting the bed and a second position generally level with tops of the upstanding sidewalls.

Abstract: A banner apparatus comprising a base having a substantially symmetrical central core formed in an upper end of the base and a banner-insert sub-assembly removably installed within the core from either open end. The core has a substantially symmetrical and central stepped inner surface that is accessible from each open end. The banner-insert sub-assembly comprises an insert having at least one passage therethrough and a windsock banner installed over the insert so as to be pinched between the insert and the core when the banner-insert sub-assembly is removably installed within the core during use, the banner having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one airflow channel in communication therebetween and with the passage and the core so as to allow airflow through the base and the banner to aid its substantially horizontal flight during use.

Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly for a truck having a bed and a pair of upstanding sidewalls generally includes a panel and a mechanism for enabling movement of the panel between the first position abutting the bed and a second position generally level with tops of the upstanding sidewalls.

Abstract: An idler pulley is described for a front end accessory drive. The idler pulley includes plurality of angled spokes, such as angled ribs molded into the pulley to join an outer hub and an outermost belt interacting region. As the belt runs over the surface of the pulley, any defects on the belt running surface of the pulley due to shrinkage and fill are now angled, and angling of the defects reduces direct impact with the belt and therefore reduces the structureborne noise produced by operation of the belt and the pulley.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying the spatial and coplanar alignment of a number of power transmission pulleys, particularly as used with an automotive internal combustion engine. A planar light source is provided at a reference location associated with the power transmission pulleys, and an illumination plane emitted by the planar light source is allowed to impinge upon the pulleys. Then, correct alignment of the pulleys is determined by comparing the locus of the intersection of the illumination plane with at least one of the pulleys with a locus of intersection of the illumination plane with another of the pulleys.

Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly for a truck having a bed and a pair of upstanding sidewalls generally includes a panel and a mechanism for enabling movement of the panel between the first position abutting the bed and a second position generally level with tops of the upstanding sidewalls.

Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly for a truck having a bed and a pair of upstanding sidewalls generally includes a panel having a perimeter conforming to a perimeter of the bed and a mechanism for enabling movement of the panel between the first position abutting the bed and a second position generally level with tops of the upstanding sidewalls.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying the spatial and coplanar alignment of a number of power transmission pulleys, particularly as used with an automotive internal combustion engine. A planar light source is provided at a reference location associated with the power transmission pulleys, and an illumination plane emitted by the planar light source is allowed to impinge upon the pulleys. Then, correct alignment of the pulleys is determined by comparing the locus of the intersection of the illumination plane with at least one of the pulleys with a locus of intersection of the illumination plane with another of the pulleys.

Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly for a truck having a bed and a pair of upstanding sidewalls generally includes a panel having a perimeter conforming to a perimeter of the bed and a mechanism for enabling movement of the panel between the first position abutting the bed and a second position generally level with tops of the upstanding sidewalls.

Abstract: A technique for rejecting heat from a fuel cell stack. Heated stack coolant from the fuel cell stack is directed to a heat pump module where it is compressed to raise its temperature. The heated and compressed coolant is then directed through a radiator that cools the coolant through interaction with ambient air. The coolant is then sent through an expansion aperture to reduce its pressure, and thus, further reduce its temperature before it is sent back to the fuel cell stack to collect waste heat therefrom. The heated and compressed coolant can be sent to hydride bed to release hydrogen therefrom before it is sent to the radiator. In one embodiment, the coolant is hydrogen.

Abstract: A digital adaptive power supply interface has two feedback loops, each including a VCO, to automatically compensate for temperature and semiconductor process variations. A first loop compares the system input phase/frequency to a reference voltage that has been converted to a first digital frequency signal by a VCO in the first loop, and generates an analog difference signal. The second loop compares this analog difference with the power supply output voltage, and a VCO in this second loop converts result of this comparison to a second digital frequency signal. The digital frequency signals of the two loops are fed respectively to two registers and the content of the registers are subtracted, one from the other, to generate a digital error signal adjust the power supply output voltage to the input frequency.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit controls the output current through an inductive load. A signal is amplified by one or more op amps, and sourced into a back to back coupling of an NPN transistor and a PNP transistor. In a positive circuit segment, current is sourced to an inductive load, and in a negative segment, current is sunk from the inductive load. The current at the output of the inductive load flows through a resistor, and the resultant voltage drop is negatively fed back to the op amp.

Abstract: A digital adaptive power supply interface has two feedback loops, each including a VCO, to automatically compensate for temperature and semiconductor process variations. A first loop compares the system input phase/frequency to a reference voltage that has been converted to a first digital frequency signal by a VCO in the first loop, and generates an analog difference signal. The second loop compares this analog difference with the power supply output voltage, and a VCO in this second loop converts result of this comparison to a second digital frequency signal. The digital frequency signals of the two loops are fed respectively to two registers and the content of the registers are subtracted, one from the other, to generate a digital error signal adjust the power supply output voltage to the input frequency.

Abstract: A transconductance amplifier generally limits its current output, and specifically decreases its current output as a function of temperature. The circuit is made up of an operational amplifier and two drive transistors that are connected to a first part of the amplifier circuit and a second part of the amplifier circuit respectively. The first part of the circuit is driven by positive input voltages, and the second part of the circuit is driven by negative input voltages. A transistor in each part of the circuit clamps a voltage, thereby limiting the current output. The negative temperature coefficient of the transistor also decreases the output current as the temperature of the circuit rises.

Abstract: A method is provided that generates hydrogen to power a hydrogen consuming device. Hydrogen is stored on-board a vehicle in dry lithium and/or sodium borohydride particles. Upon demand from the hydrogen consuming device, such as a fuel cell, a portion of the borohydride is conveyed to an axial flow reactor. Water is then injected into the reactor in controlled amounts to hydrolyze the borohydride particles thus, producing hydrogen gas and solid-phase by-products. The reactor includes parallel, closely spanned, counter rotating augers to mix and convey the borohydride particles and solid by-products through the reactor. A separate grinding mechanism can be used to further crush and grind large by-product particles to increase packing efficiencies in a by-products storage vessel, where reaction products will later be stored. Hydrogen gas produced in the reaction is delivered to either a hydrogen buffer container for temporary storage or to the hydrogen consuming device.