Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting oxygen into a fuel cell reformate stream to reduce the level of carbon monoxide while preserving the level of hydrogen in a fuel cell system.

Abstract: There is provided a multilayer gas distribution structure for use with a membrane electrode assembly of a PEM fuel cell. The layers of the multilayer diffusion structure have selected chemical and physical properties. Together, the layers facilitate transport of reactant gas to the electrode while improving water management.

Abstract: A method for controlling the heat output of a combustor in a fuel cell apparatus to a fuel processor where the combustor has dual air inlet streams including atmospheric air and fuel cell cathode effluent containing oxygen depleted air. In all operating modes, an enthalpy balance is provided by regulating the quantity of the air flow stream to the combustor to support fuel cell processor heat requirements. A control provides a quick fast forward change in an air valve orifice cross section in response to a calculated predetermined air flow, the molar constituents of the air stream to the combustor, the pressure drop across the air valve, and a look up table of the orifice cross sectional area and valve steps. A feedback loop fine tunes any error between the measured air flow to the combustor and the predetermined air flow.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter for a fuel cell includes an input node for receiving DC supply power from the fuel cell and an output node for providing a first DC output voltage. A first inductor includes a first winding having a first terminal and a second terminal, with the first terminal coupled with the input node for receiving DC supply power from the fuel cell. A switch is coupled between the second terminal of the first winding and ground. A control circuit switches the switch between an open position and a closed position. A first capacitor is coupled between the output node and ground. A first diode is coupled between the second terminal of the first winding and the output node for preventing current from flowing from the first capacitor to the second terminal of the first winding. A second winding is disposed in a transformer relationship with the first winding for producing a second output voltage. An AC/DC circuit rectifies AC voltage from the second winding and provides a constant second DC output voltage.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a power-factor-corrected, single-stage inductive charger that may be used to charge a load, such as batteries of an electric vehicle. The inductive charger system is a single stage inductive charger compatible with the Society of Automotive Engineers inductive charging standard SAE J-1773. The single stage power processing provided by the inductive charger system includes both power factor correction and output power regulation using a relatively low parts count. The inductive charger system is fully soft switched over the line voltage and power range, resulting in high efficiency. The inductive charger system uses the current source operation of a series-parallel resonant converter feeding the SAE J- 1773 interface to provide voltage gain for power factor correction over the full AC line cycle. The operating frequency of the converter is modulated around the current-source frequency to regulate the output power from zero to full load.

Abstract: A frame and magnet assembly for a dynamoelectric machine. The assembly includes an imperforate frame member formed of metallic magnetic material. A one-piece tubular imperforate stainless steel magnet supporting part is disposed within the frame. The magnet supporting part has pockets that contain permanent magnets. The opposite ends of the frame have annular chamfered or tapered surfaces which intersect a tubular inner surface of the frame to define annular ridges. Annular end portions of the magnet support are bent into engagement with the tapered surfaces on the frame to thereby provide ridges on the magnet support that are aligned with the ridges on the frame. The ridges on the frame are welded to the ridges on the magnet support by a welding current that is supplied to a pair of welding electrodes that respectively engage the ridges on the magnet support. The welding electrodes have annular tapered surfaces which have line contact with the ridges on the magnet support.

Abstract: A rear steering system in which a rotary mechanical input obtained from one of the rear wheels is controllably applied to a rear steering rack through an electromagnetic clutch apparatus operated by an electronic control unit. The rotary mechanical input is achieved with a flexible cable gear driven by the rear wheel. The cable provides a rotary mechanical input to a magnetic particle clutch assembly, which in turn, interfaces with the rear steering rack via a bevel gearset. The clutch assembly is controlled by an electronic control unit which responds to a variety of system parameters such as the front and rear rack positions, forward/reverse indication and the speed of the vehicle.