Abstract: A climate control system and method for optimizing energy consumption in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is provided. By varying evaporator temperatures based on occupant settings and environmental conditions, electric compressor speed can be optimized to provide the necessary cooling capacities resulting in energy savings. Determining the impact that increasing or decreasing engine cooling fan speed has on the overall energy consumption of the climate control system without affecting target discharge air temperature provides for energy saving opportunities. Optimizing energy consumption according to the provided strategy provides for improved fuel economy without sacrificing passenger comfort.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 6, 2009
Date of Patent:
June 26, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Halim Wijaya, Gerhard A. Dage, Wayne Frank Buescher, Christopher Mark Greiner
Abstract: A method and a device for contactless determination of forces and/or moments acting on a hollow cylindrical body (12), in which via a light source (20; 38; 40), light radiation is produced within the hollow cylindrical body (12); measurement signals are recorded by an optoelectronic sensor (22; 34); the measurement signals recorded by the optoelectronic sensor (22; 34) are supplied to the signal processing unit (26); the signal processing unit (26) detects and outputs changes of the measurement signals relative to an initial state determined beforehand by calibration, corresponding to the initial undeformed state of the hollow cylindrical body (12); and when a mechanical deformation of the hollow cylindrical body (12) is present, according to a calibration function or a calculation rule, the signal processing unit (26) outputs an output signal that describes the forces and/or moments that are causing the mechanical deformation of the hollow cylindrical body (12).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 30, 2009
Date of Patent:
June 26, 2012
Assignee:
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
Inventors:
Andreas Doleschel, Wolfang Wagner, Georg Wurzel
Abstract: According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a urea-resistant catalytic unit is provided. In at least one embodiment, the catalytic unit includes a catalyst having a catalyst surface, and a urea-resistant coating in contact with at least a portion of the catalyst surface, wherein the urea-resistant coating effectively reduces urea-induced deactivation of the catalyst. In at least another embodiment, the urea-resistant coating includes at least one oxide from the group consisting of titanium oxide, tungsten oxide, zirconium oxide, molybdenum oxide, aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, sulfur oxide, niobium oxide, molybdenum oxide, yttrium oxide, nickel oxide, cobalt oxide, and combinations thereof.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 23, 2009
Date of Patent:
June 26, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Yisun Cheng, Yinyan Huang, Christine Kay Lambert
Abstract: A fiber cable for helicopter rescue winches includes a plurality of load-bearing synthetic-fiber strands braided with one another, at least one electrically conductive insert, and a wear indicator providing a visual check of a state of the fiber cable, where the load-bearing synthetic-fiber strands are encased in a radial direction by a friction-reducing stable fiber layer, an inner cable jacket, and outer cable jacket.
Abstract: An electrical junction box for an automotive vehicle. The junction box includes an upper cover and a lower cover. The lower cover may be constructed as a unitary one-piece molded body that defines a plurality of separate terminal cavities. Each of the separate terminal cavities is adapted to receive a single wire terminal without a housing connector that has multiple wire-terminal receptacles. In addition, the junction box may include an electrical circuit board and a busbar between the upper cover and the lower cover.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 21, 2009
Date of Patent:
June 26, 2012
Assignee:
Lear Corporation
Inventors:
Christopher J. Darr, John N. Topolewski, Enric Aparicio Rollan, Jordi Bigorra Vives
Abstract: Two or multi-component condensation curing compositions can be cured in deep sections with low shrinkage, yet require no tin catalysts, or a significantly reduced tin catalyst level.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 29, 2008
Date of Patent:
June 26, 2012
Assignee:
Wacker Chemie AG
Inventors:
Peter Schoeley, Uwe Scheim, Otto Schneider
Abstract: An electric drive system in an automotive vehicle includes a controller for determining a condition of the electric drive system. The electric drive system includes only two current sensors and a common-mode current transformer. In response to the current sensors and the common-mode current transformer, the controller determines the condition of the electric drive system. The condition of the electric drive system may depend on a condition of an electrical connection between a drive system inverter and a motor in the electric drive system as well as a calculated amount of error in the electric drive system. In addition, the controller may control various operations of the electric drive system, which may or may not depend on the condition of the electric drive system.
Abstract: An information display system for a vehicle includes an information display for displaying a plurality of selectable information display levels according to an information display hierarchy. Each selectable information display level may include one or more visual gauges for conveying vehicle information. Each successive selectable information display level may include additional and/or alternative vehicle information when compared to the preceding selectable information display level. The information display system further includes a controller configured to display the plurality of selectable information display levels according to an at least one driver input. In this way, the information display can display a particular selectable information display level best suited to a driver's individual preferences or understanding of the vehicle's operations.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 28, 2008
Date of Patent:
June 26, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
David Watson, Angela L. Watson, Sohel Merchant, Craig Sandvig, Ivette Hernández, Steven Bishop, Engin Erdogan, Altay Jun Wakui Sendil, Susanne Stage, Ryan J. Skaff, Derek Hartl, James Belloli, Jeffrey Greenberg, Michael Blommer
Abstract: High boiling residue from the direct synthesis of alkylchlorosilanes are converted in large part to monosilanes by heating the residue by passage of alternating current in a pressurized reactor.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 16, 2009
Date of Patent:
June 26, 2012
Assignee:
Wacker Chemie AG
Inventors:
Manfred Boeck, Paul Fuchs, Konrad Mautner
Abstract: A method and system for detecting a low charge condition in an air conditioner for a vehicle. The system first determines whether noise factors are present that would interfere with reliably measuring a pressure delta. If noise factors are not present, the system determines a pressure delta value for the compressor by comparing the high side pressure when the clutch is engaged to a high side pressure when the clutch is disengaged. If the pressure delta value is less than a threshold value, a low charge condition may be recorded. When the number of low charge conditions detected exceeds a predetermined number of events, the system may set a temperature diagnostic trouble code, disable the air conditioning system and alert the driver of a potential problem.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 26, 2009
Date of Patent:
June 26, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
William Stewart Johnston, David Alan Wong, Hugh Hamilton, Manfred Koberstein, Debasish Dhar
Abstract: Polyolefin woven and nonwoven fibers, filaments and fabrics made therefrom which comprise a melt blend which comprises (a) a polyolefin; and (b) at least one compound of the formula (I) R1—(hydrophilic oligomer)??(I) wherein R1 is a straight or branched chain alkyl of 22 to 40 carbon atoms and the hydrophilic oligomer is a homo- or co-oligomer consisting of monomer units derived from monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, epichlorhydrin, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethylene imine, caprolactone, vinyl alcohol and vinyl acetate; and wherein the hydrophilic oligomer consists of between 2 and 10 monomer units, exhibit excellent durable wettability. The fabrics are useful in disposable diapers, training pants, feminine napkins, tampons, incontinence care products, wet and dry wipes, wound dressings, surgical capes, filter medial, battery separators and the like.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 9, 2001
Date of Patent:
June 26, 2012
Assignee:
Techmer PM, LLC
Inventors:
Sheng-Shing Li, Andrew J. Leggio, George H. Menzie, David Devore, John J. McNamara, TaHau Yu, Douglas W. Horsey
Abstract: A system for characterizing vibration of a rack structure having at least one hard disk drive disposed therein and a vibration exciter operatively associated with the rack structure includes one or more computers. The one or more computers are configured to command the vibration exciter to provide vibration input to the rack structure and to command a plurality of reads from the at least one hard disk drive such that, for each of the plurality of reads, data stored on the at least one hard disk drive is retrieved from the at least one hard disk drive. The one or more computers are also configured to obtain read rate information related to the plurality of reads and to identify at least one resonant frequency of the rack structure based on the read rate information.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 25, 2009
Date of Patent:
June 19, 2012
Assignee:
Oracle America, Inc.
Inventors:
Kenny C. Gross, Aleksey M. Urmanov, Anton A. Bougaev, David K. McElfresh
Abstract: A contact is provided having a tubular body that defines an internal cavity. The body is configured for elastically deforming to receive a terminal within the cavity. An elongate member extends from the body. A retention tab extends from the elongate member; and includes a slot formed therein for receiving a lead of an electrical component. A circuit is also provided, which includes a pair of the contacts that are connected to the electrical component. A receptacle assembly is provided for supporting the circuit. A method is also provided for forming the contact and assembling the circuit to the receptacle assembly.
Abstract: An apparatus and method of producing methanol includes reacting a heated hydrocarbon-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas in a reactor; and adding a relatively cold hydrocarbon-containing gas, to be mixed directly with a mixture of the heated hydrocarbon-containing gas and the oxygen-containing gas, after formaldehyde is formed to inhibit decomposition of formaldehyde in the reactor, to provide a product stream comprising methanol and formaldehyde; and transferring heat from the product stream to the hydrocarbon-containing gas to heat the hydrocarbon containing gas.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 27, 2005
Date of Patent:
June 19, 2012
Assignee:
Gas Technologies LLC
Inventors:
Nathan A. Pawlak, Vladimir I. Vedeneev, Alexander L. Tots
Abstract: A method and system for walk-away locking of a vehicle. The vehicle may be automatically locked when an occupant walks away from the vehicle in a passive manner. The automatic locking capabilities may be incorporated within an energy conservation strategy that allows one or more vehicle components and a fob to enter a sleep mode or otherwise become inactive at particular intervals when signals necessary to automatically locking the vehicle are less likely.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 25, 2009
Date of Patent:
June 19, 2012
Assignee:
Lear Corporation
Inventors:
Riad Ghabra, Ronald O. King, John Nantz, Bryan Vartanian, Keith A. Christenson
Abstract: A vehicle power system includes an electrical power source, an electrical bus, and a contactor electrically connected with the electrical power source and electrical bus. The contactor includes first and second poles, dual plungers each operatively associated with one of the first and second poles, and an electromagnetic coil configured to cause at least one of the dual plungers to move if the coil is energized.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 28, 2011
Date of Patent:
June 19, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Philip Michael Gonzales, Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush
Abstract: Protection method and system for use with speaker systems. The method and system being suitable for use in any number of environments to protect speakers from overload and other undesirable operating conditions. The method and system optionally being suitable for use in maintaining system sound integrity while protecting the speakers from overload and/or other undesirable operating conditions.
Abstract: A system configured to facilitate wireless communications between different ground planes is provided. The system may rely on bi-directional communications between galvanically isolated components to support any number of operations, including but not limited operations associated with supporting wireless message communications between three or more isolated ground planes, such as but not limited to supporting communications between three or more ground planes included within an onboard vehicle charger.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 10, 2009
Date of Patent:
June 19, 2012
Assignee:
Lear Corporation
Inventors:
Rafael Jimenez Pino, Miguel Angel Aceña
Abstract: A process is provided for manufacturing a multielectrode that may be used to record a bioelectrical potential difference at a detection site. The manufacturing process may comprise manufacturing a carrier from multiple thin layers of an insulating material. The manufacturing process may further comprise providing at least one recording electrode of a set of electrode pairs on at least one of the layers of the carrier. Each recording pair may include one active electrode surface and a different reference electrode surface. Also, the manufacturing process may further comprise folding, fastening, and gluing the layers of the insulating material to one another.
Abstract: A method for determining the time to collision between a host vehicle and an oncoming target vehicle, and for determining the necessary host vehicle deceleration for bringing the host vehicle to a standstill at the moment of collision. The method furthermore comprises the steps: determining the position (pH) of the host vehicle as a function of time; determining the position (pT) of the target vehicle as a function of time; for the moment of collision, as a first condition, setting the position (pH) of the host vehicle equal to the position (pT) of the target vehicle, and, as a second condition, setting the velocity (vH) of the host vehicle to zero; using the positions and the conditions above to solve for the time to collision and the necessary host vehicle deceleration; and choosing the solution for time to collision that is positive and has the largest value.