Abstract: An airfoil arranged for use in a fluid flow of varying direction relative to the airfoil, has arranged thereon a plural axis hinge for automatic adjustment of the angle of pitch of the airfoil. The airfoil can be applied to a rotary crossflow device for use in a fluid flow of varying apparent flow direction, an oscillating device for use in a fluid flow, a force generation device for use in a fluid flow of varying direction, or a flow control device for use in a fluid flow of alternating direction.
Abstract: A computer system for safety critical sensor variables includes first and second sensors which respectively output first and second sensor variables, a computer, and an independent comparator. The computer calculates an output variable from the first sensor variable by a first function. The computer calculates a comparison variable from the output variable by a second function. The comparison variable and the second sensor variable are applied to the input of the comparator. The second sensor variable is not an input variable of the computer and differs from the first sensor variable in terms of its qualitative value. By calculations of the computer and, if appropriate, of the comparator, an expected comparison variable for the second sensor variable is determined from the calculated output variable, and the correspondence of the two variables is checked by the comparator. Specific internal errors of the computer can thereby be discovered.
Abstract: A speed ratio shaft control for multiple ratio vehicle transmission has controlled release of an off-going transmission clutch and controlled engagement of an on-coming transmission clutch during a speed ratio upshift, at least one clutch being a friction torque establishing clutch. A controller, using shift-timing software strategy, actively manages in real time a clutch torque level for each clutch so that transient torque disturbances in a transmission torque output shaft are mitigated.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 30, 2010
Date of Patent:
December 25, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Yuji Fujii, Jahan Asgari, Davorin David Hrovat, Hong Jiang, Gregory Michael Pietron, Bradley Dean Riedle, Christopher John Teslak, Hongtei Eric Tseng
Abstract: A microprocessor has a silicon area comprising a plurality of transistors implemented on the silicon area and a fault detection circuit occupying less than 20% of the silicon area and configured to detect faults at runtime in at least 80% of the plurality of transistors.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 23, 2011
Date of Patent:
December 25, 2012
Assignee:
The Regents of the University of Michigan
Abstract: A method for testing a vapor purge system (VPS), and the vehicle having the VPS, including a controller for measuring a VPS pressure, closing a first valve coupling a VPS carbon canister and the environment, decreasing VPS pressure if it is greater than a threshold, and monitoring VPS pressure for a time period when the engine is at rest and the vehicle is operating. The pressure is decreased by opening a second valve coupling the fuel tank and the engine while the engine is running, and closing the second valve when the pressure is below the threshold. Another method for testing a VPS includes closing a first valve, closing a second valve, measuring the VPS pressure to provide a reference pressure with an associated profile, and monitoring VPS pressure compared to the profile for a time period.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 24, 2012
Date of Patent:
December 25, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Douglas Raymond Martin, Ann Irene Sipes, Robert Roy Jentz, Aed Mohammad Dudar, Mark W. Peters, Guopeng Hu
Abstract: Semiconductor wafer provided with a strain-relaxed layer of Si1-xGex, are polished in a first step of mechanical machining of the Si1-xGex layer of the semiconductor wafer in a polishing machine using a polishing pad containing fixedly bonded abrasive materials having a particle size of 0.55 ?m or less, and also a second step of a chemomechanical machining of the previously mechanically machined Si1-xGex layer of the semiconductor wafer using a polishing pad and with supply of a polishing agent slurry containing abrasive materials.
Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a purge system for a fuel cell stack is provided. The system comprises a blower, a differential pressure sensor and a purge valve. The blower delivers a recirculated gas back to the stack at varying electrical power levels and blower speeds. The differential pressure sensor senses pressure of the recirculated gas across the blower. The purge valve purges the recirculated gas based on at least one of a blower power level, a blower speed, and the pressure of the recirculated gas.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 15, 2009
Date of Patent:
December 25, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Motor Company
Inventors:
Milos Milacic, Falko Berg, Jordan John Masters, Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam
Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a system for determining the location of a wireless device with respect to a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a plurality of antennas positioned about the vehicle for receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal from the wireless device. The RF signal corresponds to at least one of a command and status related to a predetermined vehicle operation. The system further comprises a controller operably coupled to each antenna. The controller is configured to generate a location signal indicative of the location of the wireless device based on the arrival time of the RF signal at one or more antennas of the plurality of antennas and to control the operation of the predetermined vehicle operation based on the location signal.
Abstract: A liniment composition for reversing or retarding the growth of cancerous skin tumors comprising primarily, pancreatin, pepsin, betaine HCL, emulsified vitamin A, and zinc, pancrelipase, fenugreek, papain, amylase and ox bile extract, with optional trace amounts of other ingredients.
Abstract: A method and system to control an engine to maintain turbine inlet temperature utilizes two temperature thresholds: a control initiation temperature and a maximum hardware temperature. An engine parameter is adjusted in a closed-loop manner based on an error, which is a difference between a setpoint temperature and the turbine inlet temperature. The setpoint temperature is initially the control initiation temperature. However, after control over turbine inlet temperature is established, the setpoint temperature ramps gradually to maximum hardware temperature. In one embodiment, the engine parameter is engine torque. Other engine parameters affecting turbine inlet temperature include timing and duration of fuel injection pulses, EGR rate, gear selection, and intake throttle position, any of which can be used in place of, or in combination with, torque for controlling turbine inlet temperature.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 31, 2009
Date of Patent:
December 18, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Aaron John Oakley, Paul Martin Niessen, Jason Ronald Smith
Abstract: A system for determining the location of a portable wireless device with respect to a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a plurality of antennas and a controller. The antennas are positioned about the vehicle for receiving a wireless signal from the portable wireless device. The portable wireless device for being carried by a user and the wireless signal corresponding to at least one of a command and status related to a predetermined vehicle operation. The controller for being operably coupled to each antenna. The controller being configured to generate a location signal indicative of the location of the portable wireless device based on an arrival time of the wireless signal at one or more antennas of the plurality of antennas. The controller being configured to perform the predetermined vehicle operation based on the location signal.
Abstract: A vehicle seat front floor latch and positioner assembly (26) for a rear vehicle seat (10) movable between a seating position, a generally horizontal nonuse position, and a generally vertical storage position as well as being removable from the vehicle to increase cargo capacity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 21, 2011
Date of Patent:
December 18, 2012
Assignee:
Porter Group, LLC
Inventors:
Michael A. Blake, Robert L. Haeske, Brent C. Everett
Abstract: The present invention provides a video-captured model vehicle simulator including at least one model vehicle, a track layout, at least one video imaging unit, at least one computer, at least one input device and/or control system and a customised software application whereby the simulator provides a user with a realistic simulation of the operation of a vehicle.
Abstract: One or more embodiments include a computer-implemented method and system for providing reply reminders to a vehicle occupant in a vehicle. Information indicating one or more unanswered communications from a nomadic telephone device may be wirelessly received at a vehicle computer. Time and/or date information for the unanswered communication may also be received. By automatically monitoring a passage of time, a determination may be made if one or more unanswered communications have been answered within a predefined reply period. If the one or more unanswered communications have not been answered within the predefined reply period, a reply reminder may be generated and presented in a vehicle.
Abstract: Partly hydrophobic metal oxides are prepared by silylating a metal oxide with I) an organosilane of the formula R1nSiX4-n where n is 1, 2 or 3 or mixtures of these organosilanes, R1 each being an identical or different monovalent, optionally halogenated hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, and being saturated, aromatic, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturation, X being halogen, a nitrogen-containing radical, OR2, OCOR2, O(CH2)xOR2, R2 being hydrogen or a monovalent hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, x being 1, 2 or 3; or II) an organosiloxane composed of units of the formula (R13SiO1/2), and/or (R12SiO2/2), and/or (R1SiO3/2), the number of R1 units in one organosiloxane being at least 2; I and II used individually or in any desired mixture in a total amount of from 0.015 mmol/g to 0.15 mmol/g per 100 m2/g of metal oxide BET surface area.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 17, 2003
Date of Patent:
December 18, 2012
Assignee:
Wacker Chemie AG
Inventors:
Torsten Gottschalk-Gaudig, Herbert Barthel, Bernard Paul Binks, Henri Balard
Abstract: Provided are aligned carbon nanotubes for a fuel cell having a large surface area, a nanocomposite that includes the aligned carbon nanotubes loaded with highly dispersed nanoparticles of a metallic catalyst, methods of producing the carbon nanotubes and the nanocomposite, and a fuel cell including the nanocomposite. In the nanocomposite, nanoparticles of the metallic catalyst are uniformly distributed on external walls of the nanotubes. A fuel cell including the nanocomposite exhibits better performance.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 6, 2005
Date of Patent:
December 18, 2012
Assignee:
The Regents of the University of California
Inventors:
Chan-Ho Pak, Hyuk Chang, Sungho Jin, Xiang-Rong Ye, Li-Han Chen
Abstract: A computer-implemented navigation method for identifying one or more points of interest (POI) in a geographic location includes calculating a navigation route and receiving a reference point input. The reference point input may be unrelated to the navigation route and usable for identifying one or more POIs. The method further includes receiving one or more search parameters for searching for one or more POIs with respect to the reference point and identifying the one or more POIs based on the search parameters and reference point. The method also includes presenting the one or more POIs on a vehicle computer display.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 10, 2010
Date of Patent:
December 18, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Karl Douglas Vandivier, Dean T. Wisniewski, Mark Schneider, Jennifer L. Brace, Paul Aldighieri, Vilay Patel, Charles Michael Broadwater
Abstract: A method, system and scan lens for use therein are provided for high-speed, laser-based, precise laser trimming at least one electrical element along a trim path. The method includes generating a pulsed laser output with a laser, the output having one or more laser pulses at a repetition rate. A fast rise/fall time, pulse-shaped q-switched laser or an ultra-fast laser may be used. Beam shaping optics may be used to generate a flat-top beam profile. Each laser pulse has a pulse energy, a laser wavelength within a range of laser wavelengths, and a pulse duration. The wavelength is short enough to produce desired short-wavelength benefits of small spot size, tight tolerance, high absorption and reduced or eliminated heat-affected zone (HAZ) along the trim path, but not so short so as to cause microcracking. In this way, resistance drift after the trimming process is reduced.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 8, 2009
Date of Patent:
December 11, 2012
Assignee:
GSI Group Corporation
Inventors:
Bo Gu, Jonathan S. Ehrmann, Joseph V. Lento, Bruce L. Couch, Yun Fee Chu, Shepard D. Johnson
Abstract: A light bar system for a vehicle compartment includes a circuit board having a plurality of capacitive-type, user-activated switches, an electrical power source coupled to the circuit board, a light emitting diode (LED) coupled to the circuit board, and a light bar affixed to the circuit board. The user-activated switches are coupled to a vehicle accessory to control the level of operation of the vehicle accessory. The most recently actuated one of the user-actuated switches is detected by the circuit board and the circuit board provides a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to the LED with a duty cycle of the PWM signal based on the most recently actuated switch. A higher duty cycle PWM signal corresponds to a higher setting of the accessory.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 15, 2010
Date of Patent:
December 11, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Stuart C. Salter, Jeffrey Singer, Denis Patrick Igoe
Abstract: Organosilicon compounds bearing silicon-bonded organyloxy groups are prepared by mixing and reacting silanol-functional organosilicon compounds with organosilicon compounds containing at least two organyloxy groups in a mixer with an energy input of at least 0.2 kW/Kg of mixture. At this level of energy input, reaction to form the organyloxy-functional product is rapid, and can be achieved without supplying external heat, and also without catalysts, if desired.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 16, 2008
Date of Patent:
December 11, 2012
Assignee:
Wacker Chemie AG
Inventors:
Peter Schoeley, Bernhard Ruhland, Uwe Scheim