Abstract: A method for operating a cooling system for a fuel cell stack in a vehicle is provided. The method includes the steps of: determining a fan request for a variable speed fan disposed in the cooling system; employing a noise-comfort function to select a fan comfort request; and adjusting a speed of the variable speed fan in response to the fan request; wherein a noise emission by the variable speed fan is militated against. A cooling system for a fuel cell stack in a vehicle that employs the noise-comfort function is also provided.
Abstract: A plate for a membrane humidifier for a fuel cell system is disclosed, wherein the plate includes a top layer formed from a diffusion medium and a bottom layer formed from a diffusion medium with an array of substantially planar elongate ribbons disposed therebetween.
Abstract: A Universal Folding Boom Trailer (30) for transporting multiple vehicles provides a safe and legal manner for towing. The trailer (30) includes a winch (44) for loading and unloading the towed vehicles (32, 34, 36) and can act alone as a crane (42) if desired. Further, this trailer arrangement backs up like a conventional trailer. The Universal Folding Boom Trailer (30) provides a means for a driver to haul multiple vehicles in both directions. The driver is able to attach the trailer (30) to a personal fifth wheel (36) and tow any type of unit: a fifth wheel trailer, a ball hitch trailer, or a gooseneck, among others—instead of dead-heading.
Abstract: A method for allocation of a user to a elevator installation, which is provided with a plurality of elevator cars and with a destination call control unit, wherein the user lodges a destination call at the destination control unit using a communications unit. The destination call control unit determines a group of elevator cars for serving the destination call and makes the group known to the user by the communications unit. The user selects an elevator car from the group by the communications unit. In addition, information for guiding the user to the selected elevator car is communicated to the user by the communications unit.
Abstract: A synchronous high speed motion stop for a series of multi-top loaders residing on “n” controllers on one rail achieves effective detection of the servo-error status and shut off of the trailing controller's servo power within 3 ITP time. The control method reduces the unnecessary error recovery because it only shuts off its immediate trailing controller without aborting its leading controller, allowing the leading controller to complete the cycle tasks. The cascade control method produces a synchronous high-speed motion stop for the robots across the controllers and effectively prevents the collision between the robots.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 17, 2007
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2011
Assignee:
Fanuc Robotics America, Inc.
Inventors:
Jianming Tao, H. Dean McGee, Chi-Keng Tsai, Ho Cheung Wong, Ian Orr, Richard Motley
Abstract: A user interface for adjusting a plurality of parameters of a climate control system of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The user interface includes an input element having a system of coordinates having multiple dimensions, wherein each of the dimensions of the system of coordinates is associated with at least one of the parameters of the climate control system; and a program means to perform at least one of an absolute evaluation of the parameters and an incremental evaluation of changes to the parameters between an adjusted point range and an original point range of the parameters, and transmit a data representing the evaluation to at least one of a control device and a regulation device of the climate control system in order to adjust a value of the parameters.
Abstract: An air conditioning unit is disclosed for motor vehicles. The air conditioning unit includes with a compression refrigerant circuit where a refrigerant circulates, comprising comprehensively switched in series with respect to fluid flow at least one compressor upstream of a heat-delivering heat exchanger, and an expansion element upstream of a heat-absorbing heat exchanger, whereby into the flow path leading from the outlet of the heat-delivering heat exchanger to the expansion element an additional heat exchanger is integrated thermally coupled to at least one cooling means the temperature of which can be put to values below the temperature of the refrigerant in the compression refrigeration circuit at the position of the refrigerant's outflow from the heat-delivering heat exchanger, and a method for its operation.
Abstract: A pressure vessel for storage of a pressurized fluid is provided. The pressure vessel includes a composite layer having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines an internal cavity. The pressure vessel further includes at least one pressure relief device in fluid communication with the internal cavity. At least one thermally conductive element is continuously wound on the outer surface of the composite layer and adapted to carry load and transport heat from a heat source adjacent the composite layer to the at least one pressure relief device. A method for producing the pressure vessel is also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 13, 2008
Date of Patent:
October 18, 2011
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Markus Lindner, Wolfgang Oelerich, Michael Herrmann
Abstract: A method and device for maintenance of an elevator installation or an escalator installation communicates the presence of a maintenance technician at the elevator or escalator installation to a remote service center. The service center is thus informed about that the maintenance technician has to maintain or is maintaining or has maintained a specific installation and is in a position of checking the quality of this maintenance. The maintenance operations are recorded as a maintenance record and communicated to the service center. For example, the maintenance record contains details about which maintenance technician on which day of the year and for how long has undertaken which maintenance operations on a specific elevator or escalator installation. The quality of a thus detected maintenance can then be compared with a quality standard. In addition, the maintenance operations performed are thus uniquely detected and can be evaluated.
Abstract: An ejector for a fuel cell stack is disclosed, wherein the ejector includes an integrated check valve that supports hydrogen recirculation and militates against a backflow of hydrogen flowing through the ejector.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 25, 2007
Date of Patent:
October 4, 2011
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Benno Andreas-Schott, Ralf Senner, Ian R. Jermy
Abstract: A method for coating a fuel cell component is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a fuel cell component, and forming a coating on a surface of the fuel cell component with a plasma jet. The step of forming the coating may include applying a coating precursor to a surface of the fuel cell component and then reacting the coating precursor with the plasma jet to form the coating. The step of forming the coating may also include growing the coating on the surface of the fuel cell component by delivering the plasma jet containing the coating precursor.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 24, 2008
Date of Patent:
October 4, 2011
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Gayatri Vyas Dadheech, Youssef M. Mikhail, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Jeffrey M. Guzda
Abstract: A patient gown for a nursing mother is disclosed, the patient gown includes an outer gown releasably fastened in a front thereof and providing an inner jacket releasably fastened to an interior of the outer gown, the outer gown and inner jacket cooperate to provide coverage of a desired portion of the body of the patient, as well as coverage of a nursing child, as desired.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 9, 2009
Date of Patent:
October 4, 2011
Assignee:
Patient Gowns By Design, LLC
Inventors:
Linda A. Hamilton, Rita K. Nye, Charlotte S. Steinman
Abstract: A system for connecting fluid-passed conduits which can be integrated into a refrigerant circuit of a heating, ventilation and air condition system of a motor vehicle. The system includes two connection blocks, wherein the connection blocks are joined together by a fastener having an elastically deflectable transfer component, the elastically deflectable transfer component compensates for a thermal expansion of the fastening means and the connection blocks.
Abstract: An apparatus for at least partially separating at least two container portions includes first and second container portions. At least one tear line extends at least partially between the first and second portions and at least partially defines the first portion. The first portion is at least partially separable from the second portion along the tear line(s). At least one releasable adhesive spot at least partially holds the first portion down prior to the at least partial separation of the first portion from the second portion.
Abstract: A pressure sensor adapted to provide a high resolution at a low pressure and a high pressure of an operating range is provided. The pressure sensor includes a body having an interface sur ace, a membrane sealingly disposed in the cavity adjacent the interface surface, and a sensing element in communication with the membrane. A fuel cell system including the pressure sensor is also provided.
Abstract: An elevator installation includes a guide rail and brake equipment for guiding, holding and braking the elevator installation. The brake equipment has a brake lining which co-operates with a brake surface, advantageously with the brake surface of the guide rail, for the purpose of the braking and holding. The brake surface has at least one longitudinal wedge groove or wedge elevation which is oriented in the braking direction and on which the brake lining acts in case of need. An amplification of the braking force is achieved by the longitudinal wedge groove or wedge elevation.
Abstract: An elevator drive with a brake device has compression springs that act on brake levers, whereby brake linings generate a brake force on a brake drum. The more the brake linings wear due to abrasion, the smaller the distance of the plunger from the brake magnet housing becomes. Should the plunger come into contact with the brake magnet housing, the braking capacity of the brake linings is completely eliminated creating an operating condition that is dangerous for elevator users. A switch is provided that detects a minimum distance. The switch can be arranged on the plunger of the brake magnet and detect the minimum distance to the brake magnet housing or, in the case of a retrofit, the switch can be arranged on the brake magnet rod and, for example, detect the distance of the second joint from the brake magnet housing, and at the minimum distance the switch switches.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 16, 2008
Date of Patent:
September 13, 2011
Assignee:
Inventio AG
Inventors:
Karl Weinberger, Rudolf Eckenstein, Rene′ Hermann, Luc Bonnard
Abstract: An elevator installation and a method for arranging a load sensor in the elevator installation includes a car, a support device for supporting the car, the load sensor and a deflecting roller unit. The deflecting roller unit is arranged at the car and has at least two deflecting rollers which are rotatable about a common axle. The load sensor is arranged on the common axle between the two deflecting rollers.
Abstract: An actuator system for a lighting system includes a shape memory alloy coupled to a component of the lighting system to control an actuation of the component and thereby produce a plurality of light patterns and an electrical control circuit in electrical communication with the shape memory alloy to selectively provide an electrical current to the shape memory alloy for controlling a physical property of the shape memory alloy and thereby the motion of the component of the lighting system.
Abstract: A compression retention system for a fuel cell system is provided. The compression retention system includes a first end unit and a second end unit configured to hold a fuel cell stack therebetween. A spring configured to apply a compressive force to the fuel cell stack is disposed between a first spring plate and a second spring plate. The first spring plate has an aperture formed therein. The compression retention system further includes a pair of sheets coupled to the first spring plate and the first end unit, and a spring strut disposed through the aperture of the first spring plate and coupled to the second spring plate and to the second end unit. A fuel cell system and method for assembling the fuel cell system with the compression retention system are also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 6, 2008
Date of Patent:
September 6, 2011
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Inventors:
Todd D. Bogumil, Eric J. Connor, Anthony G. Chinnici, Paul F. Spacher, Mark W. Keyser