Abstract: A fuel cell system having an adaptable compressor map and method for optimizing the adaptable compressor map is provided. The method includes the steps of establishing an initial operating setpoint for an air compressor based on the adaptable compressor map; monitoring a surge indicator; adjusting the adaptable compressor map based on the monitored surge indicator; determining a desired operating setpoint based on the adjusted adaptable compressor map; and establishing an adapted operating setpoint for the air compressor based on the adaptable compressor map following the adjustment thereof. The steps are repeated until the adaptable compressor map for the air compressor is optimized.

Abstract: A plate for a fuel cell is disclosed, wherein an inlet aperture is disposed at a first end of the plate and an outlet aperture is disposed at a second end of the plate. The plate includes a first side and a second side. The first side of the plate has a flow field formed therein between the inlet aperture and the outlet aperture, the flow field having a plurality of flow channels formed therein, the plurality of flow channels in communication with a plurality of outlet ports formed in the plate. The second side of the plate has a plurality of drainage channels formed therein adjacent the outlet aperture, the plurality of drainage channels in fluid communication with the outlet ports and the outlet aperture, wherein a cross-sectional area occupied by each of the plurality of flow channels is substantially equal to a cross-sectional area occupied by each of the plurality of drainage channels.

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid storage tank having an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit, and a thermal shield in thermal contact with the inner vessel is disclosed, wherein the thermal shield is adapted to militate against heat transfer from the atmosphere to a cryogenic fluid by the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit.

Abstract: A method for filling a fuel cell anode supply manifold with hydrogen prior to a start-up operation to facilitate a substantially even hydrogen distribution across the fuel cell is disclosed. The anode supply manifold is in fluid communication with a source of hydrogen. A first valve in fluid communication with the anode supply manifold and a second valve in fluid communication with an anode exhaust manifold are initially in a closed position while hydrogen is supplied to the anode inlet conduit to pressurize the fuel cell stack. The first valve is then opened to purge at least a portion of a fluid from the anode supply manifold to facilitate a filling of the manifold with hydrogen.

Abstract: A hose coupling utilizing a main hollow body and an expandable inner sleeve and an intermediate end of a hose which is securely held in place upon radially outward expansion of the sleeve.

Abstract: A membrane humidifier for a fuel cell system is disclosed wherein the membrane humidifier includes a plurality of membrane layers, a first pair of spaced apart sealing bars disposed between a first membrane layer and a second membrane layer adjacent to perimeter edges thereof to form a first flow channel, a second pair of spaced apart sealing bars disposed between the second membrane layer and a third membrane layer adjacent to perimeter edges thereof to form a second flow channel, and a plurality of supports, wherein a first support is disposed adjacent the second planar layer and extending between the second pair of spaced apart sealing bars, and a second support is disposed adjacent the third planar layer and extending between the second pair of spaced apart sealing bars.

Abstract: A valve system for monitoring and controlling a flow of a fluid additive into a main fluid line is disclosed. The system includes a pump that provides a constant flow of the additive from a fluid reservoir through a supply conduit into the main fluid line. A portion of the fluid additive may be diverted into one or more return conduits leading back to the reservoir by opening a solenoid actuated valve in the return conduit. Flow meters are employed to detect the flow rates of the fluids in the supply conduit and the main fluid line. The flow meters provide signals to a control system, which are effective to control the operation of the solenoid actuated valves to maintain a desired flow of the additive into the main fluid line.

Abstract: A feedback calibration system and a method for controlling an electronic signal are disclosed. The feedback calibration system includes an input controller adapted to modify an input signal in response to a control signal and generate a modified input signal, a signal processing block including a signal analyzer, wherein the signal processing block is adapted to process the modified input signal to generate an output signal and the signal analyzer is adapted to detect an undesirable condition of the output signal and transmit a detection signal corresponding to the undesirable condition, a transfer function estimator adapted to model and transmit a transfer function estimate of the signal processing block in real-time in response to the detection signal, and a programmable device adapted to transmit the control signal to the input controller for modifying the input signal, wherein the control signal is based upon the transfer function estimate.

Abstract: A diffusion medium layer for a fuel cell, including an electrically conductive microtruss structure disposed between a pair of electrically conductive grids is provided. At least one of the microtruss structure and the grids is formed from a radiation-sensitive material. A fuel cell having the diffusion medium layer and a method for fabricating the diffusion medium layer is also provided.

Abstract: An electrical box is disclosed, wherein the electrical box includes a back panel and an insulating material disposed thereon. The insulating material reduces the heat transfer through the back panel of the electrical box.

Abstract: The powered hybrid vehicle is capable of being operative in either one of first and second distinct driving modes each including corresponding first and second directional systems. The hybrid vehicle has a control shaft operatively coupled to a steering device, a first steering member operatively coupled to the first directional system, a second steering member operatively coupled to the second directional system and a shaft coupler capable of selectively coupling the control shaft to either one of the first and second steering members. The hybrid vehicle may be steered by controlling the steering device notwithstanding which one of the first and second driving mode it is in.

Abstract: A process for coating a substrate at atmospheric pressure is disclosed, the process comprising the steps of vaporizing a mass of semiconductor material within a heated inert gas stream to create a fluid mixture having a temperature above the condensation temperature of the semiconductor material, directing the fluid mixture at the substrate, the substrate having a temperature below the condensation temperature of the semiconductor material thereby depositing a layer of the semiconductor material onto a surface of the substrate, extracting undeposited semiconductor material; and circulating the undeposited semiconductor material into the fluid mixture having a temperature above the condensation temperature.

Abstract: A light pipe having substantially uniform brightness along a length thereof is disclosed. The light pipe includes a first end for receiving a plurality of light rays, a reflective portion for directing the received light rays in a pre-determined internal light pattern, wherein the reflective portion includes a plurality of reflective elements, and an emitting portion for emitting the light rays in a pre-determined light distribution pattern.

Abstract: An energy management system includes a control and uplink module adapted to selectively monitor and control at least one energy consuming device, the control and uplink module in communication with an electronic storage device and adapted to transmit data to the electronic storage device, a sensor in communication with the control and uplink module, wherein the sensor is adapted to execute a pre-configured measurement and transmit a signal to the control and uplink module representative of the measurement, and an interface adapted for the entry of at least one operational parameter to the control and uplink module, at least one of the signal from the sensor and the operational parameter employed by the control and uplink module to facilitate an operation of the energy consuming device, the interface employing the data transmitted to the storage device to provide an analysis of an operation of the energy consuming device.

Abstract: A method of operating an elevator installation for transporting elevator users in a building area, including the steps of: detecting the position of elevator users in the building area, granting of an access authorization of the elevator users to building regions, triggering of a destination call by a detected elevator user, allocation of an elevator car serving the destination call or elevator call, boarding of an elevator car by at least one detected elevator user, if an elevator call was triggered triggering a car call by a detected elevator user, comparing whether the position of the elevator user that has boarded the elevator car corresponds with the position of the elevator user that has triggered the destination call, and determining whether the elevator user that has boarded the elevator car has an access authorization for a destination location corresponding with the destination call or elevator call.

Abstract: The invention relates to a covered panel for a motor vehicle having a rigid substrate, a skin, and a layer of material connecting the skin to the rigid substrate, in which the skin is constituted of one first and one second skin section including a visual characteristic at the line where the two respective edges of the first and second section of the skin are joined. The panel is characterized in that the edge of the first section of skin extends beyond the visual characteristic, under the second section of skin, and in that the skin is provided, in the area of that visual characteristic with at least one line of decorative seams or stitching connecting the first and second sections of skin together. The invention also relates to a process to manufacture the type of panel.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that enables an assisted anode purge upon start-up is provided. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells with anodes and cathodes. The fuel cell stack has an anode supply manifold and an anode exhaust manifold in fluid communication with the anodes. The fuel cell system further includes a suction device in fluid communication with at least one of the anode supply manifold and the anode exhaust manifold. The suction device adapted to selectively draw a partial vacuum on the fuel cell stack during a start-up of the fuel cell system. Methods for starting the fuel cell system are also provided.

Abstract: An integrated charge air heat exchanger for use in a vehicle fuel cell system is provided. The integrated charge air heat exchanger includes a plurality of coolant conduits adapted for a coolant fluid to flow therethrough. The integrated charge air heat exchanger further includes a plurality of heating elements and a plurality of fin elements. One heating element is disposed on a first surface of each of the coolant conduits, and one of the fin elements is disposed on a second surface of each of the coolant conduits. A method for heating the coolant fluid in a first operational mode and cooling a charge air stream in a second operational mode is also provided.