Abstract: A diverter valve is disclosed and may comprise an actively cooled valve actuation section, an actuator, and a valve section comprising a rotationally actuated valve plate that is structured to be rotationally actuated by the actuator to direct flow wherein the actuation section may be thermally insulated from the valve actuation section.

Abstract: A solid-oxide fuel cell system having a relatively large primary fuel cell sub-assembly for steady-state operation and a relatively small secondary fuel cell sub-assembly which is rapidly heatable to a threshold operating temperature to a) produce usable power in a short time period, b) cascade a hot exhaust into the primary fuel cell sub-assembly to assist in preheating thereof, and c) provide steam into the primary fuel cell sub-assembly to prevent coking of the anodes thereof. As the primary sub-assembly reaches its threshold temperature, it too begins to generate electricity and continues to self-heat and to be heated by the secondary sub-assembly. Preferably, the secondary sub-assembly continues to provide electricity in complement with the primary sub-assembly until the primary sub-assembly reaches full power, at which time the secondary sub-assembly may be shut down or switched to standby status for fuel efficiency, as desired.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining whether an operator of a vehicle has an impaired cognitive state are provided. The method includes determining an intoxication indication value indicative of whether the operator is intoxicated, utilizing a controller. The method further includes determining a drowsiness indication value indicative of whether the operator is drowsy, utilizing the controller. The method further includes determining a fatigue indication value indicative of whether the operator is fatigued, utilizing the controller. The method further includes determining a cognitively impaired indication value based on at least one of the intoxication indication value, the drowsiness indication value, and the fatigue indication value. The method further includes generating a signal indicating that the operator is cognitively impaired when the cognitively impaired indication value is greater than a threshold cognitively impaired indication value, utilizing the controller.

Abstract: A method for controlling dual independent camshaft phasers in an internal combustion engine. The method has three basic steps: a) first, determining if rate balancing between the two phasers is required; b) second, determining the optimal rate balancing commands; and c) third, applying the determined rate balancing commands to the appropriate phaser(s). In determining the rate balancing commands, there are three possible phaser options: the intake phaser requires priority; the exhaust phaser requires priority; or neither phaser requires priority. Lookup tables are stored in the engine controller for each option. When either phaser has priority, the other phaser is actuated after a delay based upon the position error of the priority phaser, generally at a lower phase rate. When neither phaser has priority, both phasers are actuated at a rate consistent with oil-delivery capabilities of the engine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of making a catalytic converter; forming a shell having a welding deformation detail; inserting and housing a catalyst substrate inside the shell, wherein a mat support material is disposed between the shell and the catalyst substrate; welding an end cone having a flange to the shell by applying a deformation force to the flange causing deformation of welding deformation detail.

Abstract: A spreader plate for an electronic component cooling assembly has a flat lower surface and a substantially arcuate upper surface of larger surface area than the lower surface which is generally convex and arcuate in cross section, and which decreases in thickness, as measured between the lower and upper surfaces, moving from the central area out to the periphery. This allows the heat flux lines to be more evenly spaced and regular in length, as compared to a typical plate with flat upper and lower surfaces of equal surface area.

Abstract: A non-contacting, magnet-based, rotary and linear travel absolute position sensor each include a stationary galvanomagnetic sensing element disposed in an air gap or slot of a movable magnet/flux concentrator assembly. The assembly has a first flux concentrator comprising ferromagnetic material having opposing magnet ends, and a second flux concentrator also comprising ferromagnetic material having opposing magnet ends but that is spaced apart from the first flux concentrator by a pair of magnets to form the air gap or slot. The magnet ends of each flux concentrator have a respective magnet area configured to engage a corresponding magnet and is configured in size and shape to cover the magnet. Additionally, the flux concentrators are configured in geometry to decrease in cross-sectional area from the inboard side of the magnet ends towards the center region of the concentrators, specifically the center of travel together provide improved linearity and signal to noise ratio of the output position signal.

Abstract: Means for attenuating the seating force of a cam-actuated poppet valve such as an exhaust gas recirculation valve in an internal combustion engine including a shock-absorber disposed between the valve stem and valve head. In a currently preferred embodiment, the shock-absorber is a wave washer disposed around the valve stem and captured between the valve stem and the valve head, between which axial motion is allowed. After the valve head engages the valve seat to close the valve, any further travel of the actuator cam and valve stem is absorbed by compression of the wave washer, thus attenuating additional force on elements of the valve actuation train. In opening the valve, the reverse occurs, in that initial motion of the actuator cam and valve stem serves to relieve compression of the wave washer, followed by removal of the valve head from the valve seat.

Abstract: A strain sensor includes a load carrying body configured to strain in response to a load applied along a load path. The sensor further includes a magnetostrictive electrical conductor affixed to the body but out of the load path. Application of the load causes the body to strain, which in turn results in a proportional stress being imparted to the magnetostrictive conductor, altering its magnetic permeability. A circuit is electrically connected to the conductor to detect such changes in permeability, which are indicative of the applied load.

Abstract: An improved O-ring retainer arrangement for retaining an O-ring on a fuel tube of a fuel injector. An overmolded hard plastic ring is disposed on the cylindrical outer surface of the fuel tube. The end of the fuel tube is radially flared to retain the ring on the tube, the radial extent of the flare being less than or equal to the radial thickness of the ring such that the flare cannot come into contact with the bore of a fuel rail socket. The ring is formed such that axial compressive forces exerted on the ring are outside the fuel tube body and preferably are directly opposed, thus exerting no toroidal torque on the ring. The ring is free to move axially on the fuel tube surface. In one aspect of the invention, the ring can move freely along only a limited region on the fuel tube.

Abstract: MOSFETs are provided to connect the sensor input terminals of a ratiometric output sensor to a pair of power terminals, and the gate of each MOSFET is coupled to the opposite power terminal so that both MOSFETs are rendered conducting to power the sensor when a supply voltage of a predetermined polarity is connected across the power terminals but one of the MOSFETs is rendered non-conducting when a voltage of the opposite polarity is so applied. The MOSFET that is rendered non-conducting is oriented so that any internal source-drain diode does not bypass current around the MOSFET when voltage of the opposite polarity is applied. Optionally, over-voltage protection is provided by an input voltage sensor controlling the other MOSFET through a third MOSFET.

Abstract: Prior art fuel line check valves remain closed after engine off and cool down. Diurnal heating and the resultant pressure increase in the fuel line causes fuel vapor emissions through small openings in the fuel line (e.g., at the injector tips). The invention provides a check valve for a vehicle fuel line which opens in response to engine cooling and remains open while the engine is off to relieve subsequent increasing pressure in the fuel line due to diurnal heating thereof.

Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a fuel injector socket including a first attachment feature and a fuel injector including a second attachment feature that corresponds with the first attachment feature. The first attachment feature engages with the second attachment feature connecting the fuel injector to the fuel injector socket and preventing rotational movement of the fuel injector relative to the fuel injector socket. The corresponding attachment features not only enable simple connection and disconnection of a fuel injector to a fuel injector socket of a fuel rail, but can also be integrated into existing injector to fuel rail assembly processes and are applicable in any fuel injection system. The corresponding attachment features may be used with metal fabricated fuel rail assemblies as well as for fuel rail assemblies where the manifold supply tube and the fuel injector sockets are overmolded with a plastic material.

Abstract: A fuel injector including a filter 30 provided within the tip portion 12 of the injector body 10, down stream of the fuel inlet port 14 and upstream of the spray aperture 14. The filter 30 is in the form of a hollow truncated cone with a base region 32 having an outer diameter dimensioned to be a press fit against the inner sides of the tip portion 12 such that the filter is a press fit within the tip portion. The top or upper region of the cone terminates in an aperture 34 through which the pintle 16 passes, the aperture having an inner diameter dimensioned to be a close sliding fit over the pintle 16.

Abstract: An electronic throttle control system and method which prevents obstructions from forming around a throttle plate during engine soak.

Abstract: In a fuel cell assembly, nickel-based anodes are readily oxidized when exposed to oxygen as may happen through atmospheric invasion of the assembly during cool-down following shutdown of the assembly. Repeated anode oxidation and reduction can be destructive of the anodes, leading to cracking and failure. To prevent such oxygen migration, oxygen getter devices containing oxygen-gettering material such as metallic nickel are provided in the fuel passageways leading to and from the anodes. Oxidation of the oxygen-gettering material is readily reversed through reduction by fuel when the assembly is restarted.

Abstract: A light analyzer device and a method for detecting objects utilizing the light analyzer device are provided. The light analyzer device includes a focal plane array configured to receive the light that has passed through a light filter and to generate a first digital image based on the light that has passed through the light filter. The light analyzer device further includes a microprocessor operably coupled to the focal plane array. The microprocessor is configured to receive the first digital image, and to determine whether the first digital image corresponds to a stored digital image. The light analyzer device further includes a light emitting device operably coupled to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is further configured to induce the light emitting device to output a visual indicator indicating that the first digital image corresponds to the stored digital image.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of heating an exhaust treatment device can comprise: generating reformate in a reformer, wherein the reformate comprises hydrogen; introducing oxygen to the reformate prior to combining the reformate with another stream; combusting a portion of the reformate and generating an exotherm to form heated reformate; and introducing the heated reformate to the exhaust treatment device. In one embodiment the exhaust system can comprise: a reformer; a reformate conduit disposed in physical communication with a reformate outlet of the reformer; an exhaust treatment device disposed in fluid communication with the reformer; and an oxygen supply disposed in fluid communication with the reformate conduit such that oxygen can be introduced into the reformate conduit upstream of a reformate conduit outlet, wherein the reformate conduit outlet is disposed in physical communication with an exhaust conduit and/or the exhaust treatment device.

Abstract: In a solid-oxide fuel cell system, an integrated air supply system provides oxygen for the fuel cell cathode reaction via a first air flow through a heat exchanger and a second air flow bypassing the heat exchanger, at least one of the first and second flows being throttled by a control valve responsive to a fuel cell control system, the flows subsequently being combined to provide air to the cathodes at a desired temperature.

Abstract: In assembling an SOFC fuel cell stack from a plurality of cassettes, the mounting plate of one cassette is attached to, and insulated from, the separator plate of the next-adjacent cassette by a peripheral dielectric seal consisting of a ceramic coating and a metal braze. Materials suitable for the ceramic coating include yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ), zirconia toughened alumina, magnesium silicates such as the mineral forsterite, magnesium aluminates, magnesium aluminosilicates and lanthanum zirconate. The ceramic coating may be applied to the cassette's outer surface in known fashion as by physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, sputtering, and various methods of plasma spray. An underlayer of alumina may also be used to provide a redundant layer of electrical insulation.