Abstract: A small molecule or polymer additive can be used in preparation of a membrane electrode assembly to improve its durability and performance under low relative humidity in a fuel cell. Specifically, a method of forming a membrane electrode assembly comprising a proton exchange membrane, comprises providing an additive comprising at least two nitrogen atoms to the membrane electrode assembly.

Abstract: A method for controlling the exhaust gas temperature of a fuel cell system, the fuel cell system including a fuel cell having an anode and a cathode, and further including a fuel supply line for supplying H2-containing fuel to the anode, and an oxidant supply line for supplying O2-containing gas to the cathode, and at least one discharge line for discharging anode gas and/or cathode gas from the fuel cell. The discharge line is connected by at least one humidifier with the fuel supply line and/or with the oxidant supply line in such a manner that the fuel and/or the oxidant is/are humidified with moisture from the exhaust gas. The exhaust gas temperature is controlled by changing the temperature of the fuel in the fuel supply line and/or that of the oxidant in the oxidant supply line, and by transferring heat in the humidifier from the fuel and/or the oxidant to the exhaust gas.

Abstract: In a method for monitoring an exhaust gas purifying component with gas storage capability for purifying exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine, the exhaust gas purifying component comprises a gas storage material which changes from a first state into a second state upon storage of the gas. A temperature change of the exhaust gas purifying component and/or of the gas storage material, substantially based on a heat tonality of the modification transition, is measured and evaluated.

Abstract: With many coated sheets, in particular zinc-coated sheets as used in the automobile industry, the coating material has a much lower boiling point than the material of the sheet. On welding said sheets together the above leads to explosive evaporation of coating material which seriously affects the quality of the connection. In order to improve the quality of the connection it has already been disclosed that narrow gaps between the sheets can be produced by means of spacers, through which the coating material can escape. The spacers can be produced for example, by means of laser bombardment of the sheets. A disadvantage is the relatively long time necessary for machining, which causes large costs in particular for serial production. The aim of the invention is to reduce the time necessary for machining the sheets whilst at least maintaining, preferably improving the quality of the machining.

Abstract: In many cases, the coating material of coated sheet metal has a significantly lower boiling point than the sheet metal material. Thus, an explosive vaporization of coating material can occur when sheet metal of this type is joined by welding, negatively affecting the quality of the connection. To improve the connection quality, narrow gaps are created by means of spacers, allowing the vaporized coating material to escape through said gaps. The spacers are created e.g. by the laser radiation of the sheet metal. The aim of the invention is to reduce the variations in distance between the sheet metal sheets by the appropriate shaping of the spacers. This is achieved by a method, in which the laser beam executes a movement comprising transverse and longitudinal components through and/or around the center of its processing surface. This creates a topographical modification with a spherical form, i.e. with an apex radius that is greater than the height of said topographical modification.

Abstract: In a method for the diagnostics of an internal combustion engine exhaust gas system that includes a particle filter, first and second sets of value vectors are determined, each including associated values for absolute pressure upstream and downstream of the particle filter, a differential pressure determined from the values of the absolute pressure, an exhaust gas volume flow through the particle filter, and a temperature of the exhaust gas volume flow. After a temperature-standardization of the pressure values, characteristics for dependence of the pressure values are generated from temperature-standardized values of the first set of value vectors and possibly stored as reference characteristics. By comparing temperature-standardized values for the absolute pressure on the inlet and outlet sides of the particle filter and the differential pressure of the second set of value vectors with reference characteristics, flow anomalies can be determined in the exhaust gas system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a battery comprising at least one temperature control unit that is configured as a cooling plate, and at least two galvanic individual cells, with a metal housing each, wherein the metal housing has an extension, which can be accommodated at least partially in a respective receptacle of the temperature control unit.

Abstract: In a method for controlling shifting in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and an automatic transmission, intermediate gas is automatically applied for reducing and/or compensating for an abrupt shift when downshifting. In a first phase, wherein the transmission is in the hydraulic down time thereof, the actual torque provided by the engine is slowly increased, until a torque required by the transmission is achieved. Subsequently, in a second phase, wherein the actual torque of the engine is less than the target torque, a throttle valve is opened further. In a subsequent third phase, in which the actual torque of the engine has achieved the target torque required for synchronization, a late ignition angle is set.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine comprising an exhaust gas turbocharger, including a turbine with at least two inlet passages arranged in the exhaust gas tract of the internal combustion engine, via which exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine can be supplied to a turbine wheel of the turbine, and a valve arrangement being arranged in to the exhaust gas tract to the turbocharger to control the supply of exhaust gas to the inlet passages of the turbine, a valve and turbine inlet passage configuration is selectable providing for a maximum braking power with low thermal load.

Abstract: A weld rivet joint between one or more components and a base component is provided. The one or more components have a hole through which a weld rivet having a head projects with its shank. The shank is welded to the surface of the base component by its end face and is plastically deformed. The weld rivet has a shank that is shorter than its head diameter, and in a transition region between head and shank a continuous annular recess is provided for the accommodation of material displaced in the riveting process and/or for tolerance compensation.

Abstract: In the operation of a fuel cell of a fuel cell system, water contained in the exhaust gas is stored in a water tank. The water tank has means for discharging the water in increments or portions. For example, the water can exit as droplets through the porous floor surface of the water tank, and be carried off by the driving wind while the vehicle is driving; or it can be collected at a wall of a water tank and fed into lines, returning it to the exhaust gas flow as droplets.