Abstract: A fuel cell system (1) including at least one fuel cell (2) having a cathode area (3) and an anode area (4) is disclosed. The cathode area (3) and the anode area (4) have feed conduits (31, 41) and discharge conduits (32, 42). Downstream of the anode area (4) and the cathode area (3), a junction (12) of the discharge conduits (32, 42) is provided. The junction (12) fluidically communicates with an area (13) which includes a material that is catalytically active with respect to a reaction of a fuel for the fuel cell (2) with an oxidant for the fuel cell (2). The feed conduit (31) leading to the cathode area (3) is configured in such a manner that it fluidically communicates with the cathode area (3) in at least two different sites (19, 20) in each of the fuel cells (2). A humidifying device (16) is provided in the feed conduit (41) leading to the anode area (4).

Abstract: Piston pin for a connecting rod in a reciprocating internal combustion engine, wherein the piston pin carries at least in the area of the running surface a thermal sprayed slide layer of a metallic bearing material or slide bearing material, as well as reciprocating internal combustion engine with a connecting rod with small and with large connecting rod eye, wherein at least the running surface of one of the piston pins is formed of a thermal sprayed slide layer of a metallic bearing material, which exhibits a lower hardness than the running surface of the corresponding connecting rod eye and process for manufacturing a described piston pin with the steps of a extrusion molding or machining a piston pin preform, introduction of a recess in the area which will later become the running surface, roughening the outer surface in the area of the recess, application of a coating of a bearing material by a thermal spray process.

Abstract: A supply assembly and a fuel cell system having a supply assembly that demonstrates a cost-effective and/or resilient design in operation. A supply assembly for coupling to a fuel cell device is proposed, having a gas-to-gas humidifier that is designed and/or arranged in order to humidify the oxidation means A for the fuel cell device by means of the humidity from the exhaust gases B of the fuel cell device. The gas-to-gas humidifier has an exhaust gas region and an oxidation means region that are separated from one another by a separation layer. The separation layer enables a transmission of the humidity from the exhaust gas region into the oxidation means region for humidification of the oxidation means A, wherein the gas-to-gas humidifier has a monolithic honeycomb structure for forming the exhaust gas region and the oxidation means region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventatively actuating a vehicle occupant protection system in a vehicle having a sensor system which acquires driving state data, and a reversible vehicle occupant protection means which can be triggered before the collision time and thus moved into an operative position. A control signal for triggering the vehicle occupant protection means is activated if at least one critical driving state is present, and is deactivated if the respective critical driving state ends and as a function of at least one further condition which represents at least one sensed controllable driving behavior. As a result, the vehicle occupant protection system is reset to its initial state.

Abstract: In a drive train of a motor vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, at least one electrical machine which can be operated at least as a motor or as a generator, and a stepped automated manual transmission and at least one control device for controlling the internal combustion engine, the at least one electrical machine (P1, P2) and the stepped automated manual transmission and a method of operating the drive train, a braking torque on the driven wheels is kept approximately constant before, during and after a gear-shifting operation to a gear with a higher transmission ratio so as to avoid any jerks during such down shifting procedure.

Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine including inlet valves with variably adjustable opening curves, during part-load operation, the closing time of the inlet valves and the fuel injection time are controlled as a function of the cylinder internal temperature so as to maintain the cylinder internal temperature relatively low in a controllable manner for reducing NOx emissions.

Abstract: A truck has a driver's cab tiltably mounted above a drive train and coupled in an articulated fashion to a bottom chassis by a bearing. The drive train is attached to the chassis, and has a restraint system for the driver's cab. In the case of a head-on collision of the truck with an obstacle at the level of the driver's cab, the restraint system serves to absorb and deflect collision forces at the driver's cab. The restraint system includes a flexible coupling element that establishes a connection, which is resistant to tensile stress counter to the direction of travel, between the driver's cab and a front fixed part of the drive train located underneath it.

Abstract: An engine and an electric machine are operative to communicate tractive power with a transmission device to control output power to an output member. The electric machine is electrically coupled to an energy storage device. A method for controlling the engine and electric machine includes monitoring an operator request for power, monitoring a state of charge of the energy storage device, determining an operating cost for each of a plurality of candidate engine operating points based on the operator request for power and the state of charge of the energy storage device; and operating the engine at the candidate engine operating point having a preferred operating cost.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an exhaust dilution and dispersion device for a vehicle can include a generally elongate tailpipe including an inlet section capable of being in exhaust receiving communication with an exhaust system of a vehicle. The tailpipe further includes an outlet section in exhaust receiving communication with the inlet section. The outlet section can also include a downwardly directed exhaust deflection portion and an exhaust outlet in exhaust dispersing communication with the surroundings external to the device. The exhaust outlet can include a generally elongate exhaust dispersion opening extending in a lengthwise direction along the tailpipe. At least a portion of the exhaust outlet can be coextensive with the downwardly directed exhaust deflecting portion and a major portion of the exhaust dispersed from the outlet can have a transverse component.

Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain system includes controlling a first power actuator based upon a set of power constraints for the first power actuator. The method further includes controlling a second power actuator based upon the set of power constraints for the second power actuator.