Abstract: Additives can be used to prepare polymer electrolyte for membrane electrode assemblies in polymer electrolyte fuel cells in order to improve both durability and performance. The additives are chemical complexes comprising certain metal and organic ligand components.

Abstract: A housing for a fuel cell stack is disclosed. At least one wall has, at least in some sections, a structure which reinforces the wall. At least in a region with a reinforcing structure, at least one fastening point is formed for fastening at least one fuel cell system component and/or for supporting the housing in an installation space.

Abstract: A method and device for the combined determining of a momentary vehicle roll angle of a motor vehicle and a momentary roadway cross slope of a curved roadway section traveled by the motor vehicle is disclosed. The momentary vehicle roll angle and momentary roadway cross slope are determined from chassis data and transverse dynamics data of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method for operating a combustion engine is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes: generating several sparks to ignite a fuel-air mixture in a combustion chamber by an ignition device of the combustion engine, determining a combustion duration of at least one of the sparks, detecting a deviation of an actual operation from a target operation of the combustion engine at least depending on the combustion duration, compensating for the deviation by implementing at least one measure which influences a combustion of the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber, determining the combustion duration of the chronological first of the sparks, allocating the first spark to a first spark type or to a second spark type depending on the combustion duration, and implementing the at least one measure if at least one value which characterizes a frequency of one of the spark types exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A mixing device for an exhaust system of a vehicle includes an inlet pipe, through which exhaust gas can enter a mixing chamber of the mixing device, and an outlet pipe for the exhaust gas to leave the mixing chamber. The inlet pipe and the outlet pipe form an angle. The mixing chamber includes an opening for an outlet of a dosage device, by means of which a reducing agent for exhaust gas aftertreatment is introducible into the mixing chamber. A baffle is arranged at a wall of the inlet pipe a baffle, which is induces a turbulence in the exhaust gas flow entering the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for minimizing the degradation of a fuel cell after shutdown by forcing remaining air out of a fuel cell system. Upon fuel cell shutdown, the flow of air to the cathode of the fuel cell can be kept at a low rate. The flow of cathode exhaust gases along an exhaust conduit is substantially restricted while the pressure of the supply air supplied is increased. As a result, the pressure of the cathode exhaust gases in the exhaust conduit increases. The voltage of the fuel cell can be to deplete the oxygen in the supply air. The pressure of the supply air is decreased to a pressure lower than the pressure of the cathode exhaust gas in the exhaust conduit such that the cathode exhaust gas flows backward through the system to push out any remaining air.

Abstract: A guide rail (10) for a vehicle sliding roof system, having a guide (22) which can receive a sliding element (18) for shifting motion that is coupled to a cover of the sliding roof system, the guide (22) including a shifting section (17) that extends in a substantially straight line, and the guide rail (10) being made of metal, in particular of an aluminum alloy, is characterized in that it includes a lifting section (16) which integrally adjoins the shifting section (17) and extends obliquely to the direction of extent of the shifting section (17). Also described is a method of producing a guide rail for a vehicle sliding roof system.

Abstract: A drive train control arrangement for a motor vehicle drive train includes a main drive train, a first drive axle permanently driven by the main drive train, an auxiliary drive train and a second drive axle coupleable to the main drive train via the auxiliary drive train, which has a first clutch unit and a second clutch unit connected downstream in the power train of the first clutch unit for connecting the second drive axle to the main drive train, and a control unit, which in at least one operating mode that closes the at least one second clutch unit of the auxiliary drive train to shift into a standby operating mode when a defined operating condition is present, and with the standby operating mode activated, closes the first clutch unit of the auxiliary drive train to connect the coupleable second drive axle depending on at least one parameter.

Abstract: An operating device having an optical finger navigation module for installation in a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, which allows for secure operation and can be produced at low cost, is disclosed. The operating device has a mounting frame, in which a first light guiding element and the optical finger navigation module is held by a light sealing element. The light sealing element is mounted by a snap connection on the mounting frame. The mounting frame has at least one guide element with which a movement of the mounting frame can be guided.

Abstract: In an exhaust gas flow control system for an internal combustion engine, with a first exhaust gas duct and a second exhaust gas duct, through both of which exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine can flow to a turbine of an exhaust gas turbocharger with an exhaust gas recirculation line branching off the first exhaust gas duct, a shut-off element is provided which is adjustable between a closed position in which exhaust gas is prevented from flowing into the exhaust gas recirculation line and directing it via a communication passage into the second exhaust gas duct, and at least a first open position in which exhaust gas is directed out of the first exhaust gas duct into the exhaust gas recirculation line while blocking the communication passage between the first and second exhaust gas ducts and a second open position wherein both the first and the second exhaust gas ducts as well as the communication passage between the two ducts is open but the recirculation line is closed.

Abstract: A method for the operation of a radiator grill arrangement of a vehicle is disclosed. The radiator grill arrangement includes at least one primary air inlet and a number of closure flaps which are moved between a closing position and an opening position by at least one actuator. A reference motion sequence of the at least one actuator is carried out depending on a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A steering wheel for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The steering wheel includes an optical finger navigation module, at least one further operating element, a steering wheel electronic system and a databus for data transmission between the optical finger navigation module and the steering wheel electronic system. The at least one further operating element is directly connected to the optical finger navigation module via a signal line. The optical finger navigation module is designed in such a way as to receive a signal from the at least one further operating element and relay it on to the steering wheel electronic system via the databus. In this way, no dedicated lines from the operating element to the steering wheel electronic system are necessary. Thus, the construction space for the installation of a device consisting of an optical finger navigation module and a further operating element in a steering wheel is reduced.

Abstract: A belt buckle presenter for a safety belt of a vehicle is disclosed. The belt buckle presenter includes at least one belt buckle which is connected to a drive unit via a force transmission element. The belt buckle is able to be moved between an operating position and a presenting position. The force transmission element is formed as a roller chain and a movement direction of the belt buckle during driving is able to be provided by a guide element.

Abstract: A method and a device for operating a waste heat utilization device for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The waste heat utilization device contains a waste heat utilization circuit in which a working medium circulates. A conveyor, an evaporator, an expansion machine, and a condenser are disposed in the waste heat utilization circuit. A basic adjustment of the waste heat utilization circuit is provided, which as a function of a heat input into the working medium adjusts the mass flow rate at the conveyor and/or the ratio between high pressure and low pressure at the expansion machine. In addition, a pilot control is provided which recognizes a change of the operating point of the internal combustion engine and, when the operating point is changed, controls the condensation output of the condenser in accordance with a mass distribution of the working medium in the waste heat utilization circuit optimized to the new operating point.