Abstract: A method of forming a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) includes first bonding a first electrode layer to a first side of an ion-exchange membrane. The method may further include protecting a second side of the membrane with a release sheet. The method may further include removing the release sheet and bonding the second side of the membrane to a first side of a second electrode layer. The method may further include positioning venting members on a second side of the second electrode layer to remove at least one of a liquid and a vapor that may be generated during the bonding process. In another embodiment an electrocatalyst can first bond to at least one side of the membrane, and subsequently, to a gas diffusion layer. An opposing side of the membrane can bond to an electrode layer in aqueous state.

Abstract: In a drive train of a motor vehicle having an engine and a dual-clutch gearbox for transmitting engine power to driven wheels of the motor vehicle, an additional gearbox having at least two shift positions with different transmission ratios is arranged between the engine (5) and the driven vehicle wheels in series with the dual clutch gearbox.

Abstract: An engine is mechanically coupled to a transmission device, the transmission device operative to transfer mechanical power between the engine and a second power generating device and an output member. A method for controlling the engine includes monitoring an operator demand for power, selecting a preferred engine state, determining a preferred engine torque input to the transmission device when operating in the preferred engine state based upon the operator demand for power, determining constraints on the engine torque input to the transmission device based upon a capacity of the transmission device to react the engine torque input, and commanding operation of the engine to the preferred engine state and commanding the engine torque input to the transmission device based upon the preferred engine torque input and the constraints on the engine torque input.

Abstract: A method for protecting a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat of a vehicle that includes at least one protection element arranged on the vehicle seat and that can be triggered in order to protect the vehicle occupant located on the vehicle seat is triggered in the event of an impending collision or in the event of a collision. A momentum (motion impulse) is exerted on the vehicle occupant or at least one body section of the vehicle occupant when the protection element is triggered. Due to the momentum the vehicle occupant or at least one body section of the vehicle occupant is moved away from a collision section of the vehicle that is colliding or will collide with the obiect. The intensity of the momentum is varied in relation to a determined accident severity and/or a determined accident type.

Abstract: A method for cleaning and checking a particle filter of a motor vehicle is provided. In a first step soot particles which have collected in the particle filter are burnt oil. In a second step ash located in the particle filter is blown, out using compressed air. A cleaning device for a particle filter of a motor vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: An electric and/or hybrid motor vehicle device includes a charge and/or discharge unit, which has a vehicle-side energy transfer unit for touch-free coupling with at least one corresponding external energy transfer unit for charging and/or discharging at least one battery device. The motor vehicle also includes a motor vehicle level-adjustment unit that is provided to adjust at least two different motor vehicle heights. The adjustment unit is provided to adjust a gap between the at least two energy transfer units to a charge level during a charging and/or discharging process.

Abstract: An electrical and/or hybrid motor vehicle device includes a charging device for the charging of an accumulator device. The charging device includes a first charging unit with a connector element for the charging of the accumulator device, which is provided for energy transfer by means of contacts. The charging device also includes a second charging unit with an energy transfer unit for the charging of the accumulator device, which is provided for a contactless energy transfer. The charging device has a charging electronic system, which is provided at least in part as an integral construction with the first and second charging units.

Abstract: A diagonal strut device (1) for reinforcing arrangement on an undercarriage of a motor vehicle. A plurality of struts (2) made from a fibre-reinforced plastic composite material extend away from a central joint element (3). Each strut (2) can be connected to the undercarriage via this from the end facing away from the central joint element (3). For this, a connecting joint element (4) is arranged on the end of each strut (2) facing away from the central joint element (3), wherein the central joint element (3) and the connecting joint elements (4) are formed from a light metal material. The central joint element (3) and the connecting joint elements (4) are then connected to the struts (2) by an at least positive connection. The central joint element (3) and the connecting joint elements (4) are each formed from several individual elements joined together.

Abstract: By incorporating a selectively conducting component in electrical series with the anode components in a solid polymer fuel cell, degradation during startup and shutdown can be reduced. As a result, the startup and shutdown procedures can be simplified and consequently certain system apparatus may be omitted. The anode does not need to be rapidly purged with hydrogen on startup or with air on shutdown. Additionally, the auxiliary load usually employed during such purging is not required.

Abstract: In a hydraulic control arrangement for an automated shift transmission, in particular a dual clutch transmission in a motor vehicle including a hydraulic control arrangement, the hydraulic control arrangement has a main pump and a controllable additional pump which jointly ensure that oil is supplied to the hydraulic control arrangement. The additional pump can feed into a control channel of a lubricating pressure slide and build up an adjustable lubricating fluid control pressure. The lubricating fluid pressure in the lubricating cooling system is adjusted in a simple and inexpensive manner by lubricating pressure slide changes modifying the lubricating control pressure in the lubricating cooling system.

Abstract: A plurality of flow field plate assemblies forms a fuel cell stack. Each flow field plate assembly has a first flow field plate positionable on an anode side of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of a first fuel cell, a second flow field plate positionable on a cathode side of an MEA of a second fuel cell, adjacent the first fuel cell. At least one back-feed channel is interposed between the first and second flow field plates. At least a portion of the back-feed channel or a reactant manifold opening formed by the first and second flow field plates has a geometry that forms regions of high and low capillary forces, promoting liquid migration toward regions substantially isolated from a flow of reactants, to prevent water collection and ice formation. The migrated liquid is purged during a purge of the fuel cell stack after operation.

Abstract: In an operating method for an internal combustion engine with direct fuel injection including a plurality of combustion chambers, in particular a direct-injection gasoline engine for a motor vehicle, wherein the operating method comprises low-NOx combustion (NAV) and uses a plurality of partial operating modes, wherein, in a NAV partial operating mode, water is injected into the respective combustion chamber, and, during said NAV partial operating mode, at an ignition point (ZZP), a largely homogeneous, lean fuel/exhaust gas/air mixture having a combustion air ratio of ??1 is spark ignited by means of an ignition device so as to initiate flame front combustion (FFV) with a transition to a controlled auto-ignition (RZV). The injection of water permits the NAV partial operating mode to be stably implemented even at high engine loads and speeds.

Abstract: A wire-form spray material, in particular for arc wire spraying, essentially comprising iron. The spray material is formed at least with carbon as a microalloy such that upon solidification of the spray material a fine pearlitic, bainitic, martensitic structure arises in which finely dispersed nitrides are present.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle drive train device with a drive engine and a drive train which has a first coupling unit in the form of a clutch arranged close to the drive engine and at least one second coupling unit arranged in the flow of force from the drive engine close to the drive wheels of the vehicle, a control unit is provided which controls the coupling units and which has an overrun operating mode wherein, at a first point, the drive engine can be disconnected from the drive train by opening the clutch and, at a second point, the coupling units close to the drive wheels can be disengaged so as to disconnect the drive train also from the drive wheels.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an exhaust gas catalytic convertor and/or an exhaust gas sensor arranged downstream and/or upstream of the exhaust gas catalytic convertor in an exhaust gas system of a motor vehicle internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine is operated with an air/fuel mixture having a substoichiometric air/fuel ratio. The internal combustion engine is switched off and an unfired towed operation with disabled fuel supply is performed in which air drawn in by the internal combustion engine is conveyed through the exhaust gas system to the exhaust gas catalytic convertor and exhaust gas sensor. The internal combustion engine is then operated with a substoichiometric air/fuel ratio and a signal of the exhaust gas sensor is evaluated with regard to a predefinable evaluation criterion, the signal being provided at least in a period of time between switch-off and the subsequent self-running of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A wiper blade arrangement having an attachment element that holds a wiper blade, which can be secured on a wiper arm of a windscreen wiper system of a vehicle. The wiper blade is coupleable via the attachment element to at least one channel for washer fluid, which can be introduced from the wiper arm into the attachment element. The attachment element allows a relative movement of the wiper blade with respect to the wiper arm. For this, the attachment element has a rider designed for holding a spring strip of the wiper blade, which includes a wiper-arm-side upper part and a wiper-blade-side lower part, which are connected to each other via a central part of the rider, which encloses at least one line for the washer fluid, wherein the central part has greater elasticity than the upper part and the lower part of the rider.