Abstract: Electrical contact surfaces of a bipolar plate for a fuel cell assembly are formed of metals or metal alloys which when oxidized form highly conductive oxide passivation layers, thus maintaining high electrical conductivity and continuity through the fuel cell and forestalling corrosion failure of a cell assembly. Alloy composition systems such as, but not limited to, Ti—Nb, Ti—Ta, La—Sr—Cr, and La—Sr—Co are known to form oxide passivation layers which are highly conductive. The passivation layers may be formed in situ after assembly of a fuel cell or may be provided in an oxidative step during manufacture. The bipolar plate may be formed entirely of one or more of such alloys or may be formed of an inexpensive substrate metal having the alloy layers coated thereupon.

Abstract: An antenna unit is disclosed. The antenna unit includes a patch antenna element with a dielectric substrate positioned on a circuit board. A parasitically enhanced perimeter extends from the circuit board and encompasses the patch antenna to utilize surface waves in order to enhance low-elevation terrestrial antenna performance.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the method for operating an exhaust system can comprise determining a stream temperature of an exhaust stream, and desulfating the NOx adsorber. Desulfating the NOx adsorber can comprise determining an amount of oxygen needed to increase an initial temperature of a NOx adsorber to a desulfation temperature of greater than or equal to about 600° C., producing reformate comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide in an on-board reformer, introducing the amount of oxygen to the NOx adsorber, and introducing a sufficient amount of reformate to the NOx adsorber to attain an air to fuel ratio that is less than a combustion stoichiometric A/F ratio.

Abstract: A trap for an energy conversion device comprises a trapping system comprising a filter element and a trap element, and fluidly coupled to a reforming system. The trapping system is monitored by a combination of devices including an on-board diagnostic system, a temperature sensor, and a pressure differential sensor, which can individually or in combination determine when to regenerate the trapping system. The method for trapping sulfur and particulate matter using the trapping system comprises dispensing fuel into the energy conversion device. The fuel is processed in a reformer system to produce a reformate. The reformate is introduced into the trapping system and filtered to remove particulate matter and sulfur.

Abstract: In order to reduce refrigerant leakage from an automotive air conditioning system, the leakage paths are kept sealed by automatically reducing the output of a variable displacement compressor (12) after initial operation of the engine for a predetermined number of five minutes, and then only for a predetermined number of ten seconds, that is, so long as there has been an air conditioning on signal by the operator. After the reduction in output for ten seconds, the output of the compressor (12) is returned to full output for a predetermined number of two air-conditioning minutes, which is then followed by another ten seconds of reduced output.

Abstract: An internal pulse damper for a fuel rail. The damper has an increased captive air volume and consequent improved damping and stress characteristics. The improved damper is a pillow having a modified flat oval cross-sectional profile, with two long diaphragm sides and rigid short sides connecting the two long sides. At least one of the short sides, and preferably both, is strengthened by being provided with a longitudinal reverse bend or inwardly-extending longitudinal rib generally parallel with the long sides. Preferably, the short sides are somewhat higher than the comparable short sides of similar prior art dampers, to increase the captive air volume, yet are not high enough to preclude installation of the improved damper within an existing fuel rail configuration.

Abstract: A sensing assembly senses liquid levels in a reservoir and creates a sensing signal. The sensing assembly includes a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor extending into the reservoir. A first electrode is electrically connected to the first electrical conductor. A second electrode is electrically connected to the second electrode conductor. The sensing assembly also includes a plurality of equidistantly spaced plates that are operatively connected to the second electrode. Each of the plurality of plates combines with the first electrode to create a capacitance such that the sensing signal generating by the sensing assembly determines the level of the liquid in the reservoir. The plates, an inductor and resistors are connected together in series with each of the groupings being connected in parallel to each other along the second electrode length. The sensing signal will generate spikes that, based on amplitude, will identify the amount of a liquid in the reservoir.

Abstract: A solderable bar bond connector establishes a primary interconnect between a substrate and a high current terminal of an IC chip mounted on the substrate, and one or more secondary interconnects between the substrate and low current terminals of the IC chip. The bar bond connector includes a plate portion soldered to the high current terminal of the IC chip and a plurality of leg elements extending from the plate portion to multiple bond sites on the substrate. The underside of at least one leg element is provided with a secondary circuit including a conductor that is electrically isolated from the respective leg element. The conductor of the secondary circuit is soldered to both the substrate and a low current terminal of the IC chip for establishing a secondary interconnect in addition to the primary interconnect established by the plate portion and the other leg elements.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus including a housing and a spool disposed in the housing for rotation. The apparatus also includes a wire disposed in the housing and having a first end fixedly engaged with the housing and a second end fixedly engaged with the spool. The wire is moveable between a first configuration generally wound around the spool and a second configuration generally unwound with respect to the spool and arranged along an inner surface of the housing. The wire moves between the first and second configurations in response to relative rotation between the spool and the housing. The apparatus also includes at least one guide member disposed in the housing and movable along an arcuate path. The guide member moves in an opposite direction of rotation of the spool to guide movement of the wire between the spool and the housing.

Abstract: An electronic assembly with a plurality of stacked integrated circuit (IC) die includes a base substrate, a first IC die, a second IC die, a signal routing first interconnect and a signal routing second interconnect. The first interconnect is partially positioned between the first and second IC dies. The second interconnect is partially positioned adjacent the first side of the second IC die. The first interconnect couples a first contact of the first IC die to a first trace of the base substrate and a second contact of the second IC die to a second trace of the base substrate. The first and second interconnects, in combination, couple the first contact of the second IC die to the first trace.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus including a steering column movable between first and second positions along a path. The path defines tilting movement of at least a portion of the steering column, telescoping movement of at least a portion of the steering column, or both tilting and telescoping movement. The apparatus also includes a lock moveable between locked and unlocked positions. When the lock is in the locked position, the steering column is locked along the path. When the lock is in the unlocked position, the steering column is moveable along the path. The apparatus also includes a switch operable to emit an second signal. The apparatus also includes a controller communicating with the switch to receive the unlock signal. The controller controls the lock to move to the unlocked position in response to the unlock signal. The apparatus also includes a signal generator operable to emit a second signal to the controller.

Abstract: An electric fuel pump includes a pump proper (1) having a pump body (2) that includes an induction orifice (3), a delivery orifice (4), and electrical terminals (5,6). A cage (7) is arranged around said pump body. A filtering element (15) is connected to the cage and communicates with the induction orifice. A tubular vibration damping element (16) is arranged about the cage. A pump casing (17) is assembled about the vibration damping element so that the vibration damping element is disposed between the pump casing and the cage to prevent contact.

Abstract: A process for removing contaminants from a reformer comprises removal of particulate matter under operating, or stand-by conditions, or at the start of a shutdown procedure, by introducing a gas mixture to the reformer system having an oxidant-to-fuel ratio concentration leaner than a normal oxidant-to-fuel ratio concentration and at a gas flow rate less than a peak flow rate. The process produces elevated temperatures at the reformer inlet and elevated levels of carbon dioxide and water that combine to remove the contaminants. Another embodiment includes removal of particulate matter during a shutdown procedure by cycling the flow of fuel and air on and off; monitoring an exit temperature of a catalyst substrate and alternatively, cycling the oxidant flow on and off when the exit temperature is less than or greater than a threshold temperature such that the exit temperature of the catalyst substrate is maintained below the temperature at which aging of the catalyst and/or a washcoat material may occur.

Abstract: An electrical inter-connection is provided such that a terminal pin which is positioned in a pin block extends through a plated through-hole in a circuit board substrate and is connected with the circuit board using a conductive bonding agent such as solder. The terminal pin is capable of inter-connection with conductive elements located on each major side of the circuit board and eliminates the need for an interference fit between the terminal pin and circuit board. The pin block includes a body and at least one stand-off. The stand-off maintains the body a sufficient distance from the circuit board substrate to enable a solder fillet to form between the plated through-hole and the terminal pin during re-flow processing. The electrical inter-connection further includes an eccentric aperture in the circuit board suitable for interference fit inter-connection with a protruding cylindrical feature such as on an electrical ground that has poor solderability characteristics.

Abstract: A one-piece, molded elastomeric grommet for mounting in a hole that extends through a support panel for passing a member through the support panel has an elongate tubular portion defining a passage that extends from an inlet at one end of the tubular portion to an exit at an opposite end of the tubular portion. An umbrella portion surrounds the tubular portion and has a forward end that is integrally attached to the tubular portion so as to form an open ended acoustic chamber outwardly of the tubular portion. A mounting portion at a rearward end of the umbrella portion comprising a forward mounting flange and the umbrella portion includes a collapsible wall having a substantially uniform thickness and an undulate shape in a circumferential direction to facilitate insertion of the forward mounting flange through an undersized hole in a support panel.

Abstract: The subject invention provides an assembly for measuring movement of and a torque applied to a shaft extending between first and second ends and being hollow, specifically for measuring rotation and twisting of the shaft. A permanent magnet is disposed within the shaft for producing a parallel magnetic field emanating radially from the shaft. A sensor mechanism is positioned adjacent the shaft to detect the magnetic flux produced in response to the shaft being moved. The sensor mechanism includes a magnetostrictive (MR) material disposed annularly about the shaft and extends between first and second edges. A flux collector extends beyond the first and second edges of the magnetostrictive material to direct the magnetic flux through a Hall sensor to detect an axial component of the magnetic flux in response to twisting.

Abstract: A condenser for an air conditioning system includes a core assembly having a header tank and a receiver/dehydrator member operably connected to the core assembly for condensing a refrigerant flowing internally. The receiver/dehydrator or receiver member includes two openings to receive male couplers extending from a tubular member connected to the core assembly. The condenser includes a coupler that extends into the receiver/dehydrator member between each opening and the male couplers to form a seal therebetween. The coupler and the male coupler are connected one with the other by brazing. In an alternative embodiment, the male coupler includes a snap-in element to engage the male coupler with the coupler.

Abstract: A method of using a diesel reforming strategy is disclosed. The method comprises supplying diesel fuel to a fractional distillation device. The diesel fuel is fractionally distilled to produce a light fuel stream and a heavy fuel stream. The light fuel stream is reformed in a reformer to produce a reformate. A method of making an apparatus for a diesel fuel reforming strategy and a method for using a fuel cell system is also disclosed. A fuel cell system for diesel fuel reforming is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch assembly of the leaf spring type has leaf springs the inner ends of which are fixed to a drive plate by conventional rivets, and the outer ends of which are fixed to the armature plate by special rivets having enlarged diameter shanks that extend through clearance holes in overlaying portions of the drive plate. Rubber damper rings are trapped beneath an enlarged head of the rivet, against the outer surface of the driver plate, without intruding into the radial clearance. The clearance holes allow the rubber rings to compress freely as the leaf springs flex when the clutch is activated. During operation, the transmission of torsional vibrations back through the drive plate and springs to the armature plate is dampened by the compressed rubber rings.

Abstract: A cable drive unit for opening and closing a sliding door on a vehicle (not shown) has a cup-shaped front drum having a helical front cable groove and a rear cup-shaped drum having a helical rear cable groove. The front drum is rotated about a longitudinal axis in a first direction to open the sliding door. The rear drum is partially nested in the front drum and rotated about the longitudinal axis in an opposite direction to close the sliding door. The front drum and the rear drum are drivingly connected to each other via a tension spring that biases the front drum and the rear drum in opposite directions when in tension. The front and rear drums are rotated by a concentric clutch that is nested in the rear drum. The clutch includes a drive member that is drivingly connected to the front drum via a first lost motion connection and drivingly connected to the rear drum via a second lost motion connection.