Abstract: A method for fuel cell system thermal management includes: maintaining a first zone at a first selected temperature range, maintaining a second zone at a second selected temperature range, and maintaining a third zone at a third selected temperature range. The second zone is in thermal communication with a first sensor and comprises a reformer, while the third zone is in thermal communication with a second sensor and comprises a fuel cell stack. The second selected temperature range is greater than the first selected temperature range, while the third selected temperature range is greater than the second selected temperature range. The method may further include sensing a second zone temperature in the second zone, determining whether the second zone temperature is at the second selected temperature range, and adding a process air flow to the second zone if the second zone temperature rises above the second selected temperature range.

Abstract: A metal tank cap is integral with a reinforcing member via a narrow connection and covers an open end of the tank with adjacent reinforcement members being spaced from one another along each side of the core. The reinforcing members each have a pair of flanges extending outwardly from the sides thereof and have openings therein for receiving mounting anchors.

Abstract: A fast start-up catalytic reformer for producing hydrogen-rich reformate from hydrocarbon fuel includes a reactor having an inlet for receiving a flow of fuel and a flow of air, a reforming catalyst disposed within a reforming chamber in the reactor, and an outlet for discharging the produced reformate stream. An ignition device within the reactor tube ignites a first lean mixture in combustion mode to generate exhaust gases to warm the catalyst which also warms the wall of the reactor adjacent the catalyst. The reactor then switches over to a rich fuel/air mixture during reforming mode. A jacket concentrically surrounds the reactor, defining a mixing chamber therebetween which communicates with the reforming chamber via openings in the wall of the reactor. Fuel entering the reformer in combustion mode is injected directly into the reforming chamber to provide rapid warming of the catalyst.

Abstract: A coaxial cable termination system for providing a reliable electrical connection of an end of a coaxial cable to an electrical device. An electrically conductive core body is cast over the core of the coaxial cable, and an electrically conductive shield body is cast over the shield of the coaxial cable, wherein the core and shield bodies are electrically and mechanically connected to the coaxial cable, yet the core and shield bodies mutually have direct current electrical isolation with respect to each other. Each of the core and shield bodies has respective attachment features for a particular application, such as for example connecting to a circuit board.

Abstract: A system for measuring air flow rate in a duct includes an air flow sensor and an air flow conditioning device for collecting and accelerating a portion of the total air stream to the sensor, which may be means as known in the art. The conditioning device includes two opposed converging walls defining a nozzle, preferably a venturi, the sensor being disposed in the throat of the nozzle. The surfaces of the venturi walls are textured to trip the boundary layer near the wall surface into turbulence to maintain attachment of flowing air to the walls even when the angle of attack of the air is significantly non-axial. The wall texturing may be random or may be an organized pattern. A further embodiment includes a second flow conditioner/sensor in parallel with the first whereby an averaged flow measurement is taken for a more accurate reading.

Abstract: A casing for a HVAC system in an automobile for moving air comprises a plurality of sections, each of which is molded of plastic material. The sections of the casing are connected and sealed to one another at a plurality of joints. The improvement resides in the tongue having a slot extending into the distal end thereof for splitting the tongue into first and second forks in frictional engagement with the side-walls of the groove. The forks are compressed together by the groove to narrow the slot from top to bottom to retain the tongue in the groove and to seal the sections together.

Abstract: A method of flip-chip mounting a circuit device to a substrate in a manner that avoids damage and impairment of a fragile or otherwise sensitive element on the device facing the substrate, and a circuit assembly produced thereby. The assembly includes a substrate having at least two sets of bonding sites spaced apart from each other to define an intermediate surface region therebetween. The device is attached to the bonding sites with solder connections, with the solder connections being present on a surface of the device that faces the substrate and on which the element is present so that the element overlies the intermediate surface region of the substrate. An underfill material is present between the device and the substrate and encapsulates the solder connections. The underfill material is separated from the intermediate surface region of the substrate so that the underfill material does not contact the element.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount having first and second fluid tracks, and a decoupler functioning as an air spring with two remotely selectable settings. The settings allow tailoring of the air spring characteristics to provide mount damping for differing engine operating states, such as engine idle. A solenoid is used to select a smaller or larger air volume to control the characteristics of the air spring and, in turn, the dynamic response of the hydraulic mount. An integral controller provides switched operation of the solenoid and compensates for variations in temperature and input voltage, as well as minimizing electrical noise generated by the solenoid when it is energized.

Abstract: A process for preparing an over molded motor stator structure comprises constructing a bobbin assembly; constructing an intermediate stator assembly including assembling the bobbin assembly to a stator core having an internal and external diameter; disposing the intermediate stator assembly into a mold fixture comprising a cover half and an ejector half that includes an inner ejector core and a moveable plate; loading a bearing carrier into the mold fixture; closing the cover half causing the moveable plate to travel within the mold; injecting a unitizing material into the mold fixture to encapsulate the intermediate stator assembly and form an over molded motor stator structure. The moveable plate travels within the mold fixture so as prevent coating of the stator laminations external diameter. A tight tolerance relationship between the inner ejector core and the stator lamination inner diameter prevents the internal diameter from being encapsulated by the unitizing material.

Abstract: A method of dynamically damping an electric motor (12) that is controlled by an H-bridge driver (16) by interdigitating power pulses with braking pulses by switching from a power switch mode to a shorting circuit mode with switches (22 and 26) closed that brakes the electric motor.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polyolefin compositions and a process for preparing the same are provided comprising a blend of polypropylene, and styrenic elastomer. The compositions may further comprise ethylene copolymer elastomer, polymer additive, such as polymer surface modifier, powder flow additive, stabilizer and/or color pigment. The compositions are particularly applicable for use in a slush molding process where low melt viscosity is desired to form improved surface quality thermoplastic polyolefin skin. A process is disclosed for preparing thermoplastic polyolefin into a slush moldable powder by melt compounding the composition to form pellets, and further processing the pellets by cryogenic pulverization or by extruding micropellets in one step using a gear pump to increase the melt pressure.

Abstract: An antenna disposed on glass including first and second spatially separated grid portions is disclosed. The first grid portion is electromagnetically coupled to the second grid portion to provide reception of AM and FM signals.

Abstract: An occupant of a motor vehicle seat is characterized for purposes of air bag suppression based on the seated weight of the occupant, the variation of the seated weight, and the occupant's apparent longitudinal center-of-mass. The method distinguishes between an adult and a child seat, distinguishes between forward-facing and rearward-facing child seats, and detects cinching of a child seat.

Abstract: The invention provides a control strategy and a control system to control a gas sensor to a target operating temperature. It relies upon both feedback and model-based feedforward control systems to achieve and then maintain the sensor at the target operating temperature. The mechanization includes a gas sensor with a heating element in a feedstream. The control strategy employs a control system for the heating element that is based upon the target operating temperature, the temperature of the heating element, and an effect of the feedstream and mounting structure on the temperature of the sensor. The control strategy enables the control system to optimize the heating of a sensor during warm-up and steady state operations.

Abstract: A method of assembling a piezoelectric actuator arrangement comprises providing a piezoelectric element having first and second ends and arranging the piezoelectric element within a sleeve member such that the inner surface of the sleeve member defines, together with the outer surface of the piezoelectric element, a chamber for receiving a first filler material. The first filler material is injected into the chamber and a heating effect is applied to the sleeve member such that the sleeve member deforms to seal against the first filler material.

Abstract: A circuit powering an electrical device based on a commanded current signal is provided. The circuit includes a linear current amplifier which sets a desired current flow. The circuit also dynamically controls a supply voltage in order to minimize power dissipation of the linear current amplifier. The circuit may also include a voltage drop measurement amplifier, a voltage shaping amplifier, and a switching power supply. The circuit is useful for controlling electrical devices requiring precise current control and minimal power dissipation, for example, driving light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that provide illumination inside the passenger compartment of a vehicle for an imaging occupant detection system.

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.