Abstract: A fuel cell assembly or system including flexible metal bellows elements in one or more tubes intended for carrying hot gases during operation of the assembly. The bellows elements include a tubing element having plurality of annular corrugated folds. Thermal expansion and contraction of rigid tubes and of the non-tubular elements of the assembly can lead to buckling, cracking, and failure of the tubes and failure of the assembly or system. The flexible bellows elements, having relatively low axial and radial spring rates thus are able to absorb thermal and vibrational dimensional changes in the assembly. In addition, the corrugations provide significant resistance to axial heat flow and large radiant surface area, thus increasing thermal isolation where desired between relatively hot and relatively cold regions of the assembly.

Abstract: A portable air filtration system includes a filter housing having an air inlet and outlet. The housing defines a filtration chamber between the inlet and outlet. The air filtration system uses an intake fan, an ionizing mechanism, a filter media, and a conductive coating to filter air. The fan moves the air through the chamber. The ionizing mechanism ionizes particles within the air to a negative charge. The media includes an upstream side facing the inlet and a downstream side facing the outlet and is disposed between the ionizing mechanism and the outlet to entrap the particles. The conductive coating is applied to the upstream side of the media. This establishes an electric field between the ionizing mechanism and the conductive coating. Furthermore, the upstream side of the media is electrically-connected to ground through the conductive coating for dissipating the negative charge of the particles entrapped within the media.

Abstract: A lead-containing glass material of the type suitable for use in a wafer bonding process, wherein the moisture resistance of the glass material is increased by the presence of a lead phosphate coating on an outer exposed surface of the material, thereby acting as a barrier to reaction of moisture with the lead of the glass material. A source of reactive phosphate ions is applied to the glass material so as to spontaneously form the desired lead phosphate coating.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an arc fault detector including a shunt resistor deployed in a circuit being protected, an arc discriminator sensing voltages across the shunt resistor and outputting an arc detection signal when it detects current variations caused by parallel and series arc faults, a signal transformer buffering the arc detection signal and outputting a pulse, a switch transient detector detecting a voltage differential across load switches and outputting a pulsed switch transient detection signal when the voltage differential across load switches exceeds a reference value, a line interrupter such as a static relay, a switch controller including logic gates generating a trip signal based on predetermined criteria, and a manual switch for resetting the line interrupter. A second embodiment of the present invention senses voltage induced in a coil wrapped around a toroidal core to detect current variations in conductors which pass through the center of the toroidal core.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for starting a generator (10) from an internal combustion engine (14) to allow the generator (10) to charge a battery (32). The generator (10) includes a field bridge (36), having first (72) and second (74) switches, and a multiphase inverter (30), having upper (60, 62, 64) and lower (66, 68, 70) halves of switches. The method includes the step of providing a voltage from the battery (32) to the internal combustion engine (14). The voltage is used to crank the internal combustion engine (14). The first (72) and second (74) switches are closed to conduct and maximize the field current in the generator (10). The method includes the step of identifying when the internal combustion engine (14) is transitioning from a cranking state to an idling state. The method then switches the first (72) and second (74) switches off to decrease the field current to zero.

Abstract: A solid-oxide fuel cell system comprising a plurality of components having mating ports therebetween, the port interfaces being sealed by gaskets that include fluorophlogopite mica (F-mica).

Abstract: A dual purpose key fob has manipulable keys for, in a normal mode, locking and unlocking a vehicle and keys for opening a vehicle trunk and activating a panic alarm and, in a training mode, for sending code signals to tire pressure sensors to tell the sensors what tire they are in, e.g., after wheel rotation, so that the sensors subsequently can transmit the proper location signals to the vehicle's ECM along with the pressure signals.

Abstract: A constant velocity universal joint has an outer race provided with longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced outer race grooves in its inner concave surface. An inner race is provided with longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced inner race grooves in its outer convex surface. The inner race is disposed within the outer race with its outer convex surface spherically engaged with the inner concave surface of the outer race for relative angular movement of the inner and outer races. Each of the inner race grooves is arranged opposite a corresponding one of the outer race grooves to define a plurality of ball-groove pairs. The grooves of each ball-groove pair are disposed in transverse crossing-relation to one another. A ball is disposed in each of the crossing ball-groove pairs for movement therealong during the relative angular movement of the inner and outer races.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for operating a pump-less rear wheel anti-lock brake system of a vehicle using speed sensors on at least one front and one rear wheel, to provide a true dynamic rear proportioning (DRP) function, and to significantly enhance braking performance in rear wheel anti-lock mode through better management of the volume of pressurized fluid supplied by the master cylinder using rear pressure control (RPC).

Abstract: An anti-rotation guide for a deactivation hydraulic valve lifter for an internal combustion engine. The guide includes a through bore accommodating of a hydraulic valve lifter and is sized such that the outer end of the lifter may be inserted into the through bore of the guide. The guide is securable to the engine such that the lifter is reciprocable within the guide. The guide is provided with two opposing keepers for mating with corresponding flats on the lifter to prevent rotation of the lifter. Further, a keyway means is provided in the guide and lifter to prevent the lifter being inserted into the guide 180° from the correct orientation.

Abstract: A fuel cell having a non-uniform electrical resistivity over the flow area of the cell. Resistance is higher in areas of the cell having locally low levels of hydrogen than in areas having locally high levels of hydrogen. Excess oxygen ion migration and buildup is suppressed in regions having low hydrogen concentration and is correspondingly increased in regions having a surfeit of hydrogen. Destructive oxidation of the anode is suppressed and a greater percentage of the hydrogen passed into the cell is consumed, thereby increasing electric output.

Abstract: A sub-unit for a vehicle air conditioning system is shipped with a condenser, chiller and fluid lines. Snap together couplings are placed on free ends of the fluid lines whereby the sub-unit can be pre-charged, shipped, installed into the front end of a vehicle engine compartment and connected to an air conditioning compressor.

Abstract: A peristaltic piston pump driven by a dedicated pump cam disposed on a camshaft of an engine. A plurality of valve-opening cams are disposed along the camshaft. The pump cam has a plurality of lobes equal in number to the number of valve cams and each pump lobe is disposed at 180° from a valve cam lobe such that the camshaft valve torque and secondary oil pump camshaft torque partially cancel, reducing overall camshaft torque oscillation. The pump includes a lost-motion shuttle and spring to permit continuous response of the pump to the cam.

Abstract: A method of coating disc brake pads to obscure and seal minor surface imperfections, thereby reducing scrap rates. A preform of friction lining material is coated prior to molding and curing the preform and bonding the same to the backing plate to form the brake pad assembly. The preform is coated with an aqueous composition containing a solids mixture of 5–50 vol. % resin and 50–95 vol. % non-resin solids. Advantageously, the coating composition has a 5–30 vol. % solids mixture content, which solids mixture includes 15–25 vol. % resin, 0–10 vol. % powdered elastomer, 5–15 vol. % carbon black, 20–50 vol. % inorganic fillers, 5–15 vol. % organic fibers and 1–10 vol. % inorganic flake material.

Abstract: A cable connector comprises a housing having a terminus receiving cavity that receives a terminus assembly. The cavity has a rearward facing shoulder and an annular recess defining a forward facing shoulder. The terminus assembly includes a terminus which is attached to the end of a cable. The terminus has rearward and forward facing shoulders, an annular recess rearward of the forward facing shoulder and a second forward facing shoulder rearward of the recess. The terminus assembly also includes a forward stop ring and a rearward lock ring slidably mounted on the terminus, and a coil spring biasing the rearward lock ring toward the first forward facing shoulder. A retention ring that is slideably mounted on the terminus behind the rearward lock ring has a rearward end engageable with the second forward facing shoulder of the terminus and a plurality of circumferentially spaced, cantilevered, depressible fingers having outwardly projecting lock tangs.

Abstract: Transitory audio information that is subject to interruption is provided without loss of content. Transitory audio information received from an audio source is audibly provided until an interrupt signal is received. The transitory audio information is buffered while a message associated with the interrupt signal is audibly provided. Upon conclusion of the message, the buffered transitory audio information is audibly provided.

Abstract: A method for attaching a gasket to a non-gasketed bipolar plate for a PEM fuel cell, including the steps of making a pattern of the gasket; preparing the bipolar plate surface; priming the bipolar plate surface for adhesive according to the gasket pattern; aging the primer coat; screen-printing an adhesive coat onto the primer according to the gasket pattern; positioning the gasket face-down in a mirror-image fixture having channels in the form of the gasket; positioning the bipolar plate face down onto the fixture and gasket; applying pressure to the plate to adhere the gasket thereto in the adhesive-coated areas; removing the plate and gasket subassembly from the fixture; and curing the adhesive to provide a gasketed bipolar plate.

Abstract: Circuit system and method for receiving and demodulating signals to a tire pressure monitoring system. The circuit comprises a demodulator for receiving an input signal modulated at a first frequency and demodulating the input signal so that information can be extracted from the input signal at a second frequency lower than the first frequency. The circuit further comprises a microprocessor, operating at a clock rate selected to extract information from the demodulated signal at the second frequency, for receiving and decoding a demodulated signal from the demodulator. In another aspect, the demodulator comprises a switching circuit having a time constant longer than the period of the first frequency.

Abstract: A technique for identifying beam images of a beam matrix includes a number of steps. Initially, a plurality of light beams of a beam matrix, which are arranged in rows and columns, are received after reflection from a surface of a target. Next, a reference light beam is located in the beam matrix. Then, a row pivot beam is located in the beam matrix based on the reference beam. Next, remaining reference row beams of a reference row that includes the row pivot beam and the reference beam are located. Then, a column pivot beam in the beam matrix is located based on the reference beam. Next, remaining reference column beams of a reference column that includes the column pivot beam and the reference beam are located. Finally, remaining ones of the light beams in the beam matrix are located.

Abstract: A load frame with mechanical springs for providing compression to a fuel cell stack during assembly and operation of a fuel cell assembly. The stack assembly load frame includes a base plate for supporting the stack, a moveable spring holder above the stack, a retaining plate above the spring holder, and tubular supports or rods retaining the post-sintered spacing established by the applied load defining the spacing of the base plate from the retaining plate. A spring for maintaining compression in each stack is positioned between the spring holder and the retaining plate. The invention further comprises a method for assembling a fuel cell assembly to provide an adequate compressive load to the stack during assembly and operation.