Abstract: In a fuel cell assembly, nickel-based anodes are readily oxidized when exposed to oxygen as may happen through atmospheric invasion of the assembly during cool-down following shutdown of the assembly. Repeated anode oxidation and reduction can be destructive of the anodes, leading to cracking and failure. To prevent such oxygen migration, oxygen getter devices containing oxygen-gettering material such as metallic nickel are provided in the fuel passageways leading to and from the anodes. Oxidation of the oxygen-gettering material is readily reversed through reduction by fuel when the assembly is restarted.

Abstract: An electronic throttle control system and method which prevents obstructions from forming around a throttle plate during engine soak.

Abstract: A power steering system for a vehicle includes a hydraulic system for controlling resistance of a steering wheel. A valve of the hydraulic system is connected to a coil which varies positioning of the valve. A method for controlling the resistance of the steering wheel includes turning the steerable wheels of the vehicle in response to rotation of the steering wheel. The angle of the steering wheel and the speed of the vehicle are sensed and inputted into a controller. A lateral acceleration is determined based on the sensed signals by the controller. A recommended current rate of the coil is determined based on the lateral acceleration. An adjustment to the recommended current rate of the coil is determined based upon the speed of the vehicle. The recommended current rate is also modified based upon the adjustment. The modified current rate of the coil is then applied to the coil to vary the stiffness of the valve, which in turn varies the resistance to turning the steerable wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of heating an exhaust treatment device can comprise: generating reformate in a reformer, wherein the reformate comprises hydrogen; introducing oxygen to the reformate prior to combining the reformate with another stream; combusting a portion of the reformate and generating an exotherm to form heated reformate; and introducing the heated reformate to the exhaust treatment device. In one embodiment the exhaust system can comprise: a reformer; a reformate conduit disposed in physical communication with a reformate outlet of the reformer; an exhaust treatment device disposed in fluid communication with the reformer; and an oxygen supply disposed in fluid communication with the reformate conduit such that oxygen can be introduced into the reformate conduit upstream of a reformate conduit outlet, wherein the reformate conduit outlet is disposed in physical communication with an exhaust conduit and/or the exhaust treatment device.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly including a caliper bracket, a caliper housing having an outer portion and an inner portion, the inner portion defining a piston bore therein, wherein the caliper housing is moveable relative to the caliper bracket, a caliper piston received within and extendable from the piston bore, an elastic element positioned relative to the caliper housing and the caliper bracket, and a disc rotor assembly including a hub and at least two rotors, each of the rotors having at least two friction surfaces, at least a portion of each of the friction surfaces being positioned between the outer portion of the caliper housing and the caliper piston, wherein the caliper housing moves relative to the caliper bracket when the caliper piston extends from the piston bore to engage the disc rotor assembly, thereby deforming the elastic element.

Abstract: A warning display system visually warns the driver of a vehicle of an object in a detection zone, such as a blind spot region of the vehicle. The display system includes an imaging medium for displaying a warning indicator and a light source disposed behind the imaging medium for providing a controlled illumination of the warning indicator. An object detection sensor detects an object in a vehicle detection zone. One or more signals are processed to determine an anticipated movement of the vehicle in relation to the object. The system further includes a controller for adaptively controlling illumination of the light source to increase illumination of the warning indicator when the vehicle is anticipated to be moving towards the object.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle having an outerjacket and an inner jacket slideably disposed within the outer jacket along a longitudinal axis for telescoping movement. A pivot pin is coupled to the outerjacket and defines a pin axis. A pawl is disposed about the pivot pin and is rotatable about the pin axis between and engaged position engaging the innerjacket for preventing the telescoping movement and a disengaged position disengaging the inner jacket for allowing the telescoping movement. An actuator is mounted to the pivot pin for concurrent rotation with the pivot pin about the pin axis and is coupled to the pawl for moving the pawl between the engaged and disengaged positions in an opposing rotational direction from the concurrent rotation of the pivot pin and the actuator.

Abstract: A catalytic converter has a cylindrical, monolithic catalyst element cylindrically enclosed and retained in a thin metallic sheath having ends extending to end portions of a case around openings therein so that the sheath substantially divides the internal volume of the case into an inner flow channel containing the catalyst element through which substantially all gas flow is directed and an outer volume separated from the catalytic element and retaining a heat insulating mat wrapped around the sheath. The sheath may be provided with a resilient structure at each end to engage the case and thus help support the catalyst element therein.

Abstract: A turning maneuver assist system and method are provided for assisting the driver of a vehicle with a visual image while turning the vehicle. The system includes first and second cameras positioned to generate video images on respective first and second sides of the vehicle. The system also includes a drop-down display located onboard the vehicle for displaying images generated by the first and second video cameras. The system further includes a controller for controlling activation of the first and second cameras and the presentation of images on the display. The controller activates one of the first and second cameras and controls the display to output images captured by the activated camera when the vehicle is determined to be turning. The display is mounted forward and above the driver and moves between a stowed position and a viewable position.

Abstract: A thermosiphon cooling assembly includes a refrigerant disposed in a lower portion of a housing for undergoing a liquid-to-vapor-to-condensate cycle. A mixing device is disposed within the lower portion of the housing for increasing the transfer of heat from the electronic device during the liquid-to-vapor-to-condensate cycle. The mixing device may include a vapor stirrer disposed above the liquid of the refrigerant and/or a liquid stirrer disposed in the liquid of the refrigerant for moving the liquid of the refrigerant over a boiler plate.

Abstract: A vertical laminated electrical switch circuit includes a first, second, and third ceramic substrate positioned in juxtaposed relationship relative to each other. The circuit also includes a first and second electrical device electrically coupled to each other. The first electrical device is coupled to the first and second substrates and positioned there between. The second electrical device is coupled to the second and third ceramic substrates and positioned there between. In some embodiments, multiple electrical devices may be coupled to a single substrate.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic lash adjuster including a cup-shaped adjuster body, and a plunger assembly disposed within the adjuster body. The plunger assembly includes a stepped axial bore extending from a body inner end to a central oil passage opening onto a hemispherical pivot head. A check valve cartridge sub-assembly is disposed against the step, defining a low-pressure oil chamber in the axial bore. A lash adjustment spring is disposed against the cartridge sub-assembly in a high-pressure chamber formed between the sub-assembly and the adjuster body. The cartridge sub-assembly may be used in other hydraulic lash adjusters such as are incorporated in hydraulic valve lifters.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture for determining a process plan for forming at least one feature in a part are provided. The method includes automatically identifying first and second features to be formed in the part by accessing first and second feature parameter data, respectively, stored in a CAD model of the part. The method further includes selecting at least a first manufacturing task identifier associated with a first manufacturing task for forming the first and second features in the part. The first manufacturing task identifier is selected from a plurality of manufacturing task identifiers stored in one or more databases. The method further includes selecting a first machine identifier associated with a first machine for performing at least the first manufacturing task, the first machine identifier being selected from a plurality of machine identifiers stored in one or more databases.

Abstract: In assembling an SOFC fuel cell stack from a plurality of cassettes, the mounting plate of one cassette is attached to, and insulated from, the separator plate of the next-adjacent cassette by a peripheral dielectric seal consisting of a ceramic coating and a metal braze. Materials suitable for the ceramic coating include yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ), zirconia toughened alumina, magnesium silicates such as the mineral forsterite, magnesium aluminates, magnesium aluminosilicates and lanthanum zirconate. The ceramic coating may be applied to the cassette's outer surface in known fashion as by physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, sputtering, and various methods of plasma spray. An underlayer of alumina may also be used to provide a redundant layer of electrical insulation.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser comprising first and second harmonic gear drive (HD) units disposed in back-to-back relationship. Each HD includes an elliptical wave generator (WG), a flexspline (FS) deformable by the WG, and a circular spline (CS) for engaging the FS. A dynamic spline (DS) connects the first and second FSs. The first HD is an input HD driven by an engine crankshaft via a sprocket wheel connected to the input CS. The second HD is an output HD driving an engine camshaft. The DS is meshed with both the input FS and the output FS. The phase relationship between the crankshaft and the camshaft may be changed by changing the angular relationship between the first and second WGs. Such change is effected by holding the first WG stationary and varying the angular position of the second WG via an electric motor.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for providing a horn switch assembly for securing an inflatable cushion to a steering wheel armature, the horn switch assembly comprising: a backing plate defining a receiving area, the receiving area being configured to receive at least a portion of the inflatable cushion, the receiving area being defined by a peripheral wall of the backing plate; a plurality of mounting members depending outwardly and away from the peripheral wall, the plurality of mounting members providing a mounting surface, wherein the mounting surface of the plurality of mounting members is configured to receive a mounting mechanism therein, wherein each of the plurality of mounting members further comprises a contact point secured thereto; a plurality of isolation mechanisms each being configured to be secured to the steering wheel armature, wherein at least one of the plurality of isolation mechanisms comprises a guide pin and a locking pin for guiding and movably securing one of the mounting mechanisms thereto

Abstract: A fuel injector comprises an injector body having a tip portion defining a spray aperture; a pintle extending within the tip portion for axial movement between an extended position and a retracted position, the pintle having a head portion engageable with the spray aperture to close the spray aperture when the pintle is in its retracted position; biasing means being provided for biasing the pintle towards its retracted position; and solenoid means for selectively moving the pintle into said extended position; said solenoid means comprising an electromagnetic coil and a moveable armature capable of being acted upon by the coil to urge the pintle towards its extended position; wherein the pintle and armature are separable from one another whereby the armature can decouple from the pintle when the pintle moves from its extended position to its retracted position.

Abstract: A control system and a method for validating operation of the control system are provided. The control system has a first controller operably communicating with a second controller. The first and second controllers have first and second read-only memories, respectively. The method includes executing a first software program in the first controller that retrieves a first key value from the second controller. The method further includes retrieving a second key value from a table using the first key value as an index value. The table is stored in a memory that is accessible by the first software program. The method includes executing at least one mathematical operation in the first software program using at least the second key value to obtain a third key value. The method further includes sending the first and third key values from the first controller to the second controller. The method further includes determining a first validation value based on the first key value utilizing the second controller.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel injector including a piezoelectric actuator having a stack of piezoelectric elements, comprises applying a discharge current (IDISCHARGE) to the actuator for a discharge period so to discharge the stack from a first differential voltage level across the stack to a second, lower differential voltage level across the stack so as to initiate an injection event, and applying a charge current (ICHARGE) to the actuator for a charge period (T3 to T4?) so as to charge the stack from the second differential voltage level to a third differential voltage level so as to terminate the injection event. The method includes determining at least one engine parameter (e.g. common rail pressure) of the injection event prior to applying the charge current (ICHARGE) to the actuator and selecting the third differential voltage level in dependence on the at least one engine parameter.