Abstract: A method for determining the health of fuel cells in a fuel cell stack. The method includes maintaining a constant flow of hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell stack, shutting off a flow of air to a cathode side of the fuel cell stack when a predetermined concentration of hydrogen in the anode side has been achieved, and identifying a catalyst surface area and a catalyst support surface area for catalyst layers in the fuel cell stack. The method also includes determining the total parasitic current of the fuel cell stack to determine a cross-over parasitic current and a shorting resistance of the fuel cell stack. The method further includes calculating the catalyst surface area and the catalyst support surface area of the catalyst layers and comparing the difference between the identified catalyst surface area and the calculated catalyst surface area to estimate the change in the catalyst surface area.

Abstract: A tubular support member includes a plurality of undulations extending along a longitudinal axis of the tubular support member and angularly spaced about the longitudinal axis. The undulations form a plurality of alternating peaks and valleys in the tubular support member. A cast member is overcast from a molten metal onto and around the undulations in interlocking engagement with the undulations, and extends from the tubular support member to a cantilevered distal end.

Abstract: A valve for an anti-lock brake system, wherein the anti-lock brake system is configured for controlling flow of a fluid, includes a housing defining a cavity therein and having a longitudinal axis, a valve seat disposed within the cavity so as to define a first passage for the fluid, and an armature disposed within the cavity so as to at least partially define a second passage for the fluid. The armature is translatable with respect to the valve seat along the longitudinal axis and matable with the valve seat to seal off fluid communication between the first passage and the second passage. The armature defines a surface that is substantially resistant to corrosion from the fluid, and the surface is substantially free from a coating including zinc.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment discloses a polymer system including a shape memory polymer material and a graphene material.

Abstract: An automatic transmission having an improved lock up torque converter configuration includes two drive members: a first quill or tubular drive member which carries the output of the torque converter to the transmission gearbox and a second co-axial shaft or drive member which is driven by the torque converter lockup clutch and thus directly carries the engine output to the transmission gear box and bypasses the torque converter. The transmission gearbox includes two planetary gear assemblies having certain elements which are selectively grounded to the transmission housing by two friction brakes. This transmission, torque converter and torque converter clutch configuration prevents torque converter clutch engagement in its lower gear and forces torque converter clutch lockup in its upper gear.

Abstract: Systems and methods to diagnose valve leakage in a vehicle storing gaseous fuel in two or more vessels. A valve regulating the flow of the gaseous fuel from one of the vessels is closed and reopened, while the other vessels are providing gaseous fuel during a full run. The pressure spike from reopening the valve is analyzed to determine the rate of pressure change. Pressure spikes having a rate of change lower than a threshold parameter are indicative of a leaking valve.

Abstract: A pair of opposing hinged doors includes a first door and a second door having a first window panel and a second window panel respectively. The first window panel moves along a first path that initially guides the first window panel away from the second window panel and then guides the first window panel vertically downward when moving from an extended position into a retracted position. Similarly, the second window panel moves along a second path that initially guides the second window panel away from the first window panel and then guides the second window panel vertically downward when moving from an extended position into a retracted position. The movement of the first window panel and the second window panel along the first path and the second path respectively allows for the first door and the second door to be independently openable relative to each other.

Abstract: A control system for controlling clutches of a dual clutch transmission includes an internal model based force control algorithm that converts a desired clutch force to a pressure control signal, a pressure control valve that receives the pressure control signal, a hydraulic actuator to which the pressure control valve applies a pressure related to the pressure control signal, and a clutch assembly with a spring lever and a plurality of clutch plates. The hydraulic actuator applies a desired force corresponding to the pressure control signal to a distal end of the spring lever such that the desired force to the distal end of the spring lever imparts an actual clutch force to the clutch plates.

Abstract: Copper conductor members or other copper-base workpieces are welded using a suitable copper alloy material that is reactive with the joining surfaces of the copper members. The reactive metal material may be applied as a thin metal strip between assembled facing joining surfaces. The members are pressed together against the reactive material and heated. The combined pressure and heat enable the reactive material to react with facing workpiece material, to liquefy and remove oxides or the like that might inhibit the formation of a welded interface. The liquid, containing original reactive metal and byproducts, is squeezed from the interface of the workpieces to enable the formation of a solid-state weld between them without melting of un-reacted workpiece copper material.

Abstract: One embodiment includes methods of adding two sulfonic acid groups to molecules having at least two cyclic groups.

Abstract: A method to predict a driveline lash condition includes monitoring an axle torque request signal, determining a predicted axle torque request value at a lead time based upon the monitored axle torque request signal, and predicting the driveline lash condition at the lead time based upon the predicted axle torque request value indicating an upcoming zero torque condition.

Abstract: In a key, in particular a motor vehicle key, having a key head manufactured from plastic and a bit, which is anchored on the key head and is movable between an idle position and a usage position protruding from the key head, a first part of the key head, on which the bit engages, is manufactured from a fiber-reinforced plastic and a second part, which forms an outer envelope of the key head, is manufactured from a fiber-free plastic.

Abstract: A fastener for securing a trim panel to a substrate of a door includes a clip portion configured for slideable insertion over an edge of the substrate, and a latch configured for passing through a slot defined by the trim panel from a direction approximately perpendicular relative to a first wall plane. The latch includes at least one finger configured for biasing against the trim panel to limit movement of the trim panel relative to the fastener.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a carrier assembly of a stacked planetary gear set is provided. The method includes forming the inner and outer spiders and attaching the spiders to a back plate or to each other to form the carrier assembly. One or both of the inner and outer carrier spiders are formed from powdered metal, by precision casting, and/or by stamping. The stacked planetary gear set may be axially aligned or axially offset.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a temperature of a motor of a vehicle having an ignition when the ignition is turned on following a period of time in which the ignition had been turned off. An amount of time for which the vehicle had been turned off is determined. A motor temperature model is run using a time step to simulate the amount of time for which the vehicle had been turned off to determine an initial value of the temperature of the motor.

Abstract: A system and method of discharging a bus capacitor of a bidirectional matrix converter of a vehicle are presented here. The method begins by electrically shorting the AC interface of the converter after an AC energy source is disconnected from the AC interface. The method continues by arranging a plurality of switching elements of a second energy conversion module into a discharge configuration to establish an electrical current path from a first terminal of an isolation module, through an inductive element, and to a second terminal of the isolation module. The method also modulates a plurality of switching elements of a first energy conversion module, while maintaining the discharge configuration of the second energy conversion module, to at least partially discharge a DC bus capacitor.

Abstract: A power seat adjustment assembly comprising an active material actuator, adapted for use when a resting load is present within the seat, and configured to reduce actuator demand, and therefore actuator size and/or rating, by modifying the load to augment performance.

Abstract: A method and a driver assistance system for notifying the driver of a motor vehicle about a danger spot are provided. In an embodiment, the method includes providing informational data about the danger spot from a data storage device, providing current image data using a camera, and analyzing a current danger situation by comparing the current image data with the informational data using a central processing unit. A warning signal is outputted to the driver via an output unit depending on the current danger situation.

Abstract: An anode reactant recycling system for a fuel cell is disclosed, the system including a hollow main body, a bleed conduit, an injector, a water separator, and a hydrophilic porous media. The anode reactant recycling system for a fuel cell is configured to minimize a required number of components, eliminate the need for the anode heat exchanger, use a single valve for removal of condensate and reactant byproducts from the anode reactant recycling system, and provide an upstream volume for startup pressurization.

Abstract: A system for enabling a driver to input a vehicle control instruction into an autonomous vehicle controller while the autonomous vehicle controller is operating a vehicle in either an autonomous mode or a semi-autonomous mode is disclosed herein. The system includes, but is not limited to, a sensor that is configured to detect a driver input and to generate a signal corresponding with the driver input. The system further includes a communication sub-system communicatively coupled with the sensor and configured to be communicatively coupled with the autonomous vehicle controller. The communication sub-system is further configured to deliver the signal from the sensor to the autonomous vehicle controller. The autonomous vehicle controller controls the vehicle in a manner that corresponds with the driver input when the autonomous vehicle controller receives the signal.