Abstract: A system and method for maintaining the voltage of fuel cells in the fuel cell stack below a predetermined maximum voltage. The method determines a desired voltage set-point value that defines a predetermined maximum fuel cell voltage value and uses the voltage set-point value and an average fuel cell voltage to generate an error value there-between. The method generates a minimum gross power prediction value using the modified voltage set-point value to prevent the fuel cell voltages from going above the predetermined maximum fuel cell voltage value and generating a supplemental power value based on the minimum gross power prediction value and the error value to determine how much power needs to be drawn from the stack to maintain the fuel cell voltage below the predetermined maximum voltage value. The method uses the supplemental power value to charge the battery or operate an auxiliary load coupled to the stack.

Abstract: An embodiment contemplates a method for determining belt slip in a vehicle. The vehicle includes an engine and an alternator rotatably coupled by an accessory drive belt. The accessory drive belt engaging a rotating member of the engine for driving a rotating member of the alternator. A battery voltage is measured. An estimated battery voltage is determined as a function of engine speed. The belt slip of the alternator is detected in response to a comparison of the estimated battery voltage and the measured battery voltage.

Abstract: An MEA for a fuel cell that employs multiple catalyst layers to reduce the hydrogen and/or oxygen partial pressure at the membrane so as to reduce the fluoride release rate from the membrane and reduce membrane degradation. An anode side multi-layer catalyst configuration is positioned at the anode side of the MEA membrane. The anode side multi-layer catalyst configuration includes an anode side under layer positioned against the membrane and including a catalyst, an anode side middle layer positioned against the anode side under layer and not including a catalyst and an anode side catalyst layer positioned against the anode side middle layer and opposite to the anode side under layer and including a catalyst, where the amount of catalyst in the anode side catalyst layer is greater than the amount of catalyst in the anode side under layer.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a polling signal transmitted from a vehicle that is received by a key fob held by an authorized user of the vehicle as the user approaches the vehicle, where the polling signal is a pulsed polling signal in the VHF-UHF band. The polling signal tells the key fob to transmit a command signal that causes the vehicle to perform a predetermined vehicle operation. Alternately, the polling signal is transmitted by the key fob where the vehicle sends an authorization message back to the key fob if it receives the polling signal that tells the key fob to transmit the command signal.

Abstract: A method for determining the flow of an anode gas out of an anode sub-system. The method includes providing pressure measurements at predetermined sample times over a predetermined sample period and using the pressure measurements to calculate a slope of a line defining a change of the pressure from the beginning of the time period to the end of the time period. The slope of the pressure line is then used in a flow equation to determine the amount of gas that flows out of the anode sub-system, which can be through a valve or by system leaks.

Abstract: An electric vehicle maximizes an electric-only driving range. The vehicle includes a power source, an energy storage device, an auxiliary power unit (APU), and a controller. The power source propels the vehicle. The energy storage device supplies electricity to the power source. The APU supplies supplemental energy to the power source. The controller operates the vehicle in an electric-only driving mode to propel the vehicle and obtains a state of charge (SOC) of the energy storage device. The vehicle and at least one charging station are located. The controller determines a minimum required SOC of the energy storage device for the vehicle to reach at least one charging station. The controller activates the APU to operate the vehicle when the SOC of the energy storage device is below the minimum required SOC of the energy storage device for the vehicle to reach the location of at least one charging station.

Abstract: A rear floor module is arranged between two rear frame rails of a vehicle body running essentially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The floor module includes, but is not limited to a floor tray essentially extending flatly between the frame rails and at least one integrated cross member, which is configured for separately connection with the frame rails for transmitting mechanical forces, and which is provided with a connecting structure to which at least one component of a vehicle chassis can be secured.

Abstract: A method to control a hydraulically actuated clutch in a transmission of a vehicle includes monitoring a pressure in a hydraulic circuit providing pressurized fluid to the hydraulically actuated clutch with micro-electromechanical pressure sensor, providing a closed-loop feedback control command for a hydraulic control device providing the pressurized fluid to the hydraulic circuit based upon the monitoring pressure, and controlling the control device based upon the closed-loop feedback control command.

Abstract: An airbag module is provided having an airbag, or gas generator for filling the airbag, and a housing for receiving the airbag in the unfilled state, which has a front side, in which an airbag exit opening is implemented, the front side having a surface structure which prevents a flat contact of the airbag exit opening on a plane.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating on-demand cryptographic keys in a vehicle-to-vehicle communication system. At least one unique identifier is obtained relating to a user of the vehicle. The host vehicle generates cryptographic keys for encrypting, decrypting, and authenticating secured messages between the host vehicle and at least one remote vehicle in the vehicle-to-vehicle communication system. The cryptographic keys are generated as a function of the at least one unique identifier. A respective cryptographic key used to decrypt or encrypt messages communicated between the host vehicle and the at least one remote entity is temporarily stored in a memory device of the host vehicle. The host vehicle utilizes the respective cryptographic key to decrypt or encrypt a secure message transmitted between the host vehicle and the remote vehicle.

Abstract: A high-surface area fine particle dispersal of LaMnO3 or a promoted derivation of LaMnO3 may be prepared by the citrate method. The amount of citric acid used to complex the constituent metal cations into citrate complexed mixed metal compounds may range from about 40 mol % to about 100 mol % in excess of stoichiometry.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to a manual transmission and at least one control unit that is configured to determine and indicate to a driver in a haptically perceptible manner a time for a fuel consumption-favorable gear change in that it induces vibration in a footrest.

Abstract: A rotor core for an induction motor. The rotor core includes a body that at least (i) extends axially from an outer surface of the body inward toward a central axis, (ii) extends from a first axial end to a second axial end, and (iii) defines a plurality of internal grooves. Further, each groove at least (iv) includes an opening at the outer surface of the body, (v) is defined by two opposing walls, (vi) extends from the first axial end to the second axial end, (vii) extends axially between the opening at the exterior surface and an inward end, and (viii) includes a body section. And wherein (ix) at least one wall of the opposing walls of the groove includes, in the body section of the groove, an extended segment forming a portion of increased breadth for the groove.

Abstract: A method and system for conditioning an energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle, like a high-voltage battery or a fuel cell used for vehicle propulsion. It may be detrimental for a high-voltage battery in a parked vehicle to be exposed to extreme temperatures for an extended period of time. Thus, the method and system may be used to condition such a battery—for example, by heating it up if it is too cold or by cooling it down if it is too hot—so that the performance, durability, lifespan and/or other aspects of the battery are improved. In an exemplary embodiment, the method predicts if the battery will need conditioning the next time the vehicle is parked and, if such conditioning is needed, then the method predicts if the battery has sufficient charge to perform this conditioning. If the charge appears insufficient, then the method operates an energy generator that provides additional charge to the battery in anticipation of the needed conditioning.

Abstract: A vehicle system and method that include a smart phone for communicating with a vehicle by an authorized user. The vehicle includes an FM transmitter that transmits vehicle information, including an authorization code, using an FM signal. The FM signal is received by the smart phone which deciphers the information, and automatically transmits a command signal back to the vehicle to perform a pre-programmed vehicle operation, such as unlocking the vehicle doors.

Abstract: A torque transmitting assembly for selectively transmitting torque between a first member and a second member includes a plate clutch interconnected between the first member and the second member, the plate clutch having a maximum torque capacity limited to enabling full throttle single-transition up-shifts in the transmission when the plate clutch is fully engaged. A dog clutch is connected to the first member and selectively connected to the second member. The dog clutch is in frictional engagement with the plate clutch when the plate clutch is engaged, and the dog clutch is connected to the second member prior to the transmitted torque exceeding the maximum torque capacity of the plate clutch.

Abstract: A method unloads hydrocarbon emissions deposited by an exhaust gas on an after-treatment device that is employed in an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine. The method includes determining whether the engine has been operating at a preset idle speed for a predetermined amount of time. The method also includes increasing the preset idle speed by a predetermined value if the engine has been operating at a preset idle speed for a predetermined amount of time. The increasing of the engine idle speed increases a flow rate of the exhaust gas to the after-treatment device and unloads the deposited hydrocarbon emissions. A system for unloading hydrocarbon emissions deposited on an after-treatment device and a vehicle employing such a system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for ascertaining the setting of an exhaust gas flap, which is situated so it is adjustable in an exhaust system of a motor vehicle, by which a combustion gas flowing through an exhaust tract can alternately be supplied to a heat exchanger branch and/or a bypass branch, a pressure prevailing in the heat exchanger branch and/or in the bypass branch being measured to ascertain the setting of the exhaust gas flap, and a current position of the exhaust gas flap being ascertained by a comparison of the measured pressure to a reference value.

Abstract: A system for detecting a change in medium sensed by a thermistor comprises a first module that receives a temperature signal from a thermistor and that calculates a first dissipation factor of the thermistor. A second module receives the first dissipation factor of the thermistor and detects at least one of an unexpected medium and a change in medium based on the first dissipation factor.

Abstract: An example vehicle includes an engine and a motor-generator configured to generate a torque in a first direction. A torque limiter clutch is configured to dissipate a torque in a second direction that opposes the first torque. The torque in the second direction may be caused by a force event. A control processor is configured to detect a possible force event and control the torque limiter clutch in response to detecting the possible force event. A method of controlling the torque limiter clutch includes detecting a possible force event, reducing fluid pressure to the torque limiter clutch in response to detecting the possible force event, confirming the possible force event, maintaining the reduced fluid pressure to the torque limiter clutch if the force event is confirmed, and increasing the fluid pressure to the torque limiter clutch if the force event is not confirmed.