Abstract: A bipolar plate for a fuel cell has a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side. The bipolar plate also has an active region, a feed region, a perimeter region, a sealing region, and a hinge region. The sealing region is disposed between the perimeter region and each of the active region and the feed region. A plurality of outwardly extending tabs are disposed adjacent the perimeter region at each of the first end and the second end of the bipolar plate. The hinge region is disposed between the perimeter region and the outwardly extending tabs. The hinge region extends from the first side of the plate to the second side of the bipolar plate. The hinge region permits a flexing of the outwardly extending tabs to connect with peripheral electrical device without undesirably flexing the sealing region.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a hollow space between a front pillar and a fender. A noise insulator panel is mounted within and fills the hollow the hollow space between the pillar and the fender panel to block and absorb the communication of noise to the weather strip that seals the door to the pillar. The noise insulator panel includes a housing portion of compressible foam material with a base wall that is oversized to fit in compression between the pillar and the fender panel to block the communication of noise and a sidewall that extend forwardly from the base wall to define a cavity facing the engine and tires. An absorber portion fills the open cavity of the housing portion. The absorber portion is made of a fibrous material that is secured within the cavity of the housing portion and acts to absorb noise.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for an electric device includes a laminated stack of electric steel sheets defining a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves. A conductor bar is disposed within each of the grooves. Each of the conductor bars includes a first end and a second end extending longitudinal outward from opposing axial end surfaces of the laminated stack. The first end and the second end of the conductor bars include a textured surface having micro-sized surface irregularities. A first end ring is cast in place over the first ends of the conductor bars, and a second end ring is cast in place over the second ends of the conductor bars. The textured surface in the first ends and the second ends of the conductor bars mechanically interlocking with the cast in place first end ring and second end ring respectively.

Abstract: A system and method of a Dial-Up Networking (DUN) approach is disclosed. The DUN system authenticates a wireless network between a portable electronic device and a control module. The DUN system includes the portable electronic device, a transceiver, and the control module. A wireless service carrier is associated with the portable electronic device. The control module includes control logic for determining the wireless service carrier associated with the portable electronic device. The control module further includes control logic for establishing the wireless network connection between the control module and the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A telescope lock mechanism for a steering column includes a plurality of column teeth operably connected to the steering column and an adjustment lever operably connected to the steering column to allow user adjustment of a position of the steering column. A locking bolt extends from the adjustment lever, and a cam is located at the locking bolt and rotatable thereon. The cam includes one or more tab features interactive with the locking bolt such that rotation of the locking bolt engages the tab features with the locking bolt to drive rotation of the cam between a locked and unlocked position. The tab further includes a plurality of cam teeth meshable with the plurality of column teeth when the cam is in a locked position. A spring is operably connected to the cam to maintain the cam position in the locked and/or unlocked position when the cam is rotated thereto.

Abstract: A cardan joint assembly and a cardan joint protector device are provided. The device includes a U-shaped bracket having an arcuate-shaped portion and first and second end portions extending from opposite ends of the arcuate-shaped portion. The first and second end portions have first and second apertures, respectively, extending therethrough. The device further includes a first elongated plate portion extending from the first end portion of the U-shaped bracket and further extending generally outwardly relative to a longitudinal axis. The first elongated plate portion at least partially covers a needle bearing of a cardan joint. The device further includes an attachment portion attached to a top edge of the first elongated plate portion that has a distal end that is disposed in a groove of a gear clamp yoke of the cardan joint.

Abstract: A method is provided for diagnosing a fault in a selective catalytic reduction system having an electric driven transportation device that provide a mass flow of a Diesel Exhaust Fluid into the selective catalytic reduction system. The method includes, but is not limited to applying an electric signal to the transportation device for establishing the mass flow, monitoring a parameter value of the electric signal, monitoring the mass flow provided into the selective catalytic reduction system caused by the transportation device when it is driven with the signal, determining, for the monitored mass flow, the difference between the corresponding parameter value, and a corresponding parameter value stored in a data map.

Abstract: A fuel cell plate assembly includes a first plate having a feed region and an active region. A plurality of flow channels is formed in the first plate and connects the feed region and the active region. The first plate further includes a first step oriented transverse to the flow channels in the feed region and a second step oriented transverse to the flow channels in the active region. The second step is formed only in the flow channels of the first plate.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating an instantaneous pressure value Pinst in a fuel line of a fuel injection system during a fuel multi-injection pattern. The method includes, but is not limited to determining a mean pressure value P inside the fuel line of the fuel injection system (15), and correcting the mean pressure value P with pressure contributions generated by the previous injections of the multi-injection pattern.

Abstract: A latch assembly includes a forkbolt movable between a released position, allowing opening of a closure, and a restrained position, preventing opening of the closure. A forkbolt spring is configured to bias the forkbolt toward the released position. A primary detent is mounted with respect to the forkbolt and movable between an open position, allowing the forkbolt to move into the released position, and a closed position, not allowing the forkbolt to move into the released position. A secondary detent is movable between an unlocked position, allowing the primary detent to move into the open position, and a locked position, preventing the primary detent from moving into the open position. An actuator selectively moves the secondary detent from the locked position to the unlocked position.

Abstract: The present invention provides reduced fatigue stress levels in a stressed area of an engine crankcase by lowering the outer edges of the crankshaft bearing cap fracture-split lines without changing the central axis location of the crankshaft in the crankcase. This is accomplished by causing the fracture-split lines of the bearing caps to angle downward from the horizontal plane of the crankshaft axis to a slightly lower position at the outer edges of the bearing caps. This lowers the outer edges of the bearing caps sufficiently to allow larger radii to be formed on the lateral connectors of the crankcase support webs with the adjacent sidewalls of the crankcase. Accordingly, the fatigue stress levels in the crankcase web members are reduced without requiring a significant change in the crankcase dimensions.

Abstract: A method of forming a coated article is disclosed. The method involves heating a magnesium alloy component, positioning the component in a mold such that a gap exists between component outer surfaces and mold inner surfaces, and heating a magnesium-containing alloy material above its melting temperature, which is lower than that of the component. The material is formed from magnesium alloyed with i) the component element, but at a higher concentration, ii) at least one element that is different than the component element, or iii) the component element and at least one other element. The method further includes introducing the material into the gap, thereby covering at least the outer surfaces of the component, and cooling the material to form a substantially evenly distributed solidified coating on the outer surfaces of the component. The coating has a higher wear and/or corrosion resistance than that of the magnesium alloy component.

Abstract: An electric torque converter has a torque converter input member connected to the first node of a differential gear set representable by a lever diagram having first, second, and third nodes. A motor/generator is connected to the second node. The third node is connected to an input member of a transmission gearing arrangement. A brake is selectively engagable to ground the first node to a stationary member. Engagement of the brake provides a regenerative braking mode and an electric-only driving mode, with the motor/generator connected to the transmission gearing arrangement through the differential gear set. Various clutches may be provided for lock-up or selective connection of the engine, including arrangements which reduce motor/generator torque required for engine starting while in electric-only driving. A method of operating a vehicle maintains the engine speed at an optimum level to the extent possible given battery charge levels and operator commands.

Abstract: Methods, system and apparatus are provided for estimating rotor angular position and angular velocity during a position sensor fault, and for verifying the accuracy or inaccuracy of a position sensor's outputs based on the estimated rotor angular position and angular velocity of the rotor following a position sensor fault.

Abstract: A machine element is provided that includes, but is not limited to a clamping element without a slit, which is incorporated into a receiving area of the machine element. The clamping element has an opening for accommodating a shaft, and can be twisted against the machine element. A support sleeve is arranged radially outside relative to the clamping element. This makes the machine element easy to manufacture, convenient to use, and allows the absorption of high levels of force.

Abstract: A process comprising: depositing a coating on a fuel cell bipolar plate using plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: Corrosion resistant, manganese-stabilized austenitic stainless steels with a low nickel content are used in bipolar plates, methods for fabricating the bipolar plates, and polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells comprising the bipolar plates. The bipolar plates are formed from high-manganese austenitic stainless steels comprising, in weight percents, 4.0 to 35 manganese, 0.5 to 1.5 nickel, 17 to 20 chromium, 0.2 to 0.5 nitrogen, up to 0.075 carbon, 0.5 to 1.0 silicon, up to 0.1 aluminum, 0 to 0.005 sulfur, and balance iron and incidental impurities. The steels exhibit suitable corrosion resistance, electrical contact resistance, and mechanical properties for high-corrosion applications such as use in bipolar plate materials for PEM fuel cells. The bipolar plates may comprise a solid plate of the steel, optionally coated with a highly electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A method of clutch control includes engaging a first holding clutch to place the transmission in a first neutral mode and predicting a first EVT mode. The method begins tracking a first output clutch and predicts a second EVT mode. Tracking the first output clutch ends and tracking a second holding clutch begins. The method engages the second holding clutch to place the transmission in a second neutral mode, ending tracking of the second holding clutch. The first holding clutch is disengaged to place the transmission in a third neutral mode and the method begins tracking a second output clutch. Engaging the second output clutch places the transmission in the second EVT mode and ends tracking of the second output clutch. The engine may be placed into a speed control mode and the transmission placed into a full hydraulic neutral mode.

Abstract: An actuation system includes a bridge crane, a trolley, and an end effector and is configured for moving a payload. A first actuator is operatively connected to the bridge crane. The bridge crane is configured for moving along an X axis in response to the first actuator being actuated. The trolley extends from the bridge crane. A second actuator is operatively connected to the trolley. The trolley is configured for moving along a Y axis in response to the second actuator being actuated. The end effector extends from the trolley and is configured for supporting a payload. A third actuator is operatively connected to the end effector. The end effector is configured for rotating about the Z axis in response to the third actuator being actuated to rotate the end effector. Each actuator is disposed in spaced relationship to the bridge crane, the trolley, and the end effector.

Abstract: Embodiments include a power processing system and methods of its operation in a plug-in electric vehicle. The power processing system includes at least one AC electric motor, a bi-directional inverter system, and an electronic control system. The electronic control system provides a drive function by providing first control signals to the bi-directional inverter system which, in response, draws DC electrical power from a DC energy source, converts the DC power to AC power, and provides the AC power to windings of the at least one AC electric motor. The electronic control system also provides a charging function by providing second control signals to the bi-directional inverter system which, in response, draws AC power from the windings of the at least one AC electric motor, converts the AC power to DC power, and provides the DC power to the DC energy source in order to recharge the DC energy source.