Abstract: A fuel cell system, e.g., of a motor vehicle, includes a fuel cell stack having fuel cells and non-repeating hardware components, the latter including wet and dry end units. The cells are positioned between the end units. The dry end unit includes an end plate and a compression plate assembly that uniformly compresses the cells against the end plate, and a terminal plate surrounded by a seal plate. An insulator frame disposed adjacent to the compression plate assembly is engaged with the insulator frame via a frictional interface provided by o-ring compression seals having a respective post connected to the terminal plate and the seal plate, and a pocket connected to the insulator frame. The post and pocket of at least one of the compression seals together define a fluid passage. One or more shim plates may be disposed between the end plate and insulator frame.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a dry end unit, a wet end unit comprising a terminal-compression plate, an insulator plate, and a base plate, and a plurality of fuel cells disposed between the dry end unit and the wet end unit. Each of the plurality of fuel cells includes a perimeter area that surrounds the plurality of fuel cells. The terminal-compression plate functions as a compression plate and a terminal plate, and where the base plate is used to uniformly compress the plurality of fuel cells through the insulator plate and the terminal-compression plate.

Abstract: A two-way thermo-mechanical shield assembly for a sensor of a heat-producing apparatus having an apparatus housing includes a first shield and a second shield. Each shield is configured to be mounted to the apparatus housing and are together configured to encase the sensor. The first shield is configured to protect the sensor from thermal energy originating internal to the apparatus housing, while the second shield is configured to protect the sensor from physical impact and thermal energy originating external to the apparatus housing.

Abstract: A press-in-place seal for an interface between adjacent components, with the seal including a cylindrical structure arranged along a longitudinal axis and characterized by a J-shape in a cross-sectional view. The seal is arranged inside a first component and compressed by a second component when the PIP seal is installed within the interface. The J-shape includes a first stem section orthogonal to and extending toward the longitudinal axis for being compressed by the second component when the seal is installed within the interface. The J-shape also includes a second stem section longer than the first stem section, orthogonal to and extending toward the longitudinal axis, for stabilizing the structure when the seal is installed. The J-shape further includes a base third section arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis and connecting the first stem section to the second stem section, thereby defining a concavity between the first and second sections.

Abstract: A thermo-structural spacer is provided. The spacer includes a cylindrical center portion, a first flange connected to a first end of the cylindrical center portion, a second flange connected to a second end of the cylindrical center portion. The second end is distal from the first end. The spacer further includes an annular inner wall configured for providing a through hole extending through a longitudinal axis of the thermo-structural spacer. The cylindrical center portion is narrower than the first flange. The cylindrical center portion is narrower than the second flange. The thermo-structural spacer is configured for restricting heat transfer between the first flange and the second flange.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cylinder block for an internal combustion engine having a first cylinder, a first cylinder sleeve, a second cylinder, and a second cylinder sleeve. The first cylinder defines a first cylindrical wall while the second cylinder defines a second cylindrical wall. The first cylinder sleeve lines the first cylindrical wall while the second cylinder sleeve lines the second cylindrical wall. Each of the first and the second cylinder sleeves define a thrust sleeve region, an anti-thrust sleeve region opposite the thrust sleeve region, and a pair of Siamese regions. The outer wall of each of the first and second cylinder sleeves progressively widens toward the top sleeve surface of each of the first and second cylinder sleeves.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cylinder block for an internal combustion engine having a first cylinder, a first cylinder sleeve, a second cylinder, and a second cylinder sleeve. The first cylinder defines a first cylindrical wall while the second cylinder defines a second cylindrical wall. The first cylinder sleeve lines the first cylindrical wall while the second cylinder sleeve lines the second cylindrical wall. Each of the first and the second cylinder sleeves define a thrust sleeve region, an anti-thrust sleeve region opposite the thrust sleeve region, and a pair of Siamese regions. The outer wall of each of the first and second cylinder sleeves progressively widens toward the top sleeve surface of each of the first and second cylinder sleeves.

Abstract: A fuel injector assembly for a vehicle includes an engine head, a fuel injector, and a preloading insert. The engine head defines a bore wherein the bore includes a head region proximate to the corresponding combustion chamber. The pre-loading insert may be disposed within the bore at the head region. The pre-loading insert may be configured to apply a tensile hoop stress to the head region of the bore causing plastic deformation to the head region while also supporting the fuel injector within the bore. The fuel injector may be configured to dispense fuel into a combustion chamber.