Abstract: An article of protective clothing for use by a motorcyclist, or the like, including an abrasion resistant material is provided. The abrasion resistant material is attached to an inner surface of the clothing by being sewn along at least one inside seam away from a waist portion of the clothing so as to limit the outward modification of an otherwise normal garment to a casual observer while still providing protection to the motorcyclist. The article of clothing is relatively indistinguishable from regular clothing. The article of clothing includes a pair of trousers with an inner protective abrasion resistant panel, which extends across a knee area and then up the side of the clothing along a thigh area to a hip and then around a bottom area to then return down the side of the other leg to the portion extending around the knee area.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a flow control device that controls a supply of a first phase fluid flowing through the fuel cell stack. A controller monitors at least one parameter of the fuel cell stack and controls the supply to generate pulses of reactant when the at least one parameter crosses a threshold to flush a second phase fluid from said fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a fuel cell system start time based on various vehicle parameters. The method includes providing a plurality of inputs that identify operating conditions of the fuel cell system and determining a maximum allowable start-time of the fuel cell system using a hybridization control strategy and the plurality of inputs. The method then determines a maximum compressor speed and ramp rate to provide the optimal allowable start-time of the fuel cell system minimizing energy consumption and noise.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that enables an assisted anode purge upon start-up is provided. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells with anodes and cathodes. The fuel cell stack has an anode supply manifold and an anode exhaust manifold in fluid communication with the anodes. The fuel cell system further includes a suction device in fluid communication with at least one of the anode supply manifold and the anode exhaust manifold. The suction device adapted to selectively draw a partial vacuum on the fuel cell stack during a start-up of the fuel cell system. Methods for starting the fuel cell system are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that enables an assisted anode purge upon start-up is provided. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells with anodes and cathodes. The fuel cell stack has an anode supply manifold and an anode exhaust manifold in fluid communication with the anodes. The fuel cell system further includes a suction device in fluid communication with at least one of the anode supply manifold and the anode exhaust manifold. The suction device adapted to selectively draw a partial vacuum on the fuel cell stack during a start-up of the fuel cell system. Methods for starting the fuel cell system are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that enables an assisted anode purge upon start-up is provided. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells with anodes and cathodes. The fuel cell stack has an anode supply manifold and an anode exhaust manifold in fluid communication with the anodes. The fuel cell system further includes a suction device in fluid communication with at least one of the anode supply manifold and the anode exhaust manifold. The suction device adapted to selectively draw a partial vacuum on the fuel cell stack during a start-up of the fuel cell system. Methods for starting the fuel cell system are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack including a bypass is provided. The fuel cell stack includes a plurality of electricity generating cells in the known manner. A bypass is included for reducing the water entering the electricity generating cells of the fuel cell stack. The bypass may comprise at least one bypass cell disposed adjacent the first electricity generating cell in the stack. The bypass cell comprises a pair of separator plates defining an anode side and a cathode side. The bypass cell includes a conductive spacer comprising gas diffusion media disposed between the pair of separator plates. The bypass cell preferably blocks the cathode port on the separator plate. In this manner, the cell is inactive and does not produce electricity. The anode port of the cell remains open and an anode feed flows through the bypass to reduce water provided to the first electricity-generating cell. Alternatively or additionally, the cathode port remains open. Further the bypass may be placed before the cell stack itself.

Abstract: An article of protective clothing for use by a motorcyclist, or the like, wherein there is attached on the inside surface of the clothing, a knitted or woven material which is comprised of a material that is highly abrasion and/or tear and/or burst resistant and is secured to an inner-side of the clothing at one or more side seams of the garment. The abrasion resistant material is attached to an inner surface of the clothing by being sewn along at least one inside seam away from a waist portion of the clothing so as to limit the outward modification of an otherwise normal garment to a casual observer while still providing protection in the event the rider is caused to be sliding along the ground. By this means, the article of clothing is relatively indistinguishable from regular clothing.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that enables an assisted anode purge upon start-up is provided. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells with anodes and cathodes. The fuel cell stack has an anode supply manifold and an anode exhaust manifold in fluid communication with the anodes. The fuel cell system further includes a suction device in fluid communication with at least one of the anode supply manifold and the anode exhaust manifold. The suction device adapted to selectively draw a partial vacuum on the fuel cell stack during a start-up of the fuel cell system. Methods for starting the fuel cell system are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a flow control device that controls a supply of a first phase fluid flowing through the fuel cell stack. A controller monitors at least one parameter of the fuel cell stack and controls the supply to generate pulses of reactant when the at least one parameter crosses a threshold to flush a second phase fluid from said fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack including a bypass is provided. The fuel cell stack includes a plurality of electricity generating cells in the known manner. A bypass is included for reducing the water entering the electricity generating cells of the fuel cell stack. The bypass may comprise at least one bypass cell disposed adjacent the first electricity generating cell in the stack. The bypass cell comprises a pair of separator plates defining an anode side and a cathode side. The bypass cell includes a conductive spacer comprising gas diffusion media disposed between the pair of separator plates. The bypass cell preferably blocks the cathode port on the separator plate. In this manner, the cell is inactive and does not produce electricity. The anode port of the cell remains open and an anode feed flows through the bypass to reduce water provided to the first electricity-generating cell. Alternatively or additionally, the cathode port remains open. Further the bypass may be placed before the cell stack itself.

Abstract: In at least certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a fuel cell stack comprising a fuel cell assembly having opposite first and second ends, a wet end fuel cell adjacent the first end, a dry end fuel cell adjacent the second end, and a plurality of repeating fuel cells disposed between the wet end and dry end fuel cells. In at least certain embodiments, the wet end fuel cell comprises a unipolar plate and the repeating fuel cells each comprise one-half of each adjacent bipolar plate. In at least certain embodiments, the unipolar plate has a first coolant rate, and at least one of the bipolar plates has a second coolant rate, with the first coolant rate being less than the second coolant rate.

Abstract: In at least certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a fuel cell stack comprising a fuel cell assembly having opposite first and second ends, a wet end fuel cell adjacent the first end, a dry end fuel cell adjacent the second end, and a plurality of repeating fuel cells disposed between the wet end and dry end fuel cells. In at least certain embodiments, the wet end fuel cell comprises a unipolar plate and the repeating fuel cells each comprise one-half of each adjacent bipolar plate. In at least certain embodiments, the unipolar plate has a first oxidant rate, and at least one of the bipolar plates has a second oxidant rate, with the first oxidant rate being less than the second oxidant rate.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a flow control device that controls a supply of a first phase fluid flowing through the fuel cell stack. A controller monitors at least one parameter of the fuel cell stack and controls the supply to generate pulses of reactant when the at least one parameter crosses a threshold to flush a second phase fluid from said fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A method of dissolving in an ionic liquid a metal in an initial oxidation state below its maximum oxidation state, characterized in that the ionic liquid reacts with the metal and oxidizes it to a higher oxidation state. The initial metal may be in the form of a compound thereof and may be irradiated nuclear fuel comprising UO2 and/or PuO2 as well as fission products. The ionic liquid typically is nitrate-based, for example a pyridinium or substituted imidazolium nitrate, and contains a Bronstead or Franklin acid to increase the oxidizing power of the nitrate. Suitable acids are HNO3, H2SO4 and [NO+]. Imidazolium nitrates and certain pyridinium nitrates form one aspect of the invention.

Abstract: A folding grandstand has at least forward and rearward frame sections hinged together at their adjacent ends by link hinge assemblies recessed below the deck surfaces of the sections, and comprising a pair of crossing link arms hinged at opposite ends to the respective sections.

Abstract: A system for tightly rolling and unrolling a web employed as a ground cover includes the use of unrolling tapes for unrolling the web, and an unpowered gear motor which serves to retard unrolling, rollup tapes and/or the gear motor being employed for rolling up the web together with an elongated flexible and unstretchable tube partially filled with fluid which supports the web and causes it to slip on itself for tightening any web bulges while being rolled up.

Abstract: A wheelchair assembly includes an occupant seat having a central shaft for mounting the seat on an undercarriage for universal tilting movement, for vertical movement along the shaft axis and for rotation about such axis. The undercarriage has a plurality of ground engaging wheels driven together by a driving mechanism which includes a drive motor and steered together by a steering mechanism which includes a steering motor. The steering motor may be operatively connected with both the seat and the wheels for turning them together by operation of a control assembly, or the steering motor may be operatively connected with only the seat or with only the wheels for independent operation. Otherwise, the steering mechanism may couple the seat with the wheels while the steering motor is disconnected so that wheel steering may be operated by a manual turning of the seat.

Abstract: A plurality of portable grandstand seating sections forming a grandstand are each provided with central ground-engaging wheels and footings, either of which being retractable and extendable for supporting each section alternately with the wheels and the central footings. A collapsible and extendable rear footing is also provided on each section. The sections are capable of being transported between grandstand and storage locations by towing them on the wheels with the rear footings collapsed. A first of such sections which forms an end section of the grandstand is lifted at the grandstand location and is shifted away from an adjoining section, the wheels are placed in a ground-engaging position, the rear footing is collapsed, the rearward end of the section is lowered relative to the wheels and the section is towed on the wheels while supporting the rearward end. The second and remaining sections are thereafter transported in succession to the storage location.

Abstract: A switching arrangement for an elevated track having upper and lower rails includes a pair of first upper and lower switch beams at a switching interruption along the track, the beams being movable from a position of rail alignment with the upper and lower rails to a position shifted toward on another. For switching a rail vehicle to a secondary track, a pair of second upper and lower switch beams are provided at the switching interruption for movement toward and away from one another between a position out of rail alignment with the upper and lower rails to a position into alignment therewith when the first beams are shifted toward one another.