Abstract: Combined reformer and fuel cell systems, and their methods of operation, are described in which air is introduced to the system to produce additional water by reacting with hydrogen produced from the reformer during the reformer's startup partial oxidation mode of operation.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling communication between a satellite transceiver and a ground transceiver, where the satellite transceiver is configured to receive concurrently a plurality of messages at substantially the same carrier frequency from a plurality of ground transceivers. The satellite transceiver transmits a priority threshold indicative of a priority rating of a message that authorizes the ground transceiver to transmit the message to the satellite transceiver. The ground transceiver receives the priority threshold transmitted by the ground transceiver, and determines if the message is authorized to be transmitted based on a comparison of the priority threshold and the priority rating of the message to be transmitted.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling communication between a satellite transceiver and a ground transceiver, where the satellite transceiver is configured to receive concurrently a plurality of messages at substantially the same carrier frequency from a plurality of ground transceivers. The satellite transceiver transmits a priority threshold indicative of a transmit power that a ground transceiver is authorized to use to transmit a message. The ground transceiver receives the priority threshold transmitted by the ground transceiver, and determines a transmit power of the transmitter to transmit a message based on a comparison of the priority threshold and a priority rating of the message.

Abstract: A sub-cooled condenser for an air conditioning system, having a condenser portion, a sub-cooler portion located below that of the condenser portion, an adjacent receiver tank having a first fluid port in hydraulic connection with the condenser portion and a second fluid port in hydraulic connection with the sub-cooler portion, and a refrigerant diverter assembly disposed in the receiver tank. The refrigerant diverter assembly is configured to divert a refrigerant from the first fluid port to a location beneath the surface level of a refrigerant retained within the receiver tank without impacting the surface level. The refrigerant diverter assembly includes a refrigerant port in hydraulic connection with the first fluid port, axial and annular refrigerant passageways, and a refrigerant conduit having an inlet end in hydraulic communication with the annular passageway and a second fluid port beneath the surface level (S) of the liquid phase refrigerant.

Abstract: A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material molded to provide details to accept audio devices and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips.

Abstract: A terrestrial receiver recovers universal services in a satellite radio transmission system including discrete signal sources producing overlapping spot beam loci within a coverage area, wherein the signals forming the beams each contain repeating time aligned universal services having a master synchronizing frame, at least one common channel, and at least one spot specific channel with differing frequency and/or polarization. The receiver switches among antenna elements. A portion of antenna elements receive a transmitted signal, including a plurality of sub-channels that are transmitted in predetermined time intervals. A switching device switches among single antenna elements to receive the transmitted signal. A controller commands the switching device to select each of the antenna elements separately in predetermined periods of time based upon the predetermined time intervals of each of the master synchronizing frames.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide storage means stores the carbon dioxide released in a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger cools the exhaust gas emitted by the internal combustion engine, and includes a thermal electric generator (TEG) configured to couple thermally the exhaust gas chamber to the absorber fluid chamber in a manner effective to heat the CO2 absorbent fluid by heat from the engine exhaust to release CO2 gas from the CO2 absorbent fluid and generate electricity in response to a temperature difference therebetween. The CO2 absorbent fluid is one of: a) an aliphatic di-functional nitrile (e.g. pimelonitrile); and b) an oligomeric poly-acrylonitrile (PAN).

Abstract: In a method for the detection and tracking of lane markings from a motor vehicle, an image of a space located in front of the vehicle is captured by means of an image capture device at regular intervals. The picture elements that meet a predetermined detection criterion are identified as detected lane markings in the captured image. At least one detected lane marking as a lane marking to be tracked is subjected to a tracking process. At least one test zone is defined for each detected lane marking. With the aid of intensity values of the picture elements associated with the test zone, at least one parameter is determined. The detected lane marking is assigned to one of several lane marking categories, depending on the parameter.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly is provided having at least one header, a plurality of spaced apart fluid tubes in hydraulic communication with the header, and a plurality of corrugated fins disposed between the tubes. The corrugated fins include a planar portion having a louver segment defined between a pair of primary slits, in which the louver segment includes an intermediate slit splitting the louver segment into a pair of mini-louvers. The mini-louvers are counter-offset such that one of the mini-louvers is on one side of the planar portion and the other one of the mini-lover is on the other side of the planar portion. The mini-louvers may be pivoted about their respective junctures such that each of the mini-louver segments is oblique relative to the planar portion.

Abstract: A catalytic reformer assembly includes a heated medium flow path for a first medium and a reforming flow path for a second medium. A catalyst substrate is located within the reforming flow path and supports a catalyst. A heat exchanger is disposed within the heated medium flow path for transferring heat from the heated medium flow path to the catalyst substrate.

Abstract: A system for separating carbon dioxide gas from internal combustion engine exhaust and an electricity generating heat exchanger for the system. The system includes a scrubber tank containing a carbon dioxide absorbent fluid and configured to bubble exhaust gas from the heat exchanger through the carbon dioxide absorbent fluid, whereby carbon dioxide gas is absorbed by the carbon dioxide absorbent fluid. A carbon dioxide storage means stores the carbon dioxide released in a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger cools the exhaust gas emitted by the internal combustion engine, and includes a thermal electric generator (TEG) configured to couple thermally the exhaust gas chamber to the absorber fluid chamber in a manner effective to heat the CO2 absorbent fluid by heat from the engine exhaust to release CO2 gas from the CO2 absorbent fluid and generate electricity in response to a temperature difference therebetween.

Abstract: A method of measuring a chemical vapor concentration is provided. A chemical vapor sensor measures a chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity. In an aspect, an ethanol vapor sensor is provided, sized for being inconspicuous and on-board a vehicle, having a passive measurement mode and an active breathalyzer mode, for detecting a motor vehicle driver that exceeds a legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), for use with vehicle safety systems. For the passive mode, a vapor concentrator is utilized to amplify a sampled vapor concentration to a detectable level for use with an infrared (IR) detector. In an aspect, ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin is passively measured and if a predetermined ethanol level is measured, a countermeasure is invoked to improve safety. In an aspect, an active breathalyzer is used as a countermeasure. The active breathalyzer can be imposed for a number of vehicle trips or for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method to avert an unlawfully intoxicated driver from operating a vehicle is provided. The method utilizes a passive ethanol vapor sensor to measure ethanol vapor concentration in air from a vehicle cabin and imposes a safety response when the passive ethanol vapor sensor detects that a sample of vehicle cabin air indicates that a vehicle occupant exceeds the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for a motor vehicle driver. The ethanol vapor sensor may have a passive measurement mode and an active breathalyzer mode. Ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin may be passively measured and if a predetermined ethanol level is measured, a countermeasure is invoked to improve safety. An active breathalyzer may be used as a countermeasure. The active breathalyzer can be imposed for a number of vehicle trips or for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A parallel parking assistant system integrated with a vehicle and method thereof are provided, the parking assistant system including a first sensor configured to determine a first distance, a second sensor configured to determine a second distance, and a controller configured to provide commands as a function of the first and second determined distances. The commands include a first command configured to command a steering system to be in a clockwise position while the vehicle is moving in a reverse direction for a first reversing distance, a second command configured to command the steering system to be in a substantially straight position while the vehicle is moving in a reverse direction for a second reversing distance, and a third command configured to command the steering system to be in a counter-clockwise position while the vehicle is a moving in a reverse direction for a third reversing distance.

Abstract: A ceramic short circuit resistant capacitor that is bendable and/or shapeable to provide a multiple layer capacitor that is extremely compact and amenable to desirable geometries. The capacitor that exhibits a benign failure mode in which a multitude of discrete failure events result in a gradual loss of capacitance. Each event is a localized event in which localized heating causes an adjacent portion of one or both of the electrodes to vaporize, physically cleaning away electrode material from the failure site. A first metal electrode, a second metal electrode, and a ceramic dielectric layer between the electrodes are thin enough to be formed in a serpentine-arrangement with gaps between the first electrode and the second electrode that allow venting of vaporized electrode material in the event of a benign failure.

Abstract: A wire connector assembly configured to inhibit leakage of fluids between two distinct environments and a method of constructing same is presented. The assembly includes insulated wire cables having ends that are spaced apart and joined by a wire splice element within a connector body, thereby interrupting a fluid leak path through the strands of the wire cables. The connector body may be over-molded the wire splice elements and a portion of connector body may be disposed intermediate to the ends of the wire cables, providing an additional physical barrier to the fluid leak path. The wire splice element may include wire crimp wings that are crimped to the ends of the wire cable. The wire splice elements may also include insulation crimp wings that may be crimped to the insulation to prevent insulation on the wire cables from pulling back and exposing wire strands.

Abstract: A heads-up display system suitable for use in a vehicle. The system includes a projector configured to project a projected image. A faceted reflector is included to overlay a dashboard area of the vehicle and define an array of reflective facets. Each facet is configured to reflect cooperatively a portion of the projected image to form a reflected image directed toward a windshield of the vehicle. A light diffusive layer is included to diffuse the reflected portion of the projected image such that the reflected image can be seen by an occupant of the vehicle as a reflection in the windshield. A light control film interposed between the windshield and the faceted reflector is included to propagate preferentially the projected image and thereby reduce the occurrence of ambient light washout of the reflected image being displayed.

Abstract: A communication system utilizing a hierarchically modulated signal and method thereof are provided, wherein a receiver system is configured to receive a hierarchically modulated signal. The receiver system includes a receiver device configured to receive the hierarchically modulated signal, which is a function of a time domain, and including a high priority data stream that has a single carrier type modulation, and a low priority data stream having data bits that are spread over a plurality of data symbols of a high priority data modulation. The receiver system further includes a low priority processor device, which includes an OFDM decoder configured to convert the low priority data stream of the hierarchically modulated signal that is a function of the time domain to be a function of a frequency domain by utilizing a FFT, such that an output is emitted that is representative of the low priority data stream.