Abstract: One example of a vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back, a seat bottom coupled to the seat back, and a bladder support system coupled to at least one of the seat back and the seat bottom. The bladder support system includes air cells and a pump fluidly connected to the air cells to selectively inflate the air cells when the pump receives an activation signal. A valve system defining flow paths fluidly connected between the pump and the air cells. The valve system includes at least three control valves, with each control valve generating a control valve output when receiving the activation signal. The valve system also includes passive valves movable to an open position to inflate the corresponding air cell when receiving at least three control valve outputs. A controller is configured to send the activation signal to the control valves and the pump.

Abstract: A fluid routing device (20) directs the transportation of a fluid. The fluid routing device includes a housing (22) having an opening (40) with a seat (38), and a valve (42) opening and closing the opening. The valve includes a first permanent magnet (56) having a first magnetic coercivity and a first polarity and a second permanent magnet (58) having a second magnetic coercivity lower than the first magnetic coercivity of the first permanent magnet such that the second permanent magnet has a second polarity capable of switching between a complimentary configuration oriented in a common direction as the first polarity, and a reversed configuration oriented in an opposite direction from the first polarity. A coil (59) surrounds at least the second permanent magnet. The coil is configured to orient the second polarity in the complimentary configuration when electric current passes in a first direction and in the reversed configuration when electric current passes in a second direction.

Abstract: One example of a vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back, a seat bottom coupled to the seat back, and a bladder support system coupled to at least one of the seat back and the seat bottom. The bladder support system includes air cells and a pump fluidly connected to the air cells to selectively inflate the air cells when the pump receives an activation signal. A valve system defining flow paths fluidly connected between the pump and the air cells. The valve system includes at least three control valves, with each control valve generating a control valve output when receiving the activation signal. The valve system also includes passive valves movable to an open position to inflate the corresponding air cell when receiving at least three control valve outputs. A controller is configured to send the activation signal to the control valves and the pump.

Abstract: One embodiment of a lumbar support system includes one or more air cells adapted to be mounted to a vehicle seat assembly, a pump selectively inflating the air cells, and a valve fluidly connected between the pump and the air cells. The valve includes a body defining a pair of cavities corresponding with each of the air cells. The valve further includes an inflate plunger movable in one of the cavities to selectively open the cavity and a deflate plunger movable in the other cavity to selectively open the other cavity. Furthermore, the valve includes an actuator movably coupled to the body between a first operational position to inflate the air cell, and a second operational position to deflate the air cell. An electrical switch is electrically coupled to an electrical input of the pump and closed when the actuator is moved to the first or second operational positions.

Abstract: A headrest assembly for a vehicle seat. The headrest assembly includes a support bracket having a first engagement section and a moveable bracket movable between first and second positions. The headrest assembly further includes a pawl defining a cam surface. The pawl has a second engagement section and is pivotable between an engaged position, with the second engagement section engaging the first engagement section, and a disengaged position, with the second engagement section spaced from the first engagement section. The headrest assembly further includes a first tab selectively engaging and guiding the pawl into the engaged position, and a second tab selectively engaging and guiding the pawl into the disengaged position as the moveable bracket moves between the first and second positions. The headrest assembly further includes a biasing member engaging the cam surface to continuously bias the pawl into both of the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A fluid routing device (20) directs the transportation of a fluid. The fluid routing device includes a housing (22) having an opening (40) with a seat (38), and a valve (42) opening and closing the opening. The valve includes a first permanent magnet (56) having a first magnetic coercivity and a first polarity and a second permanent magnet (58) having a second magnetic coercivity lower than the first magnetic coercivity of the first permanent magnet such that the second permanent magnet has a second polarity capable of switching between a complimentary configuration oriented in a common direction as the first polarity, and a reversed configuration oriented in an opposite direction from the first polarity. A coil (59) surrounds at least the second permanent magnet. The coil is configured to orient the second polarity in the complimentary configuration when electric current passes in a first direction and in the reversed configuration when electric current passes in a second direction.

Abstract: One embodiment of a lumbar support system includes one or more air cells adapted to be mounted to a vehicle seat assembly, a pump selectively inflating the air cells, and a valve fluidly connected between the pump and the air cells. The valve includes a body defining a pair of cavities corresponding with each of the air cells. The valve further includes an inflate plunger movable in one of the cavities to selectively open the cavity and a deflate plunger movable in the other cavity to selectively open the other cavity. Furthermore, the valve includes an actuator movably coupled to the body between a first operational position to inflate the air cell, and a second operational position to deflate the air cell. An electrical switch is electrically coupled to an electrical input of the pump and closed when the actuator is moved to the first or second operational positions.

Abstract: A headrest assembly for a vehicle seat. The headrest assembly includes a support bracket having a first engagement section and a moveable bracket movable between first and second positions. The headrest assembly further includes a pawl defining a cam surface. The pawl has a second engagement section and is pivotable between an engaged position, with the second engagement section engaging the first engagement section, and a disengaged position, with the second engagement section spaced from the first engagement section. The headrest assembly further includes a first tab selectively engaging and guiding the pawl into the engaged position, and a second tab selectively engaging and guiding the pawl into the disengaged position as the moveable bracket moves between the first and second positions. The headrest assembly further includes a biasing member engaging the cam surface to continuously bias the pawl into both of the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A headrest assembly for a vehicle seat. The headrest assembly includes a support bracket having a first engagement section and a moveable bracket movable between first and second positions. The headrest assembly further includes a pawl defining a cam surface. The pawl has a second engagement section and is pivotable between an engaged position, with the second engagement section engaging the first engagement section, and a disengaged position, with the second engagement section spaced from the first engagement section. The headrest assembly further includes a first tab selectively engaging and guiding the pawl into the engaged position, and a second tab selectively engaging and guiding the pawl into the disengaged position as the moveable bracket moves between the first and second positions. The headrest assembly further includes a biasing member engaging the cam surface to continuously bias the pawl into both of the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A headrest assembly for a vehicle seat. The headrest assembly includes a support bracket having a first engagement section and a moveable bracket movable between first and second positions. The headrest assembly further includes a pawl defining a cam surface. The pawl has a second engagement section and is pivotable between an engaged position, with the second engagement section engaging the first engagement section, and a disengaged position, with the second engagement section spaced from the first engagement section. The headrest assembly further includes a first tab selectively engaging and guiding the pawl into the engaged position, and a second tab selectively engaging and guiding the pawl into the disengaged position as the moveable bracket moves between the first and second positions. The headrest assembly further includes a biasing member engaging the cam surface to continuously bias the pawl into both of the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: An integrated fuel cell stack assembly (26) and selective oxidizer bed assembly (200) is provided. The fuel cell stack assembly (26) also includes a number of fuel cells. A fuel inlet manifold (22) and fuel inlet plenum to cell stack (38) manifold are arranged in fluid communication with the fuel stack assembly (26) for supplying to and exhausting from, respectively, the fuel supply in the fuel cells in the fuel stack assembly (26). The bed resides in said fuel inlet manifold. The bed includes a selective oxidation catalyst with a heat exchange fluid conduit routed therethrough. Oxygen-containing gas is supplied into the bed via the input plenum. The temperature of the internal selective oxidizer bed is controlled by the fluid conduit in the bed to reduce carbon monoxide in the fuel.

Abstract: An assembly for shifting gear positions (10 and 110) in an electronically controlled transmission including a single lever control for moving between various gear positions. The assembly includes a shift lever (118) mounted to either a column support (14) or a base (112). The shift lever (118) either moves a detent finger (38) between a plurality of gear positions or moves a plurality of detent valleys (26) of a detent housing (20) into contact with a detent finger mechanism (22). The distal end (36) of the detent finger (38) includes a magnet (32) for generating a magnetic field. The detent valleys (26 and 126) represent each gear position and a Hall effect sensor (30) is disposed in the predetermined depth of each detent valley (26 and 126). The sensor (30) is activated by the magnetic field generated by the magnet (32) attached to the distal end (36) of the detent finger (38). In response, the sensor (30) generates an output voltage to a control module.

Abstract: The invention is a reformate fuel treatment system for a fuel cell power plant that includes at least one fuel cell for generating electricity from process oxidant and reducing fluid reactant streams; fuel processing components including a steam supply and a reformer for producing a hydrogen enriched reformate fuel for the fuel cell from a hydrocarbon fuel; and, an ammonia removal apparatus that treats the reformate fuel to make it appropriate for supplying hydrogen to an anode electrode of the fuel cell. The ammonia removal apparatus may be a disposable ammonia scrubber, an ammonia scrubbing cool water bed and an ammonia stripping warm water bed, a pair of first and second regenerable scrubbers, or a single regenerable ammonia scrubber.

Abstract: The invention is a hydride bed water recovery system for a fuel cell power plant that has at least one fuel cell having an electrolyte between anode and cathode electrodes for producing an electric current from a reducing fluid and an oxidant stream. A coolant loop directs a coolant fluid from a coolant reservoir through a coolant passage to the fuel cell and back to the reservoir. A process exhaust passage receives a cathode exhaust stream from the fuel cell and directs the stream away from the fuel cell and into a hydride bed cooler that passes the stream in heat exchange relationship with a condensing hydride bed of the cooler so that the bed cools the process exhaust stream to condense water out of the stream.

Abstract: An accelerator pedal assembly (12) for electronically controlling a vehicle engine throttle includes a housing (18), a pedal arm (16) pivotally supported with respect to the housing (18), and a pedal pad (14) connected to a lower end (20) of the pedal arm (16). The pedal arm (16) is pivotable between an idle position and a maximum applied position as a pedal force is applied to the pedal pad (14). Under certain conditions, the accelerator pedal arm (16) can be pivoted to a position that causes the automatic transmission (40) to kickdown by changing to a next lower gear. Under these conditions a feel is imparted to the driver's foot indicating that a downshift has occurred. To simulate this feel in a drive-by-wire application, the pedal arm (16) presents a cam surface (48) for interacting with a spring (50) that has a first end (52) seated within the housing (18) and a movable second end (54) for bias engagement with the pedal arm (16).

Abstract: An environmental compensation apparatus for an electrochemical fuel cell assembly, wherein a compressible material is dispersed within a coolant flow of the fuel cell assembly and is utilized to compensate for the expansion of the coolant when said fuel cell assembly is subjected to harsh environmental conditions. The compressible material is formed as a plurality of either polymeric or elastomer microspheres, each microsphere having a diameter larger than the pores of an anode or cathode flow field plate, yet smaller than the diameter of a coolant channel.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell has a noble metal or noble metal alloy catalyst 15 disposed in its air inlet manifold 13. During start up, a fuel cell is warmed to operating temperature by introducing a small amount of hydrogen into a flow of air to the air inlet 12 of the fuel cell where they react with the catalyst to produce heat at subflame temperatures. The adiabatic temperature rise of the gas stream is limited to about 150.degree. F. by limiting the hydrogen to about one volume percent of the fuel/oxidant mixture, thereby to be capable of raising the fuel cell temperature, for instance, from -40.degree. C. (-40.degree. F.) to about +45.degree. C. (+113.degree. F.), without flame, explosion or drying out of the membrane.

Abstract: During start up, a fuel cell is warmed to operating temperature by introducing a dilute hydrogen/air mixture into the normal process oxidant channels of the fuel cell where it reacts with a noble metal or noble metal alloy catalyst to produce heat at subflame temperatures. In one embodiment, catalyst is provided in a structure between the cathode and the process oxidant channels; if the structure is not sufficiently hydrophobic to allow the hydrogen/fuel mixture to reach it, such structure may be specially produced with hydrophobic regions to assure ice-free passages; in a structure with sufficient hydrophobic regions, only the catalyst need be added. In embodiments with a hydrophobic cathode, no structural modification is required; or a hydrophilic cathode may be provided with hydrophobic regions.

Abstract: A transmission selector mechanism (16) in a vehicle (10) having a transmission (20), a braking system (14), and a gear selector mechanism (22) is used to prevent the transmission selector mechanism (16) from moving out of a Park position (24) unless a brake pedal (18) has been depressed. A brake pedal (18) remotely controls the braking system (14) and is moveable between a rest position and an applied position. The gear selector mechanism (22) is moveable between a Park position (24) and a plurality of drive positions (26) for remotely controlling the transmission (20). The gear selector mechanism (22) includes an axially movable rod (42) having a bottom end (60) and a detent (62) extending laterally from the rod (42) for disposition in any one of the Park (24) and drive (26) positions. An interlock system (70) initially restrains the detent (62) in the Park position (24) until the brake pedal (18) is moved to the applied position.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell has methanol or ethanol fed into the coolant passages during shut down so as to prevent water trapped therein from freezing in sub-freezing environments. Upon start-up, a controlled amount of air is fed through the cathode reactant flow field so that alcohol diffusing to the cathode catalyst is oxidized, producing heat which will raise the temperature of the fuel cell above freezing, and to a normal operating temperature. A heat exchanger in the coolant water circulating loop may be bypassed during start-up.