Abstract: A power electronic system including a casing encapsulating a circuit board and multiple power electronic components mounted to a first broad face of the circuit board. The casing includes a case body, a first lid, and a second lid. The case body includes a cooling channel region including a cooling plate having a first and second broad face, cooling features extending from the cooling plate first broad face, and a cooling block extending from the cooling plate second broad face. The case body further includes a first access gap defined through the case body. The circuit board is mounted to the casing with the first broad face proximal the cooling plate second broad face. The power electronic system additionally includes a connector that extends from the case exterior to connect to the circuit board first broad face, wherein connector connection is facilitated by the first access gap.

Abstract: A motor controller comprising an inverter module including an inverter circuit coupled to a baseplate, wherein the baseplate includes cooling features; a cooling channel configured to receive a cooling fluid, wherein the cooling features extend into the cooling channel; a capacitor; and a laminated bus electrically coupling the capacitor to the inverter circuit and thermally coupling the capacitor to the cooling channel.

Abstract: A frame for an electric vehicle with a motor and a transmission, the frame including a steering head unit, a power unit casing, a left side frame and a right side frame. The steering head unit includes a steering head, a left extension and a right extension, wherein the left extension and right extension extend at an angle from the steering head. The power unit casing encloses the motor and the transmission, orienting the gearbox of the transmission vertically underneath the motor. The left and right side frames mount, on one end, to the left and right extensions of the steering head unit, respectively, wherein the other end mounts to the left and right sides of the power unit casing, respectively. The steering head unit, the power unit, the left side frame and the right side frame form an open cage, configured to accept a battery assembly.

Abstract: A system for cooling an electric motor, the electric motor including a stator disposed about a rotor, wherein cooling system includes a rotor assembly including a shaft with a shaft channel extending through the center of the shaft and radial channels extending radially from the shaft channel; a rotor with profiled rotor ends; and two guides, each coupled to a rotor end, that guides fluid from the shaft exterior to the rotor end. The system may additionally include interior channels that traverse through the rotor interior, wherein the interior channels fluidly couple the radial channels to a guide-rotor end pair. The system may also include stator cooling mechanisms, including cooling channels within the motor casing proximal to stator exterior surface and dispensing mechanisms that dispense working fluid to the stator coils.

Abstract: The translation apparatus comprises an elongate track, an elongate fixed member and a stage. The fixed member extends parallel to the track in a fixed lengthwise position relative to the track. The stage is mounted on the track and is capable of movement along the track. The stage comprises a motive force generator, a rotatable member and a rotary brake. The motive force generator is operable to move the stage along the track. The rotatable member is coupled with the fixed member in a manner that converts motion of the stage along the track into rotation of the rotatable member. The rotary brake is selectively operable to apply a braking torque to the rotatable member. The coupling between the rotatable member and the fixed member converts the braking torque applied to the rotatable member into a braking force applied to the stage.

Abstract: A method for remotely monitoring and gathering information about a plurality of vehicles, including the steps of accessing the plurality of vehicles wherein each vehicle is individually operated, selecting vehicle data from the plurality of vehicles, communicating the vehicle data from the plurality of vehicles to a remote processor, and processing the plurality of vehicle data into population data by the remote processor. The individual operation of each vehicle preferably includes the steps of generating vehicle data, operating the vehicle based on the vehicle data with a vehicle controller, and storing the vehicle data in a database located on the vehicle.

Abstract: A frame for an electric vehicle with a motor and a transmission, the frame including a steering head unit, a power unit casing, a left side frame and a right side frame. The steering head unit includes a steering head, a left extension and a right extension, wherein the left extension and right extension extend at an angle from the steering head. The power unit casing encloses the motor and the transmission, orienting the gearbox of the transmission vertically underneath the motor. The left and right side frames mount, on one end, to the left and right extensions of the steering head unit, respectively, wherein the other end mounts to the left and right sides of the power unit casing, respectively. The steering head unit, the power unit, the left side frame and the right side frame form an open cage, configured to accept a battery assembly.

Abstract: The robot comprises a movable member; a motor operable to change a position of the movable member relative to a gravitationally-loaded axis; and a servo operable to control the motor. The servo has a normal operational mode in which it controls the motor to define the position of the movable member relative to the gravitationally-loaded axis. The servo additionally has a training mode in which it controls the motor to set the movable member to a weightless state. In its weightless state, a user can easily and accurately move the movable member to train the robot.

Abstract: The translation apparatus comprises an elongate track, an elongate fixed member and a stage. The fixed member extends parallel to the track in a fixed lengthwise position relative to the track. The stage is mounted on the track and is capable of movement along the track. The stage comprises a motive force generator, a rotatable member and a rotary brake. The motive force generator is operable to move the stage along the track. The rotatable member is coupled with the fixed member in a manner that converts motion of the stage along the track into rotation of the rotatable member. The rotary brake is selectively operable to apply a braking torque to the rotatable member. The coupling between the rotatable member and the fixed member converts the braking torque applied to the rotatable member into a braking force applied to the stage.

Abstract: A formed sheet heat exchanger is provided for exchanging heat between fluids is provided. The apparatus includes flow divider sheets that are positioned in a stacked configuration and extend in a longitudinal direction so that adjacent pairs of the sheets define flow passages therebetween for receiving first and second fluids. Each of the sheets is nonuniform in the longitudinal direction, having a manifold portion and a corrugated portion. The corrugated portions of each adjacent pair of sheets define a plurality of fluid channels therebetween that are connected to the portion of the flow passage defined between the manifold portions. The fluid channels are configured to receive the first or second fluids and transfer thermal energy therebetween through the flow divider sheets.

Abstract: A catalyst that can be used for the production of hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels in steam reforming processes contains an active metal of, e.g., at least one of Ir, Pt and Pd, on a catalyst support of, e.g., at least one of monoclinic zirconia and an alkaline-earth metal hexaaluminate. The catalyst exhibits improved activity, stability in both air and reducing atmospheres, and sulfur tolerance.

Abstract: Use of a catalyst composition comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, rhodium, nickel and combinations thereof, on a support selected from the group consisting of a beta-zeolite, mordenite and faujasites, is taught for carbon oxide methanation reactions for fuel cells. Specifically, when a mixture of gases containing hydrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and water is passed over the catalyst in a reaction zone having a temperature below the temperature at which the shift reaction occurs and above the temperature at which the selective methanation of carbon monoxide occurs, the catalyst efficiently facilitates the selective hydrogenation of carbon monoxide using H2 that is present in the reformate and reduces the concentration of the CO to levels equal to or less than about 50 ppm and demonstrates a carbon monoxide (CO) methanation selectivity of greater than about 50%.

Abstract: The present development is a catalyst for use in the water-gas-shift reaction. The catalyst includes a Group VIII or Group IB metal, a transition metal promoter selected from the group consisting of rhenium, niobium, silver, manganese, vanadium, molybdenum, titanium, tungsten and a combination thereof, and a ceria-based support. The support may further include gadolinium, samarium, zirconium, lithium, cesium, lanthanum, praseodymium, manganese, titanium, tungsten or a combination thereof. A process for preparing the catalyst is also presented. In a preferred embodiment, the process involves providing “clean” precursors as starting materials in the catalyst preparation.

Abstract: A method for producing a substantially desulfurized hydrocarbon fuel stream at temperatures less than 100° C. including providing a nondesulfurized fuel cell hydrocarbon fuel stream and passing the fuel stream through a sulfur adsorbent system containing a specialized sulfur adsorbent containing hydrated alumina to produce a substantially desulfurized hydrocarbon fuel stream.

Abstract: A catalyst that can be used for the production of hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels in steam reforming processes contains an active metal of, e.g., at least one of Ir, Pt and Pd, on a catalyst support of, e.g., at least one of monoclinic zirconia and an alkaline-earth metal hexaaluminate. The catalyst exhibits improved activity, stability in both air and reducing atmospheres, and sulfur tolerance.

Abstract: A promoted calcium-alumina supported reforming catalyst that is particularly useful for reforming reactions where low H2/CO ratio synthesis gas, such as less than 2.3 is generated directly is disclosed. The catalyst comprises from about 25 wt % to about 98 wt % alumina, from about 0.5 wt % to about 35 wt % calcium oxide, from about 0.01 wt % to about 35 wt % of a promoter, and from about 0.05 wt % to about 30 wt % of an active metal. The promoter is selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, yttrium, niobium, elements of the lanthanum-series, such as, without limitation, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, ytterbium, and combinations thereof. The active metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, platinum, iridium and combinations thereof as active metal, wherein the calcium oxide is combined with the alumina to form aluminum-rich calcium aluminates.

Abstract: A promoted calcium-alumina supported reforming catalyst that is particularly useful for reforming reactions where low H2/CO ratio synthesis gas, such as less than 2.3 is generated directly is disclosed. The catalyst comprises from about 25 wt % to about 98 wt % alumina, from about 0.5 wt % to about 35 wt % calcium oxide, from about 0.01 wt % to about 35 wt % of a promoter, and from about 0.05 wt % to about 30 wt % of an active metal. The promoter is selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, yttrium, niobium, elements of the lanthanum-series, such as, without limitation, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, ytterbium, and combinations thereof. The active metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, platinum, iridium and combinations thereof as active metal, wherein the calcium oxide is combined with the alumina to form aluminum-rich calcium aluminates.

Abstract: A hanging device as may be utilized to mount plants is provided. The hanging device is coupled to a standardized care tag slot as found on most store-bought plastic containers. Through the use of the hanging device, it is not necessary to purchase additional plant containers for placement in additionally purchased hanging devices to display plants in a selected environment. The hanging device further allows for the placement of communications to customers as they concern the plant and/or container. Methods for mounting a container utilizing the disclosed hanging device are also provided.

Abstract: A catalyst that can be used for the production of hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels in steam reforming processes contains an active metal of, e.g., at least one of Ir, Pt and Pd, on a catalyst support of, e.g., at least one of monoclinic zirconia and an alkaline-earth metal hexaaluminate. The catalyst exhibits improved activity, stability in both air and reducing atmospheres, and sulfur tolerance.