Abstract: Disclosed are methods of using a laser to pattern unfired, screen printed metallization on unfired (green) LTCC tape material by a subtractive process especially on the internal layers of an LTCC circuit.

Abstract: A blending system is shown and described herein. A blending system may include a base including a motor and a first shell that encases the motor. The blending system may also include a container that is removably coupled to the blender base. The blending system may also have a second shell selectively attached to the first shell. The blending system may also have a wall positioned within the base to direct airflow from the fan along a volute-shaped path.

Abstract: A blending system is shown and described herein. The blending system may include a base including a motor, a blade assembly selectively and operably engaged with the base, where the motor drives the blade assembly, and a container having an inner and outer layer. The blending system may also include a magnet positioned between inner and outer layers of the container, and a sensor positioned in the base, where the magnet in operative proximity to the sensor permits operation of the motor.

Abstract: Methods, system and apparatus are provided for reducing power loss in an electric motor drive system that includes an electric machine and an inverter module. A controller determines whether a torque command (Tcmd) is less than a minimum torque threshold (Tmin) that is required to disable the inverter module, and if so, increments a counter and determines whether the torque command (Tcmd) remains less than the minimum torque threshold (Tmin). When the torque command (Tcmd) remains less than the minimum torque threshold (Tmin), the controller checks to determine whether a current count value (n) maintained at the counter is greater than a count threshold (nth), and if so, the controller can generate a disable signal to disable switching within the inverter module.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multilayer low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) structure comprising a multilayer low temperature co-fired ceramic comprising glass-ceramic dielectric layers with screen printed thick film inner conductors on portions of the layers and with thin film outer conductors deposited on the upper and lower outer surfaces of the LTCC. At least a portion of the thin film outer conductors is patterned in the form of lines and the spacings between the lines are less then 50 ?m. Also disclosed is a process for making the LTCC structure.

Abstract: A container cleaner comprising a spray head, a travel limiter wherein the length the spray head may be depressed is limited by the location of the travel limiter, a starter rod wherein said starter rod is capable of being depressed by said spray head, a timing cartridge wherein the timing cartridge is capable of being opened for a selected period of time when the starter rod is decompressed and a fluid inlet. The further the spray head is depressed the longer the time duration the timing cartridge remains open and the longer the time duration of the pressurized spray is sprayed. The length the spray head may be depressed is dependent on the position of the travel limiter and he travel limiter may be positioned by rotating the spray head.

Abstract: A method for managing a threshold increase in output torque capability in a vehicle includes detecting the threshold increase in output torque capability using a controller, and automatically limiting, via the controller, a rate of change of an actual output torque from a transmission of the vehicle in response to the threshold increase. The actual output torque is provided via a traction motor solely using battery power from an energy storage system. The method may include calculating a difference between the threshold increase and the actual output torque, and limiting the rate of change using a rate that is proportional to the difference. A vehicle includes the ESS, a transmission, and a controller. An output member of the transmission is powered using electrical energy from the ESS. The controller manages an increase in output torque capability as noted above.

Abstract: A method for controlling output torque of a hybrid powertrain system includes determining a constrained output torque in response to an operator torque request, and determining maximum and minimum output torque limits. A time-rate change in the constrained output torque at each of a plurality of torque breakpoints is determined. A desired output torque is determined. A preferred output torque is determined as the desired output torque adjusted using the time-rate changes in the constrained output torque at the plurality of torque breakpoints and limited within the maximum and minimum output torque limits. Torque outputs of torque generators of the hybrid powertrain system are controlled in response to the preferred output torque.

Abstract: A throttle control system includes a pressure comparison module and a throttle plate control module. The pressure comparison module determines an inlet pressure upstream from a throttle body and an outlet pressure downstream from the throttle body. The throttle plate control module controls a position of a throttle plate based on the inlet pressure and the outlet pressure.

Abstract: A method includes determining an amount of power currently available from a battery for tractive torque as an amount of power stored in the battery less an amount of power required to power other vehicle components, and less an amount of power required to start the engine. An output torque limit when torque is provided only by the motor and power required to provide the output torque limit are determined based on test data. A maximum output torque is calculated by multiplying the amount of power determined to be currently available for tractive torque by a ratio of the output torque limit to the amount of power required to provide the output torque limit. The current output torque may be reduced at a predetermined rate until within a predetermined range of the lesser of the maximum output torque and the output torque limit if an engine start is requested.

Abstract: A blending system includes a base, a housing connected to the base, and an ice bin positioned above the housing. A plurality of load cells may be positioned between the housing and the ice bin to monitor the weight of the ice bin. A drive play may be positioned above the base with a plurality of load cells disposed between the drive plate and base to monitor the weight of a container positioned on the drive plate.

Abstract: Methods, system and apparatus are provided for reducing power loss in an electric motor drive system that includes an electric machine and an inverter module. A controller determines whether a torque command (Tcmd) is less than a minimum torque threshold (Tmin) that is required to disable the inverter module, and if so, increments a counter and determines whether the torque command (Tcmd) remains less than the minimum torque threshold (Tmin). When the torque command (Tcmd) remains less than the minimum torque threshold (Tmin), the controller checks to determine whether a current count value (n) maintained at the counter is greater than a count threshold (nth), and if so, the controller can generate a disable signal to disable switching within the inverter module.

Abstract: A method for controlling output torque of a hybrid powertrain system includes determining a constrained output torque in response to an operator torque request, and determining maximum and minimum output torque limits. A time-rate change in the constrained output torque at each of a plurality of torque breakpoints is determined A desired output torque is determined A preferred output torque is determined as the desired output torque adjusted using the time-rate changes in the constrained output torque at the plurality of torque breakpoints and limited within the maximum and minimum output torque limits. Torque outputs of torque generators of the hybrid powertrain system are controlled in response to the preferred output torque.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multilayer low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) structure comprising a multilayer low temperature co-fired ceramic comprising glass-ceramic dielectric layers with screen printed thick film inner conductors on portions of the layers and with thin film outer conductors deposited on the upper and lower outer surfaces of the LTCC. At least a portion of the thin film outer conductors is patterned in the form of lines and the spacings between the lines are less then 50 ?m. Also disclosed is a process for making the LTCC structure.

Abstract: A container cleaner includes a body having a fluid inlet, a fluid passage within the body, and a nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly comprises a spray head, a plunger movable relative to a spray head, and a stopper having an opening to receive a portion of the plunger. The spray head may include a plurality of spray apertures formed in the spray head. The spray apertures are angled to direct fluid to portions of a container placed over the container cleaner.

Abstract: A method includes determining an amount of power currently available from a battery for tractive torque as an amount of power stored in the battery less an amount of power required to power other vehicle components, and less an amount of power required to start the engine. An output torque limit when torque is provided only by the motor and power required to provide the output torque limit are determined based on test data. A maximum output torque is calculated by multiplying the amount of power determined to be currently available for tractive torque by a ratio of the output torque limit to the amount of power required to provide the output torque limit. The current output torque may be reduced at a predetermined rate until within a predetermined range of the lesser of the maximum output torque and the output torque limit if an engine start is requested.

Abstract: A method for managing a threshold increase in output torque capability in a vehicle includes detecting the threshold increase in output torque capability using a controller, and automatically limiting, via the controller, a rate of change of an actual output torque from a transmission of the vehicle in response to the threshold increase. The actual output torque is provided via a traction motor solely using battery power from an energy storage system. The method may include calculating a difference between the threshold increase and the actual output torque, and limiting the rate of change using a rate that is proportional to the difference. A vehicle includes the ESS, a transmission, and a controller. An output member of the transmission is powered using electrical energy from the ESS. The controller manages an increase in output torque capability as noted above.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process which produces crack-free, non-camber, distortion-free, zero-shrink, LTCC bodies, composites, modules or packages from precursor green (unfired) laminates of multilayer structure with one or more different dielectric tape chemistries that are patterned with co-fireable thick film circuitry materials such as conductor, via fill, capacitor, inductor, or resistor for each tape layer including both top and bottom surface tape layers in direct contact with the sacrificial release tape.

Abstract: A system in a turbine engine for preventing wear on a tip shroud of a turbine blade that includes a pocket formed in a contact surface of the tip shroud and a plug that fits within the pocket and has a durable outer surface. The durable outer surface may include a cobalt-based hardfacing powder. The pocket may be machined out of the contact surface, and the plug may include a plug of predetermined size that fits snugly into the pocket. In some embodiments, the durable outer surface may substantially align with the contact surface after the plug is fitted into the pocket. In other embodiments, the durable outer surface may remain slightly raised from the contact surface after the plug has been fitted into the pocket.

Abstract: A throttle control system includes a pressure comparison module and a throttle plate control module. The pressure comparison module determines an inlet pressure upstream from a throttle body and an outlet pressure downstream from the throttle body. The throttle plate control module controls a position of a throttle plate based on the inlet pressure and the outlet pressure.