Abstract: In a vehicle, a first energy storage device has a first direct current (DC) operating voltage; and a second energy storage device has a second DC operating voltage. The second DC operating voltage is greater than or less than the first DC operating voltage the first DC operating voltage. A switch is connected between the first and second energy storage devices. A fault diagnostic module, while an internal combustion engine of the vehicle is shut down, diagnoses that a fault is present when a voltage of the first energy storage device is less than a predetermined DC voltage. The predetermined DC voltage is less than the first DC operating voltage. A switch control module closes the switch when the fault is diagnosed. A starter control module, when the fault is diagnosed, applies power to a starter from the second energy storage device via the switch.

Abstract: An after-treatment (AT) system used to treat an exhaust gas flow emitted by an internal combustion engine includes a catalyst monolith configured to actively remove a pollutant from the exhaust gas flow. The AT system also includes a heating element configured to heat the catalyst monolith. The AT system additionally includes an energy-discharge unit configured to power the heating element. The energy-discharge unit includes an energy-storage device configured to supply electrical energy. The energy-discharge unit also includes a capacitor configured to receive the electrical energy from the energy-storage device and discharge the received electrical energy to power the heating element and thereby heat the catalyst monolith. A vehicle having an internal combustion engine operatively connected to such an AT system is also contemplated.

Abstract: An after-treatment (AT) system used to treat an exhaust gas flow emitted by an internal combustion engine includes a catalyst monolith configured to actively remove a pollutant from the exhaust gas flow. The AT system also includes a heating element configured to heat the catalyst monolith. The AT system additionally includes an energy-discharge unit configured to power the heating element. The energy-discharge unit includes an energy-storage device configured to supply electrical energy. The energy-discharge unit also includes a capacitor configured to receive the electrical energy from the energy-storage device and discharge the received electrical energy to power the heating element and thereby heat the catalyst monolith. A vehicle having an internal combustion engine operatively connected to such an AT system is also contemplated.

Abstract: In a vehicle, a first energy storage device has a first direct current (DC) operating voltage; and a second energy storage device has a second DC operating voltage. The second DC operating voltage is greater than or less than the first DC operating voltage the first DC operating voltage. A switch is connected between the first and second energy storage devices. A fault diagnostic module, while an internal combustion engine of the vehicle is shut down, diagnoses that a fault is present when a voltage of the first energy storage device is less than a predetermined DC voltage. The predetermined DC voltage is less than the first DC operating voltage. A switch control module closes the switch when the fault is diagnosed. A starter control module, when the fault is diagnosed, applies power to a starter from the second energy storage device via the switch.

Abstract: A method for fault-tolerant coasting control of a powertrain system having an engine and a first energy storage system (ESS) includes receiving a real impedance value of the first ESS from a frequency analyzer device at a calibrated frequency while the engine is running, and comparing the real impedance value to a calibrated impedance. A coasting maneuver is enabled allowing the engine to turn off above a threshold speed when the real impedance value is less than the calibrated impedance. The method may include starting the engine using a second ESS in parallel with the first ESS to exit the coasting maneuver when the real impedance value exceeds the calibrated impedance. Subsequent execution of the coasting maneuver may be prevented as long as the real impedance value exceeds the calibrated impedance. A powertrain system includes the engine, starter motor, rechargeable ESS, frequency analyzer, and controller.

Abstract: A method for fault-tolerant coasting control of a powertrain system having an engine and a first energy storage system (ESS) includes receiving a real impedance value of the first ESS from a frequency analyzer device at a calibrated frequency while the engine is running, and comparing the real impedance value to a calibrated impedance. A coasting maneuver is enabled allowing the engine to turn off above a threshold speed when the real impedance value is less than the calibrated impedance. The method may include starting the engine using a second ESS in parallel with the first ESS to exit the coasting maneuver when the real impedance value exceeds the calibrated impedance. Subsequent execution of the coasting maneuver may be prevented as long as the real impedance value exceeds the calibrated impedance. A powertrain system includes the engine, starter motor, rechargeable ESS, frequency analyzer, and controller.

Abstract: An inlet check valve assembly with flame arresting feature. An internal flame arresting feature utilizes a flame arrester body attached to a valve member which protrudes into the valve throat. An external flame arresting feature utilizes a hood concentrically disposed relative to the valve member. The flame arresting feature is configured relative to movement of the valve member with respect to the throat such that fluidic communication between the fuel fill pipe and the fuel tank is limited to less than the minimum flame propagation distance of the fuel and air mixture in which a combustible mixture may exist in the fuel fill pipe, whereby any flame front in the fuel fill pipe will quench thereat before reaching the fuel tank.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery in which electrically-non conducting ceramic particles are interposed between the anode and cathode to enforce separation between them and prevent short circuits is described. The particles, preferably equiaxed or monodisperse, may be generally uniformly dispersed in a non-aqueous gelled or high viscosity electrolyte. The electrolyte may be applied to one or both of the anode and cathode in suitable thickness to deposit the particles with the electrolyte and form a layered composite with substantially uniformly spaced particles suitable for holding the opposing anode and cathode faces in spaced-apart relation. The thickness of the applied electrolyte layer will be selected to enable deposition of the particles substantially as a fractional monolayer, a monolayer, or a multilayer as required for the application.

Abstract: An inlet check valve assembly with flame arresting feature. An internal flame arresting feature utilizes a flame arrester body attached to a valve member which protrudes into the valve throat. An external flame arresting feature utilizes a hood concentrically disposed relative to the valve member. The flame arresting feature is configured relative to movement of the valve member with respect to the throat such that fluidic communication between the fuel fill pipe and the fuel tank is limited to less than the minimum flame propagation distance of the fuel and air mixture in which a combustible mixture may exist in the fuel fill pipe, whereby any flame front in the fuel fill pipe will quench thereat before reaching the fuel tank.

Abstract: A charging regulator assembly for an energy storing device includes an active material actuator configured to move a contact from a connected position permitting current transfer between the contact and a power bus into a disconnected position preventing current transfer between the contact and the power bus. The active material actuator is engaged in response to a temperature of the active material actuator rising above a pre-determined value. Moving the contact into the disconnected position prevents further current transfer into or out of the energy storing device, thereby preventing further heating of the energy storing device and preventing potential damage to the energy storing device form overheating.

Abstract: A packaged reactive material includes a reactive material that is configured to increase in size when exposed to a predetermined gas, and an inert coating material surrounding a surface of the reactive material. The inert coating material is configured to allow the predetermined gas to diffuse through to the reactive material and has an elongation that will not accommodate expansion of the reactive material at full saturation of the predetermined gas.

Abstract: A hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposite useful as a cathode in high discharge capacity lithium batteries is provided. The nanocomposite includes macromolecules that are located inside interlayer galleries of V2O5. These macromolecules include either conducting conjugated polymers or a combination of conducting conjugated polymers and ion conducting polymers. The nanocomposites possess high charge/discharge characteristics. A solvent-free mechanochemical method for the preparation of the hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposites is also provided.

Abstract: A packaged reactive material includes a reactive material that is configured to increase in size when exposed to a predetermined gas, and an inert coating material surrounding a surface of the reactive material. The inert coating material is configured to allow the predetermined gas to diffuse through to the reactive material and has an elongation that will not accommodate expansion of the reactive material at full saturation of the predetermined gas.

Abstract: A charging regulator assembly for an energy storing device includes an active material actuator configured to move a contact from a connected position permitting current transfer between the contact and a power bus into a disconnected position preventing current transfer between the contact and the power bus. The active material actuator is engaged in response to a temperature of the active material actuator rising above a pre-determined value. Moving the contact into the disconnected position prevents further current transfer into or out of the energy storing device, thereby preventing further heating of the energy storing device and preventing potential damage to the energy storing device form overheating.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a system for methods of producing and releasing hydrogen from hydrogen storage compositions having a hydrogenated state and a dehydrogenated state. In the hydrogenated state, such a composition comprises a hydride and a hydroxide. In a dehydrogenated state, the composition comprises an oxide. A first reaction is conducted between a portion of the hydride and water to generate heat sufficient to cause a second hydrogen production reaction between a remaining portion of the hydride and the hydroxide.

Abstract: A hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposite useful as a cathode in high discharge capacity lithium batteries is provided. The nanocomposite includes macromolecules that are located inside interlayer galleries of V2O5. These macromolecules include either conducting conjugated polymers or a combination of conducting conjugated polymers and ion conducting polymers. The nanocomposites possess high charge/discharge characteristics. A solvent-free mechanochemical method for the preparation of the hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposites is also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage material that is formed by reacting solid precursors (a) and (b). The (a) precursor is a compound containing X—H and Y—H bonds, where X is a Group 13 and Y is a Group 15 element. Preferably X is boron (B—H) and Y is nitrogen (N—H). Most preferably, the precursor (a) is borazane. The (b) precursor is preferably a hydride, such as LiH or LiAlH4. Another feature of the present invention is a novel hydrogen storage composition material that is formed as an intermediate (INT) in the reaction of the (a) with the (b) precursors. The INT hydrogen storage material can be a quaternary B—H—Li—N composition. Other aspects of hydrogen storage materials are provided herein.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method of storing hydrogen that comprises reacting two precursors to form a hydrogen storage composition comprising hydrogen, nitrogen, a Group 13 element, and an element selected from Group 1, Group 2 or mixtures thereof. In other aspects, the present invention provides a method of storing hydrogen by ball-milling two precursors at a temperature in a range sufficient to prevent pre-mature release of hydrogen, while the temperature is still sufficient to induce reaction between the precursors. The precursors preferably have X—H, Y—H and A-H bonds where X represents a Group 13 element, Y represents a Group 15 element, and A represents an element from Group 1, Group 2, or mixtures thereof. Other variations of the methods of storing hydrogen are further provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage material that is formed by reacting solid precursors (a) and (b). The (a) precursor is a compound containing X—H and Y—H bonds, where X is a Group 13 and Y is a Group 15 element. Preferably X is boron (B—H) and Y is nitrogen (N—H). Most preferably, the precursor (a) is borazane. The (b) precursor is preferably a hydride, such as LiH or LiAlH4. Another feature of the present invention is a novel hydrogen storage composition material that is formed as an intermediate (INT) in the reaction of the (a) with the (b) precursors. The INT hydrogen storage material can be a quaternary B—H—Li—N composition. Other aspects of hydrogen storage materials are provided herein.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage composition having a hydrogenated state and a dehydrogenated state. In the hydrogenated state, such composition comprises a hydride and a hydroxide. In a dehydrogenated state, the composition comprises an oxide. The present invention also provides methods of and compositions for regenerating a species of a hydroxide and a hydride material.