GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140153076 | METHOD FOR REDUCING GLARE FROM LIGHT SOURCES THROUGH WINDSCREENS - A method of reducing glare may include sensing a first light source with a second vehicle, and sensing a second light source with a first vehicle and oscillating a first light source ICF between a substantially opaque state and a substantially clear state on a first schedule. A second windscreen ICF may be oscillating between the substantially opaque state and the substantially clear state on a second schedule different from the first schedule. A position of the light source may be sensed and an eye position of the occupant estimated. An intersecting region of the selectively-darkenable ICF, which is located substantially along a line from the position of the light source to the eye position, is calculated. The intersecting region of the ICF is darkened, such that a reduced amount of light from the light source passes through the intersecting region. | 06-05-2014 |
20140093639 | Fuel Cell Component With Coating Including Nanoparticles - A product comprising a fuel cell component comprising a substrate and a coating overlying the substrate, the coating comprising nanoparticles having sizes ranging from 2 to 100 nanometers. | 04-03-2014 |
20140081545 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING BRAKING OF A VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY - A method for controlling braking of a vehicle includes the steps of calculating a first pressure based on a driver request, and providing pressure that does not exceed a predetermined pressure threshold if the vehicle is stationary and the first pressure is less than the predetermined pressure threshold. | 03-20-2014 |
20140037092 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF RECONSTRUCTING A SECRET CODE IN A VEHICLE FOR PERFORMING SECURE OPERATIONS - A method is provided for constructing a secret code in a processing unit when in communication with a portable security unit. Mutual authentication messages are exchanged between a linked portable security unit and processing unit. A first portion of the secret code is communicated to the processing unit. The processing unit combines the first portion and a second portion of the secret code stored in the non-volatile memory of the processing unit. The secret code is stored in a volatile memory of the processing unit. A secure operation is performed using the secret code. The portable security unit is de-linked from the processing unit. At least a portion of the secret code is deleted from the volatile memory of the processing unit. | 02-06-2014 |
20130313243 | GENERATOR POWERED ELECTRICALLY HEATED DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER - A control circuit for a vehicle powertrain includes a switch that selectivity interrupts current flow between a first terminal and a second terminal. A first power source provides power to the first terminal and a second power source provides power to the second terminal and to a heater of a heated diesel particulate filter (DPF). The switch is opened during a DPF regeneration cycle to prevent the first power source from being loaded by the heater while the heater is energized. | 11-28-2013 |
20130193704 | ROBOTIC FINGER ASSEMBLY - A robotic hand includes a finger with first, second, and third phalanges. A first joint rotatably connects the first phalange to a base structure. A second joint rotatably connects the first phalange to the second phalange. A third joint rotatably connects the third phalange to the second phalange. The second joint and the third joint are kinematically linked such that the position of the third phalange with respect to the second phalange is determined by the position of the second phalange with respect to the first phalange. | 08-01-2013 |
20130124025 | METHOD OF OPERATING A HYBRID POWERTRAIN - A method of operating a hybrid powertrain including an engine, an electric motor and a high voltage battery includes preventing fuel flow to the engine when the high voltage battery includes a state of charge at or above a pre-defined upper limit, and when the hybrid powertrain is operating in a second fueling condition in which fuel flow to the engine is preferably maintained. The engine is rotated with torque supplied by the electric motor to maintain rotation of the engine without producing any engine torque. | 05-16-2013 |
20130057842 | SOLUTION TO OPTICAL CONSTRAINT ON MICROTRUSS PROCESSING - A system for fabricating a radiation-cured structure is provided. The system includes a radiation-sensitive material having a first refractive index; a mask formed from a mask material having a second refractive index; and a radiation source. The mask is disposed between the radiation source and the radiation-sensitive material, and has a plurality of substantially radiation transparent apertures. The radiation source is configured to generate radiation beams for at least one of initiating, polymerizing, and crosslinking the radiation-sensitive material. The system includes at least one of a) an at least one normalizing surface disposed between the radiation source and the mask, b) a refractive fluid having a third refractive index disposed between the radiation source and the mask, and c) the refractive fluid having the third refractive index disposed between the mask and the radiation-sensitive material. A method for fabricating the radiation-cured structure is also provided. | 03-07-2013 |
20130033689 | DYNAMIC MASKING METHOD FOR MICRO-TRUSS FOAM FABRICATION - A system for fabricating a radiation-cured structure is provided. The system includes a radiation-sensitive material configured to at least one of initiate, polymerize, crosslink and dissociate with exposure to radiation. At least one radiation source is configured to project a radiation beam toward the radiation-sensitive material. A smart glass device is disposed between the radiation-sensitive material and the at least one radiation source. The smart glass device includes at least one switchable layer selectively operable from an active state to an inactive state. The smart glass device is configured to expose the radiation-sensitive material to a desired exposure pattern when in one of the active state and the inactive state. A method for fabricating the radiation-cured structure is also provided. | 02-07-2013 |
20130032304 | POUR LADLE FOR MOLTEN METAL - A method of forming a casting using a casting apparatus is disclosed, the method including the steps of lowering a ladle having a hollow interior into a source of molten material and an aperture facilitating flow into the hollow interior, filling the interior of the ladle with the molten material through the aperture, introducing an inert gas into a portion of a nozzle, removing the ladle from the source of molten material, causing the nozzle to contact a casting mold, and pressurizing the hollow interior with an inert gas to cause the molten material to flow into the casting mold. | 02-07-2013 |
20130011763 | SEPARATOR PLATES FORMED BY PHOTOPOLYMER BASED PROCESSES - A separator plate for a fuel cell is provided, including a substrate having a radiation-cured first flow field layer disposed thereon. A method for fabricating the separator plate is also provided. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate; applying a first radiation-sensitive material to the substrate; placing a first mask between a first radiation source and the first radiation-sensitive material, the first mask having a plurality of substantially radiation-transparent apertures; and exposing the first radiation-sensitive material to a plurality of first radiation beams to form a radiation-cured first flow field layer adjacent the substrate. A fuel cell having the separator plate is also provided. | 01-10-2013 |
20130008295 | CUTTING TOOL FOR FORMING AND RE-FORMING WELDING ELECTRODES WITH CONTOURED FACES - A cutting tool that can cut concentric ringed features (e.g. protruding ridges or intruding grooves) onto a weld face of an electrical resistance welding electrode is disclosed. The cutting tool includes a cutter blade that can be rotated about the electrode weld face. The cutter blade has at least one cutting surface configured to cut the concentric ringed features onto the weld face when the cutting surface is rotated relative to the weld face while engaged therewith. | 01-10-2013 |
20120301805 | FUEL CELL FABRICATION USING PHOTOPOLYMER BASED PROCESSES - A fuel cell component is provided, including a substrate disposed adjacent at least one radiation-cured flow field layer. The flow field layer is one of disposed between the substrate and a diffusion medium layer, and disposed on the diffusion medium layer opposite the substrate. The flow field layer has at least one of a plurality of reactant flow channels and a plurality of coolant channels for the fuel cell. The fuel cell component may be assembled as part of a repeating unit for a fuel cell stack. A method for fabricating the fuel cell component and the associated repeating unit for the fuel cell is also provided. | 11-29-2012 |
20120279343 | ROTARY SERIES ELASTIC ACTUATOR - A rotary actuator assembly is provided for actuation of an upper arm assembly for a dexterous humanoid robot. The upper arm assembly for the humanoid robot includes a plurality of arm support frames each defining an axis. A plurality of rotary actuator assemblies are each mounted to one of the plurality of arm support frames about the respective axes. Each rotary actuator assembly includes a motor mounted about the respective axis, a gear drive rotatably connected to the motor, and a torsion spring. The torsion spring has a spring input that is rotatably connected to an output of the gear drive and a spring output that is connected to an output for the joint. | 11-08-2012 |
20120279338 | ROTARY SERIES ELASTIC ACTUATOR - A rotary actuator assembly is provided for actuation of an upper arm assembly for a dexterous humanoid robot. The upper arm assembly for the humanoid robot includes a plurality of arm support frames each defining an axis. A plurality of rotary actuator assemblies are each mounted to one of the plurality of arm support frames about the respective axes. Each rotary actuator assembly includes a motor mounted about the respective axis, a gear drive rotatably connected to the motor, and a torsion spring. The torsion spring has a spring input that is rotatably connected to an output of the gear drive and a spring output that is connected to an output for the joint. | 11-08-2012 |
20120260498 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FUEL CELL STACK ASSEMBLY - A method and apparatus for assembling a fuel cell stack is disclosed, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of dunnage cassettes adapted to cooperate with a plurality of containers, a fixture, and an assembly device to simultaneously assemble a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies together with a plurality of bipolar plates. | 10-18-2012 |
20120245793 | MULTI-CELL VOLTAGE SECURE DATA ENCODING IN HYBRID VEHICLES - Methods and systems are provided for encoding vehicle data comprising a first voltage pertaining to a first battery cell and a second voltage pertaining to a second battery cell is provided. A determination is made as to whether the first voltage is valid. In addition, a determination is made as to whether the second voltage is valid. One of a plurality of values is assigned to a validity measure based at least in part on whether the first voltage or the second voltage, or both, are valid. The plurality of values, in binary form, are at least two bit errors removed from one another. | 09-27-2012 |
20120222512 | DOUBLE CLUTCH ACTUATION ARRANGEMENT - A double clutch assembly is provided in accordance with an embodiment. A pivot axis of a first lever and a pivot axis of a second lever is located at the same side of a first actuating element and of a second actuating element, namely at the same side of the tubular element and of the annular element. Furthermore, the first lever is provided with a first lever actuation area in form of the toe end area of the inner lever for a first actuator device, for example a piston. The first actuating element in form of the tubular element is situated in an area between the first lever actuation area and the pivot axis of the first lever. | 09-06-2012 |
20120214088 | HYDROGEN STORAGE TANK - A pressure vessel includes an inner shell formed from a moldable material, an intermediate shell formed over the inner shell, and an outer shell formed over the intermediate shell. The inner shell has an inner surface that defines a cavity, and the outer shell is formed with a high temperature epoxy resin. | 08-23-2012 |
20120204667 | INTERNAL GEAR AND CAP ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF - An internal gear and cap assembly includes a gear having a base that extends about an axis between a first and second end. The first end defines a groove that extends to a floor and the groove surrounds the axis. Teeth extend from the base. A lip extends from the first end and also surrounds the axis. A cap has a flange that is inserted into the groove. The lip is deformed toward the groove such that material from the lip flows to trap the flange between the lip and the floor of the groove to retain the cap to the gear in the axial direction. Slots may be defined in the flange such that the material from the lip flows into the slots to provide a key-lock between the cap and the gear to prevent rotation of the cap relative to the gear about the axis. | 08-16-2012 |
20120192717 | ELECTRICALLY HEATED PARTICULATE FILTER WITH REDUCED STRESS - A system comprises a particulate matter (PM) filter comprising an inlet for receiving exhaust gas. A zoned heater is arranged in the inlet and comprises a resistive heater comprising N zones, where N is an integer greater than one. Each of the N zones comprises M sub-zones, where M is an integer greater than one. A control module selectively activates one of the N zones to initiate regeneration in downstream portions of the PM filter from the one of the N zones and deactivates others of the N zones. | 08-02-2012 |
20120187916 | Virtual Charge for Electric Vehicles - The described method and system provides for dynamic adjustment of the lower charge threshold of an electrically-powered vehicle to allow a fuel-depleted vehicle also low on battery charge to continue to be operated. The vehicle's telematics unit monitors the fuel level and charge level via the vehicle bus or other vehicle resources to determine if the vehicle is running low on fuel and electric charge. If the telematics unit determines that the fuel is depleted and the charge level is approaching, meets or falls below the lower threshold, the telematics unit communicates the vehicle fuel status and vehicle position to a call center along with vehicle identification data. The call center determines the amount of charge required to reach one or more local fueling stations or other points of interests and propose destination recommendations to the driver. The driver may then select one of the recommendations, and the call center transmits a new lower charge threshold to the vehicle. | 07-26-2012 |
20120168238 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HYDRAULICALLY DEACTIVATING A TORQUE TRANSFER CLUTCH - A torque transfer apparatus for a transmission includes a rotatable friction clutch pack including a first friction plate that is contiguous to a second friction plate, with the first friction plate coupled to a first transmission element and the second friction plate coupled to a second transmission element. A Belleville spring device is configured to urge the first friction plate to engage the second friction plate to effect torque transfer therebetween when a hydraulically-activated piston is deactivated. The hydraulically-activated piston is configured to urge the second periphery of the Belleville spring device away from mechanical contact of the first friction plate when the hydraulically-activated piston is activated. | 07-05-2012 |
20120161579 | TUBULAR ACTUATORS UTILIZING ACTIVE MATERIAL ACTIVATION - A tubular actuator including a flexible tube or roll, operable to shift between first and second configurations so as to define a stroke, and utilizing active material activation to produce, modify, and/or retain the stroke. | 06-28-2012 |
20120153600 | AIRBAG MODULE HAVING SURFACE STRUCTURE - An airbag module is provided having an airbag, or gas generator for filling the airbag, and a housing for receiving the airbag in the unfilled state, which has a front side, in which an airbag exit opening is implemented, the front side having a surface structure which prevents a flat contact of the airbag exit opening on a plane. | 06-21-2012 |
20120145113 | REMOVAL OF WATER AND FUEL CONTAMINANTS IN ENGINE OIL - Methods for removal of condensed, blow-by contaminants with small molecular dimensions from the circulating lubricating engine oil of internal combustion engines, including automotive engines, with a positive crankcase ventilation system are disclosed. An adsorbent macroporous structure comprising alumino-silicate particles with micro-pores is at least partially immersed in the circulating oil. The micro-pores are sized to adsorb the small, condensed, blow-by, contaminant molecules but not the larger oil molecules. At low temperatures the contaminant molecules may be adsorbed and temporarily stored in the micropores. At higher temperatures some of the contaminants may desorb and be re-incorporated in the oil. The desorbed contaminants will circulate with the higher temperature oil into the engine crankcase where they may vaporize and be removed by the engine positive crankcase ventilation system. | 06-14-2012 |
20120136594 | DYNAMIC BATTERY CAPACITY ESTIMATION - A method of determining a state of health of a battery in real time includes estimating a parameter value associated with the state of health of the battery and determining one or more of a terminal voltage, an accumulated charge, a state of charge, and a temperature of the battery. The method further includes determining, via a computing device, a reserve capacity of the battery based at least in part on the estimated parameter value and one or more of the terminal voltage, the accumulated charge, the state of charge, and the temperature of the battery. | 05-31-2012 |
20120136567 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PLANNING VEHICLE ROUTES BASED ON SAFETY FACTORS - A method and system are provided for planning a route for a vehicle from a starting point to a destination. The method includes the steps of generating a plurality of routes based on a non-safety factor; evaluating the plurality of routes based on a safety factor; selecting a first route from the plurality of routes based on the safety factor; generating driving instructions based on the first route; displaying the first route on a display device. | 05-31-2012 |
20120136532 | GLASS INDEXING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method is provided to index the door window glass of a vehicle to disengage the glass from the window sealing interface prior to opening the door. A door latch including an unlatching lever selectively connectable to the inside and outside door handles is configured such that moving either handle to actuate the latch causes an initial change in the position of the unlatching lever prior to latch release. A sensor in the latch detects the initial change in position of the unlatching lever and signals an indexing mechanism to move the glass to the indexed position prior to latch release, such that the glass does not substantially interfere with the sealing interface when the door is moved from a closed position. The system may be configured such that the door lock mechanism must be unlocked prior to the indexing mechanism moving the window to an indexed position. | 05-31-2012 |
20120136518 | SELECTABLE ONE-WAY CLUTCH OPERATION IN A HYBRID POWERTRAIN - A hybrid powertrain includes a plurality of torque generative devices, a transmission input shaft, and a planetary gear set connecting the torque generative devices to the transmission input shaft. A method to control the powertrain includes monitoring a desired configuration of the powertrain and selectively grounding a gear of the planetary gear set with a selectable one way clutch based upon the desired configuration of the powertrain. | 05-31-2012 |
20120136126 | DEFORMABLE SHAPE-MEMORY POLYMER - A polymer includes a reaction product of an epoxy resin, a first crosslinking agent, and a second crosslinking agent. The first crosslinking agent is reactive with the epoxy resin and has a first molecular weight. The second crosslinking agent is reactive with the epoxy resin and has a second molecular weight of at least ten times greater than the first molecular weight. The polymer has a first phase having a first glass transition temperature and a second phase having a second glass transition temperature that is lower than the first glass transition temperature. The polymer is transformable between a first shape and a second shape at the first glass transition temperature. | 05-31-2012 |
20120136125 | SELF-REPAIRING POLYMER - A polymer includes a reaction product of an epoxy resin, a first crosslinking agent, and a second crosslinking agent. The first crosslinking agent is reactive with the epoxy resin and has a first molecular weight. The second crosslinking agent is reactive with the epoxy resin and has a second molecular weight of at least 2.5 times greater than the first molecular weight. The polymer has a first phase having a first glass transition temperature at which the polymer is transformable between a first shape and a second shape. The second crosslinking agent is crystallizable within the polymer and thereby has a melting temperature that is detectable within the polymer. | 05-31-2012 |
20120135747 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM DESTINATION ENTRY - A system and method for entering a destination into a navigation system, usually a vehicle navigation system, that reduces the cognitive load on the vehicle user over known systems. The method includes contacting the destination by any suitable and available manner, such as by a cell phone provided on or in the vehicle, through the internet, through an ad-hoc network, etc., where information concerning the GPS location of the destination is sent back to the navigation system and is displayed on the navigation system screen. If the destination is accurate, the vehicle driver can select that destination, such as by touching an icon on the screen, which would allow the destination entry process to be performed while the vehicle was moving. | 05-31-2012 |
20120135332 | FUEL CELLS HAVING IMPROVED DURABILITY - A fuel cell or a fuel cell stack component comprises an active area and a non-active area. A peroxide decomposing metal compound or metal alloy is disposed in or on the non-active area of a fuel cell or a fuel cell component. The metal compound or alloy is capable of providing a peroxide decomposing metal species that can migrate from the non-active area to an active area of a fuel cell. A fuel cell or membrane electrode assembly having a peroxide decomposing metal compound or alloy disposed in its non-active area exhibits improved durability. | 05-31-2012 |
20120135190 | Article Having a Selectively Texturable Surface and Method of Using - An article that has a texturable surface, i.e., a surface whose texture may be non-reversibly or reversibly configured, is provided. The article includes a selectively texturable surface, the texturable surface having a first surface texture associated with a first activation condition and a second surface texture associated with a second activation condition, wherein the first surface texture is different than the second surface texture. The article also includes an activation condition responsive material comprising an active material or a thixotropic material, or a combination thereof, which is operatively associated with the texturable surface and configured to provide the first surface texture in the first activation condition and the second surface texture in the second activation condition. | 05-31-2012 |
20120134907 | COATED PEROVSKITE-BASED CATALYSTS, CATALYST COMBINATIONS AND METHODS OF TREATING A GAS STREAM - One embodiment of the invention includes a method of treating a gas stream comprising flowing the gas stream over a hydrocarbon reduction and NO | 05-31-2012 |
20120133202 | DYNAMIC REGENERATIVE BRAKING TORQUE CONTROL - Methods, systems, and program products for adjusting regenerative braking torque in a vehicle having wheels and a regenerative braking system providing the regenerative braking torque are provided. A deceleration of the vehicle is determined. A wheel slip of the wheels is determined. The regenerative braking torque is adjusted for the regenerative braking system using the deceleration and the wheel slip. | 05-31-2012 |
20120133175 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACTUATING MULTIPLE COMPONENTS IN A VEHICLE HAVING AN ACCESS OPENING - An actuating system for a vehicle having a body that defines an access opening includes a panel arranged to selectively open and close at least a first portion of the opening. The system also includes multiple components operatively connected to the panel and adapted to be actuated. The system additionally includes a motor operatively connected to the panel and adapted to actuate the multiple components. A vehicle employing the system and a method for sealing an access opening in a body of a vehicle are also provided. | 05-31-2012 |
20120132474 | COMPOUND SHUTTER SYSTEM WITH INDEPENDENT AND NON-SEQUENTIAL OPERATION - A compound shutter system includes a plurality of shutter assemblies. Each of the shutter assemblies has at least one louver operable to selectively open and close the respective shutter assembly. The compound shutter system additionally includes a mechanism operatively connected to each of the plurality of shutter assemblies. The mechanism is also configured to actuate each of the shutter assemblies independently and non-sequentially relative to each other. A vehicle employing the compound shutter system is also disclosed. | 05-31-2012 |
20120132301 | COMPRESSED GAS TANK SYSTEM WITH FAST FUELING ABILITY AT ANY VESSEL PRESSURE - A method of fueling with compressed gas is described. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a supply of compressed gas; providing a storage tank with a fueling line, and a nozzle in the fueling line, the nozzle movable between at least a flow reduction position and a full fuel flow position; initiating fueling from the supply of compressed gas with the nozzle in the flow reduction position for a predetermined time or until a minimum pressure is obtained; when the predetermined time or the minimum pressure is obtained, moving the nozzle to the full fuel flow position; and fueling the storage tank from the supply of compressed gas with the nozzle in the full fuel flow position until fueling is completed. A vehicle incorporating the nozzle is also disclosed. | 05-31-2012 |
20120131799 | Main Shaft Remanufacturing - A method of re-manufacturing a shaft-hub assembly to be used in a transfer case, the method including the steps of : determining an initial diameter of a journal bearing of a main shaft that has been used in the transfer case; comparing the determined initial diameter to a predetermined minimum threshold, and discarding the main shaft if the determined initial diameter is below the predetermined minimum threshold; if the determined initial diameter is above the predetermined minimum threshold, preparing the bearing surface of the journal bearing for a thermal spray process; thermally spraying an aluminum bronze material onto the bearing surface; and machining the aluminum bronze material to achieve an outside diameter that provides a desired running clearance with a corresponding finished inside diameter of a central bore for a hub to which the main shaft will be assembled in the transfer case. | 05-31-2012 |
20120130769 | METHODS FOR CONDUCTING MARKET RESEARCH UTILIZING A TELEMATICS SERVICE SYSTEM - A method for conducting market research utilizing a telematics service system that provides a telematics service to a plurality of vehicles is disclosed herein. The method includes, but is not limited to, wirelessly communicating with a plurality of vehicles using the telematics service system. The method also includes obtaining information from the plurality of vehicles using the communications system. The information relates to a usage of each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles. The method further includes utilizing the information to determine an appropriate design for a future vehicle. | 05-24-2012 |
20120130609 | TORQUE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHIFT ASSIST - A control system includes a shift detection module, a request generation module, and a request setting module. The shift detection module detects when a transmission is executing a shift. The request generation module generates a transmission torque request to cause an engine to increase a transmission input shaft speed to a desired speed at a desired gear ratio when the transmission is executing the shift. The request setting module selectively sets the transmission torque request equal to a default torque request when the transmission torque request is greater than a first torque and the engine is coupled to a drive wheel. | 05-24-2012 |
20120130574 | ELECTRICALLY ASSISTED VARIABLE-K CONTROL - A vehicle includes a transmission, a motor configured to provide a motor torque to the transmission, and an engine configured to provide an engine torque to the transmission. A torque converter is operably disposed between the transmission and the motor, the engine, or both. The torque converter is configured to at least partially transfer at least one of the motor torque and the engine torque to the transmission in accordance with a plurality of k-factors. The torque converter includes a clutch configured to at least partially engage to change the effective k-factor applied by the torque converter. A control processor is configured to blend the plurality of k-factors and at least partially engage the clutch based on the blended k-factor. | 05-24-2012 |
20120130531 | AUTOMATIC CALIBRATION AND COMPENSATION FOR A CNC MACHINE TABLE AND AN ASSOCIATED PROBE - A method for calibrating a CNC machine comprises mounting a gauge to a table of the CNC machine and calibrating a probe to the gauge mounted on the CNC machine. A total deviation of the probe and an actual table center position from a nominal table center position for a coordinate system associated with the CNC machine are determined. A controller operatively connected to the CNC machine and the probe is programmed to compensate for the total deviation. | 05-24-2012 |
20120129615 | CARDAN JOINT ASSEMBLY AND A CARDAN JOINT PROTECTOR DEVICE - A cardan joint assembly and a cardan joint protector device are provided. The device includes a U-shaped bracket having an arcuate-shaped portion and first and second end portions extending from opposite ends of the arcuate-shaped portion. The first and second end portions have first and second apertures, respectively, extending therethrough. The device further includes a first elongated plate portion extending from the first end portion of the U-shaped bracket and further extending generally outwardly relative to a longitudinal axis. The first elongated plate portion at least partially covers a needle bearing of a cardan joint. The device further includes an attachment portion attached to a top edge of the first elongated plate portion that has a distal end that is disposed in a groove of a gear clamp yoke of the cardan joint. | 05-24-2012 |
20120129494 | AUTO CONFIGURATION FOR A DIAL-UP NETWORKING SYSTEM - A system and method of a Dial-Up Networking (DUN) approach is disclosed. The DUN system authenticates a wireless network between a portable electronic device and a control module. The DUN system includes the portable electronic device, a transceiver, and the control module. A wireless service carrier is associated with the portable electronic device. The control module includes control logic for determining the wireless service carrier associated with the portable electronic device. The control module further includes control logic for establishing the wireless network connection between the control module and the portable electronic device. | 05-24-2012 |
20120129073 | FUEL CELL SEPARATOR PLATE - A fuel cell stack and a bipolar plate assembly is provided that may include straight-through tunnels to transport fluids from one side of a header seal to an opposite side of a header seal, fluidly connecting fuel cell stack reactant headers and bipolar plate reactant flow channels. | 05-24-2012 |
20120129070 | DUAL CHANNEL STEP IN FUEL CELL PLATE - A fuel cell plate assembly includes a first plate having a feed region and an active region. A plurality of flow channels is formed in the first plate and connects the feed region and the active region. The first plate further includes a first step oriented transverse to the flow channels in the feed region and a second step oriented transverse to the flow channels in the active region. The second step is formed only in the flow channels of the first plate. | 05-24-2012 |
20120129065 | FUEL CELL PLATE FEATURES TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES IN COMPONENT TOLERANCES - A bipolar plate for a fuel cell has a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side. The bipolar plate also has an active region, a feed region, a perimeter region, a sealing region, and a hinge region. The sealing region is disposed between the perimeter region and each of the active region and the feed region. A plurality of outwardly extending tabs are disposed adjacent the perimeter region at each of the first end and the second end of the bipolar plate. The hinge region is disposed between the perimeter region and the outwardly extending tabs. The hinge region extends from the first side of the plate to the second side of the bipolar plate. The hinge region permits a flexing of the outwardly extending tabs to connect with peripheral electrical device without undesirably flexing the sealing region. | 05-24-2012 |
20120127050 | MULTI-FUNCTION ANTENNA - An antenna includes a CPW transmission line and a radiating portion. The radiating portion is coupled to the CPW transmission line and is substantially coplanar with the CPW transmission line. The radiating portion is configured to produce a first linear polarization at a first frequency, a circular polarization at a second frequency, and a second linear polarization at a third frequency. The radiating portion includes a conductive material extending from the CPW transmission line and forming a plurality of openings in the radiating portion. The openings are asymmetric with respect to a first region of the radiating portion that is disposed on a first side of the CPW transmission line and a second region of the radiating portion that is disposed on a second side of the CPW transmission line. | 05-24-2012 |
20120126943 | Passive Approach Detection System and Method Using a Unidirectional FOB - A system and method of passive approach detection is provided. The method comprises: transmitting a plurality of data signals corresponding to multiple power levels respectively from a fob device based on motion detected in the fob device; each of the plurality of data signals includes initial bytes encoded with a power level and transmitter identification (ID); receiving one or more of the plurality of data signals at a receiver based on the distance between the fob device and the receiver; filtering out signals at a secondary processor by comparing one or more of the plurality of data signals received to a predetermined list of signals valid for reception; and transmitting a wake-up signal to a primary processor based on the comparison, the wake-up signal enabling the primary processor to transition from a sleep mode to a wake-up mode. | 05-24-2012 |
20120126822 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EVALUATING A WIRE CONDUCTOR - A method of evaluating an electrically conductive wire segment having an insulated intermediate portion and non-insulated ends includes passing the insulated portion of the wire segment through an electrically conductive brush. According to the method, an electrical potential is established on the brush by a power source. The method also includes determining a value of electrical current that is conducted through the wire segment by the brush when the potential is established on the brush. The method additionally includes comparing the value of electrical current conducted through the wire segment with a predetermined current value to thereby evaluate the wire segment. A system for evaluating an electrically conductive wire segment is also disclosed. | 05-24-2012 |
20120126755 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING POWER TO A LOAD BASED UPON A CONTROL STRATEGY - Systems and methods are provided for an electrical system. The electrical system includes a load, an interface configured to receive a voltage from a voltage source, and a controller configured to receive the voltage from the voltage source through the interface and to provide a voltage and current to the load. Wherein, when the controller is in a constant voltage mode, the controller provides a constant voltage to the load, when the controller is in a constant current mode, the controller provides a constant current to the load, and when the controller is in a constant power mode, the controller provides a constant power to the load | 05-24-2012 |
20120126657 | ROTOR ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A ROTOR ASSEMBLY - A rotor assembly for an electric device includes a laminated stack of electric steel sheets defining a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves. A conductor bar is disposed within each of the grooves. Each of the conductor bars includes a first end and a second end extending longitudinal outward from opposing axial end surfaces of the laminated stack. The first end and the second end of the conductor bars include a textured surface having micro-sized surface irregularities. A first end ring is cast in place over the first ends of the conductor bars, and a second end ring is cast in place over the second ends of the conductor bars. The textured surface in the first ends and the second ends of the conductor bars mechanically interlocking with the cast in place first end ring and second end ring respectively. | 05-24-2012 |
20120126656 | ROTOR ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A ROTOR ASSEMBLY - A rotor assembly for an electric device includes a laminated stack of electric steel sheets defining a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves. A conductor bar is disposed within each of the grooves. Each of the conductor bars includes a first end and a second end extending longitudinal outward from opposing axial end surfaces of the laminated stack. The first end and the second end of the conductor bars include a macro-sized locking feature. A first end ring is cast in place over the first ends of the conductor bars, and a second end ring is cast in place over the second ends of the conductor bars. The macro-sized locking feature in the first ends and the second ends of the conductor bars mechanically interlocks with the cast in place first end ring and second end ring respectively. | 05-24-2012 |
20120126578 | Vehicle Hinge Pillar and Fender Insulator - A motor vehicle has a hollow space between a front pillar and a fender. A noise insulator panel is mounted within and fills the hollow the hollow space between the pillar and the fender panel to block and absorb the communication of noise to the weather strip that seals the door to the pillar. The noise insulator panel includes a housing portion of compressible foam material with a base wall that is oversized to fit in compression between the pillar and the fender panel to block the communication of noise and a sidewall that extend forwardly from the base wall to define a cavity facing the engine and tires. An absorber portion fills the open cavity of the housing portion. The absorber portion is made of a fibrous material that is secured within the cavity of the housing portion and acts to absorb noise. | 05-24-2012 |
20120126522 | STEERING COLUMN TELESCOPE ADJUSTMENT STOP - A steering column assembly includes a rake bracket and a lower jacket secured to the rake bracket. An upper jacket is slidably disposed in the lower jacket and a locking bolt is rotatably located at the lower jacket configured to allow the upper jacket allow the translate along a steering column axis relative to the lower jacket when the locking bolt is in an unlocked position. A bolt driver is located at the locking bolt and is configured to interrupt a load path through a column retainer between the lower jacket and the rake bracket when the locking bolt is in an unlocked position. | 05-24-2012 |
20120126521 | INTEGRATED TOOTH RAKE LOCK FOR STEERING COLUMN - A steering column assembly includes a rake bracket, a steering column pivotably attached to the rake bracket and a rake lock mechanism. The rake lock mechanism includes a plurality of rake teeth located at the rake bracket and a plurality of jacket teeth engageable with the plurality of rake teeth and located at the steering column at a teeth distance from the plurality of rake teeth. A retainer is insertable through the rake bracket and into the steering column to maintain the teeth distance. When a predetermined force is applied to the steering column, a portion of the retainer is detached to allow the plurality of jacket teeth to approach the plurality of rake teeth and engage therewith. | 05-24-2012 |
20120126099 | METHOD FOR REDUCING GLARE FROM LIGHT SOURCES THROUGH WINDSCREENS - A method of reducing glare may include sensing a first light source with a second vehicle, and sensing a second light source with a first vehicle and oscillating a first light source ICF between a substantially opaque state and a substantially clear state on a first schedule. A second windscreen ICF may be oscillating between the substantially opaque state and the substantially clear state on a second schedule different from the first schedule. A position of the light source may be sensed and an eye position of the occupant estimated. An intersecting region of the selectively-darkenable ICF, which is located substantially along a line from the position of the light source to the eye position, is calculated. The intersecting region of the ICF is darkened, such that a reduced amount of light from the light source passes through the intersecting region. | 05-24-2012 |
20120125961 | DEPLOYABLE ROOF RACK SYSTEM - A roof rack system for a vehicle includes a first longitudinal bar and a second longitudinal bar disposed on opposite longitudinal sides of the vehicle. The first longitudinal bar defines a first guide channel, and the second longitudinal bar defines a second guide channel. The first guide channel and the second guide channel guide a transverse bar between a stowed position, wherein the transverse bar is flush with an exterior surface of the roof, and a deployed position, wherein the transverse bar is vertically spaced from the exterior surface of the roof. | 05-24-2012 |
20120125723 | DISK BRAKE ASSEMBLY - A disk brake assembly having a rotor and a caliper is provided. The caliper has first and second body portions and an intermediate portion coupled between the body portions. The first body portion has a first brake pad coupled thereto. The second body portion has a bore extending therein that defines an inner surface. The assembly further includes a piston disposed within the bore. The piston has an end portion and a tubular body coupled to the end portion. The end portion has a second brake pad coupled thereto. The assembly further includes a positioning sleeve member disposed on a portion of the inner surface within a portion of the groove. The assembly further includes a spring disposed in the groove that moves the piston and the second brake pad away from the rotor in response to a decreased fluid pressure in the piston. | 05-24-2012 |
20120125282 | ENGINE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING COMBUSTION CHAMBERS WITH DIFFERENT PORT ARRANGEMENTS - An engine assembly may include an engine block, a first piston, a second piston, and a cylinder head. The first piston may be located in a first cylinder bore and the second piston may be located in a second cylinder bore. The cylinder head may be coupled to the engine block and cooperate with the first cylinder bore and the first piston to define a first combustion chamber and with the second cylinder bore and the second piston to define a second combustion chamber. The cylinder head may define a first intake and exhaust port arrangement in communication with the first combustion chamber and may define a second intake and exhaust port arrangement in communication with the second combustion chamber. The second intake and exhaust port arrangement may include a greater total number of ports than the first intake and exhaust port arrangement. | 05-24-2012 |
20120125140 | TELESCOPE POSITIVE LOCK FOR STEERING COLUMN - A telescope lock mechanism for a steering column includes a plurality of strap teeth located at an upper jacket of the steering column, each strap tooth of the plurality of strap teeth having a strap tooth peak. A plurality of lock teeth are located at a lower jacket of the steering column. The plurality of locking teeth are rotatably secured at the lower jacket, such that when the plurality of locking teeth are rotated into an engaged position with the plurality of strap teeth, a plurality of lock teeth peaks are substantially non-parallel to the strap tooth peaks of the plurality of strap teeth. | 05-24-2012 |
20120125139 | STEERING COLUMN TELESCOPE LOCK - A telescope lock mechanism for a steering column includes a plurality of column teeth operably connected to the steering column and an adjustment lever operably connected to the steering column to allow user adjustment of a position of the steering column. A locking bolt extends from the adjustment lever, and a cam is located at the locking bolt and rotatable thereon. The cam includes one or more tab features interactive with the locking bolt such that rotation of the locking bolt engages the tab features with the locking bolt to drive rotation of the cam between a locked and unlocked position. The tab further includes a plurality of cam teeth meshable with the plurality of column teeth when the cam is in a locked position. A spring is operably connected to the cam to maintain the cam position in the locked and/or unlocked position when the cam is rotated thereto. | 05-24-2012 |
20120125138 | TORQUE SENSING SYSTEM HAVING TORQUE SENSOR, AND STEERING SYSTEM - A torque sensing system having a torque sensor, and a steering system, are provided. The torque sensor includes a first rotor having apertures extending therethrough and bar magnets disposed in the apertures. The torque sensor further includes a second rotor defining an interior region with the first rotor being disposed in the interior region. The second rotor has tooth members extending toward the first rotor. The torque sensor further includes first and second Hall effect sensors disposed in an open region of the second rotor proximate to the first rotor. The first and second Hall effect sensors generate first and second signals, respectively, indicative of an amount of torque applied between the first rotor and the second rotor. | 05-24-2012 |
20120124994 | Composite Centrifugal Compressor Wheel - A centrifugal compressor wheel for a turbocharger is disclosed. The wheel includes an axially extending hub having an inlet end, an outlet end, an arcuate outer surface and a shaft bore. The wheel also includes a blade array disposed on the outer surface of the hub, the blade array comprising a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, radially and axially extending, arcuate centrifugal impeller blades disposed thereon; the hub and the blade array comprising a non-woven, discontinuous-fiber-filled, polymer matrix composite material. | 05-24-2012 |
20120124816 | JOINING MAGNESIUM WITH REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITE FASTENERS - A method is disclosed for forming corrosion-resistant joints in a plurality of overlapping thin metal sheet workpieces, at least one of which comprises at least 85% by weight of magnesium sheets. The fastener is a fiber-reinforced polymer rod shaped and sized for insertion into a coaxial opening formed in each sheet and subsequently upset on each end to form a head. The workpiece sheets are deformed to form mechanically-interfering features which cooperatively complement the strength of the fastener, under at least some joint loading patterns. The method may be used for other workpiece and fastener compositions. | 05-24-2012 |
20120123630 | DIESEL-EXHAUST-FLUID REFILL DETECTION - A method is provided for detecting a level of diesel-exhaust-fluid (DEF) in a reservoir that is operatively connected to a catalyst for a diesel engine. The method is employed in a vehicle in order to facilitate a refill of the reservoir. The method includes sensing a level of diesel fuel in a fuel tank via a sensor operatively connected to the tank. The method also includes determining whether the vehicle is on an incline using the sensed level of diesel fuel in the fuel tank. The method additionally includes determining the level of DEF in the reservoir if the vehicle is determined to be substantially not on an incline. A system is also provided for detecting a level of DEF in the reservoir. | 05-17-2012 |
20120123618 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING AN ESTIMATED DRIVING RANGE FOR A VEHICLE - A method for determining an estimated driving range for a vehicle that uses battery power for vehicle propulsion, where the estimate is in the form of a range of values as opposed to a single value. In one embodiment, the method adds a positive offset value to an initial estimate value to determine an upper limit, and subtracts a negative offset value from the initial estimate value to determine a lower limit. The positive and negative offset values may be determined separately and on a real-time basis so that the extent of the overall estimated driving range may be influenced by the volatility in power consumption and/or power creation. | 05-17-2012 |
20120122622 | ELECTRICALLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION - A hybrid transmission having an input member, an output member, and a single motor/generator is characterized by a plurality of fixed-ratio modes of operation and at least one electrically variable mode of operation. In the fixed-ratio modes of operation, the speed ratio between the input member and the output member is independent of the speed of the motor/generator. In the electrically variable mode of operation, the speed ratio between the input member and the output member is dependent upon the speed of the motor/generator. | 05-17-2012 |
20120122016 | Fuel Cell Durability Through Oxide Supported Precious Metals in Membrane - A fuel cell includes an anode, a cathode, and an ion conducting membrane interposed between the anode and cathode. The ion conducting membrane includes a base layer that has an ion conducting polymer and additive layer that has a metal supported on an oxide support, the oxide support scavenging hydroxyl radicals formed during fuel cell operation. | 05-17-2012 |
20120121438 | SPEED CONTROL OF AN ELECTRICALLY-ACTUATED FLUID PUMP - A fluid system includes a fluidic device, an electrically-actuated fluid pump having a pump motor, and a control system. The control system controls a speed of the pump using a commanded torque value, and calculates a feedforward torque term as a function of a set of operating values, including a desired fluid line pressure. The control system determines the speed control torque term using pump speed error, and adds the feedforward torque term to the speed control torque term to calculate the commanded torque value. The speed control torque term may be determined using an integral term of a proportional integral derivative (PID) portion of the control system. A method for controlling pump speed includes calculating the feedforward torque term, determining the speed control torque term using a pump speed error, and adding the feedforward torque term to the speed control torque term to calculate the commanded torque value. | 05-17-2012 |
20120118424 | REINFORCEMENT AND METHOD FOR TUBULAR STRUCTURES - A reinforcement and method for reinforcing a hollow tubular structure includes a first sheet of flexible fiber material impregnated with resin. The first sheet is rolled into a tubular shape and a seam is provided between first and second lateral edges of the first sheet to form a tubular reinforcement. An inflatable bladder extends through the tubular reinforcement and is inflated to press the tubular reinforcement into contact with the inside wall of the tubular structure. Curing of the resin will bond the first sheet to the inside wall to reinforce the tubular structure. The first sheet can have a region of built-up thickness to provide additional reinforcement. The seam between the lateral edges of the first sheet can be a separable seam that separates when the bladder is inflated to allow the first sheet to contact with a region of the tubular structure that is of larger circumference than the circumference of the tubular reinforcement. | 05-17-2012 |
20120118275 | TRANSIENT CONTROL STRATEGY IN SPARK-ASSISTED HCCI COMBUSTION MODE - A method for controlling a multi-cylinder direct-injection internal combustion engine includes establishing an external exhaust gas recirculation valve from a present position to a target position to achieve a target exhaust gas recirculation, and synchronizing combustion initiation timing with actual exhaust gas recirculation as actual exhaust gas recirculation changes from a first exhaust gas recirculation value corresponding to the present position of the external exhaust gas recirculation valve to a second exhaust gas recirculation value corresponding to the target position of the external exhaust gas recirculation valve. | 05-17-2012 |
20120118274 | VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING PARTIAL BOOST ARRANGEMENT - An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a first intake valve, a first valve lift mechanism, a second intake valve, a second valve lift mechanism, and a boost mechanism. The first intake valve may be located in a first intake port and the first valve lift mechanism may be engaged with the first intake valve. The second intake valve may be located in a second intake port and the second valve lift mechanism may be engaged with the second intake valve and operable in first and second modes. The second intake valve may be displaced to an open position during the first mode and may be maintained in a closed position during the second mode. The boost mechanism may be in communication with an air source and the first intake port and isolated from the second intake port. | 05-17-2012 |
20120118267 | COMBUSTION PHASING CONTROL IN SPARK-ASSISTED HCCI COMBUSTION MODE - A method for controlling combustion in a multi-cylinder spark-ignition direct-injection internal combustion engine includes determining a desired combustion phasing for maintaining acceptable combustion properties, monitoring combustion phasing of each cylinder, selecting a target combustion phasing corresponding to one of the cylinders having a most retarded combustion phasing, adjusting spark timing in each cylinder not having the most retarded combustion phasing to achieve the target combustion phasing to balance the combustion phasing in all the cylinders at the target combustion phasing, and adjusting an external EGR percentage to converge the balanced combustion phasing in all the cylinders toward the desired combustion phasing. | 05-17-2012 |
20120118266 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING SPARK TIMING IN AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A method for operating a spark-ignition internal combustion engine includes controlling spark ignition timing responsive to a combustion charge flame speed corresponding to an engine operating point and a commanded air/fuel ratio associated with an operator torque request. | 05-17-2012 |
20120118265 | ENGINE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING INDEPENDENT THROTTLE CONTROL FOR DEACTIVATED CYLINDERS - An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a first intake valve located in a first intake port, a first valve lift mechanism, a second intake valve located in a second intake port, a second valve lift mechanism, a first throttle valve, and a second throttle valve. The second intake valve may be displaced to an open position by the second valve lift mechanism during a first mode and the second intake valve may be maintained in a closed position by the second valve lift mechanism during a second mode. The first throttle valve may be in communication with an air source and the first intake port and control air flow from the air source to the first intake port. The second throttle valve may be in communication with the air source and the second intake port and control air flow from the air source to the second intake port. | 05-17-2012 |
20120118100 | GEAR ASSEMBLY AND GEAR OIL COMPOSITION - One embodiment may include a gear assembly comprising at least one pair of meshing gears situated inside a gear case having a sump portion and a wall portion. A gear oil mixture may be disposed at least in the sump portion. At least one gear is immersed partially or fully in the oil mixture. The oil mixture comprises a hydrocarbon oil base and a coolant having an endothermic liquid/vapor transition at a temperature between the lower and upper operating temperatures of the gear assembly. | 05-17-2012 |
20120117951 | SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION CATALYST AMMONIA STORAGE CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A control system for a vehicle includes a location identification module, an adjustment triggering module, and an adjustment module. The location identification module identifies a location where an engine of the vehicle is expected to be shut down and later re-started with at least one temperature within a predetermined range of an ambient temperature at the time of the re-start. The adjustment triggering module generates a triggering signal when a vehicle location provided by a global positioning system (GPS) is less than a predetermined distance from the identified location. The adjustment module selectively one of increases and decreases a rate at which a dosing agent is injected into an exhaust system, upstream of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, when the triggering signal is generated. | 05-17-2012 |
20120117947 | NOx ADSORBER REGENERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - An exhaust gas after treatment system for an engine comprises an oxidation catalyst NOx adsorber wherein an oxidation catalyst compound and a NO | 05-17-2012 |
20120117946 | CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REGENERATING A PARTICULATE FILTER - Control methods for regenerating particulate filter and an apparatus that includes an internal combustion engine, an exhaust gas conduit in fluid communication with and configured to receive exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine, and a particulate filter assembly in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and configured to receive exhaust gas flowing therethrough. The particulate filter assembly includes a particulate filter to remove particulates from the exhaust gas, a heater device disposed near a front face of the particulate filter, to supply heat for regeneration of the particulate filter after shut-off of the internal combustion engine, and an air pump to input air into the particulate filter to transfer the supplied heat from the heater device to the particulate filter. | 05-17-2012 |
20120116676 | Method of Augmenting GPS or GPS/Sensor Vehicle Positioning Using Additional In-Vehicle Vision Sensors - A method is provided for augmenting GPS data using an in-vehicle vision-based module. A vehicle position is determined utilizing position-related data obtained from a position module. A position error is estimated on a periodic basis. A determination is made whether the position error estimate exceeds a first predetermined error threshold. Tracking data is generated for the vehicle over a course of travel utilizing captured images from the in-vehicle vision based module. The tracking data is integrated with the position-related data to estimate the vehicle position in response to the position error estimate exceeding the first predetermined error threshold. A determination is made whether the position error estimate decreases below a second predetermined error threshold. The vehicle position is re-determined using only the position-related data when the position error estimate decreases below the second predetermined error threshold. | 05-10-2012 |
20120116662 | System and Method for Tracking Objects - A methods for tracking objects by generating kinematic models corresponding to the objects using a computerized object-tracking system including a data collection module receiving scan data associated with an object and generating, using the scan data, a new frame F, associated with a new time t+dt and including new points X. A clustering module identifies a new group G of new points X | 05-10-2012 |
20120116630 | Process for Service Diagnostic and Service Procedures Enhancement - A method is provided for enhancing service diagnostics utilizing service repair data of previously serviced vehicles. Service repair data of previously serviced vehicles is obtained from a memory storage device. The service data is compiled into a service diagnostic code dataset and a service labor code dataset. The service diagnostic code dataset and service labor code dataset are categorized into an electronic data table. Respective combinations are formed in the electronic data table. An aggregate count is determined for each respective combination in the electronic data table. Either of a respective diagnostic code or a respective service labor code is identified having a correlation with more than one of either service diagnostic codes or service labor codes. At least one of a service repair procedure used to repair the vehicle or a respective service diagnostic code used to identify the fault is modified in response to analyzing the respective combinations. | 05-10-2012 |
20120115663 | SELECTABLE ONE-WAY CLUTCH WITH BREAKAWAY FEATURE - A selectable overrunning clutch and breakaway, i.e., energy absorbing, cone clutch is disposed in series between two elements of a planetary gear automatic transmission. An annular piston is received within a complementary cylinder and includes a male cone clutch member that mates with a stationary female cone clutch member. Also carried by the annular piston is an annular drive ring which engages a planetary gear assembly element such as a ring gear. Disposed between the drive ring and the piston is a selection ring having a plurality of circumferential apertures or ports that receive a like plurality of struts. The face of the annular piston includes pockets or recesses that receive the struts and the face of the drive ring includes notches or surfaces against which the struts engage. Tangentially disposed in the annular piston is a small selection piston which rotates the selection ring between two positions to either allow overrunning in one direction between the annular piston and the annular drive ring or lock the two components together. | 05-10-2012 |
20120113700 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING HARMONIC DISTORTION IN ELECTRICAL CONVERTERS - Systems and methods are provided for delivering energy using an energy conversion module. An exemplary method for delivering energy from an input interface to an output interface using an energy conversion module coupled between the input interface and the output interface comprises the steps of determining an input voltage reference for the input interface based on a desired output voltage and a measured voltage at the output interface, determining a duty cycle control value based on a ratio of the input voltage reference and the measured voltage, operating one or more switching elements of the energy conversion module to deliver energy from the input interface to the output interface with a duty cycle influenced by the duty cycle control value. | 05-10-2012 |
20120113683 | COMPENSATION FOR ELECTRICAL CONVERTER NONLINEARITIES - Systems and methods are provided for delivering energy from an input interface to an output interface. An electrical system includes an input interface, an output interface, an energy conversion module coupled between the input interface and the output interface, and a control module. The control module determines a duty cycle control value for operating the energy conversion module to produce a desired voltage at the output interface. The control module determines an input power error at the input interface and adjusts the duty cycle control value in a manner that is influenced by the input power error, resulting in a compensated duty cycle control value. The control module operates switching elements of the energy conversion module to deliver energy to the output interface with a duty cycle that is influenced by the compensated duty cycle control value. | 05-10-2012 |
20120113558 | ACTUATION AND PROTECTION UTILIZING ACTIVE MATERIAL ACTIVATION DURING LIGHTNING STRIKES AND SIMILAR EVENTS - A method of and actuator/device for passively actuating or protecting a system, body or circuit during a lightning strike or other high voltage/current generation event, utilizing an active material element activated by the spike in current or voltage potential, and preferably a barrier connected in series to the element and configured to be overcome by the voltage/current event, so that the element is activated only during the event. | 05-10-2012 |
20120112549 | COMPENSATION FOR ELECTRICAL CONVERTER NONLINEARITIES - Systems and methods are provided for delivering energy from an input interface to an output interface. An electrical system includes an input interface, an output interface, an energy conversion module between the input interface and the output interface, an inductive element between the input interface and the energy conversion module, and a control module. The control module determines a compensated duty cycle control value for operating the energy conversion module to produce a desired voltage at the output interface and operates the energy conversion module to deliver energy to the output interface with a duty cycle that is influenced by the compensated duty cycle control value. The compensated duty cycle control value is influenced by the current through the inductive element and accounts for voltage across the switching elements of the energy conversion module. | 05-10-2012 |
20120111652 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INCREASING OPERATING EFFICIENCY OF A POWERTRAIN BY CONTROLLING AN AERO SHUTTER - A method of increasing operating efficiency of a powertrain includes unrestricting a grille opening by fully opening a shutter at or below a first predetermined vehicle speed, and turning a fan off. The method also includes unrestricting the grille opening by fully opening the shutter above the first predetermined vehicle speed and at or below a second predetermined vehicle speed under a high powertrain cooling load, and turning the fan on. The method additionally includes partially restricting the grille opening above the second predetermined vehicle speed via an intermediate position of the shutter, and turning the fan off. A specific size of the fan together with the selected positions for the shutter at the respective vehicle speeds provides sufficient airflow through the grille opening to cool the powertrain, and provides increased powertrain operating efficiency. A system for increasing operating efficiency of a powertrain and a vehicle are also provided. | 05-10-2012 |
20120111490 | WET LAMINATION PROCESS FOR REDUCING MUD CRACKING IN FUEL CELL COMPONENTS - Methods of making a substantially crack-free electrode layer are described. The methods include depositing an electrode ink on a substrate; placing a solid polymer film on a surface of the wet electrode ink; drying the electrode ink; and removing the solid polymer film from the surface of the dry electrode ink to form the substantially crack-free electrode layer on the substrate. | 05-10-2012 |
20120111078 | METAL FORMING PROCESS - A metal forming process involves applying a lubricant, formed from a vitreous enamel mixed with particles of boron nitride, to at least one surface of a sheet metal blank, and without pre-heating the sheet metal blank, placing the sheet metal blank having the lubricant applied to the surface(s) thereof into a pre-heated forming tool so that the at least one surface contacts a surface of the forming tool. The method further involves, via the pre-heated forming tool, forming the sheet metal blank into a desired part shape, and during such forming, forming a lubricant layer on the surface(s) as the lubricant is heated from the pre-heated forming tool, the lubricant layer adhering to the surface(s) of the sheet metal blank. | 05-10-2012 |
20120110654 | SECURE CONNECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VEHICLES - A communication system of a vehicle includes a mode determination module and a connection control module. The mode determination module sets a mode of operation to one of a first mode and a second mode based on a comparison of a common name (CN) of a root certificate with first and second predetermined CNs associated with operation in the first and second modes, respectively. The connection control module selectively transmits a request to one of a first server and a second server to establish a secure wireless connection between the connection control module and the one of the first and second servers. The first and second servers are different, and the first and second predetermined CNs are different. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109617 | OPTIMIZATION OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENT PARAMETERS IN ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM MODELS - A method of predicting an electrochemical mapping parameter in a vehicle that derives at least a portion of its motive power from an energy storage system is provided. The method may comprise providing a plurality of electrochemical mapping parameter sources capable of rendering one or more electrochemical mapping parameters selected from the group consisting of resistance and capacitance and selecting at least one electrochemical mapping parameter source capable of rendering one or more electrochemical mapping parameters based on the state of the energy storage system. The method may also comprise determining an adaptive gain and determining an adaptive factor based on the operating state of the vehicle or the energy storage system. The method may also comprise adapting the one or more electrochemical mapping parameters based on the adaptive factor and adaptive gain to provide an adapted electrochemical mapping parameter value. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109573 | METHOD OF DETERMINING A HEAT TRANSFER CONDITION FROM A RESISTANCE CHARACTERISTIC OF A SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ELEMENT - A method of sensing an ambient heat transfer condition surrounding a shape memory alloy element includes heating the shape memory alloy element, sensing the resistance of the shape memory alloy element, and measuring the period of time taken to heat the shape memory alloy element to a pre-determined level of a resistance characteristic. The ambient heat transfer condition surrounding the shape memory alloy element is calculated by referencing a relationship between the period of time taken to heat the shape memory alloy to the pre-determined level of the resistance characteristic and the ambient heat transfer condition. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109554 | ONBOARD ADAPTIVE BATTERY CORE TEMPERATURE ESTIMATION - Methods and systems for dynamically estimating the core temperature of at least one cell in a battery. In one aspect, the method includes using a combination of estimations including one based on ohmic resistance and another based on a function of thermal energy transfer through the battery. A weighting factor may be used for each of the estimations as a way to calculating a core temperature. The estimation based on ohmic resistance may be made determined independently of a measured surface temperature of the battery or any of the cells in the battery. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109503 | Li-ION BATTERY FOR VEHICLES WITH ENGINE START-STOP OPERATIONS - The operation of internal combustion, reciprocating engines in some automotive vehicles may be managed such that the engine operation is stopped each time the vehicle is brought to a stop, and then the engine is re-started when the operator presses the accelerator pedal to put the vehicle in motion. In some driving situations the engine of the vehicle may be stopped and re-started many times, which is a mode of engine operation for which the traditional 12 volt, lead-acid battery is not well suited. It is found that a six cell, lithium-ion battery combining LiFePO | 05-03-2012 |
20120109488 | ENERGY-BASED CLOSED-LOOP CONTROL OF TURBINE OUTLET TEMPERATURE IN A VEHICLE - A vehicle includes an engine and an exhaust system which ignites fuel from fuel injectors to purify exhaust gas. An air compressor delivers compressed intake air to the engine, and a turbine energizes the compressor. A controller calculates an engine thermal efficiency value using temperature and mass flow rate values from various sensors. The controller maintains a temperature of the exhaust gas downstream of the turbine using the thermal efficiency value. A control system includes the sensors and a host machine operable for maintaining the temperature of the exhaust gas above the threshold using the thermal efficiency value. A method for maintaining the temperature of the exhaust gas includes measuring the inlet and outlet temperatures of an air intake system, measuring the mass flow rate of compressed intake air, and using the host machine to maintain the temperature of the gas using the thermal efficiency value. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109483 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING TORQUE AT ONE OR MORE WHEELS OF A VEHICLE - An exemplary method for controlling torque at one or more wheels of a vehicle, including controlling both positive torque (acceleration) and negative torque (braking) with a single torque command. According to one embodiment, the method interprets the acceleration and braking intent of the driver, takes into consideration certain special conditions (e.g., vehicle dynamic conditions like wheel slip, over- and under-steer, etc.), and generates one or more individual torque commands that are sent to individual wheels or corners of the vehicle. The individual torque commands may address certain chassis and powertrain functions like acceleration and braking, and may provide full-feature torque control (i.e., acceleration, braking, vehicle dynamics, etc.) on an individual wheel basis. It is also possible for the method to be used in a system where a number of the common chassis, powertrain and/or vehicle dynamic modules have been integrated into a single torque control module or the like. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109479 | BLENDED BRAKING MANAGEMENT IN POWERTRAIN SYSTEMS - A method for operating a powertrain system including a torque machine coupled to a drive wheel of a vehicle includes determining a regenerative braking capacity of the powertrain system. In response to a net operator torque request including a braking torque request, a friction braking torque command to operate a friction brake system and a regenerative braking torque request for the torque machine are coincidentally generated, a torque command is generated for controlling operation of the torque machine in response to the regenerative braking torque request, and the friction braking torque command is adjusted by an amount corresponding to a difference between the braking torque request and the regenerative braking torque request. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109474 | DRIVELINE LASH MANAGEMENT IN POWERTRAIN SYSTEMS - A powertrain system includes a torque machine mechanically rotatably coupled via a transfer gear set to a drive wheel. The transfer gear set includes a first gear meshingly engaged to a second gear with lash angle between the first and second gears. A method for operating the powertrain system includes monitoring an output speed associated with the torque machine and a wheel speed associated with the drive wheel. A transition between a first torque transfer state and a second torque transfer state is detected, the transition including a gear lash event across the transfer gear set. An elapsed time period for completing the gear lash event across the transfer gear set during the transition between the first torque transfer state and the second torque transfer state is set, and a target output speed derived from the wheel speed during and at the end of the elapsed time period is determined. A preferred output speed profile during the gear lash event is also determined, and includes prescribed changes in the output speed associated with phase-shifting the lash angle from a minimum lash angle to a maximum lash angle. The output speed is adjusted to be substantially equal to the target output speed at the end of the elapsed time period. The torque machine is controlled to achieve the preferred output speed profile. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109458 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A REFERENCE YAW RATE FOR A VEHICLE - The method and system described herein may be used to determine a reference yaw rate (γ | 05-03-2012 |
20120109445 | UNDERSTEER ASSESSMENT FOR VEHICLES - Methods and systems are provided for assessing understeer for a vehicle having at least one rear wheel and at least one front wheel. Rear wheel speeds are measured from the rear wheels, and front wheel speeds are measured for the front wheels. A determination is made as to the understeer of the vehicle using a comparison of the front wheel speeds and the rear wheel speeds. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109432 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ENGINE IN A HYBRID VEHICLE - A method is provided for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle. The vehicle includes at least one motor-generator, an internal combustion engine employing a camshaft and a camshaft phaser, and an energy-storage device operatively connected to the engine and to the at least one motor-generator. The method includes determining whether a deceleration of the vehicle is desired, and ceasing a supply of fuel to the engine when the deceleration is desired. The method additionally includes regulating the camshaft phaser to a predetermined fuel cut-off position when the supply of fuel to the engine has been ceased, such that a magnitude of compression pulses in the engine is reduced relative to when the engine is being fueled. A system for controlling the hybrid electric vehicle and for executing the above method is also provided. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109431 | ROBUST MOTOR TORQUE PERFORMANCE DIAGNOSTICS ALGORITHM FOR ELECTRIC DRIVE SYSTEMS IN HYBRID VEHICLES - A method to control a powertrain having an electric motor includes monitoring a torque command to the motor, predicting a motor torque for the motor based upon the torque command, monitoring an actual motor torque of the motor, comparing the actual motor torque to the predicted torque, and indicating a motor fault when the actual motor torque and the predicted torque differ by more than a calibratable threshold. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109379 | ROBUST OPERATION OF TENDON-DRIVEN ROBOT FINGERS USING FORCE AND POSITION-BASED CONTROL LAWS - A robotic system includes a tendon-driven finger and a control system. The system controls the finger via a force-based control law when a tension sensor is available, and via a position-based control law when a sensor is not available. Multiple tendons may each have a corresponding sensor. The system selectively injects a compliance value into the position-based control law when only some sensors are available. A control system includes a host machine and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a control process, which is executed by the host machine to control the finger via the force- or position-based control law. A method for controlling the finger includes determining the availability of a tension sensor(s), and selectively controlling the finger, using the control system, via the force or position-based control law. The position control law allows the control system to resist disturbances while nominally maintaining the initial state of internal tendon tensions. | 05-03-2012 |
20120108163 | Intelligent Telematics Information Dissemination Using Delegation, Fetch, and Share Algorithms - A system for intelligent dissemination of messages via long-range communications to select delegate vehicles, and short-range communications from the delegate vehicles. The system includes a processor and a memory storing a delegation and dissemination algorithm that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to define a dissemination area and define multiple delegation zones within the dissemination area. The algorithm also causes the processor to identify at least one delegate vehicle, of a network of vehicles, for each delegation zone and seed a message into the network of vehicles by transmitting the message to each delegate vehicle via long-range communications so that the delegate vehicles can transmit the message throughout the network of vehicles via short-range communications. | 05-03-2012 |
20120107713 | REINFORCED FUEL CELL METAL PLATE PERIMETER - A bipolar plate for a fuel cell includes a pair of plates. Each plate has an active area, a header area, and a perimeter area. The perimeter area is disposed adjacent an edge of the plate. The perimeter area is also disposed adjacent to each of the active area and the header area. At least one of the plates includes a raised support feature having an inboard side and an outboard side. The plates are joined in the perimeter area between the outboard side of the raised support feature and the edges of the plates. | 05-03-2012 |
20120107705 | ANODE GAS COMPOSITION UTILIZING H2 INJECTION PRESSURE WAVE PROPAGATION RATES - A system for determining the concentration of hydrogen in an anode sub-system of a fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell, an anode inlet, an anode outlet, an anode recirculation line, a source of hydrogen gas and an injector for injecting the hydrogen gas. First and second acoustic sensors are provided in the anode recirculation line and are spaced a known distance from each other. A controller that is responsive to the output signals from the first and second acoustic sensors determines the concentration of hydrogen gas in the anode recirculation line based on the time between when the controller receives the sensor signal from the first sensor and receives the sensor signal from the second sensor. | 05-03-2012 |
20120107659 | ONE PIECE COMPRESSION RESISTANT PRISMATIC CELL - A prismatic repeating frame assembly for a battery pack includes a main body and a hollow compression limiter. The main body is formed from a first polymer. The main body has an aperture formed therein. The hollow compression limiter is formed from a second polymer. The compression limiter is disposed in the aperture of the main body and permits a compression rod to be disposed therethrough. The second polymer is configured to withstand forces during an assembly of the battery pack and frequency inputs during an operation of the battery pack. | 05-03-2012 |
20120107546 | COULOMB DAMPING AND/OR VISCOUS DAMPING INSERT USING ULTRASONIC WELDING - One or more layers of vibration damping material are placed on one or more selected surface regions of a body portion of a vibratile metal article. The layer of damping material is covered with a thin metal sheet. The selected surface may be recessed in the body portion to receive the damping material. The covering sheet may be formed of the same metal composition as body portion, or of a compatible metal composition. The peripheral edges of the covering sheet are ultrasonically welded to the surface of the article body portion to confine the damping material against the selected surface(s) so that the damping material forms a vibration damping interface(s) with the surface(s) of the article. The damping material may function as a coulomb damping material, or a viscous damping material, or both. | 05-03-2012 |
20120107187 | HEATING MODULE FOR AN EXHAUST GAS TREATMENT SYSTEM - An exhaust gas treatment system includes a heating module for heating exhaust gas upstream of a main catalytic converter. The heating module includes a first heating core having a first core volumetric size and a second heating core having a second core volumetric size that is less than the first core volumetric size. The first heating core with the larger first core volumetric size is configured to optimize pre-crank heating, while the second heating core with the smaller second core volumetric size is configured to optimize post-crank heating. The first heating core and the second heating core may be arranged in series with each other or in parallel with each other. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105990 | INSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY - An inside rearview mirror bracket for a windscreen includes a pad portion configured to attach to an interior of the windscreen. A bridge portion is formed as a single piece with the pad portion, and a tunnel is defined by the bridge portion and the pad portion. The mirror bracket includes a mirror receptacle formed as a single piece with the bridge portion opposite the tunnel. The mirror receptacle is configured to receive a rearview mirror. A sensor member may be configured to substantially fill the tunnel, such that the sensor member is disposed intermediate the bridge portion and the windscreen. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105808 | VEHICLE DISPLAY SYSTEM - A device for a vehicle that includes an at least partially transparent member operatively connected to the vehicle, the at least partially transparent member having a first side and a second side. A projector emits electromagnetic radiation projecting an image on or in the at least partially transparent member. A first polarizer is positioned on the first side of the transparent member such that the electromagnetic radiation goes through the first polarizer. A second polarizer is positioned on the second side of the at least partially transparent member. The first polarizer and the second polarizer are oriented such that the image is visible from the first side of the at least partially transparent member and not visible from the second side of the at least partially transparent member. The second polarizer may have a second polarization axis that is substantially orthogonal to a first polarization axis of the first polarizer. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105220 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING A VEHICULAR PROPULSION SYSTEM BATTERY - A method and apparatus for determining coolant leakage in a vehicular propulsion system battery. An AC isolation resistance test is used to determine whether an isolation fault has occurred within the battery, but can also determine the capacitance of the circuit or system, which can further determine the coolant leakage levels of the vehicular propulsion system battery. This eliminates having an additional device to measure the coolant leakage. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105071 | BATTERY TESTING DYNAMIC DELTA VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT - A method of evaluating battery packs is described. The method includes measuring a cell open voltage for each battery cell group in a section of battery cells; measuring a voltage under charge, or a voltage under load, or both, at a predetermined time interval for each battery cell group in the section of battery cells; determining the magnitude of the difference between the open cell voltage and the voltage under charge, or the voltage under load, or both, for each battery cell group in the section of battery cells by subtracting the voltage under charge from the cell open voltage, or subtracting the voltage under load from the cell open voltage, or both; and determining if the magnitude of the difference between the open cell voltage and the voltage under charge, or the voltage under load, or both, for each battery cell group in the section of battery cells exceeds a predetermined level. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105069 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSESSING BATTERY STATE OF HEALTH - A method for monitoring a lithium-ion battery cell includes monitoring a battery cell voltage and a corresponding charge capacity of the battery cell during an electric power event which may include either an electric power charge event or an electric power discharge event. A measured charge-capacity-derivative is determined by differentiating the charge capacity in relation to the corresponding battery cell voltage during the electric power event. The measured charge-capacity-derivative is compared with a preferred anode charge-capacity-derivative of an anode charge curve (for electric power discharge events) or an anode discharge curve (for electric power charge events), and with a preferred cathode charge-capacity-derivative of a cathode charge curve (for electric power charge events) or a cathode discharge charge curve (for electric power discharge events). A first state of health parameter of the battery cell corresponding to the comparison of the measured charge-capacity-derivative with the preferred anode charge-capacity-derivative of the anode curve is determined. And, a second state of health parameter of the battery cell corresponding to the comparison of the measured charge-capacity-derivative with the preferred cathode charge-capacity-derivative of the cathode curve is determined. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105068 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSESSING BATTERY STATE OF HEALTH - A method for monitoring a lithium-ion battery cell includes monitoring a battery cell voltage and a corresponding state of charge of the battery cell during an electric power event which may include either an electric power charge event or an electric power discharge event. A measured potential-derivative is determined by differentiating the battery cell voltage in relation to the corresponding state of charge of the battery during the electric power event. The measured potential-derivative is compared with a preferred anode potential-derivative of an anode charge curve (for electric power discharge events) or an anode discharge curve (for electric power charge events), and with a preferred cathode potential-derivative of a cathode charge curve (for electric power charge events) or a cathode discharge charge curve (for electric power discharge events). A first state of health parameter of the battery cell corresponding to the comparison of the measured potential-derivative with the preferred anode potential-derivative of the anode curve is determined. And, a second state of health parameter of the battery cell corresponding to the comparison of the measured potential-derivative with the preferred cathode potential-derivative of the cathode curve is determined. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105067 | VEHICLE BATTERY TESTING - A method of estimating a state of charge of a battery in a vehicle undergoing a vehicle assembly process. The method may include the steps of: installing the battery in the vehicle; employing a sensor mounted in the vehicle to automatically sense battery net amp hours during at least a portion of the vehicle assembly process; storing the net amp hours in a control module mounted in the vehicle; mounting a data link connector in the vehicle to provide communication with the controller; temporarily connecting a tool connector of a battery test assembly to the data link connector and transmitting the stored net amp hours data to the battery test tool from the control module; and comparing the net amp hours to a predetermined maximum net amp hours to estimate if the state of charge of the battery is acceptable. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105013 | APPARATUS OF SOC ESTIMATION DURING PLUG-IN CHARGE MODE - A system and method for estimating parameters of a rechargeable energy storage system during a plug-in charge mode include reading a first measured voltage and a measured current from the rechargeable energy storage system while charging the rechargeable energy storage system during a plug-in charge mode, interrupting the charge to stop current flow to the rechargeable energy storage system for a predetermined period of time, reading a second measured voltage during the charge interrupt, calculating a resistance based on the first measured voltage, the second measured voltage and the measured current, calculating an open circuit voltage of the rechargeable energy storage system based on the resistance, the second measured voltage, the measured current and determining the state-of-charge for the rechargeable energy storage system using the open circuit voltage. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105005 | BATTERY SECTION/MODULE AUTOMATIC CELL BALANCER REPAIR TOOL - A portable cell balancing repair tool for correcting cell-to-cell voltage imbalances. The tool defines a voltage set-point that identifies a desired voltage that the cells will be charged to for the cell-to-cell voltage balancing. The tool selects a cell to be balanced, measures the voltage of the selected cell and determines if the measured voltage is less than the voltage set-point. The tool charges the selected cell with a charging current for a predetermined period of time, and then determines if the voltage of the selected cell is greater than the voltage set-point after the time expires. The tool continues charging the selected cell at the charging current if the measured voltage is not greater than the voltage set-point, and determines if the charging current was at the minimum charging current if the measured voltage of the selected cell is greater than the voltage set-point. | 05-03-2012 |
20120104292 | ACTIVE DRAIN PLUG FOR HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY APPLICATIONS - A drain plug assembly that has particular application for sealing a drain hole in a high voltage battery compartment on a vehicle. The plug assembly includes a plug that inserted into the drain hole. The plug assembly further includes a return spring coupled to the plug and causing the plug to be biased into the drain hole. The plug assembly also includes at least one shape memory alloy device coupled to the plug and a support structure. The SMA device receives an electrical current that causes the device to contract and move the plug out of the drain hole against the bias of the return spring. | 05-03-2012 |
20120103466 | COLLAPSIBLE FUNNEL - A funnel assembly includes a tube defining a tube passageway and a tube opening. A funnel member defines a first funnel opening, a second funnel opening, and a funnel passageway that provides fluid communication between the first and second funnel openings. The funnel member is positioned such that the second funnel opening is within the tube passageway. The funnel member is selectively movable between a first configuration in which the first funnel opening is wider than the tube opening, and a second configuration in which the first funnel opening is narrower than the tube opening. | 05-03-2012 |
20120103307 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ESTIMATING ENGINE OPERATING PARAMETERS - A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes monitoring signal output from a high-resolution torque sensor configured to monitor engine torque during ongoing operation, monitoring states of engine operating and control parameters associated with engine input parameters, and estimating a mass air charge for each cylinder event corresponding to the signal output from the high-resolution torque sensor and the states of engine operating and control parameters associated with the engine input parameters. | 05-03-2012 |
20120103304 | COMBUSTION BALANCING CONTROL STRATEGY USING NORMALIZED INSTANTANEOUS HEAT RELEASE IN HCCI ENGINES - A method for controlling combustion in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine operating in a controlled auto-ignition mode includes providing combustion control parameters, determining peak cylinder pressures and crank angle location of the peak cylinder pressures. Cylinder volumes at the peak cylinder pressures and at intake valve closings are determined and cylinder pressures at intake valve closings are determined. A combustion parameter for each cylinder is calculated based upon the peak cylinder pressure, the cylinder pressure at the intake valve closing, the crank angle location of the peak cylinder pressure, the cylinder volume coincident with the peak cylinder pressure, and the cylinder volume at the intake valve closing. A target combustion parameter is determined and the calculated combustion parameter for each cylinder is compared to the target combustion parameter. The provided combustion control parameters for each cylinder are adjusted to balance the combustion parameter across all cylinders based on the comparison. The engine is controlled based on the adjusted provided combustion control parameters. | 05-03-2012 |
20120103295 | FRICTION-WELD INTERFACE FOR AN ASSEMBLY - A friction-weld interface device for improving a structural strength of an assembly includes a first component having a concave tapered surface. The friction-weld interface also includes a second component having a convex tapered surface that is complementary to and is configured to receive the concave tapered surface of the first component. The assembly is formed by friction welding the concave tapered surface to the convex tapered surface. The friction-weld interface device may be used to assemble an air-intake manifold for an internal combustion engine, wherein the air-intake manifold is at least partially joined by the process of friction welding. | 05-03-2012 |
20120103293 | MULTIPLE GEAR RATIO STARTER MOTOR - A starter for an internal combustion engine includes a stationary member and an output member adapted for starting the engine. The starter also includes a first planetary gear set and a second planetary gear set. Each of the respective first and second planetary gear sets includes a first, a second, and a third gear member and each of the respective first and second planetary gear sets is operatively connected to the output member. The starter additionally includes a motor operatively connected to the first gear set and to the second gear set for driving the output member. A motor vehicle employing the disclosed starter is also provided. | 05-03-2012 |
20120103286 | ADSORBENT STRUCTURES FOR REMOVAL OF WATER AND FUEL CONTAMINANTS IN ENGINE OIL - Devices and methods for removal of condensed, blow-by contaminants with small molecular dimensions from the circulating lubricating engine oil of internal combustion engines, including automotive engines, with a positive crankcase ventilation system are disclosed. These condensable blow-by contaminants include water, alcohols and hydrocarbons with preponderantly seven or fewer carbon atoms. A macroporous structure comprising alumino-silicate particles with micro-pores is at least partially immersed in the circulating oil. The micro-pores are sized to adsorb the small, condensed, blow-by, contaminant molecules but not the larger oil molecules. The particles may be multi-layered, with an inner layer adapted for adsorption of polar molecules. Adsorption is most extensive at lower oil temperatures and decreases as the oil temperature increases. Thus at low temperatures the contaminant molecules may be adsorbed, removed from the oil and temporarily stored in the micropores. At high temperatures some of the contaminants will desorb and be re-incorporated in the oil. The desorbed contaminants will be carried with the higher temperature oil into the engine crankcase where they may vaporize and be removed by the engine positive crankcase ventilation system. | 05-03-2012 |
20120103285 | PUMP ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - A method of manufacturing a pump assembly includes sand casting a pump housing with a cavity and die casting an impeller that includes pump blades and a first portion of a shroud. The pump housing may be sand cast as a one-piece component and the impeller may be die cast as another one-piece component. A pump cover is provided with a second portion of the shroud. The pump cover is inserted into the cavity so that the second portion of the shroud is adjacent to the first portion of the shroud, providing a substantially continuous surface defining flow channels through the impeller. A pump assembly manufactured according to the method is also provided. | 05-03-2012 |
20120102952 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING EXHAUST GAS HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEMS IN VEHICLES - A method of operating an exhaust gas heat recovery (EGHR) system in a vehicle including an engine, a transmission, and an EGHR heat exchanger is provided. The method includes monitoring an engine water temperature and may include monitoring a transmission oil temperature and an ambient air temperature. The method includes comparing the monitored engine water temperature to one or more calibrated engine temperatures. Based upon the monitored temperatures and comparison to the calibrated temperatures, the method controls a two-way valve. The two-way valve is configured to be set to one of an engine position and a transmission position. The engine position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger and the engine, and the transmission position allows heat-exchange communication between the EGHR heat exchanger, the transmission, and the engine. | 05-03-2012 |
20120102946 | AFTER-TREATMENT COOLING WITH COMBUSTION FEEDBACK - A method of operating an engine having a turbo charger includes sensing a temperature of a flow of exhaust gas from the engine, determining if the temperature of the exhaust gas is greater than an upper temperature threshold, sensing a cylinder pressure within the cylinders of the engine with a pressure sensor, determining if the cylinder pressure is greater than an upper pressure limit, sensing a boost provided by the turbo charger, determining if the boost is greater than a maximum boost limit, and adjusting the operation of the engine when the temperature of the exhaust gas entering the turbo charger is greater than an upper temperature threshold and the cylinder pressure is less than the upper pressure limit to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas entering the turbo charger to a temperature below the upper temperature threshold. | 05-03-2012 |
20120102923 | AFTER-TREATMENT HEATING WITH ENGINE COMBUSTION FEEDBACK - A method of operating an engine having an after-treatment system that treats exhaust gas from the engine with an oxidation catalyst includes adjusting the operation of the engine to increase the temperature of the exhaust gas, continuously sensing a cylinder pressure with a pressure sensor disposed at at least one cylinder of the engine to identify a unstable combustion event, i.e., an engine misfire, and adjusting the operation of the engine to prevent a future unstable combustion event when the unstable combustion event is detected. | 05-03-2012 |
20120102922 | METHOD OF SIZING A HEATING CORE OF AN EXHAUST HEATER FOR AN EXHAUST TREATMENT SYSTEM OF A VEHICLE - A method of sizing a heating core of an exhaust heater for an exhaust gas treatment system includes measuring the cumulative hydrocarbon or carbon monoxide emissions from the exhaust gas for multiple volumetric sizes of the heating core when heated in accordance with a heating strategy. Alternatively, a model of the treatment system may be used to predict the cumulative hydrocarbon or carbon monoxide emissions. The method further includes selecting the volumetric size of the heating core that is associated with the lowest cumulative hydrocarbon or carbon monoxide emissions level from the measured or predicted hydrocarbon or carbon monoxide emissions when the exhaust gas is heated in accordance with the heating strategy. The heating strategy may include pre-crank heating, or a combination of pre-crank heating and post-crank heating. | 05-03-2012 |
20120102921 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING REGENERATION OF AN EXHAUST AFTER-TREATMENT DEVICE - A method for controlling regeneration of an exhaust after-treatment device for an internal combustion engine in a vehicle includes establishing a baseline value for a mass of soot collected in the exhaust after-treatment device. The baseline value is a threshold mass of soot to be reached for regenerating the filter, and is determined as a function of a speed of the engine and a quantity of fuel entering the engine. The method also includes modifying the baseline value in response to an engine operating parameter that alters a fuel-air ratio of a combustible mixture entering the engine to generate a modified baseline value. The method additionally includes regenerating the exhaust after-treatment device using the modified baseline value. A system for controlling regeneration of an exhaust after-treatment device for an internal combustion engine is also provided. | 05-03-2012 |
20120102917 | CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HEATING AN OXYGEN SENSOR - A control system includes a temperature determination module and a heater control module. The temperature determination module determines a temperature of an oxygen sensor in an exhaust system of an engine. The heater control module applies a heat cycle to combust deposits on the oxygen sensor by activating a heating element of the oxygen sensor to increase the temperature of the oxygen sensor to greater than 800 degrees Celsius. | 05-03-2012 |
20120102725 | Battery Separator - Resinous fibers of nanometer to micrometer width dimensions are drawn from a multi-component system by a melt extrusion process. The process includes a step of combining a fiber resin with a water-soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is extruded to form an extruded resinous mixture, the extruded resinous mixture having strands of the fiber resin with the carrier resin. The extruded resinous mixture is then contacted with water to separate the strands of the fiber resin from the carrier resin. A fibrous sheet is then formed from the strands of fiber resin. The fibrous sheets are useful in filtration, as battery separators in Li ion batteries and as diffusion layers in fuel cells. | 05-03-2012 |
20120101753 | ADAPTIVE SLOWLY-VARYING CURRENT DETECTION - A system and method for determining whether an onboard estimation process, such as a recursive least squares regression process, can effectively calculate the state-of-charge of a battery. The method includes defining a current sample time and a previous sample time and measuring the battery current. The method then calculates a variation moving average of the measured current and an index of current change rate determined by averaging the absolute value of the current variation moving average using the measured current and calculated moving averages from the previous sample time. The method then determines if the current change index is greater than a predetermined threshold, and if so, the estimate of the battery state-of-charge resulting from the onboard estimation process is valid. | 04-26-2012 |
20120101713 | OPTIMAL ACCELERATION PROFILE FOR ENHANCED COLLISION AVOIDANCE - A system and method for providing an optimal collision avoidance path for a host vehicle that may potentially collide with a target vehicle. The method includes providing off-line an optimization look-up table for storing on the host vehicle that includes an optimal vehicle braking or longitudinal deceleration and an optimal distance along the optimal path based on a range of speeds of the host vehicle and coefficients of friction of the roadway surface. The method determines the current speed of the host vehicle and the coefficient of friction of the roadway surface during the potential collision, and uses the look-up table to determine the optimal longitudinal deceleration or braking of the host vehicle for the optimal vehicle path. The method also determines an optimal lateral acceleration or steering of the host vehicle for the optimal vehicle path based on a friction ellipse and the optimal braking. | 04-26-2012 |
20120101701 | VEHICLE COLLISION AVOIDANCE AND WARNING SYSTEM - A collision avoidance system in a host vehicle that employs combined automatic braking and steering. The collision avoidance system defines thresholds that identify a time to collision with a target vehicle by the host vehicle that are based on the speed of the host vehicle, the acceleration of the host vehicle, the speed of the target vehicle, the acceleration of the target vehicle, the distance to the target vehicle from the host vehicle and a coefficient of friction of the roadway. The collision avoidance system provides full automatic collision avoidance braking if the time to collision is less than one threshold and the lane adjacent to the host vehicle is not clear. The collision avoidance system provides both automatic steering and braking of the host vehicle if the time to collision is less than another threshold and the lane adjacent to the host vehicle is clear. | 04-26-2012 |
20120101700 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A TRANSMISSION TO IMPROVE EXHAUST BRAKING - A system for controlling a transmission of a vehicle powered by an engine includes a torque determination module and a shift determination module. The torque determination module determines a desired exhaust brake torque for the engine based on an actual speed of the vehicle and a desired speed of the vehicle. The shift determination module determines whether to shift between gear ratios of the transmission based on the desired exhaust brake torque and an exhaust brake torque capacity of the engine. | 04-26-2012 |
20120101697 | NEGATIVE-TORQUE DOWNSHIFT EXECUTION FOR FIXED-GEAR TRANSMISSIONS - A method of executing a downshift in a fixed-gear powertrain having an input node and an output node related by a starting speed ratio before the downshift and a finishing speed ratio after is provided. The downshift includes a torque phase and an inertia phase. A starting output torque is calculated as a function of a starting driver request. An electric machine applies a starting regenerative input torque which is calculated as substantially equal to the starting output torque divided by the starting speed ratio. A finishing output torque is calculated as a function of a finishing driver request. The electric machine applies a finishing regenerative input torque which is calculated as substantially equal to the finishing output torque divided by the finishing speed ratio. | 04-26-2012 |
20120101674 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING A STATE OF A RECHARGEABLE BATTERY DEVICE IN REAL TIME - A method of determining and predicting a state of a rechargeable battery device in real time involves measuring a current and a voltage of the rechargeable battery in real time, inputting the measured current and voltage into an algorithm, and applying the algorithm to determine the state of the rechargeable battery. The algorithm includes a first mathematical model based on a direct solution of at least one differential equation characterizing an equivalent RC circuit of the battery as a function of time. The first model generates a plurality of parameters that are usable to determine the state of the battery. The algorithm further includes a second mathematical model configured to regress the parameters over time, and a third mathematical model configured to estimate the state of the battery. | 04-26-2012 |
20120101672 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING THE ROBUSTNESS OF A HYBRID VEHICLE TORQUE SECURITY DIAGNOSTIC - A vehicle includes electrical components, current sensors which determine current flowing through the electrical components, and a control system. The control system calculates and records error index values over an interval using the currents. The control system increments a first counter with every sample in the series, increments a second counter whenever a given error index value exceeds a calibrated high threshold, and decrements the second counter whenever the given error index value is less than a calibrated low threshold. A control action, e.g., recording a PASS or FAIL value, executes when either the absolute value of the second counter or the present value of the first counter reaches a corresponding limit or threshold. A method enhances the robustness of a hybrid vehicle torque security diagnostic using the control system. The vehicle and method use a signed X of Y debouncing or error signal processing method as noted above. | 04-26-2012 |
20120100952 | PLANETARY LAYSHAFT TRANSMISSION - A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least one planetary gear set, a plurality of transfer gears connected by a layshaft, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes. | 04-26-2012 |
20120100947 | METHOD AND APPARATUS EFFECTING TORQUE TRANSFER THROUGH A TRANSMISSION DURING ENGINE AUTOSTOP AND AUTOSTART EVENTS - A powertrain system includes an engine coupled via an input member to a transmission to transfer torque to an output member. The engine is configured to execute an autostop event and an autostart event during ongoing powertrain operation. The transmission includes a plurality of planetary gear sets and a plurality of torque transfer clutches. The plurality of torque transfer clutches includes hydraulically-activated clutches and mechanical clutch devices, including an electromechanically-activated selectable one-way clutch. The transmission is configured to provide hydraulic pressure to activate the hydraulically-activated clutches using only a mechanically driven hydraulic pump. The transmission is configured to effect torque transfer among the input member, the plurality of planetary gear sets and the output member in one of a plurality of fixed gear states by selectively activating at least one of the plurality of torque transfer clutches. | 04-26-2012 |
20120100791 | SHUTTER CONTROL DURING AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WARM-UP ACROSS A FREEZING POINT - A method of controlling operation of an adjustable shutter adapted for varying an amount of airflow to cool a powertrain in a vehicle includes monitoring the ambient temperature. The method also includes sensing an increase in the ambient temperature up to a threshold temperature value. The method additionally includes changing a position of the shutter after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed following the increase in the ambient temperature up to the threshold temperature value. A vehicle using a controller to perform such a method is also provided. | 04-26-2012 |
20120100790 | METHOD FOR MONITORING OPERATION OF A SHUTTER - A method of monitoring operation of an adjustable shutter adapted for cooling a powertrain in a vehicle includes commanding the shutter to adopt a position and assessing whether the shutter has adopted the commanded position. The method also includes generating a first signal if the shutter has adopted the commanded position, and commanding the shutter to perform a first retry to adopt the commanded position if the shutter has not adopted the commanded position. The method additionally includes generating a second signal if the shutter has adopted the commanded position on the first retry. A vehicle using a controller to perform such a method is also provided. | 04-26-2012 |
20120100454 | METHOD TO PROVIDE ELECTRICAL INSULATION BETWEEN CONDUCTIVE PLATES OF A HYDROGEN FUEL CELL - A subassembly for a fuel cell includes a fuel cell plate having a first side and a second side. Each of the first side and the second side has a flow field disposed between a pair of headers. An insulating spacer abuts the first side of the fuel cell plate and is disposed adjacent a perimeter of the fuel cell plate. A unitized electrode assembly includes a subgasket, a membrane electrode assembly, and a pair of diffusion medium layers. The membrane electrode assembly has an electrolyte membrane sandwiched between a pair of electrodes. The membrane electrode assembly is sandwiched between the pair of diffusion medium layers. The subgasket surrounds, and is coupled to, the membrane electrode assembly. The subgasket abuts the insulating spacer. An elastomeric seal abuts the second side of the fuel cell plate. | 04-26-2012 |
20120100414 | ENCAPSULATED EMI/RFI SHIELDING FOR A NON-CONDUCTIVE THERMOSETTING PLASTIC COMPOSITE PHEV BATTERY COVER - A cover for a high voltage vehicle battery is disclosed that is made of a light weight, non-conductive thermoset plastic composite, such as a polyester resin matrix, and includes an EMI/RFI shield. In one embodiment, the EMI/RFI shield is a Faraday cage including a ferrous mesh that is molded into the thermoset plastic composite so that it is completely encapsulated therein. In another embodiment, the EMI/RFI shield is an acrylic polymer coating including nickel plated copper flakes formed on an outside surface of the thermoset plastic composite. | 04-26-2012 |
20120100403 | ELECTROLYTIC CELL AND METHOD OF ESTIMATING A STATE OF CHARGE THEREOF - A lithium ion battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte operatively disposed between the positive and negative electrodes. The negative electrode contains a composite material including graphitic carbon and a disordered carbon. | 04-26-2012 |
20120098483 | VEHICLE ALIGNMENT FOR INDUCTIVE CHARGING - Vehicle alignment for inductive charging includes a control system and logic configured to execute on the control system. The logic is configured to define a first orientation for a first antenna and a second antenna, which are disposed on a vehicle. The logic is also configured to define a second orientation specifying a location of a vehicle charging device disposed on the vehicle relative to the first and second antennae. The logic is further configured to determine a location of an inductive charging device relative to the vehicle by performing triangulation analysis using data from the first and second orientations in conjunction with signals received from the first and second antennae. The logic is also configured to calculate a direction to the location using voltage values from the signals, such that movement of the vehicle in the direction brings the vehicle charging device closer to the inductive charging device. | 04-26-2012 |
20120098278 | CHARGE PORT LOCK ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE - A charge port lock assembly for use with a charge receptacle on a vehicle having a rechargeable battery. The charge port lock assembly may include an actuator assembly including an actuator energizable to retract the post to a retracted position and to move to an extended rest position and a partially retracted rest position; a charge port door that covers the charge receptacle and a has a door ejection spring; a charge door lock assembly that releases the charge port door when the post is in the fully retracted position and retains the charge port door in the closed position when the post is in the other positions; a cord lock assembly that retains a charge cord assembly in the charge receptacle when the post is in the extended rest position and releases the charge cord assembly in the other positions. The controller energizes the actuator. | 04-26-2012 |
20120098228 | STAMPED ARM CONTROL - A control arm includes a first clamshell half and a second clamshell half, a ball joint housing, and a paddle portion. The paddle portion is formed as a single piece with the ball joint housing, has a first side and a second side, and is disposed between the first clamshell half and the second clamshell half. A first weld connection may join the first clamshell half to the first side of the paddle portion, and a second weld connection may join the second clamshell half to the second side of the paddle portion. Attachment of the first clamshell half to the first side of the paddle portion and attachment of the second clamshell half to the second side of the paddle portion may be characterized by the absence of a rivet and a bolt. | 04-26-2012 |
20120097726 | METHOD OF SEPARATING A LENGTH OF SINGLE-STRAND WIRE - A method of separating a length of single-strand wire at a notch location includes forming at least one notch in the length of single-strand wire at the notch location. The notch location is subjected to tensile strain until the notch location ruptures at the notch to separate the length of single-strand wire into a first single-strand wire and a second single-strand wire. After separation of the length of single-strand wire, the first and second single-strands each present a generally tapered end that corresponds to the notch location. | 04-26-2012 |
20120097465 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A SHUTTER IN A VEHICLE VIA A COOLING FAN DUTY-CYCLE - A method is provided for controlling operation of an adjustable shutter configured to be operated between and inclusive of fully-closed and fully-opened positions for cooling a powertrain in a vehicle having a grille opening. The method includes monitoring operation of a fan capable of being driven at a selectable speed for cooling the powertrain. The method also includes maintaining the fully-closed position of the shutter when the speed of the fan is below a predetermined speed. The method additionally includes selecting a non fully-closed position of the shutter before the predetermined speed of the fan is selected. Furthermore, the method includes selecting the predetermined speed of the fan after the non fully-closed position of the shutter has been selected. A system for controlling operation of such a fan and a vehicle are also provided. | 04-26-2012 |
20120097464 | CONTROL OF A SHUTTER VIA BI-DIRECTIONAL COMMUNICATION USING A SINGLE WIRE - A shutter system for controlling an airflow through a grille opening in a vehicle includes at least one louver. The shutter system also includes a mechanism configured to select a position for the at least one louver between and inclusive of fully-opened and fully-closed to control the airflow through the grille opening. The shutter system additionally includes a slave processor in operative communication with the mechanism and a master controller in bi-directional communication with the slave processor via a single wire. The master controller is adapted to control a selection of the position of the at least one louver by commanding the mechanism via the slave processor using solely the single wire. The slave processor is adapted to respond to the master controller using solely the single wire. A method of controlling operation of an adjustable shutter is also provided. | 04-26-2012 |
20120097252 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING FAULTS IN VACUUM PUMPS OF FUEL SYSTEMS AND FOR DIAGNOSING LEAKS IN FUEL SYSTEMS - A control system includes a switching valve control module, a pressure determination module, and a fuel system diagnostic module. The switching valve control module actuates a switching valve in a fuel system of a vehicle between a first position and a second position, the first position venting a suction side of a vacuum pump in the fuel system to an atmosphere, the second position sealing the suction side of the vacuum pump from the atmosphere. The pressure determination module determines a first pressure on the suction side of the vacuum pump when the switching valve is in the first position, and determines a second pressure on the suction side of the vacuum pump when the switching valve is in the second position. The fuel system diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault in the vacuum pump based on the first pressure and the second pressure. | 04-26-2012 |
20120097138 | ENGINE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING ROTARY ENGINE PROVIDING EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION TO PRIMARY ENGINE - An engine assembly may include a rotary engine and a reciprocating engine. The rotary engine may include a first engine structure defining a rotor housing, a rotor located within the rotor housing and cooperating with the first engine structure to define a first combustion chamber and a first exhaust port defined by the first engine structure and in communication with the first combustion chamber. The reciprocating engine may include a second engine structure defining a cylinder bore and a piston disposed within the cylinder bore and cooperating with the second engine structure to define a second combustion chamber in communication with the first exhaust port. | 04-26-2012 |
20120097121 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING HYDRAULIC PRESSURE IN ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC VALVE ACTUATION SYSTEMS - A control system for an engine includes a first lift control module and a second lift control module. The first lift control module increases lift of M valves of the engine to a predetermined valve lift during a period before disabling or re-enabling N valves of the engine. The second lift control module decreases the lift of the M valves to a desired valve lift during a period after enabling or re-enabling the N valves of the engine, wherein N and M are integers greater than or equal to one. | 04-26-2012 |
20120097120 | ENGINE INCLUDING CAMSHAFT WITH PARTIAL LOBE - An engine assembly may include a camshaft rotationally supported on an engine structure. The camshaft may include a first shaft, a second shaft located in and rotatable relative to the first shaft and a partial cam lobe located on the first shaft. The partial cam lobe may include a peak region and may define a partial bore. A radial distance defined by the partial bore between first and second circumferential ends of the partial bore may be greater than or equal to a radial width of the first shaft. The partial cam lobe may define a recess extending in a radial direction through the partial bore and into the partial cam lobe. The camshaft may include a sleeve located within a radial passage defined by the second shaft and the recess in the partial cam lobe and radially locating the partial cam lobe relative to the second shaft. | 04-26-2012 |
20120096966 | MANUAL TRANSMISSION - A manual transmission includes an input member, an output member, a transmission input shaft, a countershaft, a reverse shaft, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member. | 04-26-2012 |
20120096834 | OPTIMIZED ELECTRICALLY HEATED EXHAUST GAS TREATMENT SYSTEM - A method of sizing a light-off core supporting a fixed quantity of a light-off catalyst for an exhaust gas treatment system having an electric heater upstream of the light-off catalyst for heating the exhaust gas includes measuring the cumulative hydrocarbon or carbon monoxide emissions leaving the exhaust gas treatment system for multiple volumetric sizes of the light-off core in accordance with a heating strategy. Alternatively, a model of the treatment system may be used to predict the cumulative hydrocarbon or carbon monoxide emissions. The method further includes selecting the volumetric size of the light-off core that is associated with the lowest cumulative hydrocarbon or carbon monoxide emissions level from the measured or predicted hydrocarbon or carbon monoxide emissions when the exhaust gas is heated in accordance with the heating strategy. The heating strategy may include pre-crank heating, post-crank heating, or a combination of pre-crank heating and post crank heating. | 04-26-2012 |
20120095675 | METHOD FOR CREATING AND TAKING A DRIVING TOUR - Embodiments of methods for creating and taking a driving tour using information derived from crowd sourcing are disclosed herein. A method includes, but is not limited to accessing an Internet website that is configured to enable a user to compose a driving tour based in part on the information derived from crowd sourcing and in part on a user-specified criterion. The method further includes inputting the user-specified criterion into the Internet website. The method further includes creating the driving tour using the Internet website, the driving tour having a point of interest. The method further includes obtaining an electronic file from the Internet website containing the driving tour. The method further includes loading the electronic file into a mobile device. The method still further includes utilizing the mobile device and the electronic file to take the driving tour. | 04-19-2012 |
20120094799 | MULTI-SPEED TRANSMISSION WITH EXTERNAL DRIVE GEARSETS - A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, two external gear sets or sprocket sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. Each of the external gear sets includes first and second members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes. | 04-19-2012 |
20120094165 | BATTERY MODULES AND ASSEMBLIES - A battery module is provided. The battery module includes a first battery cell; a heat transfer plate contacting the first battery cell and defining a perimeter, the heat transfer plate having a first thickness; a heat transfer fin extending from the perimeter of the heat transfer plate, the heat transfer fin having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness; and a fluid conduit coupled to the heat transfer fin, whereby, during operation, heat is transferred from the first battery cell, to the heat transfer layer, to the heat transfer fin, and to the fluid conduit. | 04-19-2012 |
20120093357 | VEHICLE THREAT IDENTIFICATION ON FULL WINDSHIELD HEAD-UP DISPLAY - A method to dynamically register a graphic identifying a potentially threatening vehicle onto a driving scene of a vehicle utilizing a substantially transparent windscreen head up display includes monitoring a vehicular environment, identifying the potentially threatening vehicle based on the monitored vehicular environment, determining the graphic identifying the potentially threatening vehicle, dynamically registering a location of the graphic upon the substantially transparent windscreen head up display corresponding to the driving scene of the vehicle, and displaying the graphic upon the substantially transparent windscreen head up display, wherein the substantially transparent windscreen head up display includes one of light emitting particles or microstructures over a predefined region of the windscreen permitting luminescent display while permitting vision therethrough. | 04-19-2012 |
20120092883 | VEHICULAR DUCT WITH INTEGRATED LIGHTING - A body panel for a vehicle includes an outer lens and a light engine projecting a light into the outer lens. The body panel includes a duct, which is disposed at a substantially equal vertical elevation as the outer lens. The light engine is positioned relative to the outer lens to allow the duct to pass directly behind the outer lens, at approximately the same vertical elevation, to improve air flow through the duct. | 04-19-2012 |
20120092498 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL MIRROR DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE AND METHOD - A display system for a vehicle includes a first camera and a second camera adapted to be mounted to the vehicle. A mirror assembly is provided having a display screen and a view divider such as a parallax barrier. A controller is operatively connected to the cameras and to the display screen and is operable to cause the recorded images to appear as a single three-dimensional image when the images are viewed through the view divider. A method of providing an image of an object that is rearward of a vehicle is also provided. | 04-19-2012 |
20120091971 | EXCESSIVE CURRENT DETECTION CONTROLS METHOD - A method for controlling charging and discharging of a battery pack for an electric or hybrid vehicle to prevent overheating damage. Current flowing into or out of the battery pack is monitored, and root mean square (RMS) current is integrated over a time window and compared to a threshold to determine if power needs to be regulated in order to prevent damage to the cells in the battery pack. If the time-integrated RMS current exceeds the threshold, a closed-loop proportional-integral (PI) controller is activated to regulate power input or output. The controller will continue to regulate power until the time-integrated RMS current drops below the threshold. Various thresholds can be defined for different time windows. The gains used in the PI controller can also be adjusted to scale the amount of power regulation. | 04-19-2012 |
20120091964 | BATTERY FAULT TOLERANT ARCHITECTURE FOR CELL FAILURE MODES SERIES BYPASS CIRCUIT - A battery cell by-pass circuit that has particular application for by-passing cells in a high voltage battery for a vehicle. The battery includes a plurality of battery cells electrically coupled in series. The by-pass circuit includes a first switch electrically coupled in series with one or more of the battery cells, a by-pass line electrically coupled around the one or more battery cells and a second switch electrically coupled in the by-pass line and in parallel with the one or more battery cells. During normal cell operation, the first switch is closed and the second switch is open so that current flows through the one or more battery cells. If the one or more battery cells fail or are failing, the first switch is opened and the second switch is closed so that current by-passes the one or more cells and they are removed from the battery circuit. | 04-19-2012 |
20120091750 | SNAP FIT BRACKET FOR SIDE DOOR IMPACT BEAM - A door assembly for a vehicle includes an exterior panel and an impact beam coupled to the exterior panel and spaced from an interior surface of the exterior panel a gap distance. A bracket is attached to the impact beam via a snap fit connection. The bracket includes an outboard surface disposed between the impact beam and the interior surface to at least partially span the gap distance. The snap fit connection allows for repositioning and removal of the bracket from the door assembly without negatively affecting the structural integrity of the impact beam. | 04-19-2012 |
20120091749 | SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING AN ACCESS OPENING IN A BODY OF A VEHICLE - A system controlling an access opening in a body of a vehicle includes a door arranged to selectively open and close a first portion of the opening. A latch is mounted on the door for latching the door to the body and releasing the door to selectively open and close the first portion of the opening. A device is mounted on the door and is configured to be retracted by an actuator before the door is opened and to be protracted by the actuator when the door is closed. A detent is mounted on the device to latch the device to the door when the device is protracted and to release the device before the device is retracted. A motor is mounted on the first door and is configured to operate at least two of the latch, the detent, and the actuator. | 04-19-2012 |
20120091744 | ACTIVE MATERIAL BASED HOLDING FIXTURES - A holding fixture operable to secure differing pluralities of positioned objects having differing geometric shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions, including an active material element configured to selectively enable, cause, or retain the securing engagement and/or return the fixture to a ready state when not in use. | 04-19-2012 |
20120091697 | OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM - An occupant restraint system for a motor vehicle having a seat system configured to provide seating to an occupant positioned adjacent to a console having a top surface and configured to provide utility; which includes a cushion stored in the folded configuration and having an inflatable chamber configured to inflate adjacent to an occupant to provide impact restraint to the occupant; an inflator configured to provide gas to inflate the inflatable chamber of the cushion; wherein a bottom portion of the cushion deploys to a position below the top surface of the console and a top portion of the cushion deploys to a position above the top surface of the console; wherein, during occupant loading, a portion of cushion contacts the console to receive lateral support and to react the forces imparted into the cushion induced by the occupant impacting the cushion, wherein the lateral support impedes lateral displacement of the cushion providing additional restraint to the occupant. | 04-19-2012 |
20120090939 | CLUTCH ACTUATION ASSEMBLY WITH SATELLITE PISTONS - A dual clutch actuation assembly includes a housing, an annular central piston, a plurality of satellite pistons, and an annular apply member. The housing includes an inner cylindrical wall, an outer cylindrical wall, and a plurality of satellite cylindrical walls. The inner and outer walls define an inner piston annulus and the satellite walls define a plurality of satellite piston bores. Each of the satellite walls is disposed at least partially radially outward of the outer wall. The central piston is disposed in the inner piston annulus and is in sliding engagement with the inner and outer walls of the housing. The satellite pistons are disposed in the satellite piston bores and are in sliding engagement with the satellite walls of the housing. The apply member is axially engaged with each of the satellite pistons and includes an annular plate portion disposed radially outward of the outer cylindrical wall of the housing. | 04-19-2012 |
20120090912 | Mounting Systems for Transverse Front Wheel Drive Powertrains with Decoupled Pitch Damping - A powertrain mounting system with a decoupled hydraulic bushing device as a torque reacting element. An elastic element of the bushing mount vibrates in response to powertrain pitch torque. At high vibration amplitude of the elastic element, high hydraulic damping is provided via a main liquid reservoir, bounce inertia track and bellowed secondary liquid reservoir, with a decoupler fluid passage being passively disabled. At low vibration amplitude of the elastic element, minimal hydraulic damping is provided via a decoupler system. | 04-19-2012 |
20120090906 | VENTILATION ASSEMBLY FOR A FRONT EXTERIOR OF A VEHICLE - A ventilation assembly is configured for operative attachment to a front exterior of a vehicle. The ventilation assembly includes a first and a second section. The first and second sections are configured to move between respective open and closed positions. The first and second sections define respective first and second openings when the first and second sections are in the respective open positions to provide continuous fluid movement from the front exterior of the vehicle therethrough. Likewise, the first and/or second sections are a fluid barrier, configured to prevent the ingress of fluid from the exterior of the vehicle through the respective opening, when the section is in the respective closed position. Additionally, one of the first and second sections is disposed above the other of the first and second sections on the front exterior of the vehicle. | 04-19-2012 |
20120090420 | CONTROL OF TORQUE TRANSFER BETWEEN AN ENGINE AND A MANUAL TRANSMISSION - A system for controlling a transfer of torque from an engine to a manual transmission having a plurality of shiftable gears includes a selectively releasable and re-engageable clutch. The clutch is arranged inside the transmission and configured to transmit torque of the engine to the transmission when the clutch is in an engaged state. The system also includes a lever operatively connected to the transmission and movable to shift the gears. Additionally, the system includes an input device arranged on the lever and operable to selectively release and re-engage the clutch. A vehicle employing such a system is also provided. | 04-19-2012 |
20120090348 | COOLING SYSTEMS WITH DEAERATION RESERVOIRS - A coolant reservoir includes a body portion defining an interior cavity configured to hold a coolant; and a barrier wall positioned within the body portion to partition the interior cavity into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the barrier wall defining an opening therethrough that allows fluid communication between the lower chamber and the upper chamber. | 04-19-2012 |
20120089319 | GPS-Based Relative Positioning Enhancement Method Using Neighboring Entity Information - A method and system is provided for determining a relative position between a host vehicle and a remote vehicle using an indirect assisting entity technique. A GPS position of the host vehicle and a remote vehicle are obtained. A number of common satellites providing GPS data to the host vehicle and the remote vehicle are determined. An indirect-assisting entity is identified having a common number of satellites in communication between the host vehicle and remote vehicle, respectively, which is greater than the number of common satellites between host vehicle and the remote vehicle. A relative position is determined between the host vehicle and the indirect-assisting entity, and the remote vehicle and the indirect-assisting entity. A position of the host vehicle relative to the remote vehicle is determined as a function of the determined position of the host vehicle and remote vehicle relative to the indirect-assisting entity. | 04-12-2012 |
20120089273 | EXTERNAL PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION ON FULL GLASS DISPLAY - A method to display a graphic describing a desired communication upon a substantially transparent screen of a vehicle includes monitoring the desired communication, monitoring an external presentation mode to present the desired communication, determining the graphic describing the desired communication, registering a location of the graphic upon the substantially transparent screen to be communicated outside of the vehicle, and displaying the graphic upon a substantially transparent screen comprises one of light emitting particles or microstructures over a predefined region of the screen permitting luminescent display while permitting transmission therethrough. | 04-12-2012 |
20120088627 | MULTI-SPEED TRANSMISSION WITH EXTERNAL DRIVE GEARSETS - A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, three external gear sets or sprockets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. Each of the external gear sets includes first and second gears. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and a brake. | 04-12-2012 |
20120088626 | MULTI-SPEED TRANSMISSION WITH EXTERNAL DRIVE GEARSETS - A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, two external gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. Each of the external gear sets includes first and second gears. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes. | 04-12-2012 |
20120088625 | TRANSMISSION HAVING AT LEAST TEN SPEEDS - A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, two planetary gear sets, a planetary gear set assembly, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The planetary gear set assembly includes first, second, third and fourth members The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio. | 04-12-2012 |
20120088615 | CVT Pulley With Engineered Surface - A pulley for a continuously variable transmission and a method of creating an engineered surface on an outer surface of a pulley of a continuously variable transmission, with the engineered surface engaging with a belt or chain of the continuously variable transmission. The method comprising the steps of: determining an actual engineered roughness (Rpk) on the outer surface needed to obtain a predetermined friction between the engineered surface and the belt or chain; and etching microgrooves in at least a portion of the outer surface to create the engineered surface by employing a laser to etch the microgrooves, the microgrooves being formed to a depth that produces the actual engineered roughness (Rpk). | 04-12-2012 |
20120088382 | ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGE CORD LOCK - A charge cord lock system for a vehicle having rechargeable batteries. The system includes a charging receptacle; and a charge cord assembly having a charge plug slidably received in the charging receptacle and including a recess defining a retention flange. The system also includes a cord lock including a catch mounted to a plunger, with the plunger mounted to an actuator that moves the plunger toward and away from the charging receptacle, the catch engaged with the retention flange when the plunger is in an extended position and not engaged with the retention flange when the plunger is in a retracted position; and a controller in communication with a door lock mechanism and the actuator to cause the plunger to move to the retracted position when a door unlock signal is received and to cause the plunger to move to the extended position when a door lock signal is received. | 04-12-2012 |
20120088181 | Chemical Durability Using Synergystic Mitigation Strategies - A fuel cell includes an ion conducting membrane having a first side and a second side. Characteristically, the ion conducting membrane has a sufficient amount of a stabilization agent and platinum to inhibit the loss of fluoride from the ion conducting membrane when compared to an ion conducting membrane having the same construction except for the presence of cerium ions. | 04-12-2012 |
20120088174 | COMPOSITE END CELL THERMAL BARRIER WITH AN ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTING LAYER - A barrier layer for a fuel cell assembly is disclosed, the barrier layer having a thermally insulating layer having a first surface and a second surface, and an electrically conducting layer formed on the first surface of the thermally insulating layer. The thermally insulating layer may include a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, and the electrically conducting layer may be formed on a second surface of the thermally insulating layer and on the walls of the thermally insulating layer forming the apertures. | 04-12-2012 |
20120088130 | METHOD FOR AIR COOLING OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE TRACTION BATTERY WITH FLOW SHIFTING - A thermal management system that provides air cooling and heating for a battery by flow-shifting air through a battery enclosure. The battery includes a plurality of battery cells provided in the enclosure. The enclosure includes a first manifold having a first end and second end and second manifold opposite to the first manifold having a first end and second end. The thermal management system includes a plurality of valves for allowing air flow into and out of the first end or the second end of the first manifold and a second valve for allowing air flow into and out of the first end or the second end of the second manifold to provide the flow-shifting. | 04-12-2012 |
20120088116 | BIMETALLIC FORGING AND METHOD - A method of forming a bimetallic forging includes providing a blank comprising at least a first element and a second element of a first metal, and an insert of a second metal. A blank is configured such that the insert may be substantially encapsulated by a shell defined by the first element and the second element. The blank is forged to form a bimetallic forging including an outer portion defined by the shell, an inner portion defined by the insert, and an interface layer therebetween. In a non-limiting example, the first metal is substantially comprised of aluminum and the second metal is substantially comprised of magnesium. In a non-limiting example, the blank may be forged to form a vehicle wheel including an aluminum skin substantially encapsulating a magnesium inner portion, providing wheel with a high strength to weight ratio and improved corrosion performance. | 04-12-2012 |
20120087292 | Adaptive Multi-Channel Access for Vehicular Networks - A system and method is provided for dynamically self-allocating channel access for communication between communicating entities in an inter-vehicle ad hoc network. A respective entity observes communication activity over each inter-vehicle ad hoc network communication channel. Available time slots are identified within each communication channel for the respective entity to broadcast a data packet in response to the observed communication activity on a respective channel. An available communication channel and timeslot are selected to broadcast the data packet. A message is broadcast within the inter-vehicle ad hoc network that provides a schedule identifying the communication channel and time slot selected for broadcasting the data packet by the respective entity. The data packet is broadcast over the selected communication channel at the respective timeslot. | 04-12-2012 |
20120086457 | TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION FOR MAGNETIC DETERMINATION METHOD FOR THE STATE OF CHARGE OF A BATTERY - An exemplary embodiment includes a method of determining a state of charge of a battery system including determining a temperature dependent magnetic property value of a magnetic material proximate a battery cell; determining a temperature compensated value of said determined magnetic property value; and, using said temperature compensated value as an input to a state of charge (SOC) estimator to determine a state of charge (SOC) of said battery system. | 04-12-2012 |
20120086445 | TRANSMISSION DEBRIS SENSOR - A debris sensor for a motor vehicle transmission includes a permanent magnet disposed on the inside bottom of the transmission pan to attract and retain magnetically attracted debris such as filings and particulates and a magnetic sensor such as a Hall effect sensor adjacent the permanent magnet. The magnetic sensor monitors, over time, the magnetic field of the debris collecting magnet. The output of the magnetic sensor is provided to a transmission control module (TCM) or similar electronic control or monitoring device. The output of the sensor is monitored and when the output changes sufficiently, relative to experimental or empirical data, a signal or alarm code is generated or stored relating to the possible need for transmission service. Alternatively, data from the sensor may be read at any time to infer the state of the transmission, the quantity of material on the magnet, a possible service issue based upon the quantity of material on the magnet and the vehicle mileage and the remaining service life of the magnet, for example. | 04-12-2012 |
20120086264 | BIMETALLIC CASTING - A method of forming a casting includes providing a preform to a mold cavity. The preform is formed from one of a first metal and a second metal and defines an interface surface. A molten portion of the other of the first metal and the second metal is cast into the mold such that the molten portion proximately contacts the interface surface of the preform. An interface layer at the interface surface, a first portion defined by the mold cavity and the interface layer, and a second portion defined by the interface layer, are formed during casting. The interface layer may define a metallurgical bond between the first portion and the second portion. In the non-limiting example provided herein, the first portion is substantially comprised of aluminum and the second portion is substantially comprised of magnesium. In a non-limiting example, the casting may be configured as a vehicle wheel. | 04-12-2012 |
20120086238 | REINFORCED ROCKER PANEL STRUCTURE - A motor vehicle rocker panel is formed of a rocker inner panel and a rocker outer panel of generally C-shape that are spot welded together and cooperate to define an open space therebetween. An extruded aluminum reinforcement member is captured within an open space and includes a generally box-shaped structure having vertical sidewalls engaging respectively with the rocker inner panel and the rocker outer panel, and also integral flanges extending from the corners of the box-shape into engagement with the rocker inner panel and the rocker outer panel. Structural adhesive and screws act between the reinforcement member, the rocker inner panel, and the rocker outer panel, thereby providing a strong, lightweight, and economical reinforcement of the rocker panel. In addition, stiffening ribs are provided for strength and cavities are defined to receive the flow of any excess adhesive. | 04-12-2012 |
20120086224 | ADJUSTABLE STRIKER FOR VEHICLE DOOR LATCH - An anchor plate assembly adjustably mounts a striker on the vehicle pillar. The striker has a striker base with apertures for receiving mounting bolts that will extend though oversized apertures in the pillar. An anchor base has a base plate for engagement with the pillar and bolt slots in the base plate for alignment with the oversized apertures in the pillar. An anchor slide has a slide plate mounted for vertical sliding movement on the base plate. The slide plate has nuts thereon aligned with the oversized apertures of the pillar. The nuts receive the mounting bolts so that when the mounting bolts are loose the striker together with the anchor slide can be adjusted vertically until tightening of the mounting bolts effectively clamps the slide plate of the anchor slide against the base plate of the anchor base to maintain the striker at the vertically adjusted position. | 04-12-2012 |
20120086151 | MOLD INSERT ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE - Embodiments of a mold insert assembly and methods of use are disclosed herein. A mold insert assembly includes, but is not limited to a driving member that moves between a retracting position and an extending position, a plurality of first-segment members engaging the driving member and moving between a first retracted position and a first extended position and a plurality of second-segment members proximate the plurality of first-segment members and configured to move between a second retracted position and a second extended position as the driving member moves to the extending position. The plurality of first-segment members and second-segment members cooperate to form a substantially liquid-tight periphery when the driving member is in the extending position. The plurality of first-segment members second-segment members are configured to move towards the first and second retracted positions, respectively when the driving member moves towards the retracting position. | 04-12-2012 |
20120085799 | CLOTHING HANGER DEVICE FOR VEHICLE DECK LID - A hanger device stores clothes on the inside of the deck lid that closes the vehicle trunk. A peg projects from an inner surface of the deck lid for engagement by the hook portion of a clothes hanger when the deck lid is open, so that the clothes hanging on the clothes hanger hang downwardly. An elastic strap has first and second ends, one end attached to the deck lid on one side of the hanging clothes and the other end attached to the deck lid on the other side of the hanging clothes so that the elastic strap holds the clothes against the deck lid during movement of the deck lid between open and closed positions. | 04-12-2012 |