INTERCHANGEABLE MOLD INSERTS
Granted: August 29, 2013
Application Number:
20130221192
A mold core package for forming a molding tool with a removable insert includes a plurality of stacked particulate layers having a binding agent. The plurality of stacked particulate layers form molding pattern walls that generally define a base mold cavity and an insert mold cavity defining a mold surface. A sacrificial displacement line extends through the insert mold cavity closely following contours of the mold surface.
MOLD CORE PACKAGE FOR FORMING A POWDER SLUSH MOLDING TOOL
Granted: August 29, 2013
Application Number:
20130221191
A powder slush molding tool having heating and cooling features cast as part of the tool, wherein the tool created using molds formed by additive manufacturing techniques, and wherein the tool is further used for making a flexible polymeric soft skin for use in a vehicle interior.
FREEZE START METHOD FOR FUEL CELLS
Granted: August 1, 2013
Application Number:
20130196241
A method for starting operation of a solid polymer fuel cell from a temperature below 0° C. is disclosed that prevents certain problems with ice formation as the fuel cell thaws. During startup, the method involves providing the volumetric oxidant flow at a rate less than two thirds of its maximum when the coolant temperature is near 0° C.
ON-LINE INVENTION DISCLOSURE APPROVAL SYSTEM
Granted: July 4, 2013
Application Number:
20130173535
An on-line invention disclosure system includes a user computer (14) and a web server (12) having an identification subsystem (30). A database (18) is coupled to the server (12). The server provides user screens to the user to prompt users to provide user information to the server. The server receives disclosure information from the users and stores information in the database (18) and prompts the users to provide a password. Upon the proper password, access to the disclosure is granted.…
MULTI-FEATURE PRODUCT INVENTORY MANAGEMENT AND ALLOCATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
Granted: July 4, 2013
Application Number:
20130173330
A data store includes, for a dealer of interest, a target inventory mix rate for an item having a feature. A computing device is configured to perform an optimization to obtain a recommended feature allocation of the item including the feature by minimizing a difference between a projected inventory mix rate for the feature and the target inventory mix rate for the feature.
Method and Apparatus for Computer Based Process Monitoring and Control
Granted: June 27, 2013
Application Number:
20130166342
A computerized method for monitoring business processes is exemplified. Business process data and task data are stored in memory of a computer. The method further includes receiving a data request from a requesting party. The method additionally includes filtering business process data and task data based on the role of the requesting party. A first requesting party has a first monitoring role is designated a level of access limited to viewing task data for fewer than all tasks. A second…
STABLE, DURABLE CARBON SUPPORTED CATALYST COMPOSITION FOR FUEL CELL
Granted: June 27, 2013
Application Number:
20130164655
A carbon supported catalyst composition for solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells is disclosed that shows a high mass activity and favorable stability and durability. The catalyst composition comprises an intermetallic phase or alloy comprising Pt and a metal selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ta, V and Mo, and comprises an oxide of the metal. The carbon supported catalyst composition can be prepared at relatively low temperature either by first depositing and heating an oxide…
SULFONATED POLY(PHENYLENE) COPOLYMER ELECTROLYTE FOR FUEL CELLS
Granted: May 2, 2013
Application Number:
20130108944
A proton conducting copolymer electrolyte with competitive voltage versus current density characteristics and superior durability comprises a proton conducting hydrophilic domain comprising a sulfonated poly(phenylene) polymer, and a hydrophobic domain comprising a main chain comprising a plurality of bonded arylene groups wherein essentially all of the bonds in the main chain of the copolymer are carbon-carbon or, to a certain extent, carbon-sulfone bonds. More particularly, none of the…
Organic-Like Casting Process for Water Jackets
Granted: April 25, 2013
Application Number:
20130098574
Heat flow and mechanical strength of an engine component are improved by an organic-like casting core. Hardened granules are formed of a core material having a three-dimensional solid shape. A secondary binder is applied to the hardened granules. A multiplicity of the granules are agglomerated in a master mold in a shape of a water jacket of the engine component, and the secondary binder is hardened to form an organic-like core having a continuous web structure. A plurality of other…
ASSEMBLING BIPOLAR PLATES FOR FUEL CELLS USING MICROENCAPSULATED ADHESIVES
Granted: April 11, 2013
Application Number:
20130089809
The flow field plates in a bipolar plate assembly for a fuel cell can be both bonded and sealed appropriately using microencapsulated adhesives. This offers several advantages over using other adhesives which may have limited pot life and/or require lengthy curing periods at elevated temperature during which time the plates must be stably positioned and under compression.
FLOW FIELD PLATE WITH RELIEF DUCTS FOR FUEL CELL STACK
Granted: April 11, 2013
Application Number:
20130089802
Flow field plate constructions for bipolar plates are disclosed for use in fuel cell stacks that are subject to freezing temperatures. In designs having internal coolant flow fields and reactant backfeed ports, relief ducts are provided in the supporting walls surrounding the backfeed ports in order to allow for ice formation and thus prevent cracking of the plates.
BILAYER CATHODE CATALYST STRUCTURE FOR SOLID POLYMER ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELL
Granted: January 24, 2013
Application Number:
20130022891
Use of noble metal alloy catalysts, such as PtCo, as the cathode catalyst in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells can provide enhanced performance at low current densities over that obtained from the noble metal itself. Unfortunately, the performance at high current densities has been relatively poor. However, using a specific bilayer cathode construction, in which a noble metal/non-noble metal alloy layer is located adjacent the cathode gas diffusion layer and a noble metal layer is…
SOLID POLYMER ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELL WITH IMPROVED VOLTAGE REVERSAL TOLERANCE
Granted: January 24, 2013
Application Number:
20130022890
In solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells, an oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst may be incorporated at the anode along with the primary hydrogen oxidation catalyst for purposes of tolerance to voltage reversal. Incorporating this OER catalyst in a layer at the interface between the anode's primary hydrogen oxidation anode catalyst and its gas diffusion layer can provide greatly improved tolerance to voltage reversal for a given amount of OER catalyst. Further, this improvement can…
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A FUEL CELL ANODE GAS COMPOSITION
Granted: January 24, 2013
Application Number:
20130022886
In at least one embodiment, a purge system for a fuel cell stack is provided. The system comprises a blower, a differential pressure sensor and a purge valve. The blower delivers a recirculated gas back to the stack at varying electrical power levels and blower speeds. The differential pressure sensor senses pressure of the recirculated gas across the blower. The purge valve purges the recirculated gas based on at least one of a blower power level, a blower speed, and the pressure of the…
FUEL CELL WITH SELECTIVELY CONDUCTING ANODE COMPONENT
Granted: January 17, 2013
Application Number:
20130017471
To reduce degradation of a solid polymer fuel cell during startup and shutdown, a selectively conducting component is incorporated in electrical series with the anode components in the fuel cell. The component is characterized by a low electrical resistance in the presence of hydrogen or fuel and a high resistance in the presence of air. High cathode potentials can be prevented by integrating such a component into the fuel cell. A suitable selectively conducting component can comprise a…
TOOL LUBRICATION DELIVERY MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD
Granted: December 27, 2012
Application Number:
20120325321
A tool lubrication delivery monitoring system and a method of control. An accelerometer is provided to detect a position of a valve and fluid flow through the valve. Accelerometer data may be compared to a baseline profile to determine whether fluid flow or valve operation is within established parameters.
FUEL CELL WITH SELECTIVELY CONDUCTING ANODE COMPONENT
Granted: December 27, 2012
Application Number:
20120328967
By incorporating a selectively conducting component in electrical series with the anode components in a solid polymer fuel cell, degradation during startup and shutdown can be reduced. As a result, the startup and shutdown procedures can be simplified and consequently certain system apparatus may be omitted. The anode does not need to be rapidly purged with hydrogen on startup or with air on shutdown. Additionally, the auxiliary load usually employed during such purging is not required.
OXYGEN REMOVAL SYSTEMS DURING FUEL CELL SHUTDOWN
Granted: December 13, 2012
Application Number:
20120315557
A purging system for removing oxygen from a fuel cell system during a shutdown period for the fuel cell system. The purging system includes a separator having an inlet and an outlet; a first exhaust line for communicating a first exhaust gas stream from an outlet of the fuel cell system to the separator inlet during the shutdown period of the fuel cell system; and a second exhaust line for communicating a second exhaust gas stream to an inlet of the fuel cell system for delivering the…
System and Method of Conducting Vehicle Usage Data Analysis
Granted: November 22, 2012
Application Number:
20120296514
A method of conducting vehicle usage data analysis is provided. The method includes providing usage data about at least one vehicle to a database. The usage data may be analyzed and compared to a member of a set of vehicle development models to determine whether to update a vehicle development model. The usage data may also be analyzed to determine whether to transmit a communication to a vehicle.
FLOW FIELD PLATE FOR REDUCED PRESSURE DROP IN COOLANT
Granted: November 22, 2012
Application Number:
20120295178
The pressure drop associated with the coolant flow in the coolant transition regions of a typical high power density, solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack can be significant. This pressure drop can be reduced by enlarging the height of the coolant ducts in this region of the associated flow field plate so that the ducts extend beyond the plane of the plate. The height change can be accommodated by offsetting the ducts in adjacent cells in the stack and by employing non planar MEAs…
