Method And System For Financing Acquisition of Vehicles
Granted: November 8, 2012
Application Number:
20120284156
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for financing acquisition of a vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a future interest in a vehicle in consideration for a future interest price upon transfer of a legal title in the vehicle in consideration for a legal title price.
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FINANCING A VEHICLE PURCHASE
Granted: November 8, 2012
Application Number:
20120284173
Various embodiments relate to methods and systems for financing an acquisition of a vehicle. In at least one embodiment, a financing request may be submitted to a vehicle financier to finance an acquisition of a vehicle according to one or more vehicle financing programs specifically designed for a vehicle consumer. One or more financing offerings by the vehicle financier may be received for financing the acquisition of the vehicle based on the financing programs. A response indicating…
Method of Coating a Workpiece Incorporating a Color Contributing Primer Layer
Granted: November 1, 2012
Application Number:
20120276281
A method of coating a workpiece. The method includes applying a primer layer having a color pigment to the workpiece, applying a basecoat layer to the primer layer, and applying a clearcoat layer to the basecoat layer. The primer layer contributes to the color of the workpiece.
ADDITIVES TO MITIGATE CATALYST LAYER DEGRADATION IN FUEL CELLS
Granted: October 11, 2012
Application Number:
20120258382
Ligand additives having two or more coordination sites in close proximity can be used in the polymer electrolyte of membrane electrode assemblies in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells in order to reduce the dissolution of catalyst, particularly from the cathode, and hence reduce fuel cell degradation over time.
COMPOSITE PROTON CONDUCTING MEMBRANE WITH LOW DEGRADATION AND MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY FOR FUEL CELLS
Granted: September 13, 2012
Application Number:
20120231367
A small molecule or polymer additive can be used in preparation of a membrane electrode assembly to improve its durability and performance under low relative humidity in a fuel cell. Specifically, a method of forming a membrane electrode assembly comprising a proton exchange membrane, comprises providing an additive comprising at least two nitrogen atoms to the membrane electrode assembly.
COMPOSITE PROTON CONDUCTING ELECTROLYTE WITH IMPROVED ADDITIVES FOR FUEL CELLS
Granted: September 6, 2012
Application Number:
20120225361
Additives can be used to prepare polymer electrolyte for membrane electrode assemblies in polymer electrolyte fuel cells in order to improve both durability and performance. The additives are chemical complexes comprising certain metal and organic ligand components.
PROTON CONDUCTING ELECTROLYTES WITH CROSS-LINKED COPOLYMER ADDITIVES FOR USE IN FUEL CELLS
Granted: September 6, 2012
Application Number:
20120225372
A proton conducting polymer electrolyte comprising a proton conducting ionomer cross-linked with an amount of a copolymer additive comprising cross-linking functional groups and other functional groups (e.g. proton carriers, chelating agents, radical scavengers) shows improved durability over the ionomer alone and provides for more stable inclusion of these other functional groups. The copolymer additive comprises at least two types of metal oxide monomers, one having cross-linking…
PROTON CONDUCTING ELECTROLYTES WITH CROSS-LINKED COPOLYMER ADDITIVES FOR USE IN FUEL CELLS
Granted: September 6, 2012
Application Number:
20120225958
A proton conducting polymer electrolyte comprising a proton conducting ionomer cross-linked with an amount of a copolymer additive comprising cross-linking functional groups and other functional groups (e.g. proton carriers, chelating agents, radical scavengers) shows improved durability over the ionomer alone and provides for more stable inclusion of these other functional groups. The copolymer additive comprises at least two types of metal oxide monomers, one having cross-linking…
SYNTHESIS OF STABLE AND DURABLE CATALYST COMPOSITION FOR FUEL CELL
Granted: July 26, 2012
Application Number:
20120189943
Provided is a catalyst composition comprising an intermetallic phase comprising Pt and a metal selected from either Nb or Ta, and a dioxide of the metal. Also provided is a low temperature method for making such compositions that results in the formation of intermetallic phase with small crystallite size and thus greater mass activity. In particular, a Pt3Nb—NbO2 catalyst composition can be prepared that is useful as a fuel cell catalyst and offers a very stable chemical substrate…
FUEL CELL WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD
Granted: July 26, 2012
Application Number:
20120189945
Systems and methods for transporting accumulated water in a fuel cell system are disclosed. Briefly described, in one aspect, a system comprises a fuel cell flow field plate with at least one channel disposed on a surface of the fuel cell flow field plate, and at least one water management fin residing on a wall of the channel such that when the accumulated water is transported along the channel the water management fin guides the accumulated water.
Software Architecture for Developing In-Vehicle Software Applications
Granted: July 5, 2012
Application Number:
20120173044
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a software architecture encoded on a computer readable medium is disclosed. The software architecture can be utilized for developing in-vehicle software applications for installation and execution on an in-vehicle computer system. The software architecture includes a number of vehicle application program interfaces (APIs) for accessing vehicles systems or data and for developing in-vehicle software applications; and a number of policy…
FUEL FILLER PIPE HAVING FORMED TRIGGER POINT
Granted: June 28, 2012
Application Number:
20120160847
A fuel filler pipe includes a trigger point formed between the fuel supply port and the fuel tank. The trigger point is a trough-like depression which, if there is a structural disruption of the vehicle, will facilitate a buckling mode in the pipe and consequent energy absorption.
System for Detecting Surface Variations on Engine Cylinder Head Valve Seats
Granted: May 3, 2012
Application Number:
20120105623
A machine vision inspection system that detects defects on machined valve seats that may be caused by a broken cutting tool insert. The system also measures the valve seat width to detect a missing cutting tool insert and monitor reactions to cutting tool forces and tool wear. The system uses high resolution cameras and stable LED light sources. A method is disclosed for manufacturing cylinder heads that are 100% inspected inline for valve seat surface defects.
Freeze Start Method for Fuel Cells
Granted: April 19, 2012
Application Number:
20120094200
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 oxidant flow at a rate less than half of its maximum when the coolant temperature is near 0° C.
System And Method For Setting Machine Limits
Granted: March 22, 2012
Application Number:
20120068658
A system and method for setting machine limits include setting a limit for a machine parameter, setting a temporal operating range for the machine, and setting a temporal step. The machine is operated over the operating range and the machine parameter is measured. A first new limit for the machine parameter is set based at least in part on the measurements over the operating range. The operating range is advanced by the temporal step, and the machine parameter continues to be measured.…
Tool Assembly for Machining a Bore
Granted: March 1, 2012
Application Number:
20120051857
A tool assembly for machining a bore. The tool assembly includes a cutting tool and a tool holder. The cutting tool has an abrasive grit disposed continuously around a circumference of the cutting tool. The tool holder has a first coolant passage and a secondary coolant passage that extends at an angle from the first coolant passage.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSMITTING DIGITAL MEDIA BETWEEN REMOTE LOCATIONS
Granted: February 16, 2012
Application Number:
20120041884
A method and system for processing an automotive warranty claim include capturing at least one digital image of a vehicle-related customer concern with a digital camera device. A barcode identifying the vehicle is scanned with a barcode scanning device. Upon establishing operable communication between a first computer and the digital camera device and the barcode scanning device, respectively, the at least one digital image and the barcode information are automatically downloaded into…
PROVISIONING OF DATA TO A VEHICLE INFOTAINMENT COMPUTING SYSTEM
Granted: February 2, 2012
Application Number:
20120030512
Various embodiments include a software provisioning system and method for a vehicle infotainment computer. Software provisioning of the vehicle infotainment computer may occur during vehicle assembly. A software provisioning request may be received for custom installing software to the vehicle infotainment computer. The custom install may be based on a customization schedule which may include a location identifier (such as uniform resource identifiers or file paths) for locating the…
VEHICLE STATISTICAL MEASUREMENT GAME
Granted: January 5, 2012
Application Number:
20120001744
A vehicle communication system is operable to calculate and compare vehicle statistics based on information received from a vehicle sensor. This statistic information can be used by the vehicle communication system to execute a plurality of statistic based games. Additionally, relevant statistic information may be transmitted to a remote network for the purpose of playing games against other drivers. The vehicle communication system can report statistical changes to a driver, thus…
PLATINUM PHOSPHIDE AS A CATHODE CATALYST FOR PEMFCS AND PHOSPHOROUS TREATMENT OF CATALYSTS FOR FUEL CELL
Granted: December 29, 2011
Application Number:
20110318662
The present disclosure relates to a catalyst including platinum phosphide having a cubic structure, a method of making the catalyst, and a fuel cell utilizing the catalyst. The present disclosure also relates to method of making electrical power utilizing a PEMFC incorporating the catalyst. Also disclosed herein is a catalyst including a platinum complex wherein platinum is complexed with a nonmetal or metalloid. The catalyst with the platinum complex can exhibit good electro-chemically…
