Method and system for optimizing a finite element mesh
Granted: February 9, 2006
Application Number:
20060028467
Computer-implemented method and system for optimizing a finite element mesh. Computing devices are configured to calculate a quality score for at least one original element in a finite element mesh based upon two or more quality attributes simultaneously. A quality score for at least one substitute element for the original element is calculated based upon the two or more quality attributes. If one or more substitute element(s) have a quality score that is better than the quality score of…
TOOL HOLDER ASSEMBLY
Granted: February 9, 2006
Application Number:
20060029479
A tool holder assembly including a cutting tool, a tool holder, and an adapter. The cutting tool includes a fluid passage and an end portion. The tool holder includes a conduit and a counterbore adapted to receive the cutting tool. The adapter includes a tool receiving portion configured to receive the end portion and an internal fluid passage adapted to provide a fluid from the conduit to the fluid passage.
TOOL HOLDER ASSEMBLY
Granted: February 9, 2006
Application Number:
20060029480
A tool holder assembly for a cutting tool. The tool holder assembly includes a tool holder, a locating member, and a spring. The spring is configured to bias the locating member to engage the cutting tool to inhibit fluid leakage.
TOOL HOLDER ASSEMBLY
Granted: February 9, 2006
Application Number:
20060029482
A tool holder assembly including a cutting tool, a tool holder, and an adapter. The cutting tool includes a fluid passage and an end portion. The tool holder includes a conduit and a bore adapted to receive the cutting tool. The adapter includes a tool receiving portion configured to engage the end portion and an internal fluid passage adapted to provide a fluid from the conduit to the fluid passage.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD
Granted: February 9, 2006
Application Number:
20060028167
A system and method for efficient management of energy within a vehicle wherein the vehicle includes a battery and a motor. The method comprises generating electrical energy through the use of the motor and determining the battery temperature and the battery's state of charge. The method further includes applying electrical energy from the motor to the battery to simultaneously charge and heat the battery when the battery's state of charge is less than a predetermined battery charge…
METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ENGINE FUEL INJECTION IN A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
Granted: February 2, 2006
Application Number:
20060021602
A method for controlling fuel injection during engine startup in a hybrid electric vehicle. The hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine, a power source, an electrical machine, and a control module. The method includes the steps of driving the engine with the electrical machine, determining whether the engine is at a target state, selecting a cylinder for fuel injection, calculating an amount of fuel to provide to the cylinder, injecting the amount of fuel, and repeating the selecting,…
WHEEL TORQUE ESTIMATION IN A POWERTRAIN FOR A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
Granted: February 2, 2006
Application Number:
20060021811
A method for estimating traction wheel torque in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain that does not require a torque sensor. The method relies upon variables including speed, torque, moments of inertia and angular acceleration of powertrain components. Separate strategy routines are used for a parallel operating mode and for a non-parallel operating mode.
A VOICE NOTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE
Granted: January 26, 2006
Application Number:
20060020381
A notification system for a vehicle includes at least a first and a second power source. The notification system also includes a controller that is operable with the first and second power sources and is configured to determine operating modes of the first and second power sources. The controller is also adapted to generate signals that correspond to the operating modes and operating limitations of the vehicle to effect an audible indication in the form of a voice message that may…
VEHICLE SALES AND SERVICE DATA INTEGRATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
Granted: January 26, 2006
Application Number:
20060020477
A computer-implemented method for integrating data output from a relationship between a customer and a service or product provider. The method includes receiving one or more customer vehicle attributes from two or more computer systems selected from the group consisting of: a service appointment system, a dealer management system, a marketing offer system, an accessory system, a vehicle inspection system, a follow-up system, and a concern resolution system; storing the one or more…
TOOL HOLDER ASSEMBLY
Granted: January 19, 2006
Application Number:
20060013665
A tool holder assembly having a cutting tool, a tool holder, and a sealing portion. The sealing portion is configured to inhibit fluid leakage between the cutting tool and the tool holder.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING KINETIC RATES FOR INTERNAL REFORMING OF FUEL IN SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS
Granted: January 19, 2006
Application Number:
20060014057
The present invention provides a solid oxide fuel cell in which kinetic rates for internal reforming are controlled. The solid oxide fuel cell comprises a cathode, an electrolyte layer adjacent to the cathode, and an anode adjacent to the electrolyte layer. The anode used in the cell of the invention includes a support structure which defines at least a portion of an anode flow channel and a catalyst that promotes reforming. The anode flow channel has an anode flow channel entrance for…
A CONTROL METHOD AND CONTROLLER FOR A SOLENOID-OPERATED ELECTROHYDRAULIC CONTROL VALVE
Granted: January 19, 2006
Application Number:
20060011878
A method and system for controlling a solenoid-operated pressure regulator valve to achieve high compliance with respect to a commanded current in accordance with a precalibrated transfer function. A dither frequency imposed on applied current is changed at precalibrated regulated pressure values to avoid dynamic instability.
CLADDING ELEMENT FOR A VEHICLE
Granted: December 29, 2005
Application Number:
20050287890
A layered cladding element for a vehicle. The layered cladding element includes a first layer (1) and a second layer (7) adjacent to the first layer (1). The first layer (1) is comprised of a fiber textile with an external surface (1?) and an internal surface (1?). The external surface (1?) has an uncovered texture for providing a predetermined view and feel. Moreover, the internal surface (1?) has the second layer (7) adjacent thereto, which is comprised of plastic.
Method and system for creating a purchasing strategy for a commodity
Granted: December 15, 2005
Application Number:
20050278247
Method and system for generating a report for use in buyer/supplier negotiations for purchasing a commodity. Embodiments include collecting data to define the technical capabilities of two or more suppliers to supply a commodity to a buyer, collecting data to define attributes of the commodity and the commodity market, and collecting data from the selected suppliers to identify their relative competitive position. Collected data is input into a computer configured to process at least a…
METHOD OF MAKING A BODY PANEL ASSEMBLY
Granted: December 8, 2005
Application Number:
20050269027
A method of manufacturing a body panel assembly for a vehicle. The method includes providing first and second panels, applying an adhesive, positioning the first and second panels, hemming the first and second panels together to form a subassembly, applying a coating to at least a portion of the subassembly, and heating the subassembly to at least partially melt the adhesive.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ACTIVATION OF A POWER SOURCE OF A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
Granted: December 8, 2005
Application Number:
20050273225
A system and method of controlling activation of a power source of a hybrid electric vehicle. The method includes determining a vehicle speed, determining an operating state of a brake system, and controlling activation of the power source based on at least one of the vehicle speed and the operating state of the brake system.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ASSESSING A REFRIGERANT CHARGE LEVEL IN A VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
Granted: December 1, 2005
Application Number:
20050262855
A method and system for assessing a level of refrigerant in a vehicle air conditioning system. A refrigerant charge value is determined as a function of ambient air temperature, ambient air humidity, conditioned air temperature, and compressor cycling signals. The refrigerant charge value is compared to a threshold value to determine whether the level of refrigerant is acceptable.
HOSE CLAMP TOOL
Granted: December 1, 2005
Application Number:
20050262969
A tool for installing a hose clamp. The tool includes a tab, an engagement surface that engages the clamp, and a sensor. The sensor provides a signal indicative of the shifting of the clamp from an open position to a closed position.
TEMPERATURE-BASED VEHICLE WAKEUP STRATEGY TO INITIATE FUEL CELL FREEZE PROTECTION
Granted: November 24, 2005
Application Number:
20050257969
A method of removing moisture from a fuel cell stack. The presence of liquid water in a fuel cell stack is especially undesirable should the temperature drop below freezing since the structures within the fuel cell are subject to degradation. One method includes measuring the temperature in the vicinity of a fuel cell vehicle when the fuel cell vehicle has been shut down and measuring the time elapsed since fuel cell vehicle shut off, and then flowing a moisture-removing medium through…
Computer-implemented method and system for modeling and estimating vehicle sales
Granted: November 24, 2005
Application Number:
20050261952
Data representing known vehicle sales and data representing vehicle registrations corresponding to the known vehicle sales are received at a computing system and processed to create a model of vehicle sales as a function of vehicle registrations. The model is applied to vehicle registration data for vehicles having unknown or unavailable sales data to compute a sales estimate for those vehicles having unknown or unavailable sales information. An adaptive filter may be implemented to…
