WET-ON-WET TWO-TONE PAINTING
Granted: September 9, 2004
Application Number:
20040175551
In at least one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and system of painting an article having two or more base coats, and to articles prepared in accordance therewith. In at least one embodiment, the method comprises applying a primer composition to a first and second area of the article; applying a first base composition to the first area of the article; curing the primer composition and the first base composition to form a primer and a first base coat; masking at least…
Vehicle and energy producing and storage system for a vehicle
Granted: September 9, 2004
Application Number:
20040173391
An energy producing and storage system for a vehicle includes a compressed gas storage tank having a generally cylindrical outer wall and a generally cylindrical battery having a partially triangular section defined in part by a concave surface extending along and nested with at least a portion of the cylindrical outer wall of the gas storage tank. The energy producing and storage system also includes a fuel cell disposed in a concavity formed in the vehicle body, thereby further…
System and Method for Controlling a Hydraulic System
Granted: August 26, 2004
Application Number:
20040164609
A method for preventing a valve orifice from switching to the small size when a high build gradient is required includes briefly bleeding off a small amount of fluid at the upstream side of the valve. This momentarily reduces the pressure difference when beginning the pressure build. After the valve is opened with the large orifice, the fluid flow through the valve prevents a high pressure difference. The resulting build with the large orifice has the maximum pressure gradient.
VEHICLE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM WITH SYSTEM MONITOR AND REDUNDANT CONTROL CAPABILITY
Granted: August 26, 2004
Application Number:
20040164612
A system for providing regenerative and friction braking in a vehicle includes a brake controller for determining a desired rate of deceleration from sensor outputs which are responsive to inputs from an operator of a vehicle and a regenerative braking system operatively connected with the brake controller. A brake monitor receives the sensor inputs from the operator of the vehicle and determines an audit range of deceleration for the vehicle. If the audit range of deceleration of the…
METHOD OF DESIGNING A MANUFACTURING ASSEMBLY LINE
Granted: August 26, 2004
Application Number:
20040167647
A method of designing a manufacturing process line. A process is identified as a set of discrete steps. A subset of steps is assigned to one of a plurality of standardized work cells. The work cells include a standardized workpiece presenter and a standardized processing tool. Additional subsets of discrete steps are assigned to a standardized work cell until the design for the manufacturing process is completed.
METHOD FOR SPRAY FORMING METAL DEPOSITS
Granted: August 12, 2004
Application Number:
20040157001
One method of the present invention relates to a method for spray forming metal deposits. The method is comprised of providing a ceramic substrate having a spraying pattern for receiving sprayed metal particles, spraying metal particles onto the spraying pattern to form a metal deposit on the spraying pattern for at least a first spray period, controlling the spraying step during the first spray period so that the temperature of the deposited metal particles increases at an average rate…
COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR IMPROVING MANUFACTURING PRODUCTIVITY
Granted: August 12, 2004
Application Number:
20040158338
One aspect of the present invention relates, to a computer-implemented system for improving manufacturing productivity. The system is comprised of at least one computer configured to: (1) receive a plurality of productivity data elements regarding a manufacturing process, a plurality of six sigma elements, and a plurality of lean manufacturing elements, and (2) aid in determining at least one productivity improvement to the manufacturing process by utilizing the plurality of six sigma…
Method of manufacturing a chromed bumper
Granted: August 5, 2004
Application Number:
20040149358
The present invention is a method for preparing and chroming a blank of steel. This method reduces time and cost to the assembly process. The method includes the following steps: heating steel slabs to a pre-determined temperature, hot rolling the steel slabs to a pre-determined width/thickness; spraying the steel strips with water to remove scaling; pickling the steel strips in acid to remove scaling; rinsing and drying the strips; cold rolling the strips with an electron beam textured…
SPRAY FORMED ARTICLES MADE OF BORON STEEL AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME
Granted: August 5, 2004
Application Number:
20040149417
The present invention relates to a method of spray forming a boron steel metal article, and to the formed article. In at least one embodiment, the method comprises (a) providing a spray forming pattern, (b) spraying metallic particles onto the spray forming pattern, and (c) allowing the sprayed metallic particles to cool to form a metal article. In at least one embodiment, the metallic particles are sprayed from a carbon steel feedstock having a boron content of 0.25-2.25 weight percent,…
VEHICLE SEAT PAN AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING VERTICAL DEFLECTION
Granted: July 22, 2004
Application Number:
20040140707
The present invention provides an improved vehicle seat pan and a method for controlling vertical deflection in a vehicle seat pan. A vehicle seat pan in accordance with the present invention includes a frame adapted to be mounted to a vehicle body. A suspension web for supporting a seat cushion is mounted to the frame. A vertical deflection controller is coupled between the web and the frame. The controller may be a leaf spring. Additionally, the controller may be a coil spring and a…
BATTERY SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE
Granted: July 15, 2004
Application Number:
20040137313
A battery system for an automotive vehicle includes a battery case having a number of battery cells housed within the case. Coolant passages extend about the battery cells, and a coolant pump or driver circulates coolant from the coolant supply through the passages so as to transfer heat from the battery cells to the coolant. A controller periodically reverses the direction of flow through the coolant passages so as to minimize the differential temperature arising between various cells…
Automotive vehicle bicycle rack having load assist apparatus
Granted: June 24, 2004
Application Number:
20040118884
An apparatus to assist an operator in loading a bicycle onto a substantially vertical bicycle rack attached to an automotive vehicle, includes a base that attaches to the upper portion of the bicycle rack, and a substantially U-shaped hook, having one end that pivots at its base end and having another end that engages the inner rim portion of bicycle wheel when the bicycle is lifted into the proximity of the upper portion of the bicycle rack. The present apparatus and method of loading…
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING A FINITE ELEMENT MESH
Granted: June 24, 2004
Application Number:
20040119711
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…
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Granted: June 24, 2004
Application Number:
20040122841
One aspect of the present invention includes a computer-implemented method for evaluating intellectual property. One preferred computer-implemented method includes obtaining a plurality of intellectual property (IP) records, preparing an IP data set based on the plurality of IP records, analyzing the IP data set to obtain an at least one IP cluster, and displaying the at least one IP cluster to allow a user to evaluate IP opportunities for the IP data set. IP opportunities include, but…
ADAPTIVE COLLISION LOAD PATH MODIFICATION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE COLLISION COMPATIBILITY
Granted: June 17, 2004
Application Number:
20040117086
An adaptive collision load path modification system (10) for a vehicle (12) includes multiple object detection sensors (14) that generate object detection signals. The system (10) may include a structural stiffness-adjusting device (46), which is coupled within a frame rail (58, 62) of the vehicle (12), and in addition or alternatively a tire deflation apparatus (48). A controller (18) is coupled to the object detection sensors (14) and through use of the structural stiffness-adjusting…
ADAPTIVE SAFETY SYSTEM FOR A BUMPER-BAG EQUIPPED VEHICLE
Granted: June 17, 2004
Application Number:
20040117116
The present invention provides a safety system control method for a host automotive vehicle. The method includes providing a first vehicle safety countermeasure and providing a second vehicle safety countermeasure operable in a first mode corresponding to the first vehicle safety countermeasure being inactive and a second mode corresponding to the first vehicle safety countermeasure being activated. The method also determines a collision threat with a target object and selectively…
WHEEL LIFT IDENTIFICATION FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE
Granted: June 10, 2004
Application Number:
20040111208
A roll control system (16) for an automotive vehicle (10) is used to detect if one of the plurality of wheels (12) is lifted. The system generates a pressure request to determine if the wheel has lifted. A roll control pressure request may also be generated. The wheel lift pressure is suppressed in response to the roll control pressure request. The system may also store a peak wheel speed after the initiation of a build cycle so that the peak wheel speed is used in the wheel lift…
Satisfaction prediction model for consumers
Granted: June 10, 2004
Application Number:
20040111314
Methodologies for constructing a satisfaction prediction model for motor vehicle buyers. One method includes presenting a buyer satisfaction survey to a portion of a buyer base for one or more motor vehicles. For each buyer that completes the survey, the buyer's survey response data is joined with the buyer's purchase and warranty claim data to create an aggregate of buyer satisfaction for the portion of the buyer base that completed the survey. Next, a satisfaction prediction model is…
A METHOD AND AN ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE THERMAL MANAGEMENT
Granted: June 3, 2004
Application Number:
20040106496
A method and an apparatus are provided which use, or which calculate, a temperature gradient of a portion of a vehicle to determine a value equal to, or representative of, a time before a maximum allowable operating temperature is reached by the portion. If the value is less than a certain threshold, the apparatus reduces the operating speed of the portion and, in one embodiment, provides a warning signal to an operator of the vehicle.
METHOD FOR OPERATING A PRE-CRASH SENSING SYSTEM IN A VEHICLE HAVING EXTERNAL AIRBAGS
Granted: June 3, 2004
Application Number:
20040107033
A pre-crash sensing system (10) for an automotive vehicle (50) is coupled to an external airbag system (120). The external airbag system (120) may include a bumper airbag (126), a grill airbag (122) or a bumper airbag and a grill airbag. An object classifier is used to generate an object classification signal. A controller (12) is coupled to the object classifier and the external airbag system for varying an activation level of the external airbag system (120) in response to the object…
