Power steering pump relief system filter
Granted: July 7, 2009
Patent Number:
7556479
Accordingly, the present invention provides a power steering pump having a filter that removes contaminants from fluid flowing through the relief system of the power steering pump. The power steering pump includes a housing having a longitudinal bore communicating with a fluid outlet. A fluid discharge port communicates with the bore and a fluid bypass port also communicates with the bore. A flow control member is situated in the bore and forms a outlet passage communicating with the…
Vehicle windshield
Granted: June 30, 2009
Patent Number:
D595196
Vehicle windshield
Granted: June 30, 2009
Patent Number:
D595197
Method for financing ownership of a vehicle
Granted: June 30, 2009
Patent Number:
7555443
The present invention relates to a method for financing ownership of a vehicle by a customer. A preferred method of the present invention includes financing the purchase of a vehicle with a RIC or loan. The RIC or loan is preferably repaid with a set of first payments followed by a set of second payments. The first payments preferably last until a decision point and are about 10 percent to about 40 percent lower than the second payments. The preferred method embodiment includes…
Vehicle hood
Granted: June 23, 2009
Patent Number:
D594795
Vehicle grille
Granted: June 23, 2009
Patent Number:
D594890
Passive microcoolant loop for an electrochemical fuel cell
Granted: June 16, 2009
Patent Number:
7547482
Improvements in freezing and sub-freezing startup time for an electrochemical fuel cell system may be observed by having a passive coolant microloop using two gear pump heads. During a cold start, a stack valve is initially fully closed and causes all system coolant arriving at the module to run through a driving gear pump head. This causes a driven gear pump head to recirculate coolant inside the module. In an embodiment, the stack valve is a thermostatic valve that begins to open as…
Clam shell bracket connecting automotive structural members
Granted: June 9, 2009
Patent Number:
7543884
A structural joint configuration is used in an automotive body structure in which a transverse roof cross member has a convoluted formed shape that must be connected to the longitudinally extending tubular roof side rail. A two-piece clam shell bracket forms the joint apparatus. A lower piece formed in a shape to mate to and receive the transverse roof cross member is welded to the underside of the tubular roof side rail while projecting a formed receiver to engage the transverse roof…
Vehicle front fender extension
Granted: June 2, 2009
Patent Number:
D593467
Vehicle rear fender
Granted: June 2, 2009
Patent Number:
D593466
Vehicle lower grille
Granted: June 2, 2009
Patent Number:
D593460
Method and apparatus to measure force-travel profile of a shifter in a vehicle environment
Granted: May 26, 2009
Patent Number:
7536918
Generally provided is a system and method that determines a force-travel profile of a shifter in a vehicle having a shifter having an associated shifter shaft for a transmission. The feel of the shifter to a user of the shifter may be improved by using present system. Additionally, accurate measurements for determining shifter forces applied to a shifter and corresponding position of the shifter are performed. In operation, the system correlates the forces applied to the shifter and…
Vehicle rear bumper cover
Granted: May 19, 2009
Patent Number:
D592570
Vehicle lower bumper cover
Granted: May 19, 2009
Patent Number:
D592571
Vehicle lower bumper cover
Granted: May 19, 2009
Patent Number:
D592572
Vehicle rear trunk
Granted: May 19, 2009
Patent Number:
D592577
Vehicle taillight
Granted: May 19, 2009
Patent Number:
D592775
Vehicle lamp
Granted: May 19, 2009
Patent Number:
D592776
Vehicle lamp housing
Granted: May 19, 2009
Patent Number:
D592777
Thermal control of fuel cell for improved cold start
Granted: May 19, 2009
Patent Number:
7534511
Improvements in startup time for an electrochemical fuel cell system from freezing and sub-freezing temperatures are obtained by utilizing an insulated fuel cell stack in combination with an thermal control subsystem. Temperature of the insulated electrochemical fuel cell stack, as well as temperature of the ambient environment, are monitored and a heating fluid is heated by thermal transfer with the environment under appropriate thermal conditions. The heated fluid is then passed to the…
