Torque steer compensation algorithm
Granted: May 12, 2009
Patent Number:
7532966
A torque steer compensation algorithm utilizing selected vehicle parameters, such as for example engine torque, accelerator pedal position, throttle position, transmission gear, and vehicle speed. Rates of change of the parameters are determined and compared to predetermined thresholds, whereby a torque steer factor is determined. The resulting torque steer factor is subsequently multiplied with a conventional, prior art predicted steering assist signal to arrive at a modified steering…
Method for real-time assessment of driver workload by a navigation or telematics device
Granted: May 12, 2009
Patent Number:
7532958
An apparatus and method are disclosed for real-time assessment of driver workload by a vehicle device. To determine driver workload, the system monitors the driver interaction with the vehicle device. The driver interaction is then used to determine an estimated driver workload based on the driver interaction. In one embodiment, the vehicle device has one or more buttons configured to be pressed by the driver and each of the one or more buttons has an assigned driver workload value. The…
Hydrodynamic retarder control apparatus
Granted: May 5, 2009
Patent Number:
7527338
A hydrodynamic retarder control apparatus includes two valve spools, one, a retarder control valve, functions as a relay valve to control the on/off operation of a hydrodynamic retarder and the other, a regulator valve, functions to control the regulation of pressure at the hydrodynamic retarder. During abnormal periods of operation of the regulator valve, the retarder control valve will also function as a pressure control valve thereby limiting the maximum pressure at the hydrodynamic…
Carbon monoxide adsorption for carbon monoxide clean-up in a fuel cell system
Granted: April 28, 2009
Patent Number:
7524344
An apparatus removes carbon monoxide (CO) from a hydrogen-rich gas stream in a hydrogen fuel cell system. CO fouls costly catalytic particles in the membrane electrode assemblies of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. A vessel houses a carbon monoxide adsorbent. The vessel may be a rotating pressure swing adsorber. A water gas shift reactor is upstream of the rotating pressure swing adsorber. The water gas shift reactor may include a second adsorbent adapted to adsorb carbon…
Wireless multiplex systems and methods for controlling devices in a vehicle
Granted: April 28, 2009
Patent Number:
7525931
Methods and apparatuses for communicating wireless messages for controlling the functions of devices within a vehicle are provided. The apparatus comprises a first module having a first wireless control node positioned at a first location within the vehicle. The apparatus also includes a second module having a second wireless control node positioned at a second location within the vehicle. Devices are coupled to and controlled by each of the nodes. The first and second nodes are adapted…
Method and system for pulling information from a mobile vehicle within a mobile vehicle communications systems
Granted: April 28, 2009
Patent Number:
7526246
A system and method is directed to obtaining information from a mobile vehicle within a mobile vehicle communication service. The method provides creating a mobile vehicle contact list based on an information request, determining a time period to transmit the mobile vehicle contact list and the information request, transmitting the mobile vehicle contact list and the information request to the mobile vehicle at the determined time period, and receiving the information from the mobile…
Method and system for acoustic upgrading of firmware
Granted: April 28, 2009
Patent Number:
7526284
The invention provides a method for acoustic upgrading of firmware by multiplexing at least one data instruction within an audible data stream and placing the audible data stream within an audible media. The audible media is executed to produce an audible signal that is received by a programmable device. The programmable device is programmed as a function of the audible signal.
Method and system for telematic device initialization management
Granted: April 28, 2009
Patent Number:
7526285
The invention provides a method for initializing a telematic communication unit by initiating a first over-the-air service provisioning session between a wireless service provider and the telematic communication unit, receiving at least one interactive initialization data request from the wireless service provider at the telematic communication unit, determining at least one automated initialization response within the telematic communication unit as a function of the interactive…
Nonlinear thermal control of a PEM fuel cell stack
Granted: April 28, 2009
Patent Number:
7526346
A temperature control scheme for a fuel cell stack thermal sub-system in a fuel cell system that uses a non-linear thermal model and disturbance rejection to provide an optimum stack temperature. The thermal sub-system includes a coolant loop directing a cooling fluid through the stack, a pump for pumping the cooling fluid through the coolant loop, and a radiator for cooling the cooling fluid outside of the fuel cell stack. The system includes a controller for controlling the speed of…
Telematics based vehicle maintenance client notification
Granted: April 21, 2009
Patent Number:
7522980
The present invention provides a method for providing vehicle maintenance client notification within a telematics equipped mobile vehicle that includes monitoring the mobile vehicle for vehicle system maintenance information, determining an oil-life value based on the vehicle system maintenance information, determining when the oil-life value exceeds at least one oil-life threshold level, sending the vehicle system maintenance information to a call center responsive to the oil-life…
Hydrogen storage materials and methods including hydrides and hydroxides
Granted: April 21, 2009
Patent Number:
7521036
In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage composition having a hydrogenated state and a dehydrogenated state. In the hydrogenated state, such composition comprises a hydride and a hydroxide. In a dehydrogenated state, the composition comprises an oxide. The present invention also provides methods of producing hydrogen, including for mobile fuel cell device applications.
Method for producing in situ metallic foam components
Granted: April 14, 2009
Patent Number:
7516529
Disclosed is a method for producing a complex composite metal structure having a metallic foam substrate. A sheet metal structure is provided having a metallic foam precursor formed of metallic particles and foaming agents. The sheet metal structure is formed using quick plastic or superplastic formation processes. After or during the formation of the metal, the temperature of the metallic precursor is raised to a point that the foaming agent produces a metallic foam.
Boil-off compensating cryoadsorption container for liquid gas storage
Granted: April 14, 2009
Patent Number:
7516752
A hydrogen-based propulsion system is provided for storing hydrogen feed gas which evaporates over time from a storage vessel containing liquid hydrogen as a fuel. In particular, this system enables the evaporated hydrogen feed gas to be stored for later use in the propulsion unit and also provides a system for enabling the stored hydrogen gas to be cooled by evaporated hydrogen feed gas in transit to the propulsion unit.
Variable motor/generator cooling control system for electrically variable hybrid vehicular transmissions
Granted: April 14, 2009
Patent Number:
7517296
The present invention provides a control system employing a single solenoid valve operable to provide a variable fluid flow to effect cooling if the motor/generator assemblies contained within an electrically variable hybrid transmission. The control system of the present invention selectively controls the cooling of at least one motor/generator assembly of an electronically variable hybrid transmission by selectively controlling valves of various types and configurations.
Integrated fuel processor subsystem with quasi-autothermal reforming
Granted: April 14, 2009
Patent Number:
7517372
The present invention includes an integrated fuel processor subsystem incorporating a thermal combustor, a catalytic combustor, a quasi-autothermal reactor (QATR) and a air-fuel-steam (AFS) mixer to provide a range of operating modes exhibiting performance between that of a pure steam reformer and a pure autothermal reformer to increase the flexibility of the fuel processor to handle transient system demands such as cold starts, suppress emissions and carbon formation and improve…
Phase change resistance spot welding tip
Granted: April 7, 2009
Patent Number:
7514647
An improved spot welding tip is adapted for welding a set of adjacent members within a heated zone during a welding program, wherein a quantity of energy is produced, and for reducing the final base temperature of the heated zone. The tip presents a distal engaging surface for contacting one of the members and defines a preferably inner space located a preferred distance from the surface. A phase changing body is releasably retained within the space. At least a portion of the body…
Method and system for operating a degraded vehicle communication unit
Granted: April 7, 2009
Patent Number:
7515933
A method is directed to operating a degraded vehicle communication unit within a mobile vehicle communication system (MVCS). The method provides for determining a primary communication mode failure, initiating a secondary communication mode responsive to the primary communication mode failure determination, and operating a telematics device in the secondary communication mode within the vehicle communication unit. The step of determining the primary communication mode failure may include…
Electro-hydraulic control system with interlock protection
Granted: March 31, 2009
Patent Number:
7510496
An electro-hydraulic control system for a transmission is provided having first, second, and third selectively engageable torque transmitting mechanisms. The control system includes a main source of fluid pressure and first, second, and third trim valves operable to effect the engagement of respective first, second, and third torque transmitting mechanisms. A latch valve is in fluid communication with the first torque transmitting mechanism and an interlock valve is in selective fluid…
Powertrain and method of operation
Granted: March 31, 2009
Patent Number:
7510505
A method of releasing a lockup clutch for a fluid coupling assembly disposed between an engine and an automatically shiftable transmission during a negative engine torque mode of operation is provided. The method includes the steps of: A) determining a current engine torque value prior to commanding the engine to ramp to a target engine torque value; B) commanding the engine to a target engine torque value wherein the target engine torque value is one of a zero and near zero value; C)…
Conductive adhesive bonding
Granted: March 31, 2009
Patent Number:
7510621
Electrically conductive workpieces with facing surfaces are bonded with an adhesive that is filled with conductive metal particles that are reactive with the surfaces of the workpieces. In the bonding process the surfaces are coated with the adhesive, pressed together and an electric current passed between them to momentarily melt the conductive particles. The molten droplets agglomerate and wet the facing surfaces. When the molten clusters re-solidify, electrically conductive paths are…
