Method and apparatus for controlling active front steering
Granted: February 17, 2009
Patent Number:
7493201
An active front wheel steering control system for a vehicle that includes a first control sub-system that provides AFS oversteer control to control the angle of the front wheels during an oversteer condition, and a second control sub-system that provides AFS understeer control to control the angle of the front wheels during an understeer condition. A controller monitors a first parameter as an oversteer flag associated with the first control sub-system and a second parameter as an…
Method to startup a fuel cell stack without battery derived compressor power
Granted: February 17, 2009
Patent Number:
7491455
A method of providing fuel cell start-up without battery derived compressor power is provided. The method includes introducing hydrogen to the anode inlet of a fuel cell stack previously purged with air. The introduced hydrogen in the anode channels and the existing air in the cathode channels generate a small amount of voltage to begin to drive the air compressor. As additional air is introduced into the cathode channels by the slowly starting compressor, the fuel cell stack produces…
Adhesive-based reconfigurable pallet system for assembly lines
Granted: February 3, 2009
Patent Number:
7484464
A reconfigurable pallet that supports a structure includes a pallet base and a plurality of modular stanchions that are adhesively secured to the pallet base. The modular stanchions are selectively positionable along x and y axes relative to a top surface of the pallet base. The modular stanchions each include a support element that has a height along a z axis that is transverse to the x and y axes. The support element supports the structure.
Reversible thermally expandable and/or contractible seal assemblies
Granted: February 3, 2009
Patent Number:
7484735
Seal assemblies employing reversible thermally expandable and/or contractible material that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the seal assemblies actively change dimensional and/or modulus properties such as stiffness, shape orientation, and the like. In this manner, in seal applications such as a vehicle door application, door opening and closing efforts can be minimized yet seal effectiveness can be maximized.
Shaft assembly and method of manufacture thereof
Granted: February 3, 2009
Patent Number:
7485044
A shaft assembly comprises an annular hub with a shaft extending therefrom. The hub and the shaft are integrally formed from a single forging, thereby reducing stress concentration locations within the assembly. The hub includes a circumferential wall having a wall thickness. A plurality of teeth protrude from the circumferential wall. Each of the plurality of teeth has a tooth thickness, with the tooth thickness being greater than the wall thickness. Splines are formed on an outer…
Parallel stack antifreeze system
Granted: February 3, 2009
Patent Number:
7485382
A fuel cell stack antifreeze system that purges a plurality of fuel cell stacks connected in parallel includes a compressor that supplies pressurized cathode gas to each of the plurality of fuel cell stacks. A controller deactivates a first group of one or more of the plurality of fuel cell stacks and maintains operation of a second group of one or more of the plurality of fuel cell stacks. The second group powers the compressor and the compressor purges excess fluid from the first group…
Method for determining estimated vehicle dynamics parameters
Granted: February 3, 2009
Patent Number:
7487021
A method for determining estimated vehicle dynamics parameters using a vehicle parameter estimator, a vehicle condition detector and a rich steering input detector for estimating vehicle understeer coefficient and front and rear cornering compliances in real time. The vehicle parameter estimator receives a front wheel steering angle signal, a rear wheel steering angle signal, a vehicle lateral acceleration signal, a vehicle yaw rate signal and a vehicle speed signal, and employs a linear…
Fuel cell stack humidification method incorporating an accumulation device
Granted: January 27, 2009
Patent Number:
7482076
A method of fuel cell stack humidification is provided incorporating the use of an accumulation device. The method provides for feeding back humid anode exhaust gas of the fuel cell stack to the fuel cell inlet and switching the anode inlet and outlet of the fuel cell stack for achieving better homogeneity of humidity along the fuel cell channels.
System for remotely operating vehicle functions
Granted: January 27, 2009
Patent Number:
7483772
A method for remotely operating vehicle functions including receiving at least one wireless key fob signal at a kiosk system, receiving a vehicle function request at the kiosk system, and sending the wireless key fob signal from the kiosk system to a vehicle based on the vehicle function request.
Volume-filling mechanical structures for a bolster system
Granted: January 20, 2009
Patent Number:
7478833
A volume-filling mechanical structure for modifying a crash includes a bolster system defined by an outer bolster and an inner bolster, a honeycomb celled material expandable from a dormant state to a deployed state, the honeycomb celled material disposed intermediate the outer and inner bolsters cooperatively positioned with the honeycomb celled material to cover surfaces defining the honeycomb celled material in the deployed and dormant states, and a means for deploying the honeycomb…
Vehicle email notification using data from different sources
Granted: January 20, 2009
Patent Number:
7480550
A vehicle email notification system and method that accesses data from the vehicle as well as from one or more other sources and combines the information into an email that is then sent to the owner or other authorized subscriber. The email notifications are triggered by different events, some of which are independent of the vehicle (e.g., a monthly trigger), and others of which occur at the vehicle, such as a mileage or low oil life trigger. The notification system builds and sends to…
System and method for providing language translation in a vehicle telematics device
Granted: January 20, 2009
Patent Number:
7480546
The invention provides a method, a computer usable medium including a program, and a system for providing language translation in a vehicle telematics device. The method includes providing data in a first language format to the vehicle telematics device. The data in the first language format is transmitted from the vehicle telematics device to a call center. The data is translated at the call center from the first language format to a second language format. The data in the second…
Cooling system for a stator assembly
Granted: January 20, 2009
Patent Number:
7479716
A stator assembly is provided having a generally annular stator core including a plurality of radially inwardly extending stator teeth. A stator wire is wound around each of the plurality of stator teeth to form a plurality of stator coils. Each of the plurality of stator coils are spaced apart to at least partially define a plurality of generally axially extending cooling channels through which a cooling medium, such as oil, flows. Additionally, the plurality of stator teeth each…
Compound laser beam welding
Granted: January 20, 2009
Patent Number:
7479616
Hot cracking in laser welds produced in metal workpieces, especially aluminum or magnesium sheet alloys, is avoided by suitably combining the beams of two different lasers, for example a CO2 laser and a YAG laser, into a compound beam that is moved along a weld path in the surface of the workpiece. The power level of at least one of the lasers is cyclically varied so that weld nugget segments of different alternating, hot crack free, configurations are produced in a linear weld.
Fuel cell shutdown and startup using a cathode recycle loop
Granted: January 20, 2009
Patent Number:
7479337
A method and device for operating a fuel cell system. A recirculation loop coupled to a fuel cell cathode ensures that fluids passing through the cathode are recycled, thereby enabling reaction between residual oxygen in the recycled fluid and fuel that has been introduced into the recirculation loop until a reduced voltage level across the fuel cell is achieved. Attainment of the reduced voltage level indicates that the recycled fluid is substaintially oxygen-free, yielding an inerting…
Gas control and operation method of a fuel cell system for water and gas distribution
Granted: January 20, 2009
Patent Number:
7479336
A gas control and operation method of a fuel cell system for improved water and gas distribution is disclosed. The present invention provides for a mechanization of a fuel cell system that allows control of the anode reactant and anode effluent through the anode portions of the fuel cell system to improve water and gas distribution on the anode side of the fuel cells that increases the voltage stability of the fuel cells.
Vibration damping apparatus
Granted: January 20, 2009
Patent Number:
7478709
A vibration damper apparatus has two substantially freely rotatable inertia members disposed within a rotatable hub. Each of the members has a wide semi-cylindrical portion and a narrow semi-cylindrical portion with the wide portion of the first damper member being axially aligned with the narrow portion of the other damper member.
Low voltage compressor operation for a fuel cell power system
Granted: January 6, 2009
Patent Number:
7473480
An apparatus and method for operating a fuel cell power system utilizing a low voltage power source and system power to power an airmover. The fuel cell power system uses a low voltage power source to power the airmover during start-up and transitions to using system power to power the airmover as the fuel cell stack increases its voltage output. During a shutdown operation the fuel cell power system transitions from using system power to using the low voltage power source to power the…
Rotor magnet placement in interior permanent magnet machines
Granted: January 6, 2009
Patent Number:
7474029
A machine includes a stator and a rotor having a plurality of poles. Each pole is formed at least in part by a plurality of permanent magnets recessed within the rotor at a predetermined distance from an outer surface of the rotor. The distance is predetermined to minimize rotor flux variation near the outer surface during rotation of the rotor relative to the stator. Eddy current losses are thereby reduced.
Hybrid vehicle display apparatus and method
Granted: January 6, 2009
Patent Number:
7474309
A display apparatus for a hybrid drive vehicle includes a screen that depicts a first icon, a second icon, and a third icon to represent energy sources and energy destinations. The appearance of the screen is variable to indicate the flow of energy between energy sources and energy destinations. In a preferred embodiment, changes in color, changes in icon size, and movement of elements are used to indicate energy flow.
