Method and system for modifying a wake up mode of a telematics unit
Granted: January 6, 2009
Patent Number:
7474942
A method of enabling vehicle communications includes receiving a mode change trigger at a telematics unit; receiving a signal at the telematics unit responsive to a trigger event; modifying a wake up mode of the telematics unit based on the signal; and energizing the telematics unit based on the modified wake up mode.
Multi-speed countershaft transmission with a planetary gear set
Granted: December 30, 2008
Patent Number:
7470206
A transmission is provided that combines first and second countershafts with a planetary gear set, and uses first and second head gear sets to provide ratio. Each of the countershafts supports gears in no more than five co-planar, intermeshing gear sets (and in most embodiments no more than four co-planar, intermeshing gear sets), thus minimizing the overall length of the countershafts. The transmission provides at least nine forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio and utilizes…
Anti-roll thrust system for hydrogen powered vehicles
Granted: December 23, 2008
Patent Number:
7467684
A thruster system is provided for a vehicle that can be used to reduce the roll propensity of a motor vehicle. The system utilizes a control system and multiple sets of thrusters which are strategically placed upon the vehicle. The control system is provided for detecting a potential roll condition and activates selected ones of the thrusters to produce a necessary thrust force for counteracting roll forces. The thrusters are connected to an on-board pressurized gas source that generates…
Carburizing method
Granted: December 23, 2008
Patent Number:
7468107
The present invention provides a carburizing method that involves heating a steel component quickly to a relatively high carburizing temperature (e.g. 1900 degrees F. and above), contacting the component at the relatively high carburizing temperature with a methane-containing carburization atmosphere for time to form a carbon-enriched surface case on the component, and cooling the component at a relatively slow rate effective to provide a relatively soft martensite-free surface case on…
Fuel cell stack temperature control system and method
Granted: December 16, 2008
Patent Number:
7465508
A temperature control system and method for a fuel cell stack cooling system is disclosed. The temperature control system includes a coolant circulation line for circulating a coolant to and from a fuel cell stack. A coolant pump is provided in the coolant circulation line, and a pump ?P sensor is provided in fluid communication with the coolant circulation line on inlet and outlet sides of the coolant pump. The pump ?P sensor measures a change in pump pressure between the inlet and…
System and method of controlling vehicle communications during emergency conditions
Granted: December 16, 2008
Patent Number:
7466218
A method and a system for controlling communications between a vehicle telematics device and a call center. The method includes determining an emergency condition. A communications priority is determined. Information is selectively communicated between the vehicle telematics device and the call center based on the emergency condition and the communications priority. The system includes means for determining an emergency condition, and means for determining a communications priority. The…
Dual processor supervisory control system for a vehicle
Granted: December 16, 2008
Patent Number:
7467029
A vehicle control module for controlling an actuator unit in response to an input having a first processor, a first communication link coupled to the first processor, and a second processor coupled to the first processor via the first communication link. The first processor is configured to generate a first value based on the input, transmit the first value to the actuator unit, and receive a second value from the actuator unit based on a data received by the actuator unit from the first…
Method, system and computer product for generating a manufacturing process map using fuzzy logic
Granted: December 16, 2008
Patent Number:
7467123
A method for generating a manufacturing process map comprises obtaining sets of N-dimensional expert data from at least three sources, defining a membership function for each set of expert data, applying fuzzy logic operations to said membership functions to generate new membership functions, the new membership functions defining N-dimensional regions within an N-dimensional design space and using one of said N-dimensional regions to generate the manufacturing process map.
Method for making nanocomposite materials
Granted: December 9, 2008
Patent Number:
7462666
A method for making a nanocomposite material includes introducing a solution including a nanofiller material and a supercritical fluid into a molten polymeric material within an extruder. The supercritical fluid is caused to substantially instantaneously convert to a gas phase, thereby forming the nanocomposite material having the nanofiller material substantially homogeneously dispersed therein.
Method for adapting lockout of navigation and audio system functions while driving
Granted: December 9, 2008
Patent Number:
7463961
Methods and apparatus are provided for adaptively locking out a display on a vehicle device based on user interaction. A method begins by counting a number of user initiated display changes with an event counter, and timing the user initiated display changes with an event timer. The method continues by comparing the number of user initiated display changes in the event counter to an allowable number of user initiated display changes corresponding to the time in the event timer, and…
Telematics method and system
Granted: December 9, 2008
Patent Number:
7463951
A telematics method comprising the steps of: using a device in a vehicle, obtaining data including at least location and at least one device parameter during a time period between vehicle assembly and delivery to a retail customer; transmitting the data to a remote station for processing; conditionally communicating an alert for the vehicle responsive to the device parameter; and conditionally communicating, response to the device parameter and additional device parameters from…
Flow field plate arrangement for a fuel cell
Granted: December 9, 2008
Patent Number:
7462415
A fuel cell comprising anode and cathode flow field plates having a multitude of flow channels separated by land features wherein the land features of the anode side are wider than the land features of the cathode side is disclosed. In fuel cells, the flow field plate arrangement of the present invention provides higher power (lower cost per kW), improved durability, and less stringent assembly alignment.
Method of operating a fuel cell system
Granted: December 9, 2008
Patent Number:
7462413
A method and apparatus for the operation of a fuel cell system to avoid the freezing of water resident in one or more fuel cells during periods of system inactivity. Each fuel cell includes at least an anode, a cathode and a membrane configured to establish electrolyte communication between reaction products formed at the anode and cathode. During fuel cell system operation, a portion of the water formed remains within the fuel cell; to avoid having the water freeze and inhibit…
Hydrogen generator photovoltaic electrolysis reactor system
Granted: December 2, 2008
Patent Number:
7459065
An apparatus for creating hydrogen from the disassociation of water using sunlight (photoelectrolysis) is provided. The system utilizes an aqueous fluid filled container which functions both to hold the water to be disassociated and as a light collecting lens. A photovoltaic module is positioned at a point to most efficiently accept the refracted light from the fluid filled container. A pair of electrodes which are coupled to the photovoltaic module are disposed within the fluid and…
Methods, apparatus, and systems for producing hydrogen from a fuel
Granted: December 2, 2008
Patent Number:
7459224
Methods and apparatus for producing hydrogen are provided. The methods and apparatus utilize reforming catalysts in order to produce hydrogen gas. The reforming catalysts may be platinum group metals on a support material, and they may be located in a reforming reaction zone of a primary reactor. The support material may an oxidic support having a ceria zirconia promoter. The support material may be an oxidic support and a neodymium stabilizer. The support material may also be an oxidic…
Stamped fuel cell bipolar plate
Granted: December 2, 2008
Patent Number:
7459227
A bipolar plate assembly for a fuel cell having a pair of stamped plates joined together to define a coolant volume therein. Each of the pair of stamped plates have a flow field arranged to maximize the contact area between the plates while allowing coolant to distribute and flow readily within the coolant volume. The bipolar plate assembly further includes a seal arrangement and integral manifold to direct gaseous reactant flow through the fuel cell.
Block copolymers with acidic groups
Granted: December 2, 2008
Patent Number:
7459505
Block copolymer that can be formed into an ion-conductive membrane are provided. The block copolymer of the invention includes a first polymer block and a second polymer block attached to the first polymer block. The first polymer block has a main polymer chain and one or more side chains extending from the main polymer chain. The one or more side chains include at least one substituent for proton transfer. Block copolymers utilizing phosphoric acid groups are also provided.
Hood lift mechanisms utilizing active materials and methods of use
Granted: November 25, 2008
Patent Number:
7455147
A hood lift mechanism for reversibly increasing the energy absorption capability at appropriate force levels of a vehicle hood includes a vehicle hood; an active material in operative communication with the vehicle hood, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological fluid, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, a piezoelectric material, an ionic…
Fuel cell coolant temperature determination method
Granted: November 25, 2008
Patent Number:
7455241
A method of determining a temperature of a coolant in a coolant circulation system is disclosed. The coolant circulation system includes a coolant flow valve having a valve housing and an expansion element provided in the valve housing for controlling flow of the coolant through the valve housing. According to the method, an ohmic resistance of the expansion element is measured. The temperature of the coolant is determined by correlating the ohmic resistance of the expansion element with…
Diffusion media for use in a PEM fuel cell
Granted: November 25, 2008
Patent Number:
7455928
A diffusion media is provided for implementation with a PEM fuel cell. The diffusion media is a permeable sheet that is rigid along a transverse axis, flexible along a lateral axis and has a substantially incompressible thickness. The diffusion media is able to be mass produced in large sheets and rolled along the lateral axis for transport and storage. The rigidity of the transverse axis is provided by either inclusion of larger fibers or metallic strips aligned in the transverse…
