Model-based feed-forward control system for power (or current) in a fuel cell system
Granted: October 7, 2008
Patent Number:
7432005
A control system and method controls an output of a fuel cell. A fuel cell stack controller that receives an output request signal and that generates an oxidant request signal and a fuel request signal using a first inverse model. A fuel delivery controller receives the fuel request signal, generates a fuel command using a second inverse model and generates a delivered fuel signal using a first model. An oxidant delivery controller receives the oxidant request signal, generates an…
Method and system for managing multiple communication functions in a mobile vehicle communication unit
Granted: October 7, 2008
Patent Number:
7433717
A method of managing multiple communication functions in a mobile vehicle is provided. A communication request signal is received from the mobile vehicle at a call status intelligence module. The communication status of a telematics unit is determined. A communication function is executed via the telematics unit in response to the determined communication status. A system and a program for managing multiple communication functions in a mobile vehicle are also provided.
Magnetorheological nanocomposite elastomer for releasable attachment applications
Granted: October 7, 2008
Patent Number:
7430788
A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull…
Airflow control devices based on active materials
Granted: September 30, 2008
Patent Number:
7429074
An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better…
Method and bit stream decoding unit using majority voting
Granted: September 30, 2008
Patent Number:
7430261
A method and a bit stream decoding unit for bit stream decoding has a bit stream comprising a number of consecutive samples. In order to provide for rapid and, in particular, reliable decoding of the bit stream, a detection window comprising a number of samples is defined and the detection window is positioned at certain positions on the bit stream in order to comprise certain samples with respective sample values. A majority voting is applied to the sample values in the detection window…
Pneumatic foam cushion
Granted: September 23, 2008
Patent Number:
7427109
The present invention provides a pneumatic foam cushion for use within a vehicle seat comprising a foam member with a contoured outer surface surrounded by an impermeable layer coextensive therewith. The impermeable layer, which may be a thermoplastic material, permits selective pressurization and depressurization of the foam member, and comprises a first impermeable member having a first contoured shape, and a second impermeable member having either the same shape as the first contoured…
Hybrid fuel cell system with battery capacitor energy storage system
Granted: September 23, 2008
Patent Number:
7427450
A fuel cell system that employs a super capacitor and battery electrically coupled in series with each other and in parallel with a fuel cell stack on a power bus line. As the voltage on the power bus line changes over the operating requirements of the system, the super capacitor is charged and discharged over a relatively large voltage swing, such as an 85% SOC swing. The super capacitor equalizes or voltage matches the voltage variation on the power bus line as set by the stack voltage…
Method for interpreting driver requested axle torque
Granted: September 23, 2008
Patent Number:
7428457
A torque request generation system for use with a coordinated torque control system of a vehicle includes an input receiving a vehicle speed and an axle torque command. A datastore records a three-dimensional torque surface defined in terms of a coordinate system having a first axis related to the axle torque command, a second axis related to the vehicle speed, and a third axis related to an axle torque request. A torque request generation module accesses the datastore and generates a…
Efficient lightweight information dissemination algorithm for mobile wireless ad hoc networks
Granted: September 2, 2008
Patent Number:
7420954
A system and method for information dissemination in a wireless mobile ad hoc network. A method describes receiving a request to communicate a message from a source node to a destination, identifying each neighbor node of an ad hoc network, invoking a proactive border node broadcast protocol at the source node when the destination is a neighbor node and wherein the number of hops to the destination is less than a predetermined number of hops, invoking an on-demand border node broadcast…
Dynamic N-best algorithm to reduce recognition errors
Granted: September 2, 2008
Patent Number:
7421387
A method for reducing recognition errors. The method includes receiving an N-best list associated with an input of a computer based recognition system. The N-best list includes one or more hypotheses and associated confidence values. The input is classified in response to the N-best list, resulting in a classification. A re-scoring algorithm that is tuned for the classification is selected. The re-scoring algorithm is applied to the N-best list to create a re-scored N-best list. A…
Clutch fault detection
Granted: September 2, 2008
Patent Number:
7421326
A method for detecting a clutch fault of an automatic transmission includes determining a current clutch energy density of a clutch during a range shift and comparing the current clutch energy density to a first energy density threshold. A diagnostic alert is activated if the current clutch energy density exceeds the first energy density threshold.
Speed-variable maximum delay clamping when using variable-delay random PWM switching
Granted: September 2, 2008
Patent Number:
7421301
A control system and a method of using the same for an electric machine having a random number generating module generating a random number ranging from a first value to a second value, a multiplying module multiplying the random number and a sample rate to generate an random delay value; and a delay limiter module limiting the random delay value as a function of speed of the electric machine and generating a limited delay value.
RFID asset management method and system for vehicles
Granted: September 2, 2008
Patent Number:
7420467
A method for inventorying and monitoring an asset located in an vehicle asset management area. The method involves an inventorying of a presence of an asset within an vehicle asset management area based on a detection of a RFID tag associated with the asset within the vehicle asset management area, and a monitoring of the inventoried presence of the asset within the vehicle asset management area based on the RFID tag associated with the asset.
Flexible bipolar plate
Granted: September 2, 2008
Patent Number:
7419739
The present invention provides for a construction for a bipolar plate for a fuel cell stack that enables the bipolar plate to be a more compliant member in the fuel cell stack. The bipolar plate can be configured to provide varying levels of compliance, as demanded by the design of the fuel cell stack. The bipolar plate can be more compliant than the diffusion media members and the active elements used to form the individual fuel cells. The compliant nature of the individual bipolar…
Single range electrically variable transmission with lockup clutch and method of operation
Granted: August 26, 2008
Patent Number:
7416501
A single range, electrically variable transmission (EVT) is provided with a lockup clutch that reduces motor power requirements. When applied, the lockup clutch allows engine torque to be transmitted directly to the output without the necessity of a motor/generator supplying reaction torque. With the lockup clutch applied, the transmission operates with zero electro-mechanical power flow at a fixed mechanical ratio, thus mitigating the power peak which occurs through the…
Low contact resistance PEM fuel cell
Granted: August 26, 2008
Patent Number:
7416810
A PEM fuel cell having a current collector comprising a polymer composite and a diffusion media engaging said polymer composite. The polymer composite has a hyperconductive surface layer engaging the diffusion media to reduce the contact resistance therebetween. The hyperconductive surface layer is formed by depositing or smearing an electrically-conductive material on the surface of the polymer composite.
Method and system for performing failed wireless communication diagnostics
Granted: August 19, 2008
Patent Number:
7415271
A method and computer usable medium storing a computer program for performing failed wireless communication diagnostics are disclosed. A failed transmission condition is recognized. A cleared number communication channel is established between a telematics unit and either a service provider or a call center responsive to the received failed transmission condition. A communication device identifier is sent to the service provider. A communication parameter associated with data generated…
Vehicle speed control system
Granted: August 12, 2008
Patent Number:
7410447
The present invention provides a method for automatic downhill speed control or ADSC adapted to automatically absorb grade-induced energy so that the vehicle operator is no longer required to take action to maintain generally constant vehicle speed. ADSC is preferably triggered if the throttle is released and the vehicle accelerates. The specific amount of throttle release necessary to trigger ADSC is variable but may, according to a preferred embodiment, be set at 85% throttle…
Washer-jet verification apparatus
Granted: July 29, 2008
Patent Number:
7404408
A washer-jet verification master is employed to determine the correct alignment of washer nozzles within a production machine. The verification master includes a plurality of targets, which are preset to a first position. The verification master is placed in the production machine the water jets are actuated and if properly aligned will move the targets to a second position, which indicates proper operation.
Releasable fastening device
Granted: July 29, 2008
Patent Number:
7404688
An assembly having a device for releasably fastening a first component to a second component includes a device body, a first fastener extending from the device body and operable to attach the device body to the first component, and a second fastener extending from the device body and adapted to attach the device to the second component. When a force of greater than a predetermined amount is applied to the second component, the first fastener detaches from the first component without…
