Abstract:
A fuel cell stack assembly is disclosed. The fuel stack assembly includes first and second fuel cell cassettes joined together by an electrically insulating seal material, with the seal material disposed in a first seal retaining area between a recessed portion of the first cassette and a protruding portion of the second cassette.
Abstract:
A sensor element includes a substrate having a coating on a portion of the substrate. The coating is applied to the substrate by dipping the portion of the substrate into a slurry which includes a pulverized mineral and water, extracting the substrate from the slurry in a direction along an axis, drying the coated substrate, and firing the coated substrate so as to promote densification of the mineral and adhesion of the mineral to the substrate. The coating after firing has a minimum thickness of about 100 microns at every location around the periphery of a cross section through the substrate taken in a plane normal to the axis. A method for making a coated sensor element is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The major components and subassemblies self-interconnect by integral guide and connection features effecting “slide lock” and “snap lock” self-interconnection. The major components and subassemblies self-ground by establishing an interference fit with exposed, resilient, embossed portions of wire mesh.
Abstract:
A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material molded to provide details to accept audio devices and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips.
Abstract:
A heat pump heat exchanger includes a first manifold, a second manifold spaced from the first manifold, a plurality of refrigerant tubes hydraulically connecting the manifolds, and a distribution tube disposed in the first manifold. The distribution tube includes an inlet end, a distal end opposite the inlet end, a plurality of orifices between the inlet end and the distal end. The distribution tube also includes a terminal aperture immediately adjacent the distal end, wherein the terminal aperture includes an open aperture area greater than any one of the open orifice area. The open aperture area is large enough to provide a uniform refrigerant collection with acceptable minimal pressure drop in evaporative mode, but small enough to prevent vapor overflow to an area of the manifold adjacent to the distal end in condenser mode. The length of the distribution tube is less than 3/4 the length of the first manifold.
Abstract:
A method of splicing shielded wire cables includes the steps of providing a first, second, and third shielded wire cable each having a core conductor axially surrounded by a shield conductor which is axially surrounded by an insulative jacket, providing a flexible insulation layer, a flexible conductive layer, and a section of dual wall heat shrink tubing. The first portion of the flexible insulation layer about the joined first, second, and third core conductors, wrapping the flexible conductive layer about the first, second, and third shield conductors, and disposing the flexible conductive layer and portions of the first, second, and third insulative jacket within the section of dual wall heat shrink tubing, thus forming a shielded wire cable splice.
Abstract:
A method for starting a compression ignition engine having at least one cylinder with a reciprocating piston located therein, an intake valve configured to control the intake of air to an intake port of the cylinder and an exhaust valve configured to control the expulsion of gas from an exhaust port of the cylinder. The method includes the steps of: cranking the engine, conditioning intake air at the intake port of the cylinder to raise the temperature of air in the cylinder, controlling a valve timing the intake valve and/or the exhaust valve to allow the piston to compress the air within the cylinder, thereby increasing the temperature of the air within the cylinder, and injecting fuel into the cylinder when the air within the cylinder has been heated to a temperature sufficient to support compression ignition of a gasoline and air mixture within the cylinder.
Abstract:
An electrical connector having a female part with a socket portion configured for receiving a male part in the socket portion. The male part comprises openings in the area of the base and the socket portion comprises projections protruding into the openings. The projections in the openings are form-fittingly connected to the male part.
Abstract:
An electrical connector assembly that includes a body, a lever, and a connector position assurance device (CPA). The lever is coupled to the body by an arm. The lever is configured to move about the arm and relative to the body to raise a lock end of the lever when a handle end of the lever is pressed. The CPA is slideably coupled to the lever to be operable between a locked position where the CPA engages with the body to prevent raising of the lock end, and an unlocked position where the lever is allowed to move about the arm. The CPA is located forward of the arm such that the CPA does not obstruct access to the handle end when the CPA is at the unlocked position.
Abstract:
A camshaft phaser for controllably varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft in an internal combustion engine includes stator having a plurality of lobes. A rotor is coaxially disposed within the stator and has a plurality of vanes interspersed with the lobes defining alternating advance chambers and retard chambers. A lock pin is disposed within the rotor for selective engagement with a lock pin seat for preventing a change in phase relationship between the rotor and the stator. A lock pin oil control valve is located within the camshaft phaser for 1) selectively receiving the pressurized oil from one of the advance chambers and directing the pressurized oil to the lock pin and 2) selectively receiving the pressurized oil from one of the retard chambers and directing the pressurized oil to the lock pin for disengaging the lock pin from the lock pin.