Seal gas optimization systems and methods for a direct reduction process

    公开(公告)号:US11655511B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-05-23

    申请号:US16908810

    申请日:2020-06-23

    摘要: A method and system for operating a seal gas compressor utilized in a direct reduction process including: monitoring a pH level of a water stream used in the seal gas compressor, wherein the pH level of the water stream is affected by a reformer flue gas stream that comes into contact with the water stream, wherein the monitoring step is carried out one or more of upstream of the seal gas compressor and downstream of the compressor; and adjusting the pH level of the water stream to maintain the pH level of the water stream within a predetermined range based on feedback from the monitoring step. The method includes maintaining the pH level of the water stream upstream of the seal gas compressor in a range between 7.5 and 10 and maintaining the pH level of the water stream downstream of the seal gas compressor in a range between 7.8 and 9.5.

    Automotive vehicle with telescoping tailgate

    公开(公告)号:US11648993B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-05-16

    申请号:US16917057

    申请日:2020-06-30

    IPC分类号: B62D33/027 E05F15/605

    摘要: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative telescoping tailgate systems for an automotive vehicle and illustrative automotive vehicles with a telescoping tailgate system for carrying cargo or passengers. In an illustrative embodiment, a telescoping tailgate system for an automotive vehicle includes: a primary tailgate configured to be movably attached to a body of an automotive vehicle, the primary tailgate defining an opening therethrough; a secondary tailgate movably attached to the primary tailgate; and a telescoping mechanism configured to move the secondary tailgate between a retracted position and an extended position, the secondary tailgate being configured to close the opening in the primary tailgate when the secondary tailgate is in an extended position.

    Frame structure for an energy storage device including a deformation zone

    公开(公告)号:US11618505B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-04-04

    申请号:US17075748

    申请日:2020-10-21

    IPC分类号: B62D21/15 B60K1/04 B62D21/03

    摘要: A frame structure for maintaining energy storage devices of a vehicle in position which is deformed in a controlled way in the event of a side-impact, in such a way to avoid deforming into the location of the vehicle seats. The proposed frame structure is adapted to deform controllably in a centre position align with a location between the vehicle seats. In this way are occupants of the vehicle kept safe since no or less deformation occur in the vehicle seat location. The above advantages are provided by that lateral support members of the frame includes a deformation zone adapted to deform in response to a lateral force exerted on the lateral support member. The deformation zone is located such that, when the frame structure is installed in the vehicle, the deformation zone is aligned with a location between seats of the vehicle.

    Assembly, adapter device, and method for measuring the height of a flange

    公开(公告)号:US11609080B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-03-21

    申请号:US17352580

    申请日:2021-06-21

    IPC分类号: G01B5/00 G01B3/28 G01B5/20

    摘要: The present disclosure provides an assembly, adapter device, and method that utilize a standard displacement gauge or the like, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, to measure the height of a flange, such as a flange formed via bending a planar vehicle component with a given thickness and, thus, including a radius at the bottom interior of the flange. This assembly, adapter device, and method provide consistent measurements across components, operators, education and experience levels, etc. The adapter device is designed to engage the flange being measured in such a way that consistent engagement of the adapter device with the radius, and, thus, consistent engagement of the assembly with the flange, is provided for measurement.

    Subframe assembly for a vehicle utilizing straight extruded longitudinal siderail members

    公开(公告)号:US11603137B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-03-14

    申请号:US17356675

    申请日:2021-06-24

    发明人: Johan Eklund

    摘要: A subframe assembly for a vehicle utilizing straight, parallel extruded longitudinal siderail members. This subframe assembly provides front-end (or rear-end) crash energy absorbance by plastically deforming, crumpling, and bending down to avoid the stackup and occupant cabin intrusion of components, such as the attached engine/motor, engine/motor mounts, steering components, and suspension components. The laterally disposed longitudinal siderail members each provide a straight, substantially uninterrupted lower load path to transfer crash energy from the lower load path crash management system beam and crashboxes or the like to a rear upper load path body in white bracket, and ultimately to the battery frame in the event of a crash, with the siderail members and crashboxes optionally being longitudinally coaxially aligned.

    Vehicle systems and methods utilizing LIDAR data for road condition estimation

    公开(公告)号:US11592566B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-02-28

    申请号:US16541264

    申请日:2019-08-15

    摘要: A system and method for estimating road conditions ahead of a vehicle, including: a LIDAR sensor operable for generating a LIDAR point cloud; a processor executing a road condition estimation algorithm stored in a memory, the road condition estimation algorithm performing the steps including: detecting a ground plane or drivable surface in the LIDAR point cloud; superimposing an M×N matrix on at least a portion of the LIDAR point cloud; for each patch of the LIDAR point cloud defined by the M×N matrix, statistically evaluating a relative position, a feature elevation, and a scaled reflectance index; and, from the statistically evaluated relative position, feature elevation, and scaled reflectance index, determining a slipperiness probability for each patch of the LIDAR point cloud; and a vehicle control system operable for, based on the determined slipperiness probability for each patch of the LIDAR point cloud, affecting an operation of the vehicle.

    Dual inverter with common control
    48.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US11575330B1

    公开(公告)日:2023-02-07

    申请号:US17388913

    申请日:2021-07-29

    摘要: An illustrative dual power inverter module includes a DC link capacitor electrically connectable to a source of high voltage direct current (DC) electrical power. A first power inverter is electrically connectable to the DC link capacitor and configured to convert high voltage DC electrical power to three phase high voltage alternating current (AC) electrical power and is configured to supply the three phase high voltage AC electrical power to a first electric motor. A second power inverter is electrically connectable to the DC link capacitor and configured to convert high voltage DC electrical power to three phase high voltage AC electrical power and is configured to supply the three phase high voltage AC electrical power to a second electric motor. A common controller is electrically connectable to the first power inverter and the second power inverter. The common controller is configured to control the first power inverter and the second power inverter.

    Vehicle upper seat portion with far side airbag module

    公开(公告)号:US11554741B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-01-17

    申请号:US17524799

    申请日:2021-11-12

    IPC分类号: B60R21/207 B60R21/231

    摘要: A vehicle seat upper portion, having a front side, a rear side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side, and including: a frame structure; upholstery extending across the first lateral side and having an edge attached to a side trim list; a back panel at the rear side of and mounted to the frame structure including a main surface and two lateral surfaces; and a far side airbag module mounted on the frame structure including a side airbag, wherein the far side airbag module, on a side facing away from the frame structure, has a first hook, and the back panel on an inner lateral side has a second hook for engaging the first hook such that the hooks urge the lateral side of the back panel away from the upholstery to form a gap for passage of the deploying airbag, before the airbag contacts any of the back panel, upholstery and/or side trim list.

    Dynamic end-stops for electric power steering

    公开(公告)号:US11548548B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-01-10

    申请号:US16891511

    申请日:2020-06-03

    IPC分类号: B62D5/04

    摘要: A method for controlling an electrically powered steering assistance system including an electric motor for providing assisting torque to an axle of a vehicle such that impact between a wheel and the wheel housing can be prevented. Electrically powered steering assist systems include an electric motor for providing an assist steering torque to the steerable wheels of the vehicle. The electrical current used by the electric motor has a typical dependence with the amount of output torque from the motor. The electrical current of the electrical current used by the electric motor exhibits distinguishable characteristics when the wheels reach the end stop in the wheel housing. By monitoring the electrical current used by the electric motor for providing the assisting torque it is possible to determine that the wheels have reached the end-stop.