| Patent Number |
Title Of Patent |
Date Issued |
| 7113860 |
Cruise control warning system |
September 26, 2006 |
| A method for providing a cruise control warning system including monitoring a cruise control system to determine if the cruise control system is activated or deactivated for a vehicle. The method also includes receiving vehicle operation data for the vehicle. A likelihood that a slip |
| 7112894 |
Method, programming interface and mechanism for changing vehicle personalization settings/featur |
September 26, 2006 |
| Methods and apparatus are provided for changing vehicle personalization features. The apparatus comprises a multifunction switch coupled to a multifunction display. The display includes a main menu display configured to display, in response to signals from the switch, in sequence, fi |
| 7112757 |
Programmable resistance seam welding apparatus and method |
September 26, 2006 |
| A resistance welding apparatus having a pair of programmable ball electrodes carried on universally movable positioners. The positioners are programmed to move the ball electrodes simultaneously along a seam line so that the ball electrodes clamp and support opposite sides of a pair |
| 7112385 |
Flow restrictors in fuel cell flow-field |
September 26, 2006 |
| Flow-field for a PEM fuel cell having a plurality of flow-channels including flow-restrictors strategically located throughout to achieve desired pressure differentials between fuel and oxidant supply and exhaust manifolds, and between adjacent flow-channels. A preferred flow-restric |
| 7112249 |
Hot blow forming control method |
September 26, 2006 |
| A sheet material is gripped at its edges and hot blow formed by a pressurized working gas against a forming tool surface. The flow characteristics of the material are determined at increasing gas pressures over a range of temperature relevant to the forming operation. A predetermined |
| 7112156 |
Transmission with miniature motor for control to oil flow |
September 26, 2006 |
| A transmission includes a plurality of fluid passages configured to transmit fluid through the transmission for operating the transmission. A miniature electric motor is operatively connected to a moveable blocker positioned in one of the passages for actuating movement of the blocker |
| 7112043 |
Compressor impeller thickness profile with localized thick spot |
September 26, 2006 |
| An air foil includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a hub contour, and a tip contour, whereby the hub contour and tip contour extend between the leading and trailing edges to define a blade surface therebetween. A localized thick spot is disposed between the leading edge and the tr |
| 7111900 |
Vehicle floor having a unitary inner panel and outer panel |
September 26, 2006 |
| A vehicle floor includes a unitary, one-piece panel. The panel is formed with an integral channel for routing a vehicle distribution system conduit therewithin. The panel may include an inner panel portion, an outer panel portion, integral rocker panel portions, front, rear and trunk |
| 7111871 |
Automotive vehicle air bag system |
September 26, 2006 |
| The present invention is for a vehicle having an air bag system for impact restraint. The air bag system includes a gas emitting inflator for emitting inflation gas upon receiving a signal of an impact, a fill tube having a fill end in fluid communication with the inflator to port the |
| 7111833 |
Dual disc spring |
September 26, 2006 |
| A dual spring includes a pair of conically-shaped spring sections, which are joined at a common fulcrum. One of the spring sections is disposed radially inward from the fulcrum and the other of the spring sections is disposed radially outward from the fulcrum. Both of the conical section |
| 7111454 |
Fuel control compensation for secondary air system flow variation |
September 26, 2006 |
| An engine control system and method maintains an optimum exhaust fuel to air ratio in an internal combustion engine. A secondary air injection (SAI) pressure is measured in an SAI system. The SAI pressure measurement is converted into an SAI flow value. A fuel compensation value is o |
| 7110871 |
Method for determining preferred input operating points for a vehicle transmission |
September 19, 2006 |
| Preferred operating points for a vehicle powertrain including an engine and a transmission are determined in accordance with a comprehensive operational mapping of input and output conditions and corresponding aggregate system losses corresponding to engine and transmission losses. I |
| 7110869 |
Hybrid transmission member speed determination, sensor diagnostics and fault recovery |
September 19, 2006 |
| A hybrid powertrain has a transmission including a motor and a sensor for sensing rotation of the transmission output member. Motor speed signals are available from the motor controller. Speed signals representative of output speed are calculated from both the speed sensor and the motor |
| 7110537 |
Mobile vehicle housing for a portable communication device |
September 19, 2006 |
| The invention provides a device for enhancing performance of a portable cellular phone within a mobile vehicle. The device includes a housing located within the vehicle into which a portable cellular phone may be placed. The housing includes an exterior layer that reflects noise sign |
| 7109685 |
Method for estimating states and parameters of an electrochemical cell |
September 19, 2006 |
| A method of estimating a state of charge (SOC) and a state of health (SOH) of an electrochemical cell (EC) includes modeling the EC with a linear equation, measuring a terminal current of the EC, measuring a terminal voltage of the EC and measuring a temperature of the EC. The linear |
| 7108627 |
Planetary transmissions having two interconnecting members and at least two input clutches |
September 19, 2006 |
| The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having seven torque-transmitting mechanisms, two in |
| 7108316 |
Energy absorbing assembly utilizing reversibly expandable mechanical structures for impact manag |
September 19, 2006 |
| Reversibly deployable energy absorbing assemblies for impact management generally include a translatable first element, a rigid support structure and a second element having one end fixedly attached to the rigid support structure and an other end fixedly attached to the translatable firs |
| 7107864 |
Quality control methods for gas diffusion media |
September 19, 2006 |
| The present invention discloses various methods in which a quality of a diffusion media for use in a fuel cell assembly can be qualitatively evaluated. The material constant, an internal contact angle, a ratio of high and low energy pores, and an external contact angle can be calcula |
| 7107143 |
Estimation of oxygen concentration in the intake manifold of an unthrottled lean burn engine |
September 12, 2006 |
| A method of estimating oxygen concentration in the intake of a lean burn engine is accomplished during throttled operation by repeatedly combining determined air/fuel ratio and intake mass air flow and estimated cylinder mass flow and exhaust gas recirculation flow in a state observer, w |
| 7107141 |
Method for obtaining axle-torque drivability with engine torque-based system |
September 12, 2006 |
| A control system that controls operation of an engine to achieve a desired vehicle drive characteristic includes a pedal sensor that generates a pedal device position signal and an adjusted pedal module that determines an adjusted pedal based on the pedal device position signal and a veh |
| 7106605 |
DC converter circuit with overshoot protection |
September 12, 2006 |
| A DC-DC converter comprises an input circuit that stores inductive energy that includes a first switch that releases the stored inductive energy. A transformer includes a primary winding that communicates with the input circuit and a secondary winding. An output circuit communicates with |
| 7106213 |
Distance detection and display system for use in a vehicle |
September 12, 2006 |
| A distance measuring and display system for use on a vehicle having a mirror assembly thereon comprises at least one front distance measuring sensor for measuring the distance to an obstacle in front of the vehicle, at least one rear distance measuring sensor for measuring the distance t |
| 7105242 |
Control of polymer surface distribution on diffusion media improved fuel cell performance |
September 12, 2006 |
| Favorable performance of diffusion media in fuel cells has found to be correlated to a parameter (the C/F ratio) that relates to a spatial and thickness distribution of the hydrophobic fluoropolymer on the carbon fiber substrate structure of the medium. Suitable diffusion media may be |
| 7105148 |
Methods for producing hydrogen from a fuel |
September 12, 2006 |
| 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 pri |
| 7105117 |
Manufacturing method for increasing thermal and electrical conductivities of polymers |
September 12, 2006 |
| A method of manufacturing to increase the thermal and electrical conductivity of polymers includes layering a filled polymer with an unfilled polymer to produce a multi-layered system of alternating filled and unfilled polymer layers. The filler material comprises thermally and/or el |
| 7104917 |
Countershaft planetary transmissions |
September 12, 2006 |
| A multi-speed power transmission includes a countershaft portion and a planetary gearset portion. The countershaft portion is controlled by synchronizer torque-transmitting mechanisms, and the planetary gearset portion is controlled by selectively engageable friction-type torque-tran |
| 7104916 |
Planetary transmissions having a stationary fixed interconnection and providing at least eight s |
September 12, 2006 |
| The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having seven torque-transmitting mechanisms and two |
| 7104914 |
Planetary transmissions having two fixed interconnections and a stationary gear member |
September 12, 2006 |
| The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having seven torque-transmitting mechanisms, two in |
| 7104581 |
Vehicle body interchangeability |
September 12, 2006 |
| A method is provided for providing vehicle reconfigurability. The method includes maintaining an inventory containing vehicle body pods each having a substantially identical interface at which each of the body pods is connectable to a chassis such that the body pods are interchangeable |
| 7104307 |
Casting mold for engine block |
September 12, 2006 |
| A casting mold for an engine block and method for manufacturing the casting mold. In one embodiment, the casting mold includes a mold seat with a double-curved surface, and a cast-in cylinder liner. The cylinder liner has an axis and an end surface. The end surface is in tangential c |
| 7104238 |
Apparatus and method for lessening the accumulation of high boiling fraction from fuel in intake |
September 12, 2006 |
| An intake valve for a combustion engine having an intake port is disclosed. The intake includes a valve guide having an end proximate the intake port, a valve shield extending from the end of the valve guide and into the intake port, and a valve stem arranged proximate the valve guide |
| 7104080 |
Phase-change cooling system |
September 12, 2006 |
| A phase-change cooling system for a vehicle includes an electronic control device for receiving power from a power source and having a first temperature. The phase-change cooling system also includes a condenser of an air conditioning system of the vehicle thermally communicating with |
| 7104048 |
Low emission diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration |
September 12, 2006 |
| A diesel engine system includes a diesel engine having a first exhaust segment and a second exhaust segment. A filter filters exhaust gas from the first and second exhaust segments. A flow control valve selectively re-circulates a portion of exhaust from the first exhaust segment back |
| 7103957 |
Expendable torque converter alignment ring and assembly method |
September 12, 2006 |
| In a preferred embodiment, an expendable alignment ring is adapted for centering opposing conical surfaces of a transmission torque converter and an engine crankshaft. The ring has an annular body formed of a thermoplastic such as high density polyethelene. The body has first and sec |
| 7103463 |
Hydraulic clutch state diagnostic and control |
September 5, 2006 |
| Clutch engagement is preferably determined in accordance with monitored pressure conditions within a clutch control chamber. Clutch slip is monitored and information respecting clutch engagement inferred therefrom is stored for subsequent retrieval and use in a redundant slip based c |
| 7102476 |
Method to estimate attractive force in a permanent magnet chuck |
September 5, 2006 |
| The design of permanent magnet chucks of desired specified attractive force at the base or working face of the chuck is expedited by the discovery of a general correlation between two specific engineering parameters. The attractive force intensity expressed as force per unit chuck wo |
| 7101313 |
Motor vehicle powertrain control method for low traction conditions |
September 5, 2006 |
| A driver-initiated low traction control method limits the drive torque of a motor vehicle during operation on low traction road surfaces. The low traction control mode is initiated by actuation of a switch or by moving a transmission range selector to a Low range while the vehicle is |
| 7101312 |
Vehicular power take-off control |
September 5, 2006 |
| A vehicular powertrain includes a throttle controlled engine and a power take-off system for driving external loads. A power take-off control executed in a first processor seeks to have engine control authority in accordance with operator invoked switch states including an enable switch |
| 7101302 |
Planetary transmissions having a stationary member and input clutches |
September 5, 2006 |
| The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having seven torque-transmitting mechanisms, an int |
| 7101301 |
Two-speed transfer case with center differential |
September 5, 2006 |
| A simple planetary gear arrangement is provided for a transfer case. The transfer case includes a carrier connected to the transfer case input. The ring gear is connected with a rear axle. The sun gear is connectable with a front axle through a clutching arrangement including a one-way |
| 7101298 |
Electric variable transmission with de-coupled engine charging in reverse |
September 5, 2006 |
| A hybrid electromechanical transmission includes first, second and third planetary gear sets, an input member, an output member, and first and second motor generators. At least one of the gear members in the first planetary gear set is connected to the first motor/generator. At least |
| 7100717 |
Integrated electric power take-off system |
September 5, 2006 |
| The preferred embodiments of the present invention utilize the internal combustion engine of a hybrid vehicle, coupled with an energy storage device and series of inverters to provide electrical power generation capability for an electric power take-off (EPTO) system. Additional embo |
| 7100565 |
DOD throttling and intake control |
September 5, 2006 |
| A throttling and intake control system transitions between activated and deactivated modes in a displacement on demand engine. The throttling and intake control system includes an intake manifold pressure sensor that generates an intake manifold pressure signal and a controller that |
| 7100472 |
Two speed transfer case having two transfer chains |
September 5, 2006 |
| A transfer case is provided for a vehicle having front and rear axles. The transfer case includes first and second input clutches connected with an input member, and first and second transfer chains having different chain ratios operably connectable between the input member and the front |
| 7100259 |
Method of metallic sandwiched foam composite forming |
September 5, 2006 |
| Disclosed is a method of forming metallic composite structures The method utilizes superplastic and quickplastic formation methodologies in conjunction with the use of appended engineered metallic foams to provide energy absorbing materials. |
| 7099760 |
Active wheel steering control |
August 29, 2006 |
| A control system that employs closed-loop control for providing active vehicle rear-wheel steering, where the control system receives longitudinal wheel slip inputs to improve the vehicle directional stability. The longitudinal wheel slip inputs can be from one or more of wheel speed |
| 7099759 |
Method and apparatus for estimating steering behavior for integrated chassis control |
August 29, 2006 |
| A method and apparatus for providing integrated chassis control of a vehicle over the entire range of the vehicle dynamic state, including steady state and non-steady state steering conditions and linear and non-linear tire behavior, based on the general steer equation by using an es |
| 7098173 |
Thermally stable antifoam agent for use in automatic transmission fluids |
August 29, 2006 |
| Antifoam compositions for automatic transmission fluids contain antifoam agents comprising perfluoropolyether compounds (PFPE). An automatic transmission fluid is provided containing the antifoam composition in a lubricating base oil, along with conventional additives such as antiwear |
| 7097922 |
Multi-layered superhard nanocomposite coatings |
August 29, 2006 |
| Superhard nanocomposite coatings which are applicable to coating contact surfaces on substrates in a variety of industrial processes are disclosed. In a typical embodiment, the superhard nanocomposite coating includes a refractory metal silicon nitride coating layer having silicon in |
| 7096986 |
Mobile chassis and interchangeable vehicle body with ram air circulation system |
August 29, 2006 |
| An improved body configuration for a vehicle having an aerodynamic configuration and defining a pair of longitudinally extending air flow channels at the opposite sides of the body and inwardly of the outer periphery of the fenders for achieving good air flow. A front bridging member |
