Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090035598 | PRODUCT WITH METALLIC FOAM AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - One embodiment includes a product including a metallic foam portion which may serve to reduce the weight of the product and/or vent the product and/or provide damping. | 02-05-2009 |
20090116913 | Polycrystalline Diamond Cutting Tool with Coated Body - A cutting tool for machining metal workpieces using polycrystalline diamond cutting surfaces with interspersed guide surfaces and chip evacuation surfaces. When machining holes in cast aluminum alloy workpieces it is found that aluminum machining chips adhere to guide surfaces and chip evacuation surfaces and mar the machined surface. It is found that when the guide and chip evacuation surfaces are coated with a diamond-like carbon material, aluminum chips do not mar the machined surfaces. | 05-07-2009 |
20090242043 | HYDROGEN SUPPLY PRESSURE REGULATOR - Hydrogen gas flow from high pressure storage to a lower pressure hydrogen-using device is managed using one or more axial flow pressure regulators comprising a cup-shaped housing with an inlet for high pressure hydrogen gas at one end of the flow axis and a closure with a low pressure hydrogen outlet at the other end of the flow axis. A piston head with a piston stem are aligned on the flow axis and a hydrogen flow passage is formed up the stem and through the piston head to the hydrogen flow outlet. One or more combinations of a corrugated tubular bellows (or like expansive sealing vessel) with static seals attaching one bellows end to the piston stem or head and the other bellows end to the housing or closure are used to accommodate axial movement of the piston while isolating and containing hydrogen gas flow from a high pressure chamber at a flow entrance to the piston stem to a low hydrogen pressure chamber at the piston head and closure outlet. | 10-01-2009 |
20090324937 | LAYERED COATING AND METHOD FOR FORMING THE SAME - A layered coating is disclosed herein. The layered coating includes a chromium layer, an intermediate layer of chromium and nitrogen established on the chromium layer, and an outer layer of chromium and nitrogen established on the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer has a gradually changing composition, wherein the chromium concentration decreases from an area of the intermediate layer adjacent the chromium layer towards a surface of the layered coating. | 12-31-2009 |
20090325071 | Intercalation Electrode Based on Ordered Graphene Planes - An intercalation electrode includes an electron current collector and graphene planes deposited normal to the surface of the current collector substrate. The graphene planes are deposited on the current collector substrate from a carbon-precursor gas using, for example, chemical vapor deposition. In an embodiment of an anode for a lithium-ion battery, the graphene planes are intercalated with lithium atoms. A lithium-ion battery may include this anode, a cathode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. In repeated charging and discharging of the anode, lithium atoms and ions are readily transported between the graphene planes of the anode and the electrolyte. | 12-31-2009 |
20100136382 | MECHANICALLY JOINED BIPOLAR PLATES AND METHOD THEREFOR - Exemplary embodiments include a product and a method of a bipolar plate assembly having a pair of plates, the bipolar plate assembly being a part of a fuel cell stack. The pair of plates may be joined together at their respective borders by a mechanical forming process. | 06-03-2010 |
20100150678 | METHOD OF BROACHING HARDENED STEEL WORKPIECES WITH DIAMOND-TIPPED TOOLS - A method of broaching a hardened steel workpiece with diamond-tipped tools includes forming a polycrystalline diamond insert and finish-grinding the polycrystalline diamond insert. The polycrystalline diamond insert is attached to an insert holder of a broach bar. A gear blank formed from steel is heat treated, and then an interior portion of the heat treated gear blank is broached with the broach bar. The broaching may occur in a single pass. Some embodiments of the method may further include forming the polycrystalline diamond insert by electrical discharge machining. Furthermore, finish-grinding the polycrystalline diamond insert may include grinding with a diamond grinding wheel. Attaching the polycrystalline diamond insert to the insert holder of the broach bar may include brazing. | 06-17-2010 |
20100303565 | HIGH HARDNESS NANOCOMPOSITE COATINGS ON CEMENTED CARBIDE - A method of creating adherent surface coatings on carbide cutting tools or other workpiece substrates through the development of polycrystalline diamond coatings or composite coatings comprising a refractory metal carbide and polycrystalline diamond is described. The coating is deposited through a sequenced chemical vapor deposition process, first using a specified gas mixture of hydrogen and a refractory metal halide to deposit a base layer of a refractory metal carbide. This step is followed by a second step in which polycrystalline diamond is deposited from a gas mixture comprising a hydrocarbon and hydrogen. Co-deposition of refractory metal carbide and diamond in the second step to create a toughened diamond coating is also contemplated. | 12-02-2010 |
20110012313 | SEAL PERFORMANCE FOR HYDROGEN STORAGE AND SUPPLY SYSTEMS - The performance and durability of static and dynamic seals for hydrogen storage and supply systems has been improved by utilizing a spring-energized and plastic coated radial seal in combination with at least a mating surface that has been treated by one of a variety of procedures. These procedures include applying to the mating surface a low-friction, hard, and hydrogen impervious coating, chemically polishing the mating surface, and electrochemically polishing the mating surface. Each of these procedures significantly reduces, on a microscopic scale, the surface roughness of the mating surface. The seal can thus form a tighter and more gas-tight seal with the smoother mating surface so as to decrease the loss of hydrogen gas across the seal. The smoother mating surface can also improve seal life by reducing seal surface wear. | 01-20-2011 |
20110097513 | METHODS FOR FORMING ARTICLES HAVING APERTURES AND ARTICLES HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED RESIDUAL COMPRESSIVE STRESS - A method for forming an aperture includes stamping an aperture into the article using a pellet, and refining aperture shape(s) and/or aperture dimensions. Methods for forming articles having reduced residual compressive stress are also disclosed. Very generally, the methods include establishing a diamond coating on at least a portion of a substrate, and applying a stress-relief process to the diamond coating, the substrate, or combinations thereof. | 04-28-2011 |
20110126654 | BEVEL AND HYPOID GEAR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - Bevel and hypoid gears are used in power transmissions including automotive applications. Provided is a net shaped bevel or hypoid gear having a generally annular gear body including a plurality of radially outwardly extending gear teeth formed from a generally annular blank made of powdered metal. Also provided is a method for manufacturing a net shaped bevel or hypoid gear including the steps of providing and optionally heat treating a generally ring-shaped or annular blank made of metal powder, then incrementally deforming the blank by orbitally forming or roll forming to produce a net shaped gear member with a plurality of outwardly extending gear teeth, which may be of a bevel or hypoid type. | 06-02-2011 |
20120124816 | JOINING MAGNESIUM WITH REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITE FASTENERS - A method is disclosed for forming corrosion-resistant joints in a plurality of overlapping thin metal sheet workpieces, at least one of which comprises at least 85% by weight of magnesium sheets. The fastener is a fiber-reinforced polymer rod shaped and sized for insertion into a coaxial opening formed in each sheet and subsequently upset on each end to form a head. The workpiece sheets are deformed to form mechanically-interfering features which cooperatively complement the strength of the fastener, under at least some joint loading patterns. The method may be used for other workpiece and fastener compositions. | 05-24-2012 |
20120153531 | FORMING PROCESSES USING MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL FLUID TOOLING - A method for forming a part with a tooling assembly includes forming an MRF bladder located within the tooling assembly into a desired shape, then placing the part in the tooling assembly, and forming the part with the tooling assembly by applying pressure until the part obtains the desired shape from the MRF bladder. | 06-21-2012 |
20120286945 | METHOD OF TESTING AND MONITORING JOINT HEALTH - A method for non-destructive health monitoring of a joined component includes: supplying a first current between a first end of a first member and a first end of a second member of the joined component; measuring a first voltage between a second end of the first member and a second end of the second member, wherein the first ends of the first member and the second member are situated opposite of at least one joint from the second ends of the first member and the second member; calculating a first joint resistance of the at least one joint from the supplied first current and the measured first voltage; comparing the calculated first joint resistance to a predetermined minimum joint resistance; and comparing the calculated first joint resistance to a predetermined maximum joint resistance, wherein the predetermined maximum joint resistance is greater than the predetermined minimum joint resistance. | 11-15-2012 |
20120290228 | METHOD OF MEASURING ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF JOINTS - A method for measuring electrical resistance of a joint includes supplying a first current between a first end of a first member of the joint and a first end of a second member of the joint. The method also includes measuring a first voltage between a second end of the first member and a second end of the second member. The first ends of the first member and the second member are oriented or situated opposite of the joint from the second ends of the first member and the second member. The method also includes calculating a first joint resistance of the joint from the supplied first current and the measured first voltage. | 11-15-2012 |
20120315531 | BATTERY CELL CONNECTION APPARATUS - A battery component includes electrochemical cells with positive and negative terminals of different metals within a sealed enclosure. A positive terminal and a negative terminal of substantially the same material extend outside the sealed enclosure. The battery component provided enables battery construction which reduces or eliminates exposed welds of different metals. A battery assembly with exposed interconnecting members of the same metal is also provided. | 12-13-2012 |
20130005196 | SERVICEABLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AND METHOD - An electrical connection includes an electrically conductive first contact member, an electrically conductive second contact member, an interface, and an attachment. The first contact member includes a first contact surface for passing current. The second contact member includes a second contact surface for passing current that directly contacts the first contact surface. The interface includes one of a cold weld and a fused section that physically joins the first contact member and the second contact member, and that forms a primary conductive path between the first contact member and the second contact member. The interface is formed by ultrasonic vibration of the first contact surface relative to the second contact surface. The attachment is separate from the interface and mechanically joins the first contact member and the second contact member. A method for forming the electrical method is also provided. | 01-03-2013 |
20130029206 | LOW PRESSURE ELECTRON BEAM WELDING OF LI-ION BATTERY CONNECTIONS - A method for connecting individual lithium ion cells into a battery suited for powering an electric or hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The cell current collectors are electron beam welded to one another and to a connector tab in an substantially oxygen-free atmosphere. The cell current collectors and the connector tab are temporarily secured with a clamp, one portion of which has an opening. The electron beam size may be controlled, by magnetic coils and by the extent of electron scattering by the gas atmosphere, to minimally fill the clamp opening to minimize any irradiation of the clamp. The beam or the workpieces may be displaced, if required, fuse the entire opening area. A similar procedure may be followed to weld a plurality of connector tabs to a busbar. | 01-31-2013 |
20130052517 | Battery Design - A battery assembly includes a plurality of compound electrodes and electrolyte. Each compound electrode includes an anode section and a cathode section. The compound electrodes are arranged such that the anode section of a first compound electrode interacts electrochemically with the cathode section of a second compound electrode with the electrochemical interaction being carried through electrolyte disposed between the plurality of compound electrodes. | 02-28-2013 |
20130074312 | METHOD OF JOINING MAGNESIUM - Methods of joining a magnesium substrate to a second substrate are provided. A region of the magnesium substrate and a region of the second substrate are aligned to provide an overlap. A region of the overlap is deformed to provide a joint. A polymeric material is disposed in the joint to secure together the magnesium substrate and the second substrate. The joining of the magnesium substrate and the second substrate is facilitated by using a die in various aspects. | 03-28-2013 |
20130207612 | BATTERY MODULE WITH A FLEXIBLE BUS - A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells and a flexible bus. Each of the battery cells has a main body, a first terminal disposed on the main body, and a second terminal disposed on the main body. The main body includes active material configured to generate power from an electrochemical reaction. The bus includes an electrical current harness configured to conduct an electrical current through the battery module and a battery management system configured to detect and transmit status information, as well as selectively control a charging and a discharging of at least one of the battery cells. | 08-15-2013 |
20130209846 | METHOD AND DEVICE TO MEASURE TEMPERATURE OF A PRISMATIC CELL OF AUTOMOTIVE BATTERY - Apparatuses and methods of use are provided that include a battery cell comprising a flexible resistive thermal device. The resistive thermal device includes a flexible conductive circuit that is positioned on or adjacent to the surface of the battery cell. Resistance measured in the conductive circuit is correlated with a temperature of the battery cell thereby allowing control of a cooling system and/or the charging/discharging rates of the battery cell to be adjusted in response to temperature. Flexibility of the resistive thermal device also accommodates dimensional changes in the battery cell. | 08-15-2013 |
20130209847 | BATTERY DESIGN - A battery cell assembly includes a ganged plurality of battery cells. The battery cells are electrically connected in series. At least one hinge is disposed between an adjacent pair of the battery cells. The battery cells are configured to be stacked upon a folding of the battery cell assembly at the at least one hinge. A cooling plate assembly for use with the battery cell assembly, and a battery power system having the battery cell assembly interlaced with the cooling plate assembly, is also provided. | 08-15-2013 |
20130209856 | COOLING SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE BATTERY - Method and apparatus for thermal management of a battery cell or a battery assembly including a plurality of battery cells. One or more fins are in thermal contact with one or more battery cells. A fluid is caused to flow from a high pressure side of a plenum fluidly coupled to each fin, through a cavity in each fin, and back to a low pressure side of the plenum. The fins are fluidly coupled to the plenum using flexible connections that can accommodate movement of the fins with respect to the plenum. | 08-15-2013 |
20130209857 | BATTERY TRAY DESIGN - A battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells configured to generate an electrical current from an electrochemical reaction and a battery tray. The battery tray includes a channel formed from a plurality of walls. The channel is configured to receive at least a portion of the battery cells therein and permits at least an axial translation of the battery cells in respect of a longitudinal axis of the battery tray to accommodate an expansion and a contraction of the battery cells during an operation of the battery pack. | 08-15-2013 |
20130247672 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE WELD TESTING - A method for detecting the integrity of a bond of a multi-piece work piece includes capturing a first image of the work piece, stressing the work piece, capturing a stressed image of the work piece, and comparing the first image of the work piece with the stressed image of the work piece to determine the integrity of the bond. | 09-26-2013 |
20140030560 | BATTERY WITH SOLID STATE COOLING - A battery is provided with solid state cooling means so that it may operate within a predetermined operating temperature range is described. Suitably such a battery may be a high voltage-high current battery intended for use in a vehicle propelled by an electric motor such as a hybrid or electric vehicle. A plurality of thermoelectric assemblies is positioned in thermal contact with the assembled cells and/or modules which comprise the battery. These assemblies may be appropriately powered to pump heat from the battery responsive to a plurality of temperature sensors associated with individual cells or modules so that the battery temperature is maintained within the predetermined temperature range. The thermoelectric assemblies may also be powered to pump heat to the battery to more rapidly increase its temperature to the predetermined operating range under low temperature conditions. | 01-30-2014 |