Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Bob R Powell

Raymond Leo Bloink

Chandra S Namuduri

Madhusudan Raghavan

Alan G Holmes

Thomas W Nehl

Venkata Prasad Atluri

Michael G Reynolds

Robert S Conell

Bradley W Kibbel

Kenneth M Rahmoeller

An electrical system includes an engine, a motor-generator and a starter mechanism, and engine systems also include the engine. The electrical system includes a first energy storage device having a first voltage level and a second energy storage device having a second voltage level less than the first voltage level. The electrical system further includes a controller configured to control the motor-generator, the starter mechanism and first and second switching devices. Current from at least one of the first and second energy storage devices is delivered to the motor-generator when at least one of the first switching device is in a first closed state and the second switching device is in a second closed state such that the motor-generator transfers torque to the starter mechanism and the starter mechanism uses the torque to start the engine.

Powertrain for a vehicle

A powertrain includes a motor-generator and an auxiliary electric system. The powertrain also includes a first energy storage device disposed in a parallel electrical relationship with a motor-generator and an auxiliary electric system. Additionally, the powertrain includes a first switching device selectively transitionable between a first open state to electrically disconnect the first energy storage device from at least one of the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system, and a first closed state to electrically connect the first energy storage device to at least one of the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system. The motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system are operable regardless of the first switching device being in the first open and closed states.

A powertrain for a vehicle is disclosed. The powertrain includes an engine, a motor-generator and a starter mechanism. The powertrain also includes a first energy storage device disposed in a parallel electrical relationship with a motor-generator and an auxiliary electric system. Additionally, the powertrain includes a first switching device selectively transitionable between a first open state to electrically disconnect the first energy storage device from at least one of the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system, and a first closed state to electrically connect the first energy storage device to at least one of the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system. Electrical communication between the motor-generator and the auxiliary electric system is independent of the first switching device being in the first open and closed states.

A preform for impregnation of a metal or ceramic matrix material comprising a multiplicity of reinforcement particles bonded together so as to define a three-dimensional, open-cell reticulum comprising a plurality of randomly oriented thread-like portions interconnected one to the next via a plurality of nodes. A reinforced composite made from such preform and method of making the preform is disclosed/claimed wherein the reinforcement particles are mixed with prepolymers used to produce a fugitive binder for the particles comprising a foamed polymer, and the particles align themselves with the polymer portions of the resulting foam.

Method of making a reinforcement preform and a reinforced composite

This invention relates to a lead-free ceramic insulator, such as that utilized in headlamp switching assemblies. The composition utilized to make the lead-free ceramic insulator includes low melting glasses which form low-viscosity liquids at low temperatures. The glasses generally contain alkali and/or alkaline earth oxides and boron oxide. Aluminum oxide may be added to compensate for the alkali and alkaline earth containing glasses which are sensitive to corrosion by water. The compositions have a low sintering temperature.

Lead-free ceramic insulator

Disclosed are electrorheological fluids having spherical, or near-spherical, fullerene-type particles and a nonconducting or dielectric fluid.

Preparation of electrorheological fluids using fullerenes and other

Reinforcement preform, method of making same and reinforced composite

Disclosed are electrorheological fluids having ceramic particles of high ion conductivity and a nonconducting or dielectric fluid. The high ion conductive particle may be a material having the formula A.sub.1+x Zr.sub.2 Si.sub.x P.sub.3-x O.sub.12, where A is a monovalent ion, such as a material comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Ag and Cu; and x ranges from 0 to 3. The liquid phase may include a silicone fluid or mineral oil. In the case of a mineral oil, the oil may also include an amine-terminated polyester to improve stability of the fluid.

Electrorheological compositions including A.sub.1+x Zr.sub.2 Si.sub.x

Disclosed are electrorheological fluids having ceramic particles of high ion conductivity and a nonconducting or dielectric fluid. The high ion conductive particle may be a beta-alumina material, such as a material having the formula AM.sub.5-11 O.sub.8-17, where A is a monovalent ion, such as a material comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Ag and Te; and M is a trivalent ion, such as a material comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of Al, Fe and Ga. The liquid phase may include a silicone fluid or mineral oil. In the case of a mineral oil, the oil may also include an amine-terminated polyester to improve stability of the fluid.

Water free electrorheological compositions including AM.sub.5-11

Electrorheological compositions including am.sub.5-11 O.sub.8-17

Disclosed are electrorheological fluids having ceramic particles of high ion conductivity and a nonconducting or dielectric fluid. The high ion conductive particle may be a material having the formula Na.sub.3 PO.sub.4. The liquid phase may include a silicone fluid or mineral oil. In the case of a mineral oil, the oil may also include an amine-terminated polyester to improve stability of the fluid.

Anhydrous electrorheological compositions including Na.sub.3 PO.sub.4

Disclosed are electrorheological fluids having ceramic particles of high ion conductivity and a nonconducting or dielectric fluid. The high ion conductive particle may be a material having the formula A.sub.x (L.sub.x/2 Sn.sub.1-(x/2))O.sub.4, where A is a monovalent ion, such as a material comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of Na and K; and x ranges from 0 to 1; and L is a divalent ion, such as a material comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca and Zn. The liquid phase may include a silicone fluid or mineral oil. In the case of a mineral oil, the oil may also include an amine-terminated polyester to improve stability of the fluid.

Electrorheological compositions including A.sub.x (L.sub.x/2

Disclosed are electrorheological fluids having zeolite particles and a nonconducting or dielectric fluid. The liquid phase includes an amine-terminated polyester to improve stability of the fluid.

Electrorheological compositions including an amine-terminated polyester

Disclosed are electrorheological fluids having ceramic particles of high ion conductivity and a nonconducting or dielectric fluid. The high ion conductive particle may be a material having the formula A.sub.5 MSi.sub.4 O.sub.12, where A is a monovalent ion, such as a material comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, and Ag; and M is a trivalent ion, such as a material comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of Sc, Fe, Y, In, La, Ce, Pr, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu. The liquid phase may include a silicone fluid or mineral oil. In the case of a mineral oil, the oil may also include an amine-terminated polyester to improve stability of the fluid.

Anhydrous electrorheological compositions including A.sub.5 MSi.sub.4 O.sub

Disclosed are electrorheological fluids having ceramic particles of high ion conductivity and a nonconducting or dielectric fluid. The high ion conductive particle may be a material having the formula Li.sub.y Si.sub.1-x Al.sub.x O.sub.4, where A is a material comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of Ge, P, and Ti, x ranges from 0 to 1, and y ranges from about 3 to about 4. The liquid phase may include a silicone fluid or mineral oil. In the case of a mineral oil, the oil may also include an amine-terminated polyester to improve stability of the fluid.

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Birmingham, MI, United States of America

Bob R Powell