Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Chrysler Group LLC

Lawrence J Oswald

Del C Schroeder

William W Doolittle, Iii

David G Speth

David Herman Swan

Suresh Nagesh

Giovanni Bolgiani

Craig A Patterson

John Sabol

A method for charging a battery pack for an electric vehicle charges at a preselected maximum charging current until the battery pack voltage reaches a reference voltage level. The battery pack is then charged while maintaining the reference voltage until the charging current decreases to a first reference current level. Charging continues at the first reference current level until a time rate of change of the battery pack voltage reaches a first reference time rate of change. The battery pack voltage is determined and whenever the battery pack voltage is less than a decision voltage reference level, the battery pack is further charged at a second reference current level until the time rate of change of the battery pack voltage reaches a second reference value. A manually initiated pack recovery charge routine is also provided to address new battery pack installations.

Vehicular battery charging method

The present invention includes a flexible, resilient composite spring pivotally connected to the vehicle wheel assembly by standard means such as a ball joint and knuckle. The composite spring is formed having a sinusoidal profile with rectangular cross-section preferably spanning transversely between parallel vehicle wheel assemblies. The composite spring is pivotally connected to the parallel vehicle frames by opposing perpendicular brackets welded to an upper and lower portion of the vehicle frame. A rubber bushing is preferably provided within each bracket and is in contact with opposing sides of the composite spring, allowing the spring to pivot between the vehicle frame. The composite spring is preferably formed with carbon and glass fibers. The sinusoidal composite spring blank is preferably molded with a neutral axis extending along the length of the spring at a midpoint of the sinusoidal profile.

Composite spring design that also performs the lower control arm function for a conventional or active suspension system

A flexible pick-up box enclosable liner for use in a motor vehicle having a pick-up box rear compartment. The flexible pick-up box liner includes an enclosable liner arranged to form a base portion, several sidewalls, and an upper portion, which collectively define an internal compartment, as well as an adjustable fastener system for selectively reducing and expanding the volume of the internal compartment. The liner preferably includes several fasteners for attaching the liner to a pick-up box, and a structural support system for retaining the upper portion of the liner.

Flexible pick-up box liner

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Bloomfield Hills, MI, United States of America

Lawrence J Oswald