SAE World Congress

Patent revocation, counterfeiting fears cloud A/C changeover to R-1234yf Honeywell patent for R-1234yf revoked by European Patent Office, but company appeals and files additional patents. R-1234yf supply situation unlikely to improve until October. Cost issue creates possible opportunity for blend refrigerants. Refrigerant counterfeiting problems hit military. Read full story

Thermal storage evaporators offer idle-stop cost saving for A/C operation Idle-stop may add to city fuel economy and is eligible for 2.9 g/mi carbon credits, so it is starting to appear as a U.S. option. Need for A/C operation leads to evaluation of evaporators with thermal storage in waxes. Delphi promises U.S. OE installation for 2015, following low-volume Behr system in European BMW 7 Series. Read full story

Connectivity is key to ITS future U. S. roads could become a web of vehicles communicating with each other automatically by 2025, bringing about improvements in safety and congestion. Read full story

NHTSA official thanks engineers during SAE Congress keynote The nation's top safety administrator peppered his keynote address to SAE 2012 World Congress attendees with thank-you sentiments to engineers for solving complex problems. Read full story

Consumers can expect power without big displacement Yes, whopper-sized engines are still around, but even engineers admit there is a lot to like about smaller displacement engines. Read full story

Permits, prices are challenges for those building EV infrastructure Electric vehicles have support from governments and many corporations, but building an infrastructure to support them still poses many challenges. Installation costs are fairly high and licensing can be a challenge. Read full story

Engineers make quick connections Fast-talkers took a seat at SAE 2012 World Congress in an orchestrated 5-min meet-and-greet experience on the show floor. Read full story

Hella lights path to growth Hella is expanding operations in the U.S., Brazil, and Mexico, the head of the company’s electronics division in the America’s said at a wide-ranging press briefing April 25 in conjunction with the SAE 2012 World Congress. It expects stop/start technology to provide a boost to sales. Read full story

Toy cars get kids excited about engineering Getting a rear-wheel-drive vehicle up a 30° incline is a fairly easy task when 150 kids are behind the driving controls. Read full story