Abstract: Presented are intelligent vehicle systems for thermal event mitigation during vehicle towing, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such intelligent control systems. A method of operating a host vehicle includes a resident or remote vehicle controller verifying the host vehicle is an incapacitated state. Responsive to the incapacitation of the host vehicle, the controller detects the host vehicle being towed by a tow vehicle and identifies a wireless-enabled portable computing device (PCD) within a predefined range of the host vehicle. Responsive to the host vehicle being towed, the controller determines if the wireless-enabled PCD is on the tow vehicle while towing the host vehicle. Upon detection of a thermal event in at least one battery cell in the host vehicle's battery system while the host vehicle is being towed, the controller responsively commands a resident vehicle subsystem to execute a control operation to mitigate the thermal event.

Abstract: A method, fuel cell system and vehicle for maintaining compression via re-compression is provided. By recovering fuel cell stacks of the fuel cell system after a pre-determined time of operation and performing re-compression on each of the recovered fuel cell stacks, power generation capacity, active area pressure and seal force is recovered to address increased contact resistance and loss of fuel cell system power generation capacity as well as decreased seal force and increased risk of reactant gas and coolant leak.

Abstract: A mobile locker includes one or more dispensing units. Each dispensing unit consists of an accessible product space where each product space also includes a temperature monitor. A passible environmental control incudes a multiple of containers located around the perimeter of each accessible product space. Further, each of the containers incorporates a phase change material (PCM) that is used to temperature condition each accessible product space.

Abstract: A battery cell recycling system includes a recycling table having a first table surface opposite a second table surface and at least one collection slot defined through the first table surface and the second table surface. The battery cell recycling system includes a battery guide system to receive a battery cell including a first lead tab, a second lead tab and a pouch. The battery guide system is movable between a first position and a second position in which at least one of the first lead tab, the second lead tab and the pouch is disposed over the collection slot. The battery cell recycling system includes at least one actuator configured to move at least one cutting blade to remove at least one of the first lead tab, the second lead tab and the pouch from the battery cell in the second position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for predicting microhardness properties of a weld that defines a weld joint between at least two workpieces. The system includes a processor programmed to: receive temperature data that includes temperature values each attributed to a corresponding one of a plurality of points of the weld at corresponding times during a welding process used to produce the weld, determine peak temperature values and cooling rate values for each of the points of the weld based on the temperature values, predict a three-dimensional (3D) distribution of microhardness values of the weld based on a machine learning method that evaluates the peak temperature values and the cooling rate values, and generate display data based on the 3D distribution of microhardness values.

Abstract: A method for displaying infrastructure information on a multi-focal plane augmented reality display of a vehicle includes receiving infrastructure data. The infrastructure data includes information about a location of at least one infrastructure along a route of the vehicle. The method further includes receiving vehicle-location data. The vehicle-location data includes information about a location of the vehicle. The method further includes determining a position of the vehicle relative to the location of the least one infrastructure using the infrastructure data and the vehicle-location data. The method further includes transmitting a command signal to the multi-focal plane augmented reality display to display a virtual image showing the infrastructure information of the infrastructure on the multi-focal plane augmented reality display.

Abstract: An intake system for an engine includes: an intake manifold including a plurality of ports; a cover mounted to the intake manifold over the plurality of ports; a fluid distribution track defined by the cover, the fluid distribution track including a plurality of openings in fluid communication with an interior of the intake manifold by way of the plurality of ports of the intake manifold; and a dampening material between the cover and the intake manifold, the dampening material configured to dampen at least one of noise, vibration, and harshness.

Abstract: A data analytics system for a vehicle includes one or more controllers having a multi-layered control software architecture including two or more software layers and a health monitoring structure. The one or more controllers execute instructions to receive a fault, and in response to receiving the fault, generate, by the health monitoring structure, a plurality of unique triggers as the fault propagates throughout the multi-layered control software architecture. The controllers build a network including a plurality of propagation paths and identify one or more main propagation paths that are part of the network based on a data analysis of a mock big data set. The one or more controllers build a complete propagation pathway including two or more main propagation paths. In response to determining only one main propagation path, the controllers determine a root cause of the fault based on the only one main propagation path.

Abstract: Methods and systems provided for determining a phase state and/or for determining a degree of subcooling in a fluid. An exemplary method for operating a refrigeration cycle includes flowing a refrigerant through a metering device and calculating a pressure differential of the refrigerant across the metering device. Further, the method includes determining whether the refrigerant is a saturated liquid based on the pressure differential. The method includes, when the refrigerant is not a saturated liquid, cooling the refrigerant upstream of the metering device.

Abstract: A system within an ego vehicle for robust association of a physical identity and a virtual identity of a target vehicle includes a data processor, including a wireless communication module and a visible light communication module, positioned within an ego vehicle, and a plurality of perception sensors, positioned within the ego vehicle and adapted to collect data related to a physical identity of the target vehicle and to communicate the data related to the physical identity of the target vehicle to the data processor via a communication bus, the data processor within the ego vehicle adapted to receive, via a wireless communication channel, data related to a virtual identity of the target vehicle, associate the physical identity of the target vehicle with the virtual identity of the target vehicle, and initiate, via the wireless communication channel and a visible light communication channel, a challenge-response protocol between the ego vehicle and the target vehicle.

Abstract: Lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles and methods of making such lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles are provided herein. The method includes combining precursor zeolite particles with (NH4)3PO4 to form a first mixture including intermediate zeolite particles including NH4+ cations. The method further includes adding a lithium salt to the first mixture to form the lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles, or separating the intermediate zeolite particle from the first mixture and combining the intermediate zeolite particles with the lithium salt to form the lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a support structure, a motor mount assembly, first and second parallel chains, a serial translation assembly, a sensor and a control module. The motor mount assembly includes rotary motors, where the rotary motors include a first rotary motor and a second rotary motor. The first and second parallel chains are connected to the movable platform, the rotary motors and the motor mount assembly. The serial translation assembly is connected to the supporting structure and the motor mount assembly and includes a linear actuator and a third rotary motor. The sensor is connected to the movable platform and detects force applied by a human operator on the movable platform and generates a signal indicative of the force applied. The control module controls the rotary motors and the third rotary motor based on the signal to assist the human operator in moving the movable platform.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for testing a trailer light system including a trailer connector for coupling a first voltage to a first trailer light and a second voltage to a second trailer light, a transmission state detector for determining a vehicle transmission state, and a trailer interface module for detecting an electrical connection to a trailer at the trailer connection, and for applying the first voltage to the trailer connector and the second voltage to the trailer connector in response to the detection of the electrical connection and the vehicle transmission state being in a park state.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating a virtual view of a scene associated with a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: obtaining image data including a plurality of images captured by a plurality of cameras of the vehicle; obtaining steering angle data captured by a sensor of the vehicle; detecting, by a processor, a shadow in at least one image of the plurality of images; determining, by the processor, auto-white balance data for each image of the plurality of images; selectively combining, by the processor, the auto-white balance data of the images based on the detected shadow, and the steering angle data; and generating, by the processor, output image data based on the combined auto-white balance data and the image data.

Abstract: A system for determining when additional information is needed by a passenger with color deficient vision within a vehicle includes a plurality of perception sensors within the vehicle adapted to collect data related to a physical identity of a primary object and to communicate the data related to the physical identity of the primary object, via a communication bus, to a data processor within the vehicle, the data processor adapted to determine that the physical identity of the primary object may be unclear to a passenger with color deficient vision based on the data related to the physical identity of the primary object, and that assistance should be provided to the passenger with color deficient vision to aid the passenger with color deficient vision in identifying the primary object.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses to build an explainable user output to receive input feature data by a neural network of multiple layers of an original classifier; determine a semantic function to label data samples with semantic categories; determine a semantic accuracy for each layer of the original classifier within the neural network; compare each layer based on results from the comparison of the semantic accuracy; designate a layer based on an amount of computed semantic accuracy; extend the designated layer by a category branch to the neural network to extract semantic data samples from the semantic content to train a set of new connections of an explainable classifier to compute a set of output explanations with an accuracy measure associated each output explanation for each semantic category of the plurality of semantic categories, and compare the accuracy measure for each output explanation to generate the output explanation in a user understandable format.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrode for an electrochemical cell includes providing an admixture including an electroactive material, a binder, and a solvent. The method further includes rolling the admixture to form a sheet and forming a multi-layer stack from the sheet. The method further includes forming an electrode film precursor by performing a plurality of sequential rollings, each including rolling the stack through a first gap. The plurality of sequential rollings includes first and second rollings. In the first rolling, the stack is in a first orientation. In the second rolling, the stack is in a second orientation different from the first orientation. The method further includes forming an electrode film by rolling the electrode film precursor through a second gap less than or equal to the first gap. The method further includes drying the electrode film to remove at least a portion of the solvent.

Abstract: A bi-material permanent magnet for an electric machine includes a core including a first magnetic material and a shell portion located on the core and made of a second magnetic material. The first magnetic material comprises a magnet material with an energy less than 20 Mega Gauss Oersteds (MGOe). The second magnetic material comprises a magnet material with an energy greater than 30 MGOe.

Abstract: An ultra wide band antenna includes: a first antenna body including: a first planar portion; a first tapered side portion; and a first cylinder; and a second antenna body including: a second planar portion; a second tapered side portion; and a second cylinder, and a connecting portion connecting at least one of the first planar portion and the first tapered side portion on a back side of the first antenna body to at least one of the second planar portion and the second tapered side portion on a back side of the second antenna body.

Abstract: A system for real-time video streaming for a vehicle includes a camera system configured to capture videos of an environment surrounding the vehicle. The system also includes a vehicle communication system configured to communicate with a remote server and a vehicle controller in electrical communication with the camera system and the vehicle communication system. The vehicle controller is programmed to determine a system enablement state. The vehicle controller is further programmed to determine a camera system configuration in response to determining that the system enablement state is a system enabled state. The vehicle controller is further programmed to capture at least one video frame using the camera system based at least in part on the camera system configuration. The vehicle controller is further programmed to transmit the at least one video frame to the remote server using the vehicle communication system.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a rotary electric machine include determining a rotational speed is below a low speed threshold, wherein the low speed threshold is determined based upon a semiconductor junction temperature. A first control parameter is determined when the rotational position of the rotary electric machine is within a first range of rotational positions, wherein the first range of rotational positions is determined based upon a first junction temperature in the diodes of the inverter and a second junction temperature in the power switches of the inverter. A second control parameter is determined when the rotational position is outside of the first range of rotational positions. One of the first control parameter or the second control parameter is selected based upon the rotational position of the rotary electric machine, and the electric power inverter is operated in a zero vector modulation (ZVM) mode based thereon.

Abstract: An optically transparent coplanar microwave slot antenna formed between a first glass layer and a second glass layer is provided including a metal oxide layer, a first slot element and a second slot element formed in a dipole arrangement within the metal oxide layer wherein the first slot element is formed by a first triangular slot, a first trapezoidal slot, and a first rectangular slot and the second slot element is formed by a second triangular slot, a second trapezoidal slot, and a second rectangular slot, and a waveguide feedline for carrying microwave signals to the first slot element and the second slot element

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for providing electrical power for a manufacturing facility for manufacturing of a vehicle, the vehicle having a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and a processor, including: positioning the vehicle at the manufacturing facility, the manufacturing facility having an electrical component; and providing electrical power from the RESS of the vehicle to the electrical component of the manufacturing facility, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor.

Abstract: A hybrid solid-state electrolyte layer for use in an electrochemical cell is provided. The hybrid solid-state electrolyte layer includes a polymeric material, a ceramic material, and an interfacial material adhering the polymeric material and the ceramic material. The interfacial material includes a branched copolymer that includes dopamine and a second monomer. The second monomer forms a polymeric moiety in the copolymer that is the same or similar to the polymeric material. In certain variations, the polymeric material defines a polymeric layer, the ceramic material defines a ceramic layer, and the interfacial material defines an interfacial layer that is disposed between the polymeric layer and the ceramic layer. In other variations, the polymeric material defines a polymeric matrix, the ceramic material defines a plurality of ceramic particles dispersed in the polymeric matrix, and the plurality of ceramic particles are coated with the interfacial material.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a battery module having a plurality of cells includes a sensor adapted to obtain respective cell voltages of the plurality of cells. The controller is adapted to receive data from the sensor, the controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The controller is configured to sort the respective cell voltages to create a voltage ranking. The voltage ranking is repeated with at least one new set of cell voltage readings obtained at a predefined checking frequency. Differences in the voltage ranking of the plurality of cells are analyzed. The controller is adapted to control operation of the battery module based in part on differences in the voltage ranking. The controller may be adapted to predict likelihood of a thermal runway event based in part on the differences in the voltage ranking.

Abstract: A separator for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions includes a microporous layer and one or more fire suppression layers disposed on at least one of a first side or an opposite second side of the microporous layer. The one or more fire suppression layers include crosslinked cyclopolyphosphazene particles.

Abstract: A cell carrier and vent tray arrangement for high-voltage batteries includes a cell vent tray having a vent tray body having first and second tray ribs extending outward from a top surface of the vent tray body, wherein the tray ribs run along a longitudinal direction and include one or more notches formed in one or both of the tray ribs, and a cell carrier having a carrier body with a plurality of vent holes formed therethrough and a carrier rib extending outward from a bottom surface of the carrier body, wherein the carrier rib runs along the longitudinal direction and includes one or more cross-members extending in the transverse direction. The cell vent tray and cell carrier are configured for engagement with each other in an assembled configuration with the carrier rib being disposed between the first and second tray ribs and the cross-members being seated within the notches.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide active control of rotor cooling. In a number of embodiments, a system includes a controller coupled with an electric machine having a rotor. The controller evaluates parameters related to the electric machine for flow rate requirements of the rotor, where the flow rate requirements relate to cooling of the rotor. A flow rate of a fluid for cooling the rotor is computed, where the flow rate is based on a composite of the flow rate requirements. A control valve signal is delivered to set a control valve to supply the flow rate to the rotor based on the parameters.

Abstract: A master alloy including an alloy composition including magnesium (Mg) at a concentration of greater than or equal to about 1.00 wt. % to less than or equal to about 90 wt. %, boron (B) at a concentration of greater than or equal to about 0.01 wt. % to less than or equal to about 20 wt. %, and aluminum (Al) at a concentration of greater than or equal to about 0.1 wt. % to less than or equal to about 90 wt. %, wherein the alloy composition includes MgB2 particles at a volume fraction greater than or equal to about 0.01% to less than or equal to about 20%.

Abstract: An environment awareness system includes a memory and first and second modules. The memory is configured to store environmental data, one or more music composition templates, and one or more maps, where the environmental data is indicative of at least one of a state, condition, or change in an environment in which the environment awareness system is located. The first module is configured to receive and store the environmental data in the memory. The second module is configured to: based on the one or more music composition templates and the one or more maps, convert the environmental data to a music signal including modifying variables in the one or more music composition templates based on the environmental data; and based on the music signal, play out a musical composition via an audio system to audibly indicate the at least one of the state, condition, or change in the environment.

Abstract: A brake rotor having a composite structure may include an annular body defining opposite friction surfaces of the brake rotor. The annular body may include a core made of an Al—Si alloy, a thermal barrier layer made of a thermally insulating material disposed on the core, and a wear-resistant layer made of an Fe—Al—Si—Zr alloy disposed on the core over the thermal barrier layer. The wear-resistant layer may define a first one of the opposite friction surfaces of the annular body.

Abstract: A system for calibrating a display for a vehicle includes a reference calibration system including a reference windscreen and a reference transparent windscreen display (TWD) projector including a reference TWD camera. The reference calibration system also includes a reference camera and a reference controller in electrical communication with the reference TWD projector and the reference camera. The reference controller is programmed to project a reference graphic on the reference windscreen using the reference TWD projector. The reference controller is further programmed to capture a first reference image of the reference graphic using the reference camera. The reference controller is further programmed to calculate at least one reference calibration matrix based at least in part on the first reference image of the reference graphic.

Abstract: A cargo bed extension system includes: a cargo bed; a tailgate configured to pivot to a down position via one or more first hinges, where the tailgate includes: an outer portion having first lateral sides and one or more second hinges; an inner portion having second lateral sides that are disposed adjacent to the first lateral sides when the tailgate is in the down position, where the inner portion is configured to rotate to a vertical position via the one or more second hinges, where the vertical position is approximately perpendicular to the down position; at least one first extension panel configured to move rearwardly and directly contact the inner portion when the inner portion is in the vertical position; and at least one second extension panel configured to move rearwardly and to directly contact the inner portion when the inner portion is in the vertical position.

Abstract: An emblem installation system for installing emblems on a work piece includes an end effector for a robotic arm. The end effector has a base and multiple vacuum gripper modules repositionable along the base in different configurations. The vacuum gripper modules are configured to simultaneously grip multiple emblems and individually release the emblems. An emblem installation method includes applying a force within a first range of forces to the multiple emblems individually and in succession via vacuum gripper modules of an end effector on a robotic arm, with the emblems disposed at a first location, applying a vacuum to the vacuum gripper modules to grip the emblems with the vacuum gripper modules, and moving the robotic arm from the first location to a second location adjacent a workpiece with the emblems gripped by the vacuum gripper modules.

Abstract: A casting system includes a casting for an automobile vehicle having an interior section. Multiple central portions are individually positioned in one of multiple areas of the interior section completely encapsulated by a metal of the casting. An insert member is positioned in individual ones of the multiple central portions, the insert member having a higher melting point than a melting point of a metal of the casting the insert member displaces.

Abstract: A device for thermal control of a battery system includes a heating control module electrically connected to the battery system and a conversion device configured to control power output from the battery system. The heating control module is configured to measure a current through the conversion device, the measured current provided by the battery system of a vehicle during vehicle operation or provided by an energy source during vehicle charging. The heating control module is also configured to control the conversion device to generate an alternating current (AC) heating current using the measured current, and apply the AC heating current to the battery system to heat the battery system to a desired temperature.

Abstract: A method for controlling transient operation of a variable flux machine (VFM) includes, during a shunt angle transition, receiving a commanded and measured shunt angle when operating in a predetermined operating region, e.g., maximum torque per ampere or field weakening. The method includes calculating d-axis and q-axis delta current terms (?Id and ?Iq) required to maintain an output torque level of the VFM through a duration of the shunt angle transition, then applying the required ?Id and ?Id terms as feed-forward terms to adjust a d-axis current (Id) term and a q-axis current (Iq) term from a respective lookup table. In this manner the controller maintains the output torque level of the VFM during the shunt angle transition. An electric powertrain includes the VFM, a TPIM, and the controller. A PM machine may be controlled by substituting temperature for shunt angle.

Abstract: A system includes a battery system including a plurality of batteries and configured to be selectively coupled to and charged by a renewable energy source and selectively coupled to and charged by a power grid. The system further includes a DC bus shared by a plurality of loads and an energy management system connected between the battery system and the plurality of loads. The energy management system is configured to selectively connect individual ones of the plurality of batteries to at least one of the plurality of loads via the DC bus, selectively connect the battery system to the power grid and disconnect the battery system from the power grid, and selectively connect at least one of the plurality of loads directly to the power grid.

Abstract: A composite panel includes a backing substrate and a first plurality of fiber tows. The first plurality of fiber tows is stitched to a first surface of the backing substrate in a predetermined pattern to form a fiber reinforced insert. A first polymer layer encapsulates the first surface of the backing substrate and the first plurality of fiber tows.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present disclosure provides solvent-free methods of making a solid-state electrode active layer for a solid-state electrode in an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions, by using a plurality of solid polymeric binder particles capable of fibrillation with porous fibrillation particles with a first shear force to at least partially fibrillate the solid polymeric binder particles to form a polymeric binder mixture. The disclosure also contemplates a current collector and a porous active layer disposed thereon. The porous active layer includes a fibrous polymeric network having a plurality of solid particles distributed therein. The solid particles may include electroactive material particles, solid-state electrolyte particles, and porous fibrillation particles.

Abstract: An electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) charging station for charging a propulsion battery pack of an electric vehicle (EV) includes a charging cabinet, an electrical cable, and a charge coupler. The charging station is operable for providing a charging voltage or current to the battery pack during a charging operation. The electrical cable has a distal end connected to the charging cabinet. The charge coupler is connected to a proximal end of the electrical cable and connects to a charge receptacle of the EV. The charge coupler includes at least one heating element connected to the charge coupler. The heating element is configured to selectively heat the charge coupler in response to the environmental state being indicative of accumulated snow or ice on the charge coupler.