Abstract: An adaptive radiant heating system regulates a climate inside a motor vehicle cabin having a seat for a vehicle occupant. The system includes radiant heating tiles arranged proximate the seat and powered by an energy storage device. The system also includes a first sensor for detecting a position of the occupant and generating a first signal indicative thereof. The system additionally includes a second sensor for detecting a temperature within the cabin and generating a second signal indicative thereof. The system furthermore includes an electronic controller in operative communication with the tiles and the first and second sensors, and configured to regulate the climate proximate the seat via selective control of the tiles. The controller is configured to receive the first and second signals and activate at least one of the tiles in response to the first and second signals, to thereby regulate the climate proximate the seat.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to reduce drag is provided. The apparatus includes a plasma actuator including a hollow cylinder with two open bases, a first electrode disposed inside the cylinder, a second electrode disposed outside the cylinder, and a plasma layer disposed inside the cylinder next to the first electrode, a surface including the plasma actuator disposed on the surface, and a motion actuator configured to move the plasma actuator in a sweeping motion across a face of the surface.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for personalized controlling of an air temperature in a vehicle. A computer implemented method for personalized controlling of an air temperature in a vehicle comprises determining, by a processor, a current temperature condition in the vehicle, wherein the current temperature condition in the vehicle is determined based on at least a temperature value that is representative for a current thermal environment in a compartment of the vehicle. The processor further determines a basal metabolic rate that is associated with a person located in the compartment of the vehicle and controlling, by the processor, a desired air temperature in the vehicle, wherein the desired air temperature is controlled based on the determined current temperature condition in the vehicle and the determined basal metabolic rate.

Abstract: Processor-implemented methods and systems for aerodynamically optimizing a design geometry of a vehicle body using a convolutional neural network (CNN) are provided. The method may include receiving a signed distance function (SDF) data file that represents the design geometry of the vehicle body. The method includes receiving a range of inflow boundary conditions. The processor processes the SDF over the range of boundary conditions, using the CNN, to generate therefrom drag and lift outputs for the design geometry. The drag and lift outputs may be displayed in the form of one or more intensity maps.

Abstract: A glass panel apparatus is provided. The glass panel apparatus includes an outer glass pane comprising a low-e coating on a side facing the inner glass pane, an inner glass pane comprising a low-e coating on a side facing the outer glass pane, a gap between the inner glass pane and the outer glass pane, the gap comprising a vacuum, and a heating element configured to heat the inner glass pane.

Abstract: A contact heating apparatus is provided. The heating apparatus includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating element integrated into a contact surface, a power controller configured to generate and apply a pulse width modified signal to the PTC heating element, and a controller is configured to adjust a current of the pulse width modified signal of the power controller according to one or more from among a setting parameter and a profile.

Abstract: A heating apparatus is provided. The heating apparatus includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating element and a power controller configured to generate and apply a pulse width modified signal to the PTC heating element. The power controller is configured to vary a current of the pulse width modified signal linearly with respect to a temperature of a space being heated by the PTC heating element.

Abstract: A plasma actuator includes a first electrode disposed on a substrate, covered by a dielectric layer, and a second electrode disposed on the dielectric layer. In operation, the plasma actuator creates a plasma region, altering air flowing over the actuator. The plasma actuator in various embodiments: has no moving parts, helps to improve fuel economy by reducing aerodynamic drag, improves vehicle stability control under severe unsteady flow environments, reduces wind noise around a vehicle on which the actuator is used, and reduces emission and CO2 foot print through the fuel economy improvement.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to control downforce is provided. The apparatus includes a piezoelectric bellow configured to generate airflow, a power controller configured to output a signal to actuate the piezoelectric bellow; and a controller configured to control the power controller based on vehicle dynamics information.

Abstract: A vehicle a sensor system disposed adjacent to a headrest portion of a seat within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The sensor system includes at least one of an air velocity sensor, an air temperature sensor, a radiant heat flux sensor, a heat flux sensor, or a humidity sensor. The sensor system is positioned near the headrest, facing a forward end of the vehicle, in a position that is not blocked by a head of a passenger seated in the seat. The sensor system provides data related to the air velocity, the air temperature, the radiant heat flux, the heat flux, or the relative humidity, enabling a climate controller to accurately calculate a current Equivalent Homogenous Temperature (EHT) of a passenger seated in the seat. The climate controller may then control a climate system of the vehicle based on the calculated EHT to provide a desired EHT.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to reduce drag is provided. The apparatus includes a plasma actuator including a hollow cylinder with two open bases, a first electrode disposed inside the cylinder, a second electrode disposed outside the cylinder, and a plasma layer disposed inside the cylinder next to the first electrode, a surface including the plasma actuator disposed on the surface, and a motion actuator configured to move the plasma actuator in a sweeping motion across a face of the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to reduce drag is provided. The apparatus includes a piezoelectric bellow configured to generate airflow, a power controller configured to output a signal to actuate the piezoelectric bellow, and a controller configured to control the power controller based on at least one from among pressure information and vehicle speed.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to manage the temperature of a sensor module is provided. The apparatus includes a vehicle, a sensor module disposed on top of the vehicle, a solar panel disposed on top of the sensor module, and a gap between the sensor module and solar panel, the gap configured to direct airflow from a front of the vehicle to exit behind the sensor module or the solar panel, the airflow functioning to cool the sensor module or the solar panel.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for applying a plasma actuator system for reducing aerodynamic drag of a vehicle by discharging plasma is provided. The system includes: at least one pair of thin films configured to integrate into a pair of electrodes wherein each of the thin films of the pair of thin films is composed of a thin film piezo-electric material; a dielectric configured as an insulator region to separate each electrode integrated with the thin film piezo-electric material; and a power supply to deliver alternating current to each electrode to provide a high voltage output obtained by the thin film piezo-electric material integrated with the pair of electrodes wherein the high voltage output is about 10 kV.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to mitigate surface occlusion is provided. The apparatus includes a surface, an occlusion mitigating element integrated with the surface; and a controller configured to determine at least one of a fog condition or an ice condition based on an offset temperature, and control the occlusion mitigating element according to the determined at least one of the fog condition and the ice condition, a surface temperature of the surface, a dew point temperature, and the offset temperature.

Abstract: A cooling assembly includes an instrument panel. A passenger compartment for a vehicle can also utilize the cooling assembly. The instrument panel includes a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface. The cooling assembly also includes a thermoelectric apparatus coupled to one of the first and second surfaces. The thermoelectric apparatus includes a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate spaced apart from each other. The first and second conductive plates are configured to be at different temperatures from each other during operation of the thermoelectric apparatus. The cooling assembly further includes a film secured to one of the first and second surfaces of the instrument panel and thermally connected to one of the first and second conductive plates of the thermoelectric apparatus such that operation of the thermoelectric apparatus causes the film to decrease in temperature by an amount sufficient for cooling the instrument panel.

Abstract: Systems are provided for radiant heating by a window shade. A window shade system for a window of an enclosed space includes a window shade configured to cover at least a portion of the window. A radiant heating fabric extends over at least a portion of the window shade. A power supply supplies electric current to the radiant heating fabric.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for applying a plasma actuator system for reducing aerodynamic drag of a vehicle by discharging plasma is provided. The system includes: at least one pair of thin films configured to integrate into a pair of electrodes wherein each of the thin films of the pair of thin films is composed of a thin film piezo-electric material; a dielectric configured as an insulator region to separate each electrode integrated with the thin film piezo-electric material; and a power supply to deliver alternating current to each electrode to provide a high voltage output obtained by the thin film piezo-electric material integrated with the pair of electrodes wherein the high voltage output is about 10 kV.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to induce airflow over a sensor lens is provide. The apparatus includes a sensor lens; and a plasma actuator. The plasma actuator may include a dielectric element, a first electrode disposed under the dielectric element, a second electrode disposed on the dielectric element such that the second electrode is exposed, and a plasma layer disposed in between the first electrode and the second electrode. The plasma actuator may be disposed at a periphery of the sensor lens.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel assembly includes a vehicle wheel including a wheel body having a center. The vehicle wheel defines a plurality of openings arranged annularly around the center of the wheel body. The vehicle wheel assembly further includes a self-deployed wheel shutter system coupled to the vehicle wheel. The self-deployed wheel shutter system includes a hub plate, an annular rim disposed around the hub plate, and a plurality of shutter flaps. The shutter flaps are movable relative the vehicle wheel between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the shutter flaps cover the openings of the vehicle wheel to preclude air from flowing through the vehicle wheel. When the plurality of shutter flaps are in the retracted position, the openings are exposed, allowing the air to flow through the openings of the vehicle wheel.