Abstract: A stator assembly typically includes at least one stator core assembly that generates a magnetic field to rotate a rotor. The stator core assembly includes a core and a coil wrapped around the core to receive a current thus generating the magnetic field. To improve the performance and manufacturability of the stator assembly, a stator core assembly may include an insulator, disposed between the coil and the core, formed as a single flat sheet. A flat manufacturing process allows greater control of the insulator geometry, a broader range of materials to form the insulator, and patterning of structural features into the insulator to improve assembly and performance. The coil of the stator core assembly may also be electrically coupled to a bus bar using a fastener process and/or a crimping process that consumes less energy and occurs at lower temperatures than conventional soldering or welding processes.

Abstract: A conventional vehicle typically behaves like a single rigid body with fixed characteristics defined during the design phase of the vehicle. The rigid nature of the conventional vehicle limits their ability to adjust to different operating conditions, thus limiting usability and performance. To overcome these limitations, a reactive vehicle may be used that includes a sensor and a reactive system. The sensor may monitor the position and/or orientation of an operator, the vehicle operating conditions, and/or the environment conditions around the vehicle. The reactive system may adjust some aspect of the vehicle based on the data acquired by the sensor. For example, the reactive system may include a video-based mirror with a field of view that changes based on the operator's movement. In another example, the reactive system may include an articulated joint that changes the physical configuration the vehicle based on the operator's movement.

Abstract: A conventional vehicle typically behaves like a single rigid body with fixed characteristics defined during the design phase of the vehicle. The rigid nature of the conventional vehicle limits their ability to interact and adapt to different environments. To overcome these limitations, an articulated vehicle may be used where one or more sections of the vehicle are reconfigurable, thus changing various aspects of the vehicle including the shape, the size, and the footprint. In one example, the articulated vehicle includes a front section and a tail section joined together by an articulated joint. The articulated joint rotates the tail section about an axis relative to the front section, thus modifying the height and the wheelbase. The vehicle also includes a morphing section to maintain continuity in the form of the vehicle and a payload positioning joint to maintain a desired orientation of a payload as the vehicle is being articulated.

Abstract: A sachet includes a first wing made of a flexible material and having a first perimeter region circumscribing a first central region; a second wing made of the flexible material; a hinge connecting the first and second wings along a common boundary; an adhesive material applied to the perimeter region on the first wing; a first electrically conducting electrode formed on the first wing within the central region of the perimeter region; a second electrically conducting electrode formed on the second wing in a region that is opposed to and in alignment with the first contact area on the first wing; an array of contact pads formed on at least one of the first and second wings; first and second conducting traces electrically connecting first and second groups of one or more contact pads among the array of contact pads to the first and second electrodes, respectively.

Abstract: A portable solar concentrator includes a stand, a plurality of inner panels supported by the stand, and a plurality of outer panels attached to the inner panels. The inner panels have a reflective surface, and are configured to direct solar energy at a target. The outer panels have a reflective surface and can be configured in an active position to direct solar energy at the target, and can be configured in an inactive position to direct solar energy away from the target.

Abstract: A battery assembly including: a plurality of prismatic battery cells; first and second fluid manifolds; and a plurality of corrugated flow plates interleaved with the plurality of battery cells, each the flow plates extending from the first manifold to the second manifold and providing an array of flow channels for carrying fluid from the first manifold to the second manifold, wherein each plate of the plurality of corrugated flow plates is an extruded plastic structure comprising first and second fluid impermeable sheets and a plurality of parallel ribs between and connecting the first and second sheets, said plurality of ribs forming the array of flow channels.

Abstract: A test instrument for use with a sample having a plurality of electrically conducting contact pads, the instrument including: a controllable, variable force linear actuator; a probe assembly operated by the linear actuator, the probe assembly having a probe head at one end with a surface for contacting the sample; a movable contactor assembly including a plurality of contacts for electrically contacting the plurality of contact pads on the sample; a housing on which the linear actuator and contactor assembly are mounted, the housing having an identified area for holding the sample during testing; a position sensor assembly for measuring changes in the position of the probe; and a sensor for measuring a force applied to the sample by the probe head.

Abstract: Operating a battery assembly that includes one or more rechargeable battery cells includes: monitoring one or more operational parameters of the battery cells; and dynamically controlling pressure applied to the one or more battery cells based at least in part on one or more of the monitored operational parameters.

Abstract: Operating a battery assembly that includes one or more rechargeable battery cells includes: monitoring one or more operational parameters of the battery cells; and dynamically controlling pressure applied to the one or more battery cells based at least in part on one or more of the monitored operational parameters.

Abstract: A sachet includes a first wing made of a flexible material and having a first perimeter region circumscribing a first central region; a second wing made of the flexible material; a hinge connecting the first and second wings along a common boundary; an adhesive material applied to the perimeter region on the first wing; a first electrically conducting electrode formed on the first wing within the central region of the perimeter region; a second electrically conducting electrode formed on the second wing in a region that is opposed to and in alignment with the first contact area on the first wing; an array of contact pads formed on at least one of the first and second wings; first and second conducting traces electrically connecting first and second groups of one or more contact pads among the array of contact pads to the first and second electrodes, respectively.

Abstract: A test instrument for use with a sample having a plurality of electrically conducting contact pads, the instrument including: a controllable, variable force linear actuator; a probe assembly operated by the linear actuator, the probe assembly having a probe head at one end with a surface for contacting the sample; a movable contactor assembly including a plurality of contacts for electrically contacting the plurality of contact pads on the sample; a housing on which the linear actuator and contactor assembly are mounted, the housing having an identified area for holding the sample during testing; a position sensor assembly for measuring changes in the position of the probe; and a sensor for measuring a force applied to the sample by the probe head.

Abstract: A portable solar concentrator includes a stand, a plurality of inner panels supported by the stand, and a plurality of outer panels attached to the inner panels. The inner panels have a reflective surface, and are configured to direct solar energy at a target. The outer panels have a reflective surface and can be configured in an active position to direct solar energy at the target, and can be configured in an inactive position to direct solar energy away from the target.

Abstract: Operating a battery assembly that includes one or more rechargeable battery cells includes: monitoring one or more operational parameters of the battery cells; and dynamically controlling pressure applied to the one or more battery cells based at least in part on one or more of the monitored operational parameters.

Abstract: A battery assembly including: a plurality of prismatic battery cells; first and second fluid manifolds; and a plurality of corrugated flow plates interleaved with the plurality of battery cells, each the flow plates extending from the first manifold to the second manifold and providing an array of flow channels for carrying fluid from the first manifold to the second manifold, wherein each plate of the plurality of corrugated flow plates is an extruded plastic structure comprising first and second fluid impermeable sheets and a plurality of parallel ribs between and connecting the first and second sheets, said plurality of ribs forming the array of flow channels.