Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include hybrid thermal management systems configured to control an operating temperature of a liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) based head-up display (HUD) unit. An exemplary thermal management system can include a liquid crystal on silicon layer and a phase change material on a surface of the liquid crystal on silicon layer. A thermoelectric device is positioned in direct contact with the phase change material and a heat sink is positioned on a surface of the thermoelectric device. The thermal management system can further include a controller configured to adjust a thermoelectric device current of the thermoelectric device responsive to a temperature of the liquid crystal on silicon layer.

Abstract: Radiant heating systems for warming an occupant of an enclosed space. The system includes a component with a surface that faces the occupant. The surface defines an A-surface quality meaning the surface is visible and is designed with styling objectives to have an aesthetic appearance. Conductive strands are exposed at the surface and a power supply supplies electric power to the conductive strands. A controller controls the electric power supplied to the conductive strands.

Abstract: A climate control device includes a radiant heater for radiating heat and a porous material attached to the radiant heater. The porous material desorbs a plurality of water molecules, in response to the porous material receiving heat from the radiant heater and raising a temperature of the water molecules in the porous material to a boiling temperature threshold. The porous material adsorbs the water molecules in response to the temperature of the water molecules falling below the boiling temperature threshold.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described that combine a sorbent containing a flame retardant with a substrate, which is capable of responding to temperature increases to prevent, suppress, delay the spread of, or otherwise mitigate a proximal thermal event. A flame retardant system has a flame retardant material that is incorporated into a matrical sorbent material, which is incorporated into a substrate. The matrical sorbent material is configured to release the flame retardant material upon exposure to an elevated temperature, e.g., a temperature that is greater than 300° C. in one embodiment.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a system having one or more heat pads installed at a vehicle, the one or more heat pads configured to provide infrared energy transmissions to a vehicle component to defrost, defog, or both defrost and defog a surface of the vehicle component. The system may also carry out the following steps: (a) determining that ice or fog or both ice and fog has accumulated on the surface of the vehicle component; and (b) based on the determination made in step (a), activating the one or more heat pads to defrost, defog, or both defrost and defog a surface of the vehicle component.

Abstract: Air management systems are provided for optimizing airflow in laser welding with deflectors. A system for a welder includes a blower to generate an airflow stream. A plenum receives the airflow stream, directs it toward the workpiece, and defines an outlet facing the workpiece to expel the airflow stream toward the workpiece. A deflector adjacent the outlet is formed as a conical section converging from the plenum toward the workpiece, and is defined by an angled wall with an open center. The deflector concentrates the airflow stream to impart a velocity increase to the airflow stream after leaving the outlet and to impart a favorable directional component to the airflow stream toward a weld zone, as well as protecting the laser lens by increasing the downward momentum force of the air stream to eliminate the potential of spatter impinging the lens.

Abstract: An electric vehicle charging port includes a pair of charging pins each connected to a respective charging cable by a base. A pair of porous metallic cages surround the base of the pair of charging pins. A phase change material disposed in the pair of porous metallic cages and a vapor chamber is disposed between the base of the pair of charging pins and the pair of porous cage. The phase change material with an optional vapor chamber and high thermal conductivity (metal or graphite) foam or mesh to provide faster response of transient heat generation.

Abstract: A wicking assembly for battery cells of a battery cooling system includes a first face plate including vertical plate portions and horizontal plate portions defining openings. A second face plate includes vertical plate portions and horizontal plate portions defining openings. A wicking structure is made of a wicking material, defines projections on first and second outer surfaces thereof and includes a plurality of vapor escape passages. The wicking structure is configured to be sandwiched between the first face plate and the second face plate.

Abstract: A radiant heating and blocking shade system for a sunroof of a vehicle includes a first roller configured to be mounted adjacent to one end of a sunroof of a vehicle. A second roller is mounted adjacent to the first roller between the first roller and the sunroof. A radiant heating shade is at least partially wound around the first roller. The radiant heating shade has a deployed position and a retracted position. A blocking shade is at least partially wound around the second roller. The blocking shade has a deployed position and a retracted position. The blocking shade is arranged parallel to and spaced from the radiant heating shade between the radiant heating shade and the sunroof when the blocking shade and the radiant heating shade are in the deployed position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells encased in an outer shell. The outer shell has disposed on an inner surface a flame retardant layer that comprises expandable graphite. The expandable graphite is operative to expand during an thermal event that results in an increase in battery module temperature. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising disposing in a battery module a flame retardant layer; where the battery module comprises a plurality of battery cells encased in an outer shell. The outer shell has disposed on an inner surface a flame retardant layer that comprises expandable graphite. The expandable graphite is operative to expand during an thermal event that results in an increase in battery module temperature.

Abstract: A battery system includes a power cell and a heat exchanger abutting the power cell. The heat exchanger includes a cooling medium reservoir, a heat exchange member, and a wicking structure disposed between the cooling medium reservoir and the heat exchange member. The wicking structure provides a fluid pathway from the cooling medium reservoir to the heat exchange member and from the heat exchange member to the cooling medium reservoir.

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 control system of a vehicle comprising: i) a plurality of adjustable aerodynamic control devices associated with the vehicle; ii) a fuel economy sensor configured to determine a first fuel economy measurement; and iii) an aerodynamic device controller module configured to adjust a first one of the plurality of adjustable aerodynamic control devices and to receive from the fuel economy sensor a second fuel economy measurement. The aerodynamic device controller module stores in an onboard database state information corresponding to settings of the plurality of adjustable aerodynamic control devices if the second fuel economy measurement is an improvement over the first fuel economy measurement.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described that combine a sorbent containing a flame retardant with a substrate, which is capable of responding to temperature increases to prevent, suppress, delay the spread of, or otherwise mitigate a proximal thermal event. A flame retardant system has a flame retardant material that is incorporated into a matrical sorbent material, which is incorporated into a substrate. The matrical sorbent material is configured to release the flame retardant material upon exposure to an elevated temperature, e.g., a temperature that is greater than 300° C. in one embodiment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for heating a vehicle window to remove ice and condensation using a carbon nanotube heating pad. The apparatus includes a user interface operative to receive a user request, a vehicle windshield, a heating pad wherein the heating pad includes a carbon nanotube heating element and a reflective surface and is oriented such that the carbon nanotube heating element is directed towards the windshield, a power supply operative to supply power to the carbon nanotube heating element in response to a control signal, and a processor operative to generate the control signal in response to the user request.

Abstract: A climate control device includes a radiant heater for radiating heat and a porous material attached to the radiant heater. The porous material desorbs a plurality of water molecules, in response to the porous material receiving heat from the radiant heater and raising a temperature of the water molecules in the porous material to a boiling temperature threshold. The porous material adsorbs the water molecules in response to the temperature of the water molecules falling below the boiling temperature threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for radiant heating by PTC radiant patches. A radiant heating system for warming an occupant of an enclosed space includes patches to radiate heat into the enclosed space toward the occupant. A power supply supplies electric power to the patches. A controller controls the electric power supplied to the patches based on a temperature in the enclosed space and locations of the patches within the enclosed space.

Abstract: A battery cell thermal conditioning system for a vehicle includes a battery pack having multiple battery cells. Multiple foam layers are individually positioned between first successive ones of the battery cells. A first carbon nanotube sheet is positioned in direct contact with one of the battery cells on a first side of the foam layers and a second carbon nanotube sheet is positioned in direct contact with a different one of the battery cells on a second side of the foam layers. A cooling plate is positioned between second successive ones of the battery cells. A controller directs current flow to the first carbon nanotube sheet and the second carbon nanotube sheet when a temperature of the one of the battery cells contacted by the carbon nanotube sheet drops below a predetermined threshold temperature.

Abstract: An electric vehicle charging port includes a pair of charging pins each connected to a respective charging cable by a base. A pair of porous metallic cages surround the base of the pair of charging pins. A phase change material disposed in the pair of porous metallic cages and a vapor chamber is disposed between the base of the pair of charging pins and the pair of porous cage. The phase change material with an optional vapor chamber and high thermal conductivity (metal or graphite) foam or mesh to provide faster response of transient heat generation.

Abstract: Radiant heating systems are provided for warming an occupant of an enclosed space. The system includes a component with a surface configured to face the occupant. The surface defines an A-surface quality meaning the surface is visible and is designed with styling objectives to have an aesthetic appearance. Conductive strands are exposed at the surface and a power supply is configured to supply electric power to the conductive strands. A controller is configured to control the electric power supplied to the conductive strands.