Abstract: A temperature regulation system for a battery is provided. The temperature regulation system includes an electrochemical cell, which may be in the form of a battery. The electrochemical cell includes a housing having a first side surface that extends from a first end to a second end, and a first temperature control chamber containing a dielectric fluid. The first temperature control chamber is located along the first side surface of the housing or along at least one of the first end or the second end of the housing. The dielectric fluid is in direct contact with the housing at the first side surface or at the first end or the second end.

Abstract: A container for heating an object. The container comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of side surfaces. The top surface, the bottom surface, and the plurality of side surfaces define an interior of the container in which the object is placed. The container further comprises a heating shell associated with at least one of the side surfaces, the top surface, or the bottom surface, the heating shell configured to radiate heat into the interior of the container, and a temperature control module configured to control the amount of heat radiated by the heating shell.

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: 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: 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: A retractable aerodynamic panel for an automotive truck cargo bed comprises a first support rail adapted to be mounted onto a top edge of a first side wall of an automotive truck bed and a second support rail adapted to be mounted onto a top edge of a second side wall of an automotive truck cargo bed, a panel adapted to be mounted onto a tailgate of the automotive truck cargo bed, the panel adapted to extend between a retracted position, wherein the automotive truck cargo bed is substantially open, and a deployed position, wherein the panel extends outward from the tailgate across a portion of the automotive truck cargo bed between the top edges of the first and second side walls, the panel supported between side walls within the support rails, and an actuator adapted to selectively extend the panel between the retracted and deployed positions.

Abstract: A water condensation mitigation system for a battery pack having a battery housing system configured to generally surround and contain the battery pack. The battery housing system having a housing having a plurality of wall surfaces defining a housing volume. The housing volume being sized and shaped to contain the battery pack. The housing further having at least one aperture formed in at least one of the plurality of wall surfaces. A pressure valve member being operably mounted relative to the aperture of the housing that is configured to accommodate pack air volume changes and/or temperature changes in the housing volume.

Abstract: A retractable aerodynamic panel for an automotive truck cargo bed comprises a first support rail adapted to be mounted onto a top edge of a first side wall of an automotive truck bed and a second support rail adapted to be mounted onto a top edge of a second side wall of an automotive truck cargo bed, a panel adapted to be mounted onto a tailgate of the automotive truck cargo bed, the panel adapted to extend between a retracted position, wherein the automotive truck cargo bed is substantially open, and a deployed position, wherein the panel extends outward from the tailgate across a portion of the automotive truck cargo bed between the top edges of the first and second side walls, the panel supported between side walls within the support rails, and an actuator adapted to selectively extend the panel between the retracted and deployed positions.

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: 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: A method of regulating thermal comfort of an occupant of a vehicle cabin uses a radiant heating tile powered via an energy storage device to generate thermal energy. The method also includes detecting the occupant's position via a position sensor and detecting the occupant's surface temperature and detecting a temperature of the tile via at least one temperature sensor. The method additionally includes determining, via an electronic controller, a rate of change of occupant's surface temperature and a difference between the tile temperature and the occupant's surface temperature relative to a predetermined temperature set-point. The method further includes regulating, via the electronic controller, a power input from the energy storage device to the tile in response to the determined rate of change of the surface temperature and the determined difference between the tile temperature and the occupant's surface temperature to thereby regulate the occupant's surface temperature.

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 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: A method of regulating thermal comfort of an occupant of a vehicle cabin uses a radiant heating tile powered via an energy storage device to generate thermal energy. The method also includes detecting the occupant's position via a position sensor and detecting the occupant's surface temperature and detecting a temperature of the tile via at least one temperature sensor. The method additionally includes determining, via an electronic controller, a rate of change of occupant's surface temperature and a difference between the tile temperature and the occupant's surface temperature relative to a predetermined temperature set-point. The method further includes regulating, via the electronic controller, a power input from the energy storage device to the tile in response to the determined rate of change of the surface temperature and the determined difference between the tile temperature and the occupant's surface temperature to thereby regulate the occupant's surface temperature.

Abstract: A knitted structure is configured for heat generation and distribution. In some embodiments, the knitted structure includes a knitted fabric including a first knitted layer and a second knitted layer opposite the first knitted layer. The first knitted layer has a first thermal conductivity. The second knitted layer has a second thermal conductivity. The second thermal conductivity is greater than the first thermal conductivity to facilitate heat transfer toward the first knitted layer. The knitted structure may further include a plurality of electrodes at least partially disposed inside the knitted fabric. Each of the plurality of electrodes is configured to generate heat within the knitted fabric upon receipt of electrical energy in order to distribute heat along the knitted structure and toward the first knitted layer.

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: 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.