Abstract: Systems for varying orifice cross-section for 3D printing are provided. Aspects of the invention include an actuator operable to control an actuator rod, a plurality of nozzles connected to the actuator rod, the plurality of nozzles comprising a first nozzle and a second nozzle, wherein the first nozzle comprises a first cross-section, wherein the second nozzle comprises a second cross-section, and a controller configured to operate the actuator rod to maneuver the first nozzle under a printer head, wherein the printer head extrudes a filament that passes through the first cross-section of the first nozzle.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for facilitating cable plugging in a network by receiving, from a scanner associated with the network, wirelessly read connector identifying information from a tag accompanying a cable connector at one end of a cable to be plugged in the network, and using, by a processor, the connector identifying information to ascertain, from a database, applicable cable rules guidance for where to properly plug the cable connector in the network. Based on ascertaining the guidance, one or more indicators associated with one or more plug locations in the network are illuminated to assist in properly plugging the cable connector in the network.

Abstract: A battery pack is provided which includes an enclosure. The enclosure includes a battery cell compartment and a vent. The battery cell compartment is a sealed compartment, except for the vent, and the vent facilitates pressure-induced venting of gas from the battery cell compartment. One or more battery cells are disposed within the battery cell compartment, and the battery pack also includes a filter system associated with the enclosure. The filter system filters the pressure-induced venting of gas from the battery cell compartment resulting from a thermal runaway event at a battery cell of the one or more battery cells within the battery cell compartment of the enclosure.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a computer-implemented method that includes, responsive to receiving a pickup location request indicating a pickup location, identifying a vehicle in a vicinity associated with the pickup location, the vehicle having vehicle location data associated therewith. The method further includes selecting a shortest route from the vehicle to the pickup location. The method further includes, responsive to determining that a crossing is present along the shortest route, receiving target object location data for a target object associated with the crossing. The method further includes determining whether the target object and the vehicle intersect are predicted to intersect at the crossing. The method further includes, responsive to determining the target object and the vehicle are predicted to intersect at the crossing, identifying another vehicle in the vicinity, wherein the other vehicle traverses a route that avoids the crossing.

Abstract: Managing of battery pack cell capacity is provided. The managing includes monitoring temperature of one or more cells within the battery pack, and based on temperature of a cell of the one or more cells being at or below a low temperature threshold, initiating discharging of cells with the battery pack at a specified discharge power level to heat the cells within the battery pack. The managing also includes, based on temperature of a cell of the one or more cells rising to or above an upper temperature threshold after initiating discharging of the cells within the battery pack, discontinuing the discharging of cells within the battery pack.

Abstract: Multi-directional monitoring of connector motion is provided to facilitate identifying potential wear of one or more connector electrodes. A sensor assembly is configured to sense in multiple directions motion of a plug connector relative to a connector receptacle when the plug connector is operatively plugged to the connector receptacle, and to generate sensor data based on sensed motion of the plug connector relative to the connector receptacle. A control system is provided to monitor, based on the sensor data, motion of the plug connector relative to the connector receptacle to facilitate identifying potential wear of one or more electrodes of the plug electrode(s) and the receptacle electrode(s) due to the motion.

Abstract: Electronic device containment is provided by a containment structure with an internal compartment sized to receive an electronic device. The containment structure includes an incident containment mechanism to facilitate containing a failure incident of the electronic device within the containment structure when the electronic device is positioned within the containment structure. An electronic system is associated with the containment structure and the electronic device operatively couples to the electronic system to allow a user to operate the electronic device remotely via the electronic system when positioned within the containment structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing packaged battery cells in an airflow environment that includes a battery cell package with a printed circuit board, a battery cell, and a containment compartment, where the battery cell is suspended from the printed circuit board in an inverted position. The battery cell is electrically and structurally coupled to the printed circuit board, wherein a solder connection electrically and structurally couples the battery cell and the printed circuit board. The apparatus further includes a cavity of the containment compartment disposed below the battery cell, wherein a volume of the cavity of the containment compartment is greater than a volume of the battery cell.

Abstract: A battery comprises a plurality of battery modules. A method determines a load-state of the battery and selects a set of the battery modules to configure, to produce a load-state capacity of the battery based on the load-state. A load-state capacity of the battery can be a sub-capacity of the battery less than a rated capacity of the battery and the method can configure the set of battery modules to produce the sub-capacity based on the load-state comprising the battery disconnected from a load. A battery system can comprise a battery having a plurality of battery modules and a controller configured to perform the method. A battery system can comprise a battery having a plurality of battery modules, and an actuator and a module retainer that can position a battery module in or out of contact with a module interconnect.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for battery pack management are provided. Aspects include receiving battery pack data for two or more battery packs, the two or more battery packs comprising a first battery pack and a second battery pack, determining a target performance characteristic for the first battery pack and the second battery pack, determining a first hold up time for the first battery pack and a second hold up time for the second battery pack based at least in part on the battery pack data, determining, based on the target performance characteristic, a target hold up time from the first hold up time and the second hold up time, and determining, based on the battery pack data, a first voltage for the first battery pack and a second voltage for the second battery pack that satisfies the target hold up time.

Abstract: An air plenum assembly includes a first plenum for cooling, where the first plenum includes an inlet for air intake located at a first side of the first plenum. The air plenum assembly further includes a second plenum for exhausting heated air, where the second plenum includes an outlet for exhausting air located at a first side of the second plenum. The air plenum assembly further includes a first aperture located on a first side of the first plenum for directing air from the inlet at the first side of the first plenum to a first compartment and includes a first vent located on a first side of the second plenum for exhausting air away from the first compartment towards the outlet at the first side of the second plenum. The first compartment is isolated from surrounding battery compartments by at least two thermal separators.

Abstract: A method for increasing temperature of a battery pack includes determining whether a temperature of a cell in the battery pack is above a lower threshold temperature. The method further includes charging, by a current directly from a charger, a balancing circuit including a resistor in proximity to the cell. The method also includes increasing the temperature of the cell in the battery pack.

Abstract: An apparatus for load stabilization on a pallet jack includes one or more steerable wheels, a stabilizer member, and an A-Frame, where the A-Frame encloses a plurality of components for mechanically coupling the one or more steerable wheels to the stabilizer member. The stabilizer member is extendable out of at least one side of the pallet jack based at least on an angle of rotation of the one or more steerable wheels. A method for load stabilization on a pallet jack includes receiving a steering angle for one or more steerable wheels of a pallet jack from an angular position sensor. The method includes activating an electric motor for extending a stabilizer member of the pallet jack, where a distance of extension of the stabilizer member is based on the steering angle for one or more steerable wheels of the pallet jack.

Abstract: A spot welding-type system is provided adapted to facilitate evaluating a rechargeable battery. The system includes first and second electrodes to contact the rechargeable battery. The first electrode includes a first contact surface to facilitate inducing an internal short circuit within the rechargeable battery during operation of the spot welding-type system, and the second electrode includes a second contact surface to contact the rechargeable battery. The first and second contact surfaces are dissimilar contact surfaces, and the second contact surface is larger than the first contact surface. The system with the rechargeable battery disposed between the first and second contact surfaces produces, in operation, a localized pressure on, and a localized heating of, the rechargeable battery in a spot-sized region where the first contact surface contacts the rechargeable battery to facilitate generating and evaluating a potential internal short circuiting of the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A battery pack configured for discharging to a desired state of charge (SoC) after a fault event that includes a plurality of battery cells and a balancing circuit connected to each of the battery cells. The balancing circuit is configured to measure operational values of each of the battery cells. The battery pack further includes a microcontroller configured to receive the operational values from the balancing circuit, compare the operational values to a prescribed threshold values and issue commands to selectively discharge one or more of the battery cells across the balancing circuit.

Abstract: A battery pack system is provided with an integrated battery disconnect mechanism. The battery pack system includes a circuit board and one or more battery packs connected to the circuit board. A battery pack of the one or more battery packs is connected to the circuit board via one or more connectors. The battery pack system also includes a disconnect mechanism configured to disconnect the battery pack from the circuit board with a failure event at the battery pack by disconnecting the one or more connectors connecting the battery pack to the circuit board. In an enhanced aspect, the battery pack is suspended from the circuit board by the one or more connectors, and the disconnecting of the one or more connectors by the disconnect mechanism with the failure event releases the battery pack to drop away from the circuit board.

Abstract: A non-sealed apparatus for batteries with a containment structure for gasses that includes a battery enclosure with an upper portion and a lower portion. The apparatus further includes a plurality of batteries disposed in a lower portion of the battery enclosure. The apparatus has at least one battery containment structure disposed in an upper portion of the battery enclosure, which is configured to move downward thereby sealing the plurality of batteries upon a condition. Further, a transfer channel assembly is provided within the battery enclosure and configured to transfer and/or contain gases emitted by the plurality of batteries upon the condition. The apparatus also has at least one fan configured to circulate the air in and out of the battery enclosure through the first perforated opening and the second perforated opening.

Abstract: A battery pack is provided which includes an enclosure. The enclosure includes a battery cell compartment and a vent. The battery cell compartment is a sealed compartment, except for the vent, and the vent facilitates pressure-induced venting of gas from the battery cell compartment. One or more battery cells are disposed within the battery cell compartment, and the battery pack also includes a filter system associated with the enclosure. The filter system filters the pressure-induced venting of gas from the battery cell compartment resulting from a thermal runaway event at a battery cell of the one or more battery cells within the battery cell compartment of the enclosure.

Abstract: Predictive rechargeable battery management is provided, which includes obtaining performance data on a battery cell of multiple rechargeable battery cells within a product, and comparing the performance data of the battery cell to statistical data on battery cell performance of a plurality of battery cells of similar type to the battery cell, and in corresponding condition(s) to the battery cell. Further, the managing includes determining, based on the comparing, that performance of the battery cell is trending away from the statistical data of battery cell performance of the plurality of battery cells. Further, the managing includes performing a battery-related action based on the performance of the battery cell trending away from that of the plurality of battery cells of similar type and in corresponding condition(s) to the battery cell.

Abstract: A battery pack system is provided with an integrated battery disconnect mechanism. The battery pack system includes a circuit board and one or more battery packs connected to the circuit board. A battery pack of the one or more battery packs is connected to the circuit board via one or more connectors. The battery pack system also includes a disconnect mechanism configured to disconnect the battery pack from the circuit board with a failure event at the battery pack by disconnecting the one or more connectors connecting the battery pack to the circuit board. In an enhanced aspect, the battery pack is suspended from the circuit board by the one or more connectors, and the disconnecting of the one or more connectors by the disconnect mechanism with the failure event releases the battery pack to drop away from the circuit board.