Abstract: A system to detect and avoid spilled cargo in an automobile vehicle, includes an automobile vehicle rear cargo area including a floor to temporarily receive a storage item in the cargo area. A lift gate is moved between a closed and latched position and a fully open position inclusive to allow loading and removal of the storage item. A vision system identifies the storage item when initially loaded in the cargo area and identifies if the storage item is initially positioned in a cargo spill position or subsequently moves to the cargo spill position. A cargo stop device is releasably connected to the lift gate. An operating system releasably stores the cargo stop device when the storage item is not in the cargo spill position and deploys the cargo stop device when the storage item is in the cargo spill position.

Abstract: A system to detect and avoid spilled cargo in an automobile vehicle, includes an automobile vehicle rear cargo area including a floor to temporarily receive a storage item in the cargo area. A lift gate is moved between a closed and latched position and a fully open position inclusive to allow loading and removal of the storage item. A vision system identifies the storage item when initially loaded in the cargo area and identifies if the storage item is initially positioned in a cargo spill position or subsequently moves to the cargo spill position. A cargo stop device is releasably connected to the lift gate. An operating system releasably stores the cargo stop device when the storage item is not in the cargo spill position and deploys the cargo stop device when the storage item is in the cargo spill position.

Abstract: A fluid bypass valve includes a valve member disposed within a valve chamber of a housing. A temperature based actuating mechanism moves the valve member between a first position and a second position in response to a temperature change. A temporary flow control device undergoes a one-time only shape change between a first shape and a second shape. The temporary flow control device enables fluid communication between a first port and a second port when exhibiting the first shape, and does not enable fluid communication between the first port and the second port when exhibiting the second shape. The temporary flow control device exhibits the first shape when having an initial temperature less than or equal to a second pre-defined temperature, and exhibits the second shape in response to a first heating of the temporary flow control device to a temperature that is greater than the second pre-defined temperature.

Abstract: A moisture detection and regulation system is disclosed for a vehicle interior component having a section of material with a moisture absorbent material structure. The system includes a sensing device configured to detect a level of moisture in the section of material. The system also includes a moisture removal element configured to dissipate moisture from the section of material. The system additionally includes an electronic controller fixed to the vehicle structure and in operative communication with each of the sensing device and the moisture removal element. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the sensing device indicative of the detected level of moisture in the section of material and activate the moisture removal element when the detected level of moisture is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold level of moisture. A vehicle having such a moisture detection and regulation system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A stretchable adjustable-stiffness assembly includes a casing and first and second friction layers. The casing can be fluidly sealed and includes an interior compartment containing a fluid. The fluid can shift between a first interior pressure and a second interior pressure less than the first interior pressure and an exterior pressure. The first and second friction layers are disposed within the interior compartment. The assembly can shift between relaxed and fixed configurations. In the relaxed configuration, the fluid has the first interior pressure, the casing is stretchable between a first dimension and a second dimension greater than the first dimension, and the assembly has a first stiffness. In the fixed configuration, the first fluid has the second interior pressure, the casing length is fixed, the first and second friction layers are engaged, and the assembly has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.

Abstract: A method of testing a SMA element includes connecting the SMA element to a validation tool, and applying an electrical current to the SMA element over a test cycle. A resistance of the SMA element during the test cycle is measured, while the electrical current is being applied. The measured resistance of the SMA element during the test cycle is correlated to an estimated strain value of the SMA element during the test cycle. A temperature of the SMA element during the test cycle is estimated. A stress in the SMA element during the test cycle is estimated from a stress predicting grid, using the estimated strain value and the estimated temperature of the SMA element during the test cycle. The proper functionality of the SMA element may be determined based on the estimated stress in the SMA element.

Abstract: A moisture detection and regulation system is disclosed for a vehicle interior component having a section of material with a moisture absorbent material structure. The system includes a sensing device configured to detect a level of moisture in the section of material. The system also includes a moisture removal element configured to dissipate moisture from the section of material. The system additionally includes an electronic controller fixed to the vehicle structure and in operative communication with each of the sensing device and the moisture removal element. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the sensing device indicative of the detected level of moisture in the section of material and activate the moisture removal element when the detected level of moisture is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold level of moisture. A vehicle having such a moisture detection and regulation system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device includes a resilient substrate translatable between a first flattened position and a second extended position, and an actuator attached to the resilient substrate. The actuator is configured for translating the resilient substrate from the first flattened position to the second extended position. The actuator is formed from a shape memory alloy transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a change in temperature of the shape memory alloy. A fluid flow control system includes a rotor shield and the fluid flow control device attached to the rotor shield.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a body having a longitudinal axis and defining a cavity therein. A shuttle valve is arranged within the cavity. The shuttle valve has a first surface and a second, opposing surface. An actuator element is adjacent the first surface of the shuttle valve and configured for translating the shuttle valve along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position. The actuator element is formed from a shape memory alloy that is transitionable between a martensite crystallographic phase and an austenite crystallographic phase in response to a thermal activation signal to thereby translate the shuttle valve between the first position and the second position. Furthermore, a resilient member is adjacent the second surface of the shuttle valve. The resilient member is configured to oppose the movement of the shuttle valve moving from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one imaging device configured to generate image data indicative of a vicinity of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a user interface display configured to display image data from the at least one imaging device. A vehicle controller is programmed to monitor image data for the presence of moving external objects within the vicinity, and to activate the user interface display to display image data in response to detecting a moving external object in the vicinity while the vehicle is at a rest condition. The controller is also programmed to assign a threat assessment value based on conditions in the vicinity of the vehicle, and upload image data to an off-board server in response to the threat assessment value being greater than a first threshold.

Abstract: A thermal bypass valve includes a housing defining a bore along a longitudinal axis and having two inlet ports and two outlet ports; a cap disposed within the bore; a shuttle disposed within the bore and reversibly translatable towards and away from the cap along the longitudinal axis between a first fill position, a cooling position, and a bypass position; and an actuator configured for translating the shuttle along the longitudinal axis between the cooling position and the bypass position. The actuator is formed from a shape memory alloy and is transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a temperature of the fluid.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vision system configured to output a signal indicative of exterior conditions in a vicinity of the vehicle and a temperature sensor configured to output a signal indicative of an interior temperature of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a plurality of articulable openings arranged to allow fluid flow communication between an interior and an exterior of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a controller programmed to adjust at least one articulable opening toward an open position in response to the interior temperature exceeding a temperature threshold. The controller is also programmed to adjust at least one articulable opening toward a closed position in response to detection via the vision system of a threat condition in the vicinity of the vehicle.

Abstract: A resettable sensor assembly includes a body having a axis and defining a cavity therein. The body includes a first plurality of threads disposed about the axis. The assembly includes a housing mated to the body and including at least one electrical contact. The assembly further includes a plate. The assembly also includes an actuator element configured for translating the plate along the axis between a first position in which the plate contacts the at least one electrical contact and a second position in which the plate is spaced apart from the at least one electrical contact. The element is formed from a shape memory alloy that is transitionable between an austenite crystallographic phase and a martensite crystallographic phase in response to a thermal activation signal to thereby translate the plate between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A stretchable adjustable-stiffness assembly includes a casing and first and second friction layers. The casing can be fluidly sealed and includes an interior compartment containing a fluid. The fluid can shift between a first interior pressure and a second interior pressure less than the first interior pressure and an exterior pressure. The first and second friction layers are disposed within the interior compartment. The assembly can shift between relaxed and fixed configurations. In the relaxed configuration, the fluid has the first interior pressure, the casing is stretchable between a first dimension and a second dimension greater than the first dimension, and the assembly has a first stiffness. In the fixed configuration, the first fluid has the second interior pressure, the casing length is fixed, the first and second friction layers are engaged, and the assembly has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device includes a resilient substrate translatable between a first flattened position and a second extended position, and an actuator attached to the resilient substrate. The actuator is configured for translating the resilient substrate from the first flattened position to the second extended position. The actuator is formed from a shape memory alloy transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a change in temperature of the shape memory alloy. A fluid flow control system includes a rotor shield and the fluid flow control device attached to the rotor shield.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a body having a longitudinal axis and defining a cavity therein. A shuttle valve is arranged within the cavity. The shuttle valve has a first surface and a second, opposing surface. An actuator element is adjacent the first surface of the shuttle valve and configured for translating the shuttle valve along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position. The actuator element is formed from a shape memory alloy that is transitionable between a martensite crystallographic phase and an austenite crystallographic phase in response to a thermal activation signal to thereby translate the shuttle valve between the first position and the second position. Furthermore, a resilient member is adjacent the second surface of the shuttle valve. The resilient member is configured to oppose the movement of the shuttle valve moving from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one image capture device and a user display configured to display images receive from the at least one image capture device. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to generate a user prompt to set a home vehicle position in response the vehicle entering a first parked state. The controller is also programmed to store at least one reference image indicative of an area in a vicinity of the vehicle corresponding to the home vehicle position. The controller is further programmed to collect a current image corresponding to a current vehicle position in response to a subsequent approach toward the vicinity, and compare the current image to the reference image. The controller is further programmed to generate a user display depicting the vicinity, the current vehicle position, and the home vehicle position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vision system including at least one external image capture device to transmit image data and a user interface display to present image data received from the at least one image capture device. The vehicle also includes a controller programmed to increase a brightness of an exterior lamp in response to sensing an ambient light level less than an ambient light threshold. The controller is also programmed to modify at least one visual attribute of image data presented at the user interface display in response to an image light level less than a first image light threshold.

Abstract: A fluid bypass valve includes a valve member disposed within a valve chamber of a housing. A temperature based actuating mechanism moves the valve member between a first position and a second position in response to a temperature change. A temporary flow control device undergoes a one-time only shape change between a first shape and a second shape. The temporary flow control device enables fluid communication between a first port and a second port when exhibiting the first shape, and does not enable fluid communication between the first port and the second port when exhibiting the second shape. The temporary flow control device exhibits the first shape when having an initial temperature less than or equal to a second pre-defined temperature, and exhibits the second shape in response to a first heating of the temporary flow control device to a temperature that is greater than the second pre-defined temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of exterior lamps each arranged to cast a light pattern in a vicinity of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes at least one imaging device configured to capture image data indicative of the vicinity including at least one light pattern. The vehicle further includes a controller programmed to cause a variance action by a particular one of the plurality of exterior lamps, and monitor the image data for a change in a light pattern associated with the particular one of the exterior lamps. The controller is also programmed to generate a signal indicative of a fault condition associated with the particular one of the exterior lamps in response to no change in the light pattern.