Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring chain health of a chain having multiple links in a closed loop, as the chain cycles. The system includes: a camera statically positioned with respect to the chain, the camera configured to generate a frame to include a link from among the multiple links; and a controller module operationally coupled to the camera and programmed to repeat the steps of: receiving the frame; converting the frame to a black and white frame with a high-contrast; identifying a link type of the link in the black and white frame based on referencing a plurality of predefined skyline templates; and, storing the link with the link type and a respective temporal marker in a cache, storing a sequence. The system continues until discovering that the chain has cycled back to the starting link, identifies a type of chain for the chain, and fingerprints the chain.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided that include: one or more sensors disposed onboard a vehicle and configured to at least facilitate obtaining sensor data for the vehicle; one or more location systems configured to at least facilitate obtaining location data pertaining to a location of the vehicle; a computer memory configured to store map data pertaining to a path corresponding to the location; and a processor disposed onboard the vehicle and configured to at least facilitate: generating an elevation profile along the path using the sensor data and the map data; and providing instructions for controlling the vehicle using the elevation profile.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of transmitters of a code division multiple access (CDMA) radar system to simultaneously transmit a frame of transmit signals. A first time duration between transmissions of a first pair of sequential ones of the transmit signals is linearly increased to a second time duration between transmissions of a second pair of sequential ones of the transmit signals. The vehicle also includes a receiver of the CDMA radar system to receive reflected energy resulting from reflection of one of more of the transmit signals of one or more of the plurality of transmitters by an object. A controller processes the reflected energy to obtain information about the object and to control an operation of the vehicle based on the information.

Abstract: A heat pipe is provided for cooling an electronic component of a printed circuit board. The heat pipe includes a tube having an inner diameter surface defining a bore, with the tube having first and second ends along the bore. The heat pipe further includes a sorbent material coated onto the inner diameter surface of the tube, a first liquid contained within the bore, and a second liquid adsorbed by the sorbent material. The second liquid has a second boiling temperature that is higher than a first boiling temperature of the first liquid. The first liquid vaporizes into a first vapor, in response to the tube receiving heat from the electronic component and the first liquid reaching the first boiling temperature. The second liquid is desorbed from the sorbent material and vaporizes into a second vapor in response to the second liquid reaching the second boiling temperature.

Abstract: Systems and methods to perform noise-adaptive non-blind deblurring on an input image that includes blur and noise involve implementing a first neural network on the input image to obtain one or more parameters and performing regularized deconvolution to obtain a deblurred image from the input image. The regularized deconvolution uses the one or more parameters to control noise in the deblurred image. A method includes implementing a second neural network to remove artifacts from the deblurred image and provide an output image.

Abstract: A method for social networking using a multi-focal plane augmented reality display of a host vehicle includes receiving social-networking data from a remote device. The social-networking data includes information about at least one social interest of a remote user of the remote device. The remote device is located within a viewable area of a vehicle user of the host vehicle. The method further includes determining whether at least one social interest of the remote user matches a vehicle-user social interest of the vehicle user of the host vehicle using the social-networking data. The method further includes transmitting a command signal to the multi-focal plane augmented reality display of the host vehicle to display a virtual image on the multi-focal plane augmented reality display. The virtual image is indicative of the vehicle.

Abstract: Motion control systems and methods are provided in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a motion control system includes a controller. The controller is configured to: receive target trajectory data associated with an upcoming trajectory of the autonomous vehicle; determine a yaw rate reference and a relative heading reference associated with the upcoming target trajectory based on a numerical integration of the target trajectory data; and control a trajectory of the autonomous vehicle based on the yaw rate reference and the relative heading reference.

Abstract: A battery electric device includes a battery cell, e.g., a pouch, prismatic, or cylindrical cell, connectable to an electric load, and a direct-to-air thermoelectric assembly (TEA) or another heat pump connected to a surface of the cell. A pressure control device maintains constant pressure on the cell surface when the cell is connected to the load. Connection to the load causes the TEA/heat pump to pump heat from the cell. A sensor, e.g., thermocouple(s) and/or heat flux sensor(s), generate an output voltage signal indicative of the quantity of heat. A battery system includes the device and a processor in communication with the cell, the load, and the power supply. The processor generates an electronic control signal in response to the quantity of heat.

Abstract: An injection molded composite component includes a groove extending from a first surface of the composite component and a tubing material placed within the groove and formed integrally with the composite component such that the tubing material forms an integrated conduit on the first surface of the composite component.

Abstract: A vehicle seatbelt monitoring system for monitoring seatbelts of a plurality of seats comprising: i) a buckle sensor for each seat configured to determine whether a seatbelt is buckled into a buckle attachment of each seat; ii) a seatbelt webbing payout sensor for each seat configured to determine an amount of seatbelt webbing that is unwound from a seatbelt retractor associated with each seat; and iii) a seatbelt monitor control module coupled to the buckle sensor and the seatbelt webbing payout sensor and configured to receive buckle state data from the buckle sensor for each seat and seatbelt payout data from the seatbelt webbing payout sensor for each seat. The seatbelt monitor control module is further configured to determine if a first seatbelt is unbuckled or not properly worn and, if so, to determine if a second seatbelt is buckled or properly worn when the first seatbelt is unbuckled or not properly worn.

Abstract: A method for dampening trailer sway, includes: receiving, by a controller of a vehicle system that is coupled to a trailer, a vehicle speed signal of the vehicle system, wherein the vehicle speed signal is indicative of a vehicle speed of the vehicle system; determining a friction force to be applied to the trailer by an actuator using the vehicle speed of the vehicle system and a graph that establishes a relationship between the friction force to be applied to the trailer and the vehicle speed; and adjusting, by the controller, the graph that establishes the relationship between the friction force and the vehicle speed using the decay rate of the plurality of oscillation amplitudes to create an updated graph.

Abstract: A hot formed joined blank includes a first metal blank having an ultimate tensile strength of ?about 1300 MPa to ?about 2000 MPa and defining a first surface, a second metal blank having an ultimate tensile strength of ?about 400 MPa to ?about 1200 MPa and defining a second coated surface having a coating disposed thereon. The coating includes aluminum and silicon or in alternative variations, zinc. A third surface of the second metal blank is joined to the first surface of the first metal blank to form the hot formed joined blank. A weld nugget is disposed along a boundary between the first and second metal blanks that is configured to join the first and second metal blanks, where the weld nugget optionally includes less than or equal to about 1.5 weight percent aluminum or a microstructure comprising austenite and delta-ferrite.

Abstract: A first network device includes a transceiver, a memory and a control module. The transceiver receives an integrated model from a second network device that is separate from the first network device. The memory stores the integrated model and diagnostic trouble code data, most probable cause data, and least probable cause data, which have corresponding cause of issue indications for an issue of a vehicle. The control module while executing the integrated model: compares the cause of issue indications to determine whether the cause of issue indications are consistent such that a same cause of issue is indicated; in response to the cause of issue indications being consistent, displays the same cause of issue, and in response to the cause of issue indications being inconsistent and based on a set of conditions, displays a portion of health related information while refraining from displaying another portion of the health related information.

Abstract: A system for associating perceived and mapped lane edges can include a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions such that the processor is configured to receive a sensor data representing a perceived object; receive map data representing a map object; determine a cost matrix a cost matrix indicative of an association cost for associating the map object to the perceived object; compare the association cost with an association cost threshold; and associate the perceived object with the map object based on the association cost.

Abstract: A system for increasing joint strength and reducing embrittlement in a resistance spot weld of metal workpieces is disclosed. The system comprises a stackup of first and second metal workpieces, and an interface member disposed between the first and second metal workpieces. The interface member comprises a peripheral wall defining a hollow inner portion. The peripheral wall has a first open end extending to a second open end. The first open end is in contact with the first metal workpiece defining a first weld portion thereon. The second open end is in contact with the second metal workpiece defining a second weld portion thereon. The system further comprises a first electrode configured to contact the first metal workpiece to heat the peripheral wall at the first weld portion and join the first metal workpiece with the first open end of the peripheral wall.

Abstract: A drive system includes an inner race member and an outer race member. A first disengageable sprag clutch is disposed between the inner race member and the outer race member, the first disengageable sprag clutch having a drive direction and a freewheeling direction. A second disengageable sprag clutch is disposed between the inner race member and the outer race member, the second disengageable sprag clutch having a drive direction and a freewheeling direction that are opposite the drive direction and the freewheeling direction of the first disengageable sprag clutch.

Abstract: An electric powertrain system includes an electric machine having a rotor and stator. The stator has multiple phase legs, each respective one of which includes a single phase lead connected to two or more parallel stator windings. The stator thus has multiple phase leads collectively conducting phase currents. A rotary output member is connected to the rotor and connectable to a load. A traction power inverter module (TPIM) is electrically connected to the phase legs. Current sensors collectively measure the phase currents. Each respective current sensor is connected to a different phase lead. A controller in communication with the current sensors and the TPIM, in response to a commanded current and the measured phase currents, detects a threshold variation in the measured phase currents indicative of a phase current imbalance fault, and selectively changes a thermodynamic state of the electrified powertrain in response to the fault.

Abstract: A vehicle configured to execute one or more methods for detecting function of a charging receptacle during a charging cycle. The methods include supplying a charging current through the pins; monitoring a pin temperature of the pins during the charging current; and applying a first step function to the charging current. The methods may also include monitoring a first step change in the pin temperature during the first step function; comparing the first step change in the pin temperature to a first expected temperature change to create a first deviation; and comparing the first deviation to a predetermined threshold. If the first deviation exceeds the predetermined threshold, signaling a maintenance alert, and if the first deviation is less than the predetermined threshold, logging the first deviation.