Abstract: A cathode configured for use within a fuel cell system is provided. The cathode includes a cathode substrate. The cathode further includes a coating disposed upon the cathode substrate and including a fluorocarbon polymer additive configured for sintering at a temperature of less than 200° C. The fluorocarbon polymer additive may be mixed with a catalyst ink coating or may be applied separately as a topcoat layer.

Abstract: A system for interfacing a motor vehicle with a person residing in the motor vehicle incudes a monitor that determines the mental state of the person, a module that receives information from the monitor to provide an addition channel to interface between the motor vehicle and the person, and a module that receives information from the monitor to adapt the motor vehicle according to the mental state of the person to enable the system to execute operations based on the mental state of the person.

Abstract: A vehicle, system and method of navigating the vehicle. The system includes a sensor and a processor. The sensor is configured to obtain a first set of detection points representative of a lane of a road section at a first time step and a second set of detection points representative of the lane at a second time step. The processor is configured to determine a set of predicted points for the second time step from the first set of detection points, obtain a set of fused points from the second set of detection points and the set of predicted points, and navigate the vehicle using the set of fused points.

Abstract: An apparatus including a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) antenna of an optical phased array includes a silicon-on-insulator substrate including a silicon wire waveguide embedded within the substrate and a grating layer disposed over the substrate. The grating layer includes a silicon nitride layer coating the silicon-on-insulator substrate and including a plurality of etchings formed in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the optical phased array and a silicon oxynitride layer coating the silicon nitride layer and filling the etchings. The etchings are relatively thin in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the optical phased array at a first end of the optical antenna and are relatively thick in the direction of the longitudinal axis at a second end. The etchings gradually increase in thickness between the first end of the optical phased array and the second end of the optical antenna.

Abstract: The concepts described herein provide a method, system, and apparatus for joining, via welding, first and second members fabricated from an aluminum alloy including aluminum, zinc, and manganese, such as 7000-series aluminum alloys, and a resultant workpiece. A junction is formed by a first member being disposed contiguously to a second member. A welding machine generates a weld pool at the junction that includes liquified aluminum alloy. An ultrasonic transducer directs ultrasonic energy in proximity to the weld pool. In some embodiments, an electro-magnetic transducer directs electro-magnetic energy in proximity to the weld pool. The first member is fused to the second member at the junction upon solidification of the weld pool.

Abstract: A hitch system for automatically coupling a hitch accessory that has an attachment bar assembly with a hitch receiver. The attachment bar assembly includes a housing bar that is tubular, with a pin-hole through the housing bar. A pin-lever is pivotably mounted in the housing bar and includes a pin configured to retract into the housing bar and to extend out of the pin-hole. A ramp-component is disposed in the housing bar and is engageable with the pin-lever. An actuator selectively moves the ramp-component to retract the pin into the housing bar and to extend the pin out of the housing bar, by selectively enabling pivoting of the pin-lever.

Abstract: A method including detecting an obstacle location in response to an image, determining the obstacle location in response to a range measurement received from a range sensor, predicting a tow vehicle path in response to a tow vehicle steering angle and a tow vehicle location, predicting, by a processor, a trailer wheel path in response to the tow vehicle path, a vehicle dimension and a trailer dimension, and generating a warning control signal in response to an intersection of the obstacle location and the trailer wheel path.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a device includes an electric motor configured to generate torque to propel the device. A position sensor is adapted to determine a rotor position of the electric motor. The system includes a controller having instructions recorded for determining the rotor position when a sensor fault condition is detected. The controller is adapted to selectively command injection of a voltage signal in a direct magnetic axis in a synchronous reference frame when a motor speed of the electric motor is below a predefined motor speed threshold and the sensor fault condition is detected. The rotor position is estimated based in part on a motor current response to the voltage signal. The voltage signal is defined by an alternating periodic shape having respective constant segments in each of a plurality of control periods, the respective constant segments being discontinuous between the control periods.

Abstract: An electrode assembly that includes an electroactive material layer and a protective layer disposed on or adjacent to the electroactive material layer is provided. The protective layer includes a carbonaceous matrix formed from a fluoropolymer, where lithium fluoride and a nitrate salt are distributed within the carbonaceous matrix. The protective layer further includes residual fluoropolymer and has a first surface adjacent to the electroactive material layer and a second surface opposite to the first surface. A first compositional gradient in the protective layer is defined from the first surface having a first amount of lithium fluoride that is greater than a second amount of lithium fluoride at the second surface, and a second compositional gradient in the protective layer is defined from the first surface having a first amount of residual fluoropolymer that is less than a second amount of residual fluoropolymer at the second surface.

Abstract: An anodeless electrochemical cell is provided that includes a positive electroactive material layer and a patterned current collector. The patterned current collector includes a non-conductive substrate and a conductive network disposed over a surface of the non-conductive substrate. The surface of the non-conductive substrate defines a first surface area, and a perimeter of the conductive network defines a second surface area. The second surface area covers greater than 90% of the first surface area. The conductive network includes a framework having plurality of pores, such that the conductive network has a porosity greater than or equal to about 20 vol. % to less than or equal to about 95 vol. %. During a charging event, the pores are configured to receive deposited lithium metal. The anodeless electrochemical cell further includes a separator between the positive electroactive material layer and the patterned current collector.

Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle includes a controller adapted to selectively execute an alternative periodic connectivity mode for communication between a user of the vehicle and a remote assistance unit. The vehicle is not connected to a wireless plan. The controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The alternative periodic connectivity mode is activated based in part on at least one automatic trigger and/or a request from the user. The controller is adapted to assign a distinct identifier to the vehicle during execution of the alternative periodic connectivity mode. The distinct identifier is defined by a plurality of parameters, including a connection time interval, an internet protocol address range and a host port. The internet protocol address range and the host port may be dynamically configured to remain disengaged unless given a system clearance.

Abstract: A protection system for a high-voltage component includes a switching circuit and a protection controller. The switching circuit changes a variable arrangement of multiple battery packs between a parallel arrangement and a series arrangement. The protection controller commands the switching circuit into the series arrangement in response to a recharging session, commands a current flow in the recharging session, measures a measured voltage between an input node and a floating chassis ground of the high-voltage component, advances a timer while the measured voltage indicates a presence of an improper voltage, and cancels the recharging session in response to the presence of the improper voltage for greater than an exposure time. The recharging session provides a direct-current fast-charging voltage to battery packs in the series arrangement, and is greater than the battery voltage.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for indicating a driving situation including at least one vehicle. The system includes a first processor, a second processor and an external device. A first processor obtains driving information, encodes the driving information and communicates the encoded driving information to the second processor. The second processor receives and decodes the encoded driving information. The second processor further allocates a predefined indication pattern to the decoded driving information, wherein the predefined indication pattern includes a graphical representation of an upcoming driving event involving the vehicle. An external device visualizes a current driving situation including the vehicle together with the predefined indication pattern.

Abstract: A receiver hitch for a tow vehicle comprises a tubular receiver located centrally of the receiver hitch having a receiver opening facing outwardly of the tow vehicle. Hitch pin openings are located in opposing side-walls of the tubular receiver having a common axis and configured to receive a hitch pin. A detection device, for detection of the hitch pin, is located about an outer portion of the tubular receiver and includes hitch pin openings that are located in opposing side-walls and have the common axis of the hitch pin openings in the tubular receiver. Electrical contacts at the hitch pin openings in the detection device are in communication with an electrical circuit of the tow vehicle. The hitch pin operates to close the electrical circuit upon insertion into the openings in the detection device and the tubular receiver and contact with the electrical contacts.

Abstract: An ultra wide band antenna includes a ground plane and an antenna body. The antenna body includes a planar portion arranged above and parallel to the ground plane. A first tapered portion extends in a perpendicular direction from a first edge of the planar portion towards the ground plane. A lower edge of the first tapered portion is spaced from the ground plane by a predetermined gap. A second tapered portion extends in a perpendicular direction from a second edge of the planar portion towards the ground plane and includes a first portion that is connected to the ground plane.

Abstract: A vehicle, window for the vehicle and lens assembly. The window includes a first glass layer and a second glass layer separated from the first glass layer by a gap. An image sensor is disposed in the gap. A lens is disposed in the gap for focusing light passing through one of the first glass layer and the second glass layer onto the image sensor.