Abstract: An electric drive system, method and apparatus includes a rechargeable energy storage unit, a power inverter, and a rotary electric machine. Transfer of electrical power between the rechargeable energy storage unit and the rotary electric machine is governed by a pulse width modulation (PWM) switching frequency, which is one of a non-six-step switching mode or a six-step switching mode. Executable instructions determine a rotational speed, a torque command, a torque direction, a bus voltage, and a hysteresis band, determine a modulation index command in response to the rotational speed, the torque command, the torque direction, and the bus voltage, and command operation of the rotary electric machine in one of the non-six-step switching mode or the six-step switching mode employing the modulation index command.

Abstract: A system for supervisory control for eAWD and eLSD in a motor vehicle includes a control module, and sensors and actuators disposed on the motor vehicle. The sensors measure real-time motor vehicle data, and the actuators alter behavior of the motor vehicle. The control module receives the real-time data; receives one or more driver inputs to the motor vehicle; determines a status of a body of the motor vehicle; determines a status of axles of the motor vehicle; determines a status of each wheel of the motor vehicle; and generates a control signal to the actuators from the driver inputs and the body, axle, and wheel statuses. The control module also exercises supervisory control by actively adjusting constraints on the control signal to each of the actuators where actively adjusting constraints on the control signal alters boundaries of control actions in response to the one or more driver inputs.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for recirculation of an engine exhaust gas. The system includes an engine, an exhaust system configured to channel exhaust gas from the engine to an outlet, an aftertreatment device, an exhaust recirculation system configured to divert at least some of the exhaust gas as recirculated exhaust gas from a first position in the exhaust system downstream of the aftertreatment device, through a buffer tank, and to a second position in the exhaust system upstream of the aftertreatment device, wherein the recirculated exhaust gas is combined with the exhaust gas at the second position, a controller configured to, by a processor, selectively operate the exhaust recirculation system to control the exhaust recirculation system to divert the exhaust gas and thereby cause the recirculated exhaust gas to be treated with the aftertreatment device more than once with sequentially increased catalyst temperatures.

Abstract: A vehicle and a system and method of controlling the vehicle. The system includes a sensor and a processor. The sensor obtains a first estimate of a force on a tire of the vehicle based on dynamics of the vehicle. The processor is configured to obtain a second estimate of the force on the tire using a tire model, determine an estimate of a coefficient of friction between the tire and the road from the first estimate of the force and the second estimate of the force, and control the vehicle using the estimate of the coefficient of friction.

Abstract: An emergency disconnect circuit for use with a high-voltage (HV) bus of a battery electric system, e.g., aboard a mobile system, includes a pyrotechnic switch and a manual switch. The pyrotechnic switch configured irreversibly opens in response to an electronic triggering signal to disconnect an HV battery pack from the HV bus in a first manner. The manual switch is arranged on a low-voltage (LV) bus in series with and between the pyrotechnic switch and an LV power supply. Transition of the manual switch from an open position to a closed position connects the LV power supply to the pyrotechnic switch. This causes the LV power supply to discharge the triggering signal to the pyrotechnic switch. When used aboard a mobile system, an electronic monitoring unit generates the triggering signal in a second manner in response to a threshold impact event.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing guidance when reversing a vehicle towing a trailer. In one embodiment, a method includes: storing, in a data storage device, parameters associated with the vehicle and the trailer; when the vehicle towing the trailer is determined to be operating in reverse, receiving image data associated with an environment of the vehicle; computing, by a processor, an anticipated yaw rate of the trailer based on the parameters and steering angle data; determining, by the processor, at least one feature of at least one trailer guideline based on the anticipated hitch angle; and generating, by the processor, display data based on the image data and the at least one feature of the at least one trailer guideline.

Abstract: Systems and methods of testing a vehicle system. The systems and methods generate a simulation of a driving scenario to provide simulation video data, display the simulation on a monitor using the simulation video data, capture the displayed simulation using a camera system of the vehicle system to provide video data, process the video data using a perception algorithm to detect and track objects in the video data to provide perception data, control a vehicle actuator of the vehicle system in response to the perception data to provide command data, and adapt the simulation based on the command data. The camera system has a field of view and the monitor has a viewable area. The simulation of the driving scenario is scaled in proportion to a ratio of the field of view of the camera projected onto the monitor and dimensions of the viewable area.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for providing multi-trailer reverse assistance. In a multi-trailer reverse assistance system in an articulated transport system comprising a lead vehicle, an intermediate trailer, and a final trailer, the reverse assist system includes a controller. The controller is configured to: receive a view of an environment behind the final trailer; cause the view to be displayed in a display screen of a user interface device; receive, via a secondary steering device of the user interface device, a user intended direction of travel of the articulated transport system in reverse to direct the final trailer in a desired direction; continuously calculate controllable steering angles for directing the articulated transport system to direct the final trailer in the desired direction; and control the articulated transport system to direct the final trailer in the desired direction using the calculated controllable steering angles.

Abstract: A battery pack for a direct current (DC) voltage bus includes a battery disconnect unit (BDU) operable for controlling a connection state of the battery pack with respect to the DC voltage bus, first and second battery sections, and six transfer conductors, e.g., busbars or cables/wires. The first battery section has first and second battery modules with corresponding battery cells. The first and second battery modules are connected in series. The first and second battery sections are connected in parallel. The second battery section has third and fourth battery modules each with additional battery cells, with the third and fourth battery modules connected in series. The six transfer conductors collectively interconnect the battery modules, sections, and BDU. A total battery current is divided equally between the battery sections, with the transfer conductors being rated for half of the total battery current.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for a digital flashlight for a vehicle. In another exemplary embodiment, a system is provided that includes a display of a vehicle; and a processor coupled to the display of the vehicle and a camera of the vehicle and configured to at least facilitate: obtaining a camera image frame via the camera of the vehicle; determining a first region of the camera image frame having a first brightness level; determining a second region of the camera image frame having a second brightness level that is greater than the first brightness level; and providing instructions to the display of the vehicle for displaying the first region with increased brightness that is based on the second brightness level.

Abstract: A charging cable assembly for charging a first plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) from a second PEV includes first and second female sockets for connecting the first and second PEVs. The cable assembly additionally includes a charging station emulator for providing two-way communication between the first and second PEVs and monitoring ability of the first PEV to accept a charge and ability of the second PEV to supply the charge. The cable assembly further includes an electrical cable bundle having a first distal end connected to the first female socket and a second distal end connected to the second female socket. The cable bundle is in electrical communication with the charging station emulator and is configured to transmit the charge and provide two-way communication between the first and second PEVs.

Abstract: A method for enabling a V2V communications link between a trailer and a first tow vehicle including receiving a towing system activation control signal, transmitting a tow vehicle request, receiving a first tow vehicle response including a first tow vehicle location and a first tow vehicle identifier, determining a first distance between the first tow vehicle and the trailer, and enabling the V2V communications link in response to the first distance being less than a threshold distance.

Abstract: An example of a negative electrode includes silicon nanoparticles having a carbon coating thereon. The carbon coating has an oxygen-free structure including pentagon rings. The negative electrode with the silicon nanoparticles having the carbon coating thereon may be incorporated into a lithium-based battery. In an example of a method, silicon nanoparticles are provided. A carbon precursor is applied on the silicon nanoparticles. The carbon precursor is an oxygen-free, fluorene-based polymer. Then the silicon nanoparticles are heated in an inert gas atmosphere to form the carbon coating on the silicon nanoparticles. The carbon coating formed on the silicon nanoparticles has an oxygen-free structure including pentagon rings.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for scheduling pre-departure charging for electric vehicles includes predicting a user-departure time based on a first machine learning prediction model. The method further includes determining a cabin temperature to be set for the user at the user-departure time based on a second machine learning prediction model. The method further includes determining a battery-temperature to be set at the user-departure time based on a third machine learning prediction model. The method further includes determining a present charge level of a battery of the electric vehicle. The method further includes computing a charging start-time to start charging the battery based on one or more attributes of a charging station to which the electric vehicle is coupled, and based on the user-departure time, the cabin temperature, and the battery-temperature. The method further includes initiating charging the battery at the charging start-time.

Abstract: A method of forming a component includes providing a work-piece blank from a formable material. The work-piece blank includes at least one section having a surface roughness greater than 1 ?m configured to facilitate efficient radiation of thermal energy therefrom when the work-piece blank is heated. The method also includes austenitizing the work-piece blank via heating the work-piece blank at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined amount of time to achieve an austenite microstructure in the at least one section and forestall oxidation of the work-piece blank. The method additionally includes transferring the austenitized work-piece blank into a forming press. The method also includes forming the component via the forming press from the austenitized work-piece blank. The method additionally includes quenching the component formed from the austenitized work-piece blank and cooling the formed component.

Abstract: A fuel tank system includes a fuel tank and a fuel pump assembly arranged in the fuel tank and including a fuel pump and a vacuum source. A fuel tank venting system includes a first vent valve arranged in the fuel tank. A storage vessel is arranged in the fuel tank and in fluid communication with the first vent valve. A first fluid line arranged in the fuel tank connecting the storage vessel to the vacuum source of the fuel pump assembly. A second fluid line connects the storage vessel to an evaporative emission system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicle motion control are provided. The method includes: calculating a correction factor using one of three different sets of operations when the vehicle is performing a limit handling maneuver, wherein the correction factor is calculated using a first set of operations when the vehicle is operating in an understeer state, calculated using a second set of operations when the vehicle is operating in an oversteer state, and calculated using a third set of operations when the vehicle is operating in a neutral steer state; adjusting a desired lateral acceleration and a desired yaw rate by applying the correction factor to account for a reduced level of friction experienced by the vehicle when traveling on a non-ideal friction surface; calculating optimal control actions based on the adjusted desired lateral acceleration and adjusted desired yaw rate; and applying the optimal control actions with vehicle actuators during vehicle operations.