Abstract: A paint application system for an object in a paint submersion operation. The paint application system includes at least one clamp configured to be coupled to the object, and an auxiliary vibration apparatus coupled to the at least one clamp. The auxiliary vibration apparatus is configured to introduce sympathetic vibrations into the object in the paint submersion operation.

Abstract: A hybrid material housing for a battery is provided for reducing or minimizing thermal runaway propagation. The housing includes a composite structure that contains the battery and optionally includes a polymeric matrix selected from the group consisting of: epoxy, phenolic resin, polyester, vinyl ester, and combinations thereof and a reinforcing material selected from the group consisting of: glass fibers, carbon fibers, basalt fibers, aromatic polyamide KEVLAR® fibers, and combinations thereof. A metal layer is disposed along an exterior surface of the composite structure that comprises aluminum, steel, stainless steel, alloys, and combinations thereof. In a first mode, the metal layer contacts the composite structure and in a second mode after exposure to a thermal load of greater than or equal to about 500° C., the metal layer at least partially delaminates from the exterior surface and forms insulating air gaps to define a thermal barrier.

Abstract: An operating system for a vehicle having an electric vehicle (EV) drivetrain and a plurality of electrically-powered accessories is described. A controller determines, via a navigation system, a target off-road trail segment, and characterizes the subject vehicle, ambient conditions, and the target off-road trail segment to determine an estimated consumption of electric energy for the vehicle to operate over the target off-road trail segment. The EV drivetrain and the electrically-powered accessories are controlled during operation of the vehicle on the off-road trail segment based upon the estimated consumption of electric energy for the subject vehicle. This is done to minimize a likelihood of a low SOC event for the DC power source for the trail segment and to avoid a low battery state at a location that is distal from a charging station.

Abstract: A partially assembled vehicle that autonomously completes its own assembly, including a chassis, wheels that are rotationally coupled to the chassis, a drive system mounted on the chassis and in operational communication with the wheels, a navigation system, a central platform controller, and a position determining system. Added thereto is a safety sensor guidance system and a controller circuit programmed to begin a temporary takeover of the central platform controller, responsive to an external fleet control. The temporary takeover including the steps of identifying a plurality of assembly stations that the partially assembled vehicle must visit to complete its own assembly; constructing a sequence in which to visit each of the plurality of assembly stations; and commanding the drive system to propel and steer the partially assembled vehicle through the sequence of the plurality of assembly stations, responsive to sensor input from the safety sensor guidance system.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel cell system having a hydrogen fuel injector/ejector and a control system, includes determining a hydrogen fuel consumption rate associated with a selected power level at steady state, determining a modeled hydrogen fuel flow rate associated with the selected power level and the injector/ejector, determining a modeled effective flow area associated with the injector/ejector, determining a true effective flow area of the injector/ejector, and using the effective flow area to calculate or adjust a command signal, an estimation or an estimation error of at least one of a hydrogen fuel flow rate, an anode leak rate and an anode exhaust valve flow rate.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of manufacturing a vehicle body structure component. The method includes extruding a tube to include at least one reinforced region extending along a length of the tube. The tube has a first thickness in the at least one reinforced region and a second thickness in other regions of the tube. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness. The method further includes cutting a blank from the tube such that the blank includes at least a portion of the at least one reinforced region and forming the blank into a desired shape of the component.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided that includes: receiving an input as to a destination of travel for a vehicle; identifying, via a processor, a plurality of routes for the vehicle to travel to the destination; determining, via the processor, for each of the plurality of routes, a measure of difficulty of vehicle maneuvers for the vehicle to reach the destination via the route; and performing a vehicle action, via instructions provided by the processor, based on the respective measures of difficulty for the plurality of routes.

Abstract: Methods, systems and vehicles are provided for controlling a wireless application provided to a wireless device over a wireless network. One or more radio frequency (RF) parameters of the wireless device in the wireless network are triggered by the wireless application. One or more sensors generate sensor data of the wireless device in the wireless network. A processor at least facilitates determining whether an adjustment is appropriate for the wireless device in the wireless device to mitigate interference from wireless signals outside the wireless network, based on the sensor data, wherein the determination as to whether an adjustment is appropriate is based at least on part on whether the wireless application is being utilized for the wireless device in the wireless network; and adjusting, via instructions provided by the processor, a sensitivity of a receiver of the wireless device, based on the determination that the adjustment is appropriate.

Abstract: A rechargeable energy storage system, includes a housing. A plurality of battery cells are disposed in the housing. A discharge vent passage is in communication with the housing, the discharge vent passage including a one-way valve and a nozzle. A chamber is in communication with the nozzle and including an air inlet passage with a one-way valve. An outlet pipe is connected to the chamber. According to an aspect, the air inlet passage of the thermal vent management system is arranged as a Venturi opening adjacent to the nozzle.

Abstract: A bushing assembly for a stabilizer bar in a vehicle includes a split ring defining a passageway engaging with an outer surface of the stabilizer bar, an outer diameter surface, a first split ring end, a second split ring end, and at least one axial retention flange disposed at either the first split ring end or the second split ring end. The bushing assembly includes an elastomer bushing defining an inner diameter, an outer diameter, a first bushing end, a second bushing end, a first axial flange disposed at the first bushing end, and a second axial flange at the second bushing end. At least one of the first axial flange and the second axial flange abut against the at least one axial retention flange of the split ring to create a zero clearance condition. The bushing assembly also includes a strap clamp securing the bushing assembly to the vehicle.

Abstract: An augmented reality head up display system includes an audio microphone array, a driver position tracking device, and an augmented reality head up display. The augmented reality head up display system also includes a controller in electronic communication with the audio microphone array, the driver position tracking device, and the augmented reality head up display, where the controller is programmed to: receive audio data from the audio microphone array corresponding to audio detected by the audio microphone array, classify the audio data as corresponding to an audio event occurring in an environment surrounding the vehicle, and display a graphic corresponding to the audio event on the windscreen of the vehicle using the augmented reality head up display and input from the driver position tracking device.

Abstract: A stator core assembly for an axial flux electric motor for an automobile includes a cylindrical outer case that defines a central axis, first and second disk shaped insulate frames axially spaced from one another and positioned within the outer case, each of the first and second insulate frames including a circular outer ring, a circular inner ring and a plurality of radial spokes extending between the outer ring and the inner ring and spaced circumferentially about the central axis, and a plurality of segmented core sections extending axially between the first and second insulate frames spaced circumferentially around and supported by the first and second insulate frames, wherein, a radial spoke is positioned between each adjacent pair of segmented core sections, and at least one radial spoke extends across each axial end of each one of the plurality of segmented core sections.

Abstract: An electrolyte is provided. The electrolyte includes a solvent containing propylene carbonate (PC); a lithium salt dissolved in the solvent; a first additive dissolved in the solvent, the first additive being configured to stabilize an anode solid electrolyte interphase; a second additive dissolved in the solvent, the second additive being configured to stabilize at least one of an anode, a cathode, or the lithium salt; and a third additive dissolved in the solvent, the third additive being configured to stabilize at least one of an anode, a cathode, or the lithium salt. The first, second, and third additives are chemically distinct. Electrochemical cells including the electrolyte are also provided.

Abstract: A controller processes data from one or more sensors of a subsystem of a vehicle. The processing includes smoothing the data and calculating a mean of the data. The controller identifies a transition point in the processed data where a moving average of the data is less than the mean by a predetermined amount indicating a trend. The controller selects a segment of the processed data subsequent to the transition point, detects the trend in the segment using regression, and extrapolates the detected trend to reach a predetermined fault threshold. The controller predicts a failure of the subsystem based on a slope of the extrapolated trend and provides an indication of the prediction based on the slope to schedule a service for the subsystem.

Abstract: A paint application system for an object in a paint submersion operation. The paint application system includes at least one clamp configured to be coupled to the object, and an auxiliary vibration apparatus coupled to the at least one clamp. The auxiliary vibration apparatus is configured to introduce sympathetic vibrations into the object in the paint submersion operation.

Abstract: A rotor core for an electric machine of an automobile includes a core stack including a plurality of lamination plates, each lamination plate including a plurality of apertures formed therein, the apertures of each of the lamination plates axially aligned to define a plurality of magnet slots extending axially through the core stack, a plurality of magnets stacked axially within each of the plurality of magnet slots along a length of the core stack, at least one of the plurality of magnet slots including a cavity extending axially along the length of the core stack, and a wedge inserted within the cavity adapted to apply a lateral force onto the plurality of magnets within the at least one magnet slot to secure the plurality of magnets within the at least one magnet slot.

Abstract: An architecture for a chip-scale optical phased array-based scanning frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) Light-detection and ranging (LiDAR) device is described. The LiDAR device includes a laser, a transmit optical splitter, an optical circulator, photodetectors, and an optical phased array. The laser, the transmit optical splitter, the optical circulator, the photodetectors, and the optical phased array are arranged as a chip-scale package on a single semiconductor substrate. The laser generates a first light beam that is transmitted to the optical phased array aperture via the transmit optical splitter, the optical circulator, and the optical phased array. A fraction of the first light beam is transmitted to the photodetectors via the transmit optical splitter to serve as the optical local oscillator (LO), the aperture of the optical phased array captures a second light beam that is transmitted to the photodetectors via the optical phased array and the optical circulator.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite component according to various aspects of the present disclosure includes disposing a fiber preform in a mold. The fiber preform includes a first portion having a first edge and a second portion having a second edge. The first edge and the second edge cooperate to at least partially define a gap. One of the first portion or the second portion includes a first ferromagnetic material and the other of the first portion or the second portion includes a first magnetic or magnetizable component. The method further includes closing the gap by generating a magnetic field from the first magnetic or magnetizable component. The method further includes injecting a polymer precursor into the mold. The method further includes forming the composite component by solidifying the polymer precursor to form a polymer. The composite component includes the fiber preform and the polymer.

Abstract: Presented are shock-force mitigation systems for fuel cell stacks, methods for making/using such systems, and electric-drive vehicles equipped with such systems. A fuel cell system includes multiple electrochemical fuel cells that are stacked face-to-face along a stack axis to define a fuel cell stack. A push plate abuts each longitudinal end of the fuel cell stack; these push plates translate rectilinearly along the stack axis inside a fuel cell stack housing. An end plate is located in facing spaced relation to each push plate to define a plate pair at each end of the stack. An active or passive force-modifying device is interposed between the two plates in each plate pair; these devices modify stack forces experienced by the fuel cell stack. For an active shock-force mitigation system, each force-modifying device may include a bladder system, spring, and/or linear actuator; an electronic system controller controls activation of the bladders/actuators.

Abstract: A method mitigates an unintended lateral motion (ULM) event of a motor vehicle having a powertrain system with multiple propulsion actuators. The method, which may be recorded on a computer readable storage medium and executed therefrom by a processor, includes identifying, via an electronic controller of the motor vehicle, a present dynamic operating region at an onset of the ULM event as a linear or non-linear operating region. Lateral motion includes lateral acceleration and/or lateral yaw of the motor vehicle. The method also includes determining whether the lateral motion exceeds calibrated lateral dynamic limits for the particular operating region, and executing a powertrain control action in different manners depending on whether the ULM event occurs in the non-linear or linear operating region. The powertrain control action includes changing a dynamic speed state of at least one of the propulsion actuators.