Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting partial discharge in a stator for an electric motor are provided. An exemplary method includes applying a high voltage AC sinewave input signal to the stator and energizing at least one winding therein. The method includes sensing a first resulting load signal occurring in the stator with a first device and filtering the first resulting load signal to form a first high frequency signal indicating any partial discharge (PD) voltage occurring in the stator. The method also includes sensing a second resulting load signal occurring in the stator with a second device and filtering the second resulting load signal to form a second high frequency signal indicating any partial discharge voltage occurring in the stator. Further, the method includes processing the first and second high frequency signals to form a processed signal indicating whether partial discharge occurred.

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: The present disclosure provides a structural assembly including a frame and a plurality of panels. The frame includes a wall partially defining an interior region. The plurality of panels are disposed at least partially in the interior region and coupled to the frame. The plurality of panels includes a first panel and a second panel coupled to the first panel. The first panel includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first surface, and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface and the second surface cooperate to define a first corrugation extending in a first direction between the first side and the second side. The second panel includes a third surface defining a plurality of depressions and a fourth surface opposite the third surface defining a plurality of protrusions. The plurality of protrusions are complementary to the plurality of depressions.

Abstract: A battery system with cell groups arranged in modules and with plurality of modules arranged in individual battery sub-packs includes a controller network configured to monitor the sub-packs. The network includes a plurality of cell monitoring units (CMUs); each CMU connected to one module for processing data for respective cell groups. The network also includes multiple voltage sensors on each CMU, with each sensor detecting voltage across one cell group. The network additionally includes an electronic controller programmed with an algorithm and in wireless communication with each CMU. The algorithm identifies when electrical power is disconnected from the RESS and directs electrical current through a selected sub-pack after power is restored. The algorithm also interrogates voltage sensors of a particular CMU, detects a change in voltage triggered by the current, and records a cross-reference between the particular CMU and the selected sub-pack when the change in voltage is detected.

Abstract: A system includes first, second, and third microphones configured to receive sound waves from a source of the sound waves. The system includes a memory configured to store first, second, and third phase difference maps for the first and second microphones, the second and third microphones, and the third and first microphones. The system includes a processor configured to measure first, second, and third phase differences between the sound waves received from the source by the first and second microphones, the second and third microphones, and the third and first microphones; receive the first, second, and third phase difference maps from the memory; and identify a location of the source of the sound waves based on the first, second, and third phase differences and the first, second, and third phase difference maps for the first and second microphones, the second and third microphones, and the third and first microphones.

Abstract: A vehicle including a vehicle cargo area includes a hinge pin in a wall of the vehicle cargo area, a cargo cover defining first and second slots, a single-piece clip which includes a first fixing feature positioned in the first slot, and a second fixing feature positioned in the second slot. The clip defines a channel receiving the hinge pin.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for detecting an anomaly of a sensor of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: storing a plurality of sensor correlation groups based on vehicle dynamics; processing a subset of signals based on the sensor correlation groups to determine when an anomaly exists; processing the subset of signals based on the sensor correlation group to determine which sensor of the sensor correlation group is anomalous; and generating notification data based on the sensor of the correlation group that is anomalous.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided herein as well as methods for preparing electrochemical cells. The electrochemical cell includes a negative electrode and a positive electrode. The negative electrode includes a prelithiated electroactive material including a lithium silicide. Lithium is present in the prelithiated electroactive material in an amount corresponding to greater than or equal to about 10% of a state of charge of the negative electrode. The electrochemical cell has a negative electrode capacity to positive electrode capacity for lithium (N/P) ratio of greater than or equal to about 1, and the electrochemical cell is capable of operating at an operating voltage of less than or equal to about 5 volts.

Abstract: A vehicle communication and control system includes a first vehicle in signal communication with a remote computing system and/or a second vehicle. The first vehicle includes a sensor configured to capture a raw image having a first image volume and including at least one target object. An image encoder included in the vehicle converts the raw image into a masked image having a second image volume that is less than the first image volume. A segmentation unit included in the remote computing system and/or the second vehicle determines the at least one target object from the masked image, generates a masked segmented image including a sparse segmentation of the at least one target object, and converts the sparse segmentation of the at least one target object into at least one recovered segmented target object indicative of the at least one target object.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide deceleration fuel cutoff regeneration of a gas particulate filter. A powertrain system includes an exhaust system containing the gas particulate filter, which is configured to collect particulate matter from an exhaust gas stream of the powertrain system. A temperature sensor is configured to monitor a temperature of the gas particulate filter. A loading monitor, such as a sensor and/or a model, is configured to provide a loading input of particulate loading of the gas particulate filter. At least one controller is configured to: determine, by comparing the loading input to stored values, whether the gas particulate filter requires the regeneration; effect a warmup of the gas particulate filter when the determination shows the gas particulate filter requires the regeneration; and initiate the regeneration when a value received from the temperature sensor meets a minimum threshold level.

Abstract: A system for determining a trigger amplitude indicating a precursor to a material fracture in a specimen under test includes a microphone converting acoustic emission emitted by the specimen under test into electrical signals. A load is exerted upon the specimen under test and the acoustic emission are emitted when the load causes the specimen under test to undergo deformation prior to the material fracture. A control module is in electrical communication with the microphone and executes instructions to monitor the electrical signals generated by the microphone and filter the electrical signals generated by the microphone. The control module converts the electrical signals generated by the microphone into individual frequency components based on a fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The individual frequency components each include a peak intensity. The control module determines the trigger amplitude based on the peak intensity of the individual frequency components of the FFT.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a test system is provided for testing a power steering system for a vehicle, the test system including a motor, one or more sensors, and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to obtain sensor data pertaining to the motor. The processor is coupled to the one or more sensors and to the motor, and is configured to: determine, using the sensor data, a desired position of the motor for providing a desired amount of torque to the power steering system in order to reach one or more target behaviors: an inertia target, a spring target, a damper target, or a friction target for the power steering system; and provide instructions for the motor to move to the desired position for providing torque to the power steering system.

Abstract: A method to detect an operator of an automobile vehicle includes: identifying if an emergency situation is occurring in an automobile vehicle; determining if a communication device is currently connected or was previously connected in the automobile vehicle; identifying a most recently connected operator of the communication device; and sending a signal identifying the emergency situation is occurring to the most recently connected operator of the communication device.

Abstract: A vehicle sensor training system includes a first computing device configured to receive dynamics data from a host vehicle. A receiving device is configured to receive real time object identification data from a reference target. A second computing device is configured to compile the dynamics data from the first computing device and the real-time object identification data from the receiving device. The second computing device is configured to train a vehicle sensor with the real-time object identification data.

Abstract: An electrical contactor module includes a pair of contactor assemblies each having an input contact, an output contact spaced apart from the input contact, and a linear solenoid disposed proximate the input and output contacts. Each linear solenoid has a housing, a plunger disposed within the housing so as to permit axial displacement of the plunger between an open position in which an end of the plunger is spaced apart from the input and output contacts and a closed position in which the end mechanically contacts and electrically couples the input and output contacts, a spring for biasing the plunger in the open position, and a coil within the housing for urging the plunger from the open position to the closed position along a linear direction. The contactor assemblies are fastened and arranged within an enclosure, with the linear directions for the contactor assemblies pointing in generally opposite directions.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of an intelligent vehicle navigation (IVN) system includes a system controller receiving path plan data for a desired route of a vehicle and, using this path plan data, identifying a low/no-connectivity (LNC) area with limited/no wireless service within the desired route. The IVN system retrieves historical trip data containing time durations to cross the LNC area for a statistically significant number of prior trips across the LNC area; the IVN system constructs a probability distribution of these trip durations. The IVN system tracks a time lapse during which no wireless signal is received from the vehicle after output of the vehicle's last wireless signal before entering the LNC area. A driving incident is predicted responsive to the no-signal time lapse exceeding a predefined threshold within the probability distribution. The system controller responds to the predicted driving incident by transmitting an alert to a third-party entity.

Abstract: A cover for integrated power electronics (IPE), the cover including a first sheet, a second sheet bonded to the first sheet by at least one joining point in a perimeter region, a cavity defined between the bonded first sheet and second sheet, wherein the perimeter region seals the cavity, and a filler material disposed within the cavity.

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.

Abstract: A method and fixture for welding a battery foil-tab assembly is disclosed. The fixture includes a first clamp member having a first clamping surface defining an opening extending into the first clamp member and a second clamp member having a protrusion surrounding a weld slot. The opening of the first clamp member is configured to receive a portion of the protrusion with the battery foil-tab assembly disposed therebetween. The second clamp member is moveable toward the first clamp member to align the weld slot of the second clamp member with the opening of the first clamp member, thereby causing the protrusion to cooperate with the opening of the first clamp to deflect a portion of the battery foil-tab assembly out of a plane parallel with the battery foil-tab assembly. A laser beam is directed at the out of plane portion to laser weld the battery foil-tab assembly.

Abstract: A crankshaft for an internal combustion engine is provided. The crankshaft comprises at least four main journals aligned on a crankshaft axis of rotation defining a centerline. The crankshaft further comprises at least three pin journals. Each pin journal is disposed about a respective pin journal axis and positioned between the main journals. Each of the pin journals is joined to a pair of crank arms. Each pair of crank arms is joined to a respective main journal. Each of the main journals, pin journals, and crank arms is made of a first metallic material. Each crank arm has an over-molded counterweight metallurgically bonded thereto. Each counterweight is disposed opposite a respective pin journal relative to the centerline for balance and stability. Each counterweight is made of a second metallic material. The crankshaft has a weight ratio of the second metallic material to the first metallic material of between 0.20 to 0.50.