Abstract: An electrochemical device according to various aspects of the present disclosure includes an electrochemical cell and an inductor coil. The electrochemical cell includes a current collector. the current collector includes an electrically-conductive material. The inductor coil is configured to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field is configured to induce an eddy current in the current collector to generate heat in the current collector. In various aspects, the present disclosure also provides a method of internally heating an electrochemical cell. In various aspects, the present disclosure also provides a method of controlling heating of an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A method in a rate adaptive system includes categorizing, by an encoder, a plurality of clusters of data in a segmented image into one of a plurality of categories corresponding to a different predetermined label with a predetermined priority level; vectorizing, by the encoder, the data to generate a sparse vector xi for its corresponding label; encoding, by the encoder, a plurality of the sparse vectors xi by multiplying a measurement matrix Ai(t) with the sparse vector xi to generate a set of encoded information yi; transmitting, by the encoder to the decoder, the plurality of sets of the encoded information yi in a prioritized order; decoding, by the decoder, the plurality of sets of encoded information yi to determine the plurality of the sparse vectors xi based on determining measurement matrix Ai(t); and uniting the plurality of the sparse vectors xi into a single image frame.

Abstract: A modular additive manufactured tool assembly includes a perishable tool and a tool holder coupled to the perishable tool. The tool assembly is configured to be coupled to a machine spindle. The tool assembly also includes a spindle connection coupled to the tool holder. The spindle connection is configured to be coupled to a machine spindle. Each of the tool holder and the perishable tool includes a perishable material. Each of the tool holder and the perishable tool is manufactured using an additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: The concepts described herein relate to a calculation of desired future longitudinal horizons related to torque or acceleration, and desired future lateral horizons related to yaw rate and lateral velocity, and their use in response to driver-selectable modes. In the longitudinal direction, driver inputs of pedal and brake position as well as drivability metrics are used to calculate the desired future torque trajectory. In the lateral direction, the front and rear steering angles may be used with a bicycle model to derive the trajectories. The trajectories are used in a vehicle motion controller that uses weighting to tradeoff competing requests and deliver performance that is consistent with a selected driver mode, such as a tour mode, a sport mode, an off-road mode, a trailering mode, etc.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell for a lithium battery includes a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a polymeric separator, and composite flame retardant particles including a particulate host material and a flame retardant material carried by the particulate host material. The composite flame retardant particles may be positioned within the electrochemical cell along a lithium-ion transport path or an electron transport path that extends through or between one or more components of the electrochemical cell. The composite flame retardant particles may be positioned within polymeric portions of a laminate structure that defines a housing in which the electrochemical cell is enclosed.

Abstract: Vehicles and methods for detecting a three-dimensional (3D) position of a traffic sign and controlling a feature of the vehicle based on the 3D position of the traffic sign. An image is received from a camera. The image is processed using a neural network. The neural network includes a traffic sign class block regressing a traffic sign class for a traffic sign included in the image and a rotation block regressing an orientation for the traffic sign. Dimensions for the traffic sign are retrieved from an information database based on the traffic sign class. A 3D position of the traffic sign is determined based on the dimensions of the traffic sign and the orientation of the traffic sign. A feature of the vehicle is controlled based on the 3D position of the traffic sign.

Abstract: A negative electrode for an electrochemical cell of a secondary lithium metal battery is manufactured by a method in which a precursor solution is applied to a major surface of a lithium metal substrate to form a precursor coating thereon. The precursor solution includes an organophosphate, a nonpolar organic solvent, and a lithium-containing inorganic ionic compound dissolved therein. At least a portion of the nonpolar organic solvent is removed from the precursor coating to form a protective interfacial layer on the major surface of the lithium metal substrate. The protective interfacial layer exhibits a composite structure including a carbon-based matrix component and a lithium-containing dispersed component. The lithium-containing dispersed component is embedded in the carbon-based matrix component and includes a plurality of lithium-containing inorganic ionic compounds, e.g., lithium phosphate (Li3PO4) and lithium nitrate (LiNO3).

Abstract: An energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle propulsion system includes a first battery electrically coupled to a first voltage bus, a second battery electrically coupled to a second voltage bus, and a bidirectional DC/DC power converter electrically coupled to the voltage buses. A starter for cranking an engine is electrically coupled to the first voltage bus. A controller executes computer code stored in memory. The computer code is configured to operate the converter in a boost mode to transfer power from the second voltage bus to the first voltage bus, in response to the controller determining that: a power capability of the first battery is below a power demand on the first voltage bus; a state of charge of the first battery is below a state of charge threshold; or a temperature of the first battery is below a temperature threshold.

Abstract: A method of resistance spot welding a stacked assembly of dissimilar workpieces. The stack assembly includes a first workpiece formed of a first alloy, a second workpiece formed of a second alloy, and a third workpiece formed of a third alloy sandwiched between the first workpiece and the second workpiece. The third alloy includes a lower resistivity than the first alloy and a lower resistivity than the second alloy. A faying interface is defined by a portion of the first workpiece in direct contact with a portion of the second workpiece through the third workpiece. A weld nugget, a braze, or a combination of a weld nugget and a braze joins the first workpiece to the second workpiece at the faying interface. An annular ring of re-solidified molten pool of third alloy surrounds the faying interface and a region of re-solidified partially melted third alloy surrounding the annular ring.

Abstract: A component assembly system comprises a first robot arm having a first end-of-arm tool mounted thereon and adapted to grasp a first subcomponent; a second robot arm having a second end of arm tool mounted thereon and adapted to grasp a second subcomponent. A system controller is adapted to control the first and second robot arms and first and second end-of-arm tools to position the first and second subcomponents relative to one another. A first interlocking mechanism is mounted onto the first end-of-arm tool and a second interlocking mechanism is mounted onto the second end-of-arm tool, wherein the first and second interlocking mechanisms engage one another and lock the first end-of-arm tool to the second end-of arm tool, thereby locking the first and second subcomponents into an initial position relative to one another.

Abstract: A cruise control method to control a driven vehicle includes: determining projected speeds of the driven vehicle at each of the predetermined-upcoming locations; determining a plurality of following times at each of the predetermined-upcoming locations of the driven vehicle and the projected speeds of the followed vehicle; determining whether at least one of the plurality of following times is less than the predetermined-minimum time threshold; and in response to determining that at least one plurality of following times is less than the predetermined-minimum time threshold, commanding, by the controller, the propulsion system of the driven vehicle to decrease the commanded axle torque by a torque adjustment in order to prevent each of the plurality of following times at each of the predetermined-upcoming locations from being less than the predetermined-minimum time threshold.

Abstract: A method, autonomous vehicle and system for operating an autonomous vehicle. A sensor obtains data of an agent. A processor determines a measure of complexity of the environment in which the autonomous vehicle is operating from the sensor data, selects a control scheme for operating the autonomous vehicle based on the determined complexity, and operates the autonomous vehicle using the selected control scheme.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, systems, and computer readable storage medium for a method for providing path-planning guidance by resolving multiple behavioral predictions associated with operating a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes installing a vehicle system into a vehicle, wherein the vehicle system provides path planning guidance based on training data using and fused hypotheses and/or decisions associated with the training data. The method further includes determining, by a processor, a location of the vehicle on a map containing a road network, and determining, by the processor, whether one or more agents exist within a predetermined range of the vehicle. The method further includes selecting, by the processor, an output trajectory to traverse the road network based on the location of the vehicle on the map and the existence of one or more agents. The method further includes controlling, by the processor, operation of the vehicle using the output trajectory.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to detecting operation of an autonomous vehicle on an untrusted network. The autonomous vehicle retrieves a beacon token from a data store of the autonomous vehicle. The beacon token comprises an identifier for the autonomous vehicle and an identifier for a server computing device. The autonomous vehicle generates a data packet based upon the beacon token, wherein the data packet includes the identifier for the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle transmits the data packet to the server computing device. When the data packet is transmitted via a trusted network, networking rules of the trusted network prevent the data packet from being received by the server computing device. When the data packet is transmitted via the untrusted network, the server computing device receives the data packet. Responsive to receiving the data packet, the server computing device generates and transmits an alert to a computing device.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block, a combustion cylinder including a cylinder wall, engine oil and engine coolant. Control of the internal combustion engine includes estimating the cylinder wall temperature in a temperature state estimator, comparing the estimated cylinder wall temperature to a predetermined temperature threshold, and circulating the engine coolant in the engine when the estimated cylinder wall temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature threshold.

Abstract: A method of arranging platooning vehicles based on the vehicles' historic wireless performance. The method includes a requesting vehicle requesting permission from a lead vehicle of a platoon to join the platoon. The lead vehicle determines if the Advance Driver Assisted Systems (ADAS) Instance State-of-Health (SOH) Scores are above a predetermined minimal threshold and if so, then whether the Overall Historic ADAS SOH Score contains one or more discrepancies. If the Overall Historic ADAS SOH Score contains no discrepancies, the lead vehicle than analyzes the historic wireless performance data from the requesting vehicle and determines a historic wireless performance (WP) score for the requesting vehicle. The requesting vehicle is then arranged in the platoon based on the relative historic WP score of the requesting vehicle to the WP score of the platooning vehicles.

Abstract: A vehicle safety seat system comprises: i) a vehicle seat configured to move to a substantially reclining position, the vehicle seat comprising a seat back and a seat bottom; and ii) a first support arm associated with the seat back, the first support arm including a first airbag on a lower surface of the first support arm, the first support arm holding the first airbag in a position above the thorax of a passenger reclining in the vehicle seat. The first airbag inflates in the event of a collision and provides protection between the first support arm and the thorax of the passenger.

Abstract: A method of joining two ferrous alloy component parts. The method includes hot metal casting a portion of a first ferrous alloy component part onto a first joining surface of a low carbon intermediate element; friction fitting a joining surface of a second ferrous alloy component part against a second joining surface of the low carbon intermediate element; and fusion welding with a concentrated energy source the intermediate element to the second ferrous alloy component part. The hot metal casting includes flowing a molten ferrous alloy onto the textured first joining surface, wherein the molten ally encompasses tabs extending from the first joining surface and filling apertures defined in the intermediate element. Then cooling the molten ferrous alloy such that a metallurgical and mechanical bond is formed between the portion of the first ferrous alloy component part and the first joining surface of the low carbon intermediate element.