Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for management of a thermal system. A system for thermal management includes a thermal system with fluid conduits. A sensor is disposed to monitor an input parameter state of the thermal system. An actuator is configured to vary a flow in the fluid conduits. A controller is configured to receive a signal representative of the input parameter state; process an actuator state through a flow model of the thermal system to obtain an existing flow in the fluid conduits; process the existing flow through a thermal model of the thermal system to determine an input that reduces an error between a desired parameter state and the input parameter state; process the input through an inverse flow model to convert the input to a desired actuator state; and position the actuator in the desired actuator state.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating electrodes include coating a current collector with a slurry to form a coated current collector. The slurry includes a dry fraction, including silicon particles, polymeric binders, and one or more types of naturally occurring carbonaceous filaments, and one or more solvents. The coated current collector is heat treated to produce the electrode having a layer of silicon-based host material. The one or more naturally occurring carbonaceous filaments can include animal fibers, chitin, alginate, cellulose, keratin, and chitosan, and can have an average length of 1 ?m to 50 ?m and an average diameter of 1 nm to 500 nm. The dry fraction can include 5 wt. % to 95 wt. % silicon particles, 0.1 wt. % to 15 wt. % polymeric binders, and 1 wt. % to 20 wt. % naturally occurring carbonaceous filaments. The method can include assembling a battery cell by disposing the electrode and a positive electrode in electrolyte.

Abstract: Systems and methods involve transmitting both horizontal and vertical polarizations from a radar system. A method includes receiving, using a first antenna of the radar system, first reflected signals with horizontal polarization, and receiving, using a second antenna of the radar system, second reflected signals with vertical polarization. The first reflected signals and the second reflected signals are processed together to obtain one or more angles to respective one or more objects detected by the radar system.

Abstract: A battery cell thermal conditioning system for a vehicle includes a battery pack having multiple battery cells. Multiple foam layers are individually positioned between first successive ones of the battery cells. A first carbon nanotube sheet is positioned in direct contact with one of the battery cells on a first side of the foam layers and a second carbon nanotube sheet is positioned in direct contact with a different one of the battery cells on a second side of the foam layers. A cooling plate is positioned between second successive ones of the battery cells. A controller directs current flow to the first carbon nanotube sheet and the second carbon nanotube sheet when a temperature of the one of the battery cells contacted by the carbon nanotube sheet drops below a predetermined threshold temperature.

Abstract: A system for closest in path vehicle following using surrounding vehicles motion flow is provided and includes a sensor device of a host vehicle generating data related to vehicles upon a drivable surface. The system further includes a navigation controller including a computerized processor operable to monitor the data from the sensor device, define a portion of the plurality of vehicles as a swarm of vehicles, identify one of the plurality of vehicles as a closest in path vehicle to be followed, evaluate the data to determine whether the closest in path vehicle to be followed is exhibiting good behavior in relation to the swarm of vehicles, and, when the closest in path vehicle to be followed is exhibiting the good behavior, generate a breadcrumbing navigation path based upon the data. The system further includes a vehicle controller controlling the host vehicle based upon the breadcrumbing navigation path.

Abstract: A roll-and-peel tool includes a frame, a roller, two traction rims, a peeling wheel, and a trailer arm. A roller shaft is supported by the frame, and the roller is rotatable relative to the frame on the shaft. The traction rims are axially-spaced from one another with a roller midportion between the traction rims and the traction rims extending outward of the roller midportion. The peeling wheel is rotatable about a wheel shaft and has two traction hubs axially-spaced from one another and protrusions extending proud at an exterior surface of the peeling wheel between the traction hubs. The trailer arm connects the wheel and roller shafts so that the traction hubs interface with the traction rims and a gap is defined between the roller and the peeling wheel with the protrusions extending into the gap. A method of installing a trim component may be carried out with the tool.

Abstract: A radar system may include a transmitter, a receiver, and a controller. The controller may calculate a received beam response spectrum based on the received reflected radar signal, detect a first maximum value of the received beam response spectrum, identify an angle corresponding to the first maximum value as a first target angle, obtain a threshold envelope based on the first maximum value and the first target angle, detect a second maximum value in a portion of the received beam response spectrum being greater than the threshold envelope, identify an angle corresponding to the second maximum value as a second target angle, and output the first target angle as the angle of arrival of the reflected radar signal from the first target and the second target angle as the angle of arrival of the reflected radar signal from the second target.

Abstract: A piston assembly for an internal combustion engine of a motor includes a piston head having an outer diameter surface spaced a first distance from the longitudinal axis and an annular surface spaced a second distance from the longitudinal axis, with the second distance being less than the first distance. Upper and lower walls extend between the annular surface and the outer diameter surface so as to define an annular groove in the outer diameter surface. A piston ring is received within the annular groove and includes an inner diameter surface facing the annular surface of the piston head. The inner diameter surface of the piston ring and the annular surface of the piston head cooperate with one another to define a plurality of pockets angularly spaced from one another about the longitudinal axis and configured to receive oil.

Abstract: A method for controlling transient operation of a rotary electric machine in an electric powertrain or other electrical system includes, during a shunt angle transition occurring during a maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) control region, determining an estimated output torque of the electric machine via a torque estimation block using d-axis and q-axis current commands and an additional value, i.e., an actual shunt angle or a machine temperature. The method includes subtracting the estimated output torque from a commanded output torque to derive an adjusted commanded torque value or torque error, and calculating, from the torque error, a delta d-axis current command and a delta q-axis current command. The method includes adjusting d-axis and q-axis current commands using the delta commands to produce adjusted d-axis and q-axis current commands, which are then used as closed-loop feedback control terms by the torque estimation block.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method that identifies a route between a destination and a current location and quantizes the route into two or more road segments. The method includes characterizing the two or more road segments according to propulsion resources available to a vehicle generating at least two energy paths across the route based on the characterization of the two or more road segments. The method also includes providing an optimized energy path from the at least two energy paths.

Abstract: A disconnect device includes a mounting plate having a thermally conductive substrate applied onto the mounting plate. A first layer of an electrically conductive material is applied onto the substrate. A semiconductor switch supported on the first layer connects or disconnects an input power source to or from a load. A second layer of an electrically conductive material applied onto the substrate is electrically isolated from the first layer. An electronic sensing, control and protection circuit is supported on the second layer and is connected to the semiconductor switch to control operation of the semiconductor switch. A control unit in communication with the electronic sensing, control and protection circuit via an electrically isolated control path provides control and communication between the electronic sensing, control and protection circuit and the semiconductor switch.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is provided that includes: a body; a drive system configured to propel the body; and a suspension system coupled to the drive system, the suspension system including a shock cap assembly including: a strut component; a cap component attached to the strut component; and an attachment mechanism configured for attachment to a body of the vehicle, such that the shock cap assembly is configured to be accessed from a front wheel well of the vehicle.

Abstract: A high-temperature stable solid-state bipolar battery is provided. The battery includes two or more electrodes, one or more solid-state electrolyte layers, and an ionogel disposed within void spaces within the battery. Each electrode includes a plurality of solid-state electroactive particles. Each solid-state electrolyte layer includes a plurality of solid-state electrolyte particles and a first solid-state electrolyte layer of the one or more solid-state electrolyte layers may be disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode of the two or more electrodes. The ionogel is disposed within void spaces between the two or more electrodes, the solid-state electroactive particles of the two or more electrodes, the solid-state electrolyte particles of the one or more solid-state electrolyte layers, and the one or more solid-state electrolyte layers, such that the battery has an reduced interparticle porosity. The ionogel may have an ionic conductivity between about 0.1 mS/Cm and about 10 mS/cm.

Abstract: Methods and system for vehicle control. The methods and systems determining actuator commands data based on a vehicle stability and motion control function. The vehicle stability and motion control function having planned trajectory data, current vehicle position data and current vehicle heading data as inputs, having the actuator commands data as an output and utilizing a model predicting vehicle motion including predicting vehicle heading data and predicting vehicle position data. The actuator commands data includes steering and propulsion commands. The actuator commands data includes differential braking commands for each brake of the vehicle to correct for any differential between the planned vehicle heading and the current vehicle heading data or the predicted vehicle heading data. The methods and systems output the actuator commands data to the actuator system.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to a method and apparatus for generating an action policy for controlling an autonomous vehicle. In particular, the method and apparatus are operative for detecting, by a vehicle sensor, a distance from a host vehicle to a lane edge, determining a status of a vehicle system, calculating, by a processor, a risk index in response to the status of the vehicle system, calculating, by the processor, an intervention threshold in response to the risk index, generating, by the processor, a vehicle path in response to the distance of the host vehicle to the lane edge being less than the intervention threshold, and controlling the vehicle, by a vehicle controller, in response to the vehicle path.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for aiding an operator in operating a vehicle. In one embodiment, a system includes a sensor system configured to generate sensor data sensed from an environment of the vehicle. The system further includes a control module configured to, by a processor, generate a bowl view image of the environment based on the sensor data, identify at least one of a double object and a missing object in the bowl view image, generate a second bowl view image of the environment by re-stitching the sensor data based on the at least one of double object and missing object, and generate display data based on the second bowl view image.

Abstract: A vibration monitoring system includes a plurality of encoders and an analyzer. The encoders are configured to generate multiple pulse train signals for multiple wheels. Each encoder is coupled to a respective one of the multiple wheels and generates a single one of the pulse train signals. The analyzer is coupled to the encoders and is configured to generate multiple pulse per revolution signals and multiple angular velocity signals for the wheels in response to the pulse train signals. Each pulse per revolution signal conveys a single pulse per rotation of the respective wheel. The analyzer is further configured to generate an input phasor array representative of the pulse per revolution signals, generate a response phasor array in response to the angular velocity signals for the wheels, and generate a report that identifies at least one vibrating wheel in response to the input phasor array and the response phasor array.

Abstract: A permanent magnet electric motor includes a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and a rotor mounted on the shaft. The rotor is rotatable concomitantly with the shaft about the longitudinal axis, the rotor defines an innermost rotor edge. The innermost rotor edge is sized to receive the shaft. The permanent magnet electric motor further includes a stator. The shaft defines a jacket configured to receive a coolant. The jacket is disposed about the longitudinal axis. The jacket is elongated in a first direction. The first direction is parallel to the longitudinal axis. The rotor defines a plurality of longitudinal channels. Each of the plurality of longitudinal channel is elongated along the first direction, and each of the plurality of longitudinal channels is in fluid communication with the jacket to allow fluid flow between the jacket and the plurality of the longitudinal channels.

Abstract: A system and method of managing electrical energy consumption and generation of a vehicle. The method includes: determining a vehicle operation schedule for the vehicle, wherein the vehicle operation schedule includes one or more expected vehicle trips that each include a vehicle start location, a vehicle end location, and a time period; obtaining forecasted vehicle trip data based on the vehicle operation schedule; obtaining forecasted vehicle operation data pertaining to the vehicle operation schedule; determining a vehicle energy plan for the vehicle based on the forecasted vehicle trip data and the forecasted vehicle operation data; and causing the vehicle to carry out the vehicle energy plan during the vehicle operation schedule.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising an alkali metal negative electrode layer physically and chemically bonded to a surface of a negative electrode current collector via an intermediate metal chalcogenide layer. The intermediate metal chalcogenide layer may comprise a metal oxide, a metal sulfide, a metal selenide, or a combination thereof. The intermediate metal chalcogenide layer may be formed on the surface of the negative electrode current collector by exposing the surface to a chalcogen or a chalcogen donor compound. Then, the alkali metal negative electrode layer may be formed on the surface of the negative electrode current collector over the intermediate metal chalcogenide layer by contacting at least a portion of the metal chalcogenide layer with a source of sodium or potassium to form a layer of sodium or potassium on the surface of the negative electrode current collector over the metal chalcogenide layer.