Abstract: A method of making an aluminum alloy containing zirconium includes heating a first composition including aluminum to a first temperature. The first temperature is greater than or equal to a liquidus temperature of the first composition. The method further includes adding a second composition including a copper-zirconium compound to the first composition. The method further includes decomposing at least a portion of the copper-zirconium compound into copper and zirconium. The method further includes forming a third composition by dissolving at least some of the copper from the decomposing in the aluminum of the first composition. The method further includes cooling the third composition to a second temperature to form a first solid material. The second temperature is less than or equal to a solidus temperature of the third composition. The method further includes heat treating the first solid material to form the aluminum alloy containing zirconium.

Abstract: A vehicle control module is provided and includes a hybrid memory and a processor. The hybrid memory includes: application memory that stores application code; boot memory that stores a first RMTS code, where the first RMTS code includes first risk functions; and ETM that temporarily stores a second RMTS code. The second RMTS code includes second risk functions. The processor: based on an operating mode of the vehicle control module, executes the application, first RMTS and second RMTS codes; erases the ETM prior to installation of the vehicle control module in a vehicle or delivery of the vehicle; and based on the first RMTS code, permits execution of the first RMTS code prior to and subsequent to installation of the vehicle control module in the vehicle and the second RMTS code prior to installation of the vehicle control module in the vehicle or delivery of the vehicle.

Abstract: A urea concentration sensor reflector system includes a urea concentration sensor reflector assembly including a reflector having an upwardly convex dome shape integrally connected to and supported by multiple legs. The reflector includes a concave-shaped inner surface. The multiple legs are connected to and support the urea concentration sensor reflector assembly to an upward directed surface of a bottom tank wall of a urea storage tank. A sound wave generator and receiver is fixed to the bottom tank wall directly below and centrally aligned with the reflector. The sound wave generator and receiver generates ultrasonic sound waves directed upwardly toward the reflector. A concentration of a liquid urea in the urea storage tank is determined based on a time for the ultrasonic sound waves to travel to the reflector and return as echo signals to the sound wave generator and receiver, and a temperature of the liquid urea.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In various embodiments, a method of path planning for a vehicle includes receiving sensor data relating to an environment associated with the vehicle; defining a region of interest for the vehicle, based on the sensor data; defining a graph comprising a plurality of nodes, each of the plurality of nodes comprising a state of the vehicle and an associated cost, based on a cost function as applied to the state of the vehicle, at one of a plurality of points in time; and performing, via a processor, a search of the graph, based on the associated costs of each node of the graph, to determine a selected path for the vehicle through the region of interest that minimizes a total cost via the graph.

Abstract: A turbocharger assembly is provided which prevents liquid moisture 82 from damaging an air fuel ratio sensor affixed to the exhaust pipe. The turbocharger assembly includes a turbine housing, a turbine wheel, a volute defined in the turbine housing, and an upwardly extending exhaust pipe. The turbine housing may be affixed to a center turbocharger housing member. The turbine housing includes an anterior region and a posterior region having the volute. The turbine wheel may be disposed in the turbine housing. A liquid moisture 82 pathway may be defined in the turbine housing and is configured to provide liquid fluid communication from the anterior region toward the volute.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to display applications provided by a single mobile device is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of displays, a wireless communication device configured to receive first output data corresponding to a first display of the plurality of displays and second output data corresponding to a second display of the plurality of displays from an external device consisting of one mobile device, and a controller configured to direct the received first output data from the wireless communication device to be displayed on the first display and direct the received second output data from the wireless communication device to be displayed on the second display.

Abstract: Vehicles and methods for controlling operation of a vehicle and/or reducing aerodynamic drag of a vehicle are provided. A method for controlling operation of an unoccupied vehicle includes determining that the vehicle is unoccupied. The method further includes identifying an energy savings resulting from a reduction of aerodynamic drag of the vehicle due to a controlled vibration of a component of the vehicle. Also, the method includes applying the controlled vibration to the component of the vehicle.

Abstract: A smoke detection system for an interior of a vehicle is provided. The smoke detection system includes a detection module and a reporting module. The detection module, while the vehicle is being used as part of a car sharing or ride sharing service: receives a sensor signal from a smoke detector; compares data included in the sensor signal to smoke characteristic or smoke pattern data; based on the comparison, determines whether an occupant of the vehicle is smoking; and generates an alert signal if the occupant is smoking. The reporting module at least one of: based on the alert signal, visually or audibly provides a warning to the occupant to stop smoking; transmits the alert signal to a mobile device of the occupant to indicate that a smoking event has been detected; or transmits the alert signal to a network device of a service provider to report the smoking event.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing a plurality of spatially distributed multi-input multi-output (MIMO) radar systems includes designating one of the plurality of MIMO radar systems that includes a linear frequency modulator as a master MIMO radar system, and designating each of the other plurality of MIMO radar systems as slave MIMO radar systems. Each of the slave MIMO radar systems receives an output of the linear frequency modulator. A synchronization signal is sent from the linear frequency modulator through the modulator splitter to each of the slave MIMO radar systems over respective cables, and a return signal is sent from each of the slave MIMO radar systems to the master MIMO radar system over the respective cables. A time delay is determined between the master MIMO radar system and each of the slave MIMO radar systems based on a frequency difference between the synchronization signal and the respective return signal.

Abstract: A shield assembly is employed for a friction brake used to decelerate a road wheel of a vehicle. The vehicle has a body with a first body end configured to face an incident ambient airflow, a second body end opposite of the first body end, and an underbody section spanning a distance between the first and second ends. The shield assembly includes a first shield component arranged proximate the brake and rotationally fixed relative to the vehicle body. The shield assembly also includes a second shield component operatively connected to the first shield component for shifting relative thereto. The shield assembly additionally includes an actuator employing a shape memory alloy element to shift the second shield component relative to the first shield component in response to a temperature of the brake to thereby direct at least a portion of the airflow to the brake and control temperature thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that detect a wheel alignment condition are provided. The method includes receiving a dataset comprising one or more from among a steering wheel angle parameter, a speed parameter, a lateral acceleration parameter, a self-aligning torque parameter and a power steering torque parameter, normalizing the received dataset, analyzing the normalized dataset according to a model for determining a wheel alignment condition, and outputting a value indicating whether the wheel alignment is within a predetermined value based on the model.

Abstract: A cover panel for installation over foam of a vehicle seat includes a first layer with an occupant-facing surface and a foam-facing surface. The foam-facing surface is located opposite to the occupant-facing surface. The first layer is configured to cover at least a portion of the foam of the vehicle seat. The cover panel further includes a second layer bonded to the foam-facing surface of the first layer such that the second layer is obscured from view by the first layer. The cover panel also includes a tie-down connected to the second layer that projects away from the foam-facing surface, wherein the tie-down is configured to tension the first layer when the tie-down is pulled away from the foam-facing surface.

Abstract: A series of many electrical resistance spot welds is to be formed in members of an assembled, but un-joined, body that presents workpiece stack-ups of various combinations of metal workpieces including all aluminum workpieces, all steel workpieces, and a combination of aluminum and steel workpieces. A pair of spot welding electrodes, each with a specified weld face that includes oxide-disrupting features, is used to form the required numbers of aluminum-to-aluminum spot welds, aluminum-to-steel spot welds, and steel-to-steel spot welds. A predetermined sequence of forming the various spot welds may be specified for extending the number of spot welds that can be made before the weld faces must be restored. And, during at least one of the aluminum-to-steel spot welds, a cover is inserted between the weld face of one of the welding electrodes and a side of a workpiece stack-up that includes the adjacent aluminum and steel workpieces.

Abstract: A seat assembly for supporting an occupant of a vehicle includes a cushion and a suspension. The cushion has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is configured to engage the occupant. The second surface is disposed opposite the first surface. The suspension includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a third surface. The third surface engages the second surface of the cushion. The second portion includes a fourth surface. The fourth surface defines a first depression. The first depression opens toward the cushion. The first depression is configured to receive a portion of the cushion when the occupant exerts a load on the cushion.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for dynamically selecting a batch size used in vehicle camera image processing are disclosed. In one example implementation, a method includes generating, by a processing device, a batch table and a mode table. The method further includes determining, by the processing device, image processing performance requirements for a current mode of a vehicle using the mode table, the vehicle comprising a plurality of cameras configured to capture a plurality of images. The method further includes selecting, by the processing device, a batch size and a processing frequency based at least in part on the image processing performance requirements for the current mode of the vehicle. The method further includes processing, by an accelerator, at least a subset of the plurality of images based at least in part on the batch size and processing frequency.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for vehicle suspension system alignment monitoring are disclosed. In one example implementation, a method includes receiving vehicle data and environmental data including, inertial measurement unit (IMU) acceleration data and global positioning system (GPS) velocity data from a GPS associated with the vehicle, and steering wheel angle data, driver applied torque data, and electronic power steering (EPS) applied torque data associated with the steering system. The method further includes mitigating for at least one of a vehicle effect and an environmental effect based on the vehicle data and environmental data. The method further includes detecting a misalignment based at least in part on one or more of the IMU acceleration data, the GPS velocity data, acceleration data, a steering wheel angle, and a self-aligning torque. The method further includes reporting the misalignment of the vehicle based at least in part on detecting the misalignment.