Abstract: Hybrid vehicles and methods of operating the same are disclosed. Example methods may include providing a powertrain for the vehicle, which includes an internal combustion engine configured to provide rotational power to a rotatable input of a transmission by way of a starting device, and an electric motor-generator comprising a rotor configured to selectively provide rotational power to the rotatable input. The method may further include selectively disconnecting the engine from the rotatable input using a disconnect device separate from the starting device, thereby allowing the rotatable input of the transmission to be driven at a speed faster than an output speed of the engine.

Abstract: A method of adhesive weld bonding a light metal workpiece and a steel workpiece is disclosed that includes applying a plurality of discrete adhesive ribbons to a faying surface of the light metal workpiece, the faying surface of the steel workpiece, or both faying surfaces, and then assembling the workpieces together to establish one or more adhesive zones between the faying surfaces of the light metal and steel workpieces and a plurality of adhesive free zones amongst the adhesive zone(s). The method further includes forming a resistance spot weld that bonds the the light metal workpiece and the steel workpiece together at a spot weld location within one of the adhesive free zones. The formed spot weld includes a weld joint contained within the light metal workpiece that bonds to the faying interface of the steel workpiece.

Abstract: A system, for filtering and fusing multi-source ontologies. The system includes a tangible processing controller unit and non-transitory computer-readable storage device in communication with the tangible processing controller unit. The storage device includes a first receiving unit that, when executed by the tangible processing control unit, receives a plurality of ontologies, each ontology having a set of rules and a class structure with a plurality of data classes. The storage device also includes a second receiving unit that, when executed, receives data. The device also includes a comparison unit that compares the data classes from the plurality of ontologies, and a merging unit that merges the data classes that are identical or consistent into a new data class. The storage device also includes a discarding unit that discards the data classes that are inconsistent. The storage device also includes a new-set-generation unit that generates a new set of class structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for preserving privacy of data collected from a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, privacy preferences entered by a user of the vehicle; receiving, by the processor, the data collected from the vehicle; distorting, by the processor, the data; downsampling, by the processor, the distorted data based on the privacy preferences; and communicating, by the processor, the downsampled, distorted vehicle data to a third-party entity.

Abstract: A copper foil, intended for use as a current collector in a lithium-containing electrode for a lithium-based electrochemical cell, is subjected to a series of chemical oxidation and reduction processing steps to form a field of integral copper wires extending outwardly from the surfaces of the current collector (and from the copper content of the foil) to be coated with a resin-bonded porous layer of particles of active electrode material. The copper wires serve to anchor thicker layers of porous electrode material and enhance liquid electrolyte contact with the electrode particles and the current collector to improve the energy output of the cell and its useful life.

Abstract: A self-cleaning film system configured for reducing a visibility of a contaminant includes a substrate and a film. The film includes a monolayer defining a plurality of cavities and formed from a first material having a first surface energy, and a plurality of patches disposed within the plurality of cavities. Each of the patches is formed from a photocatalytic material having a second surface energy that is higher than the first. The film has a touchpoint area having a first use frequency, and a second area having a second use frequency that is less than the first. The patches are present in the touchpoint area in a first concentration and are configured to direct the contaminant towards the second area. The patches are present in the second area in a second concentration that is higher than the first and are configured to reduce the visibility of the contaminant.

Abstract: A device for performing electrochemical analysis of electrochemical cells includes a housing, upper and lower stack holders, and first, second, and third current collectors. The housing includes an inner chamber that can be hermetically sealed and a central axis extending through the inner chamber. The upper and lower stack holders are disposed within the inner chamber and cooperate to define an electrode stack chamber for housing a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a center-mounted reference electrode. The first, second, and third current collectors are at least partially disposed in the inner chamber. The first current collector can be electrically connected to a first side of the negative electrode and an external circuit. The second current collector can be in electrical contact with the positive electrode and the external circuit. The third cylindrical body can be in electrical contact with the center-mounted reference electrode and the external circuit.

Abstract: A coolant pressure regulator system includes a coolant circuit, and a pressurized fluid circuit selectively fluidically connected to the coolant circuit. The pressurized fluid circuit includes a pump operably to selectively raising a pressure of coolant in the coolant circuit.

Abstract: A system for mobile computing device selection and operation thereof, the system including: a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions; a controller configured to execute the executable instructions; and where the executable instructions enable the controller to: establish a first short-range wireless connection (SRWC) with a first mobile computing device; establish a second SRWC with a second mobile computing device; retrieve account data from the first mobile computing device via the first SRWC; retrieve account data from the second mobile computing device via the second SRWC; receive a user input regarding the retrieved account data; determine whether the retrieved account data is associated with the first or second mobile computing device; and operate the first or second mobile computing device based on the determination of whether the retrieved account data is associated with the first or second mobile computing device.

Abstract: A mobile computing device that provides location information through directional sound is described herein. The mobile computing device includes a location detection system that provides location signals corresponding to a user location and a destination location, such as a vehicle location or a vertex of a predefined travel route, to a spatial audio generation system to define a spatial audio signal based on a direction from the user location to the destination location. The spatial audio signal is provided to an audio device of the mobile computing device that outputs the spatial audio signal as directional sound having a locus at the destination location.

Abstract: A door edge protector for an edge of a door of a motor vehicle includes a unitary extrusion having a push rod member having a proximal end coupled to a rear wall member by a coupling member. The unitary extrusion also includes a pull member coupled to the rear wall member and extending to an edge covering member. An adhesive attaches the unitary extrusion to an interior surface of the door of the motor vehicle. In a first position of the push rod member, the push rod member is not in contact with the pull member and the edge covering member extends around the edge of the door. In a second position of the push rod member, the push rod member is in contact with the pull member and compresses a portion of the pull member so as to retract the edge covering member.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods are provided for object restraint including a trench; a pneumatic bending actuator (PBA), the PBA and the trench configured on the surface for clamping of the object to the surface; a part of the PBA constrained in the trench and a part of the PBA left unconstrained by the trench; a primary actuation mechanism for constraining in the trench the constrained part of the PBA to remain flat at the surface for resting the object on the surface, and for leaving the unconstrained part of the PBA configured as the curved segment to exert a clamping force to the object on the surface; and a secondary constraint mechanism to retain the constrained part of the PBA in the trench to prevent a portion of the constrained part of the PBA from exerting an upward force counter to the clamping of the unconstrained part of the PBA.

Abstract: A microphone assembly for an external surface of a vehicle comprises a microphone housing, a microphone assembly, and a wind break member. The microphone housing comprises a housing support. The microphone is disposed in the microphone housing. The wind break member has a base and a wind break portion. The base of the wind break member comprises a floor surface, a leading edge, and a trailing edge opposite the leading edge. The wind break portion of the wind break member is disposed proximate the leading edge of the base. The microphone housing is disposed on the base of the wind break member proximate the wind break portion. The wind break portion comprises a top surface that forms a first angle relative to the base of the wind break member. The top surface has one of a concave shape, a convex shape, and a compound concave and convex shape.

Abstract: A modified separator for a high-energy lithium metal-based electrochemical cell and methods of formation relating thereto are provided. The modified separator includes a substrate including a dopant and a coating layer disposed on the doped substrate. The dopant and compound comprising the coating layer are independently selected from the group consisting of: aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium dioxide (TiO2), zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), iron oxide (Fe2O3), tin oxide (SnO), silicon oxide (SiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), lanthanum oxide (La2O3), hydrofluoroolefin (HfO), cerium oxide (CeO2), and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An upholstery piping component for a vehicle seat includes an elongated anchor and an elongated projection. The elongated anchor is formed from an elastomeric material. The elongated anchor extends along a length. The elongated anchor is configured to be coupled to a first upholstery portion and a second upholstery portion and disposed between the first upholstery portion and the second upholstery portion. The elongated projection is formed from the elastomeric material. The elongated projection is integrally is formed with the elongated anchor. The elongated projection extends from the elongated anchor for at least a portion of the length. The elongated projection is configured to at least partially conceal a seam between the first upholstery portion and the second upholstery portion. The elastomeric material is flexible such that the upholstery piping component is configured to move between a neutral configuration and a modified configuration.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses are provided for detecting faults. The system includes a fault diagnostic computer in an autonomous vehicle configured to, via at least a first platform and a second platform, receive parameter data for processing simultaneously the parameter data in each platform wherein the first and second platforms are redundant configurations of each other wherein the parameter data includes a characteristic of a data; a check platform, coupled to the first and second platforms, for performing a method for checking the parameter data processed by both platforms using a collision test, the method includes: detecting, by applications of the collision test to one or more corresponding data found on each platform, collisions of the data within a tolerance prescribed by the collision test; and determining faults, in either the first platform, the second platform or both, based on results of comparisons of parameter data of the detected collisions.

Abstract: A floor lift system includes a stationary floor assembly and a translational floor assembly. The stationary floor assembly includes a base, a plurality of motors, and a rail system. The base is secured to a floor of the vehicle. The translational floor assembly includes a tray assembly and a floor lift assembly. A first of the plurality of motors moves the translational floor assembly horizontally from a stowed position out of a door of the vehicle to an extended position. A second of the plurality of motors moves the floor lift assembly horizontally out of the tray assembly. A third of the plurality of motors lowers the floor lift assembly.

Abstract: A trim component for a vehicle seat base includes a center portion and first and second side portions. The center portion includes a center inner panel that can face a frame of the seat and a center outer panel that can to be visible within a passenger cabin of the vehicle. The center outer panel includes a flexible material and covers the center inner panel. The first and second side portions are fixed on opposite sides of the center portion. Each of the first and second side portions includes a side inner panel that can face the frame of the seat and a side outer panel that can be visible within the passenger cabin. The side outer panel includes the flexible material and covers the side inner panel. The trim component can be fixed to a back of the seat to conceal at least a portion of the frame.

Abstract: A control system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an estimated coolant flow module and at least one of a valve control module and a pump control module. The estimated coolant flow module estimates a rate of coolant flow through a cooling system for an engine based on a pressure of coolant in the cooling system and a speed of a coolant pump that circulates coolant through the cooling system. The valve control module controls the position of a coolant valve based on the estimated coolant flow rate. The pump control module controls the coolant pump speed based on the estimated coolant flow rate.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a vehicle. The system includes a two-dimensional imager, a three-dimensional imager, and at least one processor. The two-dimensional imager obtains a two-dimensional image of an environment surrounding the vehicle, wherein the environment includes an object. The three-dimensional imager obtains a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud of the environment. The at least one processor identifies the object from the 2D image and assigns the identification of the object to a selected point of the 3D point cloud.