Abstract: A method and apparatus for active coolant volume reduction management in a pressurized reservoir coolant diverter for automobile applications. Specifically, an apparatus and method for diverting coolant flow around a pressurized coolant reservoir until the engine has reached operating temperature by employing a coolant bypass chamber and bypass shutoff valve and the like.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a vehicle to improve vehicle dynamics are provided. The method includes receiving data from a plurality of sensors which monitor vehicle dynamics by monitoring at least wheel and steering movements associated with a vehicle system used in controlling vehicle dynamics by control outputs from a holistic vehicle control system. Then, estimating states of the vehicle from computations of longitudinal and latitudinal velocities, tire slip ratios, clutch torque, axle torque, brake torque, and slip angles derived from the data sensed by the sensors from the wheel and steering movements. Finally, formulating a model of vehicle dynamics by using estimations of vehicle states with a target function to provide analytical data to enable the model of vehicle dynamics to be optimized and for using the data associated with the model which has been optimized to change control outputs to improve in real-time the vehicle dynamics.

Abstract: Vehicles and steering systems for vehicles are provided. An exemplary steering system is provided for an automotive vehicle that includes road wheels and a rack mechanically coupled to the road wheels and laterally displaceable to change an orientation of the road wheels. The steering system includes a steering wheel mounted on a steering column and rotatable by a driver for inputting a steering command. The steering system also includes a lower column coupled to the rack. In the steering system, lateral displacement of the rack causes a rotational torque on the lower column. The steering system further includes a magneto-rheological coupling interconnected between the steering column and the lower column. The magneto-rheological coupling selectively communicates a desired portion of the rotational torque on the lower column to the steering column to provide haptic feedback to the steering column.

Abstract: A stretchable adjustable-stiffness assembly includes a casing and first and second friction layers. The casing can be fluidly sealed and includes an interior compartment containing a fluid. The fluid can shift between a first interior pressure and a second interior pressure less than the first interior pressure and an exterior pressure. The first and second friction layers are disposed within the interior compartment. The assembly can shift between relaxed and fixed configurations. In the relaxed configuration, the fluid has the first interior pressure, the casing is stretchable between a first dimension and a second dimension greater than the first dimension, and the assembly has a first stiffness. In the fixed configuration, the first fluid has the second interior pressure, the casing length is fixed, the first and second friction layers are engaged, and the assembly has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and system for hybrid multi-mode data fusion to fuse data of multiple different formats by a centralized data fusion processing and send the fused data by a distributed data processing to a set of heterogeneous sensor devices. The hybrid multi-mode data fusion apparatus comprises a multi-mode fusion module configured to operate in a first mode to receive fused data of multiple different formats sensed from a set of heterogeneous devices and configured to operate in a second mode to send the fused data to each of the heterogeneous devices. An association module to fuse data of multiple different formats sensed from each of the heterogeneous devices and to send the fused data to the multi-mode fusion module. A fusion track data file to store prior fused data to enable the multi-mode fusion module to send cueing information based upon the stored prior fused data to the heterogeneous devices.

Abstract: Lithium titanate, Li4Ti5O12, particles containing surface hydroxyl groups are susceptible to unwanted gas generation (such as hydrogen) in the presence of water contamination when the particles are used as active anode electrode material in lithium-ion cells operating with an anhydrous liquid electrolyte. In accordance with this disclosure, the hydroxyl groups on the surfaces of the particles are reacted with one of a group of selected agents containing organic alkoxy groups to form hydrophobic moieties on the surfaces of the particles which effectively block water molecules from the surfaces of lithium titanate particles in the anode of the cell.

Abstract: A current command module is configured to, based on a motor torque request for an electric motor of the vehicle, generate a d-axis current command for the electric motor and a q-axis current command for the electric motor. A voltage command module is configured to generate voltage commands based on the d-axis current command and the q-axis current command. A switching control module is configured to: based on the d-axis current command and the q-axis current command, determine a first duty cycle command for a phase of the electric motor; generate a second duty cycle command based on the first duty cycle command, a predetermined minimum period to transition switches of an inverter module from OFF to ON, a predetermined switching period, a predetermined deadtime period when both of the switches are OFF before one of the switches is turned ON, and whether a current of the phase is positive.

Abstract: A switching module switches between receiving a first output from a sensor and a second output from a sensor-less position detection module each indicating a rotor position error of a motor. A position determining module determines a rotor position of the motor based on an output of the switching module and generates a control signal to control a parameter of the motor. A sample and hold module operates on a sum of the output of the switching module and an output of the sample and hold module from a prior instance of switching between the first and second outputs. The position determining module scales the output of the sample and hold module using first and second gains to generate first and second scaled outputs, and generates the control signal based on the output of the switching module and the first and second scaled outputs.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for localizing a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, sensor data from a sensor of the vehicle; filtering, by the processor, the sensor data for data associated with static elements of the environment; determining, by the processor, realtime height values associated with the static elements; correlating, by the processor, the realtime height values with defined height values associated with a map of the environment; localizing, by the processor, the vehicle on the map based on the correlated realtime height values and the defined height values; and controlling, by the processor, the vehicle based on the localizing.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a navigation system with a graphic display of a north-pointing map section of a digital road map. A map section to be displayed includes a current position and at least one section of a route to a specified destination. A selection sequence selects the displayed map section. The selection sequence uses a double frame, which is positioned on a start position on the digital road map. The double frame is repeatedly displaced in at least one direction with respect to the digital road map. The map section to be displayed is selected when a condition for a termination of the selection step sequence is met.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a fault in a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), operably connected to a controller. The method includes receiving at a controller a stator voltages and currents for the PMSM, computing a negative sequence current and a negative sequence voltage for the PMSM; and determining if conditions are satisfied for monitoring for a fault of the PMSM. The method also includes ascertaining a change in the negative sequence current and a change in the negative sequence voltage for a selected time duration, calculating a ratio of the change in the negative sequence current and the negative sequence voltage corresponding to a negative sequence admittance for the PMSM, determining if the negative sequence admittance differs from a nominal value in excess of a threshold; and identifying the stator winding as faulted if the ratio exceeds the threshold.

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: Control systems and methods are provided for vehicles that include, in one embodiment, a plurality of sensors, and a processor. The plurality of sensors are dispersed across a body of the vehicle, and are configured to detect an electronic device in proximity to the vehicle; and collect sensor data with respect to the electronic device. The processor is configured to determine, using the sensor data, whether the electronic device is physically disposed inside the vehicle; and selectively connect the electronic device with a telematics unit of the vehicle, via the processor, based on whether the electronic device is physically disposed inside the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for using a closed-loop control system to control an autonomous system is disclosed, the closed-loop control system comprising an explicit Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC) framework.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising a lithium 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 in gas phase. Then, the lithium 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 lithium such that the lithium actively wets the metal chalcogenide layer and forms a conformal lithium metal layer on the surface of the negative electrode current collector over the metal chalcogenide layer.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body having a fore portion, an aft portion, and an underbody portion. The vehicle additionally includes a panel pivotably coupled to the underbody portion proximate the aft portion of the body. The panel has a fore edge and an aft edge and is pivotable about the fore edge. The panel is pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position the aft edge is spaced a first distance from a driving surface and in the deployed position the aft edge is spaced a second distance from the driving surface. The second distanced is less than the first distance. The vehicle additionally includes an actuator configured to move the panel between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to satisfaction of an operating condition.

Abstract: Methods of repairing a defect in a polymeric composite structure are provided. The methods include disposing a patch over a defect in a polymeric composite structure; disposing a textured sheet over the polymeric patch, applying pressure to the polymeric patch and the textured sheet; and heating the polymeric patch. The textured sheet has a surface texture that is a negative of a surface texture of the polymeric composite structure.

Abstract: A door handle assembly including a handle base fixed to the vehicle door; a handle member for opening the vehicle door, wherein the handle member is movable between latched and unlatched positions; a handle frame mounted to the vehicle door, the handle frame includes a peripheral rim; a first lighting strip operatively embedded around the peripheral rim, the first lighting strip configured to illuminate upon activation; a motor and a cam, where the cam is in operative contact with a second end of the handle base, where the motor will cause the cam to rotate upon activation, where rotation of the cam will impart vibrations throughout the handle base and thus cause the handle member to vibrate; and a touch sensor located on the handle member, where the touch sensor can recognize when a user grips the handle member.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling camera images for a camera of a vehicle are provided. In certain examples, a vehicle includes a camera, an input unit, and a processor. The input unit is configured to obtain data pertaining to a light pattern in proximity to the vehicle. The processor is configured to at least facilitate: (i) determining the light pattern in proximity to the vehicle using the data; and (ii) providing instructions for selectively binning the camera images based on the light pattern, the selectively binning including binning first pixels together for a particular image or portion thereof, but leaving second pixels for the particular image un-binned, based on the light pattern.

Abstract: A method of designing a nano-rectenna panel (NRP) of a vehicle includes generating one or more performance benchmarks associated with nano-rectenna devices that comprise the NRP. A material for the nano-rectenna devices is identified based on one or more of the one or more performance benchmarks. The method also includes designing the NRP based on the material.