Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body with an upper surface defined by a front fascia disposed proximate a fore end, and a closure panel with a fore edge proximate the front fascia. A deflector with a first end and a second end is movably coupled to the upper surface and is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position the second end projects a first distance from the upper surface and in the deployed position the second end projects a second distance from the upper surface. The second distance is greater than the first distance. A controller is configured to, in response to satisfaction of a first operating condition, control an actuator to move the deflector from the stowed position to the deployed position.

Abstract: A solid state electrolyte including an oxy-sulfide glass or glass ceramic, solid state electrolyte layer having a thickness in the range of ten micrometers to two hundred micrometers is provide. The composition of the electrolyte layer is the reaction product of a mixture initially including either a glass former including sulfur or a glass co-former including sulfur, and a glass modifier including Li2O or Na2O. The solid-state electrolyte layer is further characterized as having a wholly amorphous microstructure or as having small recrystallized regions separated from each other in an amorphous matrix, the recrystallized regions having a size of up to five micrometers. The solid-state electrolyte layer includes mobile lithium ions or mobile sodium ions associated with sulfur anions chemically anchored in the microstructure.

Abstract: A method for controlling internal electronic range selection for an automatic transmission includes: confirming if a range change command has been ordered from a current transmission operating state; verifying expected performance from at least first and second mode valves and a park servo are present in the current transmission operating state prior to allowing a range change event; during the range change event: generating proactive commands including ordering a reduction in a hydraulic system pressure; and identifying if an unexpected event is detected; and following completion of the range change event confirming expected performance is obtained from at least the first and second mode valves and the park servo to achieve a driver intended state.

Abstract: A motor vehicle, including: a loading floor; a height adjusting device with a guide on which the loading floor is pivotably mounted and movable in a substantially vertical direction and can be mounted in at least two height positions; one or more tiered support elements for supporting the loading floor in the at least two height positions; where the guide includes a first guideway for moving the floor towards the top of the guide and a second guideway for moving the floor towards the bottom of the guide; where the first guideway is configured such that exerting a backward longitudinal pulling force on the loading floor results in movement of the loading floor from a lower height position to an upper height position; and a set of corresponding features positioned beneath the loading floor for providing physical support and stability in the at least two height positions.

Abstract: A rotor for a positive displacement compressor assembly having a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a rotor cavity in communication with the inlet and the outlet. The rotor may comprise a rotor body and a porous inner core enclosed within the rotor body. The rotor may comprise a tapered rotor body having an outer radius that decreases from a first end to a second end thereof. In one form, the positive displacement compressor assembly may comprise a supercharger assembly for an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes calculating, via a router of a vehicle system that accesses road map data, at least one route to a destination based on the road map data, thereby producing route solution data. The vehicle system enters a remote assistance mode in response to remote assistance decision data received from a blockage arbiter of the vehicle system. In the remote assistance mode, the method includes determining, via the router, at least one road segment of the road map data that is permitted to be blacklisted, thereby producing permitted blacklist data. The method includes transmitting the permitted blacklist data and the route solution data, via a vehicle communications module of the vehicle system, to a remote vehicle assistance system. The method includes updating, via the router, the road map data to exclude at least one blacklisted road segment defined by the permitted blacklist data.

Abstract: A battery retention system includes a retention surface, a retention clip connected to the retention surface. First and second side brackets are also connected to the retention surface, wherein each side bracket includes a primary ramp facing the retention clip. The battery retention system also includes a retention rod including a first slide, a second slide, and an elongated member extending between the first slide and the second slide. The first and second slides are configured to slidingly contact the first and second primary ramps, respectively. The battery retention system further includes first and second mechanical fasteners configured to engage the first and second slides, respectively, with the first and second side brackets, respectively.

Abstract: An aftertreatment system includes a first pipe section in fluid communication with an exhaust manifold on an internal combustion engine. A first aftertreatment device includes a housing and a porous substrate having substrate walls defining a plurality of flow channels including first channels obstructed at a first end of the substrate and second channels obstructed at a second end of the substrate opposite the first end. The first and second channels are interleaved and internal pore surfaces in the porous substrate form a plurality of internal pores. A passive NOx adsorption catalyst is deposited on the substrate walls and internal pore surfaces such that the mean porosity of the porous substrate is not greater than a particulate matter secondary grain size. A second aftertreatment device having an inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet of the first aftertreatment device.

Abstract: Flexible fluid connection systems are provided with misalignment management, vibration attenuation and compact packaging for a variety of applications. A fluid connection system includes a component that operates using a fluid. The component defines a surface and a passageway containing the fluid and opening through the surface. A fluid line is configured to convey the fluid relative to the component. A connector is made of a flexible material and is connected with the component and with the fluid line. The connector is positioned against the surface and has an end spaced away from the surface through which the fluid line is received.

Abstract: A microphone assembly includes a base that includes a first surface, a second surface and a third surface. The first surface is configured to connect the base to a mounting location in an external environment. The second surface is positioned parallel to the first surface with the third surface positioned therebetween. The third surface defines a curved shape to direct air flow that contacts the third surface in a direction away from the first surface. The microphone assembly also includes a cap disposed over and separated from the base by a gap. The cap includes a domed portion that has a convex shape that curves away from the second surface of the base. The microphone assembly also includes a microphone array that includes a plurality of microphones. The microphone array is disposed within the cap and is configured to receive acoustic signals from the external environment through the gap.

Abstract: An auto-lock prop rod for a vehicle includes a folding rod having at least two section rod sections, wherein the folding rod includes a first rod section having a first end pivotally connected to an engine compartment opening and a second rod section having a first end pivotally connected to a hood. At least one pivotable joint is mechanically connected between a second end of the first rod section and a second end of the second rod section, wherein the at least one pivotable joint is configured to axially rotate to a locked position when the hood is moved from a closed position to an fully open position.

Abstract: A system and method for generating steering commands to cancel out unwanted steering moments is disclosed. The method includes determining, by a controller of a vehicle, an amount of suspension displacement that is caused as a result of driving the vehicle on an uneven road. The suspension displacement induces an unwanted steering moment. The method also includes determining a steering angle command based at least on the amount of suspension displacement. The method also includes performing the steering angle command. Performing the steering angle command cancels out the unwanted steering moment.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for applying a plasma actuator system for reducing aerodynamic drag of a vehicle by discharging plasma is provided. The system includes: at least one pair of thin films configured to integrate into a pair of electrodes wherein each of the thin films of the pair of thin films is composed of a thin film piezo-electric material; a dielectric configured as an insulator region to separate each electrode integrated with the thin film piezo-electric material; and a power supply to deliver alternating current to each electrode to provide a high voltage output obtained by the thin film piezo-electric material integrated with the pair of electrodes wherein the high voltage output is about 10 kV.

Abstract: A method for controlling coolant flow and cooling of a heater core to be used as a cold storage device or “heater core cold storage” (HCCS) cooling of a vehicle to extend an engine auto-stop period includes determining if at least one predetermined condition is met for HCCS cooling, and charging a heater core for a predetermined charge period in preparation for HCCS cooling when the at least one predetermined condition is met. The charge is held in the heater core until a trigger event occurs and HCCS cooling is initiated. HCCS cooling is then performed until a predetermined use period expires.

Abstract: A method of controlling a ground vehicle includes providing the vehicle with a first sensor configured to detect a vehicle position, a second sensor configured to detect a driven path of the vehicle, and a controller. The method also includes obtaining, via the first sensor, a plurality of vehicle position coordinates during a time interval of a drive cycle, and calculating, via the controller, a first path curvature parameter based on the plurality of vehicle position coordinates. The method additionally includes obtaining, via the second sensor, a second path curvature parameter based on the driven path during the time interval. The method further includes comparing, via the controller, the first path curvature parameter to the second path curvature parameter, and in response to a difference between the second path curvature and the first path curvature exceeding a threshold, automatically operating the controller according to a diagnostic mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a LiDAR system at a first location with a radar system at a second location. A calibration target is placed at a location and orientation with respect to the LiDAR system and the radar system. Coefficients of a plane of the calibration target are determined in a frame of reference of the LiDAR system. Coordinates of the calibration target are determined in a frame of reference of the radar system. A cost function is composed from a planar equation that includes the determined coefficients and the determined coordinates and a relative pose matrix that transforms the frame of reference of the radar system to the frame of reference of the LiDAR system. The cost function is reduced to estimate the relative pose matrix for calibration of the LiDAR system with the radar system.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes: an imaging device, a ranging device, a data storage element to maintain calibration data associated with a relationship between the imaging device and the ranging device, one or more actuators, and a controller. The controller obtains image data from the imaging device, classifies portions of the image data as ground, obtains ranging data from the ranging device, identifies a ground subset of the ranging data corresponding to the portions of the image data using the calibration data; and operates the one or more actuators onboard the vehicle in a manner that is influenced by the ground subset of the ranging data.

Abstract: A system includes an impairment sample module, impairment value calculator module, threshold comparison module, warning alert module, and intervention module. The impairment sample module may be configured to obtain a first impairment sample for an operator of a vehicle while the vehicle is running. The impairment value calculator module may be configured to calculate a first impairment value based on the first impairment sample. The threshold comparison module may be configured to compare the first impairment value to a first threshold value corresponding to a first range of impairment and a second threshold value corresponding to a second range of impairment. The warning alert module may be configured to generate a warning alert in response to determining that the first impairment value exceeds the first threshold value. The intervention module may be configured to execute driver intervention protocol if the first impairment value exceeds the second threshold value.

Abstract: A vehicle with a fault tolerant electronic brake-by-wire (BBW) system includes a plurality of brake assemblies that control braking of a respective wheel of the vehicle. The brake assemblies include a first brake assembly and a second brake assembly. The first brake assembly is integrated with at least one enhanced brake actuator assembly including a first electronic actuator driver circuit in signal communication with a first electro-mechanical actuator. The first brake assembly is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a first wheel of the vehicle. The second brake assembly is integrated with at least one enhanced smart brake actuator assembly including a first actuator controller in signal communication with a second electronic actuator driver circuit. The second electronic actuator driver circuit is in signal communication with a second electro-mechanical actuator that is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a second wheel of the vehicle.