Abstract: A cutting tool that can simultaneously cut and restore asymmetric weld face geometries of two welding electrodes that are subject to different degradation mechanisms is disclosed along with a method of using such a cutting tool during resistance spot welding of workpiece stack-ups that include dissimilar metal workpieces. The cutting tool includes a first cutting socket and a second cutting socket. The first cutting socket is defined by one or more first shearing surfaces and the second cutting is defined by one or more second shearing surfaces. The first shearing surface(s) and the second shearing surface(s) are profiled to cut and restore a first weld face geometry and a second weld face geometry, respectively, that are different from each other upon receipt of electrode weld faces within the cutting sockets and rotation of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A seat structure is configured to support an occupant. The seat structure includes a suspension. A seat cushion is arranged adjacent to the suspension. The seat cushion defines a plurality of variable effective property regions. At least one of the plurality of variable effective property regions includes a regular periodic lattice structure.

Abstract: An assembled electrochemical cell is formed comprising an anode containing sub-micrometer and micrometer-size particles of an anode material for cyclically intercalating and de-intercalating lithium ions or sodium ions, a cathode containing like-sized particles of a cathode material for intercalating and de-intercalating the ions utilized in the anode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte composed for transporting ions between the anode and cathode. Nanometer-size particles of a basic metal oxide or a metal nitride are mixed with at least one of (i) the particles of electrode material for at least one of the anode and cathode and (ii) the electrolyte. The composition and the amount of the metal oxide or metal nitride is determined for chemically neutralizing acidic contaminants formed in the operation of the electrochemical cell, adsorbing incidental water, and to generally prevent degradation of the respective electrode materials.

Abstract: A wastegate actuator assembly includes a regulating rod, an arm, and a shaft. The regulating rod includes a proximate end region and a distal end region wherein the proximate end region of the regulating rod may be connected to an actuator. The arm includes a first end region and a second end region. The first end region is pivotally coupled to the distal end region of the regulating rod via a crank pin, a first cup spring, and a second cup spring wherein the first and second cup springs retain a solid lubricant substantially around the crank pin. The regulating rod may move in a linear fashion causing the arm and the shaft to rotate so as to move a wastegate cover connected to the shaft from a closed wastegate duct position (toward the wastegate duct) to an open wastegate duct position (away from the wastegate duct).

Abstract: A method for fabricating a non-planar magnet includes extruding a precursor material including neodymium iron boron crystalline grains into an original anisotropic neodymium iron boron permanent magnet having an original shape, wherein the original anisotropic neodymium iron boron permanent magnet has at least about 90 percent neodymium iron boron magnetic material by volume. The original anisotropic neodymium iron boron permanent magnet is heated to a deformation temperature. The original anisotropic neodymium iron boron permanent magnet is deformed into a reshaped anisotropic neodymium iron boron permanent magnet having a second shape substantially different from the original shape using heated tooling to apply a deformation load to the original anisotropic neodymium iron boron permanent magnet.

Abstract: A system for inspecting thermal spray coated cylinder bores of aluminum alloy cylinder blocks, the system includes a failure detection apparatus, a heating apparatus, a cooling apparatus, and a control unit in electronic communication with each of the failure detection apparatus, the heating apparatus, and the cooling apparatus, and wherein the control unit includes a memory and a control logic sequence for operating the system.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving semantic map data, via a processor, wherein the semantic map data includes traffic light location data, calculating route data using the semantic map data, via a processor; viewing, via a sensing device, a traffic light and assessing a state of the viewed traffic light, via a processor, based on the traffic light location data, and controlling driving of an autonomous vehicle based at least on the route data and the state of the traffic light, via a processor.

Abstract: A method of start/stop engine control based on vehicle location and driving situation includes identifying the location and driving situation of a host vehicle, and classifying the location and the driving situation of the host vehicle based on the identified location and driving situation. The engine start/stop control is based on at least one of the location classification and driving situation classification.

Abstract: A communication network includes a plurality of nodes, wherein each of the nodes is operably connected to a bus. A transmitting node sends a data communication to a receiving node in accordance with a protocol. Each data communication contains information to be communicated within a data frame structure. The receiving node is configured to determine a compromised state of the transmitting node from data communication and to initiate a response method. The transmitting node disassociates from the bus in accordance with the detection trigger and coordinated response strategy.

Abstract: A selective catalytic reduction filter (SCRF) including a wall-flow substrate having inlet channels and outlet channels is provided. A first selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst zone is present in the inlet channels, and a second SCR catalyst zone is present in the outlet channels. The first SCR catalyst zone includes an iron-exchanged zeolite catalyst, and the second SCR catalyst zone includes a copper-exchanged zeolite catalyst. Exhaust gas treatment systems including the SCRF and methods of reducing production of nitrous oxide (N2O) during selective catalytic reduction of an exhaust gas stream using the SCRF are also provided herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for locking a cycle. A clutch system of the cycle includes a forward lock system configured to alternatively prevent or allow operation of the cycle in a forward direction. A shaft extends through the clutch system. An actuator is configured to move the forward lock system along the shaft between a lock position and a free position. A controller is configured to shift the actuator, via a signal from a processor, between the lock position and the free position. The cycle is configured to be locked against forward operation by the clutch system.

Abstract: A vehicle including a vehicle body having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the first end is configured to face oncoming airflow. An underbody extending between the first and second ends of the vehicle body and the underbody including a first lateral edge, an opposing second lateral edge and a central region defined therebetween. At least one aerodynamic member on the underbody, the at least one aerodynamic member having at least one aerodynamic surface wherein the at least one aerodynamic surface includes at least one curved triangular channel configured to cause airflow to separate over a trip edge of the at least one curved triangular channel to create a low pressure vortex region within the curved triangular channel.

Abstract: An in-vehicle system is described that initiates a telematics service call via a touch-based user interface. The in-vehicle system includes a telematics unit that supports communications relating to telematics services, an infotainment center, and a touchscreen interface configured to present user-selectable controls for invoking services provided by the infotainment center and the telematics unit. The system further comprises a backup battery configured to supply power, during a disruption of power supply from a primary power supply, to: the touchscreen interface, the telematics unit, and a microphone/speaker providing bi-directional audio communications with providers of telematics services. The system furthermore includes a backup battery mode control configured to sense a disruption of power provided by the primary power supply. In response to the disruption, the mode control activates a low-power operating mode for the touchscreen interface.

Abstract: A vehicle system controller having an asymmetric system architecture and a method of operating the vehicle system controller is provided. The vehicle system controller includes a primary controller and a secondary controller in communications with the vehicle systems. Each of the controllers include a memory unit containing software application and a processor for executing the software to generate commands for the vehicle systems. The memory unit of the secondary controller contains only a subset of the total software applications contained in the memory unit of the primary controller. The subset of software applications is only for the operation of pre-identified features of the vehicle systems. The vehicle systems are configured to default to commands from the primary controller, but switches to the commands from the secondary controller for a predetermined length of time if the primary controller becomes fail-silent.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for remotely assisting an autonomous vehicle. The method includes: aggregating sensor data from the autonomous vehicle; identifying an assistance-desired scenario; generating an assistance request based on the sensor data; transmitting the assistance request to a remote assistance interface; and receiving and processing a response to the assistance request. The remote assistance interface includes a remote assistance interface that is used in generating the response to the assistance request.

Abstract: Methods and systems for applying adaptive thermal compensation when operating a rotor of a motor are provided. The method includes: receiving a plurality of parameter data of torque and temperature of the rotor and current and voltage of the motor by a region determination module; calculating, by the region determination module from the set of parameter data, a cosine value to determine a region for applying the adaptive thermal compensation wherein the cosine value is calculated from a constant torque direction vector and a voltage limit eclipse vector derived from a functional relationship of the one or more parameter data; and applying, by a reference modification module, a modification value to incrementally modify the motor current when the motor is operating within the region determined by the region determination module for the adaptive thermal compensation.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling an autonomous vehicle. A camera configured to capture an image, and a controller can execute an autonomous driving system (ADS) that classify that image. The ADS comprises a classification system for classifying objects in an environment within a driveable area of the autonomous vehicle. The classification system comprises a processor configured to execute a region proposal generator module and an image classification module. The region proposal generator module generates a set of bounding box region proposals for the image. The bounding box region proposals are selected areas of the image that include objects to be classified. The image classification module classifies, via a neural network executed by the processor, the objects from the image that are within one of the bounding box region proposals.

Abstract: Methods and systems for autonomously closing an open door of a vehicle are disclosed. A door closing system for a vehicle includes a sensor system and an autonomous driving system. The sensor system determines if a door of the vehicle is open and determines if a surrounding of the vehicle is free of obstacles in a predetermined range. The autonomous driving system instructs the vehicle to move if a door of the vehicle is open and if the predetermined range of the surrounding of the vehicle is free of obstacles, such that the door is closed as a result of the movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: An air outlet has an elongated housing including a flow channel. The air outlet has an outflow element which crosses the flow channel and is rigidly arranged on a longitudinal end of the housing. Furthermore, the air outlet has an insert which is pivotably mounted with an arched outer surface on a correspondingly formed arched section of an inner wall of the housing and is arranged offset to the outflow element in the longitudinal direction of the housing. The air outlet has an actuating element which protrudes into the flow channel, is pivotably mounted on the outflow element and is mechanically coupled to the insert.

Abstract: A nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbon (HC) storage catalyst for treating an exhaust gas flow is provided. The NOx and HC storage catalyst includes (a) a zeolite, (b) noble metal atoms, and (c) a metal oxide, a non-metal oxide, or a combination thereof. One or more of the noble metal atoms is present in a complex with the metal oxide, the non-metal oxide or a combination thereof. The complex is dispersed within a cage of the zeolite. Methods of preparing the NOx and HC storage catalyst and methods of using the NOx and HC storage catalyst for treating an exhaust gas stream flowing from a vehicle internal combustion engine during a period following a cold-start of the engine are also provided.