Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling an active safety feature of a vehicle are provided. The systems and methods receive radar data from a radar device of the vehicle and image data from a camera of the vehicle. Object detection and tracking processes are performed on the radar data and the image data to identify and track objects in an environment of the vehicle. Conditions are assessed with respect to identified objects to ascertain whether a radar track is erroneously reported as a separate object to a camera track. When the conditions are assessed to be true, an object corresponding to the camera track is used as an input for controlling an active safety feature of the vehicle and an object corresponding to the radar track is discounted for controlling the active safety feature of the vehicle.

Abstract: Excessive expansion of rechargeable batteries during recharging is a significant concern since the uncontrolled buildup of high internal battery pressures from expansion inside a confined space can lead to separator membrane failure and/or thermal runaway of a battery cell. A crushable foam or honeycomb insert layer is placed inside of a rigid battery fixture to automatically limit the progressive buildup of internal battery pressure due to charging-induced expansion of the battery cell during recharging. The crushable insert layer is included as part of the rigid battery fixture. Aluminum honeycomb cores and porous aluminum metal foam materials have a significant amount of crushability over a very wide range of compressive strains. Alternatively, a porous metal foam or metal honeycomb material may be infused with a liquid polymer (e.g., silicone, rubber, EDPM, or polyurethane) to enhance the mechanical properties of the polymer-infused metal foam or honeycomb metal/polymer composite material.

Abstract: A supportive software-based “toolbox” for optimizing finite state machine (FSM)-modeled systems. The optimization may include defining a plurality of alternative models for the FSM-modeled system and iterating one or more of the domain alternative into iterated alternatives. The optimization may include generating a plurality of stateflow representations for the FSM-modeled system according to the iterated alternatives, and based thereon, generating a model score for each of the stateflow representations predictively ranking the stateflow representations based at least in part on one or more of user experience, usability, correctness, transformability, effectiveness, and readiness.

Abstract: An electrolyzer stack, an electrolysis system, and a method for operating an electrolysis system are provided. In one example, the electrolyzer stack includes a cell block that includes a plurality of cells configured to receive and convert water to form a hydrogen product stream. A bladder is in fluid communication with the hydrogen product stream and is operatively disposed to apply a force to the cell block when pressurized by a portion of the hydrogen product stream.

Abstract: A method of making a reference electrode assembly for an electrochemical cell according to various aspects of the present disclosure includes providing a subassembly including a separator layer and a current collector layer coupled to the separator layer. The method further includes providing an electrode ink including an electroactive material, a binder, and a solvent. The method further includes creating a reference electrode precursor by applying an electroactive precursor layer to the current collector layer. The electroactive precursor layer covers greater than or equal to about 90% of a superficial surface area of a surface of the current collector layer. The electroactive precursor layer includes the electrode ink. The method further includes creating the reference electrode assembly by drying the electroactive precursor layer to remove at least a portion of the solvent, thereby forming an electroactive layer. The electroactive layer is solid and porous.

Abstract: A modular battery system includes a battery pack with multiple battery modules electrically interconnected via a plurality of electrical cables. A plurality of switches selectively connects the multiple battery modules. A direct current (DC) charge connector is configured to electrically connect the battery pack to an off-board DC fast-charging station, via the plurality of electrical cables. The pack circuit is adapted to switch between a first configuration and a second configuration based on a respective position of the plurality of switches. A controller is configured to select the respective position of each of the plurality of switches to transition the pack circuit between the first configuration and the second configuration, in response to input signals indicative of a requested operating mode of the battery pack. The first configuration provides three parallel electrical pathways, and the second configuration provides two parallel electrical pathways.

Abstract: An electrolyzer stack, an electrolysis system, and a method for operating an electrolysis system are provided. In one example, the electrolyzer stack includes a cell block that includes a plurality of cells configured to receive and convert water to form a hydrogen product stream. The electrolyzer stack includes a force applicator, when pressurized, configured to apply a force to the cell block to counter dimensional changes (e.g., expansion or contraction) to the electrolyzer stack. The force applied by the force applicator is based on the pressure of the hydrogen product stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that include sensors and a processor of a vehicle that is configured to tow a trailer. The sensors are configured to obtain sensor data pertaining to surroundings of the trailer. The processor is coupled to the sensors, and is configured to at least facilitate retrieving information as to a profile of the trailer, the profile including required clearances for the trailer based on extensions of the trailer that are configured to be retracted while the trailer is moving and fully extended when the trailer is parked and the extensions are utilized; determining whether any obstacles are in a path of the trailer when the extensions are fully extended, based on the sensor data and the profile; and taking an action, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, when obstacles are in the path of the trailer.

Abstract: Herein, a technology is discussed that facilitates remote assistance for an occupant of a vehicle in response to the detection of distressed vehicle loading conditions during a power-assisted loading of cargo into the vehicle. The technology and techniques described herein detect a distressed condition that occurs during a power-assisted loading of cargo into a vehicle. In response to the detected condition, the technology and techniques notify a remote communications center and facilitate the assistance of an occupant in cooperation with that center.

Abstract: A mechanical design of a rechargeable battery cell (e.g., a Lithium-ion battery) disposed inside of a prismatic can, for use in electric vehicles and other electric-powered devices. The improved design uses a thermally conductive insert to divide the battery cell into two adjacent volumes that each hold a pair of stacked layers of a battery cell. This thermally conductive insert conducts heat from the center of the battery cell during battery recharging to actively-cooled channels disposed in a pair of cooling manifolds that are disposed on two vertical sides of the battery cell. Alternatively, or additionally, an actively-cooled bottom cold plate can be used. The pair of stacked battery layers can each be wound in a “jelly-roll” geometric configuration. The thermally conductive insert may be made of aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, or copper alloy, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A robotic system for forming a moldable workpiece is provided. The robotic system includes a robot, an end effector, an adjustment module, and a control module. The robot is configured to pass the workpiece through a machine. The end effector is configured to be attached to the robot and configured to grasp and release the workpiece. The end effector is adjustable to a plurality of different configurations. The adjustment module is configured to determine a change in the workpiece from (a) a first form of the workpiece prior to the passing of the workpiece through the machine to (b) a second form of the workpiece after passing of the workpiece through the machine. The control module is configured to adjust a present configuration of the end effector to a second configuration based on the change in the workpiece from (a) the first form to (b) the second form.

Abstract: A system for modular dynamically adjustable capacity storage for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells, a negative terminal including a chassis ground connection, and a plurality of positive battery pack terminals. The negative terminal and the plurality of positive battery pack terminals are useful for connecting at least one electrical circuit through the battery pack. The system further includes a battery cell switching system, including a plurality of solid-state switches connected to each of the battery cells. The plurality of solid-state switches is operable to selectively connect a portion of the battery cells in parallel, selectively connect the portion of the battery cells in series, and selectively connect one of the plurality of battery cells to one of the plurality of positive battery pack terminals.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with an electric vehicle are provided. The electric vehicle includes a sensor system, a communications system and a snow clearing system. The systems and methods detect, based on data from the sensor system, snow that may accumulate on a window of the electric vehicle. When snow is detected, a notification is provided, via the communications system, to a remote user device. The notification requests user acceptance of use of charge of a battery of the electric vehicle to operate the snow clearing system of the electric vehicle. The systems and methods receive, by the communications system, a response to the notification from the user device, and when the response indicates acceptance of the use of charge of the battery, the snow clearing system is activated. The snow clearing system is powered by the battery.

Abstract: A vehicle, system method for operating the vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a camera and a processor. The camera is configured to obtain a camera image of a road segment. The processor determines a location of a road edge for the road segment within the camera image, obtains a lane attribute for the road segment, generates a virtual lane mark for the road segment based on the road edge and the lane attribute, and moves the vehicle along the road segment by tracking the virtual lane mark.

Abstract: A location assistance system includes a distress vehicle and multiple assistance vehicles. The distress vehicle broadcasts an emergency signal. The assistance vehicles are operable to receive the emergency signal, determine multiple distances to the distress vehicle, triangulate among the assistance vehicles to generate a spatial map of the distress vehicle relative to the assistance vehicles, determine one or more approximately horizontal lines in the spatial map that include the distress vehicle and at least one horizontally aligned assistance vehicle in response to the distress vehicle and the at least one horizontally aligned assistance vehicle being on a same vertical level in the spatial map, coordinate among the assistance vehicles to determine one or more horizontal sequences along the one or more approximately horizontal lines, and flash the of the assistance vehicles in the one or more horizontal sequences to lead toward the distress vehicle.

Abstract: A system for 5G MICO mode operation of a vehicle during an ignition off mode includes a telematics unit and a telematics communication mode controller. The controller monitors energy consumption by the telematics unit and estimates a total energy consumption of the telematics unit through a time period. The controller further compares the total energy consumption to a first threshold energy consumption and a second threshold energy consumption and, when the total energy consumption is less than the first threshold energy consumption, operates the telematics unit in a first mode including unrestricted communication. The telematics communication mode controller, when the total energy consumption is between the first threshold energy consumption and the second threshold energy consumption, operates the telematics unit in a second MICO mode and, when the total energy consumption is greater than the second threshold energy consumption, deactivates communications by the telematics unit.