Abstract: A battery cell includes a cathode element, an anode element, and an electrolyte disposed in contact with each of the cathode and anode elements. The battery cell also includes a battery cell case constructed from a rigid material and defining an internal chamber configured to house each of the cathode element, the anode element, and the electrolyte. The battery cell case defines at least one aperture configured to provide a gas path between the internal chamber and an external environment. The battery cell additionally includes a reversible, multiple-use valve assembly mounted to the battery cell case and configured to selectively open a fluid flow through the at least one aperture to relieve a gas pressure within the internal chamber exceeding a predetermined pressure threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling deceleration of a vehicle towing a trailer. In an embodiment, a method includes: generating, by a processor, trailer brake command data to pulsate brakes of the trailer; in response to the generating the trailer brake command data, storing, in a data storage device of the vehicle, a first set of deceleration data; generating, by the processor, vehicle brake command data to pulsate brakes of the vehicle; in response to the generating the vehicle brake command data, storing, in the data storage device, a second set of deceleration data; determining, by the processor, a maximum vehicle brake torque threshold where a maximum trailer brake output occurs based on the first set of deceleration data and the second set of deceleration data; and controlling, by the processor, the brakes of the trailer based on the maximum vehicle brake torque threshold.

Abstract: A system includes a vehicle external to a back office portal. The back office portal is operational to generate a signed update mode record. The vehicle has multiple devices and a component. The component is in communication with the devices, and operational to receive the signed update mode record, verify that the signed update mode record is from the back office portal and was created for the component, erase credentials within the component that establish the component as valid to the plurality of devices in response to the verification of the signed update mode record, perform an irreversible action within the component, enter a software update mode, exit the software update mode, and reject each request from the plurality of devices to the component that relies on the credentials that were erased from the component.

Abstract: A method for constructing a cell support assembly with thermal runaway mitigation for a multi-cell rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) include forming a cell holder configured to support the RESS battery cells. The cell holder has a holder body defining a plurality of apertures arranged in rows, such that each aperture is configured to align and be in fluid communication with a cell vent of one of the RESS battery cells. Individual embodiments of the method also include various techniques of arranging a plurality of thermal-barrier strips and potting elements to align with apertures of the cell holder body and adhering the thermal-barrier strips to the potting elements and to the cell holder. The resultant cell support assembly operates to channel thermal runaway energy away from the affected battery cell(s) and out of the RESS enclosure without triggering thermal runaway in adjacent cells.

Abstract: A rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) includes battery cells, each having a respective gas vent. The RESS also includes a cell support assembly with thermal runaway mitigation and has a cell holder for supporting the battery cells. The cell holder defines apertures arranged in rows and each aperture fluidly communicates with one cell vent. The assembly also includes multiple thermal-barrier strips adhered to the holder. Each thermal-barrier strip extends parallel to a respective aperture row to thermally insulate each corresponding cell from gases expelled by neighboring cells during a thermal runaway. The assembly additionally includes multiple potting elements. Each potting element is arranged in one of the apertures between a respective cell and a corresponding thermal-barrier strip to thereby adhere to the cell and to the corresponding thermal-barrier strip and maintain position of the cell on the holder. A motor vehicle may employ such a RESS.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for data processing that include cameras and processors. The cameras are configured to obtain data including frames. The processors are coupled to the cameras, and are configured to at least facilitate identifying, for each frame, regions of interest for privacy protection; extracting, for each region of interest, high level properties of the region of interest for the frame; generating a replacement image for each of the regions of interest, thereby protecting privacy while maintaining the high level properties of the region of interest; and updating the frame utilizing the replacement image for each of the one or more regions of interest, generating an updated frame that protects individual privacy.

Abstract: Methods of securing a vehicle, via controller, include monitoring local events; determining whether the vehicle is parked in a dangerous area; and taking corrective action to protect the vehicle. Methods may include determining whether local events have occurred within a prescribed distance and, if the local events have occurred within the prescribed distance, arming the vehicle. Methods may include determining whether valuable items have been left in view and notifying a user of the vehicle if valuable items have been left in view via wireless communications. Methods may include locking vehicle doors and monitoring external and internal data or self-driving the vehicle to a safer area. Furthermore, if the methods determine that a theft is occurring on the vehicle, using nearby self-driving vehicles to block the vehicle in, which may be reached via V2X or a back office asking the nearby vehicles to block the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by the controller, return data generated by a lidar device of the vehicle; determining, by the controller, at least one overlapping channel of redundant return data; determining, by the controller, an optimization framework of equations based on modeled errors of the at least one overlapping channel; solving, by the controller, the optimization framework using a least squares method to determine an error value; determining, by the controller, a state of health of the lidar device based on the error value; compensating, by the controller, the return data from the lidar device based on the error value; and controlling, by the controller, the vehicle based on the compensated return data.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking attached objects for controlling a vehicle. The method includes receiving, by a processor, sensor data of an environment associated with the vehicle that includes an object. The method includes determining, based on the sensor data, whether the object corresponds to an attached object type, and determining whether the sensor data includes a second vehicle. The method includes determining an attached object region associated with the second vehicle based on a distance between the second vehicle and the vehicle, and determining whether a position of the object is within the attached object region. The method includes determining whether a difference between a velocity of the object and a vehicle velocity of the vehicle is within a velocity threshold based on the distance. The method includes determining that the object is an attached object and controlling the vehicle based on the determining.

Abstract: Methods of detecting that a vehicle tracking device is tracking humans includes determining whether the vehicle tracking device has been removed from its linked vehicle; determining whether the vehicle tracking device is being used to track a human; and alerting when determined that the vehicle tracking device is tracking humans. Methods may determine if a weighted score is greater than a threshold and alerting: an owner of the vehicle tracking device; setting off an audio alert on the vehicle tracking device; or notifying authorities. Methods may detect human movement by detecting steep elevation changes; detecting acceleration data consistent human movement; or detecting movement that is not a road. Methods may determine if the vehicle tracking device is with a different vehicle or building by: detecting the different vehicle's hotspot; detecting the building's Wi-Fi; or detecting GPS movement that matches the different vehicle's GPS movement.

Abstract: A system for disassembling a energy cell having a case includes a energy cell securement device arranged on a moveable table; and a cutting tool. The energy cell securement device is configured to fixedly secure the energy cell with a portion of the case exposed proximal to the cutting tool. The moveable table is configured to convey the energy cell securement device such that the cutting tool cleaves the portion of the case of the energy cell.

Abstract: An electrode stack for a solid-state battery is provided. The electrode stack includes a cathode. The cathode includes a cathode current collector and a first layer of material applied to the cathode current collector. The first layer of material includes a cathode active material, a first ionomer configured as a first binder, and a conductive material. The electrode stack further includes a solid electrolyte separator layer, including a second ionomer configured as a second binder. The electrode stack further includes an anode including a layer including lithium metal, silicon, or graphite and an anode current collector. One of the first ionomer and the second ionomer includes a shape-memory ionomer configured for selectively restoring the electrode stack to an original shape.

Abstract: Wireless transmission of data packets between controllers is executed over a plurality of integrated hybrid wireless communication channels, with proportional allocation of communication links for guaranteed and best-effort communication links. Data packets may be communicated across a plurality of wireless communication channels to ensure delivery of on-demand performance.

Abstract: An active vehicle restraint system an airbag inflator configured to expel an inflator gas in response to an airbag trigger control signal, an airbag cushion having a pusher chamber wherein the airbag cushion is configured such that the inflator gas is directed towards the pusher chamber such that the pusher chamber is pressurized before a remainder of an airbag cushion chamber, a vehicle trim piece affixed to a vehicle body with a retention element such that the vehicle trim piece covers a portion of the airbag cushion, wherein the retention element is configured such that the retention element is detached from the vehicle body by the pusher chamber and wherein the retention element maintains a structural integrity during a detachment process from the vehicle body, and an electronic control unit for generating the airbag trigger control signal in response to the sensor control signal.

Abstract: A system comprises a computer including a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions such that the processor is programmed to receive sensor data including wheel speed measurements, suspension displacement measurements, and tire leak detection data from a vehicle, estimate a rough road measurement based on a deviation of a wheel speed with respect to an average wheel speed and or based on suspension displacement sensor signals and generate temporal spatial map data indicative of a location and a roughness severity metric of a roadway portion based on the rough road measurement and tire leak detection data.

Abstract: A system for unsupervised radar calibration of a vehicle is contemplated. The system may include a radar having a plurality of antennas configured to transmit radar signals and responsively receive reflected signals. The system may further include a calibration controller configured to determine a plurality of detections from the reflected signals corresponding with unsupervised objects in the vicinity of the vehicle, and based on the detections, to generate a calibration matrix sufficient for calibrating the radar.