Abstract: A thermal management system for a rechargeable battery pack assembly includes a conduit having an upstream end and a downstream end, the downstream end operatively connectable to an enclosure of the rechargeable battery pack assembly at a port of the rechargeable battery pack assembly. A sealing mechanism is configured to transition from a first state in which the sealing mechanism blocks flow of an applied stream of water through the conduit from the upstream end through the port, to a second state in which the sealing mechanism permits flow from the upstream end to the port and through the port into the interior cavity to cool the interior cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for vehicle control adaptation to external environmental conditions includes receiving, by a controller, weather and roadway condition data, from an external source. The weather and roadway condition data includes a sustained wind velocity, a sustained wind direction, and a wind gust level for a location of the vehicle. The controller receives vehicle measurement data from one or more sensors situated within the vehicle and determines a criticality of a wind impact on the vehicle based on the weather and roadway data and the vehicle measurement data. The controller than generates feedback and/or a control based on the criticality of the wind impact.

Abstract: A battery module includes a first pouch battery cell and a neighboring second pouch battery cell. The battery module also includes a dielectric fluid in direct contact with and in circulation over and around each of the first and second pouch cells. The battery module additionally includes an immersion barrier positioned between the first and second pouch cells and defining an opening for controlling passage of the dielectric fluid between the first and the second pouch cells. The barrier thereby facilitates localization of a thermal runaway event in the first pouch cell by minimizing transfer of high temperature gases between the first and the second pouch cells via the dielectric fluid and controls propagation of the thermal runaway event in the module. The battery module further includes an enclosure housing and retaining each of the first and second pouch cells, the dielectric fluid, and the immersion barrier.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a battery module having a plurality of cells includes a sensor adapted to obtain respective cell voltages of the plurality of cells. The controller is adapted to receive data from the sensor, the controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The controller is configured to sort the respective cell voltages to create a voltage ranking. The voltage ranking is repeated with at least one new set of cell voltage readings obtained at a predefined checking frequency. Differences in the voltage ranking of the plurality of cells are analyzed. The controller is adapted to control operation of the battery module based in part on differences in the voltage ranking. The controller may be adapted to predict likelihood of a thermal runway event based in part on the differences in the voltage ranking.

Abstract: A method for optimizing sign includes receiving, by a controller of a vehicle, sensor data from a plurality of sensors of the vehicle. The method further includes detecting a sign along a road while the vehicle is in motion using the sensor data and, in response to detecting the sign along the road of the vehicle, determining an optimal location of the vehicle relative to the sign to recognize the sign. Further, the method includes recognizing a content of the sign using an optimal frame captured by the camera at the optimal location and, in response to recognizing the content of the sign, filtering the plurality of frames of the video captured by the camera to minimize a use of a computational resources of the controller.

Abstract: A drive system includes a prime mover that provides an input, and an output system that is driven by the input. A torque transfer system is coupled between the prime mover and the output system. The torque transfer system includes two gear planes. Each of the gear planes includes a pair of gear meshes, and each of the pair of gear meshes has a floating structure.

Abstract: A system for predicting energy consumption by a vehicle during a trip has a controller adapted to receive a route plan for the trip. The controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The system has a plurality of machine learning modules, including a behavior predictor, a driving consumption predictor and an auxiliary consumption predictor. The controller is adapted to predict a total energy consumed by the vehicle during the trip by executing the plurality of machine learning modules. The driving consumption predictor is adapted to predict a primary energy consumed for propelling the vehicle based in part on the route plan. The auxiliary consumption predictor is adapted to predict a secondary energy consumed by the vehicle for non-propulsion purposes. The behavior predictor is adapted to predict an average vehicle speed based at least partially on traffic conditions.

Abstract: A system and method of predicting a target vehicle entry into a side blind zone of an ADAS equipped vehicle and displaying a real-time alert to inform an operator or occupant of the ADAS equipped vehicle of the predicted target vehicle entry into the side blind zone. The system includes exterior sensors, interior sensors, an augmented reality rearview mirror, and a module. The module is configured to detect an object behind the ADAS equipped vehicle, predict a path of the object, determine a probability that the predicted path of the object will enter a side blind zone of the vehicle, and determine an entry of the object into the side blind zone of the vehicle when the probability exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, methods and systems are provided for controlling steering of an autonomous vehicle. The method includes: operating, by a processor, the autonomous vehicle in a semi-automated mode; receiving, by the processor, driver input including a measured driver torque; receiving, by the processor, threat data; determining, by the processor, a steering command bias based on an impedance relation, impedance parameters, the measured driver torque, and the threat data; determining, by the processor, a reference angle based on the steering command bias and a desired angle; and generating, by the processor, control data to control the steering of the autonomous vehicle based on the reference angle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for vehicles are provided for trailer steering assistance. The system includes a computer system onboard the vehicle and configured to, by a processor: monitor a front steering angle of the vehicle and a hitch angle of the vehicle as the vehicle and the vehicle trailer move in the reverse direction, dynamically adjust a rear steering angle of the vehicle as the vehicle and the trailer move in the reverse direction based on the front steering angle and the hitch angle to match the rear steering angle to the front steering angle while the hitch angle less than a predetermined hitch angle, and dynamically adjust the rear steering angle of the vehicle as the vehicle and the trailer move in the reverse direction based on the front steering angle and the hitch angle to maintain the hitch angle at the predetermined hitch angle.

Abstract: The concepts described herein relate to a system, method, and/or apparatus for monitoring a NOx sensor that is arranged in an exhaust gas feedstream of an internal combustion engine downstream of an exhaust aftertreatment system to detect a fault related to the NOx sensor. This includes utilizing a catalyst efficiency model to detect occurrence of a fault that may indicate an in-range biased or stuck NOx sensor.

Abstract: A method of assisting deceleration during a stop of a motor vehicle having a drivetrain including a traction motor, a road wheel operatively connected to the drivetrain, a friction brake configured to decelerate the road wheel, and an electronic controller includes detecting, via the electronic controller, a request to stop the vehicle. The method also includes commanding the traction motor to provide regenerative braking in response to the request to stop the vehicle. The method additionally includes determining a current vehicle operating state. The method also includes determining an amount of brake drag torque to be generated by the friction brake based on the current vehicle operating state. The method further includes commanding an application of the determined amount of the brake drag torque in parallel with the regenerative braking, thereby operating the friction brake as a mechanical drivetrain damper while assisting the regenerative braking to stop the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A seat assembly of a vehicle includes a seat cushion, and a plurality of inflatable tubes located in the seat cushion. An inflation apparatus is operably connected to the plurality of inflatable tubes to selectably inflate the plurality of inflatable tubes upon detection of a crash event. A method of operating a seat assembly of a vehicle includes detecting a crash event, and selectably inflating a plurality of inflatable tubes in a seat cushion of the seat assembly in response to detection of the crash event. One or more inflatable tubes may be provided in a seat back, headrest and/or side bolster of the seat assembly to enhance active and passive safety features and to improve occupant comfort. This feature can be extended to a seat backrest, seat bolster and seat headrest to enhance active and passive safety features.

Abstract: A management system for a multi-cell rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) is capable of wirelessly communicating with an unsecured third-party device. The management system includes a system controller that is in communication with cell monitoring units that are arranged to individually monitor the battery cells. Each cell monitoring unit includes a cell controller that is in communication with a sensor that is arranged to determine a parameter of a respective one of the battery cells of the RESS. Each of the cell controllers is configured to execute a secure wireless communication protocol, and is also configured to execute an open wireless communication protocol. The open wireless communication protocol is activated to enable non-proprietary wireless communication to a proximal third-party device in response to a trigger event.

Abstract: A method for controlling an automated driving operation includes setting up respective independent models for executing planning and learning in the automated driving operation, including a vehicle planning model and a cognitive learning model. A semantic layer is generated to act as a bridge between the cognitive learning model and the vehicle planning model, the semantic layer including a first data adaptor and a second data adaptor. The method includes transforming real traffic data to a respective equivalent abstract representation such that it can be used by the cognitive learning model to generate a humanized reward model, via the first data adaptor. The method includes determining a trajectory plan, via the vehicle planning model, based in part on the humanized reward model. The vehicle has a controller that executes the automated driving operation based in part on the trajectory plan.

Abstract: A vehicle control system including a spatial monitoring system includes on-vehicle cameras that capture images, from which are recovered a plurality of three-dimensional points. A left ground plane normal vector is determined for a left image, a center ground plane normal vector is determined for a front image, and a right ground plane normal vector is determined for a right image. A first angle difference between the left ground plane normal vector and the center ground plane normal vector is determined, and a second angle difference between the right ground plane normal vector and the center ground plane normal vector is determined. An uneven ground surface is determined based upon one of the first angle difference or the second angle difference, and an alignment compensation factor for the left camera or the right camera is determined. A bird's eye view image is determined based upon the alignment compensation factor.

Abstract: Rotor for electric machines and methods for fabricating rotors for electric machines are provided. An exemplary method includes assembling a stack of laminations to form a rotor core having an external surface. The rotor core defines one to five layers of internal cavities and an interior permanent magnet is positioned in a selected internal cavity. The method also includes locating a non-magnetic structural element in the selected internal cavity. Further, the method includes applying a compressive force on the external surface of the rotor core with an annular sleeve.