Abstract: Presented are high-voltage (HV) electrical systems pairing solid-state relays (SSRs) with electromechanical contactors for optimized galvanic disconnect, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such systems. An HV electrical system includes a first circuit loop that connects a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) to an electrified powertrain. A second circuit loop, which is parallel to the first circuit loop, connects the RESS to a charge inlet of a battery charging system. A first contactor switch on the first circuit loop serially connects with the powertrain's electric motor and a first terminal of a RESS battery assembly. A second contactor switch on the second circuit loop serially connects with the charge inlet and the first terminal. One or more SSR switches electrically connect in series with a second terminal of the battery assembly, the electric motor and/or charge inlet, and the two contactor switches across the battery assembly.

Abstract: Vehicles and related systems and methods are provided for managing energy consumption by resources associated with the vehicle. A power management service receives an abstract request for a resource from a software entity, obtains current status information for the vehicle from one or more systems associated with the vehicle, determines whether the requested activation of the resource associated with the abstract resource abstract request is permitted based at least in part on the current status information and a usage profile associated with the abstract resource request, and in response to determining the requested activation of the resource is permitted, the power management service automatically provides a concrete activation request to the resource.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for designing a manufacturing system. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for designing a manufacturing system includes: identifying a potential hazard for the manufacturing system; evaluating, via a processor, the potential hazard with respect to a plurality of possible injuries associated with the potential hazard; and providing output, via instructions provided by the processor, with respect to the potential hazard based on the evaluating of the potential hazard with respect to the plurality of possible injuries associated with the potential hazard.

Abstract: Methods for forming prelithiated electroactive materials are provided. Methods include preparing a precursor that includes lithium and silicon and centrifugally distributing the precursor using a centrifugal atomizing reactor. Methods for preparing the precursor include contacting a first mixture including lithium and having a first temperature and a second mixture including silicon and having a second temperature in a mixing chamber to form a precursor. The first mixture and the second mixture each enters the mixing chamber at a pressure greater than or equal to about 10 PSI. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature. Centrifugally distributing the precursor includes contacting the precursor with a rotating surface in a centrifugal atomizing reactor and solidifying the precursor to form a plurality of substantially round solid electroactive particles including lithium and silicon and having D50 diameters of less than or equal to about 30 micrometers.

Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes a first fuse connected between a power source and a load. The first fuse is an electronic fuse (eFuse) to disconnect the load from the power source via the first fuse based on opening a first fuse switch. The system also includes a second fuse connected between the power source and the load via a second fuse switch. The first fuse and the second fuse are part of a cluster of fuses. A controller opens the first fuse switch and keeps the second fuse switch closed based on the vehicle entering a key-off mode in which the vehicle is turned off.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided in a vehicle having a Hitch Articulation Angle (HAA) calculation system for estimating an HAA between the vehicle and a towed trailer. The method includes: receiving a plurality of ultrasonic sensor (USS) range measurements for a first USS on the vehicle while the vehicle is towing the trailer in a forward direction; receiving a plurality of HAA values calculated using geometric equations or a kinematic model that correspond to the plurality of USS range measurements; receiving a USS range measurement for the first USS while the vehicle is operating in a reverse direction or experiencing a high HAA but not from a second USS; estimating an HAA value from the USS range measurement by applying the USS curve characteristics for the first USS; and providing the estimated HAA value to a vehicle motion control system for use in controlling vehicle and trailer motion.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a reflective surface includes a first imaging assembly configured to take a first image of the reflective surface. The first image includes depth information. The system also includes a second imaging assembly configured to take a second image of the reflective surface. The second image includes contrast information. The system further includes a processor configured to acquire the first image and the second image, estimate a depth profile of the surface based on the depth information, correlate the depth profile with the second image, and identify a feature of the reflective surface based on the correlation.

Abstract: A compressor assembly includes a compressor housing having an inlet port configured to receive intake air and an outlet port configured to discharge pressurized air. A hollow section having an inner radial surface defines the inlet port of the compressor housing. A compressor wheel is disposed in the hollow section. A positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) passage is configured to allow airflow between a crankcase of an engine and the hollow section of the compressor housing. The PCV passage has an outlet opening that opens into the hollow section of the compressor housing and the inner radial surface includes an integrally formed raised boss surrounding the outlet opening and protruding into the hollow section.

Abstract: In various embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided to distribute coolant to an electric motor. The apparatus includes a pan configured with a set of holes for coolant flow; an assembly including a set of bar linkages, a set of discs, and a single actuator motor wherein the assembly is attached to the pan wherein the single actuator motor is linked via bar linkages to discs that enable configuring a planar angle of the pan to obtain an optimum hole location of holes for coolant flow; and in response to external disturbances to the apparatus that redirect the coolant flow from the target region of the electric motor, the single actuator motor is controlled by an algorithm to change the planar angle of the pan to obtain the optimum hole location to direct coolant flow to the target region of the electric motor.

Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine includes strengthened structural elements effected through surface alloying and heating via an induction heating fixture. A rotor includes laminations formed to have internal cavities and structural members adjacent the cavities. A number of the laminations are stacked to form a lamination stack. An alloying material is applied to the lamination stack at the structural members. The lamination stack is placed in a fixture so that an inductor extends along the structural members and cooling elements extend through the cavities. A current is applied to the inductor to heat the structural members, alloying the alloying material into the structural members.

Abstract: A method for reducing parking violations includes: receiving, by a controller of a vehicle, sign information of one or more traffic signs in an area surrounding the vehicle, wherein the sign information is a time series of data acquired by a set of cameras as the vehicle moves, using the vehicle as a frame of reference; identifying, by the controller, a potential parking spot in an area surrounding the vehicle; determining, by the controller, using the sign information, whether the potential parking spot is valid or invalid for the vehicle; and generating, by the controller, a notification if the potential parking spot is invalid.

Abstract: A system for controlling propulsion in a vehicle includes a switching system connected to a battery system connected to a drive unit and to one or more electrical loads by a propulsion bus. A controller is configured to control the switching system to vary a voltage applied to the drive unit. The controller is configured to receive a request to transition between operating modes, the transition including a change of a voltage applied to the drive unit from an initial voltage level to a target voltage level. The controller is configured to sequentially perform deactivating the one or more electrical loads, based on the target voltage being higher than the initial voltage, pre-charging the one or more electrical loads, based on the target voltage being lower than the initial voltage, performing a discharge procedure, and operating the switching system to apply the voltage at the target voltage level.

Abstract: A method and system for brokering cloud event (CE) communications between a plurality of devices operable within a distributed publisher-subscriber system. The brokering may include constructing a plurality of publisher-subscriber connections between the devices and a gateway, and in response to receiving a plurality of publish packets at the gateway, relaying the publish packets from the gateway via the connection associated with a topic identified therein.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for vehicular data collection and analysis. The system may include a vehicle and a remote computing system. The vehicle may include a sensor system, a communication system, a controller configured to: receive vehicle data including sensor data that includes an observable condition of the vehicle as sensed with the sensor system, process the vehicle data to produce collected data, store the collected data as stored data in a data storage device of the vehicle, and upload the stored data through a communication network. The remote computing system may include a controller configured to, by a processor: receive the vehicle data, and perform statistical analysis thereof to quantify a change of the observable condition relative to historical data associated with the vehicle and relative to other vehicles within a fleet.

Abstract: A method for making a battery can, for example, but not limited to, for a p-type prismatic cell may include: manufacturing at least one first battery can portion and at least one second battery can portion, using a first manufacturing process; joining the at least one first battery can portion and the at least one second battery can portion, using a second manufacturing process, different from the first manufacturing process; and inspecting the battery can to verify the joining between the at least one first portion and the at least one second portion. A method for making a battery can may include: providing at least one safety vent in a battery can and/or applying an insulation coating to one or more of an internal surface, an external surface and at least one seam of the battery can.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: storing, in a datastore device, intrinsic and extrinsic parameter data associated with an image sensor coupled to a trailer and configured to capture an image that includes at least a portion of the vehicle; receiving, by a processor, image data from the image sensor of the trailer; determining, by the processor, a region of interest within the image data based on a feature of the vehicle; computing, by the processor, a hitch articulation angle from the region of interest and the parameter data; and generating, by the processor, hitch articulation angle data for use in controlling at least one of the vehicle and the trailer.

Abstract: An electrochemical battery cell may include an electrode assembly, a liquid electrolyte, a metallic battery enclosure or “can,” and a liquid solution. The electrode assembly and the electrolyte solution may be disposed within the battery can. The liquid solution may be disposed between the electrode assembly and the battery can. The liquid solution may include an organic solvent, a cross-linkable polymer and a cross-linking agent which may be converted into a conductive layer by reacting the cross-linkable polymer and the cross-linking agent of the liquid solution to form a reaction product. The liquid solution may include an ion conducting salt. The reaction product may be a polymer matrix and the organic solvent and/or the ion conducting salt may be contained within the polymer matrix. Reacting the cross-linkable polymer and the cross-linking agent may include applying heat to the liquid solution to convert the liquid solution into the reaction product.

Abstract: An O-ring collar seal for an interface between adjacent first and second components includes a cylindrical structure arranged along a longitudinal axis and characterized by an L-shape in a cross-sectional view. The L-shape includes a first section orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, with a distal end extending toward the axis for being sandwiched between the components. The L-shape also includes a second section extending from the first section, arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis, and configured to retain the O-ring collar seal on the first component. The L-shape additionally includes a round shape third section arranged on the first section's distal end for being compressed by the adjacent components to generate sealing pressure therebetween when the O-ring collar seal is installed in the interface. The first and second sections of the L-shape together define a collar portion and the third section defines an O-ring portion of the O-ring collar seal.