Abstract: A battery pack thermal management system includes a plurality of battery cells connected to at least one DC power bus. At least one thermoelectric device is operatively disposed in thermal contact with the plurality of battery cells. At least one temperature measuring device is operatively connected to the thermal management system, and configured to measure a temperature of a predetermined portion of the plurality of battery cells. A cell balancing circuit is operatively connected to the plurality of battery cells, and configured to selectively divert a portion of electric current from at least one of the plurality of battery cells to the at least one thermoelectric device. An electronic controller is operatively connected to the cell balancing circuit, and configured to control a flow of electric current to the at least one thermoelectric device.

Abstract: A method and system may measure one or more vehicle steering measurements or quantities and calculate one or more expected vehicle steering measurements. The method and system may deactivate an automatic vehicle control system based on the one or more measured vehicle steering measurements and the one or more expected vehicle steering measurements. The vehicle steering measurements may include a vehicle steering angle measurement, vehicle steering torque measurement, or other vehicle dynamics measurements. The automatic vehicle control system may include an automated lane centering system, lane keeping assist, or other autonomous vehicle steering control system.

Abstract: A combustion engine includes a first turbocharger that compresses charge air in a first compressor stage and a second turbocharger that further compresses the air compressed in the first turbocharger and that feeds the further compressed air to the combustion engine. A charge air cooler is disposed between the first and the second turbocharger and is configured to cool the air compressed by the first turbocharger.

Abstract: An instrument panel arrangement for a motor vehicle is provided. The instrument panel arrangement includes an instrument panel and a ventilation duct housing connected to the instrument panel. A middle region of the ventilation duct housing has, in an impact direction, a flexibility that is at least as great as 0.8 times a flexibility of the instrument panel.

Abstract: A reconfigurable end-effector attachable to a robotic arm, includes a master boom, a first branch assembly and a second branch assembly, a dual articulation mechanism. The dual articulation mechanism includes a first clutch attached to the first branch assembly and is configured to articulate the first branch assembly relative to the second branch assembly. The dual articulation mechanism further includes a second clutch attached to the master boom, the second branch assembly and the first clutch and is configured to simultaneously articulate the first and second branch assemblies relative to the master boom. The first and second branch assemblies each have limbs connected to branches supporting a plurality of tool modules. Each tool module includes an end element configurable to interact with a workpiece.

Abstract: A vehicular powertrain system includes an engine, an electro-mechanical transmission and an electric machine arranged in an input-split hybrid configuration. A control system for the powertrain system includes a control module signally connected to a plurality of input devices and configured to execute program code stored on a computer readable medium to control the powertrain. The program code monitors operator inputs, determines an intent to service the vehicle based upon the operator inputs, commands the electric machine to generate a net torque output of zero, and controls the engine speed correlative to an operator depression of an accelerator pedal.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes a first signal diode that emits light at an infrared wavelength, and a second signal diode that emits a light at a visible blue wavelength. The optical encoder further includes a first sensor diode having an optical wavelength filter for filtering out light having a wavelength outside the infrared wavelength, and a second sensor diode having an optical wavelength filter for filtering out light having a wavelength outside the visible blue wavelength spectrum. A slotted wheel defining a plurality of radially extending slots rotates past the signal diodes and the sensor diodes such that the sensor diodes may sense the light passing through the slots in the slotted wheel.

Abstract: Method, system and non-transitory computer-readable medium for fail-safe performance of a lane centering system. An electrical power steering (EPS) system of a vehicle is monitored for a failure and operation of the lane centering system is switched to a differential braking controller to output differential braking commands to a differential breaking system upon determining that a failure of the EPS system has occurred, where the output braking commands direct the differential braking system to apply force a brake for a wheel of vehicle, such by the applied braking force the vehicle follows a desired path determined for a lane centering operation.

Abstract: A method of establishing a mass flow rate of air entering an engine includes establishing an input voltage by an energy supply device to energize a mass-air-flow sensor. The method also includes generating an output frequency via the mass-air-flow sensor in response to the mass flow rate of air entering the engine and determining the flow rate using the generated output frequency. The method additionally includes comparing the generated output frequency with a predetermined threshold output frequency that corresponds to the established input voltage. Additionally, the method includes selecting the determined flow rate as the established flow rate if the generated output frequency is at or below the predetermined threshold output frequency. Furthermore, the method includes selecting a predetermined alternative algorithm to generate the established flow rate if the generated output frequency is above the predetermined threshold output frequency. A system for establishing the mass flow rate is also provided.

Abstract: A method and system may calculate a steering adjustment required for a vehicle traveling on a roadway to execute a transition to lane centering maneuver. A steering limit may be selected or calculated in accordance with a desired smoothness level for completing the maneuver. The steering limit may be applied to a steering adjustment to obtain a modified steering adjustment, and the modified steering adjustment may be applied to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of assessing overall efficiency of a selective-catalytic-reduction catalyst includes monitoring instantaneous efficiency of the catalyst. The method also includes determining the overall efficiency by summing instantaneous efficiency values weighted by a first set of coefficients if the most recent instantaneous efficiency value is above an instantaneous efficiency threshold. The method additionally includes determining the overall efficiency by summing instantaneous efficiency values weighted by a second set of coefficients if the most recent instantaneous efficiency value is equal to or below the instantaneous efficiency threshold. Furthermore, the method includes determining whether the overall efficiency has dropped below an overall efficiency threshold and reporting when the overall efficiency has dropped below the overall efficiency threshold.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a drive system is provided for an electric or hybrid electric vehicle that provides reduces electromagnetic emissions. The system includes, but is not limited to, an electric motor and a transmission having a collar for receiving a portion of a drive shaft. The collar has an inside diameter proportioned to an outside diameter of the drive shaft to cause capacitive coupling between the transmission and the drive shaft thereby reducing electromagnetic emissions along the drive shaft.

Abstract: A method and system may measure one or more vehicle dynamics measurements and activate an automatic vehicle control system based on the one or more measurements. The vehicle dynamics measurements may include a vehicle steering angle measurement, vehicle lane offset measurement, or other vehicle dynamics measurements. The automatic vehicle control system may include an automated lane centering system, lane keeping assist, or other autonomous vehicle steering control system.

Abstract: A method for generating an electronic work order for plant maintenance includes detecting a fault of a machine in the plant, and communicating fault information to a system. The system has a server and a database for recording downtime of the machine. The method further includes generating the work order via the server in response to the fault, including recording, within in the work order, a plurality of values from the fault information. The work order is transmitted from the server to a computing device, and a confirmation signal is recorded by the computing device indicating completion of the repair. The method includes transmitting a completed work order from the computing device to the server and recording the completed work order in the database. A system is also disclosed for generating an electronic work order for maintenance in a plant. The system includes the database and server noted above.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a motor vehicle air conditioning system is provided. The heat exchanger includes an inner tube through which a heat exchanger medium can flow and a flexible outer tube that at least regionally envelops the inner tube with the formation of a flow-through intermediate space. The inner tube exhibits a tubular section that enables a change in length and/or direction of the inner tube and runs inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the outer tube.

Abstract: An example hybrid vehicle includes a control unit that generates a control signal representing an expected torque, a first actuator that generates a first torque, a second actuator that generates a second torque associated with operating characteristics of the second actuator, and a gearbox that can receive the torque generated by the first and second actuators. A controller can determine whether the first torque produced by the first actuator is substantially the same as the expected torque based on one or more operating characteristics of the second actuator. An example method includes deriving an actual torque of the first actuator based on the operating characteristics of the second actuator, defining a torque deviation from the actuator torque and the expected torque, comparing the torque deviation to a calibration threshold, and diagnosing that the first actuator has failed if the torque deviation exceeds the calibration threshold.

Abstract: An actuator arrangement is disclosed herein for an electronically actuatable door latch that controls a door of a vehicle. The actuator arrangement includes, but is not limited to, an actuating member that is connected to the door and that is operatively coupled to the electronically actuatable door latch. The actuating member is configured to actuate the electronically actuatable door latch when the actuating member is pushed in an outboard direction. The actuator arrangement further includes a bracing member that is mounted to the door proximate the actuating member at a position that is inboard of the actuating member. The bracing member permits a user to brace against the bracing member when pushing the actuating member in an outboard direction.

Abstract: A powertrain system includes a hybrid transmission and an internal combustion engine coupled to an exhaust aftertreatment device. A method for operating the powertrain system includes operating the hybrid transmission to generate tractive torque responsive to an operator torque request with the internal combustion engine in an engine-off state so long as the tractive torque is less than a threshold. The internal combustion engine is operated in an engine-on state at preferred operating conditions to effect light-off of the exhaust aftertreatment device and the hybrid transmission is coincidentally operated to generate tractive torque responsive to the operator torque request when the operator torque request exceeds the threshold. The internal combustion engine is then operated in the engine-on state to generate tractive torque responsive to the operator torque request.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plate configured for connection to a first engine crankcase portion, such as the lower crankcase. A cam mechanism is secured to the plate and has a portion spaced from the plate to define a gap between the portion of the cam mechanism and the plate. Studs are configured for connection to the second engine crankcase portion and configured to span the gap when connected to the second engine crankcase portion so that the cam mechanism rests on the studs when the plate is connected to the first engine crankcase portion. The cam mechanism is configured to lift the plate when force is applied to the cam mechanism. A method of separating crankcase portions is carried out using the apparatus.

Abstract: A floor pivot pedal assembly for use in a vehicle having a floor. The pedal assembly may include a body mounting bracket, a pedal mounting bracket and a floor pivot foot pedal having a lower end pivotally connected to a hinge located on an upper surface of the lower mounting portion. The body mounting bracket has slots for receiving securement flanges for securing the body mounting bracket to the pedal mounting bracket. A fastener also secures the body mounting bracket to the pedal mounting bracket.