Abstract: A computer-implemented method that when executed on data processing hardware causes the data processing hardware to perform operations including setting an initial transmission channel for a transmission radio between a station and an access point, setting an initial listen channel for a listen radio between the station and the access point, obtaining cleanliness data and free channel data, performing one of maintaining the initial transmission channel and the initial listen channel or switching transmission from the transmission radio to the listen radio based on the cleanliness data, and performing one of maintaining the initial transmission channel and the initial listen channel or changing the initial transmission channel to a different channel based on the free channel data.

Abstract: An electrical system includes a battery, temperature sensor, and battery charging station connectable to the battery and to an alternating current (AC) power supply. The charging station includes connected battery charging and heating circuits. The charging circuit includes a first plurality of power switches configured to rectify an AC input voltage from the power supply into a direct current (DC) voltage for charging the battery during a battery charging mode. The heating circuit includes a voltage bus, transformer, series switch, and a second plurality of power switches downstream of the transformer. The heating circuit generates an AC battery current from the DC voltage and injects the same into the battery during a battery heating mode. An electronic controller controls the power switches and the series switch to perform the charging and heating modes, doing so via a corresponding method.

Abstract: A signage monitoring system for a vehicle is disclosed. The signage monitoring system includes a vehicle processor storing data including vehicle location, vehicle event data, and existing outdoor signage information. The signage monitoring system also includes a server communicatively coupled to the vehicle processor and configured to determine existing outdoor signage effectiveness based on correlated vehicle event data and vehicle location data from a plurality of vehicles.

Abstract: A method for heating a battery pack of an electrified powertrain system having an electric motor includes determining a temperature of the battery pack. Responsive to the battery temperature being less than a predetermined threshold temperature, the method includes executing a self-heating mode of the battery pack. This includes injecting a high-frequency direct-axis alternating current voltage waveform that minimizes output torque and prevents rotation of a rotor of the electric motor. An AC current waveform is applied to the battery pack as a result of the voltage injection. A controller includes a temperature sensor configured for determining a temperature of the battery pack and a processor configured to perform the method. A motor vehicle includes the controller, an electrified powertrain system having the battery pack and an electric motor, and road wheels connected to and powered by electric motor.

Abstract: Vehicles and related systems and monitoring methods are provided for detecting a loss of isolation on one side of a power converter. One method involves monitoring a normalized voltage input to a power conversion module coupled to the electric motor, in response to the normalized voltage exceeding a diagnostic activation threshold, determining a first number of instances of a range between successive extremas of the normalized voltage exceeding a loss of isolation range threshold over a diagnostic window of time, and automatically initiating a remedial action when the first number is greater than a loss of isolation detection threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a first vehicle component having a shape memory polymer (SMP) including a first modulus of elasticity in a first state and a second modulus of elasticity in a second state, the second modulus of elasticity being less than the first modulus of elasticity, a heating element selectively movable from an OFF state to an ON state to supply the SMP with heat, the SMP moving from the first state to the second state in response to the heating element moving from the OFF state to the ON state, and at least one sensor attached to the vehicle and configured to generate an electric signal in response to a force of a predetermined magnitude being applied to the vehicle to move the heating element from the OFF state to the ON state.

Abstract: An injector/ejector assembly for a fuel cell. The assembly includes a body portion that extends along a central longitudinal axis. Recirculation flow passages are formed by and extend through the body portion. Each of the recirculation flow passages extend from a corresponding recirculation flow inlet to a corresponding recirculation flow outlet. A motive flow passage is formed by and extends through the body portion and reeds enclose at least a portion of the corresponding recirculation flow outlet for each of the recirculation flow passages.

Abstract: A latency reduction system for a vehicle is disclosed. The latency reduction system includes a vehicle processor for storing vehicle data including ignition status. The latency reduction system also includes a user device communicatively coupled to the vehicle processor and including data processing hardware storing a first predetermined paging latency time interval. Additionally, the latency reduction system includes a server communicatively coupled to the vehicle processor and the user device and configured to change the first predetermined paging latency time interval to a second predetermined paging latency time interval based on the ignition status.

Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine includes an air circulation cooling system. The rotor includes a rotor core having cavities internal to the rotor core. The rotor core extends longitudinally between two ends. The cavities are defined by the rotor core. The cavities extend through the rotor core and open through at least one of the ends. The rotor core operates to circulate air through the cavities by rotation of the rotor core.

Abstract: A vehicle including a first aerodynamic device extending from a body of the vehicle and movable between an extended position and a retracted position and an aerodynamic control module configured to determine wind conditions during forward movement of the vehicle and to move the first aerodynamic device between the extended position and the retracted position based on the determined wind conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing transitions between operational modes of a vehicle. The system includes a controller configured to, by a processor: automatically transition between vehicular operational modes without initiation by the driver including a hands-off autonomous driving mode in which the processor controls lateral steering of the vehicle, a hands-on driving assistance mode in which the processor controls the lateral steering of the vehicle while the driver is holding the steering wheel, and a no control mode in which the driver controls the lateral steering of the vehicle. The transition between the operational modes is based on sensed data. The hands-off autonomous driving mode is prioritized over the hands-on driving assistance mode which is prioritized over the no control mode. The controller is further configured to display on a human-machine-interface a notification indicating that at least one of the operational modes is active or not available.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring ground line degradation of electric devices coupled to a communication bus. The method includes, by a processor: receiving voltage data including measurements of voltages of messages transmitted by the electric device over the communication bus, generating health indicators from the voltage data associated with ground line degradation of the electric device, the health indicators including statistical moments calculated based on the voltage data, and determining a health stage of the electric device based on the health indicators, the health stage including a classification based on a relationship between ground line degradation and communication loss for the electric device.

Abstract: A solid-state battery cell, such as a lithium-ion cell, is assembled with a solid electrolyte layer member positioned between co-extensive surface layers of an anode active layer member and a cathode active material layer member. At least one of the engaging surfaces of the solid electrolyte layer is not flat. It is formed with a topographical pattern comprising recesses in a flat surface, or a surface of projections and recesses, and placed against a compatibly-shaped, mating surface of the anode layer and/or the cathode layer. The re-shaping of the surface(s) of the solid electrolyte layer and adjoining electrode layer(s) is to significantly increase the effective contact area with the facing layer of electrode material and improve the conduction of ions across the interface. A thin film of interlayer material may be placed between the surfaces of the facing cell members with the specially shaped adjacent faces.

Abstract: A system for measuring effects of vibration on rheometric properties of a fluid sample. The system includes a receptacle configured to hold the fluid sample and receive a probe extending from a rheometric measuring device. A vibration generator is configured to vibrate the fluid sample within the receptacle while the rheometric measuring device measures the rheometric properties of the fluid sample. A vibration control module is configured to control frequency at which the vibration generator vibrates.

Abstract: A system includes a first webbing payout sensor configured to detect a first webbing payout of a seatbelt associated with a vehicle seat, the first webbing payout being a length of webbing extended from a retractor of the seatbelt, an occupant detection module configured to identify a state of the vehicle seat, the occupant detection module identifying an occupied state when an occupant is seated on the vehicle seat and an unoccupied state when the vehicle seat is free from an occupant, and a seatbelt wear condition module in communication with the first webbing payout sensor and the occupant detection module and configured to identify whether a seatbelt buckle extender is used in conjunction with the seatbelt based on the first webbing payout and the state of the vehicle seat identified by the occupant detection module.

Abstract: Automated driver assistance systems and methods for towing predict vehicle/trailer instabilities and adapt automated driving control to avoid them. A tow-vehicle includes a controller that, through an actuator system, controls speed and/or steering. A map system and/or a sensor system monitor a roadway on which the vehicle is travelling to identify a road profile located ahead of the vehicle over a prediction horizon. A projected trajectory for navigating the vehicle through the road profile over the prediction horizon and considering environmental conditions is determined. Before travel over the road profile, whether the projected trajectory through the road profile will result in exceeding a vehicle dynamic threshold is determined. When the projected trajectory will result in exceeding the vehicle dynamic threshold through the road profile, a control action is determined to prevent instability and optimize driver experience. The vehicle is operated through the road profile using the control action.

Abstract: A method of prioritizing updates to vehicles includes receiving one or more update requests for a first vehicle; determining a receiving capacity of the first vehicle; checking status of a battery and communications of the first vehicle; prioritizing the one or more update requests based on the receiving capacity of the first vehicle; and sending the prioritized update requests to the first vehicle. The method may include receiving one or more update requests for an additional vehicle; determining a receiving capacity of the additional vehicle; prioritizing the one or more update requests based on the receiving capacity of the additional vehicle; sending the prioritized update requests to the additional vehicle: and determining whether the vehicles are part of a common location group. Creating profiles from sets of communications available for the vehicle and selecting the best connection speed from profiles. Updating radio maps based on connection speeds.

Abstract: A motor stator includes a stator core having a plurality of stator teeth on an inner diameter thereof and defining a respective plurality of slots between the plurality of stator teeth. A plurality of windings are disposed in the slots. A heat pipe network includes a plurality of evaporator portions including a hollow structure disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of slots and including an interior having a wick extending along the interior of the hollow structure. A condenser portion has an interior portion in communication with the plurality of evaporator portions and is located at an end of the stator core. The wick of each of the plurality of evaporator portions extend into the condenser portion.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a composite panel comprising stitching a plurality of first continuous reinforcing fibers in N first zones and M second zones of a backing substrate of a preform. The N first zones are arranged near C corners of the composite panel, where C is an integer. The plurality of first continuous reinforcing fibers in the N first zones is arranged radially relative to the C corners. At least one of a fiber density of the plurality of first continuous reinforcing fibers in the N first zones that is less than a fiber density of the plurality of first continuous reinforcing fibers in the M second zones, and a stitch density of the plurality of first continuous reinforcing fibers in the N first zones that is less than a stitch density of the plurality of first continuous reinforcing fibers in the M second zones.