Abstract: An enclosed electrical device such as a battery pack for an electric powertrain system includes an enclosure having a tray and cover. The tray and cover together define an enclosure cavity. A radio frequency (RF) receiving node is located within the cavity. Printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) include an RF transmitting node. The PCBAs(s) are spaced apart from one another within the cavity. An RF shield guide layer is positioned between the PCBAs and the cover, such that the RF shield guide layer covers the PCBAs without covering the RF transmitting node. A battery pack and an electric powertrain system include the RF shield guide layer.

Abstract: A hybrid projector system for a head up display within a vehicle includes a digital light projector adapted to project a first graphical image onto an inner surface of a windshield of the vehicle, and a vector graphics projector adapted to project a second graphical image onto the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle.

Abstract: Presented are vehicle control systems and logic for monitoring device batteries to provision virtual key functionality, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such systems. A method of operating a vehicle includes wire or wirelessly connecting a remote keyless entry (RKE) system with a wireless-enabled portable electronic device (PED) of a user. A vehicle controller receives a unique virtual key code from the user's PED to enable use of the RKE system and, after receiving the virtual key code, determines a battery charge level of the PED's battery. The vehicle controller then determines if the battery charge level is less than a preset minimum charge level and if the vehicle powertrain is off. If the powertrain is off and the battery charge level is less than the minimum charge level, the controller responsively commands a resident vehicle subsystem to execute a control operation for charging the PED battery.

Abstract: A method of controlling tethered self-propelled platforms is provided. The method comprises providing a platform leader and a platform follower connected to the leader with a tether to define a first heading line of the leader and a first coordinate frame of the follower. Each of the leader and the follower is pivotally moveable relative to the tether, defining a leader angle and a follower angle. The method further comprises estimating a predicted position of the leader based on a current position, a current speed, and a current yaw rate of the leader. The predicted position of the leader defines a predicted heading line of the leader. The method further comprises determining a trajectory of the follower from the first coordinate frame to the predicted heading line defining a second coordinate frame of the follower. The trajectory is based on a desired distance the predicted heading line and a desired change in yaw angle of the follower.

Abstract: A system for managing a set of fleet vehicles includes a central command unit having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The fleet vehicles have one or more respective electronic components and respective vehicle controllers adapted to perform self-diagnosis of their respective electronic components. The central command unit is adapted to receive notification of the self-diagnosis and classify the respective electronic components as working ones and non-working ones. The central command unit is adapted to perform component matching, including polling inventory across the fleet vehicles. Working ones of the respective electronic components are selectively redistributed for reuse across the fleet vehicles. In some embodiments, at least one of the fleet vehicles is designated as a master vehicle and the central command unit is stored in the master vehicle. In other embodiments, the central command unit is stored in a cloud computing service.

Abstract: A lightweight and portable inflatable assembly includes an inflatable structural component and a chemical reaction based inflator device. The inflatable structural component includes a flexible housing defining a cavity. The inflatable structure is uninflated in a first operational mode and filled with an inflation fluid retained for at least 4 hours in a second operational mode. At least one primary and at least one secondary charge unit are in fluid communication with the cavity. The primary charge unit includes a first gas generant material configured to generate a first predetermined volume of inflation medium for filling the cavity, while the secondary charge unit includes a second gas generant material configured to generate a second predetermined volume of inflation medium for filling the cavity in the second operational mode. The second predetermined volume is ?about 40% by volume of the first predetermined volume.

Abstract: A method for modifying a brightness level of an automobile vehicle backup light includes: receiving electronic signals in a brightness evaluator and light controller defining at least one image captured within a field-of-view (FOV) of an automobile vehicle camera; dividing the at least one image into multiple independent zones; evaluating an environmental brightness level of individual ones of the multiple independent zones; comparing a brightness level of at least one backup light of the automobile vehicle to the environmental brightness level; and sending a control signal to the at least one backup light to modify the brightness level of the least one backup light.

Abstract: A one pedal driving system for an electric vehicle including one or more electric motors includes a controller in wireless communication with one or more external vehicle networks. The controller executes instructions to receive, from the one or more external vehicle networks, an active zone notification that indicates the electric vehicle is traveling into a one pedal driving zone. The one pedal driving zone represents a section of roadway where the electric vehicle decelerates from an initial speed. The controller executes instructions to receive a pedal notification that a driver foot is removed from an accelerator pedal of the electric vehicle. In response to receiving the active zone notification and the pedal notification, the controller instructs the electric vehicle to decelerate from the initial speed by a regenerative braking torque that is created by the one or more electric motors to counteract a forward momentum of the electric vehicle.

Abstract: A computing system including a cooperative system architecture for cataloging, informing, sharing, and managing engineering assets within an organization includes a user management subsystem for creating a registered user profile associated with a specific user of the computing system. The registered user profile includes user metadata that provides identifying characteristics of the specific user. The computing system includes an asset management subsystem including an asset repository for recording one or more engineering assets. The asset management subsystem modifies the user metadata of the registered user profile in response to the specific user recording an engineering asset in the asset repository. The computing system includes a test management subsystem including a test repository for recording one or more test bill of materials.

Abstract: A vehicle system is provided and includes a modular dynamically allocated capacity storage system (MODACS) and an active management module. The MODACS includes blocks of cells. The active management module is configured to: detect a first state of a first block of cells of the blocks of cells; determine whether a safety fault condition exists with the first block of cells based on the first state of the first block of cells; in response to detecting existence of the safety fault condition, isolate the first block of cells from other ones of the blocks of cells; subsequent to isolating the first block of cells, actively discharge and detect a second state of the first block of cells; and based on the second state, continue isolating the first block of cells or reconnecting the first block of cells such that the first block of cells is no longer isolated.

Abstract: A battery system for a vehicle includes multiple battery cells each configured to store charge for powering an electric vehicle, a high voltage bus electrically coupled with the multiple battery cells to provide power to an electric motor, and multiple cell monitoring modules each coupled with a corresponding one of the multiple battery cells, each cell monitoring module including a controller configured to monitor operation parameters of the corresponding one of the multiple battery cells. The system includes multiple DC-DC converters in a converter housing, each DC-DC converter electrically coupled with a corresponding one of the multiple battery cells outside of the converter housing, and a low voltage bus electrically connected between the multiple DC-DC converters in the converter housing and at least one vehicle electrical component outside of the converter housing. The low voltage bus is configured to provide low voltage power to at least one vehicle electrical component.

Abstract: Air management systems are provided for optimizing airflow in laser welding with deflectors. A system for a welder includes a blower to generate an airflow stream. A plenum receives the airflow stream, directs it toward the workpiece, and defines an outlet facing the workpiece to expel the airflow stream toward the workpiece. A deflector adjacent the outlet is formed as a conical section converging from the plenum toward the workpiece, and is defined by an angled wall with an open center. The deflector concentrates the airflow stream to impart a velocity increase to the airflow stream after leaving the outlet and to impart a favorable directional component to the airflow stream toward a weld zone, as well as protecting the laser lens by increasing the downward momentum force of the air stream to eliminate the potential of spatter impinging the lens.

Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes a first set of one or more windings and a second set of one or more windings electrically isolated from the first set of one or more windings. The system also includes a first inverter coupled to a battery of the vehicle and the first set of one or more windings and a second inverter electrically separated from the first inverter and coupled to the second set of one or more windings. A universal charger includes an alternative current (AC) charging port and a direct current (DC) charging port. A switch is controlled to close to connect the second inverter to the battery.

Abstract: Presented are motor control systems, vehicles, and methods for generating motor heat while holding an offset motor torque during stationary vehicle operation. A method of operating an AC motor includes a resident or remote vehicle controller receiving a mode request to operate a vehicle in a stationary mode, and a temperature request including the AC motor generating motor heat during the stationary operating mode. The controller determines an offset motor torque to generate the motor heat and hold the AC motor's output member at a select position when operating the vehicle in the stationary mode. Using a DQ transform model of the AC motor, the controller selects multiple dq current trajectories located in respective dq operating quadrants of the DQ transform model based on the offset motor torque. The controller then commands a power inverter to transmit electrical current to the AC motor based on the select dq current trajectories.

Abstract: A method for forming an electroactive material includes sourcing a current or voltage to an electrochemical reactor that includes a cation source, an electrolyte mixture, and an electroactive material precursor in contact with one another, where the current or voltage serves to ionize and form cations at the cation source that react with the electroactive material precursor in the electrolyte mixture to form the electroactive material. The method may include one or more filtering steps, one or more rinsing steps, or a combination of one or more filtering steps and one or more rinsing steps to collect the electroactive material from the electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrical connector verification system including a microphone for detecting a first sound generated by an engagement of a locking mechanism of an electrical connector and for generating a first signal representative of the first sound, a processor for generating a control signal in response to the first signal matching a second signal representative of a second sound generated in response to a correct engagement of the locking mechanism of the electrical connector above a certainty threshold, and a user interface for displaying an indication of a correctly seated electrical connector in response to the control signal.

Abstract: A system for a computerized emergent response assistance device is provided. The system includes an emergent response device configured for assisting a user during an emergent condition. The system further includes a computerized emergent response assistance controller. The controller is configured for operating a setup routine digitally storing a location of the emergent response device and monitoring an input useful to identify occurrence of the emergent condition. The controller is further configured for analyzing the input to identify occurrence of the emergent condition and generating an alert to the user. The alert includes the location of the emergent response device.