Abstract: A pre-charge system for a DC electric power system includes a high-voltage electric power bus that electrically connects to an external bus. A contactor includes a first switch arranged to control electric power through the positive bus link, and a second switch arranged to control electric power through the negative bus link. A pre-charge resistor is arranged in parallel with the first switch. A controller is operatively connected to the first and second switches, and in communication with a voltage sensor. The controller includes an instruction set to activate the second switch, periodically monitor the electrical potential, determine a time-rate of change in the electrical potential, and close the first switch when the time-rate of change in the electrical potential is less than a first threshold.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a device includes an electric motor configured to generate torque to propel the device. A controller is in communication with the electric motor and is adapted to select at least one harmonic order for a harmonic current command. The controller is adapted to define a plurality of operating regions, including a first operating region, a second operating region and a third operating region, each associated with a respective objective function for generating the harmonic current command. The controller is adapted to operate the harmonic current command with four degrees of freedom by selectively varying a q-axis current magnitude, a d-axis current magnitude, a q-axis phase and a d-axis phase as a function of the torque and a motor speed.

Abstract: A system for transmitting an audio signal in a vehicle includes a stabilizer located at a source position in the vehicle. At least one speaker is operatively connected to the stabilizer. The speaker is adapted to transmit an audio signal to a target position for at least partially supporting a spatial audio representation. The target position and the source position are independently movable. The stabilizer is adapted to direct the audio signal such that a trajectory between the target position and the source position is maintained regardless of respective motion of the target position and the source position. The trajectory includes a first segment between the source position and a deflecting surface and a second segment between the deflecting surface and the target position.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a first electrode that includes a first current collector and a first electroactive material layer disposed on or near the first current collector, a second electrode that includes a second current collector and a second electroactive material layer disposed on or near the second current collector, and a separating layer disposed between the first electroactive material layer and the second electroactive material layer. The second electroactive material layer includes a plurality of hierarchical silicon columns, each of the hierarchical silicon columns has a longest dimension perpendicular to a major axis of the second current collector. The second electroactive material layer also includes a carbonaceous network that at least partially fills interstices defined between hierarchical silicon columns of the plurality of hierarchical silicon columns. The carbonaceous network includes linked carbon atoms that define a plurality of pores.

Abstract: Presented are articulating roof assemblies for electrical generator systems, methods for making/using such roof assemblies, and fuel cell powered electric vehicle charging stations with such roof assemblies. An electrical generator system includes a mobile or stationary rigid support frame with an electrical generator that is mounted to the support frame and operable to generate electric power. At least one charging cable is electrically connected to the generator in order to transfer the electric power to a load. A control circuit is communicatively connected to the generator and governs the creation and transfer of electric power. Mounted onto the rigid support frame is a roof assembly with one or more roof panels. Each roof panel is movable between an undeployed position, whereat the roof panel at least partially covers the generator, and a deployed position, whereat the roof panel is obliquely angled to and/or projects outwardly from the rigid support frame.

Abstract: A charging system includes a service office, a charging station, a charging plug, a plurality of cameras, and a controller. The charging station is in communication with the service office. The service office is remote from the charging station. The charging plug is coupled to the charging station. The charging plug is operable to charge a battery of an electric vehicle. The plurality of cameras is coupled to the charging station. The plurality of cameras is operable to generate a plurality of images of the charging plug from a plurality of directions. The controller is disposed in the charging station. The controller is operable to transmit the plurality of images to the service office. The service office is operable to determine a physical state of the charging plug based on the plurality of images received from the controller.

Abstract: An antenna system includes a first antenna operational to transmit a first radio-frequency signal, a second antenna operational to receive a second radio-frequency signal and receive the first radio-frequency signal, a first electromagnetic polarizer disposed between the first antenna and the second antenna and operational to change a polarization of the first radio-frequency signal, a second electromagnetic polarizer disposed between the first electromagnetic polarizer and the second antenna and operational to further change the polarization of the first radio-frequency signal, and a conductive ground plane disposed on a ground side of the first antenna and the second antenna. The conductive ground plane defines a gap between the first antenna and the second antenna. The gap extends under the first electromagnetic polarizer. The gap extends under the second electromagnetic polarizer. A horizontal component of the second polarization of the first radio-frequency signal is maintained across the gap.

Abstract: A method for displaying lane information on an augmented reality display includes receiving roadway data. The roadway data includes information about a roadway along a route of a vehicle. The roadway includes a plurality of lanes. The roadway data includes lane information about at least one of the plurality of lanes along the route of the vehicle. The method further includes receiving vehicle-location data. The vehicle-location data indicates a location of the vehicle. The method further includes determining that that the vehicle is approaching a road junction using the vehicle-location data and the roadway data. The method further includes, in response to determining that the vehicle is approaching the road junction, transmitting a command signal to a dual-focal plane augmented reality display to display at least one virtual image that is indicative of the lane information.

Abstract: A method for forming a layered anode material includes contacting a precursor material and a first electrolyte. The precursor material is a layered ionic compound represented by MX2, where M is one of calcium and magnesium and X is one of silicon, germanium, and boron. The method further includes applying a first bias and/or current as the precursor material contacts the first electrolyte to remove cations from the precursor material to create a two-dimensional structure that defines the layered anode material. In certain variations, the method further includes contacting the two-dimensional structure and a second electrolyte and applying a second bias and/or current as the two-dimensional structure contacts the second electrolyte so as to cause lithium ions to move into interlayer spaces or voids created in the two-dimensional structure by the removal of the cations thereby forming the layered anode material.

Abstract: A method of using a system for generating a centrally located floating image display includes displaying a first map image with a first display, receiving the first map image with a first reflector, reflecting the first map image with the first reflector, displaying, a second map image with a second display, receiving the second map image with a second reflector, reflecting the second map image with the second reflector, displaying first private information to the first passenger and second private information to the second passenger with a transparent display positioned between the first passenger and the first reflector and between the second passenger and the second reflector, receiving input from the first and second passengers with the system controller, and collecting images with an external scene camera.

Abstract: Presented are embedded control systems with logic for computation and data sharing, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles with distributed sensors and embedded processing hardware for provisioning automated driving functionality. A method for operating embedded controllers connected with distributed sensors includes receiving a first data stream from a first sensor via a first embedded controller, and storing the first data stream with a first timestamp and data lifespan via a shared data buffer in a memory device. A second data stream is received from a second sensor via a second embedded controller. A timing impact of the second data stream is calculated based on the corresponding timestamp and data lifespan. Upon determining that the timing impact does not violate a timing constraint, the first data stream is purged from memory and the second data stream is stored with a second timestamp and data lifespan in the memory device.

Abstract: A vehicle system for recommending driving automation based on occupant behavior and emotion includes one or more input devices. The input devices generate an input signal associated with sensor data indicative of a current emotion and a current driving pattern of an occupant. The vehicle system further includes a computer having a processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium (CRM). The CRM stores multiple occupant behavior profiles, with each occupant behavior profile including a unique occupant identification and multiple historical driving patterns. Each driving pattern has an associated historical emotion for the unique occupant identification. The processor is programmed to determine a deviation of the current driving pattern from the historical driving patterns, compare the deviation to a threshold, and generate a notification signal. The notification device provides the notification to recommend that the occupant actuate the vehicle system.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion, a seat back pivotally moveable between an upright position and a reclined position, and at least one upper arm support selectively moveable between a stowed position and an extended position, the at least one upper arm support adapted to provide support for an upper arm of an occupant when the seat back of the vehicle seat is in the reclined position and the at least one upper arm support is in the extended position.

Abstract: A scan aggregator and filter for an autonomous vehicle includes a plurality of radar sensors, where each radar sensor performs a plurality of individual scans of a surrounding environment to obtain data in the form of a radar point cloud including a plurality of detection points. The scan aggregator and filter also includes an automated driving controller in electronic communication with the plurality of radar sensors. The automated driving controller is instructed to filter each of the individual scans to define a spatial region of interest and to remove the detection points of the radar point cloud that represent moving objects based on a first outlier-robust model estimation algorithm. The automated driving controller aggregates a predefined number of individual scans together based on a motion compensated aggregation technique to create an aggregated data scan and applies a plurality of density-based clustering algorithms to filter the aggregated data scan.

Abstract: A driver assistance system in a host vehicle is provided. The driver assistance system is configured to: track a plurality of obstacles in front of the host vehicle; receive host vehicle driver selection of a follow operating mode for the driver assistance system via a human machine interface (HMI); identify a candidate lead vehicle from the plurality of tracked obstacles; provide, via the HMI, a line of sight view in front of the host vehicle that includes the candidate lead vehicle; receive host vehicle driver selection of the candidate lead vehicle as a lead vehicle to follow; adjust a desired trajectory calculated by the driver assistance system to obtain and maintain a desired headway between the lead vehicle and the host vehicle; and generate control signals for vehicle actuators to control the host vehicle to follow the desired trajectory to follow the lead vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle management system for managing access of an application on a vehicle to a wireless network external to the vehicle. The system may include a network usage controller configured for determining a data usage status for the application to be one of allowed and blocked and a network access manager configured for storing a route for the application to access a server of the wireless network when the data usage status is allowed and for erasing or disabling the route when the data usage status is blocked.