Abstract: A battery system for a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle, includes a first battery pack and a second battery pack. The first battery pack is configured to be disposed at an outer periphery of the second battery pack and outboard of the second battery pack on the vehicle. The first battery pack has a relatively high power density in comparison to the second battery pack, and the second battery pack has a relatively high energy density in comparison to the first battery pack.

Abstract: An energy management system for a vehicle has a battery system including a first battery pack with a first set of battery cells and a second battery pack with a second set of battery cells. The first battery pack has a relatively high power density in comparison to the second battery pack, and the second battery pack has a relatively high energy density in comparison to the first battery pack. An electronic controller is operatively connected to the battery system and is configured to control charging and discharging of the first battery pack and the second battery pack. The first battery pack and the second battery pack are configured to be separately charged and discharged. The electronic controller prioritizes charging and discharging of the first battery pack over the second battery pack.

Abstract: High-strength, lightweight alloy components, such as automotive components, capable of high temperature performance comprising aluminum, silicon, and iron and/or nickel are provided, along with methods of making such high-strength, lightweight alloy components. A high-energy stream, such as a laser or electron beam, may be selectively directed towards a precursor material to melt a portion of the precursor material in a localized region. The molten precursor material is cooled at a rate of greater than or equal to about 1.0×105 K/second to form a solid high-strength, lightweight alloy component comprising a stable ternary cubic phase having high heat resistance and high strength. The stable ternary phase may be AlxFeySiz, where x ranges from about 4 to about 5 or about 7.2 to about 7.6, y is about 1.5 to about 2.2, and z is about 1. The stable ternary phase may also be Al6Ni3Si.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric motor and a battery operable to provide electrical power to the electric motor. The battery system includes a first battery pack and a second battery pack. The first battery pack has a relatively high power density, and the second battery pack has a relatively high energy density. An electronic controller determines a remaining driving range of the first battery pack, and a remaining driving range of the second battery pack. The vehicle has a human-machine interface (HMI) operatively connected to the electronic controller and configured to indicate the remaining driving range of the first battery pack and the remaining driving range of the second battery pack. The controller executes a method of monitoring the battery system.

Abstract: A system for generating and matching profiles of people for ride sharing comprises a processor to process physiological data of users collected by sensors in the vehicles, driving data collected by sensors in the vehicles, and lifestyle data of the users. The processor generates user profiles based on the physiological, driving, and lifestyle data. The user profiles include correlations between the data and stress levels of the users during the use of the vehicles. A network interface receives the physiological, driving, and lifestyle data from the vehicles; receives a request from a first user to share a ride in a vehicle; receives information from the processor about a second user having a user profile compatible to the first user; and sends a response to the first user including the information about the second user to allow the first user to share the ride in the vehicle with the second user.

Abstract: A method of calculating at least one dimension of a towed vehicle includes sensing an image of the towed vehicle with an image sensing device. A feature on the towed vehicle in the sensed image of the towed vehicle is identified with a controller using a dimension determination algorithm. The dimension of the towed vehicle is determined from the identified feature of the towed vehicle, with the controller using the dimension determination algorithm. The dimension of the towed vehicle may be input into a vehicle tow controller, to enable the vehicle tow controller to control the tow vehicle.

Abstract: A composition with latent adhesion, fuel cell stack with a bipolar plate assembly with latent adhesion and a method of assembling a fuel cell stack with a seal that has latent adhesion such that reactant or coolant leakage through the seal is reduced. Bipolar plates within the stack include reactant channels and coolant channels that are fluidly coupled to inlet and outlet flowpaths, all of which are formed within a coolant-engaging or reactant-engaging surface of the plate. One or more thin or low aspect-ratio seals are formed on a metal bead that is integrally formed on a surface of the plate and is used to help reduce leakage by maintaining fluid isolation of the reactants and coolant as they flow through their respective channels and flowpaths that are defined between adjacently placed plates.

Abstract: Presented are engine-disconnect clutches with attendant control logic, methods for making/operating such disconnect clutches, and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) equipped with an engine that is coupled to/decoupled from a transmission and electric motor via a disconnect clutch. A representative method for controlling an HEV powertrain includes receiving an HEV powertrain operation command, then determining a clutch mode of a multi-mode clutch device to execute the HEV powertrain operation. This multi-mode clutch device is operable in: a lock-lock mode, in which the clutch device transmits torque to and from the engine; a free-free mode, in which the clutch device disconnects the engine's output member from the transmission's input member, preventing torque transmission to and from the engine; a lock-free mode, in which the clutch device transmits torque from but not to the engine; and, a free-lock mode, in which the clutch device transmits torque to but not from the engine.

Abstract: A communication system and methods of using the system are described. The communication system includes: a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs) operably configured for a first protocol and a second protocol; one or more switches; a first network of connections; and a second network of connections. The first protocol may be an audio video bridging (AVB) protocol. And the ECUs may include: a first protocol interface that includes one or more AVB ports; a second protocol interface; memory storing traffic shaping instructions; and a processor configured to carry out the traffic shaping instructions. The one or more switches may have a plurality of AVB ports. The first network of connections may interconnect the ports of the plurality of ECUs and the ports of the one or more switches. And the second network of connections may interconnect the second protocol interfaces of at least some of the plurality of ECUs.

Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine having a crankshaft. The engine is operable to rotate the crankshaft about a central axis. A torque converter includes a housing that is rotatable about the central axis. A selectable one way clutch system interconnects the housing of the torque converter and the crankshaft. The selectable one way clutch system includes a notch plate and a pocket plate. One of the notch plate and the pocket plate is defined by the housing of the torque converter, and the other of the notch plate and the pocket plate is connected to the crankshaft for continuous rotation with the crankshaft.

Abstract: A latching mechanism to fasten a hood panel to a vehicle body includes a housing, a fork bolt releasably securing a striker and a component releasably engaging the fork bolt to adjust the fork bolt. A latch includes a body, a primary catch portion, a secondary catch portion and a pin extending from the body. A memory lever includes a body having a recess to receive the latch pin. A cancel lever includes a body having a first end adjustably connected to the memory lever and a second end extending proximate the second catch portion. The cancel lever cooperates with the secondary catch portion to engage the striker in the first unlatched position. The latch pin is received by the memory lever recess to releasably secure the latch in the second unlatched position and allow the striker to move from the latching mechanism to unfasten the hood panel.

Abstract: A diagnostic system of a vehicle includes an energy absorber sandwiched between a front bumper fascia and a front bumper reinforcement of the vehicle. A sensing tube is located between a portion of the energy absorber and the front bumper reinforcement. A first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor measure a first pressure of air and a second pressure of air within the sensing tube, respectively. An actuator is configured to actuate and vary a pressure within the sensing tube. A diagnostic module is configured to selectively diagnose the presence of a fault with the sensing tube based on at least one of: a first change in the first pressure in response to actuation of the actuator; and a second change in the second pressure in response to the actuation of the actuator.

Abstract: An animate object detection system includes an apparatus configured for supporting an animate object and a sensor disposed in physical communication with the apparatus. The sensor includes a piezoelectric material and is configured for producing an electric signal in response to a force applied to the apparatus by the animate object. The system also includes a signal conditioner disposed in electrical communication with the sensor and configured for manipulating the electric signal and producing an output signal, and a receiver configured for receiving the output signal and generating an indicator signal. A method of detecting an animate object is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plate structure includes a plate having a planar portion defining a datum plane. The plate includes a raised bead seal and a tunnel protruding away from the datum plane. The raised bead seal extends along a centerline laying on the datum plane. The tunnel extends along a path laying on the datum plane. The tunnel intersects the raised bead seal. The path and the centerline intersect to form a first intersection angle and an adjacent second intersection angle on the datum plane. The first intersection angle and the second intersection angle are supplementary angles. The first intersection angle is an acute angle, and the second intersection angle is an obtuse angle. The path and the centerline are arranged to form a specific value of the first intersection angle and the second intersection angle to control a stiffness of the raised bead seal.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a lower rail track configured for attachment to a floor of the vehicle. An upper rail track is coupled to the lower rail track. A seat riser is attached to the upper rail track. A seat cushion and a seat back are each coupled to and supported by the seat riser. A seatbelt is attached to the seat riser. The seatbelt is operable to transfer a tensile force to the seat riser. An energy absorber interconnects the upper rail track and seat riser. The energy absorber is operable to reduce energy transfer between the seat riser and the upper rail track in response to the seatbelt applying the tensile force to the seat riser.

Abstract: An extended-reach assist device for an assembly task includes a base mechanism and a compliant end-effector. The articulated base mechanism provides one or more passive degrees of freedom. The end-effector is connected to the base mechanism, and has one or more active or passive degrees of freedom collectively configured to react to contact forces with the assist device when completing the dexterous assembly task. A weight of the end-effector is supported by the base mechanism. The end-effector may be optionally configured as a passive device configured to produce a remote center of compliance or as a robot mechanism. A mechanism may actively or passively augment a force applied by the operator. A sensor may detect a signature indicative of successful task completion, e.g., an acoustic, visual, or audio sensor.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) including a hydraulically-controllable variator is described. A method for controlling the CVT includes detecting a transient event causing a commanded change in a speed ratio of the variator and disabling feedback control of hydraulic pressure to the variator during the transient event. A target pressure that achieves the commanded change in the speed ratio of the variator is determined, and a pressure trajectory is determined based upon the target pressure. A feed-forward control of the hydraulic pressure to the variator is executed in response to the pressure trajectory during the transient event.

Abstract: An electric machine assembly having an electric machine and a controller-based method for isolating a particular fault condition in the electric machine. A plurality of current sensors is configured to output respective measured currents in respective phases of the electric machine. A position sensor is configured to output a rotor position of the electric machine. A controller is configured to group the respective measured currents into respective combinations of two. The controller is configured to calculate respective residual factors (Ri), and a global residual factor (G) based on the respective residual factors (Ri). Responsive to at least three of the global residual factor (G) and the respective residual factors (Ri) exceeding respective calibrated error thresholds, the controller is configured to identify a particular fault condition from among a plurality of possible fault conditions and execute a control action with respect to the electric machine.

Abstract: An integrated amalgamation carrier can join parts. The integrated amalgamation carrier includes an amalgamation carrier body elongated along a longitudinal axis. In addition, the integrated amalgamation carrier includes a plurality of fasteners protruding from the amalgamation carrier body. The fasteners are integrated with the amalgamation body to form a one-piece structure.

Abstract: A fuel cell reversal event is diagnosed by integrating current density via a controller in response to determine an accumulated charge density. The controller executes a control action when the accumulated charge density exceeds a threshold, including recording a diagnostic code indicative of event severity. The control action may include continuing stack operation at reduced power capability when the accumulated charge density exceeds a first threshold and shutting off the stack when the accumulated charge density exceeds a higher second threshold. The event may be detected by calculating a voltage difference between an average and a minimum cell voltage, and then determining if the difference exceeds a voltage difference threshold. The charge density thresholds may be adjusted based on age, state of health, and/or temperature of the fuel cell or stack. A fuel cell system includes the stack and controller.