Abstract: A lubricant additive dispensing system includes a cartridge defining an inner cavity to house at least one additive material section and a release opening in communication with a lubrication circulation system of a machine. The lubricant additive dispensing system also includes a spring element arranged to bias the at least one additive material section towards the release opening and a release lever arranged to selectively retain the at least one additive material sections within the cartridge. The lubricant additive dispensing system further includes an actuator coupled to the release lever wherein actuation of the release lever ejects a next one of the at least one additive material sections into the lubrication circulation system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing operator-state detection including tracking position of an operator-facing camera are described. Systems and methods include receiving a first image captured by an operator-facing camera, detecting a first position of the operator-facing camera with respect to the calibration object, ascertaining the first position with respect to at least one fiducial marker within a passenger compartment of a vehicle, capturing, via controller, a second image using the operator-facing camera, determining the second image is captured by the operator-facing camera from a second position with respect to the at least one fiducial marker, and analyzing, based on determining the second image is captured by the operator-facing camera from the second position, the second image to identify facial features of the operator. The receiving, detecting, ascertaining, determining, and analyzing are performed via a controller.

Abstract: A method and system including a central processing unit (CPU), an accelerator, a communication bus and a system memory device for dynamically processing an image file are described. The accelerator includes a local memory buffer, a data transfer scheduler, and a plurality of processing engines. The data transfer scheduler is arranged to manage data transfer between the system memory device and the local memory buffer, wherein the data transfer includes data associated with the image file. The local memory buffer is configured as a circular line buffer, and the data transfer scheduler includes a ping-pong buffer for transferring output data from the one of the processing engines to the system memory device. The local memory buffer is configured to execute cross-layer usage of data associated with the image file.

Abstract: A retention socket is configured to hold a non-ferrous metallic fastener and includes a socket body defining a cavity shaped to receive a head of the non-ferrous metallic fastener. The retention socket further includes a mechanical retaining feature coupled to the socket body to removably couple the non-ferrous metallic fastener to the socket body without the aid of magnetic forces.

Abstract: Presented are slotted permanent magnets (PM) for electric machines, motor generator units using slotted PMs, methods for making/using slotted PMs, and motor vehicles equipped with an electric traction motor using slotted PMs. An electric machine includes an annular stator with a hollow core and one or more internal stator slots. One or more electrically conductive windings is/are disposed in the stator slot(s). A cylindrical rotor is rotatably disposed inside the hollow core of the stator. One or more permanent magnets is/are mounted to the rotor. Each permanent magnet includes a rigid, single-piece PM body with opposing first and second faces. A first set of elongated grooves is recessed into the first face. An optional second set of elongated grooves is recessed into the second face. Each of the grooves has a depth that is substantially parallel to a direction of a magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a curvilinear magnet includes forming at least one slot in a material billet. The slotted material billet is inserted into a mold having a curvilinear pocket. The mold is closed around the slotted material billet such that the slotted material billet conforms to the curvilinear pocket and forms a curvilinear billet. The curvilinear billet is arranged in a structure. The curvilinear billet arranged in the structure is then magnetized.

Abstract: Presented are slotted permanent magnets (PM) for electric machines, motor generator units using slotted PMs, methods for making/using slotted PMs, and motor vehicles equipped with an electric traction motor using slotted PMs. An electric machine includes an annular stator with a hollow core and one or more internal stator slots. One or more electrically conductive windings is/are disposed in the stator slot(s). A cylindrical rotor is rotatably disposed inside the hollow core of the stator. One or more permanent magnets is/are mounted to the rotor. Each permanent magnet includes a rigid, single-piece PM body with opposing first and second faces. A first set of elongated grooves is recessed into the first face. An optional second set of elongated grooves is recessed into the second face. Each of the grooves has a depth that is substantially parallel to a direction of a magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A switch assembly includes a case and a direct current (DC) electronic solid-state switch coupled to the case. The case covers the DC electronic solid-state switch, and the DC electronic solid-state switch has an on-state and off-state. The DC electronic solid-state switch blocks between 650 volts and 1200 volts in a single direction in an off-state. The DC electronic solid-state switch continuously carries at least 400 amperes direct current with a voltage drop of less than one volt. The DC electronic solid-state switch also includes a plurality of semiconductor dies each forming a MOSFET. The DC electronic solid-state switch also includes a plurality of signal conductors.

Abstract: A method for planning and adapting a recommended travel route to a route destination for a vehicle having various subsystems includes identifying the route destination and receiving vehicle health management (VHM)/state of health (SOH) information for each subsystem. The vehicle with a controller programmed to execute the method is also disclosed. The method includes calculating route characteristics of candidate travel routes to the destination using the VHM information and determining, from among the candidate travel routes, travel routes for which the characteristics meet a respective threshold requirement. Thereafter, the controller executes a control action by displaying a candidate route meeting the threshold requirements. An occupant is prompted to revise the mission requirements when no candidate route exists. A default route to a designated parking location or repair depot may be displayed when none of the candidate routes meet the threshold requirements.

Abstract: A deployable headrest airbag includes an airbag chamber configured to be coupled to a headrest of a vehicle seat. The airbag chamber has a stowed position and a deployed position. In stowed position, the airbag chamber is disposed inside the headrest. In the deployed position, the deployable headrest airbag is disposed outside of the headrest to protect a head and a neck of a vehicle occupant.

Abstract: A signal processing system includes a central processing unit (CPU) in communication with an accelerator, and an instruction scheduler in communication with the accelerator. A first memory device including a first instruction set is configured to operate the accelerator, a second instruction set is configured to operate the CPU, and a second memory device is configured to receive a datafile. The accelerator includes a plurality of processing engines (PEs) and an instruction scheduler, the instruction set includes a plurality of operators, and the instruction scheduler is configured to implement the operators in the accelerator employing the PEs. The CPU employs the operators implemented in the accelerator to analyze the datafile to extract a feature therefrom.

Abstract: A torque converter assembly includes a pump and a turbine fluidly connected together. A vehicle includes the assembly operable between an output shaft of an engine and an input member of a transmission. The assembly includes a damper and a clutch operable between the pump and the turbine. The damper is operable upstream from the clutch such that oscillation from the pump is reduced by the damper before oscillation reaches the clutch. The clutch includes first and second plates and a friction plate disposed between the first and second plates. The assembly includes a casing that contains the pump, the turbine, the damper and the clutch. A first part of the casing and the first plate define a first chamber. A first part of the turbine and the second plate define a second chamber. The clutch between the first and second plates defines a third chamber.

Abstract: A thermal interface member configured to be disposed between a heat sink and a heat-releasing device includes a thermal interface member. The thermal interface member has a thermally conductive, cure-in-place, polymer foam pad configured to maintain uniform contact with each of the heat sink and the heat-releasing device. The thermal interface member is additionally configured to absorb the thermal energy released by the heat-releasing device and direct the released thermal energy to the heat sink. The polymer foam pad has a matrix structure including at least one of anisotropic and isotropic thermally conductive anisotropic filler material, and is characterized by foam material density below 0.5 g/cm3.

Abstract: An electrical system includes a multi-level traction power inverter module (TPIM), a polyphase electric machine, and a controller. The TPIM has multiple switching sets collectively operable for inverting a DC voltage on a DC voltage bus into an AC voltage on an AC voltage bus. The electric machine has (m) multiple electrical phases. Each of the (m) multiple electrical phases is connected to and driven by a respective one of the switching sets of the TPIM. The controller determines when the electric machine enters a predetermined partial-load region of operation, and, responsive to entry into the predetermined partial-load region, selectively deactivates a predetermined number (n) of the (m) multiple electrical phases. This is done via switching state signals to corresponding ones of the switching sets, with n?m?2.

Abstract: An electromagnetic machine includes a motor housing defining a cavity therein, and a stator disposed within the cavity. The stator has an external surface and a plurality of mounting ears each configured to receive a fastener and extending from the external surface towards the motor housing. The assembly includes a tunable insert ring disposed between the motor housing and the stator. The tunable insert ring and the stator define at least one cooling channel therebetween. The tunable insert ring encircles the external surface and includes a plurality of projections each extending towards and disposed in contact with the stator to thereby stiffen the electromagnetic machine and minimize vibration of the stator within the motor housing. A device including the electromagnetic machine is also described.

Abstract: A method for operating an electromagnetic actuator includes an actuation event utilizing a current waveform for the actuator characterized by an initial peak pull-in current in a first direction of current flow when the actuator is commanded to an actuated position; and a reversed peak current in a second opposite direction of current flow applied after the actuator is commanded to a rest position. The reversed peak current has a magnitude that is greater than the magnitude of the initial peak pull-in current.

Abstract: An exemplary method for controlling a vehicle includes providing a vehicle steering system including a moveable steering column assembly and a moveable steering wheel assembly, a first actuator and a second actuator, the first and second actuators configured to move vehicle steering system from a first position to a second position, providing a plurality of sensors, the sensors configured to measure a force characteristic, providing a controller electronically connected to the sensors and the vehicle steering system, monitoring first sensor data received from the first sensor and second sensor data received from the second sensor, generating a reference model based on a desired output displacement and the first and second sensor data, calculating, a revised output displacement based on the reference model, and automatically generating a first control signal to control the first actuator and a second control signal to control the second actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus for flexible DC fast charging of an electrified vehicle includes a charge receptacle and a vehicle charging controller programmed to establish a wireless communication with a charging station. The apparatus further includes a reconfigurable energy storage system selectively and electrically connected to the charge receptacle. The reconfigurable energy storage system includes a first rechargeable energy storage device selectively and electrically connected to the charge receptacle, a second rechargeable energy storage device selectively connected to the charge receptacle, and a plurality of low-loss switching devices selectively connected to the first rechargeable energy storage device and the second rechargeable energy storage device.

Abstract: A method and system including a central processing unit (CPU), an accelerator, a communication bus and a system memory device for dynamically processing an image file are described. The accelerator includes a local memory buffer, a data transfer scheduler, and a plurality of processing engines. The data transfer scheduler is arranged to manage data transfer between the system memory device and the local memory buffer, wherein the data transfer includes data associated with the image file. The local memory buffer is configured as a circular line buffer, and the data transfer scheduler includes a ping-pong buffer for transferring output data from the one of the processing engines to the system memory device. The local memory buffer is configured to execute cross-layer usage of data associated with the image file.

Abstract: A method for regulating operation of an induction motor having a rotor includes calculating a rotor flux angle error value, via a flux observer of a controller, using estimated d-axis and q-axis flux values of the rotor, estimating rotor position using a position observer of the controller, and calculating slip position of the rotor using d-axis and q-axis stator currents. The method also includes estimating a rotor flux angle as a function of slip position and estimated rotor position, calculating a corrected rotor flux angle by selectively adding the rotor flux angle error value to the estimated rotor flux angle, and controlling output torque of the motor using the corrected rotor flux angle. A logic switch may be used to selectively add the rotor flux angle.