Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell stack is described. The fuel cell stack includes a cathode, an anode, and a temporarily disabled bleed valve that is otherwise configured to transition from a first position to a second position and thereby modulate nitrogen drained from the anode. The method includes increasing a first pressure in the anode via a controller and, concurrent to increasing, decreasing a second pressure in the cathode via the controller. A system and a device including the fuel cell stack are also described.

Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes a braking system, at least one controller, and at least one memory. The braking system includes a brake fluid therein and a brake pedal. The at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one controller, are configured to: determine, via a boiling-point module, a boiling point of a brake fluid within a braking system of a vehicle; determine, via a fluidic-properties module, fluidic properties of the brake fluid; determine, via a corrosion-inhibitor module, an amount of corrosion inhibitors within the brake fluid; determine, via a reserve-alkalinity module, a reserve alkalinity of the brake fluid; estimate, a brake-fluid life module, a remaining effective life of the brake fluid using the boiling point, the fluidic properties, the amount of corrosion inhibitors, and the reserve alkalinity; and adjust a response curve of the braking system.

Abstract: A permanent magnet electric machine (PM machine) includes a rotor with rotatable magnets and a stator defining an air gap with the rotor. An actuator rotates the rotatable magnets at predetermined operating points through an angular distance sufficient for changing magnetic pole orientations of the rotatable magnets, and thus modifies magnetic flux linkage with stator windings across the air gap. Fixed magnets may be arranged around a circumference of the rotor. The actuator may be actively or passively driven. Flux-shunting elements are optionally disposed in the rotor to further modify the flux linkage. A gear set connected to torque transfer elements may be driven by the actuator to rotate the rotatable magnets. A vehicle includes drive wheels, a transmission, and the PM machine. A method controls magnetic flux linkage in the PM machine noted above.

Abstract: A method of forming a weld interface between a first workpiece and a second workpiece includes arranging a reactive braze material at a first joining surface of the first workpiece. The reactive material is selected to react upon being heated to a temperature below the solidus temperature of the first and second workpieces to form a liquid-containing reaction product. Furthermore, an assembly is prepared of the first workpiece and the second workpiece with the first joining surface of the first workpiece and a second joining surface of the second workpiece separated by the reactive material. The second workpiece is then heated with a first laser beam following a first path and with a second laser beam following a second path.

Abstract: A method using compensation learning strategy for a diagnostic of an internal combustion engine component includes operating the component via an actuator command to establish a first operating parameter representative of a first mode of component operation. The method also includes identifying a drift in the first parameter negatively affecting the first mode of operation. The method additionally includes determining compensation to the actuator command to counteract the first parameter drift during the first mode of operation. The method also includes determining compensation to the first parameter using the determined actuator command compensation. The method additionally includes applying the determined parameter compensation directly to the first parameter. The method also includes operating the component using the actuator command to establish a second operating parameter representative of a second mode of component operation.

Abstract: A steering assembly for a vehicle includes a steering gear including a steering gear housing enclosing a steering rack, the steering rack coupled to a tie rod at a joint, at least one boot assembly configured to enclose the joint between the steering rack and the tie rod. The at least one boot assembly includes a first boot proximate to the joint and a second boot disposed outward of the first boot. The first and second boots define a void therebetween.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices to inhibit sensing reduction in imperfect sensing conditions are described. A multifunctional coating superposing a lens includes a self-cleaning layer and a heating layer. The self-cleaning layer defines an external surface configured to be exposed to an exterior environment. The external surface defines three-dimensional surface features thereon. The three-dimensional surface features are adjacently disposed arcuate features that inhibit adhering of solid particles to the external surface and wetting of the external surface. The heating layer is in thermal communication with the external surface. The heating layer is selectively actuated to provide thermal energy to the external surface through resistive heating. Each of the self-cleaning layer and the heating layer is transparent to a predetermined wavelength of light.

Abstract: A seat cushion includes a cushion body defining a first body surface and a second body surface opposite the first body surface, wherein the first body surface is configured to face the seat occupant, and the second body surface is configured to face away from the seat occupant. The cushion body defines a plurality of holes extending into the second body surface or columns extending from the second body surface. The holes or columns are arranged on a pattern to allow the cushion body to passively conform to the seat occupant, thereby enhancing comfort.

Abstract: An electric motor transaxle having a transaxle housing for a vehicle drive axle includes first and second axle-shafts that are configured to rotate about a common first axis. The transaxle includes a first planetary gear-set operatively connected to the first axle-shaft, configured to rotate about the first axis, and having first, second, third, and fourth members. The transaxle additionally includes a second planetary gear-set operatively connected to the second axle-shaft, configured to rotate about the first axis, and having first, second, third, and fourth members. The transaxle further includes an electric motor arranged on the first axis and configured to provide a direct electric motor torque input to each of the first and second planetary gear-sets. A vehicle drive axle for mounting in a motor vehicle and employing such an electric motor transaxle is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices which optimize fuel-cell stack airflow control are described. According to aspects of the present disclosure, actuation of at least one cathode-flow actuator is initialized to an initial state based on a desired oxygen flowrate to operate the fuel-cell stack in a voltage-controlled mode, a stack current produced by the fuel-cell stack is determined that corresponds to operation at the actuation of the cathode-flow actuators, a flowrate of oxygen exiting the fuel-cell stack is calculated based on the stack current, the flowrate of oxygen exiting the fuel-cell stack is compared to the desired oxygen flowrate exiting the fuel-cell stack, and actuation of at least one of the cathode-flow actuators is modified in response to the flowrate of oxygen being different from the desired oxygen flowrate. The modified actuation reduces the difference between the desired oxygen flowrate and the flowrate of oxygen exiting the fuel-cell stack.

Abstract: A fluidic subsystem disposed on a vehicle includes an electric motor, a motor driver, and a fluidic pump that is disposed in a fluidic circuit that is monitored by a pressure sensor. A controller includes an instruction set that is executable to dynamically observe operation of the fluidic subsystem, from which it determines a plurality of observed parameters associated with the operation of the fluidic subsystem and a plurality of estimated parameters associated with the fluidic subsystem. A plurality of fault isolation parameters are determined based upon the observed parameters and the estimated parameters, and a fault in the fluidic subsystem is isolated based upon the fault isolation parameters. The isolated fault is communicated via the controller.

Abstract: A method for mitigating clunk in a driveline of a vehicle system during a declutch event includes determining a current torque request of a prime mover based on an accelerator pedal position of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle system. The method includes determining a clutch pedal position and determining, via a controller, a clutch pedal speed based on a change of the clutch pedal position over time. The method further includes modifying, via the controller, the current torque request to obtain a modified torque request based on the clutch pedal position and the clutch pedal speed such that a stored potential energy in the driveline is minimized by a time that the clutch pedal of the vehicle system is disengaged during the declutch event.

Abstract: Presented are systems and methods for extracting lane-level information of designated road segments by mining vehicle dynamics data traces.

Abstract: A method using compensation learning strategy for a diagnostic of an internal combustion engine component includes operating the component via an actuator command to establish a first operating parameter representative of a first mode of component operation. The method also includes identifying a drift in the first parameter negatively affecting the first mode of operation. The method additionally includes determining compensation to the actuator command to counteract the first parameter drift during the first mode of operation. The method also includes determining compensation to the first parameter using the determined actuator command compensation. The method additionally includes applying the determined parameter compensation directly to the first parameter. The method also includes operating the component using the actuator command to establish a second operating parameter representative of a second mode of component operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for additive manufacturing of a metallic component using a metal-powder paste are described. The metal-powder paste is a mixture including a non-uniform metal powder and a flowable additive. The metal-powder paste is applied to a surface of a substrate and spread to thereby produce a uniform-thickness layer in areas corresponding to the metallic component. The flowable additive is driven off using thermal energy to thereby form a layer of the non-uniform metal powder having a uniform thickness. The non-uniform metal powder is then fused to the substrate to thereby form the metallic component.

Abstract: A method of forming a catalyst layer for a fuel cell includes electrospinning a first solution of an ionomer, a binder, and a first solvent to form a porous mat having an interior and an exterior and including a plurality of ionomer nanofibers intertwined with one another to define a plurality of pores within the interior. A portion of the plurality of ionomer nanofibers define the exterior and have an internal surface facing the interior and an external surface facing away from the interior. The method also includes electrospraying a second solution of a catalyst and a second solvent onto the porous mat such that the catalyst is disposed on each external surface and is not embedded within the plurality of pores to thereby form the catalyst layer. A catalyst layer and a fuel cell are also described.

Abstract: A method of forming a rotor includes isolating a bridge area of an electrical steel lamination. The bridge area is disposed between a first portion of the electrical steel lamination and a second portion of the electrical steel lamination that is adjacent to the first portion. Each of the first portion, the second portion, and the bridge area has an initial hardness, and the electrical steel lamination has an initial magnetic permeability. After isolating, the method includes hardening only the bridge area so that the bridge area has a treated hardness that is greater than the initial hardness. Concurrent to hardening, the method includes decreasing the initial magnetic permeability at only the bridge area.

Abstract: A circuit for compensating for low battery voltage available to power a load includes a power source, an inductor electrically coupled to the power source, a first switch configured to control current flow from the power source to the inductor, and a first diode connecting a first supply rail to the inductor. The circuit also includes a second switch configured to electrically connect the anode of a second diode to the inductor, with the cathode of the second diode connected to a second supply rail. A controller is configured to cycle the first and second switches to achieve a desired voltage values at the first and second supply rails. The second supply rail is electrically connected to the load. The controller is configured to enable the second switch to switch to a closed state only when the voltage at the power source is below a first predetermined threshold voltage.

Abstract: A prismatic battery stack includes a first lithium-ion battery cell and a second lithium-ion battery cell. The battery stack also includes a first channel disposed around the first lithium-ion battery cell and the second lithium-ion battery cell. The battery stack includes a second channel disposed around the first lithium-ion battery cell and the second lithium-ion battery cell. The first channel and the second channel serve as heat sinks.

Abstract: A variable-geometry turbocharger (VGT) for an internal combustion engine configured to generate a flow of post-combustion gases as a byproduct of generating output torque includes a turbine housing defining a volute. The VGT also includes a turbine wheel mounted on a shaft having a rotational axis, retained inside the turbine housing, and configured to be rotated about the rotational axis by the flow of post-combustion gases. The turbine housing defines an inlet to the turbine wheel downstream of the volute and upstream of the turbine wheel. The inlet to the turbine wheel includes a circumferentially continuous and unobstructed intake channel having a selectable cross-sectional area and configured to regulate effective expansion ratio of the VGT. An internal combustion engine employing such a VGT is also disclosed.