Abstract: A distributed connection ring assembly can be used in a stator assembly and can integrate a neutral connector and jumping winding connections in an overmolded assembly for insulation. The stator assembly including a stator core defining a plurality of slots spaced apart from each other, a plurality of bar conductors disposed in each of the slots, and a distributed connection ring assembly secured to the jumping winding connections. The distributed connection ring assembly includes an overmolded neutral connector. The distributed connection ring assembly also includes a plurality of overmolded couplers circumferentially spaced apart from one another. The overmolded couplers are coupled to the overmolded neutral connector. Each of the plurality of overmolded couplers includes a support body and a plurality of stator conductors partially disposed inside the support body. The stator conductors are electrically connected to the jumping winding connections.

Abstract: A method for executing a V2V data exchange includes determining if a host vehicle is communicatively connected to a seeder vehicle, and transmitting a prompt between the two vehicles to initiate a resource discovery process. The seeder vehicle wirelessly transmits to the host vehicle a Bloom filter with multiple file IDs mapped to a bit array. Each file ID has a corresponding file version number encoded to the bit array. The method then determines if a local file ID of an existing file stored via the host vehicle is a member of the Bloom filter; if so, the host vehicle determines if a remote file version number encoded to a counterpart file ID is newer than a file version number of the local file ID. If the remote file version number is newer, the seeder vehicle transmits the data file associated with the counterpart file ID to the host vehicle.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft rotating at an engine speed, and a variable-geometry turbocharger (VGT) having a compressor and a turbine. The turbine has turbine vanes, and is configured to rotate in response to exhaust flow from the engine to thereby rotate the compressor. An electric machine is configured to selectively deliver motor torque to the crankshaft upon completion of a predetermined operating mode of the powertrain. The engine and electric machine have a corresponding speed that is responsive to acceleration and braking requests. A controller executes a method in which the controller coordinates vane position of the turbine vanes with the motor torque of the electric machine in response to engine speed, doing so during a zero pedal maneuver in which the acceleration and braking requests are both zero.

Abstract: A method of forming a stator assembly, including providing a stator with a plurality of slots and a plurality of conductors configured to be inserted into the plurality of slots. The method includes obtaining a respective first shape for the plurality of conductors such that the plurality of conductors in the respective first shape forms concentric arcs sharing a common center. Obtaining the respective first shape includes forming a respective first portion, a respective second portion and a respective turn portion between the respective first portion and respective second portion. The method includes obtaining a respective second shape for the plurality of conductors, including: bending the respective first portion at a respective first bend to obtain a respective first leg and a respective first arm, and bending the respective second portion at a respective second bend to obtain a respective second leg and a respective second arm.

Abstract: A battery cell has positive and negative cell tabs protruding from a first edge and a cell stack-up within a pouch. Anode and cathode foils are connected to the cell tabs proximate the first edge, with the anode foils connected to each other proximate a second edge. An outermost current collector of the anode foils exists with respect to a thickness of the cell stack-up. The cathode foils are connected to the positive cell tab proximate the first edge. The anode foils are connected to each other and the negative cell tab proximate the second edge, such that the outermost current collector forms an internal bus bar between the first and second edges. The battery cell has asymmetrical packaging and symmetrical internal current paths. A system includes a battery pack driving a load, with the battery pack having battery cells constructed as set forth above.

Abstract: A non-integrated monitoring device and method for monitoring a subject vehicle includes monitoring, via a non-integrated sensor, a physical parameter being emitted from the subject vehicle. The physical parameter being emitted from the subject vehicle is analyzed to determine a dynamic signature for the subject vehicle. A baseline signature for the subject vehicle is obtained, and compared to the dynamic signature for the subject vehicle. Occurrence of a fault in a subsystem of the subject vehicle is detected based upon the comparing of the baseline signature for the subject vehicle and the dynamic signature for the subject vehicle, and the occurrence of the fault is communicated to an operator of the subject vehicle.

Abstract: A starter system for a powertrain comprises a brushless electric starter motor operatively connectable to an internal combustion engine. The starter system includes both an ultracapacitor power pack and a battery power pack. A nominal voltage of the ultracapacitor power pack is greater than that of the battery power pack. A DC-DC converter operatively connects the battery power pack and the ultracapacitor power pack and converts direct current at a first voltage level of the battery power pack to direct current at a greater second voltage level of the ultracapacitor power pack. An electronic control system is operable to control the brushless electric starter motor to start the engine using power provided from the ultracapacitor power pack, and to control the DC-DC converter to recharge the ultracapacitor power pack using power provided from the battery power pack through the DC-DC converter. A method of controlling the starter system is included.

Abstract: A reference structure and a separator assembly is provided. The separator assembly provides a base layer, a first contact, an optional second contact and a reference component which may be implemented in various applications. The base layer includes a first side and a second side. The first contact is affixed on the first side of the base layer between the base layer and an anode. The second contact is affixed on the second side of the base layer. A reference component is affixed to the second side of the base layer and the optional second contact, if implemented. The reference structure includes a semi-permeable reference component affixed or coupled to a base element.

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: A fuel cell stack, a method of operating a fuel cell stack and a fuel cell system. In one particular form, shutting down the stack upon detection of a leakage of fuel either within the stack or from the stack involves depressurizing and uniform consumption of hydrogen by catalytic consumption in the cathode of all cells. Upon consumption of oxygen in the cathode portion of the stack by chemical reaction, the remaining unreacted nitrogen from the air acts as an inerting fluid. After an indication of reaction cessation is established, at least some of the inerting fluid is conveyed from the cathode portion to the anode portion. One or more of a bleed valve, backpressure valve and bypass valve are manipulated to promote the anode portion depressurization, cathode portion inerting and subsequent conveyance of the inerting fluid to the stack anode portion.

Abstract: A method for laser welding a plurality of battery foils to a battery tab that does not include ultrasonic welding and includes clamping the plurality of battery foils and the battery tab together. Each of the plurality of battery foils has a thickness that is between 0.004 millimeters and 0.03 millimeters. The battery tab has a thickness that is between 0.1 millimeters and 0.5 millimeters. The method further includes laser welding the plurality of battery foils to the battery tab.

Abstract: A drying system includes an assembly with a housing defining an interior space. The housing has an inner wall with a first opening through which the inner chamber communicates with the outer chamber. The housing has an outer wall with a second opening. A rechargeable desiccant and a door are disposed in the outer chamber, and the door is movable between a first position and a second position. The door at least partially seals the second opening and unseals the first opening when in the first position, and at least partially seals the first opening and unseals the second opening when in the second position. A shape memory alloy actuator moves the door between the first position and the second position in response to a change in temperature of the shape memory alloy.

Abstract: A vaneless ventilation system includes a rigid duct and a vent assembly in fluid communication with the duct. The vent assembly includes a rigid housing defining an outlet, a bendable duct disposed inside the rigid housing, a linkage assembly coupled to the bendable duct to allow deflection of the bendable duct upon movement of the linkage assembly, and an actuation mechanism coupled to the linkage assembly, wherein actuation of the actuation mechanism causes the linkage assembly to move, thereby deflecting the bendable duct.

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 deployable containment system of a vehicle includes a pair of guide channels that surround an opening facing one of a forward direction of travel of the vehicle and a backward direction of travel of the vehicle. Each of the guide channels has a first end and a second end. A housing is mounted to the first ends of the guide channels. A shield is configured to: deploy from the housing; travel along the guide channels toward the second ends of the guide channels; and cover at least a portion of the opening, An actuator is configured to, in response to being triggered, deploy the shield from the housing and move the shield along the guide channels toward the second ends of the guide channels.

Abstract: A pedal electric cycle (e-bike) includes a road wheel connected to a frame, a crankset imparting a rider torque to the road wheel when a rider manually rotates the crankset, a battery pack having a state of charge (SOC), an electric traction motor, and a controller. In response to motor control signals, the motor imparts an electric-assist (e-assist) torque to the road wheel as a torque multiplier. The controller uses an energy cost function, and in response to input signals including a travel route and a desired e-assist objective, commands the e-assist torque via the motor control signals to augment the rider torque while satisfying the e-assist objective. The level is determined via the energy cost function, with the input signals including the SOC, inclination data describing a grade of each road segment of the route, and an electric model providing the torque multiplier.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes transmitting real time geographically tagged vehicle data from a transmitting vehicle to a database of a computing device. A caution area is identified based on the geographically tagged vehicle data from the at least one transmitting vehicle. A geographic boundary is defined surrounding the caution area. When the location of a receiving vehicle enters into the geographic boundary, a notification signal in the receiving vehicle is generated to alert an operator of the receiving vehicle to the caution area.

Abstract: A sensor for emitting or receiving light rays includes a clear substrate having a first surface, and an applique attached to the first surface of the clear substrate. The applique includes a transparent fluoropolymer sheet of fluorinated ethylene propylene having a first surface facing the first surface of the clear substrate, and a pressure sensitive optically clear acrylic adhesive disposed on the first surface of the fluoropolymer sheet. The pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive adheres the transparent sheet to the first surface of the clear substrate, and exhibits a peel strength of between 1 and 3 lbs/in. The first surface of the fluoropolymer sheet is treated for adhesion prior to applying the pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive thereto.

Abstract: A variable compression ratio (VCR) internal combustion engine having a compression stroke and an expansion stroke includes an engine block defining a cylinder and a cylinder head mounted to the engine block and defining at least a part of a combustion chamber. The VCR engine also includes a reciprocating piston arranged inside the cylinder and configured to compress a mixture of air and fuel and receive a combustion force, wherein the compression stroke of the piston defines a compression ratio of the engine. The VCR engine additionally includes a six-bar linkage mechanism configured to operatively connect the piston to the engine block, articulate on seven distinct parallel axes, decouple the compression stroke from the expansion stroke, and continuously and selectively vary the compression stroke of the piston and the compression ratio of the engine.

Abstract: A steering system for an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The steering system includes a steering column assembly, a steering wheel assembly secured to the steering column assembly, the steering wheel assembly comprising a steering wheel frame, a steering wheel rim, and a hub, and an emulator enclosed within a housing, the emulator secured to the steering column assembly. The steering wheel frame and the hub are stationary and the steering wheel rim rotates relative to the steering wheel frame and the hub.