Abstract: Methods and systems provided for determining a phase state and/or for determining a degree of subcooling in a fluid. An exemplary method for operating a refrigeration cycle includes flowing a refrigerant through a metering device and calculating a pressure differential of the refrigerant across the metering device. Further, the method includes determining whether the refrigerant is a saturated liquid based on the pressure differential. The method includes, when the refrigerant is not a saturated liquid, cooling the refrigerant upstream of the metering device.

Abstract: A bi-material permanent magnet for an electric machine includes a core including a first magnetic material and a shell portion located on the core and made of a second magnetic material. The first magnetic material comprises a magnet material with an energy less than 20 Mega Gauss Oersteds (MGOe). The second magnetic material comprises a magnet material with an energy greater than 30 MGOe.

Abstract: An intake system for an engine includes: an intake manifold including a plurality of ports; a cover mounted to the intake manifold over the plurality of ports; a fluid distribution track defined by the cover, the fluid distribution track including a plurality of openings in fluid communication with an interior of the intake manifold by way of the plurality of ports of the intake manifold; and a dampening material between the cover and the intake manifold, the dampening material configured to dampen at least one of noise, vibration, and harshness.

Abstract: A system for determining when additional information is needed by a passenger with color deficient vision within a vehicle includes a plurality of perception sensors within the vehicle adapted to collect data related to a physical identity of a primary object and to communicate the data related to the physical identity of the primary object, via a communication bus, to a data processor within the vehicle, the data processor adapted to determine that the physical identity of the primary object may be unclear to a passenger with color deficient vision based on the data related to the physical identity of the primary object, and that assistance should be provided to the passenger with color deficient vision to aid the passenger with color deficient vision in identifying the primary object.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses to build an explainable user output to receive input feature data by a neural network of multiple layers of an original classifier; determine a semantic function to label data samples with semantic categories; determine a semantic accuracy for each layer of the original classifier within the neural network; compare each layer based on results from the comparison of the semantic accuracy; designate a layer based on an amount of computed semantic accuracy; extend the designated layer by a category branch to the neural network to extract semantic data samples from the semantic content to train a set of new connections of an explainable classifier to compute a set of output explanations with an accuracy measure associated each output explanation for each semantic category of the plurality of semantic categories, and compare the accuracy measure for each output explanation to generate the output explanation in a user understandable format.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating a virtual view of a scene associated with a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: obtaining image data including a plurality of images captured by a plurality of cameras of the vehicle; obtaining steering angle data captured by a sensor of the vehicle; detecting, by a processor, a shadow in at least one image of the plurality of images; determining, by the processor, auto-white balance data for each image of the plurality of images; selectively combining, by the processor, the auto-white balance data of the images based on the detected shadow, and the steering angle data; and generating, by the processor, output image data based on the combined auto-white balance data and the image data.

Abstract: An ultra wide band antenna includes: a first antenna body including: a first planar portion; a first tapered side portion; and a first cylinder; and a second antenna body including: a second planar portion; a second tapered side portion; and a second cylinder, and a connecting portion connecting at least one of the first planar portion and the first tapered side portion on a back side of the first antenna body to at least one of the second planar portion and the second tapered side portion on a back side of the second antenna body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrode for an electrochemical cell includes providing an admixture including an electroactive material, a binder, and a solvent. The method further includes rolling the admixture to form a sheet and forming a multi-layer stack from the sheet. The method further includes forming an electrode film precursor by performing a plurality of sequential rollings, each including rolling the stack through a first gap. The plurality of sequential rollings includes first and second rollings. In the first rolling, the stack is in a first orientation. In the second rolling, the stack is in a second orientation different from the first orientation. The method further includes forming an electrode film by rolling the electrode film precursor through a second gap less than or equal to the first gap. The method further includes drying the electrode film to remove at least a portion of the solvent.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a rotary electric machine include determining a rotational speed is below a low speed threshold, wherein the low speed threshold is determined based upon a semiconductor junction temperature. A first control parameter is determined when the rotational position of the rotary electric machine is within a first range of rotational positions, wherein the first range of rotational positions is determined based upon a first junction temperature in the diodes of the inverter and a second junction temperature in the power switches of the inverter. A second control parameter is determined when the rotational position is outside of the first range of rotational positions. One of the first control parameter or the second control parameter is selected based upon the rotational position of the rotary electric machine, and the electric power inverter is operated in a zero vector modulation (ZVM) mode based thereon.

Abstract: An optically transparent coplanar microwave slot antenna formed between a first glass layer and a second glass layer is provided including a metal oxide layer, a first slot element and a second slot element formed in a dipole arrangement within the metal oxide layer wherein the first slot element is formed by a first triangular slot, a first trapezoidal slot, and a first rectangular slot and the second slot element is formed by a second triangular slot, a second trapezoidal slot, and a second rectangular slot, and a waveguide feedline for carrying microwave signals to the first slot element and the second slot element

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for providing electrical power for a manufacturing facility for manufacturing of a vehicle, the vehicle having a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and a processor, including: positioning the vehicle at the manufacturing facility, the manufacturing facility having an electrical component; and providing electrical power from the RESS of the vehicle to the electrical component of the manufacturing facility, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor.

Abstract: A separator for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions includes a microporous layer and one or more fire suppression layers disposed on at least one of a first side or an opposite second side of the microporous layer. The one or more fire suppression layers include crosslinked cyclopolyphosphazene particles.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a battery module having a plurality of cells includes a sensor adapted to obtain respective cell voltages of the plurality of cells. The controller is adapted to receive data from the sensor, the controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The controller is configured to sort the respective cell voltages to create a voltage ranking. The voltage ranking is repeated with at least one new set of cell voltage readings obtained at a predefined checking frequency. Differences in the voltage ranking of the plurality of cells are analyzed. The controller is adapted to control operation of the battery module based in part on differences in the voltage ranking. The controller may be adapted to predict likelihood of a thermal runway event based in part on the differences in the voltage ranking.

Abstract: A cell carrier and vent tray arrangement for high-voltage batteries includes a cell vent tray having a vent tray body having first and second tray ribs extending outward from a top surface of the vent tray body, wherein the tray ribs run along a longitudinal direction and include one or more notches formed in one or both of the tray ribs, and a cell carrier having a carrier body with a plurality of vent holes formed therethrough and a carrier rib extending outward from a bottom surface of the carrier body, wherein the carrier rib runs along the longitudinal direction and includes one or more cross-members extending in the transverse direction. The cell vent tray and cell carrier are configured for engagement with each other in an assembled configuration with the carrier rib being disposed between the first and second tray ribs and the cross-members being seated within the notches.

Abstract: A hybrid solid-state electrolyte layer for use in an electrochemical cell is provided. The hybrid solid-state electrolyte layer includes a polymeric material, a ceramic material, and an interfacial material adhering the polymeric material and the ceramic material. The interfacial material includes a branched copolymer that includes dopamine and a second monomer. The second monomer forms a polymeric moiety in the copolymer that is the same or similar to the polymeric material. In certain variations, the polymeric material defines a polymeric layer, the ceramic material defines a ceramic layer, and the interfacial material defines an interfacial layer that is disposed between the polymeric layer and the ceramic layer. In other variations, the polymeric material defines a polymeric matrix, the ceramic material defines a plurality of ceramic particles dispersed in the polymeric matrix, and the plurality of ceramic particles are coated with the interfacial material.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide active control of rotor cooling. In a number of embodiments, a system includes a controller coupled with an electric machine having a rotor. The controller evaluates parameters related to the electric machine for flow rate requirements of the rotor, where the flow rate requirements relate to cooling of the rotor. A flow rate of a fluid for cooling the rotor is computed, where the flow rate is based on a composite of the flow rate requirements. A control valve signal is delivered to set a control valve to supply the flow rate to the rotor based on the parameters.

Abstract: A master alloy including an alloy composition including magnesium (Mg) at a concentration of greater than or equal to about 1.00 wt. % to less than or equal to about 90 wt. %, boron (B) at a concentration of greater than or equal to about 0.01 wt. % to less than or equal to about 20 wt. %, and aluminum (Al) at a concentration of greater than or equal to about 0.1 wt. % to less than or equal to about 90 wt. %, wherein the alloy composition includes MgB2 particles at a volume fraction greater than or equal to about 0.01% to less than or equal to about 20%.

Abstract: A system for calibrating a display for a vehicle includes a reference calibration system including a reference windscreen and a reference transparent windscreen display (TWD) projector including a reference TWD camera. The reference calibration system also includes a reference camera and a reference controller in electrical communication with the reference TWD projector and the reference camera. The reference controller is programmed to project a reference graphic on the reference windscreen using the reference TWD projector. The reference controller is further programmed to capture a first reference image of the reference graphic using the reference camera. The reference controller is further programmed to calculate at least one reference calibration matrix based at least in part on the first reference image of the reference graphic.

Abstract: A brake rotor having a composite structure may include an annular body defining opposite friction surfaces of the brake rotor. The annular body may include a core made of an Al—Si alloy, a thermal barrier layer made of a thermally insulating material disposed on the core, and a wear-resistant layer made of an Fe—Al—Si—Zr alloy disposed on the core over the thermal barrier layer. The wear-resistant layer may define a first one of the opposite friction surfaces of the annular body.

Abstract: An emblem installation system for installing emblems on a work piece includes an end effector for a robotic arm. The end effector has a base and multiple vacuum gripper modules repositionable along the base in different configurations. The vacuum gripper modules are configured to simultaneously grip multiple emblems and individually release the emblems. An emblem installation method includes applying a force within a first range of forces to the multiple emblems individually and in succession via vacuum gripper modules of an end effector on a robotic arm, with the emblems disposed at a first location, applying a vacuum to the vacuum gripper modules to grip the emblems with the vacuum gripper modules, and moving the robotic arm from the first location to a second location adjacent a workpiece with the emblems gripped by the vacuum gripper modules.