Abstract: A compound dowel for positioning a first component defining a first aperture relative to a second component defining a second aperture in a motor vehicle body structure in response to a determined misalignment between the first and second components includes a compensation pin. The compensation pin is selected in response to the determined misalignment and configured to be inserted into the second aperture. The compensation pin has a center axis and an indexing feature configured to orient and fix the compensation pin to the first component. The compound dowel also includes a nominal pin arranged parallel to the center axis and offset therefrom by a distance. The nominal pin is configured to be inserted through the first aperture, such that position of the first component is set relative to the second component. A method of positioning components in a vehicle body structure using a compound dowel is also considered.

Abstract: A hybrid core for manufacturing a cast component, the hybrid core including a sand core portion having an exterior shape configured to define an interior feature of the cast component. The hybrid core also includes a metal chill element embedded within the sand core portion. The metal chill element is configured to locally absorb heat energy from the cast component during cooling of the cast component and solidification thereof. The metal chill element is constructed and arranged within the sand core portion to be removed during shake out from the cast component subsequent to the solidification thereof. A system and a method for manufacturing a cast component using such a hybrid core are also envisioned.

Abstract: A system for indicating an operating mode of a motor vehicle having a vehicle interior and an operator seat arranged therein includes a rotatable steering wheel arranged inside the vehicle interior relative to the operator seat. The steering wheel includes a front side facing the operator seat and an opposing back side. The system additionally includes a light source configured to project a beam of light onto the back side of the steering wheel. The back side of the steering wheel is configured to capture the light beam and illuminate therewith the front side of the steering wheel to thereby generate a sensory signal indicative of the operating mode to a vehicle operator positioned in the operator seat. A motor vehicle employing the system for generating a sensory signal to a vehicle operator for indicating an operating mode of the vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for controlling fluid temperature in a thermal system includes a heat source, a heat sink coupled to the heat source, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, a first expansion valve configured to regulate the flow of coolant between the heat source and the first heat exchanger, a second expansion valve configured to regulate the flow of coolant between the heat source and the second heat exchanger, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine an operating condition of the thermal system and generate a first control signal to control the first and second expansion valves to direct the flow of coolant to the first and second heat exchangers. The first and second expansion valves are arranged in parallel to recover heat rejected from the coolant and distribute the recovered heat to the first and second heat exchangers.

Abstract: Methods of making a thick multilayer electrode for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium are provided. The methods may include forming the multilayer electrode on a current collector by forming a plurality of electrode units to define an electrode stack on the current collector. Each unit of the plurality of electrode units comprises an electroactive material layer comprising a plurality of electroactive particles and an interfacial conductive material layer comprising a plurality of graphene nanoparticles. The electrode stack has a thickness of greater than or equal to about 100 micrometers and is capable of winding and withstanding a bend angle of greater than or equal to a radius of curvature of less than or equal to about 1 radian/inch while remaining substantially free of macrocracks.

Abstract: A flange connector assembly for connecting trim pieces of a vehicle. A first male portion having an end portion connected to a first trim part and a second female portion connected to a trim part end to be attached to the first trim part. The first male portion has a connection portion with a T-shaped cross section and the second portion has a second connecting portion with a T-shaped cavity. The first male connecting portion and the second female connecting portion fit to precisely engage each other and retain the trim portion to be attached. The protruding T-shaped portion includes raised tuning flanges and is capable of adjusting up/down, inboard/outboard or twist fine tuning for providing alignment adjustment to the trim pieces via adjustment of the flange heights in the mold and providing new precisely adjusted T-flanges for providing a tuned butt connection of a trim strip for instance.

Abstract: An architecture for a chip-scale optical phased array-based scanning frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) Light-detection and ranging (LiDAR) device is described. The LiDAR device includes a laser, a transmit optical splitter, an optical circulator, photodetectors, and an optical phased array. The laser, the transmit optical splitter, the optical circulator, the photodetectors, and the optical phased array are arranged as a chip-scale package on a single semiconductor substrate. The laser generates a first light beam that is transmitted to the optical phased array aperture via the transmit optical splitter, the optical circulator, and the optical phased array. A fraction of the first light beam is transmitted to the photodetectors via the transmit optical splitter to serve as the optical local oscillator (LO), the aperture of the optical phased array captures a second light beam that is transmitted to the photodetectors via the optical phased array and the optical circulator.

Abstract: A robotic system for presenting a payload within a workspace includes a pair of serial robots configured to connect to the payload, a parallel robot coupled to a distal end of one of the serial robots such that the parallel robot is disposed between the distal end and the payload, a sensor situated within a kinematic chain extending between the distal end and the payload, and a robot control system (RCS). The sensor outputs a sensor signal indicative of a measured property of the payload. The RCS includes a coordinated motion controller configured to control the serial robots, and a corrective motion controller configured to control the parallel robot. Parallel robot control occurs in response to the sensor signal concurrently with control of the serial robots in order to thereby modify the property of the payload in real-time.

Abstract: An air intake system for an internal combustion engine is described, and includes a vapor capture element disposed in an interior portion of an air intake system. The vapor capture element includes a flexible Metal Organic Framework (MOF) material, wherein the flexible MOF material is reversibly controllable to a first state and to a second state in response to a control stimulus. The flexible MOF material is configured to adsorb hydrocarbon vapor when controlled to the first state and configured to desorb the hydrocarbon vapor when controlled to the second state.

Abstract: An electrified drivetrain for a vehicle includes a first electric machine, a second electric machine, a clutch, an HVAC compressor, and a controller. The second electric machine is rotatably coupled to a geartrain, the first electric machine is rotatably coupled to the HVAC compressor, and is rotatably couplable to the geartrain via the clutch, and the clutch is operative in a first state and a second state. The first electric machine is rotatably coupled to the geartrain when the clutch is controlled to the first state, and is decoupled from the geartrain when the clutch is controlled to the second state. The controller is operatively connected to the first and second electric machines, the clutch, and the HVAC compressor to control operation of the electrified drivetrain. The first electric machine can be used as a heater element and to provide mechanical power to the drivetrain.

Abstract: Presented are mobile charging stations for recharging electrified vehicles, methods for making/using such mobile charging stations, and parking facilities equipped with such mobile charging stations. A mobile charging station includes a frame with drive wheels and a prime mover operable to drive the wheels to propel the charging station. A hydrogen storage container and fuel cell are mounted to the frame. The fuel cell oxidizes hydrogen received from the storage container to generate electrical current. An electrical coupling mechanism connects the fuel cell to a battery pack of an electric-drive vehicle. A resident or remote controller is programmed to receive charge requests to recharge vehicles, and responsively determines path plan data for the mobile charging station. The controller commands the prime mover to propel the mobile charging station from the charger's origin to a charger destination, and enables the fuel cell to transmit electrical current to the vehicle.

Abstract: An integrated photonic circulator is described, an application of which may be deployed on a chip-scale light-detection and ranging (LiDAR) device. The photonic circulator includes a micro-ring resonator waveguide, a heating element, first and second bus waveguides, a magneto-optic substrate, a magneto-optic element, a magnetic ring disposed on a photonic substrate, and a silicon substrate. The first and second bus waveguides are coupled to the micro-ring resonator waveguide, and the micro-ring resonator waveguide is affixed onto a first side of the photonic substrate. The magneto-optic element and the magneto-optic substrate are arranged on the micro-ring resonator waveguide, the magnetic ring is affixed to the magneto-optic substrate, the heating element is affixed to the photonic substrate, the photonic substrate is affixed to the silicon substrate, and the magnetic ring is concentric with the micro-ring resonator.

Abstract: An electrified drivetrain system that improves drivability is described. It includes a propulsion system having a rotary electric machine including a rotatable shaft, a torque converter including a fluidic stator, a pump, a turbine and a normally-closed torque converter clutch; a selectable one-way clutch coupled to the fluidic stator; and an output member. The rotatable shaft is coupled to the pump of the torque converter, and the turbine of the torque converter is coupled to the output member.

Abstract: A system for controlling purge operation of a fuel cell assembly includes a controller and one or more sensors configured to obtain respective sensor data. The fuel cell stack is configured to receive a stack coolant. The controller is configured to execute a first purge mode when at least one of a first enabling condition and a second enabling condition is met. The first purge mode defines a first group of setpoints, including a relatively low cathode stoichiometric ratio. The controller is configured to switch to a second purge mode when the coolant temperature is above a minimum warm-up temperature and a third mode when a relative humidity value of a stack cathode output falls below a threshold humidity. The second purge mode defines a second group of setpoints, including a relatively high cathode stoichiometric ratio.