Abstract: A method and system for assisting a vehicle when traveling within an area experiencing a meteorological event capable of potentially flooding a roadway is disclosed. The assistance may include determining a water level over top of the roadway, determining a plurality of surface water related operating parameters for the vehicle, and comparing the water level to the surface water related operating parameters to generate a flooded roadway assessment. The flooded roadway assessment may be used for determining the roadway to be in one of a passable state and an impassable state for the vehicle. Based thereon, a flooded roadway command may be generated for correspondingly controlling one or more systems onboard the vehicle.

Abstract: A tool for attaching a first workpiece and a second workpiece to one another and to a support structure includes a housing and a plunger. The housing includes a main body, a neck portion, and a shoulder portion. The shoulder portion is disposed between the main body and the neck portion and has an outer diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the main body. A bore extends from a first end within the main body to a distal end of the neck portion. The plunger is disposed within the bore and extends from the distal end of the neck portion. The plunger is biased in a first direction away from the shoulder portion and includes a gripper operable to extend away from an outer surface of the plunger in an expanded state to engage an inner surface of the first workpiece.

Abstract: A control system and method for mitigating driveline torque spikes in an electric vehicle is contemplated. The driveline torque spikes may be mitigated with a motor spike torque command generated in response to a wheel acceleration of a wheel of the vehicle exceeding a spike threshold. The motor spike torque command may be configured for controlling an electric motor of the vehicle to mitigate the driveline torque spike in a driveline configured to connect the motor to the wheel.

Abstract: Presented are hybrid fixture assemblies with integrated additive manufactured features, methods for making/using such fixtures, and manufacturing systems equipped with such fixtures. A manufacturing fixture assembly includes a fixture support frame formed, at least in part, from a first material, and a fixture support shell formed, at least in part, from a second material distinct from the first material. The support frame, which seats on/mounts to a work surface, includes a skeletal substructure with multiple male connectors projecting therefrom. The skeletal substructure contains multiple first frame walls that are removably intermeshed with multiple second frame walls in a collapsible format. The support shell includes a support surface that holds a workpiece, an interface surface that abuts the skeletal substructure, and multiple female connectors that project from the interface surface.

Abstract: The concepts include a user support system in the form of a microphone, a visual display arranged in a vehicle cabin, and a controller. The controller includes an instruction set that is executable to receive, via the microphone, a voice-based request from a user, and employ a virtual assistant to determine a user interaction in real time and to determine a specific intent for the voice-based request, including capturing metadata. A user interaction routine determines a user interaction parameter associated with the virtual assistant based upon the voice-based request from the user. A user sentiment analysis routine determines a user satisfaction parameter associated with the virtual assistant based upon the voice-based request from the user. The controller responds in real-time to the voice-based request based upon the user satisfaction parameter and the user interaction parameter that are associated with the virtual assistant.

Abstract: An electronic control unit (ECU), or node, is configured to use a single key for all virtual ECUs (V-ECUs) having a message to transmit. The ECU also may include a security peripheral that includes the stored shared key. The security peripheral may further include a policy enabling it to detect if a request from the V-ECU is valid, in which case it generates a MAC. The security peripheral is also used to store information in a MAC Generate Allow List (MGAL), which may define the policy about when the V-ECU can transmit. The ECU may include a crypto-engine, which stores shared keys from other nodes used to verify MACs transmitted by other nodes.

Abstract: A containment system for a rechargeable energy storage device (RESS) is described includes an enclosure having a first compartment adjoining a second compartment. The first compartment is arranged to house a plurality of power electronics devices, and the second compartment is arranged to house a plurality of battery cells. The second compartment includes a tub that defines a bottom portion, and a floor plate. The tub includes opposed end walls and opposed sidewalls. A top plate is arranged overtop of the first compartment and the second compartment. A first one of the end walls and the top plate define a first slot between the first compartment and the second compartment. A first removable panel is arranged to enclose the first compartment. The plurality of battery cells connect to the plurality of power electronics devices via a high-voltage DC power bus that is arranged to pass through the first slot.

Abstract: A system and associated method for calibrating a radar system is described, wherein the radar system includes a phased array antenna including a first antenna array and a second antenna array, a transmitter array, and a receiver array, communication leads, a calibration circuit, and a controller. The calibration circuit includes a power divider and directional couplers. A pilot signal is injected, via the power divider and the directional couplers, to the receivers during a quiet period. Phase offsets and gain imbalances for the receivers are determined in relation to a reference channel based upon the pilot signal, and phase calibrations and gain calibrations for the receivers are determined based upon the phase offsets and the gain imbalances, and a radar-related parameter is based upon the phase calibrations and the gain calibrations for the receivers.

Abstract: A system of managing charging schedules in a fleet having electric vehicles includes a command unit. The command unit has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The command unit is adapted to define a plurality of discharge categories, including a transportation category, a transfer category and a reserve energy category. The respective battery power in the electric vehicles is proportioned by setting a respective percentage allocation for the plurality of discharge categories. The command unit is adapted to signal the electric vehicles to charge when at least one of the plurality of discharge categories falls below the respective percentage allocation. The command unit may be adapted to group the electric vehicles in respective virtual boxes based in part on their respective physical locations.

Abstract: A system for managing audio performance in a vehicle includes an audio unit having one or more speakers and one or more microphones respectively positioned in and/or around the vehicle. The speakers transmit an audio signal within the vehicle. A command unit is in communication with the audio unit. The command unit has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The command unit is adapted to receive the audio signal through the one or more microphones and determine whether at least one audio quality parameter of the audio signal meets a predefined threshold. The command unit may be adapted to take at least one remedial action when the audio quality parameter is below the predefined threshold.

Abstract: Presented are closed-loop feedback control systems for preconditioning batteries, methods for making/using such systems, and electric-drive vehicles with battery preconditioning capabilities. A method for operating a battery system of a motor vehicle includes a system controller receiving a recharge signal to schedule a recharge event for a battery of the vehicle. The system controller responsively derives a target preconditioning temperature for optimizing the battery recharge event, and determines the battery state of voltage or charge for at the vehicle's current location. The system controller also predicts an SOV/SOC for the battery upon arrival of the motor vehicle at a selected charging station, and estimates a preconditioning time to thermally precondition the battery to the target preconditioning temperature.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and control system are described for operating a multiphase motor drive system including a rotary electric machine and an inverter. An AC choke filter is arranged proximal to output leads from the inverter. A reference temperature associated with the AC choke filter is determined along with an operating point of the electric machine. Operation of the inverter is controlled based upon a temperature of the AC choke filter, the reference temperature, and an operating point of the electric machine. This includes modifying a switching frequency and a PWM type in a manner that reduces the AC choke filter temperature by reducing the occurrence of switching events to protect the AC choke filter based on temperature feedback.

Abstract: A torque converter management system includes a torque converter having a clutch and a torus. The torque converter management system includes memory hardware that stores instructions, that, when executed on data processing hardware of the system, cause the system to perform operations for protecting the torque converter. The operations include receiving torque converter temperature associated with the torque converter. The operations further include obtaining a torque converter protection schedule including one or more torque converter protective action initiation threshold temperatures each having an associated torque converter protective action and determining whether the torque converter temperature(s) exceeds a first one of the torque converter protective action initiation threshold temperatures.

Abstract: A shift system includes a shifter including a first switch, a second switch, and an interlock switch and being operable between a plurality of gear states. A controller is communicatively coupled with the shifter to receive signals that correspond to each of the first switch, the second switch, and the interlock switch. The controller includes a diagnostic counter that includes a passing criteria and a predetermined diagnostic threshold and is configured to adjust the diagnostic counter based on at least one of the signals received from the shifter being inconsistent with the others of the signals received.

Abstract: A method of optimizing energy consumption includes receiving vehicle route information, generating a baseline vehicle route profile including a baseline energy consumption and a baseline travel time, and processing the baseline vehicle route profile by detecting one or more changes in a road grade. For each detected change in the road grade, the method includes triggering a breakpoint to divide the baseline vehicle route profile into a plurality of segments, each segment in the plurality of segments having a baseline vehicle velocity, and for each segment in the plurality of segments, performing local optimization to generate a modified vehicle velocity. The method also includes generating an updated vehicle route profile and performing global optimization on the updated vehicle route profile to generate an optimized vehicle route profile, the optimized vehicle route profile having a different energy consumption than the baseline energy consumption.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle having a vehicle drive system and a plurality of torque sources connected to the vehicle drive system instructs a first torque source of the plurality of torque sources to provide an instantaneous torque to the vehicle drive system. The data processing hardware further receives a vehicle drive requested torque output and obtains a first available torque source output of the first torque source. The data processing hardware calculates a first torque error based on the requested torque output and the first available torque source output for the first torque source. The data processing hardware determines whether the first torque error exceeds a torque error threshold, and, when the first torque error exceeds the torque error threshold, activates a first supplemental torque source of the plurality of the torque sources to provide a first supplemental torque output to the vehicle drive system.

Abstract: A method for deblurring a blurred image includes dividing the blurred image into overlapping regions each having a size and an offset from neighboring overlapping regions along a first direction as determined by a period of a ringing artifact in the blurred image, or by obtained blur characteristics relating to the blurred image and/or attributable to the optical system, or by a detected cause capable of producing the blur characteristics, stacking the overlapping regions to produce a stacked output, wherein the overlapping regions are sequentially organized along the first direction, convolving the stacked output through a first convolutional neural network (CNN) to produce a first CNN output having reduced blur as compared to the stacked output, and assembling the first CNN output into a re-assembled image, and processing the re-assembled image through a second CNN to produce a deblurred image having reduced residual artifacts as compared to the re-assembled image.

Abstract: A method for attestation of electronic components includes operating a system including the components. The components are configured for electronic communication with each other. A first electronic component provides plug-in hardware and/or configurable software. The method includes utilizing a second electronic component to perform attestation upon the first component using asymmetric key cryptography to verify authenticity. When using the asymmetric key cryptography successfully verifies the authenticity, the method includes selectively enabling one of power or data to the first component and communicating between the first component and the plurality of components to achieve tangible functions. When the cryptography fails to successfully verify the authenticity, the method includes selectively withholding one of power or data connection the first component.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method that, when executed by data processing hardware of a motor vehicle including a turbocharger having a turbine, causes the data processing hardware to perform operations. One operation includes receiving an accelerator pedal position input indicating that a vehicle accelerator pedal has moved to an overrun position. Another operation includes receiving one or more vehicle performance parameter inputs each corresponding to a measured vehicle performance parameter. Yet another operation includes calculating a vehicle dynamic score based on the one or more vehicle performance parameter inputs. A further operation includes determining a target boost profile based on the calculated vehicle dynamic score. Another operation includes instructing one or more outputs of the vehicle to transition to a dynamic mode to generate an increased turbine power based on the target boost profile.

Abstract: A system for planning motion of a vehicle includes a controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The vehicle is capable of an automated driving operation. A planning module is executable by the controller to generate a vehicle trajectory constrained by a set of planning parameters. During a degraded driving situation, an adjustment module is executable by the controller to generate at least one adjusted parameter in the set of planning parameters. The controller is adapted to register occurrence of the degraded driving situation when the planning module is unable to generate a feasible path for the vehicle constrained by the set of planning parameters. The planning module is adapted to generate a modified trajectory plan based on the at least one adjusted parameter, with the automated driving operation being based on the modified trajectory plan during the degraded driving situation.