Abstract: Presented are smart vehicle systems and control logic for battery thermal event detection and severity assessment, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such systems. A method of operating a vehicle includes a resident or remote vehicle controller detecting a thermal event in at least one battery cell in the vehicle's battery system and, upon detection, monitoring the vehicle's surrounding area to detect target objects near the vehicle. Responsive to detecting any target objects near the vehicle, the controller aggregates target object data, including a total number of detected target objects and respective proximities of the detected target objects to the vehicle. Using this target object data, a situational severity level is estimated for the thermal event; the controller determines if the severity level exceeds a maximum allowable severity level. If so, the controller responsively commands a vehicle subsystem to execute a control operation to mitigate the event.

Abstract: A thermo-structural spacer is provided. The spacer includes a cylindrical center portion, a first flange connected to a first end of the cylindrical center portion, a second flange connected to a second end of the cylindrical center portion. The second end is distal from the first end. The spacer further includes an annular inner wall configured for providing a through hole extending through a longitudinal axis of the thermo-structural spacer. The cylindrical center portion is narrower than the first flange. The cylindrical center portion is narrower than the second flange. The thermo-structural spacer is configured for restricting heat transfer between the first flange and the second flange.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automated detection and disinfection of microbes in autonomous vehicles, to prevent possible transmission of diseases or illness to subsequent users. Automated detection and disinfection of a vehicle includes autonomously scanning various parts of the autonomous vehicle for microbes, selecting a disinfectant based on detected microbes, and autonomously disinfecting at least a portion of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Examples described herein provide a method that includes determining whether a charging station for charging a battery of a vehicle is operating in a first high voltage mode or a second high voltage mode. The method further includes, responsive to determining that the charging station is operating in the first high voltage mode: enabling an electric motor and a traction power inverter of the vehicle to operate as a boost converter to boost an accessory bus voltage of the vehicle while charging in the first high voltage mode, and charging the battery of the vehicle by supplying electric power, at a first high voltage, from the charging station to the battery.

Abstract: A vehicular communication controller includes a microcontroller (MCU) located within a vehicle to publish a newly defined protocol data unit (PDU) including a header and a payload portion to a destination device. The destination device may utilize a first protocol or a second protocol. If the destination device utilizes the first protocol that includes an automotive/embedded communication protocol then the MCU serializes the payload portion of the PDU and binds the PDU to the first protocol. The destination device may then receive the PDU using the first protocol, deserialize the payload portion, and remove the header leaving the payload portion unchanged and recreate, based on the deserialized payload portion, the PDU.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates a temperature regulating system including an anisotropic material for use as a heating material or element (e.g., an active heater) and a cooling material or element (e.g., passive cooling) in a battery pack including one or more electrochemical cells. The temperature regulating system includes one or more temperature control elements. Each temperature control element is configured to be in a heat transfer relationship with one or more electrochemical cells so as to heat and/or cool the one or more electrochemical cells of the battery pack. Each temperature control element includes two or more structural elements and one or more anisotropic elements disposed between the two or more structural elements. The temperature control elements may be disposed between the electrochemical cells of the stack, disposed around the electrochemical cells of the stack, or both.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for providing potable water, which apparatus comprises a plurality of components linked in series to provide a flow path through the apparatus, wherein the plurality of components comprises: (i) an inlet (4) for a stream of contaminated water requiring purification; (ii) a centrifugal separator (20) for separating the contaminated water stream into a partially purified water stream and a contaminant stream; (iii) a pre-filter pump (26); (iv) a pre-filter pressure sensor (30); (v) a first filter assembly (32) comprising one or more filter modules for removing particles of a predetermined size and/or removing organic contaminants from the partially purified water stream; (vi) a post-filter pressure sensor (38); (vii) a post-filter pump (40); (viii) a second filter assembly comprising one or more reverse osmosis filters (48); (ix) a UV steriliser unit (52); and (x) an outlet (6) for purified potable water; and wherein the apparatus further comprises an electronic controller (

Abstract: A deployable rollable display for a vehicle includes a vehicle component having at least one surface. A guide track is provided in the at least one surface. A screen deployment member is selectively shiftable through the at least one surface and along the guide track. A rollable display is spooled onto the screen deployment member.

Abstract: A risk assessment system is provided and includes a transceiver, an output device, and activity, localization, tracking, and risk assessment modules. The activity module: receives signals from sensors or electrical devices of a supporting structure; and tracks activities in or within a set distance of the supporting structure to generate an activity history log. The localization module relates the activities to aspects of the supporting structure and generates corresponding localization data. The transceiver receives a notification key identifying a network device used by a user exposed to a contaminant. The tracking module, in response to the notification key, tracks contamination states of the aspects of the supporting structure contacted directly or indirectly by the user. The risk assessment module determines and reports an exposure risk level of an occupant of the supporting structure based on the contamination states, the localization data and the activity history log.

Abstract: A transmission hydraulic control system includes a manual valve, a default valve, and a clutch prime valve. The manual valve allows fluid flow from a pressurized line to a drive line when the manual valve is open (when a transmission is in drive or reverse). The manual valve prevents fluid flow from the pressurized line to the drive line when the manual valve is closed (when the transmission is in neutral or park). The clutch prime valve allows fluid to flow from the pressurized line to the drive line, and thereby bypass the manual valve, when the manual valve is closed and the clutch prime valve is open. The default valve allows fluid bypassing the manual valve to flow to prime a clutch of the transmission when the default valve is open. The clutch prime valve prevents fluid from bypassing the manual valve when the clutch prime valve is closed.

Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes a first sensor to obtain first sensor data from a first field of view and provide a first top-view feature representation. The system also includes a second sensor to obtain second sensor data from a second field of view with an overlap with the first field of view and provide a second top-view feature representation. Processing circuitry implements a neural network and provides a top-view stixel representation based on the first top-view feature representation and the second top-view feature representation. The top-view three-dimensional stixel representation is used to control an operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting weld defects, and methods for manufacturing vehicles using such methods or systems, are provided. An exemplary method includes receiving an input indicating a weld material and material thickness by a portable computing device and determining, with the portable computing device, a detection protocol for the weld material and material thickness. Further, the method includes communicating the detection protocol from the portable computing device to a portable heating source and to a portable thermographic sensor, heating a weld with the portable heating source according to the detection protocol, and recording thermographic data from the weld with the portable thermographic sensor according to the detection protocol.

Abstract: Methods of making negative electrode materials for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions are provided. A surface of the electrode material formed of silicon, silicon-containing alloys, tin-containing alloys, or combinations thereof is treated with an oxidant at a first temperature of greater than or equal to about 100° C. to form a continuous intermediate layer comprising oxides. The method also includes pyrolyzing a carbon-containing precursor over the continuous intermediate layer at a second temperature of greater than or equal to about 600° C. to form a continuous carbon coating thereon. The intermediate layer oxides may be transformed to carbides. The continuous carbon coating comprises both graphitic carbon and amorphous carbon and may be a multilayered coating, where the inner layer predominantly includes amorphous carbon and the outer layer predominantly includes graphitic carbon.

Abstract: Methods for forming a function-infused feed material for a three-dimensional printing technique, methods for manufacturing an additive-infused three-dimensional printed object, and vehicles including additive manufactured components are provided. An exemplary method for forming a function-infused feed material for a three-dimensional printing technique includes solubilizing a functional additive into a medium. Further, the method includes contacting a three-dimensional printing feed material with the medium to infuse the functional additive into the three-dimensional printing feed material to form the function-infused feed material.

Abstract: A protective cover for a camera includes a housing configured for attachment to one of the camera and a support structure which supports the camera, a lens attached to the housing and configured for alignment with an imaging axis of the camera, a light source attached to the housing and configured for providing light to a field of view of the camera, and an electrical connector carried by the housing and configured for receiving power and/or signal commands and for conveying the power and/or signal commands to the light source. The lens may be a meniscus-shaped macro lens, and a lightguide may be attached to or incorporated into at least one of the housing and the light source. The protective cover may be used to protect a camera mounted in a wheel well or anywhere along an outer surface of an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: An inflatable insulation panel includes a bladder configured to contain air, plurality of tethers disposed within an interior cavity of the bladder, and at least one reflective film disposed within the interior cavity of the bladder. The bladder includes a first wall, a second wall opposite of the first wall, and perimeter walls extending between and connected to perimeter edges of the first and second walls. The first and second walls and the perimeter walls collectively defining the interior cavity of the bladder. The plurality of tethers extend between and are connected to interior surfaces of the first and second walls. The plurality of tethers limit movement of the first and second walls away from one another when the bladder is inflated. The at least one reflective film is disposed between the interior surfaces of the first and second walls.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein examples of systems and procedures for performing software updates for vehicles. The vehicles may be scheduled for the software updates based on information related to the vehicles. Update systems may determine when the vehicles have entered service ranges of the update systems for the scheduled software updates and may initiate the software updates in response to determining that the vehicles have entered the service ranges. Progress of the software updates may be monitored and displayed on a dashboard system overseeing the software updates of the vehicles.

Abstract: A power control system for a battery system of a vehicle includes a first contactor, a second contactor, N fuses and N vehicle loads. An active sacrificial protection device includes a third contactor and a first fuse. The active sacrificial protection device is connected to a positive or negative terminal of the battery system. A current sensor is configured to sense a measured load current flowing through one of the first contactor and the second contactor. A battery management module is configured to selectively close the third contactor to reduce current flowing through one of the first contactor or the second contactor and selectively open the one of the first contactor or the second contactor after closing the third contactor.