Abstract: A battery cell pack has a plurality of battery cells that are assembled into a prismatic frame, with deformable separators interposed to accommodate elastic and plastic deformation caused by cyclic and acyclic expansion and contraction thereof during charging and discharging over the life of the battery cell pack. The battery cells are arranged in a horizontal stack within the prismatic frame, and the deformable separators are interposed between subsets of the battery cells. The deformable separators exert compressive force on the subsets of the battery cells along a longitudinal axis that is defined by the horizontal stack. The compressive force exerted by the deformable separators is at least a minimum force over a service life of the battery cell pack.

Abstract: A free-standing electrolyte layer for use in an electrochemical cell is provided. The free-standing electrolyte layer includes a plurality of solid-state electrolyte particles, a (first) ionic liquid that surrounds each solid-state electrolyte particle of the plurality of solid-state electrolyte particles, and a plurality of polytetrafluoroethylene fibrils that provides a structural framework for the solid-state electrolyte particles. The free-standing electrolyte layer has an ionic conductivity greater than or equal to about 0.1 mS/cm at 40° C., and a thickness greater than or equal to about 5 micrometers to less than or equal to about 500 micrometers. Each of the polytetrafluoroethylene fibrils of the plurality of polytetrafluoroethylene fibrils has an average length of greater than or equal to about 2 micrometers to less than or equal to about 100 micrometers.

Abstract: A distribution method and system for a plurality of fuel cell systems (FCSs) configured to provide electrical energy. The distribution being configured for determining a demand of a load for the electrical energy and correspondingly implementing a powering operation. The powering operation executing a startup operation according to a startup order specified for one or more secondary FCSs of the FCSs. The powering operation including individually performing the startup operations for each of the secondary FCSs according to the startup order, and while each of the second FCSs are performing the startup operation, controlling another one or more of the FCSs to mask a power variance associated therewith.

Abstract: Presented are adaptive operator assistance systems for motor-assisted manually powered (MMP) vehicles, methods for making/using such systems, and electric scooters equipped with such systems. A method of operating an MMP vehicle using a handheld mobile computing device (MCD) includes the handheld MCD receiving path plan data for the MMP vehicle and then receiving, based on this path plan data, MMP-specific ambient data that is aligned with the vehicle's present location and contains surrounding environment data particular to the MMP vehicle. A wireless location device of the handheld MCD tracks the MMP vehicle's real-time location, and a sensing device of the handheld MCD detects MMP-specific threat data that is aligned with the vehicle's real-time location and contains user danger data particular to the MMP vehicle. The handheld MCD then commands a resident subsystem of the MMP vehicle to execute a control operation based on the MMP-specific ambient data and/or threat data.

Abstract: A method and system for authenticating soft part updates to an electronic control unit (ECU) or other processing device is contemplated. The authenticating may include a back office providing authentication data to a programming tool whereupon the ECU interacts with the programming tool to authenticate the soft part updates. The authenticating may optionally include the ECU identifying whether the soft part update is to be authenticated according to different types of authentications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating alignment parameters for processing data associated with a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving image data associated with an environment of the vehicle; receiving lidar data associated with the environment of the vehicle; processing, by a processor, the image data to determine data points associated with at least one vehicle identified within image data; processing, by the processor, the lidar data to determine data points associated with at least one vehicle identified within the lidar data; selectively storing the data points in a data buffer based on at least one condition associated with a quality of the data points; processing, by the processor, the data points in the data buffer with a joint analysis method to generate alignment parameters between the lidar and the camera; and processing future data based on the alignment parameters.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a multi-cell rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) that includes a plurality of battery cells is described. The monitoring system includes a sensor that is arranged to monitor one or multiple heat transfer plates thermally coupled to the plurality of battery cells, a controller is in communication with the sensor. The controller including an instruction set that is executable to monitor, via the sensor, a parameter of the heat transfer plate and detect a thermal runaway event when the parameter of the heat transfer plate exceeds a threshold. The thermal runaway event is communicated to a battery controller.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a control system for a multi-phase electric machine that includes an inverter configured to transfer electric energy from a rechargeable energy storage device (RESS), and phase current sensors. A controller includes an executable instruction set to monitor, via the phase current sensors, the phase currents, and detect that one of the phase currents is outside a linear measurement range of a respective one of the phase current sensors. An extrapolated current for the respective one of the phase current sensors is determined based upon the phase currents from others of the phase current sensors. A current extrapolation routine evaluates the respective one of the phase current sensors. A fault is detected in the respective one of the phase current sensors based upon the current extrapolation routine and the extrapolated current.

Abstract: A vehicle with autonomous navigation abilities ensures that the vehicle will remain within a safe driving region, such as the current lane, even in the case of a system failure. The vehicle's autonomous control subsystem computes driving parameters used to follow a path of the vehicle toward the current destination. These driving parameters are used to compute a safety envelope describing a region that the vehicle could reach from the present position in case of system failure before coming to a stop. The safety envelope is compared to a current safe driving region, and if the safety envelope violates the boundaries of the safe driving region, the driving parameters and corresponding safety envelopes are recomputed until the currently-computed safety envelope no longer violates the boundaries of the safe driving region.

Abstract: Predictive maintenance and diagnostics for an electronic module of an autonomous vehicle using modular condition monitoring is described herein. A computing system receives a signal from a data logger which monitors a condition of the electronic module of the autonomous vehicle, wherein the signal is indicative of damage accumulation information thereof. The computing system identifies a type of the electronic module and a damage accumulation threshold for the type of the electronic module to generate a predicted maintenance schedule for the electronic module of the autonomous vehicle. The damage accumulation information can be stored in a data store to define the damage accumulation threshold for the type of the electronic module.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle of determining whether the vehicle is operating in a road segment with a low visibility condition to cause a loss of input of sensor data to a vehicle controller that operates an assist feature, activating one or more adaptive alerts based on a road departure risk of the vehicle, and driver use of the assist feature in the upcoming road segment, wherein the road departure risk is determined by calculating a road departure risk index that compares an estimated vehicle path based on the vehicle state data with a probabilistic vehicle path for the upcoming road segment; and predicting whether will operate within an acceptable path in the upcoming road segment; and tracking the vehicle in the upcoming road segment based on vehicle navigation data to provide at least one adaptive alert based on a prediction of the road departure risk.

Abstract: An ultra wide band antenna includes a ground plane and an antenna body including a planar portion arranged above and parallel to the ground plane. A tapered spiral portion includes a T spiral tapered legs that have a spiral shape and that horizontally taper in a direction towards the ground plane, where T is an integer greater than one. L supporting legs connecting an outer edge of the planar portion to the ground plane, where L is an integer greater than one.

Abstract: A modular roller hemming system having a base assembly, a replaceable anvil, a spider arm assembly, a plurality of support arms for supporting the spider arm assembly, and a plurality of repositionable unit tools. The anvil is 3-D printed of a polymer composite material and may be replaced with similarly manufactured anvils having different form factors for receiving various shaped and dimensioned workpiece assemblies. The plurality of support arms are repositionable on the base assembly, the spider arm assembly is reconfigurable, and the plurality of unit tools are moveable to accommodate various anvils having different form factors. The support arms includes an upper segment that is detachable from the lower segment to facilitate the changeover of anvils.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method comprising detecting an event in connection with an autonomous vehicle, wherein the detected event comprises at least one of a current state of the autonomous vehicle, an impending state of the autonomous vehicle, and an intent of the autonomous vehicle; generating an image in connection with the detected event, wherein the image comprises at least one of text information and graphics information; and displaying the generated image on at least one window of the autonomous vehicle for conveying information about the detected event to at least one user located outside the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include optical systems that use two colored layers for multi-directional light propagation and control. An exemplary optical system can include a first cavity having a first light source and a second cavity having a second light source. A colored coating is positioned between the first cavity and the second cavity. The colored coating includes a bezel layer, a top color set layer, and a bottom color set layer. The colored coating serves as a wall between the first cavity and the second cavity.

Abstract: A vehicle, radar system for a vehicle and a method of detecting a parameter of an object is disclosed. The radar system includes a base radar and a frequency converter. The base radar generates a first frequency source signal within a first frequency range and is receptive to a first frequency reflected signal within the first frequency range. The base radar is configured to determine a parameter of an object from the first frequency reflected signal. The frequency converter is configured to convert the first frequency source signal to a second frequency source signal within a second frequency range and to convert a second frequency reflected signal within the second frequency range to the first frequency reflected signal.

Abstract: A modular additive manufactured tool assembly includes a perishable tool and a tool holder coupled to the perishable tool. The tool assembly is configured to be coupled to a machine spindle. The tool assembly also includes a spindle connection coupled to the tool holder. The spindle connection is configured to be coupled to a machine spindle. Each of the tool holder and the perishable tool includes a perishable material. Each of the tool holder and the perishable tool is manufactured using an additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: A designated location preview method includes obtaining an image of a portion of an environment of a vehicle dispatched to a designated location in response to a service request from a user, wherein the obtaining is performed using at least one onboard sensor of the vehicle; and displaying the image of the environment portion on a user interface (UI) of a user device substantially in real-time.