Abstract: The present disclosure provides a composite lift gate for a vehicle. The composite lift gate includes a polymer matrix and a fiber assembly. The fiber assembly is embedded in the polymer matrix. The fiber assembly includes a fiber mat and a plurality of substantially-aligned continuous fibers. The plurality of substantially-aligned continuous fibers is directly connected to a portion of the fiber mat. In one aspect, the composite lift gate further includes an electronic component connected to the fiber assembly. In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a composite lift gate for a vehicle.

Abstract: A multi-module battery pack includes a battery tray defining multiple battery tray compartments, battery modules each disposed within a corresponding one of the compartments, and a thermal barrier arranged in a predefined heat transfer path through the tray between an adjacent pair of the battery modules. The thermal barrier has a thickness of at least about 1 mm and a thermal conductivity of less than about 4 W/m-K, such that the thermal barrier blocks the heat transfer path to mitigate a thermal runaway event of one of the adjacent pair of battery modules. An electric powertrain system includes a rotary electric machine having phase leads and an output member, a driven load coupled to the output member, and the multi-module battery pack. A method includes providing the tray, identifying the heat transfer path, and arranging the thermal barrier in the heat transfer path.

Abstract: Presented are metal-coated, polymer-encapsulated power semiconductor modules, methods for making/using such power modules, and vehicles with traction power inverters containing such power modules. A power electronics assembly includes one or more power semiconductor modules packaged inside an assembly housing. Each power module includes a substrate, a semiconductor device mounted on the substrate, a polymeric encapsulant encasing therein the substrate and semiconductor device, and an electrical lead connected to the semiconductor device and projecting from the polymeric encapsulant. A metallic or ceramic coating is applied to select sections of the polymeric encapsulant's exposed exterior surface. The metallic/ceramic coating may be a single metallic layer that covers substantially all of the exposed surface area of the polymeric encapsulant's exterior surface. An optional hydrophobic polymer layer, passivated layer, and/or oxidized layer may cover the exterior surface of this metallic layer.

Abstract: A method for determining a tire tread wear estimation of a tire includes receiving, by a controller, a direct tire tread wear measurement, when available, performing an indirect tire tread wear estimation, performing a data fusion of the indirect tire tread wear estimation with the direct tire tread wear measurement when available, estimating a percentage tire life remaining and a mileage to end of tire life, and estimating a refined tire tread wear calibration coefficient for performing future indirect tire tread wear estimations.

Abstract: A method and associated device for joining a battery cell tab to a plurality of foils associated with a plurality of electrodes of a battery cell are described. This includes arranging the plurality of foils in a stack, and joining, via a first joining device, the plurality of foils, wherein the first joining device defines a joining region. A portion of the battery cell tab is arranged on the plurality of foils, and joined, via a second joining device, to the plurality of foils. The second joining device generates a weld joint that is encompassed within the joining region defined by the first joining device. In doing so, weld quality and strength of internal welds in a battery cell may be improved by reducing the occurrence of porosities and cracks in the foil/tab weld joints.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reversing a semi-autonomous follower vehicle involve obtaining a speed of a leader vehicle in front of and unattached to the follower vehicle that is reversing. A method includes estimating a path of the leader vehicle and determining a path for the follower vehicle based on the path of the leader vehicle. A longitudinal movement of the follower vehicle is controlled based on the speed of the leader vehicle and a lateral movement of the follower vehicle is controlled based on the path for the follower vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle system having an internal combustion engine and evaporative emission system including a canister is described, wherein canister includes a chamber having a flexible Metal Organic Framework (MOF) material disposed therein. A controllable device is coupled to the flexible MOF material, and a controller is operatively connected to the controllable device and the purge valve. The controller includes an instruction set that is executable to activate the controllable device and control the purge valve to an open state in response to a command to purge the canister, determine an activation parameter for the controllable device, determine a purge flow, integrate the purge flow to determine a total purge mass, and deactivate the controllable device when the total purge mass is greater than a threshold.

Abstract: A configurable build volume system for a powder bed fusion manufacturing process includes a chamber wall defining a chamber, the chamber wall extending in the X-, Y-, and Z-axis directions, a plurality of build platforms enclosed within the chamber, a plurality of adjustment mechanisms coupled to the plurality of build platforms such that each build platform is coupled to a separate adjustment mechanism, a sensor mounted within the chamber and configured to capture data regarding a Z-axis position of each of the plurality of build platforms, and a controller in electronic communication with the plurality of adjustment mechanisms and the sensor. The controller receives the Z-axis position data and generates a plurality of control signals to adjust a Z-axis position of each of the plurality of build platforms and each of the plurality of build platforms is actively and independently controlled by the controller.

Abstract: System and method of manufacturing high-strength bonded metal sheets for a battery cell are provided. The method comprises providing a stackup comprising a first metal sheet and a second metal sheet. The first and second metal sheets are separated by a first coating layer. The first coating layer comprises nickel-phosphide. The first metal sheet includes a first material of a first melting point and the second metal sheet includes a second material of a second melting point. The first coating layer including a third material of a third melting point. The method further comprises heating the stackup to allow crystallization of nickel in the first coating layer and remove the residual nickel-phosphide defining an enhanced coating layer. The enhanced coating layer comprises crystallized nickel for high-strength solid state bonding of the first and second metal sheets to the enhanced coating layer.

Abstract: An aluminum-iron alloy for casting includes aluminum, iron, silicon, and niobium present in the aluminum-iron alloy in an amount according to formula (I): (Al3Fe2Si)1-x+x Nb, wherein x is from 0.25 parts by weight to 2.5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the aluminum-iron alloy. A method of forming a component including forming the aluminum-iron alloy is also described.

Abstract: A closure system includes a closure panel assembly and a hinge assembly configured to connect the closure panel assembly to a body. The hinge assembly includes a first hinge and a second hinge configured to be pivotably secured to the body and to the closure panel assembly in parallel, the hinge assembly establishing a four-bar linkage. The closure system includes a hinge cover configured to be fixed to the first hinge and pivotably connected to the closure panel assembly. The closure panel assembly is movable between a closed position and an open position via pivoting of the first hinge and the second hinge. The closure panel assembly at least partially covering an opening in the closed position and at least partially uncovering the opening in the open position. The hinge cover articulated alongside the first hinge and at least partially covers the first hinge in the closed position.

Abstract: Presented are intelligent non-autogenous metalworking systems and control logic for automated wire-to-beam alignment, methods for making/using such systems, and robot-borne laser welding/brazing heads with closed-loop control for real-time wire alignment. A method for controlling operation of a non-autogenous workpiece processing system includes a system controller receiving sensor signals from a position sensor indicative of a location of filler wire discharged into a joint region by a wire feeder. Using the received sensor signals, the controller determines a displacement between the wire location and a location of a beam emitted onto the joint region by a beam emitter. If the wire displacement is greater than a threshold wire displacement value, the controller responsively determines a corrective force calculated to reduce wire displacement to below the threshold wire displacement value.

Abstract: A hybrid threading tool defines a longitudinal axis and includes a cutting portion with a plurality of cutting teeth. The plurality of cutting teeth are configured to cut a first threading into a workpiece. The hybrid threading tool also defines a forming portion that is attached to the cutting portion and that is arranged therewith along the longitudinal axis. The forming portion includes a plurality of forming teeth configured to plastically deform the first threading into a second threading for the workpiece.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to injection locking on-chip laser(s) and external on-chip resonator(s). A system includes a first integrated circuit chip and a second integrated circuit chip. The first integrated circuit chip and the second integrated circuit chip are separate integrated circuit chips and can be optically coupled to each other. The first integrated circuit chip includes a laser configured to emit light via a first path and a second path. The second integrated circuit chip includes a resonator formed of an electrooptic material. The resonator can receive the light emitted by the laser of the first integrated circuit chip via the first path and return feedback light to the laser of the first integrated circuit chip via the first path. The feedback light can cause injection locking of the laser to the resonator to control the light emitted by the laser (e.g., via the first and second paths).

Abstract: A display or light blocking screen includes a liquid crystal (LC) array layer having a plurality of LC pixels, and a transparent LED layer having a plurality of LED pixels. A controller is operatively connected to the LC array layer and the transparent LED layer. The controller is configured to selectively trigger emission of light from a selection of the LED pixels, and to selectively darken a selection of the LC pixels that correspond directly to the selection of LED pixels. Therefore, the emitting LED pixels and the darkened LC pixels match and light is emitted from the LED pixels in substantially the opposite direction of the LC array layer. The display screen, or different aspects thereof, may be operatively incorporated into one or more windows of a vehicle, may be a standalone unit, or may be incorporated into a building.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle having a LIDAR system mounted thereon or incorporated therein is described. The LIDAR system has N channels, with each channel being a light emitter/light detector pair. A computing system identifies M channels that are to be active during a scan of the LIDAR system, wherein M is less than N. The computing system transmits a command signal to the LIDAR system, and the LIDAR system performs a scan with the M channels being active (and N-M channels being inactive). The LIDAR system constructs a point cloud based upon the scan, and the computing system controls the autonomous vehicle based upon the point cloud.

Abstract: A method includes recording a first timestamp of a detection of an event with a first array of an array of light sensors or an array of acoustic sensors. The array of light sensors and the array of acoustic sensors are mounted on a same chassis. The method further includes determining a direction of the event, based on the detection with the first array; recording a second timestamp of a detection of the event by a second array of the array of light sensors or the array of audio sensors; determining a distance of the event from the arrays of light and audio sensors, based on the first timestamp and the second timestamp; and controlling a vehicle, based on the event, the vehicle including the chassis.

Abstract: A permanent magnet electric motor includes a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft defines a shaft jacket extending along a first direction, a rotor mounted on the shaft, a stator disposed about the rotor. The rotor defines a plurality of longitudinal channels each with the shaft jacket. The longitudinal channels are part of a rotor jacket. The rotor jacket includes a plurality of inlets fluidly interconnecting the shaft jacket and the plurality of the longitudinal channels. The rotor jacket includes an inner edge and an outer edge opposite the inner edge. The rotor jacket includes a plurality of outlets each in fluid communication with the plurality of longitudinal channels. Each of the outlets is closer to the inner edge than to the outer edge of the rotor jacket.

Abstract: A system to provide a multi-image head up display (HUD) in a vehicle includes a fixed mirror to project a far-plane image at a first distance from an occupant of the vehicle. Control of a position of display of the far-plane image is based on an eye height position of the occupant. The system also includes a rotatable mirror to project a near-plane image at a second distance, closer than the first distance, from the occupant. Control of a position of display of the near-plane image is based on a manual adjustment of a rotational angle of the rotatable mirror by the occupant. Processing circuitry automatically adjusts the position of display of the far-plane image based on inferring the eye height position of the occupant from the rotational angle of the rotatable mirror that controls the display of the near-plane image.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for controlling knocking for an engine of a vehicle having a plurality of different types of fuel injectors and a combustion chamber. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes one or more sensors of the vehicle and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to measure an intensity of engine knocking for the engine. The processor is coupled to the one or more sensors, and is configured to at least facilitate adjusting a fuel injection ratio of respective amounts of fuel provided by the plurality of different types of fuel injectors to the combustion chamber, based on the intensity of the engine knocking.