Abstract: A system and method of managing electrical energy consumption and generation of a vehicle. The method includes: determining a vehicle operation schedule for the vehicle, wherein the vehicle operation schedule includes one or more expected vehicle trips that each include a vehicle start location, a vehicle end location, and a time period; obtaining forecasted vehicle trip data based on the vehicle operation schedule; obtaining forecasted vehicle operation data pertaining to the vehicle operation schedule; determining a vehicle energy plan for the vehicle based on the forecasted vehicle trip data and the forecasted vehicle operation data; and causing the vehicle to carry out the vehicle energy plan during the vehicle operation schedule.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising an alkali metal negative electrode layer physically and chemically bonded to a surface of a negative electrode current collector via an intermediate metal chalcogenide layer. The intermediate metal chalcogenide layer may comprise a metal oxide, a metal sulfide, a metal selenide, or a combination thereof. The intermediate metal chalcogenide layer may be formed on the surface of the negative electrode current collector by exposing the surface to a chalcogen or a chalcogen donor compound. Then, the alkali metal negative electrode layer may be formed on the surface of the negative electrode current collector over the intermediate metal chalcogenide layer by contacting at least a portion of the metal chalcogenide layer with a source of sodium or potassium to form a layer of sodium or potassium on the surface of the negative electrode current collector over the metal chalcogenide layer.

Abstract: A permanent magnet electric motor includes a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and a rotor mounted on the shaft. The rotor is rotatable concomitantly with the shaft about the longitudinal axis, the rotor defines an innermost rotor edge. The innermost rotor edge is sized to receive the shaft. The permanent magnet electric motor further includes a stator. The shaft defines a jacket configured to receive a coolant. The jacket is disposed about the longitudinal axis. The jacket is elongated in a first direction. The first direction is parallel to the longitudinal axis. The rotor defines a plurality of longitudinal channels. Each of the plurality of longitudinal channel is elongated along the first direction, and each of the plurality of longitudinal channels is in fluid communication with the jacket to allow fluid flow between the jacket and the plurality of the longitudinal channels.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to motion-generating mechanisms for desulfation of lead-acid batteries, lead-acid batteries including such motion-generating mechanisms, and methods of making and using the same. For example, the present disclosure provides a lead-acid battery that includes one or more electroactive plates disposed within a casing; an electrolyte disposed within the casing and surrounding the electroactive plates; and one or more movable members disposed on or adjacent to one or more interior surfaces of the casing and in communication with the electrolyte. The one or more movable members each have a first position and a second position and movement between the first position and the second position agitates the electrolyte.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method and apparatus for implementing a radar array including a gate bias source for providing a first variable voltage, a back gate well control for providing a second variable voltage, and a field effect transistor having a drain, a source, a gate and a back gate well control, the field effect transistor being further configured to couple an alternating current radar signal between the drain and the source and to adjust a phase of the alternating current radar in response to first variable voltage applied to the gate and the second variable voltage applied to the back gate well control.

Abstract: A body structure includes a generally trough-shaped first structural member having a floor, two opposed side walls having respective top edges, and an open top along a length of the first structural member defining a generally U-shaped cross-section. The first structural member has a first portion with a first flow direction therethrough and a second portion with a second flow direction therethrough different from the first flow direction, the first portion having opposed first and second ends with a first opening in the first end, the second portion having opposed third and fourth ends with a second opening in the fourth end, wherein the second and third ends are in fluid communication with each other. The first portion has a first average depth and the second portion has a deepened portion having a second average depth larger than the first average depth.

Abstract: A computing system that analyzes the network effects of avoidance areas on autonomous vehicle routing is described herein. The computing system includes a data store that comprises a set of avoidance areas through which the autonomous vehicle is prohibited from being routed. A grouping system identifies groups of avoidance areas. A graph construction system constructs a graph representation of the avoidance area groups. A ranking algorithm is evaluated over the graph representation to generate a ranking of the avoidance area groups by relative impact on routing metrics for routes through an operational area of the autonomous vehicle. A mapping vehicle can be dispatched to resolve avoidance areas in avoidance area groups indicating in the ranking as having a greater impact on routing metrics than other avoidance area groups.

Abstract: A system for generating a map includes a processing device configured to determine a provenance of each received map of a plurality of maps, parse each received map into objects of interest, and compare the objects of interest to identify one or more sets of objects representing a common feature. For each set of objects, the processing device is configured to select a subset of the set of objects based on the provenance associated with each object in the set of objects, and calculate a similarity metric for each object in the subset. The similarity metric is selected from an alignment between an object and a reference object in the subset, and/or a positional relationship between the object and the reference object. The processing device is configured to generate a common object representing the common feature based on the similarity metric, and generate a merged map including the common object.

Abstract: A thermal control system includes first and second components. A plurality of coolant conduits fluidly couple the components to define a coolant circuit. A pump is operable to circulate coolant among the conduits. Within the coolant circuit, the first component is upstream of the second component and the pump is upstream of the first component. A controller is configured to selectively operate according to a circuit heating mode, wherein the controller controls the pump at a first speed and controls the first respective component as a thermal source, and a local heating mode, wherein the local heating mode the control controls the pump at a second speed and controls the first respective component as a thermal source. The second speed is less than the first speed. The controller operates in the local heating mode in response to a heating request associated with the second respective component.

Abstract: A self-adjustable lock knob bezel assembly includes a body of a polymeric material. The body includes an elastically flexible umbrella having a cylindrical bore extending through the umbrella. Multiple dynamic interface members are positioned within the cylindrical bore and extend away from an inner perimeter wall defined by the cylindrical bore toward a longitudinal central axis of the body. Multiple flexible finger sets extend outwardly from the body. Multiple elastically deflecting legs are positioned below the finger sets. A vehicle door panel includes an aperture receiving the body. A lock knob is positioned within the cylindrical bore and directly contacts each of the dynamic interface members in each of a raised un-locked position and a lowered locked position.

Abstract: A system for testing a suspension system of a vehicle includes an inertial measurement module and a suspension fault detection module. The inertial measurement module is configured to, while the vehicle is not moving, collect sensor data from one or more inertial measurement sensors for different states of the suspension system. The sensor data is indicative of inertial states of the vehicle while the suspension system is in each of the different states. The suspension fault detection module is configured to, based on the sensor data and a set of thresholds, determine whether a fault exists with the suspension system, isolate and identify the fault, and perform a countermeasure based on the detection of the fault.

Abstract: A modular casting mold for casting an automotive component includes a plurality of die portions defining a mold cavity corresponding to an automotive component, at least one of the plurality of die portions is an active die portion adapted to control the temperature of the modular casting mold throughout the casting process and including features for ejecting an automotive component cast within the modular casting mold, and the modular casting mold adapted to be attached to another modular casting mold for casting a single automotive component.

Abstract: A disturbance cancellation and generation seat system includes a seat mounted to a structure of a vehicle. The seat is accelerated due to a disturbance acceleration received in the structure and transferred to the seat. A seat control unit generates a force cancellation command signal. An actuation device is connected to the structure and is in communication with the seat control unit. The actuation device in response to receipt of the force cancellation command signal induces a cancellation acceleration motion into the seat which is equal but opposite to and therefore cancels an acceleration motion of the seat induced by the disturbance acceleration.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to motion-generating pumps, energy storage devices including such motion-generating pumps, and methods of making and using the same for the desulfation of lead-acid batteries. The energy storage device includes a battery casing defining a plurality of chambers, each of the plurality of chambers may include one or more electroactive plates disposed therein and an electrolyte disposed so as to surround the one or more electroactive plates. The energy storage device further includes one or more circulating systems configured to agitate the electrolyte in each of the plurality of chambers. A method for desulfation in a lead-acid battery may include using one or more circulating systems to circulate an electrolyte so as to prevent precipitation.

Abstract: A system for emissions mitigation for a hybrid automobile vehicle includes an automobile vehicle provided with motive power from: a battery pack; an engine; and a controller in communication with the battery pack and the engine. A threshold battery pack state-of-charge (SOC) is predetermined. A minimum battery pack SOC is less than the threshold battery pack SOC. An engine-on charge depletion (EOCD) command is issued by the controller to start the engine in an engine-catalyst light-off operation condition when the vehicle is operating using power from the battery pack and when the threshold battery pack state-of-charge (SOC) is reached to mitigate against exceeding vehicle emissions standards.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly includes a housing having a generally cylindrical inner surface defining a generally cylindrical cavity within the housing, a stator operatively disposed within the generally cylindrical cavity, the stator including a plurality of stacked laminations wherein each lamination has an outer circumferential edge and a plurality of finger elements extending inward, and a layer of polymer disposed between a generally cylindrical outer surface of the stator and the generally cylindrical inner surface of the housing, such that the stator is fastened to the housing by the polymer. A method of manufacturing the electric motor assembly includes disposing a stator within a housing such that a gap is defined between the stator and the housing and the stator is not directly connected to the housing, and substantially filling the gap with a polymer capable of fastening the stator to the housing by only the polymer.

Abstract: Presented are torque converters (TC) with planetary-type vibration dampers, methods for making/using such TC assemblies, and vehicles equipped with such TC assemblies. A TC assembly includes a TC housing drivingly connected to a prime mover to receive torque therefrom, and a TC output member drivingly connected to a transmission to transfer torque thereto. Rotatably mounted within an internal fluid chamber of the TC housing are juxtaposed turbine and impeller blades. The impeller blades are rotatably mounted to the housing. A TC clutch is operable to lock the TC housing to the TC output member. A torsional vibration damper, which is disposed within the internal fluid chamber, includes a sun gear attached to the TC output member for unitary rotation, a ring gear attached to the TC clutch for unitary rotation, and a planet carrier intermeshed with the ring and sun gears and attached to the turbine blades for unitary rotation.

Abstract: Radiant heating systems are provided for warming an occupant of an enclosed space. The system includes a component with a surface configured to face the occupant. The surface defines an A-surface quality meaning the surface is visible and is designed with styling objectives to have an aesthetic appearance. Conductive strands are exposed at the surface and a power supply is configured to supply electric power to the conductive strands. A controller is configured to control the electric power supplied to the conductive strands.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for training a trainee using an autonomous vehicle, the method including: measuring, via one or more sensors, one or more manual inputs from the trainee with respect to controlling the autonomous vehicle; determining, via a processor using an autonomous driving algorithm stored in a memory of the autonomous vehicle, one or more recommended actions for the autonomous vehicle; comparing, via the processor, the one or more manual inputs from the trainee with the one or more recommended actions for the autonomous vehicle, generating a comparison; and determining, via the processor, a score for the trainee based on the comparison between the one or more manual inputs from the trainee with the one or more recommended actions for the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: An electrolyte can be pretreated by contacting with an oxide species (e.g., SiO2, SiOx, where 1?x?2, TiO2). The electrolyte comprises LiPF6 and a carbonate solvent. A reaction occurs to form a pretreated electrolyte comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of: MaPx?OyFz, MaPx?OyFzCnHm, and combinations thereof, where when P in the formula is normalized to 1 so that x? is equal to about 1, 0<y?4, 0<z?6, 0?a?3, 0 ?n?20, 0?m?42, and M is selected from Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, B, Ti, Al, and combinations thereof. Lithium-ion electrochemical cells including lithium titanate oxide (LTO) using such a pretreated electrolyte have reduced reactivity and gas formation.