Abstract: A radar system for use in a vehicle may include a radar transmitter structured to transmit a radar signal having a waveform; and a controller operably connected to the radar transmitter and configured to control the waveform. The waveform may be characterized by a waveform parameter. The controller may be configured to set a value of the waveform parameter based on a present operational state of the vehicle, thereby generating an updated waveform. The radar transmitter may be structured to transmit an updated radar signal having the updated waveform.

Abstract: An HVAC system for a motor vehicle includes a filter that absorbs odors and gases in a cabin of the motor vehicle and desorbs the odors and gases when heated, and a heater that is turned on to heat the filter during cool ambient conditions. The heater is turned off during warm ambient conditions and warm ambient air is utilized to heat the filter. The desorbed odors and gases are purged from the cabin of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method and apparatus for delivery a cargo pod including receiving a delivery request for a delivery pod wherein the delivery request includes a delivery origin and a delivery destination, generating a delivery route in response to the delivery origin and the delivery destination, receiving a first navigational route from a first host vehicle, transmitting a first host request to the first host vehicle in response to a first segment of the delivery route matching a segment of the first navigational route, and receiving a delivery completion indication from the first host vehicle in response to a towing operation of the delivery pod and a completion of the first segment of the delivery route.

Abstract: A system of selecting a transmission manual mode entry gear during transient driving conditions of an automobile vehicle includes a transmission in an automobile vehicle. An engine is connected to the transmission. A torque converter is connected to the transmission, and a differential provides drive output. A controller is in communication with the engine and the transmission. A shift device is in communication with the controller allowing manual selection by an operator of the automobile vehicle between a Park, a Reverse, a Neutral, a Drive and a Low or Manual (PRNDL) operating modes. A predicted gear is frozen close to a real gear at a time of entrance into the Manual mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that determine parking feasibility are provided. The method includes determining a charging pad location based on information received from sensors or the charging pad, generating a path function corresponding to a path from a vehicle position to the charging pad location, determining whether a vehicle is within a parking maneuver feasibility region by comparing values of the generated path function, a minimum turning radius of the vehicle, and a maximum steering angle rate of the vehicle, and moving the vehicle to the charging pad location if the vehicle is in the parking maneuver feasibility region.

Abstract: Processor-implemented methods and systems for aerodynamically optimizing a design geometry of a vehicle body using a convolutional neural network (CNN) are provided. The method may include receiving a signed distance function (SDF) data file that represents the design geometry of the vehicle body. The method includes receiving a range of inflow boundary conditions. The processor processes the SDF over the range of boundary conditions, using the CNN, to generate therefrom drag and lift outputs for the design geometry. The drag and lift outputs may be displayed in the form of one or more intensity maps.

Abstract: A sensor calibration target includes dark markings on a light substrate. The dark markings absorb more heat from a heat source than the light substrate, and are visually distinguishable from the light substrate. Thus, the dark markings are discernable by the both a camera and an infrared sensor of a vehicle during vehicle sensor calibration. The sensor calibration target may otherwise non-metallic but include a metallic feature for calibrating a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensor. The sensor calibration target may also include one or more apertures in the substrate for calibrating a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor.

Abstract: A method to manage thermal propagation in an energy storage device of a battery electric vehicle is provided. The method includes operating the battery electric vehicle with a plurality of distinct battery cell module groups each separately providing electrical power to the battery electric vehicle. The method further includes, within a computerized battery cell module groups controller, monitoring conditions within the distinct battery cell module groups, determining occurrence of an abnormal event within one of a plurality of the distinct battery cell module groups based upon the monitored conditions, and controlling operation of the battery electric vehicle based upon the determined occurrence of the abnormal event.

Abstract: Method for forming prelithiated electroactive materials are provided. Methods include preparing a precursor that includes lithium and silicon and centrifugally distributing the precursor using a centrifugal atomizing reactor. Methods for preparing the precursor include contacting a first mixture including lithium and having a first temperature and a second mixture including silicon and having a second temperature in a mixing chamber to form a precursor. The first mixture and the second mixture each enters the mixing chamber at a pressure greater than or equal to about 10 PSI. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature. The method may further include centrifugally distributing the precursor by contacting the precursor with a rotating surface in a centrifugal atomizing reactor and solidifying the precursor to form a plurality of substantially round solid electroactive particles including lithium and silicon and having D50 diameters of less than or equal to about 30 micrometers.

Abstract: A hybrid core for manufacturing a cast component, the hybrid core including a sand core portion having an exterior shape configured to define an interior feature of the cast component. The hybrid core also includes a metal chill element embedded within the sand core portion. The metal chill element is configured to locally absorb heat energy from the cast component during cooling of the cast component and solidification thereof. The metal chill element is constructed and arranged within the sand core portion to be removed during shake out from the cast component subsequent to the solidification thereof. A system and a method for manufacturing a cast component using such a hybrid core are also envisioned.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for navigating a mobile platform in an environment. A processor obtains information about an object in the environment, obtains information about a first satellite, and estimates a probability indicator for a non-line of sight signal transmission between a current satellite location of the first satellite and a current location of the mobile platform using the information about the first satellite and the information about the object. The processor further determines a discrepancy indicator using a movement information of the mobile platform and a movement information of the first satellite such that a weighting indicator can be determined using the estimated probability indicator and the determined discrepancy indicator. The processor then assigns a weighting indicator to a satellite signal transmitted from the first satellite in order to provide a first weighted signal for navigating the mobile platform.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are provided of a backend server communicating with vehicles equipped with an ePallet to identify delivery damage-causing events by a processor communicating with delivery vehicles with an ePallets in a transport of a package in delivery to customers; receiving location to identify locations that exhibit a likelihood to cause damage to the package; determining a location that exhibits the likelihood to cause package damage by analysis of acceleration data received from a first accelerometer located with the delivery vehicle and a second accelerometer located with the ePallet; compiling a set of events based on acceleration data from the first and second accelerometer indicative of an ePallet's movement desynced to a delivery vehicle's movement that can cause package damage; and notifying the delivery vehicle of an event likely causing package damage so the delivery vehicle can re-route navigation of the package delivery to prevent package damage.

Abstract: A battery system for a motor vehicle or other system includes a voltage bus with positive and negative bus rails, and first and second battery packs. The battery packs are arranged between and connected to rails. High-voltage switches are collectively configured to selectively interconnect the battery packs in a series or parallel battery arrangement. The switches include a pair of mutually-exclusive three-way/two-position contactors each having a series connection position and parallel connection position corresponding to the respective series and parallel battery arrangements. An electric powertrain includes an electrical load connected to the battery system, and a controller coupled to the switches. In response to a battery mode selection signal, the controller selectively transitions the contactors from the series connection position to the parallel connection position, or vice versa. A motor vehicle includes road wheels, a body, and the electric powertrain.

Abstract: A battery system includes high-voltage switches, including a multi-pole contactor. Multiple packs are connectable in a series or parallel configuration via the switches. The contactor includes first and second pairs of electrical terminals separated by a respective circuit gap, with respective contactor arms simultaneously closing or opening the gaps. At all times, internal switches formed by the gaps and arms have the same ON/OFF state corresponding to the circuit gaps both being closed or both being open. Two of the contactors may be used to connect the battery packs to a DC fast-charging station, and to connect electrode terminals of the battery packs to a bus rail, respectively. An electric powertrain includes the battery system and an electrical load, including a rotary electric machine, that is connected to a power inverter and to a mechanical load.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling additive manufacturing material deposition using a magnetic field. A system may include a build surface; a material depositor through which a magnetically responsive material is deposited on the build surface; an energy source; and a magnet set. The magnet set applies the magnetic field to the build surface and/or to the material depositor. The magnetic field is configured to attract the magnetically responsive material while the energy source melts the magnetically responsive material.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicle apparatuses are provided.

Abstract: A three-state contactor for an electrical system having a battery pack and voltage bus rail includes first and second pairs of electrical terminals. The first pair of terminals is separated by a first circuit gap in a first circuit path extending between the bus rail and an electrode terminal of the battery pack. The second pair of terminals is separated by a second circuit gap in a second circuit path extending between the bus rail and electrode terminal. A contactor arm, in response to a corresponding switch activation signal, translates in an orthogonal direction with respect to its longitudinal axis between a first ON state position, an OFF position, and a second ON position to close the first circuit gap, open both circuit gaps, or close the second circuit gap, respectively. A multi-pack battery system and an electric powertrain may use the contactor.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided herein as well as methods for preparing electrochemical cells. The electrochemical cell includes a negative electrode and a positive electrode. The negative electrode includes a prelithiated electroactive material including a lithium silicide. Lithium is present in the prelithiated electroactive material in an amount corresponding to greater than or equal to about 10% of a state of charge of the negative electrode. The electrochemical cell has a negative electrode capacity to positive electrode capacity for lithium (N/P) ratio of greater than or equal to about 1, and the electrochemical cell is capable of operating at an operating voltage of less than or equal to about 5 volts.

Abstract: A vehicle is described that includes a multi-mode powertrain system having a first drive unit and a second drive unit. A controller is arranged to monitor the high-voltage DC power bus and is in communication with and operatively connected to first and second inverters. The controller is able to detect operation of one of the first inverter or the second inverter in an uncontrolled generating (UCG) mode, determine a driveline torque associated with the operating of the one of the first inverter or the second inverter in the UCG mode, and determine a compensating torque that is needed to counteract the driveline torque associated with the operating of the one of the first inverter or the second inverter in the UCG mode. The controller can further operate to detect a fault that may induce unintended lateral motion (ULM), and control torque outputs of the inverters based thereon.

Abstract: The present application relates to a system and method for providing autoregressive based residual echo suppression in the STFT domain in a bidirectional vehicle communications system including receiving, from a communications processor, a speaker signal for coupling to a speaker, receiving, from a microphone, a microphone signal wherein the microphone signal includes a voice signal and a residual echo signal, transforming the signals to the STFT domain generating an estimated power spectral density of the residual echo signal in response to a prior power spectral density of a prior residual echo signal, isolating the voice signal from the microphone signal by multiplying the estimated residual echo gain generated using the estimated power spectral density of the residual echo signal with the microphone signal, transforming the signals back to the time domain and coupling the voice signal to the communications processor.