Abstract: Presented are electrical conductor assemblies with vascular cooling systems, methods for making/using such assemblies, and vehicles equipped with such assemblies for transmitting power and coolant between electric devices. An electrical conductor assembly includes an outer sheath, an electrical conductor extending through the sheath, a coolant channel defined through the sheath, and an optional cable jacket encasing the electrical conductor. The outer sheath has a tubular body formed from an electrically insulating material. The electrical conductor has a solid cable body located within a conductor duct extending through the sheath. The coolant channel, which is coaxial with and thermally connected to the cable body, passes therethrough coolant fluid that cools the electrical conductor. The cable jacket may be formed from an electrically insulating material having a thermal conductivity and melting point higher than that of the sheath.

Abstract: Systems and methods to perform image-based three-dimensional (3D) lane detection involve obtaining known 3D points of one or more lane markings in an image including the one or more lane markings. The method includes overlaying a grid of anchor points on the image. Each of the anchor points is a center of i concentric circles. The method also includes generating an i-length vector and setting an indicator value for each of the anchor points based on the known 3D points as part of a training process of a neural network, and using the neural network to obtain 3D points of one or more lane markings in a second image.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylinder block for an engine comprises providing a cylinder liner for the cylinder block and keeping the cylinder liner in a controlled atmosphere, removing the cylinder liner from the controlled atmosphere, removing moisture and gaseous contamination from the cylinder liner, and positioning the cylinder liner in a mold and over-casting a cylinder block in the mold.

Abstract: A system has a communication system that is in communication with a computing system. The computing system runs computer-executable instructions that may examine a profile of a passenger. Furthermore, the system may determine based upon the profile that support is to be provided audibly to the passenger whenever support is provided to the passenger. The system may also detect divergences from a predetermined path or route, which is determined may be determined by comparing a position signal output against the predetermined path. In response to detecting divergences, the system may further output an audible support message having content based on the detected divergences. Moreover, the system may be configured to contact authorities and stop the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle, radar system for the vehicle and method of operating the vehicle is disclosed. The radar system includes a transmitter, a receiver and a processor. The transmitter transmits a source signal into a region proximate the vehicle. The receiver receives a reflected signal formed by reflection of the source signal from an object in the region. The processor obtains non-linear terms of a phase from the reflected signal and resolves a Doppler ambiguity of the object using the non-linear terms. A navigation system navigates the vehicle with respect to the object based on the resolved Doppler ambiguity.

Abstract: A cooling plate distributes a coolant for an electrical battery, and is defined by parallel first and second edges and parallel third and fourth edges. A coolant inlet is arranged at a junction between the first and fourth edges, and a coolant outlet arranged at a junction between the second and fourth edges. A first coolant channel is arranged along the first edge, in direct communication with the inlet, and a second coolant channel is arranged along the second edge, in direct communication with the outlet. First and second sets of coolant mini-channels are in direct communication with the second channel. A first coolant manifold, arranged proximate the third edge, is in direct communication with the first channel. A second coolant manifold, arranged proximate the fourth edge, is in direct communication with the inlet. The two manifolds are in communication with the outlet via the respective sets of mini-channels.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling a vehicle includes providing a plurality of dynamic state inputs to a controller in the vehicle that is adapted to execute a plurality of control loops and further includes determining an operating mode of the vehicle. Based on the operating mode of the vehicle, a location of an optimum perceived yaw center of the vehicle is determined corresponding to a selected estimation technique using the dynamic state inputs and wherein the estimation technique is selected based upon the determined operating mode of the vehicle. The information related to the location of the optimum perceived yaw center may be used as input for controlling the vehicle in a dynamic state.

Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine includes a piston body having a generally planar crown and a sidewall extending from the crown. A stepped combustion bowl is recessed in the crown and includes an outer bowl recessed relative to the crown and defining a generally planar annular floor surface. The stepped combustion bowl further includes an inner bowl recessed relative to the outer bowl. The inner bowl includes a sidewall that slopes continually inwardly from the outer bowl to a floor surface of the inner bowl. A plurality of protruding lips extend from the sidewall toward a central axis of the piston body.

Abstract: A method of forming an engine component includes providing a cylinder liner main body having a curved interior wall forming a cylinder bore extending along a bore axis and a curved exterior wall formed circumferentially about the curved interior wall. The method includes disposing a coating layer onto the interior wall and the exterior wall. A cylinder liner is provided that includes a main body and a coating layer disposed on an exterior wall and on an interior wall of the main body.

Abstract: An end-effector assembly includes a master boom, a frame rail coupled thereto, and at least one branch rail movably coupled to the frame rail by a swing branch lock. The swing arm is movably coupled to the at least one branch rail by a swing arm lock. Each of the swing branch lock and the swing arm lock further includes a clamp configured to movably secure the branch rail to the frame rail or the swing arm to the branch rail. A pivot shaft extends through the clamp and is configured to rotationally secure the clamp in place. A swing plate is secured to the pivot shaft and is configured for engagement with a configuration tool. A locking fastener extends through the swing plate and into the pivot shaft and is configured to lock and unlock the clamp in position.

Abstract: A door handle assembly includes a bracket having a retention feature, an end cap connected to the bracket, and a handle pivotally connected to the bracket and moveable between a closed position and an open position, the handle having a pivot arm disposed within the bracket, the pivot arm having a pivot point and a lower portion, wherein the pivot arm engages the bracket and the lower portion is disposed on a side of the pivot point opposite the handle. The retention feature engages the lower portion when the handle is in the closed position and applies a force on the pivot arm in a rearward direction to maintain a gap distance between the handle and the end cap.

Abstract: A system includes a three-way catalyst (TWC) sulfur load module, a cylinder/fuel cutoff module, a fuel control module, and a valve control module. The TWC sulfur load module is configured to determine an amount of sulfur deposited on a three-way catalyst of an engine in a vehicle. The cylinder/fuel cutoff module is configured to determine whether to enable deceleration cylinder cutoff (DCCO) based on the amount of sulfur deposited on the three-way catalyst. The fuel control module is configured to control a fuel injector to selectively stop fuel injection in the engine when DCCO is enabled. The valve control module is configured to selectively maintain intake and exhaust valves of the engine in a closed position when DCCO is enabled.

Abstract: An example electrolyte includes a solvent, a lithium salt, and an additive selected from the group consisting of a mercaptosilane, a mercaptosiloxane, and combinations thereof. The electrolyte may be used in a method for making a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer on a surface of an electrode. A negative electrode structure may be formed from the method.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for estimating tire-road friction in a vehicle pro-actively, prior to safety systems of the vehicle are engaged. An example method includes computing a slip for the vehicle based on one or more wheel speeds, acceleration, and tire pressure measurement. The method further includes determining a slope (?) as indicator of tire-road friction for the vehicle based on the acceleration and the slip. Further, the method includes sending the slope to an autonomous controller of the vehicle for adjusting vehicle kinematics according to the estimated friction using the slope.

Abstract: A cruise control method to control a vehicle includes: receiving, by a controller of the vehicle, a set speed, a maximum allowed speed, and a minimum allowed speed, wherein each of the maximum allowed speed and the minimum allowed speed is a speed boundary; a propulsion system to produce a commanded axle torque to maintain the set speed; monitoring a current vehicle speed of the vehicle; determining a current vehicle acceleration of the vehicle; determining a time that the vehicle will take to reach the speed boundary; determining whether the time that the vehicle will take to reach the speed boundary is less than a predetermined time threshold; and in response to determining that the time that the vehicle will take to reach the speed boundary is less than the predetermined time threshold, commanding the propulsion system of the vehicle to adjust the commanded axle torque.

Abstract: An airbag chute assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a rigid chute frame, a door, and at least one hinge interconnecting the door to the rigid chute frame, wherein, the rigid chute frame and the door are unitarily injection molded from a single material.

Abstract: An aqueous or water-borne precursor for forming an anti-fouling heterophasic thermoset polymeric coating is provided. The precursor includes a fluorine-containing polyol precursor having a functionality greater than about 2 that forms a branched fluorine-containing polymer component defining a continuous phase in the anti-fouling heterophasic thermoset polymeric coating. The precursor also includes a fluorine-free precursor that forms a fluorine-free component present as a plurality of domains each having an average size of greater than or equal about 100 nm to less than or equal about 5,000 nm defining a discrete phase within the continuous phase in the anti-fouling heterophasic thermoset polymeric coating. A crosslinking agent and water are also present. An emulsifier may also be included. Methods of making anti-fouling heterophasic thermoset polymeric coatings with such precursors are also provided.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing a root cause for an exhibited vehicle failure, comprises initiating a vehicle health management (VHM) algorithm, repeatedly monitoring, at a specified time interval, the state of health (SOH) for at least one vehicle component, wherein the SOH for the at least one vehicle component is one of Green (normal operation), Yellow, and Red, calculating a number of consecutive Green SOH results for the at least one vehicle component, and providing an indication of likelihood that the at least one vehicle component is not a root cause of the exhibited vehicle failure based on the number of consecutive Green SOH results for the at least one vehicle component.

Abstract: An electric motor rotor for a motor vehicle includes a rotor assembly having a first portion formed from a first material, a second portion formed from a second material coupled to the first portion, and a third portion formed from a third material coupled to one of the first portion and the second portion. At least one of the first material and the third material is distinct from the second material.

Abstract: A battery system and a method include an auxiliary power module configured to support auxiliary loads. A first contactor switch connected between first and second battery packs, and a second contactor switch is in series with the first contactor switch. A controller determines whether to open or close first and second contactor switches depending on whether the battery packs are being charged in a high voltage mode or a low voltage mode. The contactor switches are both closed when in the high voltage mode and at least one of the contactor switches is opened when in the low voltage mode. At least one of the first and second battery packs operate to power the auxiliary power module while charging at least one of the first and second battery packs regardless of whether the battery packs are in the high voltage mode or the low voltage mode.