Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle includes antennas in proximity to one another; amplifiers; a computer memory; and a computer processor. The amplifiers are coupled to or part of the antennas. The computer memory stores a predetermined cases map that lists, for each of a plurality of combinations of frequencies for antennas, the predetermined cases map specifying, for each combination of frequencies, an amount of uplink RF power reduction required to reduce the degradation below a predetermined threshold. The computer processor is configured to retrieve, from the computer memory, the predetermined cases map; determine a current frequency combination for a current plurality of frequencies of the antennas of the vehicle; and provide instructions to one or more of the amplifiers to adjust a maximum RF power of one or more of the antennas, to thereby reduce receiver performance degradation between the antennas.

Abstract: A system uses a fleet of AVs to assess visibility of target objects. Each AV has a camera for capturing images of target objects. AVs provide the captured images, or visibility data derived from the captured images, to a remote system, which aggregates visibility data describing images captured across the fleet of AVs. The AVs also provide condition data describing conditions under which the images were captured, and the remote system aggregates the condition data. The remote system processes the aggregated visibility data and condition data to determine conditions under which a target object does not meet a visibility threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for assisted deceleration based trailer braking. The apparatus includes a trailer brake controller for applying a trailer brake in response to a brake control signal, a wheel speed sensor, an accelerometer for determining an acceleration, and a trailer controller for generating the brake control signal in response to a change in the acceleration indicating a negative value, the trailer controller further operative to couple the brake control signal to the trailer brake controller.

Abstract: Operating a subject vehicle equipped with an adaptive cruise control system includes setting initial states for control parameters, including setting a desired vehicle speed and determining a desired following gap range, wherein the desired following gap range is associated with a lead vehicle. Operation is controlled via the adaptive cruise control system based upon the initial states for the control parameters. Operation also includes monitoring for presence of the lead vehicle. Upon detecting presence of the lead vehicle, an actual following gap is determined between the subject vehicle and the lead vehicle, and the initial states of the control parameters associated with the adaptive cruise control system are adjusted based upon the actual following gap between the subject vehicle and the lead vehicle, and the desired following gap range. Operation is controlled via the adaptive cruise control system based upon the adjusted initial states of the control parameters.

Abstract: A turbine assembly includes a turbine casing, a turbine wheel, vanes, and link plates. The turbine casing defines a center chamber and a volute configured to transport exhaust gas to the center chamber. The turbine wheel is disposed within the center chamber and is rotatably coupled to the turbine casing. The driving ring extends around a periphery of the center chamber and is rotatably coupled to the turbine casing. The vanes are disposed within the center chamber and are configured to adjust a flow rate of exhaust gas from the volute to the turbine wheel. The link plates couple the vanes to the driving ring such that the vanes pivot when the driving ring rotates. When the ring is rotated to a given position, the link plates are configured to pivot one of the vanes to one position while pivoting another one of the vanes to another position.

Abstract: An AC electronic solid-state switch includes an electrically insulating and thermally conductive layer, a first electrically conductive trace, a second electrically conductive trace, and a plurality of semiconductor dies each electrically connected to the first electrically conductive trace and the second electrically conductive trace. Each of the plurality of semiconductor dies forms a MOSFET, IGBT or other types of electronically controllable switch. The AC electronic solid-state switch further includes a common drain conductor that is electrically connected to each drain terminal of the plurality of semiconductor dies. The AC electronic solid-state switch is configured to block between 650 volts and 1700 volts in the off-state in a first direction and a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction, and the AC electronic solid-state switch is configured to carry at least 500 A continuously in the on-state with a voltage drop of less than 2V.

Abstract: Presented are model predictive control (MPC) systems, methods, and devices for regulating operation of hybrid powertrains. A method of controlling a hybrid powertrain includes a controller determining path plan data, including a vehicle origin, destination, and predicted path. Based on this path plan data, the controller estimates vehicle velocities for multiple rolling road segments of the predicted path and, based on the estimated velocities, determines an estimated power request—transmission input torque and/or vehicle axle torque—for each road segment. The controller calculates a minimum cost function such that total fuel consumption to generate the engine power output is minimized. Minimizing the cost function is subject to battery pack current limits and state of charge (SOC) terminal costs at the ends of the rolling road segments. Command signals are sent to the engine and motor to output engine and motor torque based on the calculated minimum cost function.

Abstract: Presented are intelligent vehicles and control logic for provisioning comprehensive tow features, methods for manufacturing/operating such vehicles, and electric-drive vehicles with tow features for protecting the vehicle's powertrain and electrical components during towing. A method for controlling operation of an electric-drive vehicle includes a vehicle controller verifying initiation of a towing operation for the vehicle, and responsively determining if there is a drive system failure preventing the vehicle's traction motor from electrically connecting with its traction battery pack. If there is no drive system failure, the controller determines if the speed of the traction motor during towing exceeds a calibrated base speed; if so, the controller commands a power inverter to electrically connect the traction motor to the traction battery pack.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining and correcting air/fuel imbalance between cylinders of an internal combustion engine. A deactivation strategy is determined and implemented. An evaluation is made of whether the engine is operating with an air/fuel imbalance between cylinders. When an imbalance is identified, an alternate deactivation strategy is implemented. Based on outcomes of the alternate deactivation strategy, a source cylinder of the air/fuel imbalance is identified, and fuel flow to the source cylinder is corrected.

Abstract: A system for transferring a frame within an Ethernet network of a vehicle. The system includes an Ethernet switch, first and second feature modules and a NAM. The Ethernet switch includes first and second ports connected respectively to the first and second feature modules. The NAM: receives a priority request message from the second feature module; generates a priority response message indicating information for the second feature module to set a priority level of a frame; and transmits the priority response message to the second feature module. The Ethernet switch: receives the frame from the second feature module at the first port, where the frame has a first bit indicative of the priority level and a second bit indicative of a port of the first feature module; and forwards the frame, based on the first and second bits, to a corresponding one of the queues having the priority level and for transmission to the port of the first feature module.

Abstract: A stator assembly for an electric motor includes a laminate steel core arranged on an axis. The stator assembly also includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The stator assembly additionally includes a stator housing arranged on the axis concentrically with respect to the laminate steel core. The stator housing has a conduit fluidly connected to each of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet and configured to circulate fluid around the laminate steel core. The stator assembly also includes a structural skeleton embedded in the stator housing. The structural skeleton is thereby configured to reinforce the stator housing. An electric motor employing the above-described stator assembly is also contemplated.

Abstract: An alignment device includes a first body and a second body, at least one retention member flexibly coupled to the first body, and a locking member coupled to the first body. The second body has an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cylindrical wall, the cylindrical wall defining a cylindrical opening, a first retention opening extending through the cylindrical wall and a second retention opening extending through the cylindrical wall. The first body translates within the cylindrical opening of the second body and the locking member engages with the first retention opening to position the alignment device in a first position and the locking member engages with the second retention opening to position the alignment device in a second position.

Abstract: A vehicle pose determining system and method for accurately estimating the pose of a vehicle (i.e., the location and/or orientation of a vehicle). The system and method use a form of sensor fusion, where output from vehicle dynamics sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, encoders, etc.) is used with output from vehicle radar sensors to improve the accuracy of the vehicle pose data. Uncorrected vehicle pose data derived from dynamics sensor data is compensated with correction data that is derived from occupancy grids that are based on radar sensor data. The occupancy grids, which are 2D or 3D mathematical objects that are somewhat like radar-based maps, must correspond to the same geographic location. The system and method use mathematical techniques (e.g., cost functions) to rotate and shift multiple occupancy grids until a best fit solution is determined, and the best fit solution is then used to derive the correction data that, in turn, improves the accuracy of the vehicle pose data.

Abstract: A capacitor-assisted, solid-state lithium-ion battery is formed by replacing at least one of the electrodes of the battery with a capacitor electrode of suitable particulate composition for the replaced battery particulate anode or cathode material. The solid-state electrodes typically contain quasi-solid-state electrode material and are separated with a layer of quasi-solid-state electrolyte material. In another embodiment the capacitor anode or cathode particles may be mixed with lithium-ion battery anode or cathode particles respectively. Preferably, the battery comprises at least two positively-charged electrodes and two negatively-charged electrodes, and the location, number and compositions of the capacitor material electrode(s) may be selected to provide a desired combination of energy and power.

Abstract: A method of forming batteries includes feeding a foil through a coating machine. The movement of the foil defines a foil direction. The method applies a first coating band and a second coating band to the foil. The second coating band is spaced from the first coating band by a first tab gap. The foil is cut substantially perpendicular to the foil direction to separate a first coated blank. The first coated blank is cut separate the first coating band and a first portion of the first tab gap, and to separate the second coating band and a second portion of the first tab gap. A first electrode is formed from the first coating band and the first portion of the first tab gap, and a second electrode is formed from the second coating band and the second portion of the first tab gap.

Abstract: A clamp system and method for measurement and control of welding a first substrate to a second substrate is provided. The system comprises a squeeze clamp having to a first end and a second end. The system further comprises a motor connected to the squeeze clamp such that the first and second ends are movable to clamp the first substrate to the second substrate. The system further comprises at least one of an electromagnetic flux sensor, a current sensor, a position sensor, and a gap sensor disposed on one of the first and second ends for determining a first measured variable between the first and second substrates. The system further comprises a controller to control the motor to clamp the first substrate to the second substrate based on the first measured variable. The controller is in communication with the electromagnetic flux sensor, the current sensor, and the gap sensor.

Abstract: A method of determining a noise or vibration response of a vehicle subassembly may include transmitting, via a controller, an input torque control signal to a first motor of a test apparatus. The first motor is mountable on a test fixture of the test apparatus and is configured to be coupled to the vehicle subassembly. The input torque control signal causes the first motor to provide an input torque characterized as a third derivative Gaussian function. The method further includes receiving a response of the vehicle subassembly to the input torque, and executing a control action with respect to the vehicle subassembly, via the controller, based on the response.

Abstract: A method of forming a separator for a lithium-ion battery includes arranging a polymer film in contact with a sacrificial layer to form a cutting stack. The method includes disposing the cutting stack between a first vitreous substrate and a second vitreous substrate. The method includes applying an infrared laser to the cutting stack through the first vitreous substrate to generate heat at the sacrificial layer. The method also includes transferring heat from the sacrificial layer to the polymer film to thereby cut out a portion of the polymer film and form the separator. A method of cutting a polymer film and a cutting system are also explained.

Abstract: A battery includes a first mono cell formed from a first electrode foil having a first body and a first tab, and a first coating. The first body has long edges and short edges, and a length-to-width ratio of the first body is at least five. The first tab extends from one of the long edges of the first body entirely between one of the short edges a midpoint of the long edge. A second electrode foil has similar structure to the first electrode foil and coating, but a second tab is aligned opposite the first tab along the short edges. A second mono cell has similar structure. A third tab and a fourth tab of the second mono cell are on an opposing side of the midpoint of the long edges from the first tab and the second tab.

Abstract: A watercraft includes a hull structure, a deck structure, and a propulsion system. The hull structure includes at least one hull each defining an interior. The deck structure is mounted to the hull structure. The propulsion system is adapted for moving the watercraft within a body of water, and includes an electric motor and an energy storage device coupled to the electric motor. The electric motor and the energy storage device are positioned adjacent one another within an area including at least one of the interior of the at least one hull.