Abstract: A Lidar system, window of the Lidar system and a method of moving a fluid along a window. The window includes a first electrode disposed on a first side of a outermost layer of the window, a second electrode disposed on the first side of the outermost layer, and a processor. The processor is configured to activate the first electrode to draw a fluid to a first location on a second side of the outermost layer opposite the first electrode, deactivate the first electrode, and activate the second electrode to draw the fluid to a second location on the second side of the outermost layer opposite the second electrode.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a device includes an electric motor configured to generate torque to propel the device. A controller is in communication with the electric motor and is adapted to select at least one harmonic order for a harmonic current command. The controller is adapted to define a plurality of operating regions, including a first operating region, a second operating region and a third operating region, each associated with a respective objective function for generating the harmonic current command. The controller is adapted to operate the harmonic current command with four degrees of freedom by selectively varying a q-axis current magnitude, a d-axis current magnitude, a q-axis phase and a d-axis phase as a function of the torque and a motor speed.

Abstract: An in-vehicle violence detection system includes a speech and non-speech audio recognition module capturing occupant threat words and non-speech audio events. In-vehicle accelerometers generate data analyzed in a shaking movement recognition module. A heart rate and breathing rate detection module measures physiological changes in occupant heart rates and breathing rhythms. An in-vehicle semantic scene recognition module analyzes occupant non-verbal interactions. Occupant threat indicators including an audible threat indicator are generated by the speech and non-speech audio event recognition module. Visual threat indicators are generated by the in-vehicle semantic scene recognition module. Physiological threat indicators are generated by the heart rate and breathing rate detection module. Vibration-based threat indicators are generated by the shaking movement recognition module.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric motor and a battery operable to provide electrical power to the electric motor. The battery system includes a first battery pack and a second battery pack. The first battery pack has a relatively high power density, and the second battery pack has a relatively high energy density. An electronic controller determines a remaining driving range of the first battery pack, and a remaining driving range of the second battery pack. The vehicle has a human-machine interface (HMI) operatively connected to the electronic controller and configured to indicate the remaining driving range of the first battery pack and the remaining driving range of the second battery pack. The controller executes a method of monitoring the battery system.

Abstract: A system for controlling turbocharger shaft speed for an internal combustion engine (ICE) includes sensors and actuators and control modules in communication with the sensors and actuators. The control modules store and execute control logic that generates a predicted shaft speed from turbocharger shaft speed data. A shaft speed control algorithm (SSCA) is selectively initialized. The SSCA generates lower and upper limits to turbocharger flow corrections applied via the actuators. Closed loop control outputs are applied selectively to the actuators to control a mass flow through a compressor of the turbocharger. The SSCA selectively determines the shaft speed has exceeded a threshold, and the actuators alter a pressure ratio of the ICE. The SSCA operates the turbocharger stably within predefined hardware limits at an optimum shaft speed while maintaining constant flow across a range of pressure ratios. A long-term memory learning process trims turbocharger performance.

Abstract: A cushion member having improved variable stiffness for a target is provided. The cushion member comprises a cushion housing having an interior with a variable internal pressure and an exterior surface for receiving the target. The cushion housing is arranged to be deformable and comprises granular particles disposed in the interior of the cushion housing. The cushion housing further comprises hollow particles disposed therein with the granular particles. Each hollow particle is compressible and hollow to define a void therein. The hollow particles have a size, a wall thickness, a material, and a bulk modulus defining infill properties thereof. The hollow particles and the granular particles are arranged to allow the cushion housing to be deformed upon contact with the target. The hollow particles and granular particles define a cushion infill having a variable stiffness based on the infill properties and the variable internal pressure of the interior.

Abstract: A warning system is provided for alerting a Vulnerable Road User (VRU) of a predicted collision. The system includes one or more input devices for transmitting a first input signal associated with a first vehicle positioned in a first lane, a second input signal associated with a second vehicle positioned in a second lane, and a third input signal associated with the VRU located on a crosswalk that extends across the first and second lanes. The system further includes a computer having a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium. The processor is programmed to determine the predicted collision between the second vehicle and the VRU at a predicted collision site. The processor is further programmed to generate an actuation signal. One or more roadway notification devices notify the VRU that the second vehicle is positioned in the second lane and headed toward the predicted collision site in the crosswalk.

Abstract: A system includes a compressor outlet temperature module, a refrigerant quality module, and a correction factor module. The compressor outlet temperature module is configured to estimate a temperature at an outlet of a compressor in a thermal system of an electric vehicle. The refrigerant quality module is configured to estimate a quality of refrigerant at an inlet of the compressor based on an enthalpy at the compressor inlet and an inlet enthalpy correction factor. The refrigerant quality is a ratio of vapor refrigerant mass to total refrigerant mass. The correction factor module is configured to determine the inlet enthalpy correction factor based on the estimated compressor outlet temperature and a temperature measured at the compressor outlet.

Abstract: Systems and methods systems provide for client control over an Autonomous Vehicle (AV). The AV can determine sets of mechanical operations that it can take at a future time. The AV can determine a ranking for each of the sets of mechanical operations, including a first ranked set and at least one second ranked set. Client or user selection can be given a certain score, weight, or other value. The AV can apply the value to the second ranked set to determine an adjusted ranking. If the adjusted ranking outranks a ranking of the first ranked set, then the AV can expose the first ranked set and the second ranked set to a client interface. If the AV receives a selection of the second ranked set, the AV can perform that set of mechanical operations. Otherwise, the AV can perform the first ranked set of mechanical operations.

Abstract: A system for managing chassis and driveline actuators of a motor vehicle includes a control module executing program code portions that: cause sensors to obtain vehicle state information, receive a driver input and generate a desired dynamic output based on the driver input and the vehicle state information, and then estimate actuator actions based on the vehicle state information, generate one or more control action constraints based on the vehicle state information and estimated actuator actions, generate a reference control action based on the vehicle state information, the estimated actions of the one or more actuators and the control action constraints, and integrate the vehicle state information, the estimated actuator actions, desired dynamic output, reference control action and the control action constraints to generate an optimal control action that falls within a range of predefined actuator capacities and ensures driver control of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electronic pallet (e-pallet) includes a superstructure mounted to a wheeled base platform. A tether device defines an articulation angle with respect to a leading edge of the superstructure, and is grasped by an operator towing the e-pallet. A motor connected to driven road wheels transmits a drive torque to the road wheels responsive to motor control signals, including a desired yaw rate and ground speed. A speed sensor, angle sensor, and length sensor are respectively configured to determine an actual ground speed of the e-pallet, the articulation angle, and a length of the tether device. An electronic controller, in response to the input signals, generates the motor control signals using proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control logic. Coupled lateral and longitudinal dynamics control loops respectively determine the desired yaw rate and ground speed to accommodate for motion of the operator.

Abstract: An automobile includes an electronic control unit (ECU), at least one fiber optical cable, and a sensor unit. The ECU is operational to generate an optical power signal and a first optical communications signal. The fiber optical cable transports the optical power signal and the first optical communications signal. The sensor unit is operational to convert the optical power signal into an electrical power, convert the first optical communications signal into an electrical control signal, measure a first parameter related to the automobile, and generate a second optical communications signal that conveys the first parameter as measured. The fiber optical transports the second optical communications signal to the electronic control unit. The ECU is further operational to convert the second optical communications signal into a first electrical sensed signal that conveys the first parameter, and take an action based on the first parameter in the first electrical sensed signal.

Abstract: A battery system includes neighboring first and second groups of battery cells. The battery system also includes a battery system enclosure configured to house each of the first and second groups of battery cells. The battery system additionally includes a vent channel mounted to the battery system enclosure. The vent channel is configured to expel high-temperature gases to external environment separately from each battery cell of the first group of battery cells and divert the high-temperature gases away from other battery cells of the first group of battery cells and from the second group of battery cells. The vent channel minimizes transfer of the high-temperature gases between the battery cells of the first group and from the first group of battery cells to the second group of battery cells and thereby mitigates propagation of a thermal runaway event in the battery system.

Abstract: A busbar for high conductivity distribution of electrical power within a power module of an electric vehicle (EV). The busbar may include a plurality of multilayer composites having copper-graphene laminations. One or more of the multilayer composite may include a first copper-graphene lamination having a plurality of graphene layers disposed between a plurality of copper layers, a second copper-graphene lamination having a plurality of graphene layers disposed between a plurality of copper layers, and a carrier substrate disposed relative to the first and second copper-graphene laminations.

Abstract: A vehicle has been proposed that is equipped with a processing system coupled to different sensors that may anticipate and mitigate risks leading to vehicle-pedestrian incidents. In some aspects, the processing system identifies, using a plurality of sensors and external vehicle sources over a wireless network, data elements indicating that the vehicle is a potential hazard to a pedestrian. Using the elements, the processing system may determine values of a pedestrian hazard level (PHL) that correspond to successively increasing risks. Where the PHL meets a threshold, the system may employ countermeasures to proactively mitigate the risks of pedestrian incidents.

Abstract: A method for assessing performance of a thermal management system configured for thermally managing a battery pack of an electric vehicle. The method may include determining a voltage response of the battery pack while subjected to a test load and generating a thermal assessment for the thermal management system based on the voltage response and/or resistivity values derived therefrom.