Abstract: The concepts described herein provide a method, apparatus, and system for controlling an inverter by modifying duty cycles of the PWM control signals in a manner that achieves a minimum duration between consecutive switching events in the inverter, which serves to reduce common mode current in the bearing(s) of an attached rotary electric machine. To minimize the effect of additional current and voltage ripple into the system, the minimum switching duration is defined in relation to a modulation index and geometric location near the sector boundaries of the respective inverter voltage space vector diagram.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided that include one or more underbody cameras and a processor for a vehicle. The underbody cameras are configured to obtain camera images under the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the one or more underbody cameras, and is configured to at least facilitate: performing image processing for the camera images; and determining a ride height, a measure of weight on the vehicle, or both, based on the camera images from the one or more underbody cameras and the processing thereof via the processor.

Abstract: A system and method of classifying an object. The system includes a polarizing beam splitter, a first detector, a second detector and a processor. The polarizing beam splitter generates a first source signal having a first polarization direction and a second source signal having a second polarization. The first detector transmits the first source signal at the object and receives a first reflected signal generated at the object in response to the first source signal. The second detector transmits the second source signal at the object and receives a second reflected signal generated at the object in response to the second source signal. The processor is configured to compare the first reflected signal to the second reflected signal to classify the object.

Abstract: A monitoring assembly for an electrochemical cell of a secondary lithium battery includes a porous sensory structure and a transducer. The porous sensory structure includes a sensory layer disposed on a major surface of a porous separator and a buffer layer disposed between the sensory layer and a facing surface of a negative electrode layer. The buffer layer electrically isolates the sensory layer from the facing surface of the negative electrode layer. The sensory layer includes an electrically conductive material and is configured to produce a response to an input signal or to a physical stimulus received within the electrochemical cell. The transducer is configured to process the response produced by the sensory layer to generate an output signal indicative of a diagnostic condition within the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Bearing impedance in a rotary electric machine may be estimated by isolating bearings from a frame with a dielectric pad, determining a pad capacitance, supporting the rotor by an inner race of the bearing, operating the rotary electric machine, measuring bearing inner race and outer race voltages, measuring current bypassing the dielectric pad, and estimating bearing capacitance and resistance based upon the pad capacitance, the measured and the measured current.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for displaying a scene for a vehicle towing a trailer. A method includes: determining, by the processor, an angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle; determining, by the processor, a simulated trailer based on the angle of the trailer; determining, by the processor, a projection matrix based on the simulated trailer; generating, by the processor, scene data based on image data from a camera of the vehicle and image data from a camera of the trailer using the projection matrix; and generating, by the processor, display data to display the scene to an occupant of the vehicle based on the scene data.

Abstract: A battery system includes a multi-cell rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and an electronic controller configured to process RESS cell data. The controller is programmed with a battery cell open circuit voltage (OCV) versus state of charge (SOC) data table used to calculate a peak OCV movement for a representative battery cell at predetermined capacity and maximum discharge/charge rate. The controller is configured to acquire voltage data for one of the cells during active RESS cycling. The controller is also configured to pass the acquired voltage data through a first-order lag filter algorithm to generate an overpredicted OCV for the subject cell. The controller is additionally configured to determine an overpredicted SOC value for the subject cell in the data table using an OCV value from the overpredicted OCV. Furthermore, the controller is configured to regulate the RESS using the determined overpredicted SOC value for the subject cell.

Abstract: A fastener for attaching a first part and a second part includes a body comprising a first body portion, a second body portion, a flange arranged between the first body portion and the second body portion and extending radially outwardly from the body. A bore extends in an axial direction through the body and including an inner surface with threads. A plurality of splines extend radially outwardly from the second body portion and is configured to prevent rotation when the second body portion is inserted into an opening in the first part. An opening to the bore at the second body portion defines a concentric edge and an inclined plane extending from the concentric edge.

Abstract: A distributed learning system of a vehicle includes: a control module configured to: control a plant of the vehicle using a policy; send signals to a learning module including information on an impact of the control on the plant; and selectively control the plant using exploratory control; and the learning module, where the learning module is separate from the control module and is configured to selectively update the policy based on (a) the signals from the control module, (b) state parameters resulting from the control of the plant using the policy, and (c) performance feedback determined based on the control of the plant using the policy and the selective control of the plant using exploratory control, where the control module is configured to receive the exploratory control from the learning module.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission that performs a method of operating a clutch of a vehicle. The vehicle includes the clutch, an actuator device and a processor. The actuator device includes a piston movable to operate the clutch. The processor is configured to receive a pressure signal indicative of a selected fluid pressure for operating the clutch, determine a position for the piston in the actuator device from the pressure signal, and move the piston to the position to operate the clutch at the selected fluid pressure.

Abstract: A method of retrieving a lost item from a compartment to an owner of the lost item is provided. The method comprises detecting the lost item in the compartment to define an item image of the lost item relative to the compartment, updating an inventory list of lost objects, and identifying at least one potential user of the lost item. The method further comprises providing notification to the at least one potential user and providing viewable access of the item image. The method further comprises verifying ownership of the lost item to define the owner of the lost item, determining a preferred pickup location for the owner, storing the lost item at the preferred location defining a stored item, and confirming identity of the owner for retrieval of the stored item at the preferred location. The method further comprises allowing access to the stored item from the preferred location.

Abstract: A system for implementing a secure boot event includes a system on a chip (SoC). The SoC includes key hashes stored within one-time programmable memory. Each of the key hashes is configured for use with one of a plurality of candidate authentication key sets. The SoC further includes firmware stored within RAM. The firmware includes a secondary bootloader, a plurality of public keys, and corresponding signatures. The public keys and corresponding signatures are configured for use with one of the key sets. The SoC further includes a primary bootloader utilizing fuses stored within the programmable memory. The fuses activate a selected key hash based upon an ecosystem in which the system is to operate. The selected hash and a corresponding public key and signature define an active authentication key set. During the event, the primary bootloader utilizes the active authentication key set to authenticate a downloaded update to the firmware.

Abstract: Presented are vehicle charging systems and control logic provisioning smart vehicle charging using encrypted wireless connectivity, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles interoperable with such systems. A method of controlling a charging operation of a vehicle includes a vehicle controller retrieving a unique ID assigned to the vehicle from a memory device. When approaching an electric vehicle charging station (EVCS), the controller responsively embeds the unique ID in a wireless message, including encrypting and inserting the unique ID into a dedicated extension frame within the wireless message. The vehicle then broadcasts the wireless message with the embedded and encrypted unique ID. An EVCS controller parses the encrypted unique ID from the wireless message and transmits the encrypted unique ID to a back-office (BO) vehicle services provider.

Abstract: A method for detecting AV location data includes receiving a data set from a data store storing data in connection with an autonomous vehicle (AV) fleet, the received data set comprising a plurality of table records; filtering the received data set by comparing data values of the plurality of table records with ranges of latitude values and longitude values and removing table records comprising data values outside both the range of latitude values and the range of longitude values; post-processing the filtered data set to identify tables that include a first table record comprising a data value within the range of latitude values and a corresponding second table record comprising a data value within the range of longitude values; and storing information regarding the identified tables in a data map, wherein the identified tables are tagged to indicate that the identified tables include location information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated surveillance of a fleet of vehicles in a parking area using vehicle sensors on various fleet vehicles. In particular, the vehicles in a parking area can be observed and monitored using sensors on a subset of the vehicles. The field of view of each vehicle and overall map coverage of a parking area can be used to determine which vehicles to use for surveillance and/or which sensors on various vehicles to use for surveillance. Thus, surveillance can be optimized using fleet knowledge of vehicle locations within a facility and the scope of coverage of various vehicle sensors to determine where there is overlap in coverage. Appropriate sensors on certain vehicles can be selectively activated to maintain secure coverage without burning resources unnecessarily.

Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of battery cells and a battery system enclosure surrounded by an external environment. The battery system enclosure is configured to house the plurality of battery cells and includes an enclosure tray configured to support the plurality of battery cells and an enclosure cover configured to engage the enclosure tray and seal the battery system enclosure. The battery system also includes an exhaust manifold arranged between the plurality of battery cells and the enclosure cover. The exhaust manifold includes multiple individual gas paths in fluid communication with an exhaust outlet. The gas paths are configured to collect high-temperature gases from each of the plurality of battery cells and guide the high-temperature gases from each of the plurality of battery cells to the exhaust outlet. The exhaust outlet is configured to discharge the high-temperature gases distally from the plurality of battery cells.

Abstract: A system including a flow straightener for a fuel cell cathode subsystem is provided. The system includes an intake manifold including a tube configured for providing an airflow to a compressor of the fuel cell cathode subsystem. The intake manifold includes an inlet configured for receiving the airflow into the intake manifold. The system further includes a mass air flow sensor disposed upon the intake manifold and a flow straightener disposed within the intake manifold between the inlet and the mass air flow sensor. The intake manifold includes an upstream portion between the flow straightener and the intake manifold inlet. The intake manifold further includes a downstream portion between the flow straightener and the mass air flow sensor. The flow straightener is configured for causing the airflow within the downstream portion to be less turbulent than the airflow within the upstream portion.