Abstract: A method for assembling a battery cell includes assembling an electrode stack that includes first electrodes, second electrodes, and separators. A first conductive adhesive pad is formed on an end cap, wherein the first conductive adhesive pad electrically couples to a first terminal arranged on the end cap. A second conductive adhesive pad is formed on an enclosure, wherein the second conductive adhesive pad electrically couples to a second terminal arranged on the enclosure. The end cap is installed onto the electrode stack with the first cell tabs engaging the first conductive adhesive pad. The electrode stack is inserted into the enclosure such that the plurality of the second cell tabs engages the second conductive adhesive pad. The end cap is assembled onto the enclosure.

Abstract: A battery module composed of a plurality of electrochemical cells has selected positive and negative terminals being electrically connected and weldlessly mechanically joined employing a first adhesive material having electrically conductive properties and a second adhesive material having electrically isolative properties.

Abstract: Presented are terminal end caps for pouch-type battery cells, vehicles equipped with rechargeable battery packs containing such pouch cells, and methods for making/using such caps, cells, and/or vehicles. A battery cell assembly includes a cell pouch with flexible pouch walls that are joined along a peripheral seam to define one or more openings at one or both ends of the cell pouch. Located inside the cell pouch is an ion-conducting electrolyte and one or more pairs of working electrodes in electrochemical contact with the electrolyte. Also located inside the cell pouch and interposed between each pair of working electrodes is an electrically isolating separator sheet. A terminal end cap is located in each pouch opening and attached to the flexible pouch walls. Each terminal end cap includes a rigid polymeric cap body with one or more electrical terminals embedded in the cap body and electrically connected at least one electrode.

Abstract: A multi-function fuel delivery system, a method of providing fuel delivery and a noise-attenuating and fuel injector housing device address a root cause of audible noise in a fuel delivery system by placing a sufficiently sized volume directly at the inlet of pulsed-type hydrogen injectors, thereby eliminating pressure pulsation and audible noise created by pressure pulsations. By combining a noise-attenuating function and a fuel supply rail capable of supplying hydrogen to multiple injectors with both performed within a single volume addresses space-related and cost-related challenges as well as other challenges of the fuel delivery system.

Abstract: An electrode for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ion includes a porous electroactive layer and an electrolyte disposed in at least a portion of pores of the porous electroactive layer. The porous electroactive layer includes an electroactive material represented by: xLi2MnO3·(1-x)LiMO2 where M is a transition metal selected from the group consisting of: nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), and combinations thereof and 0.01?x?0.99. The electrolyte includes a lithium salt and a first solvent that includes 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl acetate (TFEA). The electrolyte may also include a second solvent that includes fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) and/or a third solvent that includes diethyl carbonate (DEC). A ratio of the first solvent to the second solvent to the third solvent may be greater than or equal to about 1:1:98 to less than or equal to about 98:1:1.

Abstract: A free space estimation and visualization system for a host vehicle includes a camera configured to collect red-green-blue (“RGB”)-polarimetric image data of drive environs of the host vehicle, including a potential driving path. An electronic control unit (“ECU”) receives the RGB-polarimetric image data and estimates free space in the driving path by processing the RGB-polarimetric image data via a run-time neural network. Control actions are taken in response to the estimated free space. A method for use with the visualization system includes collecting RGB and lidar data of target drive scenes and generating, via a first neural network, pseudo-labels of the scenes. The method includes collecting RGB-polarimetric data via a camera and thereafter training a second neural network using the RGB-polarimetric data and pseudo-labels. The second neural network is used in the ECU to estimate free space in the potential driving path.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for interpreting traffic information for a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: collecting, by a processor, sensor data from at least one first sensor device of the vehicle; determining, by the processor, at least one relevant object within the sensor data based on a window defined by a plurality of ranges and associated elevations, wherein the plurality of ranges and associated elevations are defined relative to the at least one first sensor device; determining, by the processor, a confidence score of the at least one relevant object based on an identification of at least one pattern of activity of other objects associated with an intersection; determining, by the processor, a subset of sensor data from at least one second sensor of the vehicle based on the confidence score of the relevant object; and generating, by the processor, traffic device data for use in controlling the vehicle based on an evaluation of the subset of sensor data.

Abstract: An AV can dynamically modify an operational plan received from an online system based on information specific to an operation of the AV. The operational plan includes a limit on the AV's operation. The information may indicate a condition of an environment detected by a sensor suite of the AV or another AV, a preference of a user receiving a service provided by the AV through the operation, or a capability of one or more components of the AV. The information may include historical performance of the AV under the same environmental condition(s). The AV may determine that there is a safety risk to operate within the limit and can modify the limit to reduce the safety risk. Alternatively, the AV may determine that there is no safety risk to operate beyond the limit and can extend the limit. The AV may use a trained model to modify the limit.

Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a reconfigurable energy storage system with a first submodule and a second submodule. An interface circuit is operable to transfer a charging power to the reconfigurable energy storage system from a charging station that is external to the electric vehicle. A switching circuit is operable to electrically arrange the first submodule and the second submodule in series or in parallel. A diode is operable to convey the charging power between the first submodule and the second submodule while the reconfigurable energy storage system is arranged in series and the charging power is present. A bias circuit is operable to maintain a reverse bias across the diode while the reconfigurable energy storage system is arranged in series and the charging power is absent.

Abstract: A retention clip is employed in a cooling subsystem of an electric energy generation and storage system having a battery cell. The cooling subsystem includes a coolant header extending proximate the battery cell and having an inlet fitting and an outlet fitting. The cooling subsystem also includes an inlet manifold configured to connect with the inlet fitting and an outlet manifold configured to connect with the outlet fitting. The inlet and outlet manifolds are together configured to circulate coolant through the coolant header. The retention clip is configured to engage and hold each of the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold and snap onto the coolant header to thereby fix the inlet manifold relative to the outlet manifold and fix and seal the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold to the coolant header.

Abstract: A method for preparing an electroactive material for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions includes applying a potential to a first assembly that includes a first electrode and an aqueous electrolyte. The aqueous electrolyte includes a lithium salt and as the potential is applied the lithium salt disassociates forming cations and anions. The first assembly is physically separated from a second assembly by a lithium ion-conducting separator. The second assembly includes a second electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The electroactive material is formed as the cations move from the first assembly through the lithium ion-conducting separator towards the second electrode.

Abstract: A method for determining a sampling rate of occupancy data for a vehicle includes determining a vehicle speed and detecting whether an interrupt condition is present. If the speed is within a first speed range and no interrupt condition is detected, then a first sampling rate is selected for sampling the occupancy data. If the speed is within a second speed range that is higher than the first speed range, and/or if the interrupt condition is detected, then a second sampling rate which is faster than the first sampling rate is selected for sampling the occupancy data. A primary electronic control unit (ECU) may be configured for sampling the occupancy data. If the second sampling rate is selected and a computational demand of the primary ECU exceeds a predetermined threshold, then a portion of the computational demand may be transferred to one or more secondary ECUs for sampling the data.

Abstract: Examples described herein provide a computer-implemented method that includes includes receiving, by a processing device of a vehicle, first road data. The method further includes receiving, by the processing device of the vehicle, second road data from a sensor associated with the vehicle. The method further includes identifying, by the processing device of the vehicle, an object based at least in part on the first road data and the second road data. The method further includes causing, by the processing device of the vehicle, the object to be illuminated.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam and a method of forming a polyurethan foam. The polyurethane foam including the reaction product of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene copolymer polyol, a gelation catalyst, a blowing catalyst, lignin, a polymeric isocyanate, and a blowing agent. The method includes mixing polyethylene glycol and polypropylene copolymer polyol, a gelation catalyst, a blowing catalyst, lignin, a polymeric isocyanate, and a blowing agent. Vehicle components are formed from the polyurethane foam.

Abstract: A light member includes a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface, a portion of the outer surface includes a lens. A light source is mounted in the housing. The light source is directed toward the lens. A plurality of light manipulating elements is arranged in the housing between the light source and the lens. Each of the plurality of light manipulating elements includes a body having a first side surface and a second side surface. Each of the first side surface and the second side surface is a light manipulating surface.

Abstract: A tow configuration may include a tow vehicle and first and second trailers. The intermediate trailer hitch angle with the tow vehicle is controlled with one objective being to improve the off-tracking performance of the other trailer. The hitch angle may be controlled through steerable wheels at the intermediate trailer or through wheel differential steering at the intermediate trailer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells encased in an outer shell. The outer shell has disposed on an inner surface a flame retardant layer that comprises expandable graphite. The expandable graphite is operative to expand during an thermal event that results in an increase in battery module temperature. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising disposing in a battery module a flame retardant layer; where the battery module comprises a plurality of battery cells encased in an outer shell. The outer shell has disposed on an inner surface a flame retardant layer that comprises expandable graphite. The expandable graphite is operative to expand during an thermal event that results in an increase in battery module temperature.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include degas equipment and degassing process schemes for providing high throughput extraction of battery cell formation gas. An exemplary method can include loading a battery cell in a sampling chamber of a degas station and creating an opening in the battery cell to release formation gas. A first portion of the formation gas can be routed to a collection chamber of the degas station while the formation gas is prevented from venting. After routing the first portion of the formation gas to the collection chamber, a second portion of the formation gas can be vented until degassing is complete. The first portion of the formation gas can be diluted with a dilution fluid and the diluted first portion of the formation gas can be routed to a cell quality control gas manifold configured to measure battery cell formation gas compositions.

Abstract: A method and system for a target vehicle that includes an extra-vehicle communication system, a passenger cabin including an interior audio system and a visual display, and a controller is described. The controller is in communication with the extra-vehicle communication system, and operably connected to the interior audio system and the visual display. The controller includes algorithmic code that is executable to receive a proximity alert from a second vehicle via the extra-vehicle communication system, determine a location vector between the second vehicle and the target vehicle based upon the proximity alert, and control the interior audio system and the visual display to generate an alarm in response to the proximity alert, wherein the alarm generated by the interior audio system and the visual display is directionally controlled based upon the location vector. The proximity alert may be generated by an operator, or by a spatial monitoring system.