Abstract: An optimal control strategy for a distributed low voltage system with unidirectional DC/DC converters is provided. DC/DC converters regulate high electrical voltages from high voltage battery modules and output regulated electrical currents to a low voltage battery. A control system differentially varies electrical currents input to the DC/DC converters to balance states of charge in high voltage battery modules, by: calculating sets of electrical currents that balance states of charge in high voltage battery modules based on values for a low voltage regulator electrical current, in advance to knowing a value for the low voltage regulator electrical current, interpolating the sets of electrical currents to be input to the DC/DC converters in response to receiving the value for low voltage regulator electrical current, and selecting an interpolated set of the electrical currents from the sets as input to the DC/DC converters in accordance with the value received.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting a static electric charge from suspended particles in an atmosphere includes exposing a charge conductor to the suspended particles in the atmosphere and selectively providing a conductive path between the charge conductor and a terrestrial ground including a rechargeable energy storage device. Energy may be selectively transferred to another energy storage device.

Abstract: A magnesium alloy matrix having an alloy composition including aluminum at a concentration of between 0.5 wt. % to 2.5 wt. %, manganese at a concentration of between 0.3 wt. % to 1.0 wt. %, the concentration of manganese is greater than or equal to a value of [Mn] determined by a linear function [Mn]=x[Al], where x is at least 0.6 when [Al]=0.5 and is at least 0.14 when [Al]=2.5, zinc at a concentration of between 0 wt. % to 3 wt. %, tin at a concentration of between 0 wt. % to 3 wt. %, calcium at a concentration of between 0 wt. % to 0.5%, rare earth metals at a concentration of between 0 wt. % to 5 wt. %, and a balance of the alloy composition being magnesium.

Abstract: An energy absorbing headrest for a vehicle includes a base member, a frame pivotally mounted to the base member, and a biasing member mounted between the base member and the frame. The biasing member provides a biasing force to the frame. A release mechanism is mounted to the base member and retains the frame against the biasing force. The release mechanism selectively releases the frame upon receipt of a release signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for joining multiple workpieces are provided. In one example, the method includes dispensing adhesive on a first workpiece. A second workpiece is contacted with the adhesive such that the adhesive is disposed between the first and second workpieces. Resistance heating is produced in the first and second workpieces at first processing conditions to partially cure the adhesive and affix the first and second workpieces together to form a partially cured, adhesive-joined workpiece assembly. The partially cured, adhesive-joined workpiece assembly is exposed to heat at second processing conditions to substantially fully cure the adhesive.

Abstract: A system includes a battery configured for providing electrical energy in direct current and a drive unit configured for utilizing electrical energy in alternating current to provide an output torque. The system includes a power inverter configured for receiving the electrical energy in direct current, transforming the electrical energy to alternating current, and providing the electrical energy in alternating current to the drive unit. The power inverter includes a direct current bus bar. The system includes a computerized controller. The controller monitors an environmental temperature of the inverter and monitors a current flow of the electrical energy received by the inverter. The controller determines an estimated temperature of the bus bar based upon the environmental temperature and the current flow and determining an inverter percent available capability based upon the estimated temperature.

Abstract: A method and system for correcting alignment of images received from cameras by estimating camera alignment parameters based on perturbative correction such that corrected alignment parameters satisfy pairwise epipolar constraints as well as global loop closure constraints. The corrected alignment parameters are estimated as a Least-Mean-Square solution to a system of linear equations and an estimation algorithm may be implemented as a part of a Random Sample Consensus criterion estimation for improved robustness. The method and system is fast and efficient and may be implemented in a real-time system.

Abstract: Aspects of a synchronous electric motor, including a synchronous interior permanent magnet or a synchronous reluctance motor, are disclosed. The outer edges of pockets and magnet pockets, including flux barriers, selectively include one or more notches at the front of the pockets. The use of these notches may redirect flow of the magnetic flux such that overall torque ripple may be reduced without significantly adversely affecting the average torque output of the motor. In some embodiments, various characteristics of the notches may be changed to achieve optimal performance including number, geometry, and location of the notches on select outer edges of the pockets. Another characteristic includes symmetry of the notches or asymmetry, whether in the radial and longitudinal directions of the rotor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generation and application of a road data response prediction model for evaluation of vehicle simulation are provided. A computer-implemented system, including one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions, when executed by one or more processing units, cause the one or more processing units to perform operations including receiving road data collected from a reference driving scene; extracting, from the road data, features of the reference driving scene; obtaining, from the road data, response data associated with a vehicle in the reference driving scene and responsive to the extracted features; calculating a statistical measure of the response data; and generating a road data response prediction model to map the extracted features of the road data to the statistical measure of the response data.

Abstract: A wellbeing system configured for assessing a mental wellbeing of a driver while driving the vehicle and deploying a countermeasure in response to a mindfulness level of the driver being beyond a desired range. The countermeasure may be configured to mitigate a probability of a mental wellbeing of the driver undesirably impacting operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of controlling access into a vehicle interior from a vehicle exterior using an access door includes generating a digital key signal via a mobile device in possession of a vehicle user. The method also includes receiving, via a virtual key control module (VKCM), the digital key signal from the mobile device and communicating a signal indicative of the received digital key signal to a vehicle controller. The method additionally includes detecting a presence of the vehicle user external to the vehicle within a predetermined proximity of the access door via an ultrasonic sensing arrangement. The method also includes communicating, via the ultrasonic sensing arrangement, the detected presence of the vehicle user to the vehicle controller. Furthermore, the method includes commanding, via the vehicle controller, a mechanism to release the access door in response to the received digital key signal and the detected presence of the vehicle user.

Abstract: A forming tool has an upper portion composed of an upper forming die arranged between a first clamping element and a second clamping element, and a lower portion composed of a lower forming die arranged between a third clamping element and a fourth clamping element. The first clamping element and the third clamping element cooperate to exert a first clamping force on a workpiece; and the second clamping element and the fourth clamping element cooperate to exert a second clamping force on the workpiece. The upper forming die cooperates with the first and second clamping elements and the lower forming die cooperates with the third and fourth clamping elements to exert a lateral force on the workpiece when the first and second clamping forces are being exerted on the workpiece and when a vertical compressive force is being exerted upon the upper forming die and the lower forming die.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure provide a system for secure data delivery, the system comprising: an autonomous vehicle including a data courier; data exceeding a predetermined threshold size, the data provided in an encrypted data structure secured by a digital key; and instructions for routing the data, the instructions including a location of a receiver and a route for routing the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle is configured to receive and deliver the data in a parked state, and the data courier comprises: a wired interface configured to receive the data by a wired connection, a data store configured to store the data and the instructions temporarily until the data is delivered; a security module configured to prevent unauthorized access to the data while stored in the data store; and a tamper detector configured to detect tampering of the data while stored in the data store.

Abstract: A method of controlling a color display screen aboard a motor vehicle includes performing, via a host computer, a color calibration test of a user of the motor vehicle in which the user is subjected to a calibrated set of color-coded test information. The method includes receiving a color perception response of the user to the calibrated set of color-coded test information via the host computer. Additionally, the method includes mapping a reduced visual gamut of the user via the host computer using the color perception response, and then commanding adjustment of user-specific color settings of the motor vehicle using the reduced visual gamut to thereby accommodate a color perception deficiency of the user.

Abstract: In some aspects, a battery module includes a plurality of high energy density-based cells sandwiched between low energy density-based cells provides for a relatively thinner cell barrier between groups of cells, which reduces space required for mitigation solution for thermal runaway propagation (TRP) while maintaining a relatively high range of miles in an electric vehicle per individual charge. In some embodiments, the module includes bus bar and tab configurations on the front and rear portions which enables an efficient connection of components using the above-referenced combination of high and low energy density-based cells for optimal performance.

Abstract: The concepts described herein relate to a system, method, and/or apparatus for monitoring a NOx sensor that is arranged in an exhaust gas feedstream of an internal combustion engine downstream of an exhaust aftertreatment system to detect a fault related to the NOx sensor. This includes utilizing a catalyst efficiency model to detect occurrence of a fault that may indicate an in-range biased or stuck NOx sensor.

Abstract: An energy absorbing material includes a multi-cellular structure formed from a plurality of interconnected cells having a lattice structure. Each of the plurality of interconnected cells includes at least four nodes and at least one lattice element extending between each of the at least four nodes. The at least one lattice element has a diameter no greater than 2.5 mm.

Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of battery modules electrically connected in series. Each of the battery modules includes: one or more battery cells; a first switch connected between a positive reference potential of the one or more battery cells and a first node; and a second switch connected between the first node and a second node, where a negative reference potential of the one or more battery cells is connected to the second node. A management module is configured to: selectively close the first switches of the battery modules while the second switches are open; and selectively close the second switch of one of the battery modules while the first switch of the one of the battery modules is open.

Abstract: A stabilizer bar assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle. The stabilizer bar assembly includes a first bar configured to be coupled to the vehicle suspension system proximate to a first wheel. A second bar is adjacent to the first bar. A coupling assembly is at an interface between the first bar and the second bar. The coupling assembly includes a magnetorheological material in contact with both the first bar and the second bar. The magnetorheological material is configured to transform from a fluid state to a viscoelastic solid state when subject to a magnetic field. A magnet is configured to apply the magnetic field to the magnetorheological material. In the viscoelastic solid state, the magnetorheological material resists relative movement between the first bar and the second bar.