Abstract: The present disclosure describes a multi-function, integrated Super Beam assembly structure with integrated structural, cooling, and transverse elastic compliance functions; and Thermal Management Propagation (TMP) protection. The Super Beam assembly includes a pair of parallel face plates, coolant channel cover plates, and coolant channels that are defined by the face plate and the one or more coolant channel cover plates. The structural design of the cooling channels, and the corresponding air gaps formed in-between them, allows a transverse elastic compliance of the Super Beam assembly to be tuned to different amounts of elasticity. Top, bottom and/or end structural channels may be included. A pair of TMP suppression channels may be attached to the Super Beam assembly structure with an adhesive “thermal fuse” that preferentially melts and causes the pair of TMP suppression channels to detach from the Super Beam assembly during overheating in a TMP event.

Abstract: A wireless charging system for charging a mobile device arranged within a passenger compartment area of a motor vehicle includes a wireless charging module providing a wireless charging area having a charging zone. The wireless charging system further includes a charging device positioning system disposed adjacent to the wireless charging module and configured to bias the mobile device into the charging zone.

Abstract: An arm rest for a seat having a seatback and a seat bottom includes a housing rotatable relative to the seatback and a motor disposed within the housing and configured to maintain a position of the housing relative to the seat bottom during movement of the seatback relative to the seat bottom.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method executed by data processing hardware causes the data processing hardware to perform operations that include receiving multiple audio signals from a sensor array. The multiple audio signals include a target audio signal and interference audio signals. The data processing hardware then identifies a design constraint based on the multiple audio signals. The desired constraint includes a pass constraint corresponding to the target audio signal and a null constraint corresponding to the interference audio signals. The data processing hardware then compares a design filter weight of the design constraint with a filter weight maximum, designs an audio filter using the desired constraint, and filters the multiple audio signals using the designed audio filter.

Abstract: An exhaust system comprises an engine, a three-way catalytic converter including a first catalyst and a second catalyst, a tailpipe adjacent to the three-way catalytic converter, a first oxygen sensor disposed between the engine and the catalytic converter, a nitrogen oxides (NOx) sensor disposed in the three-way catalytic converter, and an engine control module (ECM) configured to obtain first oxygen sensor data from the first oxygen sensor, second oxygen sensor data from the NOx sensor, and NOx sensor data from the NOx sensor, the ECM being configured to perform catalyst health diagnostic operations and adjust one or more characteristics of the exhaust system based on at least the first oxygen sensor data, the second oxygen sensor data, and the NOx sensor data.

Abstract: A cargo containment system for a vehicle includes a main panel attached to a floor of the vehicle and rotatable relative to the floor between a stowed position substantially parallel to the floor and a use position substantially perpendicular to the floor and a first side panel rotatably attached to the main panel and movable with the main panel between the stowed position and the use position, the first side panel cooperating with the main panel to define a cargo storage area in the use position.

Abstract: A modeling platform for a finite state machine (FSM)-modeled system. The platform may include a design phase module configured for receiving FSM data associated with a design of the FSM-modeled system from a user device, wherein the FSM data describes static properties, dynamic properties, structural properties, states, state transitions, events, and outputs of the FSM-modeled system, wherein the design phase module is configured for generating design data based at least in part on the FSM data. The platform may further include a verification and testing phase module configured for providing a plurality of tools operable for utilizing the FSM and design data to facilitate aiding in design and implementation of the FSM-modeled system according to an identification of undesirable properties and usability deficiencies within the static properties, dynamic properties, structural properties, states, state transitions, events, and outputs of the design.

Abstract: An electric machine grounding system with low impedance includes a rotor that has a shaft assembly and that is configured to rotate about an axis. The shaft assembly has a surface. A housing supports the shaft assembly for rotation of the rotor. A holder extends from the housing. A ground assembly is held between the holder and the shaft assembly and includes a plurality of strands that extend to the surface to ground the shaft assembly to the housing.

Abstract: A wireless communication system for a vehicle includes a wireless access point (AP), an ultra-wide band (UWB) system, a communication link, a controller, and a vehicle system. The UWB system is in communication with the wireless AP via a communication link. The wireless communication system is operable to detect, via the wireless AP, a request for localized wireless communication. The UWB system requests the wireless AP to generate a clear to send (CTS) transmission, which includes selecting an ultra-wide band (UWB) channel, mapping the UWB channel to a plurality of WiFi channels, and transmitting, by the wireless AP, the CTS transmission to each of the plurality of WiFi channels. The UWB system then transmits a UWB message.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for enabling an MFi stack and corresponding MFi application to be authenticated in an emulator operating using one or more processors/CPUs are presented. In one aspect, a computer may include a memory and processor configured to execute the operating system. The computer may include a USB bus coupled through USB interface to a dongle. The dongle may include an authentication coprocessor for use in an integrated circuit (I2C)-to-USB configuration, and an I2C-to-USB computer. Driver code running on the computer may manage the data exchanged between the authentication coprocessor and a virtual emulator on the computer. The emulator may include a USB-to-I2C driver that virtualizes the authentication coprocessor as an I2C device running with the MFi application like CarPlay.

Abstract: A battery system includes: two battery modules, each including three strings of battery cells that are configured to, at different times be: connected in series and to a first positive terminal via first ones of switches; connected in parallel and to a second positive terminal via second ones of the switches; and disconnected from both of the first and second positive terminals; and a switch control module configured to: determine state of charges (SOCs) of the strings, respectively; determine periods of phases, respectively, based on the SOCs; determine first periods for connecting ones of the strings in parallel; divide one of the phases into N equal length periods; selectively decrease N; when a number of the first periods that end closest to one of N period endings is at least a predetermined value, adjust the first periods to the respective closest ones of the N period endings.

Abstract: A method and system for composite molding, and the method includes additively manufacturing a mold shell that includes a part forming cavity. The method includes filling at least a portion of the mold shell with a strengthening agent. The method includes hardening the strengthening agent to form a mold, and laying-up a composite material on the part forming cavity. The method includes curing the mold to form a composite part.

Abstract: A system and method for surround view egress assistance that includes detecting, by a sensor in a vehicle, an obstacle in a swing path of a vehicle door. The method includes predicting, based on a geometrical analysis, one or more potential collision zones between the obstacle and the vehicle door. The predicting also includes determining a bank angle of the vehicle in the predicting of one or more potential collision zones. The method further includes estimating, based on data from an inertial measurement unit, a severity of an impact of the vehicle door with the obstacle. The method also includes detecting a color and height of a curb and potential collisions with a vehicle door.

Abstract: A method of operating an autonomous racetrack driver coach and demonstrator in an autonomous vehicle employing operating systems for propulsion and maneuvering includes identifying a road course and mapping a velocity profile and a trajectory for the vehicle via a remote configurator. The trajectory defines a vehicle path around the road course and with the velocity profile minimizes the vehicle's lap time. The method also includes determining a presence of a human passenger/operator in the vehicle. The method additionally includes determining, via an electronic controller in communication with a remote detection source, localization of the vehicle on the road course. The method also includes determining vehicle velocity, acceleration, and heading relative to the mapped trajectory.

Abstract: A vehicle management system for managing access of an application on a vehicle to a wireless network external to the vehicle. The system may include a network usage controller configured for determining a data usage status for the application to be one of allowed and blocked and a network access manager configured for storing a route for the application to access a server of the wireless network when the data usage status is allowed and for erasing or disabling the route when the data usage status is blocked.

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: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining, by a processor, that a lane centering feature is active in the vehicle; identifying, by the processor, a pattern of steering wheel torque; determining, by the processor, a driver requested offset based on a location of the vehicle and a location of a center of the lane; applying, by the processor, the driver requested offset to a planned trajectory of the vehicle; evaluating, by the processor, one or more duration conditions; and in response to the evaluating, selectively generating, by the processor, a control signal based on the planned trajectory with the driver requested offset.

Abstract: A traction board for insertion under a vehicle's tire for freeing the vehicle from a stuck condition includes an elongated board body and an end plate pivotally connected to an end portion of the elongated board body. According to a further aspect, a traction board includes an elongated board body and a finger pivotally connected to the elongated board body and pivotally extending below the elongated board body in order to prevent the elongated board body from sliding rearward.

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: A method of active energy management for a vehicle including a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS). The method includes: calculating, via a controller programmed with a usable energy algorithm, a usable energy of the at least one power module based on an anode lithium surface density; comparing, via the controller, the usable energy calculated with a first threshold; providing, via the controller, a first notification to a user when the usable energy calculated reaches a first threshold; providing, via the controller, a second notification to the user when the usable energy calculated reaches a second threshold, providing a third notification to the user when the usable energy calculated reaches a third threshold, and suggesting actions to the user based on the notifications.

Abstract: A battery monitoring system includes a vehicle processor storing battery data and a user device communicatively coupled with the vehicle processor. The user device includes data processing hardware that stores a weather application, a navigation application, and a battery monitoring application. The battery monitoring application is configured to receive the battery data from the vehicle processor and weather data from the weather application. The battery monitoring application is also configured to present a user with battery efficiency options based on the battery data and the weather data.

Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing a component includes the component configured to be additively manufactured using powder bed fusion. The component includes a first geometry that is different than a second geometry, and the first geometry and the second geometry are configured to create a thermal gradient along the component. The system includes a thermal management structure defined proximate the component. The thermal management structure has a first structure geometry that is different than a second structure geometry. The first structure geometry is defined proximate the first geometry and the second structure geometry is defined proximate the second geometry. The thermal management structure is configured to be additively manufactured with the component substantially simultaneously to reduce the thermal gradient along the component.

Abstract: A cooled axial flux electric motor includes a rotationally-fixed stator defining a rotational axis and having a plurality of conductive stator magnetic poles arranged radially about the axis. The motor also includes a rotor spaced axially from one side from the stator and rotatably mounted coaxially with the rotational axis and defined by inside and outside diameters. The rotor has a first exterior surface facing the stator and a second exterior surface arranged opposite the first exterior surface. A ferromagnetic rotor core defines the rotor second exterior surface. The rotor also includes alternating south and north pole permanent magnets (PMs) arranged on the rotor core symmetrically around the axis and facing the stator. The rotor additionally includes channels extending radially outwardly across the rotor and configured to direct a coolant, via centrifugal force, from the inside diameter toward the outside diameter as the rotor rotates about the axis.

Abstract: A system for speech separation includes data processing hardware and memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations including (i) generating a two-dimensional representation of a speech mixture, (ii) separating the speech mixture into an initial separation (iii) supplying the initial separation and speaker representations to a refinement module, (iv) refining the initial separation based on the initial separation and the speaker representations, (v) estimating a mask per speaker, and (vi) applying the masks to the two-dimensional representation to create two-dimensional, per-speaker representations.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes data processing hardware, memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations including detecting an airborne pollutant within a vehicle cabin, determining whether the airborne pollutant exceeds a pollutant threshold, and reducing the level of airborne pollutant within the vehicle cabin when the airborne pollutant exceeds the pollutant threshold by controlling at least one vehicle system.

Abstract: A modular multi-cell rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) includes a RESS enclosure surrounded by an external environment and having an enclosure tray, an enclosure cover, and a rail structure. The RESS also includes a plurality of mechanically interconnected battery cell blocks arranged in the RESS enclosure. Each battery cell block includes a cell case having at least one interface connector configured to couple the cell case to the rail structure, such that each battery cell block is engaged with and aligned and supported by the rail structure.

Abstract: A stator for an electrical machine defines a central axis and has a first stator face facing parallel to the central axis and a second stator face facing parallel to the central axis, with the first stator face and the second stator face facing in opposite directions. The stator includes a plurality of ferromagnetic segments disposed about the central axis, each segment having a pair of parallel faces that face parallel to the central axis of the stator. On each stator face, faces of adjacent segments of the plurality of segments form gaps therebetween, the gaps extending radially relative to the central axis, the gaps on the first stator face being angularly offset relative to the central axis from the gaps on the second stator face.

Abstract: An electrical machine includes a rotationally-fixed stator defining a rotational axis of the electrical machine and having a plurality of stator magnetic poles, the stator magnetic poles disposed about the rotational axis. The electrical machine also has a rotor rotatably mounted coaxially with the rotational axis and axially spaced from the stator, the rotor having a plurality of permanent magnets facing the stator magnetic poles. Each stator magnetic pole includes a plurality of ferromagnetic laminations in a lamination stack that extends from a radially-inward extent to a radially-outward extent relative to the rotational axis, and a ferromagnetic composite pole portion affixed to the radially-outward extent or the radially-inward extent of the lamination stack of the stator magnetic pole.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a first header having a first conduit and a second header having a second conduit. The battery pack also includes an energy storage system having energy storage cells arranged between the first header and the second header. A coolant plate assembly is arranged between the first header and the second header and abuts the plurality of energy storage cells. The coolant plate assembly includes a coolant channel having a first end fluidically connected to the first conduit, a second end fluidically connected to the second conduit, and an intermediate portion defining a flow path. The coolant plate assembly also includes a first planar section having a first surface facing the energy storage cells and a second surface having protrusions extending into the coolant channel.

Abstract: A cruise control algorithm including receiving a set speed and a minimum speed, generating a first control signal indicative of a first engine torque request, controlling a vehicle to maintain the set speed in response to the first engine torque request, detecting a vehicle pitch, detecting the vehicle speed, generating a second control signal indicative of the first engine torque request in response to the vehicle pitch being greater than zero degrees and the vehicle speed being greater than the minimum speed, controlling the vehicle to maintain a first engine torque in response to the first engine torque request, generating a third control signal indicative of a second engine torque request in response to the vehicle pitch being greater than zero degrees and the vehicle speed being less than the minimum speed, and controlling the vehicle to maintain the minimum speed in response to the third engine torque request.

Abstract: A method of estimating a performance characteristic of a wheel of a vehicle, includes selecting relevant input features based on wheel dynamics and tire behavior, and collecting experimental data for each of the relevant input features at each of a plurality of vehicle operating conditions. The method further includes manually identifying and labeling wheel stability status over time from the experimental data and calculating tractive limit over time from the experimental data. The method also includes training a tractive limit model and training a wheel stability status model. The method further includes receiving a plurality of testing inputs, wherein each of the plurality of testing inputs is received from a sensor on-board the vehicle or from a controller on-board the vehicle and, processing the received testing inputs in a predetermined machine learning process to calculate in one or more data processors a prediction of the performance characteristic.

Abstract: A torque converter management system includes a torque converter having a clutch and a torus. The torque converter management system includes memory hardware that stores instructions, that, when executed on data processing hardware of the system, cause the system to perform operations for protecting the torque converter. The operations include receiving torque converter temperature associated with the torque converter. The operations further include obtaining a torque converter protection schedule including one or more torque converter protective action initiation threshold temperatures each having an associated torque converter protective action and determining whether the torque converter temperature(s) exceeds a first one of the torque converter protective action initiation threshold temperatures.

Abstract: An exhaust system comprises an engine, a three-way catalytic converter including a first catalyst and a second catalyst, a tailpipe adjacent to the three-way catalytic converter, a first oxygen sensor disposed between the engine and the catalytic converter, a nitrogen oxides (NOx) sensor disposed in the three-way catalytic converter, and an engine control module (ECM) configured to obtain first oxygen sensor data from the first oxygen sensor, second oxygen sensor data from the NOx sensor, and NOx sensor data from the NOx sensor, the ECM being configured to perform catalyst health diagnostic operations and adjust one or more characteristics of the exhaust system based on at least the first oxygen sensor data, the second oxygen sensor data, and the NOx sensor data.

Abstract: A method for controlling an inflatable airbag system in a motor vehicle having a seatbelt includes detecting a position of a vehicle occupant relative to an airbag suppression zone (ASZ). Electronic input signals are received from a sensor suite, including an occupant position signal and a seatbelt usage status signal. A restraint capacity setting of the airbag is adjusted in response to the electronic input signals such that corresponding restraint activation logic is executed by the controller based on whether the occupant is belted or unbelted. Different ASZs may be used for belted and unbelted occupants. A motor vehicle includes a vehicle body defining a vehicle interior, an airbag, a seatbelt, a sensor suite for detecting a position of an occupant relative to the ASZ, and a controller operable for controlling a restraint capacity setting and location of the ASZ in accordance with the method.

Abstract: A disabled vehicle moving device configured to allow movement of a vehicle includes a sleeve made of a flexible material and configured to be mounted over a radially outer surface of a tire/wheel assembly of the vehicle that is locked for rotation. A cover is made of a flexible material and configured to be mounted over the sleeve and the tire/wheel assembly of the vehicle. A lubricant is arranged between the sleeve and the cover. The cover rotates relative to the sleeve and the tire/wheel assembly to allow the vehicle to be moved.

Abstract: A battery system for an electric vehicle includes at least one battery cell configured to store charge for powering an electric vehicle, a high voltage bus electrically coupled with the at least one battery, a DC-DC converter electrically coupled with the battery cell, a low voltage bus electrically connected between the DC-DC converter and at least one vehicle electrical component, and a cell monitor electrically coupled with the at least one battery cell and the DC-DC converter, wherein the cell monitor includes a current sensor configured to detect a current from the at least one battery cell to the DC-DC converter. The cell monitor includes a controller configured to estimate a state of charge of the at least one battery cell according to the current detected by the current sensor, and adjust switching operation of the DC-DC converter according to the current detected by the current sensor.