Abstract: A method of making a reference electrode assembly for an electrochemical cell according to various aspects of the present disclosure includes providing a subassembly including a separator layer and a current collector layer coupled to the separator layer. The method further includes providing an electrode ink including an electroactive material, a binder, and a solvent. The method further includes creating a reference electrode precursor by applying an electroactive precursor layer to the current collector layer. The electroactive precursor layer covers greater than or equal to about 90% of a superficial surface area of a surface of the current collector layer. The electroactive precursor layer includes the electrode ink. The method further includes creating the reference electrode assembly by drying the electroactive precursor layer to remove at least a portion of the solvent, thereby forming an electroactive layer. The electroactive layer is solid and porous.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with an electric vehicle are provided. The electric vehicle includes a sensor system, a communications system and a snow clearing system. The systems and methods detect, based on data from the sensor system, snow that may accumulate on a window of the electric vehicle. When snow is detected, a notification is provided, via the communications system, to a remote user device. The notification requests user acceptance of use of charge of a battery of the electric vehicle to operate the snow clearing system of the electric vehicle. The systems and methods receive, by the communications system, a response to the notification from the user device, and when the response indicates acceptance of the use of charge of the battery, the snow clearing system is activated. The snow clearing system is powered by the battery.

Abstract: A system for 5G MICO mode operation of a vehicle during an ignition off mode includes a telematics unit and a telematics communication mode controller. The controller monitors energy consumption by the telematics unit and estimates a total energy consumption of the telematics unit through a time period. The controller further compares the total energy consumption to a first threshold energy consumption and a second threshold energy consumption and, when the total energy consumption is less than the first threshold energy consumption, operates the telematics unit in a first mode including unrestricted communication. The telematics communication mode controller, when the total energy consumption is between the first threshold energy consumption and the second threshold energy consumption, operates the telematics unit in a second MICO mode and, when the total energy consumption is greater than the second threshold energy consumption, deactivates communications by the telematics unit.

Abstract: A system for generating and presenting an explanation to a user includes an input module configured to receive sensor data and input the sensor data to a control system of an automated system, the control system configured to control operation of the automated system based on the sensor data and according to a gray box decision making algorithm. The system also includes an explanation module configured to generate an explanation of a decision made by the control system and a corresponding behavior of the automated system, the explanation generated based on at least one of: a request by the user, and a user model, and a display module configured to present the generated explanation to the user.

Abstract: A location assistance system includes a distress vehicle and multiple assistance vehicles. The distress vehicle broadcasts an emergency signal. The assistance vehicles are operable to receive the emergency signal, determine multiple distances to the distress vehicle, triangulate among the assistance vehicles to generate a spatial map of the distress vehicle relative to the assistance vehicles, determine one or more approximately horizontal lines in the spatial map that include the distress vehicle and at least one horizontally aligned assistance vehicle in response to the distress vehicle and the at least one horizontally aligned assistance vehicle being on a same vertical level in the spatial map, coordinate among the assistance vehicles to determine one or more horizontal sequences along the one or more approximately horizontal lines, and flash the of the assistance vehicles in the one or more horizontal sequences to lead toward the distress vehicle.

Abstract: Presented are active thermal management (ATM) systems with multi-purpose reservoirs for liquid-immersion cooled battery assemblies, methods for making/using such systems, and motor vehicles equipped with such systems. An ATM system for a battery assembly includes a coolant reservoir that stows a liquid immersion cooling (LIC) fluid, and an inlet manifold that fluidly connects the reservoir to the battery assembly's battery case to transfer LIC fluid into an immersion compartment within the battery case. An outlet manifold fluidly connects the battery case to the reservoir to transfer fluid out from the immersion compartment. An auxiliary vent manifold selectively fluidly connects the battery case to the reservoir responsive to a predefined thermal event to thereby transfer LIC fluid and battery cell vent gases from the immersion compartment to the reservoir. A gas valve, which is fluidly connected to the reservoir, selectively evacuates therefrom the vent gases at a predefined internal reservoir pressure.

Abstract: A robotic system for forming a moldable workpiece is provided. The robotic system includes a robot, an end effector, an adjustment module, and a control module. The robot is configured to pass the workpiece through a machine. The end effector is configured to be attached to the robot and configured to grasp and release the workpiece. The end effector is adjustable to a plurality of different configurations. The adjustment module is configured to determine a change in the workpiece from (a) a first form of the workpiece prior to the passing of the workpiece through the machine to (b) a second form of the workpiece after passing of the workpiece through the machine. The control module is configured to adjust a present configuration of the end effector to a second configuration based on the change in the workpiece from (a) the first form to (b) the second form.

Abstract: A vehicle, system method for operating the vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a camera and a processor. The camera is configured to obtain a camera image of a road segment. The processor determines a location of a road edge for the road segment within the camera image, obtains a lane attribute for the road segment, generates a virtual lane mark for the road segment based on the road edge and the lane attribute, and moves the vehicle along the road segment by tracking the virtual lane mark.

Abstract: A tire pressure and location monitoring system includes N tire pressure sensors associated with N tires of a vehicle, where N is an integer greater than one. A tire pressure and location monitoring system is configured to communicate with the N tire pressure sensors, store a tire rotation map, and determine whether new locations of the N tires, including the N tire pressure sensors, on the vehicle are correct after a tire rotation is performed based on the tire rotation map.

Abstract: A system for modular dynamically adjustable capacity storage for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells, a negative terminal including a chassis ground connection, and a plurality of positive battery pack terminals. The negative terminal and the plurality of positive battery pack terminals are useful for connecting at least one electrical circuit through the battery pack. The system further includes a battery cell switching system, including a plurality of solid-state switches connected to each of the battery cells. The plurality of solid-state switches is operable to selectively connect a portion of the battery cells in parallel, selectively connect the portion of the battery cells in series, and selectively connect one of the plurality of battery cells to one of the plurality of positive battery pack terminals.

Abstract: An anode electrode for use in a lithium-ion battery cell including silicon and a porous carbonaceous anode electrode coating is provided. The anode electrode includes an electrode substrate including a current collector and the porous carbonaceous anode electrode coating. The electrode coating includes a surface material including graphite, wherein the surface material includes a plurality of sphere-shaped depressions, carbon particles, and a plurality of silicon particles affixed to inner walls of the plurality of sphere-shaped depressions. The sphere-shaped depressions are configured for receiving expansion of the plurality of silicon particles when the silicon particles are in a lithiated state.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for a fuel cell system includes a rigid plate having a first side defining first passages, a second side defining second passages, a seal bead, and a peripheral edge; and an impact energy attenuation system. The seal bead is arranged proximal to the peripheral edge of the rigid plate, and the impact energy attenuation system is disposed proximal to the peripheral edge. The impact energy attenuation system includes first energy attenuating beads and second energy attenuating beads, wherein each of the first energy attenuating beads has a first compression modulus and a first zero-compression height, and wherein each of the second energy attenuating beads has a second compression modulus and a second zero-compression height. The first compression modulus is greater than the second compression modulus, and the second zero-compression height is greater than the first zero-compression height.

Abstract: A supportive software-based “toolbox” for recognizing patterns in finite state machine (FSM)-modeled systems. The pattern recognition may include identifying data associated with a design of a finite state machine (FSM)-modeled system from a user device, determining a design analysis model from one more annotated or existing designs, and identifying one or more system patterns within the FSM-modeled system based on searching the FSM-modeled system according to the design analysis model.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) antenna array system in the form of a phased array antenna having a first antenna array and a second antenna array, a calibration circuit including an external signal generator, and a hinged power transformer is described. The external signal generator is electrically connected to the first antenna array, and the first antenna array is electrically coupled to the second antenna array via the hinged power transformer. The hinged power transformer mechanically joins the first antenna array to the second antenna array in one of a first position and a second position, with the first antenna array being disposed at an angle in relation to the second antenna array when the hinged power transformer is disposed in the first position.

Abstract: An optical arrangement includes at least one pair of displays, each pair having a first display and a second display configured to generate light in a visible spectral range. For each pair of displays, the optical arrangement includes a first polarizer configured to polarize the light incident from the first display, a second polarizer configured to polarize the light incident from the second display. The optical arrangement also includes first and second polarizing beam splitters for each pair of displays. Each polarizing beam splitter is configured to receive the polarized light from the first and second polarizers. Each polarizing beam splitter is also configured to reflect one of an s-polarized component and a p-polarized component of the received polarized light into at least one field of view (FOV) and transmit the other of the s-polarized component and the p-polarized component of the received polarized light into the subject FOV(s).

Abstract: A system for providing updates in a vehicle includes a server device configured for providing an OTA campaign update and the vehicle. The vehicle includes a device including software to be upgraded by the over-the-air campaign update and a low voltage battery providing low voltage power. The system further includes a battery providing high voltage power and an accessory power module configured to transform the high voltage power into low voltage power and including programming to estimate an available power of the low voltage battery. The system further includes a controller monitoring the available power, comparing the available power to a threshold, and, when the available power is less than the threshold, commanding the accessory power module to transform the high voltage power to provide the low voltage electrical power. The controller further schedules receiving the update based upon the available power and updates the device with the update.

Abstract: A protective enclosure for an electronic control unit (ECU) to minimize risk of environmental intrusion includes a base portion, a first housing, a second housing, a first gasket, a vibration attenuating insert, a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, a third electrical connector, and a tether. The first housing is sealably assembled onto the base portion, and the first housing and the base portion define a first chamber to house the telematics module. The second housing and the base portion define a second chamber. The tether attaches the base portion and the second housing.

Abstract: Vehicles and related systems and methods are provided for calibrating a sensing arrangement within an interior compartment of the vehicle. One method involves initiating operation of an interior component of the vehicle, obtaining one or more signals from the sensing arrangement within the interior compartment of the vehicle, wherein a characteristic of the one or more signals is influenced by the operation of the interior component, determining a measured position of the interior component based at least in part on the characteristic of the one or more signals, obtaining a reference position associated with the interior component, and determining a calibration offset for a reference axis associated with the sensing arrangement based on a relationship between the measured position and the reference position, wherein subsequent operation of the vehicle is influenced by the calibration offset associated with the sensing arrangement.

Abstract: An interlocking tool for a for forming stator end turns includes a first member including a first base having a first surface. A first ring extends from the first surface and a second ring extends from the first surface radially outwardly of the first ring. The second ring is spaced from the first ring by a first gap. A second member includes a second base having a first surface portion. A first ring element extends from the first surface portion and a second ring element extends from the first surface portion radially inwardly of the first ring element. The second ring element is spaced from the first ring element by a second gap. The second ring is positioned in the second gap, and the second ring element is positioned in the first gap. The first member is rotatable relative to the second member.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating image data from a vehicle having a plurality of cameras. A method includes: activating, by the processor, initial video feed from each of the plurality of cameras; determining, by the processor, configuration parameters for each of the plurality of cameras based on the initial video feed; in response to a trigger event, performing frame synchronization of subsequent video feed from each of the plurality of cameras based on the configuration parameters; and generating, by the processor, the image data based on the frame synchronization.

Abstract: A battery electric system includes a battery, sensor suite, and controller. The sensor suite includes a current sensor, voltage sensor, and temperature sensor. The controller is operable for determining an estimated open circuit voltage of the battery at different time points using a current signal and a voltage signal from the current and voltage sensors, and an equivalent circuit model (ECM). The controller determines an ECM-based state of charge (SOC) of the battery at the different time points, via a calibrated SOC map, using the open circuit voltage and temperature, and calculates a sensor gain value using the ECM-based SOC and a coulomb counting-based SOC, both at the different time points. A control action is executed with respect to the battery when the sensor gain value exceeds a predetermined gain fault threshold, including generating a fault notification signal indicative of a fault of the current sensor.

Abstract: Presented are intelligent vehicle systems and control logic for adaptive vehicle sensing and automation for occupants with health conditions, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such systems. A method of operating a vehicle includes a resident or remote vehicle controller determining an existing health condition of an occupant in the vehicle's passenger compartment. The controller then retrieves, e.g., from a resident or remote memory device, predefined sets of calibration settings and condition symptoms customized to this existing health condition. A network of sensing devices is calibrated using the predefined calibration settings to detect one or more of the predefined condition symptoms. The calibrated sensing devices monitor the occupant to detect a health event based on the predefined condition symptoms. Upon detecting the health event, the controller commands one or more resident vehicle subsystems to execute one or more vehicle operations to mitigate the health event.

Abstract: A system for detecting a health condition of an occupant of a vehicle includes a plurality of vehicle sensors and a controller in electrical communication with the plurality of vehicle sensors. The controller is programmed to perform a plurality of measurements using the plurality of vehicle sensors determine a health risk probability based at least in part on the plurality of measurements. The health risk probability is a probability that the occupant of the vehicle has the health condition. The controller is further programmed to notify the occupant of the vehicle in response to determining that the health risk probability is greater than or equal to a predetermined health risk threshold.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a battery component includes a heating device configured to heat a surface of the battery component to a selected temperature, an optical-visible imaging device configured to take an optical image of the surface, a thermal imaging device configured to take a thermal image of the surface, and a processor configured to acquire the optical image and the thermal image. The processor is configured to correlate the thermal image with the optical image, identify a feature of interest in at least one of the optical image and the thermal image, determine a geometric characteristic and a temperature characteristic associated with the feature of interest, and determine whether the feature of interest is a defect based on the geometric characteristic and the temperature characteristic.

Abstract: A method generating planning-based attention signals includes receiving driving-scene data. The driving-scene data is indicative of a driving scene around a host vehicle. The driving-scene data includes map data and localization data. The driving scene includes a plurality of actors. The method further includes converting the driving-scene data into a scene-graph. The method further includes inputting the scene-graph into a deep neural network (DNN). Further, the method includes determining an attention score for each of the plurality of actors using the DNN and the scene-graph. The attention score of each of the plurality of actors represents a priority given to each of the plurality of actors in the driving scene. The method further includes commanding the host vehicle to autonomously drive according to a trajectory determined by taking into account the attention score of each of the plurality of actors.

Abstract: A cylinder deactivation system for an engine includes an engine block defining a cylinder. A valve opens and closes a port to the cylinder. A rocker arm pivots to operate the valve. A camshaft has a cam lift and a cam-to-rocker input system transfers the cam lift through the rocker arm to the valve. A deactivation assembly is disposed in the rocker arm and is responsive to fluid pressure to alternately effect an activated state of the valve and a deactivated state of the valve.

Abstract: A cooling system for a drivetrain of an electric vehicle includes a coolant circuit directing a flow of coolant through a first inverter and a second inverter of the drivetrain, and an adjustable flow valve positioned along the coolant circuit to selectably alter proportions of the flow of coolant directed through each of the first inverter and the second inverter. A method of operating a cooling system for a first inverter and a second inverter of a vehicle drivetrain includes commanding a speed and torque of each of the first and second inverter, and estimating losses and temperature of each of the first inverter and the second inverter as a result of the commanded speed and torque. A valve position of an adjustable flow valve operably connected to the first inverter and the second inverter is selected, and a change of the valve position is commanded.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for defining map data used in controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, telemetry data; determining, by the processor, distribution data of a path based on the telemetry data; determining, by the processor, a plurality of sample data based on a trained machine learning model and the distribution data; generating, by the processor, at least one of lane line data and road edge data based on the sample data and a second machine learning model; and storing, by the processor, the map data including the lane line data and road edge data for use in controlling the vehicle.

Abstract: A composite resonator, such as for use in a vehicle air intake system, includes a fiber reinforced contacting a semi-crystalline polymer substrate. The fiber reinforced composite includes a plurality of fibers in a polymer matrix. The composite resonator further includes a particle coating contacting the fiber reinforced composite. The particle coating includes a plurality of particles deposited onto the fiber reinforced composite. In a vehicle air intake system, the composite resonator is connected to the air intake pathway. The vehicle air intake system also includes a turbocharger compressor connected to the air intake pathway.

Abstract: A retention clip includes a first clip arm that defines a fastener bore and includes at least one retention finger that extends into the fastener bore. The retention clip also includes a second clip arm spaced apart from the first clip arm. The second clip arm includes a nut having a bore coaxially aligned with the fastener bore and configured to receive a fastener.

Abstract: A driver command interpreter system for a vehicle includes one or more controllers that execute instructions to receive a plurality of dynamic variables, vehicle configuration information, and driving environment conditions, and determine a target vehicle state during transient driving conditions based on the plurality of dynamic variables from the one or more sensors, the vehicle configuration information, and the driving environment conditions. The one or more controllers build a transient vehicle dynamic model based on the target vehicle state during transient driving conditions, the plurality of dynamic variables, the vehicle configuration information, and the driving environment conditions, and solve for desired zeros corresponding to the target vehicle state during transient conditions.

Abstract: A system for controlling a propulsion system of a vehicle includes a switching system including a first switching device connecting a battery system to a first set of windings of an electric motor, and a second switching device connecting the battery system to a second set of windings. The system also includes a controller configured to transition the propulsion system from an initial propulsion mode in which an initial voltage is applied to the electric motor, to a target mode in which a target voltage is applied. The transitioning includes controlling the first switching device to provide current to the first set of windings at the initial voltage to produce torque, and subsequently controlling the second switching device to cause the battery system to apply the target voltage to the second set of windings while the current is provided to the first set of windings at the initial voltage.

Abstract: A battery electric system includes an inverter connected to a battery pack and a direct current (DC) voltage bus, first and second electrical switches, and a battery controller. The first switch is connected between the inverter and battery pack, and opens during an alternating current (AC) self-heating mode of the battery pack. This mode includes generating an AC waveform through the battery pack via the inverter at a controlled amplitude. The second switch, which is connected to the inverter and the first switch, closes during the self-heating mode. The controller, in response to calibrated entry criteria, opens the first switch, closes the second switch, and controls ON/OFF conducting states of the power switches to self-heat the battery pack using the AC waveform. The entry criteria includes required charging of the battery pack while a temperature of the battery pack is less than a calibrated temperature limit.

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 method for verifying system behavior and correcting design flaws in a finite state machine (FSM)-modeled system or any other representational method that includes receiving from a user device via a model verification platform, data associated with the system design. The data describes states, state transitions, events, and outputs of the FSM-modeled system. The method includes searching the data for predetermined behavior of the FSM-modeled system, including predetermined state(s) and/or mode changes. The method includes flagging the predetermined behavior as a verified behavior and performing a control action in response to the verified behavior, including transmitting a notification to the user device that is indicative of the verified behavior, and a design recommendation where applicable. Instructions for the method may be recorded in a computer readable storage medium and executed by a processor to cause the model verification platform to perform the method.

Abstract: A method for confirming arrival at a target location includes comparing, by one or more controllers, properties of a plurality of identifying features of the target location with properties of a corresponding plurality of corresponding features of a present location to result in a plurality of comparisons. The method additionally includes identifying, by one or more controllers, the present location as the target location if the plurality of comparisons concludes that the present location is the target location. The properties of a plurality of identifying features of the target location include at least one property of one or more wireless communication networks expected to be detectable at the target location.

Abstract: A rotor disk having a plurality of space apart teeth, each tooth having a transverse portion having s first and second end portion each having an angled side face forming an angle that is not 90 degrees with respect to a top surface or a bottom surface of the rotor disk.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing stamped parts having a final shape for a vehicle are provided. A method includes receiving data for the stamped part; producing a computer simulation based on the data; determining a wrinkling index (WI) for the stamped part in response to the processor producing the computer simulation; determining whether an element under analysis is located at a trimmed edge of the stamped part; when the element under analysis is located at a trimmed edge of the stamped part, determining a stretching index (SI) for a trimmed edge portion, or when the element under analysis is not located at a trimmed edge of the stamped part, determining a SI for a plane stress portion in response to the processor producing the computer simulation; comparing the SI to a SI threshold and/or comparing the SI to the WI; and generating, using the processor, a uniform failure index (UFI).

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing guidance when reversing a vehicle towing a trailer. In one embodiment, a method includes: A method for providing guidance when reversing a vehicle towing a trailer, comprising: receiving, from a camera of the trailer, image data associated with an environment of the vehicle; determining, by a processor, that the camera of the trailer is at least one of partially and fully underwater; in response to the determining, determining, by the processor, at least one of underwater image data and underwater guideline data based on a correction factor associated with the water and the image data; and generating, by the processor, display data based on the at least one of underwater image data and underwater guidelines data.