Abstract: An energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for a vehicle includes first and second side sills, each of the first and second sills comprising multiple longitudinal channels, at least an upper longitudinal channel positioned above a vehicle floor panel and at least a lower longitudinal channel positioned below the vehicle floor panel, a battery enclosure mounted between front and rear suspensions of the vehicle, the battery enclosure having a first side member attached to the first side sill, and a second side member attached to the second side sill; cross-members integrated into the battery enclosure; and at least one mechanical connection securing the cross-members to the vehicle floor panel.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant material is described including a substrate, a first material including less than about 90% of an amino group or epoxy group, between about 0.05% and about 50% siloxane, between about 5% and about 80% nanoparticles, microparticles, or macroparticles, and between about 0.1% and about 5% of a first functionalized graphitic material, a second material including less than about 90% of a silyl group, between about 0.05% and about 50% siloxane, between about 5% and about 80% nanoparticles, microparticles, or macroparticles, and between about 0.1% and about 5% of a second functionalized graphitic material, and a third material including less than about 90% of an amino group or epoxy group and a silyl group, between about 0.05% and about 50% siloxane, between about 5% and about 80% nanoparticles, microparticles, or macroparticles, and between about 0.1% and about 5% of a third functionalized graphitic material.

Abstract: An interactive user interface for a steering wheel is provided. A user interface is provided on one or more portions of the steering wheel. The user interface recognizes gesture movements made by a user thereon. The user interface allows navigation of a set of controls associated with a menu provided through the user interface based on the recognized gesture movements.

Abstract: A gear box and method of providing oil through the same is provided. The gear box includes a windage tray that includes a tray having a bleed hole therein, and another tray having another second bleed hole therein. Oil is provided through the bleed holes to respective gears situated in the trays. The windage tray may also include a magnet positioned within a magnet slot of the windage tray, for removing debris from the oil. A tube may also be attached to the windage tray, which tube can include a bleed hole therein, for spraying the oil out of the tube and towards a differential, for example. The windage tray and tube can be made from molded plastic, and can be made using the same mold. The gear box housing may further define a drain in an inner side wall to provide oil to a differential bearing, for example.

Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays with improved aesthetics and efficiency that can replace a conventional roof surface structure. These BIPV systems can utilize photovoltaic PV roof tiles defined as glass tiles having photovoltaic elements embedded or incorporated into the body of the roof tile. Such PV roof tiles can include one or more lapping features for interfacing with adjacent tiles and features for electrically connecting multiples tiles within a course to an external power optimizer. Such PV roof tiles can utilize stamped glass that is stamped to define these features within an integrated glass tile and can further include texture, striations on the glass tile and/or color matched back layers or various other components to obscure visibility of any embedded solar cells and provide a more pleasing appearance.

Abstract: A solar tile and method for manufacturing solar tiles as a roofing surface with improved aesthetics that reduce the visual differences between solar and non-solar portions of tile. Roof tiles include an active area of thin-film photovoltaic material and an inactive area of thin-film photovoltaic material.

Abstract: A system and method for mitigating the effects of a thermal event within a non-metal-air battery pack is provided in which the hot gas and material generated during the event is directed into the metal-air cells of a metal-air battery pack. The metal-air cells provide a large thermal mass for absorbing at least a portion of the thermal energy generated during the event before it is released to the ambient environment. As a result, the risks to vehicle passengers, bystanders, first responders and property are limited.

Abstract: An air vent assembly includes a cover member having an inlet for allowing a flow of air to enter the cover member. The cover member also has a vent extending from the inlet for allowing a flow of air to exit the cover member. The vent includes a first vent portion, and a second vent portion located adjacent to the first vent portion. The first vent portion has a first set of flow guiding vanes disposed therein. The second vent portion has a second set of flow guiding vanes disposed therein. Each of the vanes is spaced apart from one another and pivotally coupled to a pair of opposing walls of the cover member. The first and second sets of flow guiding vanes are independently moveable with respect to each other using an actuating mechanism for providing a variety of flow-guiding positions one of which includes a split flow-guiding position.

Abstract: Presented are systems and methods that accelerate the convolution of an image and similar arithmetic operations by utilizing hardware-specific circuitry that enables a large number of operations to be performed in parallel across a large set of data. In various embodiments, arithmetic operations are further enhanced by reusing data and eliminating redundant steps of storing and fetching intermediate results from registers and memory when performing arithmetic operations.

Abstract: A system for thermally servicing a solvent-refining column includes: a first solvent-refining column, a closed-loop water-steam system; a first heat-exchanger thermally coupling the closed-loop water-steam system to the top of the first solvent-refining column, a second heat-exchanger thermally coupling the closed-loop water-steam system to a bottom of the first solvent-refining column, and a compressor positioned between the first heat-exchanger and the second heat-exchanger. The first heat-exchanger boils pressurized water to steam by transferring first heat from the top of the first solvent-refining column to the closed-loop water- steam system. The compressor compresses the steam in the closed-loop water-steam system to a higher temperature. The second heat-exchanger provides second heat to the first solvent-refining column by condensing the steam at the bottom of the first solvent-refining column after compression by the compressor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a battery management system that provide a plurality of channels that allow communication between host and clients. This communication may operate in bi-directional modes such that commands from the host and responses from the clients are transmitted clockwise or counter-clockwise around a daisy-chain loop. This architecture provides both a high level of redundancy across multiple channels as well as transmission directions around the loop. The use of multiple channels provides a separation in signal paths akin to the provision of completely separate physical wires, preventing malfunction of spurious operation of devices using one channel from interfering with the normal operation of devices using the other channel. In addition, the signaling architecture allows a host to dynamically transmit commands and receive responses between specific client(s) and host or broadcast communication across all clients.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to detect and/or classify a vehicle occupant, such as a passenger seated within the cockpit of a vehicle. An occupant classification system includes an occupant weight sensor, an occupant presence sensor, and a logic device configured to communicate with the occupant weight sensor and the occupant presence sensor. The logic device is configured to receive occupant weight sensor signals from the occupant weight sensor and occupant presence sensor signals from the occupant presence sensor, determine an estimated occupant weight and an occupant presence response based, at least in part, on the occupant weight sensor signals and the occupant presence sensor signals, and determine an occupant classification status corresponding to the passenger seat based, at least in part, on the estimated occupant weight and/or the occupant presence response.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a solar roof tile module. The module includes a plurality of solar roof tiles positioned side by side and one or more tile spacers. The tiles are electrically and mechanically coupled to each other. A tile spacer is positioned between two adjacent solar roof tiles, thereby preventing water leakage. A solar roof tile can include a front cover, a back cover, and a plurality of photovoltaic strips positioned between the front and back covers. Each photovoltaic strip includes a first edge busbar located on an edge of a first surface and a second edge busbar located on an opposite edge of a second surface, and the photovoltaic strips are arranged in such a way that the first edge busbar of a photovoltaic strip overlaps with a second edge busbar of an adjacent photovoltaic strip, thereby forming a serial connection among the photovoltaic strips.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide systems, devices, and methods for decompressing encoded electronic data to increase decompression throughput using any number of decoding engines. In certain embodiments, this is accomplished by identifying and processing a next record in a pipeline operation before having to complete the decompression of a current record. Various embodiments take advantage of the knowledge of the method of how the records have been encoded, e.g., in a single long record, to greatly reduce delay time, compared with existing designs, when decompressing encoded electronic data.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for applying sealing profiles to vehicle bodies or parts thereof, includes drawing off the sealing profile from an unwinding unit and rolling the sealing profile onto the vehicle body or the part of the vehicle body along an application line provided for application purposes, by a pressure-exerting roller of an application head. An arrangement of an automatic optical inspection system within the application apparatus provides for direct detection of defects and discontinuities of the sealing profile by the user without any need for markings on the sealing profile wound up on the roll or for data handling between the manufacturer of the sealing profile and the user.

Abstract: A battery pack includes an enclosure containing a plurality of battery modules. A cooling system disposed among and electrically isolated from the plurality of battery modules uses a coolant solution that is a first mixture of a first liquid and a second liquid in a predetermined ratio to produce a first boiling point. Boiling of the coolant solution changes the predetermined ratio to produce a second boiling point that is higher than the first boiling point and that is sufficient to induce a thermal runaway condition for the plurality of battery module. A sensor monitors at least one operational characteristic of the plurality of battery modules and a controller determines a possible high voltage electrolysis within the enclosure based upon the at least one operational characteristic. A remediation system is responsive to the possible high voltage electrolysis to decrease risks associated with the possible high voltage electrolysis when operated.

Abstract: A vehicle seatback includes: a first panel; a second panel coupled to the first panel so that a welding stitching pattern is exposed, each welding stitch of the welding stitching pattern accessible from a common direction; and a bracket, wherein at least one welding stitch included in the welding stitch pattern connects the bracket to one of the first or second panels. A vehicle latch system includes: a housing at a first edge of a movable vehicle seatback with a handle to assume an extended position outside the housing in which a flag on the handle is presented, and a retracted position inside the housing in which the flag is not presented; a latch configured for placement at a second edge of the movable vehicle seatback, the second edge opposite the first edge; and a cable connecting the handle and the latch to each other.

Abstract: A method for fitting sealing profiles on vehicle bodies or the parts thereof includes withdrawing the sealing profile from an unwinding unit and, by way of an adhesive layer arranged on the sealing profile, rolling of the application device the sealing profile on the vehicle body or the part of the vehicle body, along an application line provided for fitting purposes, by a pressure-exerting roller of an application head. Defects and discontinuities in the sealing profile are detected immediately by the arrangement of an automatic optical inspection system within the application device, on the user side, i.e., in particular without there being any need for markings on the wound-up sealing profile or for data handling between the manufacturer of the sealing profile and the user.

Abstract: A method of making an AC induction motor includes: providing a rotor and a stator for the AC induction motor; determining, for different geometries of an end ring of the rotor, a location of a first centroid of current density in the end ring; determining, for end turns of the stator, a location of a second centroid of current density in the end turns; selecting a geometry for at least the endring of the rotor so that an axial distance between the first centroid of current density and the second centroid of current density is minimized; and assembling the AC induction motor, wherein the end turns and the end ring have the selected geometries.

Abstract: An electric vehicle includes an energy storage system, an integrated drive system assembly having a gearbox, a power inverter, and an electric motor, wherein the gearbox, the electric motor and the power inverter are assembled into a single unit with a multi-piece housing. The electric vehicle may also include two half shafts for respective wheels of the electric vehicle. The gearbox, the electric motor and the power inverter may be oriented such that the gearbox extends along a center line of the electric vehicle and the electric motor and the power inverter extend from the gearbox in opposite directions. The electric vehicle may also include a mutual thermal management system coupled to the integrated drive system assembly and having at least one liquid coolant loop that is thermally coupled to the electric motor, the power inverter, the gearbox, a cooling system, a refrigeration system, and an HVAC system.

Abstract: An autonomous control system generates synthetic data that reflect simulated environments. Specifically, the synthetic data is a representation of sensor data of the simulated environment from the perspective of one or more sensors. The system generates synthetic data by introducing one or more simulated modifications to sensor data captured by the sensors or by simulating the sensor data for a virtual environment. The autonomous control system uses the synthetic data to train computer models for various detection and control algorithms. In general, this allows autonomous control systems to augment training data to improve performance of computer models, simulate scenarios that are not included in existing training data, and/or train computer models that remove unwanted effects or occlusions from sensor data of the environment.

Abstract: A vehicle seat restraint system includes a control system and a second-row restraint system. The control system receives a first-row seat value and a second-row seat value from seat sensors. The control system generates relative position data for a first-row seat and a second-row seat based upon the first-row seat value and the second-row seat value. The control system selects a load limiter setting value using a multidimensional load limiter model based upon body impact values as a function of load limiter setting values and the relative position data, a selected load limiter setting value outside a value avoidance zone for the body impact values. The second-row restraint system is configured by the control system with the selected load limiter setting value. The control system may also determine an occupant weight value and select the load limiter setting value using the occupant weight value.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to an accelerated mathematical engine. In certain embodiments, the accelerated mathematical engine is applied to image processing such that convolution of an image is accelerated by using a two-dimensional matrix processor comprising sub-circuits that include an ALU, output register and shadow register. This architecture supports a clocked, two-dimensional architecture in which image data and weights are multiplied in a synchronized manner to allow a large number of mathematical operations to be performed in parallel.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a can configured to serve as one electric contact of the electrochemical cell, the can containing active materials, a diaphragm configured to serve as an opposite electric contact of the electrochemical cell, and a gasket that is initially of generally cylindrical shape, the diaphragm positioned inside the gasket in an opening of the can wherein an outer edge of the can is crimped onto the gasket, the gasket having an inner periphery inside the can and an outer periphery outside the can, the outer periphery comprising leaves that after crimping extend along an outer surface of the diaphragm.

Abstract: One embodiment can provide a solar module. The solar module can include one or more moisture-resistant photovoltaic structures. A respective photovoltaic structure can include a base layer, an emitter layer positioned on a first side of the base layer, and a moisture barrier layer positioned on a first side of the emitter layer, thereby reducing the amount of moisture that reaches a junction between the base layer and the emitter layer.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to detect and/or classify a vehicle occupant, such as a passenger seated within the cockpit of a vehicle. An occupant classification system includes an occupant weight sensor, an occupant presence sensor, and a logic device configured to communicate with the occupant sensors. The occupant weight sensor includes at least first and second conductive electrodes separated by a dielectric layer, top and bottom protective plastic layers configured to support the respective first and second conductive electrodes, and adhesive layers disposed between the plastic layers and the conductive electrodes and between the conductive electrodes and the dielectric layer. The top protective plastic layer is longer and/or wider than the first conductive electrode and the bottom protective plastic layer is longer and/or wider than the second conductive electrode to provide edge protection against electrical shorts for the first and second conductive electrodes.

Abstract: A vehicle seatback includes: a first panel; a second panel coupled to the first panel so that a welding stitching pattern is exposed, each welding stitch of the welding stitching pattern accessible from a common direction; and a bracket, wherein at least one welding stitch included in the welding stitch pattern connects the bracket to one of the first or second panels. A vehicle latch system includes: a housing at a first edge of a movable vehicle seatback with a handle to assume an extended position outside the housing in which a flag on the handle is presented, and a retracted position inside the housing in which the flag is not presented; a latch configured for placement at a second edge of the movable vehicle seatback, the second edge opposite the first edge; and a cable connecting the handle and the latch to each other.

Abstract: An integrated coolant bottle assembly includes a reservoir configured for use in a thermal system. Examples of such thermal systems include a cooling/heating system of a battery powered electric vehicle, electric power generators (e.g., motor-based systems), other physical plant installations, etc. Such a reservoir includes a first section and a second section. The second section is joined to the first section at a reservoir interface thereby forming the reservoir that is configured for storage and/or flow of a liquid medium. The first section may include an integrated channel that provides a pathway for the flow of the liquid medium. The reservoir may also include a component interface configured to facilitate connection of a component thereto (e.g., a pump, a battery pump, a powertrain pump, a chiller, a heater, a filter, an aerator, a valve, a connector, a fan, or a radiator).

Abstract: A device includes an integrated circuit (IC) die, a top-side base plate to which the IC die is mounted, and a body attached to the top-side base plate such that the IC die is inside the body, the body configured for attachment to a printed circuit board (PCB) such that the top-side base plate faces away from the PCB. The device may or may not include legs that abut the PCB upon installation.

Abstract: A heat-recovering oven system based on temperature gradient comprises: multiple chambers arranged in a sequence, the chambers configured for operating at various temperatures according to a temperature gradient arrangement that spans the sequence; a conveyor configured for transporting product through the multiple chambers in the sequence for heat treatment according to the temperature gradient arrangement; and multiple temperature-segregated heat exchanger systems, each heat exchanger system including a heat exchanger, a conduit to at least one of the chambers based on its temperature in the temperature gradient arrangement, and a return conduit from the at least one chamber to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A system for handling errors in a neural network includes a neural network processor for executing a neural network associated with use of a vehicle. The neural network processor includes an error detector configured to detect a data error associated with execution of the neural network and a neural network controller configured to receive a report of the data error from the error detector. In response to receiving the report, the neural network controller is further configured to signal that a pending result of the neural network is tainted without terminating execution of the neural network.

Abstract: A battery pack for an energy generation system includes a cell array of conductively interconnected power cells configured to store and discharge energy, a direct current (DC)-to-DC converter coupled to the cell array and configured to receive power from the cell array during discharging of the cell array or to output power to the cell array during charging of the cell array, a pair of output terminals coupled to the DC-to-DC converter for coupling with an external device; and an arc fault detection system coupled between the DC-to-DC converter and the pair of output terminals. The arc fault detection system includes a first sensor for measuring power transmitted between the DC-to-DC converter and the pair of output terminals and a controller coupled to the first sensor and configured to disable the battery pack based on a measurement of the power transmitted between the DC-to-DC converter and the output terminals.

Abstract: An electric motor includes a case, a stator that includes end-windings, a rotor coupled to the case via at least one rotor bearing, at least one drive motor fluid pump, and drive motor electronics. The rotor includes a hollow cylindrical body, a first shaft portion, and a second shaft portion, a fluid feed tube having a fluid receive end and a fluid feed end, the fluid feed end extending into the hollow cylindrical body, and a plurality of fluid exit ports. The drive motor electronics power the stator with or without causing rotation of the rotor. The drive motor fluid pump pumps fluid into the hollow cylindrical body via the fluid feed tube, pumps the fluid out of the plurality of fluid ports, and onto the stator end-windings to collect heat from the rotor and the stator. The heated fluid may be used for heating a battery.

Abstract: A structural cable comprising a first conductor, a structural element, and a body with proximal and distal ends that is formed around the first conductor and the structural element, wherein the body is made of a non-conducting material.

Abstract: A self-healing polymer is described herein, including a first carbon nanotube filled with at least a first healing agent, wherein the first carbon nanotube has first and second ends, wherein a first end cap is closed on the first end of the first carbon nanotube and a second end cap is closed on the second end of the first carbon nanotube, and a second carbon nanotube filled with at least a second healing agent, wherein the second carbon nanotube has first and second ends, wherein a first end cap is closed on the first end of the second carbon nanotube and a second end cap is closed on the second end of the second carbon nanotube.

Abstract: A coating is described herein, including a material chosen from the group consisting of rubber, ceramic, metal, concrete, epoxy, polyurethane, and polyurea, a first carbon nanotube (FCN) filled with a first healing agent, wherein the first carbon nanotube has first and second ends, wherein a first FCN end cap is closed on the first end of the FCN and a second FCN end cap is closed on the second end of the FCN, and a second carbon nanotube (SCN) filled with a second healing agent, wherein the second carbon nanotube has first and second ends, wherein a first SCN end cap is closed on the first end of the SCN and a second SCN end cap is closed on the second end of the SCN, wherein the first and second carbon nanotubes are mixed in the material, wherein the end caps are removable by a hydrolysis reaction.

Abstract: One embodiment can provide a photovoltaic roof module. The photovoltaic roof module can include a plurality photovoltaic roof tiles. A respective photovoltaic roof tile can include a glass front cover, a back cover that includes glass of photovoltaic backsheet, and a plurality of photovoltaic structures encapsulated between the glass front cover and the back cover by an encapsulant. The photovoltaic roof tile can be configured to function as a roof tile when placed on a rooftop of a building, thereby protecting the building from weather elements.

Abstract: A method is provided for interacting with audience members in an event, each of the potential attendees having available thereto a unique identifier. The method comprises creating, for an attendee, a unique ID (UID) on a mobile wireless device (MWD) by the steps of inputting to the MWD one of the unique identifiers, combining the obtained unique identifier with a UID time stamp at the time of creation of the UID; receiving with a server on a first wireless channel communications from the MWD; registering the UID at the physical location of the event; generating a visual query; displaying on the MWD response indicators; receiving at the server from the registered attendee a response, to the query over the first wireless channel; and storing in a database on the server the received response in association with the displayed query.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to control a vehicle accessory actuator for an actuated vehicle accessory, such as an actuated glovebox in the cockpit of a vehicle. A vehicle accessory control system includes a vehicle accessory actuator and a logic device configured to control operation of the vehicle accessory actuator. The vehicle accessory actuator is configured to unlatch or otherwise control operation of a vehicle accessory.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cathode material for a lithium ion cell comprises: generating a lithium nickel composite oxide material in a manufacturing process, wherein the manufacturing process results in residual lithium being present in the lithium nickel composite oxide material; washing the lithium nickel composite oxide material to remove at least part of the residual lithium, wherein the washing provides the lithium nickel composite oxide material with a moisture content; and drying the lithium nickel composite oxide material to remove at least part of the moisture content, the drying performed in an environment of substantially only an inert gas or air essentially free of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Various vehicle technologies for improving positioning accuracy despite various factors that affect signals from navigation satellites. Such positioning accuracy is increased via determining an offset and communicating the offset in various ways or via sharing of raw positioning data between a plurality of devices, where at least one knows its location sufficiently accurately, for use in differential algorithms.