Abstract: Porous silicon and methods for preparation and use of the same are disclosed. The porous silicon materials have utility either alone or in combination with other materials, for example, combined with carbon particles for energy storage applications.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically labeling and generating sensor data includes obtaining first sensor data corresponding to a controlled environment containing at least one known object that has known spatial characteristics, linking the first sensor data with the at least one known object to obtain automatically labeled sensor data that associates at least a portion of the first sensor data with the spatial characteristics of the at least one known object. The techniques further include obtaining second sensor data corresponding to an uncontrolled environment containing at least one unknown object, which is detected by utilizing a machine learning model. Portions of the second sensor data corresponding to the at least one unknown object are extracted to obtain background cloud data, and the automatically labeled sensor data is inserted into the background cloud data to obtain system generated labeled sensor data for training the machine learning model.

Abstract: A high voltage interlock (HVIL) plug assembly includes a main body having an outer surface and an inner surface configured to be disposed against a cover of an electrical device, wherein removal of the cover enables access to components in the electrical device electrically connected to the high voltage interlock circuit, a jumper coupled to the main body and configured to extend through a receiving aperture in the cover to couple to the connector and establish circuit continuity when the main body is coupled to the cover, and a flange extending from the main body. When the main body is coupled to the cover, the flange covers and prevents access to a fastener that couples the cover to a housing of the electrical device such that the main body must be uncoupled and removed from the cover in order to remove the fastener and enable removal of the cover.

Abstract: A torsional damper assembly for a vehicle powertrain is provided and is configured to dampen torsional vibration transfer between an engine and a transmission of the vehicle. The assembly includes a hub having a flange defining a window, a biasing mechanism disposed at least partially within the window and configured to absorb a first portion of the torsional vibration from the engine, and a damper body disposed at least partially within the window. The damper body is formed from at least one of a viscoelastic material and a viscoplastic material, and is configured to dampen a second, different portion of the torsional vibration and radial forces from the engine such that the biasing mechanism and the damper body cooperatively dampen the torsional vibration transfer between the engine and the transmission.

Abstract: An electrified powertrain includes an electric motor having four or more coils corresponding to four or more AC phases and configured to generate drive torque to propel an electrified vehicle. The electrified powertrain also includes a low voltage electrical system comprising independent battery modules each configured to output a separate low DC voltage, and a power inverter module (PIM) configured to receive each of the separate low DC voltages from the battery modules, generate a separate low AC voltage for each AC phase using all of or fewer than all of the separate low DC voltages, and output the separate low AC voltages to the coils of the electric motor to drive the electric motor to generate the drive torque to propel the electrified vehicle, wherein none of the separate low DC voltages are electrically isolated and none of the separate AC voltages are considered high voltage.

Abstract: A method includes detecting that a battery pack requires charging and is currently operable for recharging. The method can identify a specific cell having a highest voltage in response to the detecting. The method can then recharge each cell of the battery pack to a predetermined voltage that is a sum of (i) a maximum open circuit voltage of the specific cell and (ii) a voltage based on a resistance of and a first current supplied to the specific cell. When a temperature of the specific cell is less than a predetermined temperature or an age of the specific cell is greater than a predetermined age, the method includes recharging each cell to the predetermined voltage at less than the first current when (i) a predetermined period has elapsed or (ii) a voltage of the specific cell is less than a voltage threshold.

Abstract: An electrified powertrain includes an electric motor having four or more coils corresponding to four or more AC phases and configured to generate drive torque to propel an electrified vehicle. The electrified powertrain also includes a low voltage electrical system comprising independent battery modules each configured to output a separate low DC voltage, and a power inverter module (PIM) configured to receive each of the separate low DC voltages from the battery modules, generate a separate low AC voltage for each AC phase using all of or fewer than all of the separate low DC voltages, and output the separate low AC voltages to the coils of the electric motor to drive the electric motor to generate the drive torque to propel the electrified vehicle, wherein none of the separate low DC voltages are electrically isolated and none of the separate AC voltages are considered high voltage.

Abstract: Artificial aspiration methods and systems for increasing engine efficiency and or power. The methods include determining an engine operation status, determining an artificial aspiration goal value based on the engine operating status, determining an artificial aspiration system configuration based on the artificial aspiration goal value and the engine operating status, and configuring the artificial aspiration system to obtain the determined artificial aspiration system configuration. The system includes a plurality of sensors for sensing characteristics of an operating engine, and an artificial aspiration control unit comprising a processor connected to receive the sensed characteristics of the engine.

Abstract: A method and device for cooling an electrochemical cell is provided. In one embodiment, the cooling element for an electrochemical cell includes a metal element configured to engage with an electrochemical cell and absorb thermal energy from the electrochemical cell. The metal element is configured to melt into a liquid when the electrochemical cell exceeds an eutectic temperature of the metal element.

Abstract: An electrical contactor for use in a high voltage bus utilizes two capacitor plates and a dielectric element movable in a gap between the plates under a charging voltage applied to the plates. The dielectric element is biased to a contactor off, or open, position by a biasing element, such as a spring. Once activated, the contactor remains closed under the influence of the charging voltage across the capacitor plates, yet does not draw a current during this state. The contactor may be released by a controllable discharge circuit placed across the capacitor plates.

Abstract: A method includes detecting that a battery pack requires charging and is currently operable for recharging. The method can identify a specific cell having a highest voltage in response to the detecting. The method can then recharge each cell of the battery pack to a predetermined voltage that is a sum of (i) a maximum open circuit voltage of the specific cell and (ii) a voltage based on a resistance of and a first current supplied to the specific cell. When a temperature of the specific cell is less than a predetermined temperature or an age of the specific cell is greater than a predetermined age, the method includes recharging each cell to the predetermined voltage at less than the first current when (i) a predetermined period has elapsed or (ii) a voltage of the specific cell is less than a voltage threshold.

Abstract: Artificial aspiration methods and systems for increasing engine efficiency and or power. The methods include determining an engine operation status, determining an artificial aspiration goal value based on the engine operating status, determining an artificial aspiration system configuration based on the artificial aspiration goal value and the engine operating status, and configuring the artificial aspiration system to obtain the determined artificial aspiration system configuration. The system includes a plurality of sensors for sensing characteristics of an operating engine, and an artificial aspiration control unit comprising a processor connected to receive the sensed characteristics of the engine.

Abstract: A method and device for cooling an electrochemical cell is provided. In one embodiment, the cooling element for an electrochemical cell includes a metal element configured to engage with an electrochemical cell and absorb thermal energy from the electrochemical cell. The metal element is configured to melt into a liquid when the electrochemical cell exceeds an eutectic temperature of the metal element.

Abstract: An electrical contactor for use in a high voltage bus utilizes two capacitor plates and a dielectric element movable in a gap between the plates under a charging voltage applied to the plates. The dielectric element is biased to a contactor off, or open, position by a biasing element, such as a spring. Once activated, the contactor remains closed under the influence of the charging voltage across the capacitor plates, yet does not draw a current during this state. The contactor may be released by a controllable discharge circuit placed across the capacitor plates.

Abstract: A voltage booster system for use, for example, in an electric vehicle places a switched capacitor voltage converter between a high voltage battery and the vehicle's electrical load, typically a traction power inverter for driving the vehicle's electric motor. The battery input to the converter is pulsed to couple a charging voltage to the converter while the converter is disconnected from the load. The converter is then coupled to the load during the period that the pulse input is disconnected.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using compressed gas in a vehicle. The methods include generating mechanical energy by expanding stored compressed gas through a turbine-compressor and distributing the mechanical energy to the engine, motor-generator, or a wheel. The compressed gas vehicle system includes a flask connected to a turbine-compressor, which may be interconnected to the engine and the motor-generator. The system may also include an electric wheel-motor connected electrically to the motor-generator.