Abstract: In hybrid electric vehicles having increased battery storage capacity and plug-in capability, electric-only operation of significant duration is available. To supplement lubrication for the electric and mechanical components provided in a fluid circuit by an engine-driven mechanical pump, an electric pump is provided in parallel to the mechanical pump. When the electric pump is operating, a diagnostic can be performed to determine system integrity. According to one embodiment, an actual quantity provide to the circuit is determined; an expected quantity is estimated; and a fault is determined when the actual and expected quantities differ by more than a predetermined amount. The fault may indicate a leak or plug in the fluid circuit or a failure of a component in the fluid circuit.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to compositions, methods, and systems for heat transfer and methods of preparing heat transfer mediums. In various embodiments are described heat transfer mediums comprising a plurality of microparticles suspended in a bulk material with each microparticle containing a phase change material. In other embodiments are described fluids comprising of a slurry of microparticles containing phase change fluid in a carrier liquid for a fast charger system.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle charger includes a diode bridge, contactors, and a controller. The diode bridge may be configured to rectify an alternating current (AC) source. The contactors may couple the AC source with a traction battery. The controller may be configured to, responsive to a magnitude of a potential across a diode of the bridge, corresponding to a neutral crossing of a potential of the AC source, exceeding a threshold, open the contactors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for supplying electrical power to two electrical buses that operate at different voltages are disclosed. In one example, two or more switches are selectively opened and closed to electrically couple and decouple a first alternator and a second alternator from the respective buses. The switches may be operated in response to state of battery charge or electrical load demand on the two electrical buses.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to compositions, methods, and systems for heat transfer and methods of preparing heat transfer mediums. In various embodiments are described heat transfer mediums comprising a plurality of microparticles suspended in a bulk material with each microparticle containing a phase change material. In other embodiments are described fluids comprising of a slurry of microparticles containing phase change fluid in a carrier liquid for a fast charger system.

Abstract: A vehicle wireless information system includes a vehicle, an onboard vehicle computer provided in the vehicle and at least one external access point adapted to wirelessly access the onboard vehicle computer.

Abstract: A battery electrical vehicle or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle includes a battery which may be charged by an electrical charging station coupled to the electric power grid. To maximize the charging efficiency thus decreasing charge time, the voltage and current drawn from the power grid may be closely monitored. Based on the monitoring of the voltage and current of an electrical circuit powering a battery charger, a notification of changing conditions to charging characteristics including electric circuit wiring resistance, power loss or wiring efficiency may be generated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for supplying electrical power to two electrical buses that operate at different voltages are disclosed. In one example, two or more switches are selectively opened and closed to electrically couple and decouple a first alternator and a second alternator from the respective buses. The switches may be operated in response to state of battery charge or electrical load demand on the two electrical buses.

Abstract: A method may be performed by a sensor arrangement and a controller. The method may include capturing, by the sensor arrangement, data indicative of anthropometric characteristics of an expected 3rd row passenger prior to the passenger entering a vehicle. The method may also include deploying, by a controller, a 3rd row seat and moving a 2nd row seat prior to the expected 3rd row passenger entering the vehicle to a riding position that is based on the characteristics and 2nd row passenger data. The sensor arrangement may include an optical sensor arrangement such as used in a blind-spot detection system for a vehicle.

Abstract: A charge station includes a controller that initiates charging of a battery of a vehicle and notifies the vehicle in response to an electrical parameter measured and reported by the vehicle not being approximately equal to a same electrical parameter measured at the charge station. The electrical parameter may be power, voltage or current.

Abstract: In hybrid electric vehicles having increased battery storage capacity and plug-in capability, electric-only operation of significant duration is available. To supplement lubrication for the electric and mechanical component provided by an engine-driven mechanical pump, an electric pump is provided in parallel to the mechanical pump. A method to control the electric pump is also disclosed in which a first desired quantity of a first component and a second desired quantity of a second component are determined. The electric pump is commanded to provide the greater of the first and second quantities. The desired quantity can be based on preventing temperature in the component from exceeding a maximum design temperature and/or providing sufficient lubrication to rotating parts of the component.

Abstract: A vehicle power system includes a traction battery and a battery charger. The battery charger has an electrical output and a capacitor electrically connected with the electrical output. No more than two electrical contactors are electrically connected with the traction battery, capacitor and battery charger.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an auxiliary battery and one or more accessory loads. An accessory load command is modulated such that the auxiliary battery outputs a discharge current to an accessory load. The discharge current has, in addition to a current component for driving the accessory load, an alternating current (AC) component to cause a temperature of the auxiliary battery to increase.

Abstract: An insulated electric conductor having a copper core, a layer of aluminum formed on the copper core, and a second layer of aluminum in the form of high-purity aluminum is disclosed. The copper core may be a solid core or may be formed from a plurality of copper strands. The layer of aluminum formed over the copper core is at least partially anodized to form an aluminum oxide dielectric layer. The layer of high-purity aluminum may be formed by evaporation deposition, sputter deposition, or co-extrusion. Once the layer of high-purity aluminum is formed, it is anodized. More than two layers of aluminum may be formed over the copper core.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a front row seat and at least one controller. The front row seat may be a driver seat or a front passenger seat. The at least one controller may respond to a signal, for example, a signal transmitted from a key fob or a signal indicative of movement of a rear door handle. In response to the signal, the controller may move the front row seat based on data indicative of a size of a rear passenger expected to be seated behind the front row seat before the expected rear passenger enters the vehicle. The size of the rear passenger may be determined via data from an external object sensor such as a blind spot detection optical sensor, lidar sensor or ultrasonic sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine, a traction battery to power the electric machine, and a starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) battery. The vehicle also includes a galvanically isolated DC-DC converter connecting the batteries and having a bus capacitance in parallel therewith. The vehicle further includes a contactor to electrically connect the traction battery in parallel with the bus capacitance, and a controller. The controller, in response to a command to close the contactor, activates switches of the DC-DC converter to drive energy from the SLI battery to the bus capacitance before closing the contactor.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a road for substances includes generating a flash of infra-red light at a wavelength to illuminate a portion of the road. The wavelength corresponds to an absorption wavelength of a substance to be detected. The method further includes, in response to a difference in backscatter intensity of an image of the portion captured during the flash and an image of the portion captured before or after the flash being greater than a threshold amount, outputting a signal indicating presence of the substance on the portion.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling electric power in a plug-in vehicle, such as a pure electric vehicle or hybrid electric vehicle. The electric power is controlled from an external power source to one or more predetermined components in the plug-in vehicle. The power source is external to the vehicle and has a maximum power level. Electric power at a charging level from the external power source is received. Based on the charging level and the maximum power level, an available power level is determined. Based on the available power level, the electric power is controlled from the external power source to the predetermined components in the plug-in vehicle.

Abstract: An adaptor is provided for connecting an EV/PHEV charging system to a grounded extension cord that may be plugged into a conventional NEMA receptacle. A proximity detection switch is provided within the adaptor. A pulse width modulated signal is limited by the control logic to limit the current provided to the vehicle charging system so that the current drawn by the system does not exceed the current carrying capacity of the extension cord. The adaptor has a NEMA plug on one side and a J1772 connector receptacle on another side.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a battery may include applying a generally constant current to the battery for a period of time, measuring a response voltage of the battery to the applied current, determining battery impedance parameters based on at least one of the applied current, period of time, and response voltage, and determining a degradation condition of the battery based on the battery impedance parameters.