Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicular fuel cell utilizes packet pumps to electrically isolate the fuel from a grounded radiator. Fluid in a packet pump is transported from an inlet port to an outlet port in discrete packets. Because these packets are physically separated from one another, electricity does not flow through the fluid from the inlet port to the outlet port. Packet pumps include peristaltic pumps and external gear pumps.

Abstract: A system of a vehicle includes a processor configured to control output current of a remote power distribution circuit (PDC) connected to the vehicle according to a temperature change of a power line or return line of the PDC. The temperature change is derived from a PDC output voltage or output current change. The PDC output voltage and output current are measured at an input to a load connected to the PDC. And, the PDC output voltage is measured between a ground line of the PDC and one of the power and return lines.

Abstract: An electric vehicle such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), and a battery-only electric vehicle (BEV) includes a traction battery. A torque command is generated for a motor such that a traction battery electrically connected therewith outputs a discharge current having an alternating current (AC) component to cause a temperature of the traction battery to increase.

Abstract: A system includes an isolation detection unit (IDU) having a first leakage detection circuit and being configured to determine an isolation characteristic for a voltage bus; and a circuit detection and response unit (CDRU) configured to determine whether the first leakage detection circuit is coupled to a second leakage detection circuit by a common ground. The CDRU can use a change in isolation characteristic of the voltage bus to determine whether a second detection circuit is coupled, and can characterize a coupled circuit. IDU operation and fault detection thresholds can be altered to mitigate confounding effects caused by simultaneous operation of both circuits. A system can be disposed at an electric vehicle to detect coupling of a detection circuit at a charging apparatus, or disposed at a charging apparatus to detect coupling of a leakage detection circuit at an electric vehicle.

Abstract: A method of anodizing a coil comprised of wire having a copper core and a layer of a metal formed on the core is disclosed. The metal has electrically insulating characteristics when anodized. Two variations of the method are provided. In the first variation, the metal-clad wire is partially anodized prior to being wound on a spool to form a coil. Once the partially anodized wire is wound onto a spool the coiled wire is anodized to complete anodization. The anodized coiled wire may be rinsed to remove residual electrolytic material. In the second variation, the metal-clad wire is wound on a spool to form a coil. The coiled wire is then anodized. The method of the disclosed invention reduces or entirely eliminates the presence of micro cracks in the oxide layer. The resulting coil may be used in motors, electromagnets, generators, alternators and subsystems for the same.

Abstract: A method for supplying power to an electrically assisted steering system is described. In one example, the method adjusts alternator field current to increase energy supplied to the electrically assisted steering system in response to an automatic engine stop request. The method may improve operation of the electrically assisted steering system.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle may include a battery charger that receives electrical energy, via an electrical connection including a ground wire, from an electrical source remote from the vehicle, and outputs the electrical energy to at least one electrical load. The vehicle may also include at least one controller that commands a change in the electrical energy output by the battery charger. The battery charger, in response to the command, may control a rate of change in the electrical energy output such that a coupling current to the ground wire resulting from the change in the electrical energy output by the battery charger has a magnitude less than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a temperature change of a power distribution circuit having a power line and return line includes measuring an output current and output voltage of the power distribution circuit at an input to a load electrically connected to the power distribution circuit, and determining a change in temperature of at least one of the power line and return line based on a change in at least one of the output current and output voltage.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a battery that receives energy from a charge station remote from the vehicle, and a controller. The controller may request that the station provide information about an electrical parameter associated with energy being supplied by the station, may determine information about an electrical parameter associated with energy received by the battery, and may prevent the battery from further receiving energy if the provided information is different than the determined information.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one infrared source emitting light at first and second wavelengths corresponding to a water-absorption wavelength and an ice-absorption wavelength respectively. The vehicle further includes a plenoptic camera system configured to detect a backscatter intensity of the first and second wavelengths and generate a depth map that indicates water or ice on a road in response to the backscatter intensity associated with one of the wavelengths being less than a threshold intensity.

Abstract: A method for controlling a current flow through a power distribution circuit includes determining a current flow through a load electrically connected with the power distribution circuit, and a wire gauge of the power distribution circuit based on a measured output current and output voltage of the power distribution circuit. The method also includes controlling the output current based on the current flow through the load and the wire gauge.

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: 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: 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: In one embodiment, a method for an engine comprises adjusting an engine operating parameter based on exhaust pressure, the exhaust pressure estimated based on wastegate actuator motor current.

Abstract: An insulated electric conductor and method for making such a conductor are disclosed. The conductor comprises a copper core, a layer of aluminum formed over the copper core, an aluminum oxide dielectric layer formed over the layer of aluminum, and a thin polymeric layer formed over the aluminum oxide dielectric layer. The thin polymeric layer is preferably between about 30 microns (0.001?) and about 500 microns (0.02?) and is more preferably between about 45 microns (0.0015?) and about 250 microns (0.01?). The polymeric layer may be any polymeric material selected from the group consisting of acrylic resins, epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, and silicone resins. Other polymeric materials may be used. The polymeric layer may be formed by a variety of methods including, but not limited to, spraying, brushing, dipping, and powder coating.

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: When a vehicle is not in a motive mode, a controller may monitor operator input entered via vehicle controls that have functions other than access control, and enable the vehicle to transition to the motive mode if the operator input matches a predetermined vehicle-enable action sequence. The controller may also, responsive to operator input requesting to record the vehicle-enable action sequence, construct a vehicle-enable action sequence according to subsequent operator input entered by the operator via the vehicle controls; and apply the vehicle-enable action sequence as a requirement to be repeated by a vehicle operator to enable transition to motive mode.

Abstract: A method of operating a battery charger electrically connected with a power distribution circuit having a power line and return line includes determining at least one of a temperature and a change in temperature of at least one of the power line and return line, and controlling a current through the power line based on the at least one of temperature and change in temperature.

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.