Abstract: Battery cell stack cross-member assemblies are provided for traction battery packs. An exemplary cross-member assembly may include a thermally insulating sheet for blocking the transfer of thermal energy to adjacent structures inside the traction battery pack. The thermally insulating sheet incorporates thermal control valves in the form of movable flaps for controlling the flow of battery cell vent byproducts during battery thermal events.

Abstract: Retention barrier assemblies are provided for traction battery packs. The retention barrier assemblies may be multi-layered and multi-functional sandwich structures that include foam, insulation, a backer plate, and adhesive. The retention barrier assemblies serve numerous functions including but not limited to retaining/holding down battery cells within a cell stack, shielding portions of an enclosure assembly from thermal energy created when one or more battery cells release battery vent gases and/or other effluents during a battery thermal event, and controlling the flow of battery vent byproducts in the event of such a battery thermal event as part of a vent management strategy.

Abstract: Battery structural connections are provided for containing battery cell expansion forces within a traction battery pack. An exemplary traction battery pack may provide structural connections between each of a plurality of cell stacks and a structural plate member that is arranged to span the plurality of cell stacks. Each cell stack may include a pair of cross-member assemblies, and each cross-member assembly may include a threaded rod that is receivable through an opening of the structural plate member. A nut may be secured to the threaded rod for containing battery cell expansion forces.

Abstract: A traction battery pack system includes cell holders and battery cell groups disposed along a cell stack axis. Each of the battery cell groups is housed in one of the cell holders. The cell holders each include an axially facing wall disposed between two of the battery cell groups in the plurality of battery cell groups. A tensioning member holds the cell holders along the cell stack axis. A positioning of the cell holders relative to the tensioning member is based, at least in part, on a pressure on the battery cell groups at the position.

Abstract: A traction battery pack system includes cell holders each having a plurality of walls. The cell holders are disposed along a cell stack axis. Battery cell groups are disposed along the cell stack axis and are each housed in one of the cell holders. The plurality of walls including an axially facing wall disposed between two of the battery cell groups. A tensioning member holds the plurality of cell holders along the cell stack axis.

Abstract: A battery pack system includes a battery pack enclosure housing a battery array, and a barrier assembly within the enclosure. The barrier assembly includes a container and an expandable foam contained within the container. A battery pack barrier providing method, includes positioning a container within an interior of a battery pack enclosure adjacent to at least one component within the interior, introducing an expandable foam into the container, and delivering the expandable foam through the container to at least one interface between the container and the at least one component.

Abstract: Battery cell stack cross-member assemblies are provided for traction battery packs. An exemplary cross-member assembly may include a thermally insulating sheet for blocking the transfer of thermal energy to adjacent structures inside the traction battery pack. The thermally insulating sheet incorporates thermal control valves in the form of releasable flaps for controlling the flow of battery cell vent byproducts during battery thermal events. A venting tape may secure the thermally insulating sheet to the cross-member assembly and may function to provide an opening mechanism for controlling the release of the flaps.

Abstract: A battery pack electrical connection system includes a first electrical contact associated with a first cell stack, and a second electrical contact associated a second cell stack. The first electrical contact is connected to the second electrical contact. The first electrical contact is tilted further away from the second electrical contact prior to being connected to the second electrical contact than after being connected to the second electrical contact.

Abstract: A grommet for a wiring hole comprising an extendable body that is configured in a first sized ring and extendable into a second sized ring larger than the first sized ring, a lip extending around the extendable body and configured to engage a wiring hole for passing one or more wires, and one or more snap locks for locking the extendable body in the extended configuration disposed within the wiring hole on a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a hinge and a wire shield assembly mounted to the hinge. A method of shielding a wire can include providing a tailgate assembly that includes a door subassembly pivotably coupled to a frame subassembly. The door subassembly and the frame subassembly can be pivotable together between a tailgate closed position and a tailgate open position. The method can include pivoting the door subassembly relative to the frame subassembly to provide a cargo bed access opening; and electrically connecting the door subassembly using a wire routed through a wire shield assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for closing the ends of a drinking straw (1) on the basis of paper, comprising the following steps: providing a tubular drinking straw (1) on the basis of paper; cutting to size an end region of the drinking straw (1) so that a tongue-shaped portion (4) is formed; reversing the tongue-shaped portion (4) over the opening (3a) of the drinking straw (1) so that two lateral openings (10) are formed; adhesively bonding the tongue-shaped portion (4) with the outer side of the wall (2) of the drinking straw (1).

Abstract: A continuous sol-gel process for producing silicate-containing glasses and glass ceramics is proposed, comprising the following steps: (a) continuously feeding a silicon tetraalkoxide, a silicon alkoxide with at least one non-alcoholic functional group and an alcohol into a first reactor (R1), and at least partially hydrolyzing by the addition of a mineral acid to obtain a first product stream (A); (b) continuously providing a second product stream (B) in a second reactor (R2) by feeding a metal alkoxide component or continuously mixing an alcohol and a metal alkoxide component; (c) continuously mixing product streams (A) and (B) in a third reactor (R3) for producing a presol to obtain a third product stream (C); (d) continuously adding water or a diluted acid to the product stream (C) to obtain a sol (gelation); (e) continuously filling the emerging sol into molds to obtain an aquagel; (f) drying the aquagels to obtain xerogels; (g) sintering the xerogels to obtain silicate-containing glasses and glass cera

Abstract: A continuous sol-gel process for producing silicate-containing glasses and glass ceramics is proposed, comprising the following steps: (a) continuously feeding a silicon tetraalkoxide, a silicon alkoxide with at least one non-alcoholic functional group and an alcohol into a first reactor (R1), and at least partially hydrolyzing by the addition of a mineral acid to obtain a first product stream (A); (b) continuously providing a second product stream (B) in a second reactor (R2) by feeding a metal alkoxide component or continuously mixing an alcohol and a metal alkoxide component; (c) continuously mixing product streams (A) and (B) in a third reactor (R3) for producing a presol to obtain a third product stream (C); (d) continuously adding water or a diluted acid to the product stream (C) to obtain a sol (gelation); (e) continuously filling the emerging sol into molds to obtain an aquagel; (f) drying the aquagels to obtain xerogels; (g) sintering the xerogels to obtain silicate-containing glasses and glass cera

Abstract: A method of making a liquid dispersion for the manufacture of a photonic crystal. The method comprises dispersing monodispersed spheres in a liquid to form a liquid dispersion, and subjecting the liquid dispersion to an ultrasonic treatment. Ammonia solution may also be added to the liquid dispersion. The ultrasound treatment breaks up agglomerations of monodispersed spheres, and the resulting photonic crystal made using the dispersion is more highly ordered and hence of higher quality.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the teachings herein include methods for generating an assembly plan including manufacturing instructions to configure a manufacturing machine for manufacturing an industrial assembly with a plurality of objects.

Abstract: A continuous sol-gel process for producing silicate-containing glasses and glass ceramics is proposed, comprising the following steps: (a) continuously feeding a silicon tetraalkoxide, a silicon alkoxide with at least one non-alcoholic functional group and an alcohol into a first reactor (R1), and at least partially hydrolyzing by the addition of a mineral acid to obtain a first product stream (A); (b) continuously providing a second product stream (B) in a second reactor (R2) by feeding a metal alkoxide component or continuously mixing an alcohol and a metal alkoxide component; (c) continuously mixing product streams (A) and (B) in a third reactor (R3) for producing a presol to obtain a third product stream (C); (d) continuously adding water or a diluted acid to the product stream (C) to obtain a sol (gelation); (e) continuously filling the emerging sol into molds to obtain an aquagel; (f) drying the aquagels to obtain xerogels; (g) sintering the xerogels to obtain silicate-containing glasses and glass cera

Abstract: Various embodiments include a method for preparing a three-dimensional model for a fabrication component in the context of production for data transmission to different receiving entities comprising: receiving three-dimensional model data via an input interface; providing a detail-state for processing of the three-dimensional model on the respective receiving entity; and executing a reduction algorithm on a reference version of the received three-dimensional model data for automatically calculating and providing a reduced reference version with the provided detail-state.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a method for preparing a three-dimensional model for a fabrication component in the context of production for data transmission to different receiving entities comprising: receiving three-dimensional model data via an input interface; providing a detail-state for processing of the three-dimensional model on the respective receiving entity; and executing a reduction algorithm on a reference version of the received three-dimensional model data for automatically calculating and providing a reduced reference version with the provided detail-state.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a manufacturing system comprising: a communication module for receiving a three-dimensional model and control commands including manufacturing instructions for the manufacturing machine with respective reference values, tolerance values, and/or intervention tolerance values; a manufacturing module, wherein the model, the instructions, and the commands are used to manufacture an object; a calculating module using the three-dimensional model and the manufacturing instructions to calculate the control commands; and a measuring device having a communication module for receiving the three-dimensional model, a capture module using sensors to measure the manufactured object, captured for the reference values and/or the tolerance values and/or intervention tolerance values, and a checking module, wherein a divergence of the measured values from the applicable manufacturing reference values and an exceeding of the associated manufacturing tolerance values and/or the associated intervention

Abstract: A method of making a liquid dispersion for the manufacture of a photonic crystal. The method comprises dispersing monodispersed spheres in a liquid to form a liquid dispersion, and subjecting the liquid dispersion to an ultrasonic treatment. Ammonia solution may also be added to the liquid dispersion. The ultrasound treatment breaks up agglomerations of monodispersed spheres, and the resulting photonic crystal made using the dispersion is more highly ordered and hence of higher quality.