Abstract: A method of determining a power draw limit of a battery charger of a vehicle includes performing a power reversal to supply electrical power from an auxiliary battery of the vehicle to one or more vehicle components, measuring electrical power supplied to the one or more vehicle components by the auxiliary battery, determining validity of the measurement, and in response to the determining the validity of the measurement, determining the power draw limit based on the measured electrical power and a power limit of a vehicle circuit coupled to the battery charger.

Abstract: A sensing device includes a range sensor configured to emit a signal toward the ground and to measure a distance between the range sensor and the ground, a sensor housing configured to house the range sensor, the sensor housing having a first opening through which the range sensor is configured to emit the signal, and a coupling member attached to the sensor housing and configured to couple the sensor housing to a body of a trailer or a chassis.

Abstract: An auto-coupling system for coupling a trailer and a towing vehicle includes a base plate between a vehicle frame and a fifth wheel of the towing vehicle, an extendable arm rotatably coupled to the base plate at a first point and configured to extend in response to relative movement of the towing vehicle and the trailer, a spring fixedly coupled to the base plate at a second point and coupled to the extendable arm, the spring being configured to exert a retractive force onto the extendable arm, and an alignment assembly rotatably coupled to the extendable arm and configured to move against an outer perimeter of the trailer.

Abstract: A backup camera system includes a housing configured to be mounted to a back of a trailer at a location of a center marker light of the trailer and having a rear surface offset from and facing away from the trailer, a camera at the housing and configured to capture a rear view of the trailer, a first light at a center of the rear surface of the housing, a second light at the rear surface of the housing and offset from the first light, and a controller within the housing and configured to selectively couple the first light or the second light to a wiring of the center marker light of the trailer.

Abstract: A harness tracking system includes a main body, a first connector at a first end of the main body and including a plurality of terminals configured to transmit electrical signals, a plurality of wires at a second end of the main body opposite the first end, the plurality of wires being electrically connected to the plurality of terminals of the first connector, and a tracking circuit embedded within the main body and configured to track a position of the harness tracking system and to communicate the position to an external device.

Abstract: A tandem position sensing system includes a range sensor configured to emit a signal toward a sliding tandem and to measure a distance between the range sensor and the sliding tandem, a sensor housing configured to house the range sensor, the sensor housing having a first opening through which the range sensor is configured to emit the signal, and a coupling member attached to the sensor housing and configured to couple the range sensor housing to a body of a trailer or a chassis.

Abstract: Provided is a plug-and-socket assembly including a plug configured to be electrically and mechanically coupled with a socket, and a cover configured to be mounted over a portion of the plug and a portion of the socket, the cover including a flange forming a first opening at a proximal end of the cover and configured to be coupled to the socket, a retaining portion forming a second opening at a distal end of the cover, and configured to secure a plug component between the flange and the retaining portion, and a cover body extending from the flange to the retaining portion and forming a longitudinal opening extending from the first opening to the second opening.

Abstract: An auto-coupling system for coupling a trailer and a towing vehicle includes a base plate between a vehicle frame and a fifth wheel of the towing vehicle, an extendable arm rotatably coupled to the base plate at a first point and configured to extend in response to relative movement of the towing vehicle and the trailer, a spring fixedly coupled to the base plate at a second point and coupled to the extendable arm, the spring being configured to exert a retractive force onto the extendable arm, and an alignment assembly rotatably coupled to the extendable arm and configured to move against an outer perimeter of the trailer.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle may include a processor configured to buffer records of vehicle information created at a scheduled acquisition rate, and to buffer event files of vehicle information created upon the occurrence of predetermined triggering events. The processor may be further configured to cause the buffered records to be wirelessly transmitted on a last-in first-out basis if a signal strength in a vicinity of the vehicle is greater than a first predetermined threshold, and to cause the buffered files to be wirelessly transmitted if the signal strength is greater than a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack including an anode and a cathode, a first conduit positioned to supply oxygen to the cathode, a second conduit positioned to supply hydrogen to the anode, and a third conduit positioned separate from the first and second conduits and to supply oxygen to the second conduit. The third conduit may be positioned to supply oxygen from the first conduit to the second conduit.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle may include a processor configured to buffer records of vehicle information created at a scheduled acquisition rate, and to buffer event files of vehicle information created upon the occurrence of predetermined triggering events. The processor may be further configured to cause the buffered records to be wirelessly transmitted on a last-in first-out basis if a signal strength in a vicinity of the vehicle is greater than a first predetermined threshold, and to cause the buffered files to be wirelessly transmitted if the signal strength is greater than a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle may include a processor configured to buffer records of vehicle information created at a scheduled acquisition rate, and to buffer event files of vehicle information created upon the occurrence of predetermined triggering events. The processor may be further configured to cause the buffered records to be wirelessly transmitted on a last-in first-out basis if a signal strength in a vicinity of the vehicle is greater than a first predetermined threshold, and to cause the buffered files to be wirelessly transmitted if the signal strength is greater than a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes determining that a connection to an update server should be established. The method also includes establishing a wireless connection with the update server. The method further includes sending at least a VIN number to the update server and downloading one or more module updates corresponding to the sent VIN number. Also, the method includes verifying the one or more downloaded updates. The method further includes flashing one or more modules to which the one or more updates correspond. Additionally, the method includes verifying the functionality of each module which has been flashed.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a fuel cell system, and a controller configured to receive a first signal indicative of a predicted ambient temperature at a specified location, and command the fuel cell system to operate at a reduced relative humidity when the predicted ambient temperature is below a threshold value. A method for controlling a fuel cell system includes receiving a first signal at a controller indicative of a predicted ambient temperature for a specified location, and operating the fuel cell system at a reduced relative humidity when the predicted ambient temperature is below a threshold value. A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, and a controller configured to, in response to receiving a predicted freezing condition, command the fuel cell stack to operate at a lower relative humidity level for a time period preceding a predicted time for system shut down.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a fuel cell system, and a controller configured to receive a first signal indicative of a predicted ambient temperature at a specified location, and command the fuel cell system to operate at a reduced relative humidity when the predicted ambient temperature is below a threshold value. A method for controlling a fuel cell system includes receiving a first signal at a controller indicative of a predicted ambient temperature for a specified location, and operating the fuel cell system at a reduced relative humidity when the predicted ambient temperature is below a threshold value. A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, and a controller configured to, in response to receiving a predicted freezing condition, command the fuel cell stack to operate at a lower relative humidity level for a time period preceding a predicted time for system shut down.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack including an anode and a cathode, a first conduit positioned to supply oxygen to the cathode, a second conduit positioned to supply hydrogen to the anode, and a third conduit positioned separate from the first and second conduits and to supply oxygen to the second conduit. The third conduit may be positioned to supply oxygen from the first conduit to the second conduit.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes determining that a connection to an update server should be established. The method also includes establishing a wireless connection with the update server. The method further includes sending at least a VIN number to the update server and downloading one or more module updates corresponding to the sent VIN number. Also, the method includes verifying the one or more downloaded updates. The method further includes flashing one or more modules to which the one or more updates correspond. Additionally, the method includes verifying the functionality of each module which has been flashed.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle has a propulsion system including an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric motor each configured to operate in parallel and each configured to propel the vehicle individually. A rechargeable battery is configured to deliver power to the electric motor to enable the electric motor to propel the vehicle for a certain distance without operation of the ICE. The rechargeable battery is further configured to receive power from a household power outlet. A controller is configured to control the propulsion system to operate in either a normal emissions mode or a no-emissions mode wherein the ICE is disabled. The controller is further configured to direct the propulsion system to operate in the no-emissions mode in response to the broadcast of an external control signal.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle may include a processor configured to buffer records of vehicle information created at a scheduled acquisition rate, and to buffer event files of vehicle information created upon the occurrence of predetermined triggering events. The processor may be further configured to cause the buffered records to be wirelessly transmitted on a last-in first-out basis if a signal strength in a vicinity of the vehicle is greater than a first predetermined threshold, and to cause the buffered files to be wirelessly transmitted if the signal strength is greater than a second predetermined threshold.