Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for determining and displaying the current fuel level to a vehicle operation while the vehicle ignition is turned off. An example vehicle includes a fuel tank including a fuel sensor, one or more external vehicle displays, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a current fuel level of the fuel tank, determine a cost to fill the fuel tank, and display the current fuel level and the cost to fill the fuel tank on the one or more external vehicle displays, while a vehicle ignition is turned off.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a robotic system that includes a robotic arm, a robotic end-effector, a lock, and a control system. The robotic end-effector is detachably coupled to the robotic arm and includes a locomotion device to move the robotic end-effector independent of the robotic arm. The lock is disposed with the robotic arm and robotic end-effector, and is operable to detach and attach the robotic arm and the robotic end-effector. The control system is configured to control the robotic arm and the robotic end-effector, and to operate the lock to detach and attach the robotic arm and the robotic end-effector.

Abstract: A system for testing a plurality of electrical circuits includes a first remote cooperative testing device including a testing component and a first transceiver and a second remote cooperative testing device including a conductive component and a second transceiver. In response to receiving instructions from a remote computing device, the first remote cooperative testing device locates a first electrical circuit and a second electrical circuit and selectively positions the testing component to electrically couple a first portion of the first electrical circuit to a first portion of the second electrical circuit at a first node, and the second remote cooperative testing device selectively positions the conductive component to electrically couple a second portion of the first electrical circuit to a second portion of the second electrical circuit at a second node, thereby forming a testing circuit between the first node and the second node.

Abstract: A power distribution system for a vehicle includes a switching circuit configured to selectively enable power flow between a first bus and a second bus operable within a common voltage range. The power distribution system further includes a controller programmed to, in response to power flow being inactive and a current flowing through the first bus exceeding a current threshold, operate the switching circuit to enable power flow from the second bus to the first bus.

Abstract: An example battery assembly includes, among other things, at least one thermal exchange device. Each thermal exchange device has a plurality of liquid coolant channels, a first side that supports at least one battery array, and a second side. A plurality of fins extend from the second side. A skid plate is adjacent the plurality of fins to establish a plurality of air coolant channels between the second side and the skid plate. An example thermal management method includes moving air through a plurality of air coolant channels established between a skid plate and at least one thermal exchange device. The thermal exchange device supports at least one battery array. The thermal exchange device includes a plurality of liquid coolant channels that communicate a liquid coolant to exchange thermal energy with the at least one battery array.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for pre-fluxing motors of vehicle door e-latches. An example vehicle includes a door including a handle that includes a switch. The handle also includes an e-latch that includes a latch and a motor for the latch. Responsive to detecting grasping of the handle via the switch, the e-latch is to pre-flux the motor and transmit an authentication request. The example vehicle also includes a body control module to cause the motor to unlock the door via the latch responsive to authenticating a fob upon receiving the authentication request.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for a traction and stability control system. An example vehicle includes wheel speed sensors on wheels of the vehicle and a traction control module. The example traction control module determines, based on measurements of the wheel speed sensors or a transmission control module, whether the vehicle is likely stuck. Additionally, when the vehicle is likely stuck and an indication to disable the a traction control system has been received, the example traction control module disables the traction control system.

Abstract: The health and integrity of safety critical vehicle systems of a vehicle can be determined by energizing the safety critical vehicle systems with a first power source, determining a first voltage of the first power source, and then determining a second voltage of a second power source. Comparing the first and second voltages can determine the health and integrity of safety critical vehicle systems.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for a traction and stability control system. An example vehicle includes wheel speed sensors on wheels of the vehicle and a traction control module. The example traction control module determines, based on measurements of the wheel speed sensors or a transmission control module, whether the vehicle is likely stuck.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes multiple DC-DC converter circuits, vehicle batteries, and vehicle power distribution buses. Each vehicle battery is electrically connected in parallel to each of the DC-DC converter circuits. Each of the vehicle batteries is also electrically connected in parallel to one another. Further, each of the DC-DC converter circuits and each of the vehicle batteries are electrically connected to multiple vehicle power distribution buses.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for settings adjustments of off-road vehicles. An example vehicle includes a locking differential, a suspension, a communication module to collect a map of an off-road trail, and a GPS receiver to determine a vehicle location. The example vehicle also includes an obstacle identifier to detect, via a processor, an upcoming obstacle based upon the vehicle location on the map, and a mode adjuster to set the locking differential in a first setting and the suspension in a second setting based upon the upcoming obstacle.

Abstract: A power distribution system for a vehicle includes a switching circuit configured to selectively enable power flow between a first bus and a second bus operable within a common voltage range. The power distribution system further includes a controller programmed to, in response to power flow being inactive and a current flowing through the first bus exceeding a current threshold, operate the switching circuit to enable power flow from the second bus to the first bus.

Abstract: Controlling a vehicle steering system includes determining a rack position of a rack needed to execute a maneuver. A minimum velocity allowing the desired steering angle to be reached is determined. The velocity of the vehicle is increased to the determined minimum velocity. The rack is moved to the rack position needed.

Abstract: The health and integrity of safety critical vehicle systems of a vehicle can be determined by energizing the safety critical vehicle systems with a first power source, determining a first voltage of the first power source, and then determining a second voltage of a second power source. Comparing the first and second voltages can determine the health and integrity of safety critical vehicle systems.

Abstract: Controlling a vehicle steering system includes determining a rack position of a rack needed to execute a maneuver. A minimum velocity allowing the desired steering angle to be reached is determined. The velocity of the vehicle is increased to the determined minimum velocity. The rack is moved to the rack position needed.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes multiple DC-DC converter circuits, vehicle batteries, and vehicle power distribution buses. Each vehicle battery is electrically connected in parallel to each of the DC-DC converter circuits. Each of the vehicle batteries is also electrically connected in parallel to one another. Further, each of the DC-DC converter circuits and each of the vehicle batteries are electrically connected to multiple vehicle power distribution buses.

Abstract: An electrical system for an automotive vehicle includes a low voltage battery having a low voltage, a high voltage battery having a high voltage, and a DC-to-DC converter coupled to the low voltage battery and the high voltage battery. A controller controls a conversion of the low voltage to a high voltage through the DC-to-DC converter and controls the charging of the high voltage battery with the high voltage. The controller monitors a state of charge of the high voltage battery, compares the state of charge to a predetermined state of charge and generates an indicator when the state of charge reaches the predetermined state of charge.

Abstract: An electrical system for an automotive vehicle includes a low voltage battery having a low voltage, a high voltage battery having a high voltage, and a DC-to-DC converter coupled to the low voltage battery and the high voltage battery. A controller controls a conversion of the low voltage to a high voltage through the DC-to-DC converter and controls the charging of the high voltage battery with the high voltage. The controller monitors a state of charge of the high voltage battery, compares the state of charge to a predetermined state of charge and generates an indicator when the state of charge reaches the predetermined state of charge.

Abstract: A system (40) for starting an internal combustion engine (12) of an automotive vehicle (10) has a controller (54) coupled to a starter/generator (42). The engine (12) has a crankshaft (50) and an engine accessory assembly that includes an electric motor (76) and a clutch (74). The controller (54) initiates the rotation of the crankshaft (50) with the starter/generator (42) and the electric motor (76) engaged to the crankshaft through the clutch (74), simultaneously. The controller (54) starts the engine (12) when the crankshaft (50) reaches a predetermined speed.

Abstract: A system (40) for an automotive vehicle has a temperature sensor (90) generating a temperature signal indicative of the temperature outside the vehicle and a battery. A battery controller (54) is coupled to the temperature sensor (90) and the battery (64). The controller monitors a state of charge of the battery (64), monitors a temperature outside of the vehicle and compares the state of charge to a predetermined state of charge. The predetermined state of charge is a function of the temperature. The controller (54) generates an indicator when the state of charge reaches the predetermined state of charge.