Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanostructured phosphorescent pigment comprising an Al2O3 substrate; MAl2O4:X nanocrystals, where M is a cation selected from Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, Mg2+, Zn3+ and combinations thereof and where X is a cation selected from Eu3+, Dy3+, Nd3+, Er3+, La3+, Lu3+, Ce3+, Y3+, Gd3+, Tb3+, Tm3+, Yb3+ and combinations thereof, disposed on the Al2O3 substrate; and nanocrystals of molten salt disposed on the MAl2O4:X nanocrystals. Additionally, the invention relates to a method for preparing the nanostructured phosphorescent pigment of the invention comprising the steps of i) mixing starting materials comprising a cation M precursor, a cation X precursor, Al2O3 and a molten salt; ii) heating the mixture resulting from step (i) in reducing atmosphere.

Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary battery pack designs for use in electrified vehicles. Exemplary battery packs may include a sense lead assembly having a circuit board that is centrally mounted between first and second wiring members (e.g., flat flexibles cables or flat printed circuits). The circuit board establishes a suitable mounting surface for incorporating sense lead fuses into the sense lead assembly. The centralized sense lead fuses provide for simple and reliable servicing of the battery array in response to battery overcurrent conditions.

Abstract: A virtual agent for resolving an issue with one or more objects is described, wherein each object is accessible by one of more users of a customer. The virtual agent receives information derived from one or more coded optical indicia specifying an intent of a virtual agent conversation, wherein the intent identifies an issue to be resolved; and based on the intent, process the information to further resolution of the issue. The received information may further specify at least one parameter, wherein the at least one parameter represents supplemental information required for resolution of the issue.

Abstract: A thermistor assembly includes an elastomeric body, a thermistor housed at least partially inside the elastomeric body, and a thermistor tip that protrudes outside of the elastomeric body. The thermistor assembly may be used within a battery assembly of an electrified vehicle.

Abstract: An exemplary method of verifying that a service disconnect is seated includes indicating that the service disconnect is seated using a position indicator that selectively engages a handle of the service disconnect. The position indicator is separate and distinct from all portions of the service disconnect.

Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary battery pack designs for use in electrified vehicles. Exemplary battery packs may include a sense lead assembly having a circuit board that is centrally mounted between first and second wiring members (e.g., flat flexibles cables or flat printed circuits). The circuit board establishes a suitable mounting surface for incorporating sense lead fuses into the sense lead assembly. The centralized sense lead fuses provide for simple and reliable servicing of the battery array in response to battery overcurrent conditions.

Abstract: A battery pack includes an array frame having a fastener housing, a mounting insert positioned within the fastener housing, and a column bolt extending through the mounting insert. The mounting insert may be secured to a battery pack enclosure structure using one or more fasteners.

Abstract: A nacelle includes in turn a nacelle frame, and a yaw bearing having likewise/in turn at least a geared ring for providing a rotatable connection between the nacelle and the tower around a yaw axis. A method includes the steps of: a) disengaging the rotatable connection between the nacelle and the tower; b) lifting the nacelle from the tower by using lifting means, allowing the rotation of the geared ring; and c) rotating the geared ring around the yaw axis until the geared ring reaches a predetermined position with respect to the component to which the geared ring is connectable, either to the nacelle or the tower.

Abstract: A battery interconnect assembly includes, among other things, at least one first sense lead operably coupled to a structure on a first side of an array of battery cells, and at least one second sense lead operably coupled to a structure on a different, second side of the array. The assembly further includes a multi-port connector configured to communicate signals from both the at least one first sense lead and the at least one second sense lead. A battery monitoring method includes, among other things, communicating signals from a plurality of sense leads through a multi-port connector. At least one of the sense leads is operably connected to a first structure on a first side of a battery array, and least one of the sense leads is operably connected to a second structure on a different, second side of the battery array.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a low profile busbar for an electrified vehicle and a corresponding method. In a particular embodiment of the electrified vehicle, an example busbar is electrically connected to two electronic components, and the busbar has a cross-section with a height and a width at least 20 times the height. In this way, the width of the busbar is exaggerated relative to the height, giving the busbar a low profile and making the busbar particularly suited for being routed in spaces with reduced packaging height requirements.

Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary battery pack designs for use in electrified vehicles. Exemplary battery arrays that may be incorporated into electrified vehicle battery packs may include a grouping of battery cells and a circuit connector module configured for electrically connecting the grouping of battery cells. The circuit connector module may include a first bus bar made of a single material and a second bus bar that is fusible and made of at least two dissimilar materials.

Abstract: An exemplary electrified vehicle busbar assembly includes a housing, a clamping beam held by the housing, and a plurality of busbars held by the housing.

Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary battery pack designs for use in electrified vehicles. Exemplary battery packs may include a sense lead assembly having a circuit board that is centrally mounted between first and second wiring members (e.g., flat flexibles cables or flat printed circuits). The circuit board establishes a suitable mounting surface for incorporating sense lead fuses into the sense lead assembly. The centralized sense lead fuses provide for simple and reliable servicing of the battery array in response to battery overcurrent conditions.

Abstract: A virtual agent for resolving an issue with one or more objects is described, wherein each object is accessible by one of more users of a customer. The virtual agent receives information derived from one or more coded optical indicia specifying an intent of a virtual agent conversation, wherein the intent identifies an issue to be resolved; and based on the intent, process the information to further resolution of the issue. The received information may further specify at least one parameter, wherein the at least one parameter represents supplemental information required for resolution of the issue.

Abstract: A vehicle traction battery assembly including a pair of battery cells and a busbar is provided. Each of the battery cells may include a terminal and one or more locating features. The busbar may span between the cells and define a pair of arms each having a member sized to at least partially interlock with the one or more locating features. The busbar may span between the cells such that the busbar covers at least a portion of upper surfaces defined by each of the cells. At least one of the terminal apertures may be spaced in between outer edges of the respective arms such that a first and second surface area provide space sufficient for weld spots.

Abstract: An exemplary array activating assembly includes, among other things a disconnect key moveable back and forth between an engaged and a disengaged position relative to a battery array. The disconnect key completes an electrical conductive path of the battery array when in the engaged position. The electrical conductive path is open when the disconnect key is in the disengaged position. An exemplary array activating method includes moving a disconnect key relative to a battery array from a disengaged to an engaged position. The disconnect key completes an electrical conductive path of the battery array when in the engaged position. The disconnect key does not complete the electrical conductive path when in the disengaged position.

Abstract: A traction battery includes cells stacked in an array and having terminals, and endplates sandwiching the array. A busbar module extends between the endplates and includes slots and busbars interleaved along a length of the busbar module. The terminals extend through the slots and connect to the busbars. The busbar module includes a pair of end pieces and a center piece that are separately formed and secured together by connection features.

Abstract: An outage detection system identifies a reported incident as a candidate outage incident based upon an input received from a first user of a customer concerning the reported incident; determines whether the candidate outage incident relates to at least a threshold number of prior candidate outage incidents reported by other users; and, if so, associates the candidate outage incident with the prior candidate outage incidents, and identifies the candidate outage incident and the associated prior candidate outage incidents as relating to an outage.

Abstract: A vehicle traction battery assembly including a pair of battery cells and a busbar is provided. Each of the battery cells may include a terminal and one or more locating features. The busbar may span between the cells and define a pair of arms each having a member sized to at least partially interlock with the one or more locating features. The busbar may span between the cells such that the busbar covers at least a portion of upper surfaces defined by each of the cells. At least one of the terminal apertures may be spaced in between outer edges of the respective arms such that a first and second surface area provide space sufficient for weld spots.

Abstract: The invention pertains to materials and methods for identifying and/or isolating isomers, particularly, of biomolecules, such as polypeptides and proteins. The methods of identifying and/or isolating isomers of a molecule according to the invention comprise subjecting a sample to ionization prior to IMS followed by MS. In some embodiments, the sample is subjected to metallization during the ionization step.