Abstract: A method of forming an insulated composite piston head may include: creating a preformed aluminum or aluminum alloy foam core; suspending the preformed foam core in a piston head mold; forming a molded piston head and removing it from the mold; depositing an insulating material on at least one surface of the molded piston head; performing at least one machining operation on the molded piston head so it conforms to a predetermined specification for the insulated composite piston head; and optionally applying a lubricious piston coating to at least a portion of the outer surface of the insulated composite piston head.

Abstract: An insulated composite piston head that includes three or more layers is formed and used in a combustion engine. The first layer is an aluminum or aluminum alloy foam core. The second layer is a metal layer that at least partially encapsulates the foam core; wherein the metal layer is selected to be aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The third layer is a layer of an insulating material located on at least one surface of the metal layer. The deposition of the insulating layer is accomplished via the use of a coaxial laser process.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for automatically locking and unlocking electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) relative to vehicle inlet assemblies during charging events. A lock may be moved between an engaged position in which a coupler of the EVSE is locked to a charging port and a disengaged positon in which the coupler is unlocked to the charging port. The lock may be moved between the engaged position and the disengaged position in response to a limb of an authorized user being detected within a designated area.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving an indication of a destination from a user; determining a route from a current position of a vehicle to the destination; projecting an image of the determined route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination onto ground nearby the vehicle using a projection device equipped in the vehicle; and rotating the projected image such that the projected image is oriented in accordance with the determined route.

Abstract: An insulated composite piston head that includes three or more layers is formed and used in a combustion engine. The first layer is an aluminum or aluminum alloy foam core. The second layer is a metal layer that at least partially encapsulates the foam core; wherein the metal layer is selected to be aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The third layer is a layer of an insulating material located on at least one surface of the metal layer. The deposition of the insulating layer is accomplished via the use of a coaxial laser process.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving an indication of a destination from a user; determining a route from a current position of a vehicle to the destination; projecting an image of the determined route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination onto ground nearby the vehicle using a projection device equipped in the vehicle; and rotating the projected image such that the projected image is oriented in accordance with the determined route.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving an indication of a destination from a user; determining a route from a current position of a vehicle to the destination; detecting whether the user has exited the vehicle; and projecting an image of the route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination onto ground nearby the vehicle using a projection device equipped in the vehicle, such that the projected image is viewable by the user upon exiting the vehicle, in response to detecting that the user has exited the vehicle.

Abstract: A method includes: projecting, using a projection device equipped on a vehicle, an image onto ground nearby the vehicle; detecting a position or a point of view of a user; and rotating the projected image or at least one object within the projected image based on the detected position or point of view of the user. The projected image or the at least one object within the projected image is rotated such that the projected image or the at least one object within the projected image is oriented to face the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for systems and methods to conduct a product or vehicle survey of a user with a vehicle. The survey can be administered using the vehicle's capabilities and remotely accessible hardware and software. A vehicle survey system can provide a survey route suitable to administer survey questions and determine which questions to ask such that the questions correlate with vehicle events.