Abstract: A battery includes a housing defining a sealed chamber, a battery pack positioned within the sealed chamber, and a shape memory alloy member that is adapted to axially compress the volume within the sealed chamber to pressurize the sealed chamber to an optimal pressure, and to automatically allow axial expansion of the volume of the sealed chamber in response to an increase of the pressure within the sealed chamber to maintain the pressure within the sealed chamber at the optimal pressure.

Abstract: A system in an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft includes two or more subsystems. Each subsystem includes an energy storage systems (ESS). Each ESS is coupled to one or more motors that actuate one or more rotors of the eVTOL aircraft and includes one or more energy sub-packs and one or more power sub-packs. The one or more power sub-packs supply more power than the one or more energy sub-packs and the one or more energy sub-packs supply consistent power for a longer duration than the one or more power sub-packs. The system also includes one or more inter-subsystem switches to electrically isolate or connect adjacent ones of the two or more subsystems.

Abstract: A method of transient control for enrichment operation in a low-temperature combustion engine. The method includes determining if a current mode of the low-temperature combustion (LTC) engine is a positive valve overlap (PVO) mode. Determining if a previous mode of the LTC engine was also the PVO mode when the current mode is the PVO mode, wherein the previous mode is immediately prior to the current mode. Determining if the previous mode of the LTC engine was a negative valve overlap (NVO) mode when the previous mode was not the PVO mode. Initiating a predetermined enrichment PVO mode for the LTC engine based on the previous mode of the LTC engine. The predetermined enrichment PVO mode includes initiating a deep enrichment PVO mode, when the previous mode of the LTC engine was the NVO mode, and initiating a shallow enrichment PVO mode, when the previous mode of the LTC engine was not the NVO mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging an electric vehicle includes a plug command center having data identifying an availability of an amount of energy which is available for transfer from a first battery system of a first battery electric vehicle (BEV) to a second BEV. A charging adapter provides for energy transfer between a first plug of the first BEV and a second plug of the second BEV. A V2V charging controller communicates data identifying a battery system charge state of the first BEV and a battery system charge state of the second BEV and selects between multiple available charging options.

Abstract: A method of transient control for enrichment operation in a low-temperature combustion engine. The method includes determining if a current mode of the low-temperature combustion (LTC) engine is a positive valve overlap (PVO) mode. Determining if a previous mode of the LTC engine was also the PVO mode when the current mode is the PVO mode, wherein the previous mode is immediately prior to the current mode. Determining if the previous mode of the LTC engine was a negative valve overlap (NVO) mode when the previous mode was not the PVO mode. Initiating a predetermined enrichment PVO mode for the LTC engine based on the previous mode of the LTC engine. The predetermined enrichment PVO mode includes initiating a deep enrichment PVO mode, when the previous mode of the LTC engine was the NVO mode, and initiating a shallow enrichment PVO mode, when the previous mode of the LTC engine was not the NVO mode.

Abstract: A combustion mode module is configured to switch operation of a low-temperature combustion (LTC) engine between a spark ignition (SI) mode, a positive valve overlap (PVO) mode, and a negative valve overlap (NVO) mode. A spark control module is configured to control a spark plug to generate a spark in a cylinder of the LTC engine when the LTC engine is operating in the SI mode. A valve control module is configured to control intake and exhaust valves of the cylinder to yield a PVO and a NVO when the LTC engine is operating in the PVO mode and the NVO mode, respectively. An air/fuel (A/F) control module is configured to adjust a desired A/F ratio of the LTC engine to a rich A/F ratio when operation of the LTC engine is switched to the PVO mode from either one of the SI mode and the NVO mode.

Abstract: A combustion mode module is configured to switch operation of a low-temperature combustion (LTC) engine between a spark ignition (SI) mode, a positive valve overlap (PVO) mode, and a negative valve overlap (NVO) mode. A spark control module is configured to control a spark plug to generate a spark in a cylinder of the LTC engine when the LTC engine is operating in the SI mode. A valve control module is configured to control intake and exhaust valves of the cylinder to yield a PVO and a NVO when the LTC engine is operating in the PVO mode and the NVO mode, respectively. An air/fuel (A/F) control module is configured to adjust a desired A/F ratio of the LTC engine to a rich A/F ratio when operation of the LTC engine is switched to the PVO mode from either one of the SI mode and the NVO mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging an electric vehicle includes a plug command center having data identifying an availability of an amount of energy which is available for transfer from a first battery system of a first battery electric vehicle (BEV) to a second BEV. A charging adapter provides for energy transfer between a first plug of the first BEV and a second plug of the second BEV. A V2V charging controller communicates data identifying a battery system charge state of the first BEV and a battery system charge state of the second BEV and selects between multiple available charging options.

Abstract: A system for utilizing a deployable flex range battery to augment a primary battery is provided. The system includes a flex electronics bay. The flex electronics bay is electrically connected to an electrical sub-system including the primary battery and includes a DC-DC converter operable to change a voltage of electric power and at least one battery connection terminal. The system further includes the deployable flex range battery removably connected to the at least one battery connection terminal and a flex electronics bay controller programmed to selectively supply electric power from the flex electronics bay to the electrical sub-system.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine having at least one fuel injector. A controller is configured to selectively command the at least one fuel injector to deliver a primary fuel injection of a first fuel quantity and a secondary fuel injection of a second fuel quantity. The first fuel quantity is above a predefined threshold and the second fuel quantity is at or below the predefined threshold. The controller is configured to command a primary pulse width and a secondary pulse width, based in part on a respective desired fuel injection mass and respective initialized values of fuel injector slope. Operation of the fuel injectors is controlled based in part on a converged primary fuel injector slope and a converged secondary fuel injector slope determined at partially from a comparison of a calculated fuel mass and an estimated fuel mass.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a fuel injection system including a fuel injector disposed to inject fuel into the combustion chamber, and a plasma ignition system including a groundless barrier discharge plasma igniter that protrudes into the combustion chamber. A controller includes an executable instruction set to control the engine in a compression-ignition mode when the output torque request indicates a low load condition, including instructions to control a variable valve actuation system and control the plasma ignition system to execute plasma discharge events subsequent to controlling the fuel injection system to execute a fuel injection event, wherein the fuel injection event achieves a cylinder charge having a lean air/fuel ratio.

Abstract: A method of controlling pre-primary ignitions of an internal combustion engine includes accessing data corresponding to an exhaust gas recirculation error and data corresponding to at least one of a rotational speed of the engine, a throttle position of a throttle, and a combustion mode of the engine. A voltage of the electrical power to be applied to an ignition source and a number of pre-primary ignitions to be applied are calculated based on the data corresponding to the exhaust gas recirculation error and the data corresponding to at least one of the rotational speed of the engine, the throttle position, and the combustion mode of the engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a fuel injection system including a fuel injector disposed to inject fuel into the combustion chamber, and a plasma ignition system including a groundless barrier discharge plasma igniter that protrudes into the combustion chamber. A controller includes an executable instruction set to control the engine in a compression-ignition mode when the output torque request indicates a low load condition, including instructions to control a variable valve actuation system and control the plasma ignition system to execute plasma discharge events subsequent to controlling the fuel injection system to execute a fuel injection event, wherein the fuel injection event achieves a cylinder charge having a lean air/fuel ratio.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a combustion chamber defined by a cylinder bore in a cylinder block, a cylinder head and a piston. A groundless barrier discharge plasma igniter including an electrode is embedded in a casing fabricated from a dielectric material and is disposed in a mounting boss. The groundless barrier discharge plasma igniter has a tip portion that protrudes through an opening in the cylinder head into the combustion chamber. A controller having an electrical ground connection to the cylinder head is configured to apply a high frequency electrical pulse to the groundless barrier discharge plasma igniter. An electrical ground path is formed between the mounting boss and the cylinder head. A plurality of plasma discharge streamers is generated on the casing between the tip portion and the mounting boss when the controller applies the high frequency electrical pulse to the groundless barrier discharge plasma igniter.

Abstract: Disclosed are multi-pulse fuel delivery control systems, methods for using such systems, and motor vehicles with engines employing multi-pulse fuel injection schemes. A fuel delivery control system is disclosed with fuel injectors that selectively inject multiple pulses of fuel per working cycle into cylinders of an engine. An engine sensor detects an operating condition of the engine, and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) sensor detects a state of an EGR system coupled to the engine. An engine control unit is programmed to: determine, from the detected EGR state, a current intake burned gas fraction; determine, from the detected engine operating condition, a desired intake burned gas fraction; determine a secondary fuel mass injection adjustment based on the desired and current intake burned gas fractions; and command the fuel injectors to inject two fuel pulses into each cylinder per working cycle, with the second pulse modified based on the determined adjustment.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having a combustion chamber with an inlet and an outlet. Valves and valve actuators regulate open and closing of the inlet and the outlet. A plasma ignition source initiates ignition in the combustion chamber. A controller is in communication with the inlet valve actuator and outlet valve actuator. The controller is configured to detect a transition from a first combustion mode of the engine to a second combustion mode of the engine. The controller is also configured to change at least one of an opening time, a closing time, and an open duration of the first valve in response to detecting the transition.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having a combustion chamber with an inlet and an outlet. Valves and valve actuators regulate open and closing of the inlet and the outlet. A plasma ignition source initiates ignition in the combustion chamber. A controller is in communication with the inlet valve actuator and outlet valve actuator. The controller is configured to detect a transition from a first combustion mode of the engine to a second combustion mode of the engine. The controller is also configured to change at least one of an opening time, a closing time, and an open duration of the first valve in response to detecting the transition.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is configured to operate in a homogeneous-charge compression-ignition combustion mode. Operation of the engine includes determining a combustion pressure parameter for each cylinder. Fueling for each cylinder is controlled responsive to a target state for the combustion pressure parameter for the corresponding cylinder. An end-of-injection timing and a corresponding spark ignition timing for each cylinder are controlled responsive to a target mass-burn-fraction point for an engine operating point.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an internal combustion engine with an engine block having at least one cylinder and at least one piston moveable within the at least one cylinder. A crankshaft is moveable to define a plurality of crank angles (CA) from a bore axis defined by the cylinder to a crank axis defined by the crankshaft. A controller is operatively connected to the internal combustion engine and configured to receive a torque request (TR). The controller is programmed to determine a desired combustion phasing (CAd) for controlling a torque output of the internal combustion engine. The desired combustion phasing is based at least partially on the torque request (TR) and a pressure-volume (PV) diagram of the at least one cylinder.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an internal combustion engine with an engine block having at least one cylinder. An intake manifold and an exhaust manifold are each fluidly connected to the at least one cylinder and define an intake manifold pressure (pi) and an exhaust manifold pressure (pe), respectively. A controller is operatively connected to the internal combustion engine and configured to receive a torque request (TR). The controller is programmed to determine a desired fuel mass (mf) for controlling a torque output of the internal combustion engine. The desired fuel mass (mf) is based at least partially on the torque request (TR), the intake and exhaust manifold pressures and a pressure-volume (PV) diagram of the at least one cylinder.