Abstract: A method of making a frictionally damped part including providing a frictional damping insert including downwardly extending support legs stamped out of a body portion of the insert.

Abstract: A battery cell pack having improved heat transfer is described. In one embodiment, the battery cell pack includes a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell having an anode foil and a cathode foil; a pair of taps, the first tap attached to the anode foil and the second tap attached to the cathode foil; wherein at least one battery cell has a high thermal conductivity coating on at least one side of the anode foil, or the cathode foil, or both; or at least one of the taps has a high thermal conductivity coating on at least one side; or both. Methods of improving the heat transfer of battery cell packs are also described.

Abstract: Reconfigurable bins include at least one structural component formed of shape memory materials such as a shape memory polymer, a shape memory alloy, or a combination thereof. The shape memory material is in operative communication with an activation device adapted to provide an activation signal effective to change at least one attribute of the shape memory material such that the bin can be reconfigured from a first shape to a second shape. The reconfigurable bin can include a mesh network or may be formed of panels or a combination panels and mesh.

Abstract: A system for and method of mitigating pedestrian impact utilizing an energy absorption member, such as an expandable honeycomb celled matrix, and at least one tether disposed within a recessed formation defined by the vehicle and interconnected to the member and a drive mechanism, wherein the member is selectively caused to extend and be spaced from an exterior surface.

Abstract: Impact absorbing padding includes a unitary piece including a polymeric material comingled with a structural element. The polymeric material includes a material having a first temperature-responsive stiffness, and the structural element includes an element fabricated from a shape memory alloy formulated to have a second temperature-responsive stiffness that is converse to the first temperature-responsive stiffness.

Abstract: An apparatus for operator control of an in-vehicle system includes an interface device for receiving inputs for control of the in-vehicle system from an operator hand, the interface device including a control panel having a visual display screen. The apparatus further includes a sensing system adjacent the interface device including an optical proximity sensor having a single infrared light source, a first plurality of directionally sensitive light receivers for detecting a first reflected infrared light from the infrared light source that is reflected by the operator hand only when the operator hand approaches the optical proximity sensor near the interface device from a driver side of the vehicle and a second plurality of directionally sensitive light receivers for detecting a second reflected infrared light from the infrared light source that is reflected by the operator hand only when the operator hand approaches the optical proximity sensor near the interface device from a passenger side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for and method of mitigating pedestrian impact utilizing an energy absorption member, such as an expandable honeycomb celled matrix, and at least one tether disposed within a recessed formation defined by the vehicle and interconnected to the member and a drive mechanism, wherein the member is selectively caused to extend and be spaced from an exterior surface.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for operator control of an in-vehicle system. This comprises an interface device for receiving inputs for control of the in-vehicle system from the operator. There is a sensing system operative to determine a location of the operator seeking to provide the inputs to the interface device, the location consisting of one of a passenger and a driver. A controller adapts the control of the in-vehicle system based upon the location of the operator providing the inputs.

Abstract: A wet road surface detection system is provided for a vehicle driving on a road. The wet road surface detection system includes a sound sensing device coupled to the vehicle for capturing noise of the vehicle tires as the vehicle drives on a road surface. A processor processes sounds captured by the audible sensing device. The processor quantifies a variable sound level of the captured noise between a first frequency and a second frequency. The processor determines whether each quantified sound level between the first frequency and the second frequency is above a predetermined sound level threshold below the sound level at the first frequency. The processor determines that the vehicle is driving on a wet road surface in response to each quantified sound level between the first frequency and the second frequency being above a predetermined sound level threshold below the sound level at the first frequency.

Abstract: A fan system includes a first fluid region having a first temperature and a second fluid region having a second temperature that is different from the first temperature. An energy harvesting system is disposed in contact with each of the first fluid region and the second fluid region. A fan is driven by an energy harvesting system in response to the temperature difference between the first fluid region and the second fluid region.

Abstract: An adaptive tire employable by a vehicle traveling upon a surface includes at least one active material element operable to selectively modify a structural component of the tire, and as a result a performance characteristic, such as the traction between the tire and surface, the ability for the tire to dampen standing waves, or the required mounting force, when activated.

Abstract: An active material actuated louver system having an actuator mechanism operable to selectively place a louver or louver system in an open or closed state of operation. The actuator mechanism includes a cable or wire formed from an active material, such as a shape memory alloy.

Abstract: A method for creating an efficient scan loop for displaying a vector projection graphic upon a substantially transparent windscreen head-up display includes determining a plurality of candidate scan loops to create a desired vector projection graphic, determining an efficiency metric for each of the plurality of candidate scan loops, determining the efficient scan loop for displaying the vector projection graphic based upon comparing the efficiency metrics, and utilizing the efficient scan loop to create the desired vector projection graphic upon the substantially transparent windscreen head-up display.

Abstract: Force and deceleration delimiting methods for operating the same in a vehicle generally include an open celled material expandable from a non-expanded to an expanded state, wherein the material is sandwiched between first and second end cap members; an optional support surface cooperatively positioned with the material to cover a surface of the material in the expanded and non-expanded states; an optional shield cooperatively positioned with the material to cover a surface of the material in the expanded and non-expanded states; and an activation mechanism adapted to regulate selective expansion of the material from the non-expanded to the expanded state in response to a triggering event, wherein the support surface and/or shield have a compact shape when the material is in the non-expanded state and an expanded state when the material is in the expanded state.

Abstract: A method of offering or providing batteries for a hybrid or electric vehicle allows the customer to choose a vehicle electrical battery power rating that will match their expected driving range needs. Specifically, the method includes offering different modular battery packs for an electric or hybrid electric vehicle. Each of the different modular battery packs has a different number of interconnected batteries, a different energy level, and is configured to be operable for providing propulsion power to the vehicle. At least one of the different modular battery packs is installed on the hybrid or electric vehicle. The method may include recharging and/or recycling used battery back modules.

Abstract: A cover configured to overlay a space and secure at least one item, includes selectively collapsible storage bins, and preferably includes a retraction mechanism operable to stow the cover, and a guide for automatically causing the bins to collapse as the cover is stowed.

Abstract: A selectively and reversibly adjustable utensil, aperture forming structure, and stirrup, and methods of geometrically modifying an eye defined by the utensil, the aperture defined by the structure, and the stirrup, utilizing active material actuation, so as to facilitate entraining a filament within the eye or aperture, and securing the filament once entrained.

Abstract: Vehicle air dams that include an airflow control member and an active material based actuator for deploying the airflow control member so as to change airflow about the vehicle.

Abstract: An adaptive tire employable by a vehicle traveling upon a surface, so as to define a rolling resistance, and including at least one active material element operable to selectively modify the resistance when activated.

Abstract: A cover configured to overlay a space and secure at least one item, includes selectively collapsible storage bins, and preferably includes a retraction mechanism operable to stow the cover, and a guide for automatically causing the bins to collapse as the cover is stowed.