Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems that may include a container housing having at least one opening, as well as a camera configured to capture a visual input relating to a deposited object placed into the at least one opening. A light source may be configured to illuminate the deposited object, and a sorting plate configured to divert the deposited object into one of a plurality of containers. A motor may be configured to move the sorting plate, and a processor system configured to: receive the visual input from the camera, classify the deposited object based on the visual input, and cause the motor to move the sorting place to divert the deposited object to the one of the plurality of containers based on the classification.

Abstract: A method for power transmission method includes providing first and second shafts, first and second gear assemblies between the first and second shafts, and first and second coupling assemblies. The first coupling assembly coupling the first shaft to the first gear assembly, and the second coupling assembly coupling the first shaft to the second gear assembly. The speed of the first shaft varies, wherein the deployment of a locking element of the second coupling assembly is based on the speed of the first shaft.

Abstract: A housing and flange assembly arrangement for a breast pump system including or involving a flange having transparent and other structure for facilitating alignment of the breast pump on a breast, and includes structure facilitating ease of assembly of a housing for the breast pump.

Abstract: A method for power transmission method includes providing first and second shafts, first and second gear assemblies between the first and second shafts, and first and second coupling assemblies. The first coupling assembly coupling the first shaft to the first gear assembly, and the second coupling assembly coupling the first shaft to the second gear assembly. The speed of the first shaft varies, wherein the deployment of a locking element of the second coupling assembly is based on the speed of the first shaft.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for routing one or more electrified vehicles in a manner that improves battery life. The proposed systems and methods may utilize a multi-objective approach to route planning. The multi-objective approach may account for factors such as time, energy consumption, and battery life. Origin-destination matrices may be leveraged for providing the multi-objective route planning approaches.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain component includes a thermal transfer surface that transfers thermal energy out of a powertrain component and a thermally active material disposed over the thermal transfer surface. The thermally active material includes a variable thermal conductivity and an actuator coupled to the thermally active material induces changes in the thermal conductivity of the thermally active material. A controller governs operation of the actuator to adjust the thermal conductivity of the thermally active material responsive to a vehicle operating condition to maintain the powertrain component within a predefined temperature range.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain component includes a thermal transfer surface that transfers thermal energy out of a powertrain component and a thermally active material disposed over the thermal transfer surface. The thermally active material includes a variable thermal conductivity and an actuator coupled to the thermally active material induces changes in the thermal conductivity of the thermally active material. A controller governs operation of the actuator to adjust the thermal conductivity of the thermally active material responsive to a vehicle operating condition to maintain the powertrain component within a predefined temperature range.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a hybrid driveline that includes an engine and an electric machine are presented. In one non-limiting example, the engine and electric machine are operated according to a solution of a Hamiltonian that includes a first co-state and a second co-state, an engine fuel flow parameter, a rate of change of battery state of charge parameter, and an emissions flow rate parameter.

Abstract: A vehicle subsystem according to an exemplary aspect of the present discourse includes, among other things, a wall structure and a thermal resistance feature internal to the wall structure and configured to inhibit heat loss through the wall structure.

Abstract: A transmission includes first, second, and third planetary gear sets (PGS). A first electric machine is fixedly coupled to a sun gear of the first PGS. A second electric machine is fixedly coupled to a carrier of the first PGS. A brake is selectively holding a ring gear of the first PGS against rotation. First and second clutches selectively couple the first and second electric machines, respectively, to a portion of the second and third PGS, respectively.

Abstract: A transmission includes first, second, and third planetary gear sets (PGS). A first electric machine is fixedly coupled to a sun gear of the first PGS. A second electric machine is fixedly coupled to a carrier of the first PGS. A brake is selectively holding a ring gear of the first PGS against rotation. First and second clutches selectively couple the first and second electric machines, respectively, to a portion of the second and third PGS, respectively.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes an exhaust gas heat recovery system are described. The system may reduce engine warm-up time and increase an amount of time an engine of a hybrid vehicle is deactivated while the hybrid vehicle is powered by a motor. In one example, a phase change material selectively stores and releases exhaust gas energy from and engine to improve vehicle operation.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes powertrain components such as an engine, an automatic transmission, and a traction motor selectively coupled to the engine via a clutch and to the transmission. At least one controller is programmed to control these powertrain components. The vehicle is driven over a drive cycle that includes multiple engine starts and transmission gear shifts. An amount of fuel consumption used during these engine starts and transmissions gear shifts is stored on an on-board storage device. Subsequently, the engine is inhibited from starting and the transmission is inhibited from shifting gears based on the amount of fuel consumption associated with the engine starts and transmission gear shifts performed during the drive cycle as recalled from the storage device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a hybrid driveline that includes an engine and an electric machine are presented. In one non-limiting example, the engine and electric machine are operated according to a solution of a Hamiltonian that includes a first co-state and a second co-state, an engine fuel flow parameter, a rate of change of battery state of charge parameter, and an emissions flow rate parameter.

Abstract: An exhaust gas heat recovery system for a vehicle is configured to selectively distribute a fluid heated by engine exhaust to a first path for generating electricity and a second path for heating one or more powertrain components of the vehicle. A controller selects a distribution of the fluid to the first and second paths based on minimizing a fuel consumption of an engine. The controller further selects a distribution of fluid to the powertrain components to minimize fuel consumption. The controller distributes the fluid according to the selected distribution.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes powertrain components such as an engine, an automatic transmission, and a traction motor selectively coupled to the engine via a clutch and to the transmission. At least one controller is programmed to control these powertrain components. The vehicle is driven over a drive cycle that includes multiple engine starts and transmission gear shifts. An amount of fuel consumption used during these engine starts and transmissions gear shifts is stored on an on-board storage device. Subsequently, the engine is inhibited from starting and the transmission is inhibited from shifting gears based on the amount of fuel consumption associated with the engine starts and transmission gear shifts performed during the drive cycle as recalled from the storage device.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having an engine and at least one controller. The controller is programmed to selectively heat at least one of a plurality of components of the powertrain with a given amount of waste heat based on an expected decrease in friction power associated with an expected increase in temperature from the given amount of waste heat for each of the components.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes an exhaust gas heat recovery system are described. The system may selectively or contemporaneously supply energy from engine exhaust gas to generate electricity or warm the engine. In one example, exhaust gas energy raises a temperature of a heat transfer medium and the heat transfer medium is routed to an engine coolant heat exchanger or an expander via a bypass valve.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes establishing a road network model on which a plurality of simulated vehicles may be run. The method also includes setting up a plurality of scenarios under which vehicle driving conditions vary to be run on the road network model. The illustrative method includes receiving energy usage related data for a plurality of simulated vehicles run in at least one of the plurality of scenarios on the road network model. The method further includes calculating a total energy consumption for each of the vehicles. The method additionally includes repeating the receiving and calculating steps to determine how various elements of the road network model and scenarios effect vehicle energy consumption.