Abstract: A propulsion assembly includes a first torque source coupled with a first shaft and a second torque source coupled with a second shaft. A coupler selectively couples the first and second torque sources. When the first and second torque sources are coupled via the coupler, in response to a command to decouple the first torque source, an unloading operation is performed to decrease the torque output provided by the first torque source to a threshold, and when reached, the first shaft is decoupled from the coupler. When the first torque source is coupled with the coupler but the second torque source is not, in response to a command to couple the second torque source, a speed matching operation is performed to increase the speed of the second shaft to match a speed of the first shaft, and when the speeds are matched, the second shaft is coupled to the coupler.

Abstract: Techniques for notification are presented. The techniques may include detecting a natural language phrase concerning an event at a geographic location in speech broadcast by a radio system, determining at least one search criteria from the natural language phrase, searching video surveillance data based on the at least one search criteria, such that search results are obtained, forming computer generated speech corresponding to the search results, and delivering the computer generated speech audibly.

Abstract: Techniques for notification are presented. The techniques may include detecting a natural language phrase concerning an event at a geographic location in speech broadcast by a radio system, determining at least one search criteria from the natural language phrase, searching video surveillance data based on the at least one search criteria, such that search results are obtained, forming computer generated speech corresponding to the search results, and delivering the computer generated speech audibly.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a play yard configured for providing an enclosed space for a child. According to various embodiments, the play yard comprises a rigid support frame and removable, flexible liner. The frame includes one or more moveable retention members configured to engage the liner in order to form a bounded play yard space. By permitting the liner to be secured to the frame via the retention members, a user is able to easily secure the liner to the frame for use and remove the liner from the frame for washing.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a play yard configured for providing an enclosed space for a child. According to various embodiments, the play yard comprises a rigid support frame and removable, flexible liner. The frame includes one or more moveable retention members configured to engage the liner in order to form a bounded play yard space. By permitting the liner to be secured to the frame via the retention members, a user is able to easily secure the liner to the frame for use and remove the liner from the frame for washing.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a play yard configured for providing an enclosed space for a child. According to various embodiments, the play yard comprises a rigid support frame and removable, flexible liner. The frame includes one or more moveable retention members configured to engage the liner in order to form a bounded play yard space. By permitting the liner to be secured to the frame via the retention members, a user is able to easily secure the liner to the frame for use and remove the liner from the frame for washing.

Abstract: A method of setting the operational mode of an electric vehicle is provided, where the operational mode is selected from a plurality of operational modes that include at least a Battery Life mode and a Standard mode, wherein the Battery Life mode is configured to select operating and charging parameters that emphasize battery health and battery life over vehicle range and/or vehicle performance. The system includes a thermal management system for maintaining the vehicle's battery pack to within any of a plurality of temperature ranges, and a charging system for charging the vehicle's battery pack to any of a plurality of minimum and maximum SOC levels and at any of a plurality of charging rates.

Abstract: A method for withdrawing heat from a battery pack is provided, wherein the heat is transferred from at least one electrode of each cell comprising the battery pack, via an electrically and thermally conductive tab, through a current collector plate and through a thermal interface layer to a temperature control panel that is coupled to an external temperature control system.

Abstract: A charging system for a battery pack, including a charging station transferring energy to the battery pack at a maximum fast charge rate in a first operational mode and transferring energy to the battery pack at a slower charge rate in a second operational mode; a data collection system acquiring data indicating a state of charge of the battery pack and one or more desired charge optimization parameters; and a station control, responsive to the data and to the desired charge optimization parameters, automatically establishing a charging profile for the battery pack to assert a control signal and operate the charging station in the second operational mode whenever the charging station is able to transfer sufficient energy to the battery pack at the slower charge rate to meet an SOC target and a charge completion time target.

Abstract: A multi-mode operating system for an electric vehicle is provided, the system including means for a user to select a preferred mode of operation from a plurality of operational modes that include at least a Battery Life mode and a Standard mode, wherein the Battery Life mode is configured to select operating and charging parameters that emphasize battery health and battery life over vehicle range and/or vehicle performance. The system includes a thermal management system for maintaining the vehicle's battery pack to within any of a plurality of temperature ranges, and a charging system for charging the vehicle's battery pack to any of a plurality of minimum and maximum SOC levels and at any of a plurality of charging rates.

Abstract: An automated charge preparation method periodically determines critical parameters for the set of relevant operating conditions, determines whether fast charging is possible, applies fast charging when possible, otherwise applies a dynamically scaled charging rate that is optimized based upon current critical parameters (while optionally heating the individual battery cells as long as fast charging is not available) to reduce/eliminate a risk of lithium-plating.

Abstract: A method for actively cooling the battery pack of an electric vehicle after the vehicle has been turned off, thereby limiting the adverse effects of temperature on battery life, is provided. Different battery pack cooling techniques are provided, thus allowing the cooling technique used in a particular instance to be selected not only based on the thermal needs of the battery pack, but also on the thermal capacity and energy requirements of the selected approach.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying a presence of a short circuit in a battery pack. A fault-detection apparatus for a charging system that rapidly charges a collection of interconnected lithium ion battery cells, the safety system includes a data-acquisition system for receiving a set of data parameters from the collection while the charging system is actively charging the collection; a monitoring system evaluating the set of data parameters to identify a set of anomalous conditions; and a controller comparing the set of anomalous conditions against a set of predetermined profiles indicative of an internal short in one or more cells of the collection, the controller establishing an internal-short state for the collection when the comparing has a predetermined relationship to the set of predetermined profiles.

Abstract: A power source comprised of a first battery pack (e.g., a non-metal-air battery pack) and a second battery pack (e.g., a metal-air battery pack) is provided, wherein the second battery pack is used when the user selects an extended range mode of operation. Minimizing use of the second battery pack prevents it from undergoing unnecessary, and potentially lifetime limiting, charge cycles.

Abstract: A power source comprised of a first battery pack (e.g., a non-metal-air battery pack) and a second battery pack (e.g., a metal-air battery pack) is provided, wherein the second battery pack is only used as required by the state-of-charge (SOC) of the first battery pack or as a result of the user selecting an extended range mode of operation. Minimizing use of the second battery pack prevents it from undergoing unnecessary, and potentially lifetime limiting, charge cycles. The second battery pack may be used to charge the first battery pack or used in combination with the first battery pack to supply operational power to the electric vehicle.

Abstract: A flexible management system and method for efficiently operating energy storage devices to extend the lifetime and decrease costs includes (a) determining an active energy consumption period for the energy storage device; (b) determining an inactive energy consumption period for the energy storage device; (c) operating the energy storage device in a usage mode during the active energy consumption period; and (d) operating the energy storage device in a storage mode during the inactive energy consumption period.

Abstract: An audio system is provided, as well as a method of using same, which utilizes a plurality of sensors integrated into the vehicle's seats to determine which of the seats are occupied. The system selects a pre-defined optimum acoustic sweet spot from a plurality of stored acoustic sweet spots based on which seats are occupied and based on a set of acoustic optimization configuration instructions. The system automatically adjusts the left-right speaker balance controller and the front-rear speaker fade controller to the specific left-right speaker balance setting and the specific front-rear speaker fader setting defined by the optimum acoustic sweet spot. The acoustic optimization configuration instructions, which define the optimum acoustic sweet spot for each combination of occupied vehicle seats, may be stored in the system's memory by a vehicle manufacturer, third party, or end user.

Abstract: The invention relates in particular to a method for stretching a membrane (4), arranged between two panes (2, 3), of an insulating glazing unit (1). For effective stretching, it is proposed that the membrane (4) is exposed to a conditioning medium passed through an interspace (6, 7) between the panes (2, 3) and the membrane (4).

Abstract: A charging system for a battery pack, including a charging station transferring energy to the battery pack at a maximum fast charge rate in a first operational mode and transferring energy to the battery pack at a slower charge rate in a second operational mode; a data collection system acquiring data indicating a state of charge of the battery pack and one or more desired charge optimization parameters; and a station control, responsive to the data and to the desired charge optimization parameters, automatically establishing a charging profile for the battery pack to assert a control signal and operate the charging station in the second operational mode whenever the charging station is able to transfer sufficient energy to the battery pack at the slower charge rate to meet an SOC target and a charge completion time target.

Abstract: A method for limiting the adverse effects of temperature on the electrical energy storage system (ESS) of an electric vehicle after the vehicle has been turned off is provided. In general, whether or not coolant is circulated through a coolant loop coupled to the ESS depends on the difference between the ambient temperature and a preset temperature, the preset temperature typically corresponding to the temperature of the ESS.