Abstract: A method for validating non-destructive, electromagnetic methods in atmospheric conditions of a battery cell intended to include a lithium metal layer includes selecting a lithium mimic metal layer to replace the lithium metal layer; and creating a mock-up sample including one or more layers of the battery cell. One or more layers comprise the lithium mimic metal layer. The method includes performing electromagnetic testing of the mock-up sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides electrode assemblies for safe nondestructive testing in ambient conditions. In certain variations, the electrode assembly includes a current collector and a non-reactive lithium mimic material disposed on or near one or more surfaces of the current collector or embedded in the current collector. In other variations, the electrode assembly includes include a current collector, a lithium metal material disposed on or near one or more surfaces of the current collector or embedded in the current collector to form an electrode assembly, and a non-conductive pouch holding the electrode assembly.

Abstract: A method for detecting defects in battery cells includes receiving an X-Ray radiographic image of a battery cell and segmenting the X-Ray radiographic image into regions of interest using a classifier. The method includes processing the segmented X-Ray radiographic image using the classifier to identify features of the battery cell, detecting whether one or more of the features in the processed X-Ray radiographic image is defective using the classifier, and determining using the classifier whether the battery cell is defective based on whether one or more of the features in the processed X-Ray radiographic image is defective.

Abstract: A viscosity reduction system includes: a dispenser including: an inlet configured to receive a fluid; an outlet configured to dispense the fluid onto a surface; and a flow channel that fluidly connects the inlet with the outlet; and a vibrating device that directly contacts the dispenser at one or more locations and that is configured to vibrate the dispenser and the fluid when power is applied to the vibrating device.

Abstract: A system for evaluating a battery cell includes an imaging device configured to take an image of at least part of the battery cell, and a processor. The processor is configured to perform: determining a region of interest in the acquired image, reducing a sharpness of the acquired image to generate a reference image, comparing the acquired image and the reference image, and identifying a discontinuity of the battery cell based on a difference between the acquired image and the reference image.

Abstract: A system for evaluating a battery cell includes an imaging device configured to take a first image of at least part of the battery cell when the battery cell is in a first deformation state, and take a second image of the at least part of the battery cell when the battery cell is in a second deformation state. The system also includes a processor configured to analyze the first image and the second image, identify a first region of the first image that represents a suspected discontinuity, the first region corresponding to a portion of the battery cell, compare the first region of the first image to a second region of the second image, the second region corresponding to the portion of the battery cell, and determine that the suspected discontinuity is an actual discontinuity based on a difference between the first region and the second region.

Abstract: A computer software product adapted for use in a weld inspection system is executed by a processor and is stored in an electronic storage medium of the weld inspection system adapted to facilitate the inspection of a weld of a work product. The computer software product includes a first module and a combination module. The first module is configured to transform first and second raw thermal images, associated with respective first and second heat pulses of at least a portion of the work product having the weld, into respective first and second binary images. The combination module is configured to transform the first and second binary images into a combined binary image for the reduction of noise.

Abstract: A weld inspection system is adapted to inspect a weld of a work product via thermographic technology. The weld inspection system includes a heat source assembly, a thermal imaging camera, and a controller. The heat source assembly is adapted to sequentially direct a plurality of heat pulses upon the work product from varying perspectives and within a pre-determined time period. Thea thermal imaging camera is configured to thermally image the weld over the pre-determined time period and collect thermal imaging data of heat dissipation from the work product. The thermal imaging data is associated with the weld and the plurality of heat pulses. The controller is configured to control the heat source assembly and the thermal imaging camera. The controller includes a processor configured to receive and transform the thermal imaging data into a binary image for evaluation of the weld.

Abstract: A weld inspection system is adapted to inspect a weld of a work product via thermographic technology. The weld inspection system includes a heat source assembly, a thermal imaging camera, and a controller. The heat source assembly is adapted to sequentially direct a plurality of heat pulses upon the work product from varying perspectives and within a pre-determined time period. Thea thermal imaging camera is configured to thermally image the weld over the pre-determined time period and collect thermal imaging data of heat dissipation from the work product. The thermal imaging data is associated with the weld and the plurality of heat pulses. The controller is configured to control the heat source assembly and the thermal imaging camera. The controller includes a processor configured to receive and transform the thermal imaging data into a binary image for evaluation of the weld.

Abstract: A computer software product adapted for use in a weld inspection system is executed by a processor and is stored in an electronic storage medium of the weld inspection system adapted to facilitate the inspection of a weld of a work product. The computer software product includes a first module and a combination module. The first module is configured to transform first and second raw thermal images, associated with respective first and second heat pulses of at least a portion of the work product having the weld, into respective first and second binary images. The combination module is configured to transform the first and second binary images into a combined binary image for the reduction of noise.

Abstract: A probe for detecting discontinuities includes: a body portion; a head portion; one or more inductor coils located in the head portion and configured to: receive power from a power source; when power is received, induce an eddy current in a joint where a first metal component is joined with a second metal component; based on the induced eddy current, output a signal indicative of an inductance of the one or more inductor coils; and a plurality of positioning devices configured to maintain the one or more inductor coils approximately a predetermined distance from the surface.

Abstract: A lap belt pretensioner for a lap belt configured to secure an occupant of a vehicle seat includes a pyrotechnic device. The pyrotechnic device is configured to generate a force directed to tension the lap belt around the occupant and emit an exhaust gas including particulates at high pressure and high temperature as a byproduct of the generated force. The lap belt pretensioner also includes a housing configured to retain the pyrotechnic device and defining an exhaust passage configured to expel the exhaust gas from the lap belt pretensioner. The lap belt pretensioner additionally includes a shield arranged over the exhaust passage and configured to collect and/or deflect the emitted particulates and dissipate heat energy thereof. A vehicle having the vehicle seat mounted to the vehicle structure and employing the seatbelt system is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for in-situ monitoring of a welded joint in a workpiece includes an ultrasonic sending transducer and a receiving transducer. The ultrasonic sending transducer includes a probe head disposed on a plurality of individually-activatable piezoelectric elements, and a plurality of waveguide probes projecting orthogonally from a planar surface. A wave attenuator is disposed between individual ones of the waveguide probes. A receiving transducer is disposed therein. The workpiece is insertable between the waveguide probes of the ultrasonic sending transducer and the receiving transducer. The ultrasonic sending transducer urges the probe head towards the receiving transducer such that the waveguide probes physically contact the welded joint in the workpiece. The piezoelectric elements individually excite the waveguide probe that is in physical contact with the welded joint in the workpiece. The acoustic receiving transducer is disposed to monitor the welded joint in the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for evaluating a battery cell. The battery cell may include a hermetically sealed outer casing, a plurality of electrically conductive components enclosed within the outer casing, an electrically conductive terminal having a proximal end that extends within the outer casing and a distal end that extends in a longitudinal direction relative to the battery cell outside the outer casing, and a solid electrical and mechanical joint formed between one or more of the electrically conductive components and the proximal end of the electrically conductive terminal. Evaluation of the battery cell may include measuring the impedance of the battery cell while applying a longitudinal pulling force or a transverse bending force to the electrically conductive terminal and the solid electrical and mechanical joint.

Abstract: A battery assembly includes a heat exchange device including a first conduit with a channel and a heat exchange plate contiguous with the first conduit. A unified frame having at least one wall is configured to at least partially encapsulate the heat exchange device. A first electrode stack is positioned at the first side of the heat exchange plate and configured to fit within a first cavity defined by the at least one wall and the first side of the heat exchange plate. In one example, the first conduit of the heat exchange device is embedded within the at least one wall. In another example, the first conduit extends along the at least one wall, the first conduit being outside of the first cavity. A method of forming the battery assembly may include forming the heat exchange device and joining a unified frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for in-situ monitoring of a workpiece includes a fluidic container defining a cavity and having a peripheral portion that defines an aperture. The fluidic container contains an acoustic transmission fluid. A conformable membrane is sealably disposed about the peripheral portion of the aperture of the fluidic container. The conformable membrane is disposed to sealably contain the acoustic transmission fluid within the fluidic container and to conform to a surface of a portion of the workpiece absent an interposed fluid. An acoustic source transducer is disposed in the cavity of the fluidic container and in contact with the acoustic transmission fluid. The acoustic source transducer is disposed to generate a first acoustic wave in the direction of the workpiece. An acoustic receiving transducer is disposed to monitor a residual acoustic wave that is reflected from the workpiece in response to the first acoustic wave.

Abstract: A lap belt pretensioner for a lap belt configured to secure an occupant of a vehicle seat includes a pyrotechnic device. The pyrotechnic device is configured to generate a force directed to tension the lap belt around the occupant and emit an exhaust gas including particulates at high pressure and high temperature as a byproduct of the generated force. The lap belt pretensioner also includes a housing configured to retain the pyrotechnic device and defining an exhaust passage configured to expel the exhaust gas from the lap belt pretensioner. The lap belt pretensioner additionally includes a shield arranged over the exhaust passage and configured to collect and/or deflect the emitted particulates and dissipate heat energy thereof. A vehicle having the vehicle seat mounted to the vehicle structure and employing the seatbelt system is also provided.

Abstract: A method for damage detection and location using acoustic emission includes receiving, via a processor, an acoustic feedback signal from a plurality of sensors embedded in a body panel of a vehicle. The processor identifies a body panel breach and a location of the body panel breach indicative of damage on the body panel. The processor identifies the body panel breach based on the acoustic feedback signal from the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for evaluating a battery cell. The battery cell may include a hermetically sealed outer casing, a plurality of electrically conductive components enclosed within the outer casing, an electrically conductive terminal having a proximal end that extends within the outer casing and a distal end that extends in a longitudinal direction relative to the battery cell outside the outer casing, and a solid electrical and mechanical joint formed between one or more of the electrically conductive components and the proximal end of the electrically conductive terminal. Evaluation of the battery cell may include measuring the impedance of the battery cell while applying a longitudinal pulling force or a transverse bending force to the electrically conductive terminal and the solid electrical and mechanical joint.

Abstract: An apparatus for in-situ monitoring of a workpiece includes a fluidic container defining a cavity and having a peripheral portion that defines an aperture. The fluidic container contains an acoustic transmission fluid. A conformable membrane is sealably disposed about the peripheral portion of the aperture of the fluidic container. The conformable membrane is disposed to sealably contain the acoustic transmission fluid within the fluidic container and to conform to a surface of a portion of the workpiece absent an interposed fluid. An acoustic source transducer is disposed in the cavity of the fluidic container and in contact with the acoustic transmission fluid. The acoustic source transducer is disposed to generate a first acoustic wave in the direction of the workpiece. An acoustic receiving transducer is disposed to monitor a residual acoustic wave that is reflected from the workpiece in response to the first acoustic wave.