Abstract: An electric pump system and method of operating the same involves pumping a fluid through a fluid passageway defined in a mechanical pump from a pump inlet to a hollow shaft of a motor, through the hollow shaft to an internal motor cavity defined by a housing of the motor, and through another fluid passageway defined in the motor housing and mechanical pump that leads to a pump outlet. The system and method further involve pumping the fluid through another fluid passageway defined in the mechanical pump from yet another pump inlet to the pump outlet. The temperature of fluid exiting the hollow shaft can be assessed and used by an electronic control unit (ECU) of the electric pump system to control the same. The electric pump system can be part of a cooling and lubrication system for an electric vehicle transmission, gearbox, differential or transfer case, for example.

Abstract: Described herein are nanocomposites, methods of making nanocomposites, and methods of using nanocomposites. The nanocomposites include magnetite nanoparticles. The nanocomposites are useful in a variety of industrial applications.

Abstract: An electric pump system and method of operating the same involves pumping a fluid through a fluid passageway defined in a mechanical pump from a pump inlet to a hollow shaft of a motor, through the hollow shaft to an internal motor cavity defined by a housing of the motor, and through another fluid passageway defined in the motor housing and mechanical pump that leads to a pump outlet. The system and method further involve pumping the fluid through another fluid passageway defined in the mechanical pump from yet another pump inlet to the pump outlet. The temperature of fluid exiting the hollow shaft can be assessed and used by an electronic control unit (ECU) of the electric pump system to control the same. The electric pump system can be part of a cooling and lubrication system for an electric vehicle transmission, gearbox, differential or transfer case, for example.

Abstract: An electric drive unit and method of assembling the same is disclosed. The electric drive unit includes a rotor having a rotor shaft, and gear shaft, where the rotor shaft is inserted into the gear shaft. The gear shaft is supported by two bearings, while the rotor shaft supported directly at one end by a bearing and at the other by the gear shaft. A wave spring is also disclosed that provides an axial loading to the rotor shaft. Also disclosed is a balancing ring secured to an end of the rotor via a locknut. The balancing ring can be machined in order to balance the rotor. The rotor shaft can be connected to the gear shaft via a spline connection. The rotor shaft can bear against the gear shaft via a pilot journal and pilot bore defined on the rotor shaft and gear shaft respectively.

Abstract: An electric motor includes a case, a stator having stator windings, a rotor having a rotor shaft, and at least one main rotor bearing coupling the rotor shaft to the case. Common mode charge builds up on the rotor due to imbalances of the stator. The at least one main rotor bearing has a first electrical resistance between the rotor shaft and the case. The electric motor further includes a rotor discharge bearing coupling the rotor shaft to the case. The rotor discharge bearing has a second electrical resistance between the rotor shaft and the case that is less than the first electrical resistance, causing the common mode charge to discharge through the rotor discharge bearing. In a differing embodiment, a rotor discharge brush coupled between the case and the rotor shaft along the longitudinal axis of the rotor shaft discharges the common mode charge.

Abstract: A method for mitigating torque steer in a vehicle having a steering axle with a limited slip differential and a pair of output members. The limited slip differential includes a pair of differential outputs and a clutch. The method includes: operating the limited slip differential with the clutch in the first condition; determining that the vehicle is in a state in which a torque steer condition is occurring or is likely to occur; and operating the clutch to reduce a torque differential between the differential outputs to mitigate the torque steer condition. A vehicle with a steering axle and a controller that is configured to operate a clutch in the steering axle to attenuate torque steer is also provided.

Abstract: A system for analyzing images is provided. The system includes a computing device having at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device. The at least one processor is programmed to receive an image including a plurality of objects, detect the plurality of objects in the image, determine dependencies between each of the plurality of objects, identify the plurality of objects based, at least in part, on the plurality of dependencies, and determine one or more objects of interest from the plurality of identified objects.

Abstract: An electric drive unit and method of assembling the same is disclosed. The electric drive unit includes a rotor having a rotor shaft, and gear shaft, where the rotor shaft is inserted into the gear shaft. The gear shaft is supported by two bearings, while the rotor shaft supported directly at one end by a bearing and at the other by the gear shaft. A wave spring is also disclosed that provides an axial loading to the rotor shaft. Also disclosed is a balancing ring secured to an end of the rotor via a locknut. The balancing ring can be machined in order to balance the rotor. The rotor shaft can be connected to the gear shaft via a spline connection. The rotor shaft can bear against the gear shaft via a pilot journal and pilot bore defined on the rotor shaft and gear shaft respectively.

Abstract: A system for analyzing images is provided. The system includes a computing device having at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device. The at least one processor is programmed to receive an image including a plurality of objects, detect the plurality of objects in the image, determine dependencies between each of the plurality of objects, identify the plurality of objects based, at least in part, on the plurality of dependencies, and determine one or more objects of interest from the plurality of identified objects.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for determining application experience of a user. One embodiment presented herein includes a computer-implemented method, which includes receiving, at a computing device, eye tracking data of a user interacting with at least a first page of an application. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, based at least on the eye tracking data, at least a current user experience regarding the first page. The computer-implemented method further includes predicting, based on evaluating the current user experience, that the user is likely to discontinue use of the application. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, based at least on the prediction, an intervention that reduces a likelihood of the user discontinuing use of the application, and interacting with the user according to the intervention.

Abstract: A method for mitigating torque steer in a vehicle having a steering axle with a limited slip differential and a pair of output members. The limited slip differential includes a pair of differential outputs and a clutch. The method includes: operating the limited slip differential with the clutch in the first condition; determining that the vehicle is in a state in which a torque steer condition is occurring or is likely to occur; and operating the clutch to reduce a torque differential between the differential outputs to mitigate the torque steer condition. A vehicle with a steering axle and a controller that is configured to operate a clutch in the steering axle to attenuate torque steer is also provided.

Abstract: A system includes a differential, sensors, and a controller. The differential is operable in a first differential mode in which a first shaft and a second shaft are allowed to rotate at different speeds, and a second differential mode in which the differential inhibits relative rotation between the first and second shafts. The sensors are configured to measure vehicle operating conditions. The controller is in communication with the sensors and the differential. The controller, when the vehicle mode is selected, is configured to determine if an intended path of the vehicle is straight, determine if a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined vehicle speed, and operate the differential in the second differential mode for a predetermined time period in response to the controller determining that the intended path of the vehicle is straight and the vehicle speed is less than the predetermined vehicle speed.

Abstract: A system for analyzing images is provided. The system includes a computing device having at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device. The at least one processor is programmed to receive an image including a plurality of objects, detect the plurality of objects in the image, determine dependencies between each of the plurality of objects, identify the plurality of objects based, at least in part, on the plurality of dependencies, and determine one or more objects of interest from the plurality of identified objects.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for determining application experience of a user. One embodiment presented herein includes a computer-implemented method, which includes receiving, at a computing device, eye tracking data of a user interacting with at least a first page of an application. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, based at least on the eye tracking data, at least a current user experience regarding the first page. The computer-implemented method further includes predicting, based on evaluating the current user experience, that the user is likely to discontinue use of the application. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, based at least on the prediction, an intervention that reduces a likelihood of the user discontinuing use of the application, and interacting with the user according to the intervention.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling power transmission systems are include providing oil through an aperture defined in a housing to a stator cooling ring, through the stator cooling ring and into stator cooling channels, through the stator cooling channels and into spaces defined between the housing and jet rings, and through holes in the jet rings and onto the end-windings. The stator cooling ring, stator cooling channels and jet rings can encircle the stator and end-windings and, via the holes in the jet rings, spray pressurized jets of oil from various angles onto the end-windings, and in particular middle regions thereof. Seals may be used between the jet rings and housing, and between the jet rings and stator ends. The seals may be compressed so as to form an interference fit between the jet rings and housing or stator ends as the case may be.

Abstract: An electric motor includes a case, a stator that includes end-windings, a rotor coupled to the case via at least one rotor bearing, at least one drive motor fluid pump, and drive motor electronics. The rotor includes a hollow cylindrical body, a first shaft portion, and a second shaft portion, a fluid feed tube having a fluid receive end and a fluid feed end, the fluid feed end extending into the hollow cylindrical body, and a plurality of fluid exit ports. The drive motor electronics power the stator with or without causing rotation of the rotor. The drive motor fluid pump pumps fluid into the hollow cylindrical body via the fluid feed tube, pumps the fluid out of the plurality of fluid ports, and onto the stator end-windings to collect heat from the rotor and the stator. The heated fluid may be used for heating a battery.

Abstract: An electric motor includes a case, a stator having stator windings, a rotor having a rotor shaft, and at least one main rotor bearing coupling the rotor shaft to the case. Common mode charge builds up on the rotor due to imbalances of the stator. The at least one main rotor bearing has a first electrical resistance between the rotor shaft and the case. The electric motor further includes a rotor discharge bearing coupling the rotor shaft to the case. The rotor discharge bearing has a second electrical resistance between the rotor shaft and the case that is less than the first electrical resistance, causing the common mode charge to discharge through the rotor discharge bearing. In a differing embodiment, a rotor discharge brush coupled between the case and the rotor shaft along the longitudinal axis of the rotor shaft discharges the common mode charge.

Abstract: Systems and method for cooling and lubricating power transmission systems include providing oil to an oil tube and then to a rotor shaft via the oil tube. Oil may also be provided through at least one channel defined in an end of the oil tube inserted into an annular region of the rotor shaft, through at least one channel defined in an end of the gear shaft and between the end and a shoulder of the rotor shaft and through at least one channel defined in side surface of the rotor shaft in a region of rotor shaft inserted into the gear shaft. Such systems and method can also include providing oil a fluid passageway in a bearing shim plate via an inlet tube. Oil may also be provided through a radial gap adjacent a bearing shim plate outlet and chamber defined in the bearing shim plate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling power transmission systems are include providing oil through an aperture defined in a housing to a stator cooling ring, through the stator cooling ring and into stator cooling channels, through the stator cooling channels and into spaces defined between the housing and jet rings, and through holes in the jet rings and onto the end-windings. The stator cooling ring, stator cooling channels and jet rings can encircle the stator and end-windings and, via the holes in the jet rings, spray pressurized jets of oil from various angles onto the end-windings, and in particular middle regions thereof. Seals may be used between the jet rings and housing, and between the jet rings and stator ends. The seals may be compressed so as to form an interference fit between the jet rings and housing or stator ends as the case may be.

Abstract: A control system for operation of an industrial machine includes a processor and a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable memory communicating with the processor. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory includes instructions that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including: receiving image data from an imaging device that monitors an image zone around the industrial machine, and analyzing the image data. The processor further performs operations including determining, based upon the analyzing, that the control system is functional, determining, based upon the analyzing, that the image data includes at least one of a predefined color, a predefined pattern, and a predefined shape, and transmitting a proximity signal to at least one relay module coupled between the processor and the industrial machine to halt operation of the industrial machine.