Abstract: A system for manufacturing battery cells that utilizes a single battery assembly station for trimming and welding operations is presented. The system includes a laser mask with defined windows and a laser configured to direct beams through the windows. A platform is operable to perform planar translation of the battery cell within the laser mask, allowing the beams to sequentially trim current collector foils and weld tabs to the current collector foils.

Abstract: In a high voltage vehicle electronics system, laser welding may be used to connect components mechanically and electrically to bus bars. To overcome issues associated with the high reflectivity of materials commonly used for these applications, a laser-applied surface treatment is used on the components. The surface treatment alters several properties, including reflectivity, of the surface, improving the quality of the resulting weld.

Abstract: In a high voltage vehicle electronics system, electronic components having tabs are welded to a bus bar using pulsed laser welding. Each tab is welded to the bus bar with an array of spot welds. Each spot weld includes an inner region formed by laser welding in a keyhole mode and an outer region formed by laser welding in a conduction mode. The energy density applied to the inner region is between ten and twenty times the energy density applied to the outer region.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to manufacturing methods for forming electrodes. In one method provided, an oxidized layer from a surface of a metal current collector is removed via ionization. A solvent-free dry powder agglomeration of active materials, binders, and conductive agents is then calendared onto the surface of the metal current collector to form an electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting electrode sheets includes a conveyor and a laser device. The conveyor is configured to move an original sheet including an electrode portion and an ear portion extending from an edge of the electrode portion. The laser device is configured to move a laser to cut out a tab connected to the electrode portion from the ear portion of the original sheet. The laser device is also configured to move the laser from one edge of the electrode portion to another edge of the electrode portion to cut and separate a respective electrode sheet including the tab from the original sheet. The laser is configured to cut out the tab from the ear portion and cut and separate the respective electrode sheet including the tab from the original sheet as the conveyor is moving the original sheet.

Abstract: Busbars are provided for electrically connecting battery cells within a traction battery pack. An exemplary busbar may include features for locating and positioning a tab terminal of a battery cell. For example, the busbar may include a slot and a bent portion. The tab terminal may be received within the slot such that at least a portion of the tab terminal is positioned on an opposite side of the busbar from a housing of the battery cell. The tab terminal may be secured (e.g., welded) to the bent portion at a section of the busbar that is exposed within the slot.

Abstract: A method is presented for selecting, by a dialog manager, a current path location of an instance of a task from a list of a plurality of scored intent hypotheses with distinct intents and different task paths, comprising the steps of: performing a first filtering of the list of the plurality of scored intent hypotheses to comprise hypotheses meeting a pre-determined threshold; from the first filtered list, determining an intent and a task path for each of the hypotheses meeting the pre-determined threshold, wherein each of the hypotheses meeting the pre-determined threshold have the same intent; determining a simplest distinct task path to each hypothesis and presenting each of the simplest distinct paths in a second list; performing a second filtering of the second list by selecting a single distinct path; and confirming the intent of the hypothesis and configuring the selected single path to the current path location.

Abstract: A traction battery includes a stack of cells each having two terminals. Sets of terminals are connected to busbars to electrically connect the battery cells. The busbars have a base, a set of connecting portions, and a set of stiffeners. The terminals have protruding portions and receding portions. As the busbar is positioned with respect to the battery stack, the connecting portions guide the receding portions into position by deflecting the protruding portions. The receding portions are then welded to the connecting portions. The deflected protruding portion forces the parts to be welded together, eliminating a need for clamping during the welding process.

Abstract: A traction battery includes a battery array having a stack of cells, wherein a first of the cells includes a terminal having a projecting portion extending from a body of the cell and a curved portion disposed on a distal end of the projecting portion. A busbar has a connecting portion defining a slot with a pair of first opposing sides and a pair of second opposing sides. The connecting portion further has a pair of flaps, each pivotally attached to one of the second opposing sides such that the flaps oppose each other. The terminal is mechanically joined to the connecting portion with the curved portion of the terminal in contact with at least one of the flaps.

Abstract: A customizable communication system and method of use are described for providing dialect and language options for users to employ during interactions between the user and a third-party application, thereby enhancing user experience. In some embodiments, the system allows a user to select a plurality of dialect and language preferences while interacting with a third-party application offering voice command technology. The selected dialect and language preference is used during the interaction between the user and the third-party application.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting electrode sheets includes a conveyor and a laser device. The conveyor is configured to move an original sheet including an electrode portion and an ear portion extending from an edge of the electrode portion. The laser device is configured to move a laser to cut out a tab connected to the electrode portion from the ear portion of the original sheet. The laser device is also configured to move the laser from one edge of the electrode portion to another edge of the electrode portion to cut and separate a respective electrode sheet including the tab from the original sheet. The laser is configured to cut out the tab from the ear portion and cut and separate the respective electrode sheet including the tab from the original sheet as the conveyor is moving the original sheet.

Abstract: Technologies for load balancing a storage network include a system. The system includes circuitry to adjust routing rules in a network interface controller to deliver a packet from one of multiple uplinks to one of any physical functions, circuitry to remap, in response to a failure of a switch, a port from one physical function to another physical function, and circuitry to communicate control data between a software defined network controller and one or more agents in one or more host endpoints with a hierarchical distributed hashing table.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing a dialog between a contact center system and a user thereof, comprising the steps of: hosting a dialog over a communication channel between an automated dialog engine of said contact center and said user thereof, said dialog comprising messages sent between said automated dialog engine and said user in both directions; said automated dialog engine receiving input messages from said user, and determining response messages in response to said inputs; detecting from said messages of said dialog a trigger event matching a rule; in response to detection of said trigger event: providing said agent station with a summary of said dialog; and providing control of said automated dialog engine to said agent station.

Abstract: A processor receives inputs from a dialog between an agent and a user performed over a communication channel A knowledge base is stored, comprising entries with a subset of said entries defined as higher priority. A match is detected between an input from said dialog and a plurality of said knowledge base entries. At least one of said plurality of entries is retrieved corresponding to said match. The at least one of said plurality of entries is pushed as an output to one or more of a device operated by said user and at least one device operated by one of said user and said agent. A further match is detected between an input from said dialog and a higher priority entry in said knowledge base and pushed to said at least one device while the dialog is ongoing.

Abstract: A root behavior tree is stored with a flow control node and a plurality of child nodes. The flow control node may determine a sequence of execution of child nodes. A first-level behavior tree is stored and executed to accomplish a task with associated intent. The first-level tree comprises a child node of the root tree and nodes defining actions. A dialog between contact center and user is hosted over a communication channel and a processor receives inputs from the dialog and executes the root tree and the first-level tree as a child node of the root tree in response. Upon detecting a match between an input and a data pattern, the execution sequence within the root tree or a further tree is altered. Responsive to the altered sequence, an output is provided to cause an action.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing a dialog between a contact center system and a user thereof, comprising the steps of: hosting a dialog over a communication channel between an automated dialog engine of said contact center and said user thereof, said dialog comprising messages sent between said automated dialog engine and said user in both directions; said automated dialog engine receiving input messages from said user, and determining response messages in response to said inputs; detecting from said messages of said dialog a trigger event matching a rule; in response to detection of said trigger event: providing said agent station with a summary of said dialog; and providing control of said automated dialog engine to said agent station.

Abstract: A processor receives inputs from a dialog between an agent and a user performed over a communication channel A knowledge base is stored, comprising entries with a subset of said entries defined as higher priority. A match is detected between an input from said dialog and a plurality of said knowledge base entries. At least one of said plurality of entries is retrieved corresponding to said match. The at least one of said plurality of entries is pushed as an output to one or more of a device operated by said user and at least one device operated by one of said user and said agent. A further match is detected between an input from said dialog and a higher priority entry in said knowledge base and pushed to said at least one device while the dialog is ongoing.

Abstract: A method is presented for executing a dialog turn in a conversation by a dialog manager comprising: receiving an input associated with a task from a user; passing the input to an NLU engine on a first task path; receiving a list of possible intents associated with the task, wherein the list of possible intents comprises an associated confidence for each of the possible intents; applying context-aware re-scoring of the confidences from the NLU engine with weight applied to one or more tasks currently active with the user; selecting an intent based on the re-scored confidences; determining a new task path in a hierarchy of intents based on the confirmed intent; confirming the selected intent and associated slots; and selecting a response flow for the new task path in the hierarchy of intents and executing the response flow.

Abstract: A root behavior tree is stored with a flow control node and a plurality of child nodes. The flow control node may determine a sequence of execution of child nodes. A first-level behavior tree is stored and executed to accomplish a task with associated intent. The first-level tree comprises a child node of the root tree and nodes defining actions. A dialog between contact center and user is hosted over a communication channel and a processor receives inputs from the dialog and executes the root tree and the first-level tree as a child node of the root tree in response. Upon detecting a match between an input and a data pattern, the execution sequence within the root tree or a further tree is altered. Responsive to the altered sequence, an output is provided to cause an action.

Abstract: An improved smoke detection enclosure for recessed installment is disclosed herein. A smoke detector for recessed installment can comprise a housing, a printed circuit board (PCB), a bottom cover, and a plurality of clips. The housing can be capable of being installed within a surface. The printed circuit board (PCB) can comprise one or more smoke detection systems. The PCB can be mounted within the housing such that upon installation into a surface, the PCB is approximately at the surface. The bottom cover can extend beyond edges of the housing to form a surface lip. The surface lip can be capable of interacting with a first side of the surface. The bottom cover can comprise one or more air vents, each of the one or more air vents can be placed directly underneath of each of the one or more smoke detection systems.