Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller executing an initial alignment process including searching for a trailer within a specified area of image data that is less than a total field of the image data in directions corresponding with both a longitudinal distance between the vehicle and the trailer and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal distance, presenting an indication to a driver of the vehicle to reposition the vehicle when the trailer is not identified within the specified area, and removing the indication when the trailer is identified within the specified area. The controller further executes an automated backing process upon identifying the trailer within the specified area, including identifying a coupler of the trailer and outputting a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler of the trailer during reversing.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller executing an initial alignment process including searching for a trailer within a specified area of image data that is less than a total field of the image data in directions corresponding with both a longitudinal distance between the vehicle and the trailer and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal distance, presenting an indication to a driver of the vehicle to reposition the vehicle when the trailer is not identified within the specified area, and removing the indication when the trailer is identified within the specified area. The controller further executes an automated backing process upon identifying the trailer within the specified area, including identifying a coupler of the trailer and outputting a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler of the trailer during reversing.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller executing an initial alignment process including searching for a trailer within a specified area of image data that is less than a total field of the image data in directions corresponding with both a longitudinal distance between the vehicle and the trailer and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal distance, presenting an indication to a driver of the vehicle to reposition the vehicle when the trailer is not identified within the specified area, and removing the indication when the trailer is identified within the specified area. The controller further executes an automated backing process upon identifying the trailer within the specified area, including identifying a coupler of the trailer and outputting a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler of the trailer during reversing.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller acquiring image data from the vehicle and identifying a trailer within a specified area of the image data and then identifying a coupler of the trailer. The specified area is less than a total field of the image data. The controller then outputs a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler.

Abstract: A hitch assist system is provided herein that includes a sensing system configured to detect a trailer and obstacles proximate the trailer. The hitch assist system also includes a controller in communication with the sensing system and configured to define a final vehicle heading direction relative to the trailer when a hitch ball of a vehicle is aligned with a coupler of the trailer; determine an uppermost/farthest position of the vehicle from the trailer; determine a lowermost/nearest position of the vehicle from the trailer; and determine a vehicle path that aligns the vehicle within the uppermost/farthest and lowermost/nearest positions.

Abstract: A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller acquiring image data from the vehicle and identifying a trailer within a specified area of the image data and then identifying a coupler of the trailer. The specified area is less than a total field of the image data. The controller then outputs a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler.

Abstract: A hitch assist system is provided herein that includes a sensing system configured to detect a trailer and obstacles proximate the trailer. The hitch assist system also includes a controller in communication with the sensing system and configured to define a final vehicle heading direction relative to the trailer when a hitch ball of a vehicle is aligned with a coupler of the trailer; determine an uppermost/farthest position of the vehicle from the trailer; determine a lowermost/nearest position of the vehicle from the trailer; and determine a vehicle path that aligns the vehicle within the uppermost/farthest and lowermost/nearest positions.

Abstract: A prismatic battery cell or an electronic component comprising an electrode plate group of alternately stacked positive and negative electrode plates, wherein adjacent electrode plates of opposite polarity are insulated by an insulating separator, and electrode plates of one polarity are bent to converge at a common joining location for connecting together as a lead portion, the lead portion being joined together to a current collector of that one polarity, characterized in that the electrode plates are bent after the electrode plates are stacked and held or bundled together. Shaping the electrode plates to form the lead portions while the electrode plates are held in a stack means it is not necessary to handle pre-shaped electrode plates, since handling pre-shaped electrode plates in a production line could be tedious because the electrode plates are quite easily deformable.

Abstract: A battery includes a plurality of prismatic battery cells, wherein prismatic battery cells which are immediately adjacent to each other are connected by at least one inter-cell connector which extends across an inter-cell aperture. The adjacent prismatic battery cells are communicable through the inter-cell aperture, to provide continuity in conductivity and/or a continuity of conductance across the inter-cell aperture. The inter-cell connector forms a fluid sealing member and the part which extends trough the aperture may be tapered and threaded.

Abstract: A method of battery charging includes a first step of collecting characteristic battery data of the battery. This characteristic battery data relates to charging characteristics of the battery and includes charging current rate, ambient temperature, battery voltage and state-of-charge of the battery. A full charge voltage of the battery is determined, which corresponds to a state of full charge of the battery. A stop-charge voltage is determined, this stop-charge voltage being below the full charge voltage and being a voltage above which the rate of increase of battery temperature begins to increase. The ambient temperature is determined, and a charging current rate is selected. The battery is charged until the stop-charge voltage is reached.

Abstract: An electrical connector useful for both high-current and low-current applications including a first and a second conductive terminals, in which the terminals are interconnected by a plurality of substantially rigid and elongated conductive strips and apertures or gaps are disposed between at least some of the adjacent conductive strips. The connector provides enhanced heat dissipation characteristics and is particularly useful for high current applications such as for connecting batteries, accumulators, super-capacitors and the like storage power units for electric vehicle and other applications.

Abstract: Binding proteins, such as fully human monoclonal antibodies and fragments thereof, directed to the antigen Matriptase and uses of such binding proteins are disclosed. Nucleotide sequences encoding, and amino acid sequences comprising heavy and light chain immunoglobulin molecules capable of binding to Matriptase are also disclosed. The invention also discloses cell lines expressing such immunoglobulin molecules and monoclonal antibodies to Matriptase. The antibodies can be used to detect, prevent, and treat diseases such as cancer.

Abstract: An electrical connector useful for both high-current and low-current applications including a first and a second conductive terminals, in which the terminals are interconnected by a plurality of substantially rigid and elongated conductive strips and apertures or gaps are disposed between at least some of the adjacent conductive strips. The connector provides enhanced heat dissipation characteristics and is particularly useful for high current applications such as for connecting batteries, accumulators, super-capacitors and the like storage power units for electric vehicle and other applications.

Abstract: An improved battery cell having electrodes formed of active material adhered to a conductive substrate with active surface areas communicating along an entire edge portion with conductors thereby minimizing resistance and allowing for communication of electrical current to and from the battery at a high rate with an even discharge from the electrodes. The plurality of electrodes is then stacked or wound to a desired configuration with a porous separator separating each adjacent electrode from the other. Communication along the entire edge of the formed electrodes on the conductive substrate with a conductive edge portion of the substrate, provide for maximum current flow in and out of the battery as well as well as reducing thermal concerns in high current applications. Elongated electrical conductors best made from copper are attached to substantially the entire length of the positive and negative edge portions.

Abstract: An electrical connector useful for both high-current and low-current applications including a first and a second conductive terminals, in which the terminals are interconnected by a plurality of substantially rigid and elongated conductive strips and apertures or gaps are disposed between at least some of the adjacent conductive strips. The connector provides enhanced heat dissipation characteristics and is particularly useful for high current applications such as for connecting batteries, accumulators, super-capacitors and the like storage power units for electric vehicle and other applications.

Abstract: An over-current and thermal protection device adaptable for use as an electrical interrupt and in a battery environment. The protection device has a pair electrical conductors, an electrically conductive resilient switch member engageable in contact with the conductors to define an electrical conductivity pathway. The switch member is actuated by a thermally responsive shape memory alloy strip and activatable in response to a change in temperature at a predetermined level to effect a change in the metallurgical state of the shape memory alloy and position of the engagement of the switch member with one of the conductors.

Abstract: An improved battery cell having electrodes with active surface areas communicating along an entire edge with conductors thereby minimizing resistance and allowing for communication of electrical current to and from the battery at a high rate with an even discharge from the electrodes. Electrical current is produced by a plurality of electrodes formed of active material adhered to a conductive substrate. The plurality of electrodes is then stacked or wound to a desired configuration with a porous separator separating each adjacent electrode from the other. Communication along the entire edge of the formed electrodes on the conductive substrate with a conductive edge portion of the substrate, provide for maximum current flow in and out of the battery as well as well as reducing thermal concerns in high current applications.

Abstract: A terminal assembly for sealing and electrically isolating a conducting terminal from a container of an electrolytic device uses a lock nut and a single-piece deformable gasket. When the lock nut is threaded down the terminal, an inwardly tapered sleeve of the lock nut cooperates with an outwardly tapered zone of the gasket to force the gasket to surround the opening of the container and to seal the terminal before compression is applied. Reliable sealing and electrical insulation are provided because predetermined axial and radial compression forces are generated on the opening of the container. A robust sealed terminal is provided while over compression of the single-piece gasket is prevented.