Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component for a reference electrode assembly according to various aspects of the present disclosure includes providing a separator having first and second opposing surfaces. The method further includes sputtering a first current collector layer to the first surface via magnetron or ion beam sputtering deposition. A porosity of the separator is substantially unchanged by the sputtering. In one aspect, the method further includes sputtering a second current collector layer to the second surface via magnetron or ion beam sputtering deposition. In one aspect, the first current collector layer includes nickel and defines a first thickness of greater than or equal to about 200 nm to less than or equal to about 300 nm and the second current collector layer includes gold and defines a second thickness of greater than or equal to about 25 nm to less than or equal to about 100 nm.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component for a reference electrode assembly according to various aspects of the present disclosure includes providing a separator having first and second opposing surfaces. The method further includes sputtering a first current collector layer to the first surface via magnetron or ion beam sputtering deposition. A porosity of the separator is substantially unchanged by the sputtering. In one aspect, the method further includes sputtering a second current collector layer to the second surface via magnetron or ion beam sputtering deposition. In one aspect, the first current collector layer includes nickel and defines a first thickness of greater than or equal to about 200 nm to less than or equal to about 300 nm and the second current collector layer includes gold and defines a second thickness of greater than or equal to about 25 nm to less than or equal to about 100 nm.

Abstract: A device for performing electrochemical analysis of electrochemical cells includes a housing, upper and lower stack holders, and first, second, and third current collectors. The housing includes an inner chamber that can be hermetically sealed and a central axis extending through the inner chamber. The upper and lower stack holders are disposed within the inner chamber and cooperate to define an electrode stack chamber for housing a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a center-mounted reference electrode. The first, second, and third current collectors are at least partially disposed in the inner chamber. The first current collector can be electrically connected to a first side of the negative electrode and an external circuit. The second current collector can be in electrical contact with the positive electrode and the external circuit. The third cylindrical body can be in electrical contact with the center-mounted reference electrode and the external circuit.

Abstract: A battery cell system and an associated monitoring system is provided which includes at least an anode, a cathode, a separator formed from a base layer, first and second contacts and a reference component. The anode and cathode are disposed in a lithium ion non-aqueous solution within a housing. The base layer of the separator includes a first side and a second side. The base layer is operatively configured to separate the anode and the cathode within the housing. The first contact of the separator is affixed to the first side of the base layer between the base layer and an anode. The second contact is affixed to the second side of the base layer with the reference component disposed on the second contact.

Abstract: A reference structure and a separator assembly is provided. The separator assembly provides a base layer, a first contact, an optional second contact and a reference component which may be implemented in various applications. The base layer includes a first side and a second side. The first contact is affixed on the first side of the base layer between the base layer and an anode. The second contact is affixed on the second side of the base layer. A reference component is affixed to the second side of the base layer and the optional second contact, if implemented. The reference structure includes a semi-permeable reference component affixed or coupled to a base element.

Abstract: A device for performing electrochemical analysis of electrochemical cells includes a housing, upper and lower stack holders, and first, second, and third current collectors. The housing includes an inner chamber that can be hermetically sealed and a central axis extending through the inner chamber. The upper and lower stack holders are disposed within the inner chamber and cooperate to define an electrode stack chamber for housing a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a center-mounted reference electrode. The first, second, and third current collectors are at least partially disposed in the inner chamber. The first current collector can be electrically connected to a first side of the negative electrode and an external circuit. The second current collector can be in electrical contact with the positive electrode and the external circuit. The third cylindrical body can be in electrical contact with the center-mounted reference electrode and the external circuit.

Abstract: A battery assembly includes a battery having first and second electrodes and an electrolyte. A controller is operatively connected to the battery. The controller includes a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method for estimating a charge acceptance capability of the battery. Interaction of the electrolyte and at least one of the first and second electrodes produces a discharge product. The controller is programmed to quantize and track both accumulation and removal of the discharge product when at least one enabling condition is met. The controller is programmed to initialize a timer when the enabling condition is met and increment the timer by a calculation time interval (?t).

Abstract: A battery cell testing fixture is provided which includes a user interface, a separator assembly and an optional stand. The user interface includes a module for receiving input voltage data from at least one circuit to provide a variety of battery cell conditions. The separator assembly includes an integrated reference electrode or reference component. The separator assembly is operatively configured to be used with a plurality of test batteries in succession. The separator assembly may be operatively configured to communicate with a current collector, a meter and the user interface.

Abstract: In a vehicle, a first energy storage device has a first direct current (DC) operating voltage; and a second energy storage device has a second DC operating voltage. The second DC operating voltage is greater than or less than the first DC operating voltage the first DC operating voltage. A switch is connected between the first and second energy storage devices. A fault diagnostic module, while an internal combustion engine of the vehicle is shut down, diagnoses that a fault is present when a voltage of the first energy storage device is less than a predetermined DC voltage. The predetermined DC voltage is less than the first DC operating voltage. A switch control module closes the switch when the fault is diagnosed. A starter control module, when the fault is diagnosed, applies power to a starter from the second energy storage device via the switch.

Abstract: In a vehicle, a first energy storage device has a first direct current (DC) operating voltage; and a second energy storage device has a second DC operating voltage. The second DC operating voltage is greater than or less than the first DC operating voltage the first DC operating voltage. A switch is connected between the first and second energy storage devices. A fault diagnostic module, while an internal combustion engine of the vehicle is shut down, diagnoses that a fault is present when a voltage of the first energy storage device is less than a predetermined DC voltage. The predetermined DC voltage is less than the first DC operating voltage. A switch control module closes the switch when the fault is diagnosed. A starter control module, when the fault is diagnosed, applies power to a starter from the second energy storage device via the switch.

Abstract: A reference structure and a separator assembly is provided. The separator assembly provides a base layer, a first contact, an optional second contact and a reference component which may be implemented in various applications. The base layer includes a first side and a second side. The first contact is affixed on the first side of the base layer between the base layer and an anode. The second contact is affixed on the second side of the base layer. A reference component is affixed to the second side of the base layer and the optional second contact, if implemented. The reference structure includes a semi-permeable reference component affixed or coupled to a base element.

Abstract: A battery cell testing fixture is provided which includes a user interface, a separator assembly and an optional stand. The user interface includes a module for receiving input voltage data from at least one circuit to provide a variety of battery cell conditions. The separator assembly includes an integrated reference electrode or reference component. The separator assembly is operatively configured to be used with a plurality of test batteries in succession. The separator assembly may be operatively configured to communicate with a current collector, a meter and the user interface.

Abstract: A battery cell system and an associated monitoring system is provided which includes at least an anode, a cathode, a separator formed from a base layer, first and second contacts and a reference component. The anode and cathode are disposed in a lithium ion non-aqueous solution within a housing. The base layer of the separator includes a first side and a second side. The base layer is operatively configured to separate the anode and the cathode within the housing. The first contact of the separator is affixed to the first side of the base layer between the base layer and an anode. The second contact is affixed to the second side of the base layer with the reference component disposed on the second contact.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle propulsion includes an engine and a first electric machine, where each is configured to selectively provide torque to propel the vehicle. The propulsion system also includes a second electric machine coupled to the engine to provide torque to start the engine from an inactive state. A high-voltage power source is configured to power both of the first electric machine and the second electric machine over a high-voltage bus. The propulsion system further includes a controller programmed to deactivate the engine and propel the vehicle using the first electric machine in response to the vehicle being driven at a steady-state speed for a predetermined duration of time. The controller is also programmed to restart the engine using the second electric machine powered by the high-voltage power source.

Abstract: A method for fault-tolerant coasting control of a powertrain system having an engine and a first energy storage system (ESS) includes receiving a real impedance value of the first ESS from a frequency analyzer device at a calibrated frequency while the engine is running, and comparing the real impedance value to a calibrated impedance. A coasting maneuver is enabled allowing the engine to turn off above a threshold speed when the real impedance value is less than the calibrated impedance. The method may include starting the engine using a second ESS in parallel with the first ESS to exit the coasting maneuver when the real impedance value exceeds the calibrated impedance. Subsequent execution of the coasting maneuver may be prevented as long as the real impedance value exceeds the calibrated impedance. A powertrain system includes the engine, starter motor, rechargeable ESS, frequency analyzer, and controller.

Abstract: A battery assembly includes a battery having first and second electrodes and an electrolyte. A controller is operatively connected to the battery. The controller includes a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method for estimating a charge acceptance capability of the battery. Interaction of the electrolyte and at least one of the first and second electrodes produces a discharge product. The controller is programmed to quantize and track both accumulation and removal of the discharge product when at least one enabling condition is met. The controller is programmed to initialize a timer when the enabling condition is met and increment the timer by a calculation time interval (?t).

Abstract: A method for fault-tolerant coasting control of a powertrain system having an engine and a first energy storage system (ESS) includes receiving a real impedance value of the first ESS from a frequency analyzer device at a calibrated frequency while the engine is running, and comparing the real impedance value to a calibrated impedance. A coasting maneuver is enabled allowing the engine to turn off above a threshold speed when the real impedance value is less than the calibrated impedance. The method may include starting the engine using a second ESS in parallel with the first ESS to exit the coasting maneuver when the real impedance value exceeds the calibrated impedance. Subsequent execution of the coasting maneuver may be prevented as long as the real impedance value exceeds the calibrated impedance. A powertrain system includes the engine, starter motor, rechargeable ESS, frequency analyzer, and controller.

Abstract: An electrical system includes an engine, a motor-generator and a starter mechanism, and engine systems also include the engine. The electrical system includes a first energy storage device having a first voltage level and a second energy storage device having a second voltage level less than the first voltage level. The electrical system further includes a controller configured to control the motor-generator, the starter mechanism and first and second switching devices. Current from at least one of the first and second energy storage devices is delivered to the motor-generator when at least one of the first switching device is in a first closed state and the second switching device is in a second closed state such that the motor-generator transfers torque to the starter mechanism and the starter mechanism uses the torque to start the engine.

Abstract: An electrical system includes an engine, a motor-generator and a starter mechanism, and engine systems also include the engine. The electrical system includes a first energy storage device having a first voltage level and a second energy storage device having a second voltage level less than the first voltage level. The electrical system further includes a controller configured to control the motor-generator, the starter mechanism and first and second switching devices. Current from at least one of the first and second energy storage devices is delivered to the motor-generator when at least one of the first switching device is in a first closed state and the second switching device is in a second closed state such that the motor-generator transfers torque to the starter mechanism and the starter mechanism uses the torque to start the engine.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a state of charge of a battery. A magnetic force between the battery and a magnet is detected. The state of charge of the battery is determined based on the detected magnetic force.