Abstract: A passive jet system for disrupting an airflow at a surface of a front wheel for a vehicle includes a duct including an inlet exposed to an airflow, an outlet fluidically directed toward a forward surface of the front wheel, and a passage having a flow-accelerating profile operable to increase a velocity of the airflow passing from the inlet toward the outlet.

Abstract: A solar loading-based system includes a memory, a disturbance prediction module, a cabin temperature estimation module and a thermal control module. The memory stores a cabin thermal load model of an interior cabin of a host vehicle and a solar load prediction model. The disturbance prediction module: receives signals indicative of states of cabin thermal actuators and comfort metrics; and predicts an effect of solar loading over a known portion of a predicted route including predicting cabin temperatures based on the solar load prediction model, the states of the cabin thermal actuators, and the comfort metrics. The cabin temperature estimation module, based on the cabin thermal load model, determines a first comfort metric based on the predicted cabin temperatures. The thermal control module controls cabin thermal actuators to adjust cabin states, including the first comfort metric, to respective target values based on the predicted effect of solar loading.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include hybrid thermal management systems configured to control an operating temperature of a liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) based head-up display (HUD) unit. An exemplary thermal management system can include a liquid crystal on silicon layer and a phase change material on a surface of the liquid crystal on silicon layer. A thermoelectric device is positioned in direct contact with the phase change material and a heat sink is positioned on a surface of the thermoelectric device. The thermal management system can further include a controller configured to adjust a thermoelectric device current of the thermoelectric device responsive to a temperature of the liquid crystal on silicon layer.

Abstract: A solar loading-based system includes a memory, a solar load prediction module, and an eco-routing module. The memory is configured to store map information and environment information. The solar load prediction module is configured, based on the map information and the environment information, to (i) determine a route of a host vehicle, (ii) predict solar loading on the host vehicle along the route, and (iii) predict an amount of energy to be consumed by the host vehicle over the route based on the predicted solar loading. The eco-routing module is configured, based on the amount of energy to be consumed by the host vehicle over the route, to at least one of (i) determine whether to follow the route, or (ii) inform a user of the route and the predicted amount of energy to be consumed over the route.

Abstract: A solar loading-based system includes a memory, a disturbance prediction module, a cabin temperature estimation module and a thermal control module. The memory stores a cabin thermal load model of an interior cabin of a host vehicle and a solar load prediction model. The disturbance prediction module: receives signals indicative of states of cabin thermal actuators and comfort metrics; and predicts an effect of solar loading over a known portion of a predicted route including predicting cabin temperatures based on the solar load prediction model, the states of the cabin thermal actuators, and the comfort metrics. The cabin temperature estimation module, based on the cabin thermal load model, determines a first comfort metric based on the predicted cabin temperatures. The thermal control module controls cabin thermal actuators to adjust cabin states, including the first comfort metric, to respective target values based on the predicted effect of solar loading.

Abstract: A seat system includes a seat bottom and a seat back at a rear of the seat bottom. A thermally controlled seat belt includes a lap portion and a shoulder portion. The thermally controlled seat belt can include a porous sleeve that is connected to a seat ventilation system or a vehicle ventilation system. The seat belt can alternatively or additionally include a heating fabric or thermoelectric elements.

Abstract: A heating apparatus is provided. The heating apparatus includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating element and a power controller configured to generate and apply a pulse width modified signal to the PTC heating element. The power controller is configured to vary a current of the pulse width modified signal linearly with respect to a temperature of a space being heated by the PTC heating element.

Abstract: A control system of a vehicle comprising: i) a plurality of adjustable aerodynamic control devices associated with the vehicle; ii) a fuel economy sensor configured to determine a first fuel economy measurement; and iii) an aerodynamic device controller module configured to adjust a first one of the plurality of adjustable aerodynamic control devices and to receive from the fuel economy sensor a second fuel economy measurement. The aerodynamic device controller module stores in an onboard database state information corresponding to settings of the plurality of adjustable aerodynamic control devices if the second fuel economy measurement is an improvement over the first fuel economy measurement.

Abstract: A climate control system includes a memory, a compensation module, and a climate control module. The memory is configured to store images captured by one or more image sensors. The compensation module is configured to: based on the images, estimate a clothing level of a first occupant in an interior cabin of a vehicle or receive the clothing level from at least one of an edge computing device or a cloud-based network device; determine a first EHT setpoint; and determine a first resultant EHT based on the clothing level and the first EHT setpoint. The climate control module is configured to: determine a first EHT error based on the first resultant EHT and a cabin temperature setpoint; determine a control value based on the first EHT error; and set climate control parameters to control a temperature of a first zone within the interior cabin based on the control value.

Abstract: A glass panel apparatus is provided. The glass panel apparatus includes an outer glass pane comprising a low-e coating on a side facing the inner glass pane, an inner glass pane comprising a low-e coating on a side facing the outer glass pane, a gap between the inner glass pane and the outer glass pane, the gap comprising a vacuum, and a heating element configured to heat the inner glass pane.

Abstract: A climate control system includes a memory, a compensation module, and a climate control module. The memory is configured to store images captured by one or more image sensors. The compensation module is configured to: based on the images, estimate a clothing level of a first occupant in an interior cabin of a vehicle or receive the clothing level from at least one of an edge computing device or a cloud-based network device; determine a first EHT setpoint; and determine a first resultant EHT based on the clothing level and the first EHT setpoint. The climate control module is configured to: determine a first EHT error based on the first resultant EHT and a cabin temperature setpoint; determine a control value based on the first EHT error; and set climate control parameters to control a temperature of a first zone within the interior cabin based on the control value.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for radiant heating by PTC radiant patches. A radiant heating system for warming an occupant of an enclosed space includes patches to radiate heat into the enclosed space toward the occupant. A power supply supplies electric power to the patches. A controller controls the electric power supplied to the patches based on a temperature in the enclosed space and locations of the patches within the enclosed space.

Abstract: A head-up display for a vehicle. The head-up display comprises a picture generating unit configured to project an image onto a glass surface and an optical stack. The optical stack comprises an infrared reflective waveplate and a dual brightness enhancement film. The infrared reflective waveplate transforms an incoming solar light beam from unpolarized light to incoming polarized light having an incoming S-polarization component and an incoming P-polarization component. The dual brightness enhancement film receives the incoming polarized light from the infrared reflective waveplate and eliminates substantially all of the incoming P-polarization component. The dual brightness enhancement film transmits substantially all of the incoming S-polarization component.

Abstract: Processor-implemented methods and systems for aerodynamically optimizing a design geometry of a vehicle body using a convolutional neural network (CNN) are provided. The method may include receiving a signed distance function (SDF) data file that represents the design geometry of the vehicle body. The method includes receiving a range of inflow boundary conditions. The processor processes the SDF over the range of boundary conditions, using the CNN, to generate therefrom drag and lift outputs for the design geometry. The drag and lift outputs may be displayed in the form of one or more intensity maps.

Abstract: A vehicle a sensor system disposed adjacent to a headrest portion of a seat within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The sensor system includes at least one of an air velocity sensor, an air temperature sensor, a radiant heat flux sensor, a heat flux sensor, or a humidity sensor. The sensor system is positioned near the headrest, facing a forward end of the vehicle, in a position that is not blocked by a head of a passenger seated in the seat. The sensor system provides data related to the air velocity, the air temperature, the radiant heat flux, the heat flux, or the relative humidity, enabling a climate controller to accurately calculate a current Equivalent Homogenous Temperature (EHT) of a passenger seated in the seat. The climate controller may then control a climate system of the vehicle based on the calculated EHT to provide a desired EHT.

Abstract: A control system of a vehicle comprising: i) a plurality of adjustable aerodynamic control devices associated with the vehicle; ii) a fuel economy sensor configured to determine a first fuel economy measurement; and iii) an aerodynamic device controller module configured to adjust a first one of the plurality of adjustable aerodynamic control devices and to receive from the fuel economy sensor a second fuel economy measurement. The aerodynamic device controller module stores in an onboard database state information corresponding to settings of the plurality of adjustable aerodynamic control devices if the second fuel economy measurement is an improvement over the first fuel economy measurement.

Abstract: A water condensation mitigation system for a battery pack having a battery housing system configured to generally surround and contain the battery pack. The battery housing system having a housing having a plurality of wall surfaces defining a housing volume. The housing volume being sized and shaped to contain the battery pack. The housing further having at least one aperture formed in at least one of the plurality of wall surfaces. A pressure valve member being operably mounted relative to the aperture of the housing that is configured to accommodate pack air volume changes and/or temperature changes in the housing volume.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for personalized controlling of an air temperature in a vehicle. A computer implemented method for personalized controlling of an air temperature in a vehicle comprises determining, by a processor, a current temperature condition in the vehicle, wherein the current temperature condition in the vehicle is determined based on at least a temperature value that is representative for a current thermal environment in a compartment of the vehicle. The processor further determines a basal metabolic rate that is associated with a person located in the compartment of the vehicle and controlling, by the processor, a desired air temperature in the vehicle, wherein the desired air temperature is controlled based on the determined current temperature condition in the vehicle and the determined basal metabolic rate.

Abstract: A climate control system in a vehicle. The system comprises a first control module configured to: i) receive a first temperature measurement associated with a passenger compartment of a vehicle; ii) compare the first temperature measurement to a temperature set point value; and iii) in response to the comparison, determine a first error value associated with a difference between the first temperature measurement and the temperature set point. The system further comprises a temperature control module configured to receive the first error value and, in response, to adjust the light transmissivity of at least one window the vehicle.

Abstract: A thermal comfort device comprises a pair of selectively contractable piezo-electric diaphragms and a body sandwiched between the pair of diaphragms, the body defines a cavity and an opening, wherein, the piezo-electric diaphragms are adapted to be selectively contracted to flex outward, drawing air into the cavity, and to flex inward, forcing air out of the cavity, each of the piezo-electric diaphragms adapted to be selectively controlled by varying the voltage and the frequency, wherein the velocity of the air being forced outward from the cavity is selectively variable, and a thermo-electric device adapted to thermally condition air forced outward from the cavity by one of heating and cooling the air forced outward from the cavity, wherein the thermo-electric device is positioned at one of within the cavity and outside the cavity aligned with the opening.