Abstract: A vehicle part with at least one integrated photovoltaic element includes a part body, at least one area of a barrier layer disposed on at least a portion of the surface of the part body; and at least one photovoltaic element disposed over an area of the barrier layer. Paint covers the portions of the surface of the part body surrounding the photovoltaic elements. A method of making a vehicle part having at least one integrated photovoltaic element includes applying at least one area of a barrier layer on at least a portion of the surface of the part and applying at least one photovoltaic element over an area of the barrier layer. A protective layer is applied over the surface of the photovoltaic element, the surface of the part is painted, and the protective layer can then be removed to expose the photovoltaic element.

Abstract: A vehicle, system and method of detecting an internal short in a battery pack of the vehicle. The system includes a plurality of sensors and a processor. The plurality of sensors obtains states of charge at battery cells of the battery pack. The processor discharges the battery pack to identify a first set of the battery cells based on the states of charge of the battery cells, charges the battery pack to identify a second set of the battery cells based on the states of charge of the battery cells, and generates an alarm when an intersection of the first set and the second set is non-empty.

Abstract: An immersion cooling system for a battery system includes a battery enclosure and G battery cell groups arranged in the battery enclosure. Each of the G battery cell groups include C battery cells, where G and C are integers greater than one. A plurality of dividers are arranged between each of the G battery cell groups. A gas manifold removes vent gases from each of the G battery cell groups.

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: Aspects of the disclosure include a charge port having fast phase change material resolidification. An exemplary charge port can include a plug housing and a direct current terminal electrically coupled to the plug housing. A subassembly is coupled to the direct current terminal. The subassembly includes a cartridge filled with a phase change material and an enhancer. The enhancer includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion is embedded within the phase change material and the top portion extends beyond the cartridge into ambient. The phase change material removes heat from the direct current terminal when charging. The enhancer removes heat from the phase change material for rapid resolidification.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a camera and a processor operatively connected to the camera, wherein the processor may be configured to: acquire video data through the camera; receive first audio data through a first audio input device; perform a connection configuration of a second audio input device as the device receiving audio data is switched from the first audio input device to the second audio input device; calculate a gap time on the basis of a time consumed for completing the connection configuration of the second audio input device; generate silent data on the basis of the calculated gap time; receive second audio data from the second audio input device; and synchronize the video data, the first audio data, the silent data, and the second audio data. Various other embodiments are possible.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells encased in an outer shell. The outer shell has disposed on an inner surface a flame retardant layer that comprises expandable graphite. The expandable graphite is operative to expand during an thermal event that results in an increase in battery module temperature. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising disposing in a battery module a flame retardant layer; where the battery module comprises a plurality of battery cells encased in an outer shell. The outer shell has disposed on an inner surface a flame retardant layer that comprises expandable graphite. The expandable graphite is operative to expand during an thermal event that results in an increase in battery module temperature.

Abstract: A cooling system for an electric vehicle charge port includes a member having a base wall including an opening and a perimetrical wall extending from the base wall. The base wall and the perimetrical wall defining a volume. A heat spreader arranged in the volume. A terminal extends from the heat spreader through the opening in the base wall. An amount of phase change material (PCM) arranged in the volume, the amount of PCM is in contact with the terminal.

Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine includes a heat pipe cooling system. A rotor core has a number of cavities internal to the rotor core. The cavities are surrounded by a wall defined by the rotor core. A magnetic element disposed in the at least one cavity leaving a void in the at least one cavity between the magnetic element and the wall. A heat pipe evaporator is disposed in the void and conforms to the available space, contacting the magnetic element and the wall to remove heat from the rotor core.

Abstract: A cooling system for an electric vehicle charge port includes a member having a base wall including an opening and a perimetrical wall extending from the base wall. The base wall and the perimetrical wall defining a volume. A heat spreader arranged in the volume. A terminal extends from the heat spreader through the opening in the base wall. An amount of phase change material (PCM) arranged in the volume, the amount of PCM is in contact with the terminal.

Abstract: A charge port for an electric vehicle includes a first charging terminal, a second charging terminal spaced from the first charging terminal, and a phase change material (PCM) cartridge including a non-porous housing storing an amount of PCM. The non-porous housing is arranged in thermal contact with one of the first charging terminal and the second charging terminal.

Abstract: A solar energy charging system of a vehicle includes a dynamically adjustable battery (DAB) configured to be connected to a solar energy conversion device and charged by the solar energy conversion device. The DAB is controllable to adjust an output voltage of the DAB to one of a plurality of output voltages, and the DAB is configured to supply electrical power generated by the solar energy conversion device to a vehicle battery assembly. The solar energy charging system also includes a controller configured to detect an input voltage to the conversion device, select an output voltage of the DAB based on the input voltage, and control the DAB to provide the selected output voltage to a high voltage DC-DC converter to charge the battery assembly.

Abstract: An inflatable insulation panel includes a bladder configured to contain air, plurality of tethers disposed within an interior cavity of the bladder, and at least one reflective film disposed within the interior cavity of the bladder. The bladder includes a first wall, a second wall opposite of the first wall, and perimeter walls extending between and connected to perimeter edges of the first and second walls. The first and second walls and the perimeter walls collectively defining the interior cavity of the bladder. The plurality of tethers extend between and are connected to interior surfaces of the first and second walls. The plurality of tethers limit movement of the first and second walls away from one another when the bladder is inflated. The at least one reflective film is disposed between the interior surfaces of the first and second walls.

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 battery pack system for inhibiting thermal runaway includes a stack of battery cells wherein each battery cell has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and side edges extending from the first end to the second end and wherein at least one of the side edges of each battery cell are adjacent to at least one side edge of another of the battery cells, a thermochemical material that undergoes endothermic reaction at temperatures above 50° C., the thermochemical material being located (a) within the stack of battery cells and exterior to battery cells or (b) adjacent to the stack of battery cells, or (c) both.

Abstract: An immersion cooling system for a battery system includes a battery enclosure and G battery cell groups arranged in the battery enclosure. Each of the G battery cell groups include C battery cells, where G and C are integers greater than one. A plurality of dividers are arranged between each of the G battery cell groups. A gas manifold removes vent gases from each of the G battery cell groups.

Abstract: An immersion cooling system for a battery system includes a battery enclosure and C metal-encased, pouch-type battery cells including C metal cases, C pouch-type battery cells arranged in the C metal cases, respectively, where C is an integer greater than one, and C vents on the C metal cases, respectively. A vent gas manifold is in fluid communication with the C vents of the C metal cases and is configured to remove vent gas passing through the C vents of the C metal cases from the battery enclosure.

Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine includes a heat pipe cooling system. A rotor core has a number of cavities internal to the rotor core. The cavities are surrounded by a wall defined by the rotor core. A magnetic element disposed in the at least one cavity leaving a void in the at least one cavity between the magnetic element and the wall. A heat pipe evaporator is disposed in the void and conforms to the available space, contacting the magnetic element and the wall to remove heat from the rotor core.

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: An electric vehicle charging port includes a pair of charging pins each connected to a respective charging cable by a base. A pair of porous metallic cages surround the base of the pair of charging pins. A phase change material disposed in the pair of porous metallic cages and a vapor chamber is disposed between the base of the pair of charging pins and the pair of porous cage. The phase change material with an optional vapor chamber and high thermal conductivity (metal or graphite) foam or mesh to provide faster response of transient heat generation.