Abstract: An electrohydraulic actuator assembly for use in a brake-by-wire hydraulic brake system. The electrohydraulic actuator assembly includes a pair of electrohydraulic actuator EHA units. One EHA unit provides fluid to front brakes and the other EHA unit provides fluid to rear brakes. Each EHA unit includes an electric motor, a reduction gear unit, a pair of magnetorheological clutches, and a pair of fluid pumps. The system further including an ECU that actuates the electric motor and controls engagement of the clutches to cause the fluid pump to pump brake fluid to at least one of the front and rear brakes. The system further includes a regeneration system for providing supplemental electricity to the electric motors.

Abstract: A dynamic lens for projecting different output beam shapes upon a target for heating, melting, or otherwise modifying the state of the target material. The dynamic lens includes a first light source of high power laser diodes generating a first light beam onto a lensing array with an LCOS device including a plurality of liquid crystal cells to curve and focus the first light beam into a second light beam forming the output beam shape on the target. A controller generates a control signal corresponding to the output beam shape. A single-point laser projects a third light beam tracing an outline of the output beam shape on the target to more clearly define the edge of the output beam shape. The single-point laser may be an IR fiber laser source scanned or traced by a scanner, such as a galvano scanner, directing the third light beam in two dimensions.

Abstract: A heat sink includes a baseplate of thermally-conductive material and a radiator for transferring heat to atmosphere around the radiator. The baseplate is configured to be in thermal communication with a heat source, such as an integrated circuit or a power electronic device. The radiator is disposed upon the baseplate and includes a skin of melted material formed by additive manufacturing which encloses a chamber. An outer wick of porous material is disposed within the chamber, the outer wick coats an inner surface of the skin. A refrigerant is disposed within the chamber. The refrigerant changes between a liquid phase and a vapor phase to convey heat from the baseplate to the skin, and is conveyed back through the wick in the liquid phase by capillary action. The radiator also includes a plurality of fins extending from a cover to promote heat transfer to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A dynamic lens for projecting different output beam shapes includes a first light source of laser diodes generating a first light beam toward a target. A projector generates a second light beam with a different wavelength than the first light beam. A beam combiner combines the first light beam together with the second light beam and directs the combined beams to a focusing plane that includes a lensing array to focus the first light beam into the output beam shape on the target. The lensing array includes a plurality of photoactive cells including at least one photoreactive group which changes molecular shape in response to light energy from the second light beam, thereby changing the orientation of adjacent liquid crystal molecules, which in turn alters the index of refraction of the photoactive cell. A method of operating the dynamic lens to generate the output beam shape is also disclosed.

Abstract: A metasurface lens assembly to perform chromatic separation includes a first layer with a plurality of nanofins extending transversely there from and each being optically anisotropic and transmissive to light in the visible spectrum and having an optical characteristic that is set according to a phase profile. A second layer is spaced apart from the first layer and includes a plurality of photosensitive subpixels each associated with a different color. In operation, many beams of light may be directed onto the metasurface lens from a source with each beam of light having a plurality of component colors. The nanofins may function in combination with one another according to the phase profile to bend and focus the beams of light onto the second layer with each of the component colors being bent and focused differently to direct the component colors onto corresponding ones of the photosensitive subpixels.

Abstract: A flexible light emitting system is provided and includes a flexible printed circuit layer that has a substrate with a top in surface and a bottom surface and a plurality of traces of silver paste disposed on the top surface. A plurality of micro light emitting diodes are disposed on the top surface and soldered to the plurality of traces to provide light. An elastic interlayer film of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer extends over the top surface of the flexible printed circuit layer for protection of the plurality of micro light emitting diodes and the plurality of traces. A diffuser layer extends over the elastic interlayer film opposite the flexible printed circuit layer to diffuse the light from the plurality of micro light emitting diodes. An optically transparent material layer extends between the elastic interlayer film and the diffuser layer to provide a uniform light appearance.

Abstract: A dynamic lens for projecting different output beam shapes includes a first light source of laser diodes generating a first light beam toward a target. A projector generates a second light beam with a different wavelength than the first light beam. A beam combiner combines the first light beam together with the second light beam and directs the combined beams to a focusing plane that includes a lensing array to focus the first light beam into the output beam shape on the target. The lensing array includes a plurality of photoactive cells including at least one photoreactive group which changes molecular shape in response to light energy from the second light beam, thereby changing the orientation of adjacent liquid crystal molecules, which in turn alters the index of refraction of the photoactive cell. A method of operating the dynamic lens to generate the output beam shape is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic actuator assembly for use in a brake-by-wire hydraulic brake system. The electrohydraulic actuator assembly includes a pair of electrohydraulic actuator EHA units. One EHA unit provides fluid to front brakes and the other EHA unit provides fluid to rear brakes. Each EHA unit includes an electric motor, a reduction gear unit, a pair of magnetorheological clutches, and a pair of fluid pumps. The system further including an ECU that actuates the electric motor and controls engagement of the clutches to cause the fluid pump to pump brake fluid to at least one of the front and rear brakes. The system further includes a regeneration system for providing supplemental electricity to the electric motors.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional (3D) object includes a 3D printing head, for fabricating a first portion of the 3D object by forming a plurality of successive layers of a first material. The apparatus also includes a delivery head for fabricating a second portion of the 3D object by dispensing onto the first portion of the 3D object a plurality of layers of a continuous-fiber reinforced second material. Further, the delivery head includes comprising a roller for pressing the continuous-fiber reinforced second material into place during the dispensing thereof. A controller controls the 3D printing head and the delivery head to cooperatively form the 3D object, based on a dataset corresponding to a 3D object model.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional (3D) object includes a 3D printing head, for fabricating a first portion of the 3D object by forming a plurality of successive layers of a first material. The apparatus also includes a delivery head for fabricating a second portion of the 3D object by dispensing onto the first portion of the 3D object a plurality of layers of a continuous-fiber reinforced second material. Further, the delivery head includes comprising a roller for pressing the continuous-fiber reinforced second material into place during the dispensing thereof. A controller controls the 3D printing head and the delivery head to cooperatively form the 3D object, based on a dataset corresponding to a 3D object model.

Abstract: A system for opening and closing a closure of a vehicle, such as a door or a tailgate, is provided. The system includes a motor such as an electric motor which may be coupled to the closure via an output linkage, with the output linkage mechanically coupled to the closure and operable to move the closure between a closed position and an open position. The output linkage may include a driven pulley which may be coupled to the motor. The output linkage may include a driven pulley and a cable. The output linkage may include a leadscrew threadedly engaging a nut. A high-bandwidth MR clutch having a high dynamic response may selectively couple the motor with the closure to provide a haptic or tactile feedback to a user interacting with the closure as it is opened or closed.

Abstract: A metasurface lens assembly to perform chromatic separation includes a first layer with a plurality of nanofins extending transversely there from and each being optically anisotropic and transmissive to light in the visible spectrum and having an optical characteristic that is set according to a phase profile. A second layer is spaced apart from the first layer and includes a plurality of photosensitive subpixels each associated with a different color. In operation, many beams of light may be directed onto the metasurface lens from a source with each beam of light having a plurality of component colors. The nanofins may function in combination with one another according to the phase profile to bend and focus the beams of light onto the second layer with each of the component colors being bent and focused differently to direct the component colors onto corresponding ones of the photosensitive subpixels.

Abstract: A process includes disposing a mandrel assembly within a mold cavity bounded by mold forming surfaces. The mold is closed, first portions of the mandrel assembly seal against mold forming surfaces, and a continuous volume shaped as a node element is defined between second portions of the mandrel and the mold forming surfaces. A composite material is injected into the mold cavity filling the continuous volume, and cured forming the node element. The mandrel assembly is removed in sections exposing a node element opening. Tube-skeletons are inserted one each into openings of the node element, each tube-skeleton comprises foam core supported glass or carbon fabric materials. A resin material is injected into the mold cavity, such that the resin material permeates through the fabric material into a node element interior via the openings. The injected resin material is cured, thereby forming tube elements joined to the node element.

Abstract: A system for fabricating a composite article includes a pre-impregnation station for forming a prepreg comprising a reinforcement impregnated with a resin. The prepreg is provided to a blanking station where a blank is cut from the partially cured prepreg and arranged onto a preforming mold. The blank is then transferred to a forming station, and is formed into the composite article using a compression mold. The pre-impregnation station, the blanking station and the forming station are co-located. During forming of the blank into the composite article using the compression mold, additional prepreg is formed in the pre-impregnation station and passes to the blanking station so as to form a next blank for being formed into a next composite article during a subsequent molding cycle. Optionally, the prepreg is partially cured prior to being cut in the blanking station.

Abstract: A tire inflation apparatuses is provided for maintaining a predetermined inflation pressure of a pair of tires mounted a dual wheel unit of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a first and a second pump unit that are connected to a housing that includes a mounting structure for engaging a complementary mounting structure of the dual wheel unit. The first and second pump include first and second pump rods configured to translate in response to rotation of the dual wheel unit. A gearset and an eccentric drive mechanism are arranged to reciprocate the first and second pump rods.

Abstract: A process includes disposing a mandrel assembly within a mold cavity bounded by mold forming surfaces. The mold is closed, first portions of the mandrel assembly seal against mold forming surfaces, and a continuous volume shaped as a node element is defined between second portions of the mandrel and the mold forming surfaces. A composite material is injected into the mold cavity filling the continuous volume, and cured forming the node element. The mandrel assembly is removed in sections exposing a node element opening. Tube-skeletons are inserted one each into openings of the node element, each tube-skeleton comprises foam core supported glass or carbon fabric materials. A resin material is injected into the mold cavity, such that the resin material permeates through the fabric material into a node element interior via the openings. The injected resin material is cured, thereby forming tube elements joined to the node element.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional (3D) object includes a 3D printing head, for fabricating a first portion of the 3D object by forming a plurality of successive layers of a first material. The apparatus also includes a delivery head for fabricating a second portion of the 3D object by dispensing onto the first portion of the 3D object a plurality of layers of a continuous-fiber reinforced second material. Further, the delivery head includes comprising a roller for pressing the continuous-fiber rein-forced second material into place during the dispensing thereof. A controller controls the 3D printing head and the delivery head to cooperatively form the 3D object, based on a dataset corresponding to a 3D object model.

Abstract: A tire inflation apparatuses is provided for maintaining a predetermined inflation pressure of a pair of tires mounted a dual wheel unit of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a first and a second pump unit that are connected to a housing that includes a mounting structure for engaging a complementary mounting structure of the dual wheel unit. The first and second pump include first and second pump rods configured to translate in response to rotation of the dual wheel unit. A gearset and an eccentric drive mechanism are arranged to reciprocate the first and second pump rods.

Abstract: An exhaust module made of a thermoplastic material which is connected to a fascia or bumper of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the hybrid fascia mounted exhaust tip assembly includes a bracket. The bracket has a large diameter portion which surrounds, but is not in contact with, an exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe is free to move around as a result of the vehicle traveling over bumps in the road and around turns. The bracket also has a small diameter portion which is connected to the large diameter portion. A ring tip has a portion that slides onto a bezel portion of the small diameter portion.

Abstract: An active buffeting noise control arrangement for a vehicle having one or more window panels of a vehicle cabin. One or more actuators are positioned at or near the one or more window panels and are operable to selectively vibrate the one or more windows in order to generate sound waves that will counteract a low frequency throb or buffeting event. The arrangement further includes one or more sensors in a vehicle cabin for detecting the buffeting event in transmitting sensor data to a control module. The control module is connected to the one or more sensors as well as the one or more actuators where the control module receives the sensory data, determines if a buffeting event is occurring and commands the one or more actuator assemblies to vibrate the window and generate sound waves that are operable to counteract the buffeting event.