Abstract: A radar apparatus that focuses a subset of transmit beams within a field of view (FOV) is provided. The radar apparatus has a phased array transmitter that is operable to generate a transmit beam within the FOV, and a phased array receiver that is operable to receive a receive beam reflected from within the FOV. The apparatus also has a radar controller with an electronic circuit and electronic memory, the electronic memory having a plurality of pre-calculated beam density curves. The radar controller is operable to execute each of the plurality of pre-calculated beam density curves and steer at least one transmit beam generated from a particular executed beam density curve towards a sub-area of the FOV.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for changing the shape of a wing using a plurality of morphing structures. One example method includes coupling a plurality of morphing structures to each other. Each morphing structure includes an anchor, a plurality of hinges, a plurality of shape-memory alloy members wherein each shape-memory alloy member extends from the anchor to a different hinge, a plurality of springs wherein each spring extends from the anchor to a different hinge, and a plurality of rigid members wherein each rigid member extends between two hinges. The method further includes actuating the plurality of shape-memory alloy members in at least some of the morphing structures wherein the shape-memory alloy members contract when actuated to pull against the hinges and anchors within the actuated morphing structures to rotate the rigid members and change the shape of the actuated morphing structure.

Abstract: Jet impingement assemblies and power electronics devices incorporating jet impingement assemblies are described. The jet impingement assemblies include a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a manifold, and a heat distribution member. The manifold includes a distribution side in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, a collection side in fluid communication with the fluid outlet, a plurality of orifices extending from the distribution side to the collection side, and a return channel extending from the collection side to the distribution side. The heat distribution member is positioned proximate to the collection side of the manifold.

Abstract: Systems, vehicles, and methods for controlling an application of a plurality of trailer brakes are disclosed. A system for controlling an application of a plurality of trailer brakes includes a processor, a memory module communicatively coupled to the processor, a trailer brake output circuit operatively coupled to the plurality of trailer brakes and communicatively coupled to the processor, a cornering attitude input communicatively coupled to the processor, and machine readable instructions stored in the memory module. When executed by the processor, the machine readable instructions cause the system to receive a cornering attitude signal from the cornering attitude input, determine when an understeer cornering attitude exists based on the received cornering attitude signal, and prevent the application of the plurality of trailer brakes by the trailer brake output circuit when the understeer cornering attitude is determined to exist.

Abstract: Power electronics devices having thermal stress reduction elements are disclosed. A power electronics device includes a heat source having a heat source perimeter, a first conduction member coupled to the heat source, and a substrate coupled to the first conduction member. The first conduction member includes a support portion that extends to at least the heat source perimeter and a plurality of finger portions extending from the support portion and separated from one another by web regions, where the plurality of finger portions have a finger thickness that is greater than a web thickness of the web regions.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for unloading panels. One example method includes receiving the panel on a table top. The panel is positioned on the table top to allow a worker to make an external surface inspection. The method further includes rotating a table flap extending from the table top from a first position to a second position to allow a worker access to a panel fixture in a stowed position. The method further includes moving the panel fixture from the stowed position to a load position and receiving the panel on the panel fixture. The panel is positioned on the panel fixture to engage a load sensor. In response to the load sensor sensing the panel on the panel fixture, the method further includes rotating the panel fixture from the load position to an unload position.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a metal containing anode M? capturing and releasing cations, a metal containing cathode M? and an electrolyte including an anion X?and a cation M?+. During the charge process, the electrolyte allows reversible reactions wherein the anion dissociates from the electrolyte and reacts with the metal cathode forming M?Xy. At the same time, cations M?+ from the electrolyte deposit on the anode side. The reverse process happens during the discharge process.

Abstract: A phononic device is provided suitable for attenuating mechanical vibration, as well as acoustic vibration that propagate through a medium. Through the periodic inclusion of domains of a material in a matrix that vary in the ratio of the longitudinal speed of sound (CL) and the transverse speed of sound (CT) between the domains and the matrix of equal to or greater than 2.0 and 40, respectively; improved significant attenuation of vibration is achieved.

Abstract: A platform mountable in a lower part of a die casting machine below the platens. The platform includes at least one pair of first and second coupled plates, the first plate affixed to an underlying base of the platform. The second plate is movable between first retracted positions overlaying the first plate to a second extended end-to-end co-planar position relative to the first plate to form an elongated co-planar platform surface. The base can support two pairs of coupled and longitudinally spaced first and second plates. An actuator coupled to each second plate for moving each second plate between the first retracted position and the second extended position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a smoother driving experience through the use of an advanced powertrain system for a vehicle. The powertrain system includes a transmission having a gear selection controller adapted to select one of a plurality of gear ratios, an electronic control unit, at least one information acquisition unit wherein the electronic control unit uses information from the information acquisition unit to determine if the vehicle is stationary and if the vehicle is on an expressway. If the electronic control unit determines the vehicle is stationary and the vehicle is on an expressway, then the electronic control unit sends a signal to the gear selection controller of the transmission to select a lower gear ratio that would normally be used to transition the vehicle from a stationary to a moving state.

Abstract: A system, device, and methods for autonomous navigation using lane-based localization. Once example computer-implemented method includes receiving, from one or more sensors disposed on a vehicle, data representing a road surface proximate to the vehicle and removing the data falling below an adaptive threshold from the data representing the road surface to isolate data representing boundaries on the road surface. The method further includes generating detected lanes based on the data representing boundaries on the road surface by applying one or more filters, generating expected lanes proximate to the vehicle using data included in a route network definition file, comparing the detected lanes to the expected lanes, and generating a localized vehicle position based on the comparison between the detected lanes and the expected lanes.

Abstract: An electrode active material, containing ?-MnO2 which is stabilized with a stabilizing cation or molecule with a radius of from 1.35 to 1.55 ?, and wherein a molar ratio of the stabilizing ion or molecule to Mn is from 0.1 to 0.125, is provided. Also provided are a magnesium electrochemical cell having a cathode containing the stabilized ?-MnO2 and a rechargeable magnesium battery having a cathode containing the stabilized ?-MnO2.

Abstract: Thermal energy guiding systems and methods for fabricating thermal energy guiding systems are provided. A thermal energy guiding system includes a thermal energy source and an anisotropic thermal guiding coating in thermal communication with a surface of the thermal energy source. The anisotropic thermal guiding coating includes a plurality of layers including a first layer and a second layer. The first layer has a first thermal conductivity and the second layer has a second thermal conductivity. The plurality of layers are non-uniformly arranged on the surface of the thermal energy source in order to guide thermal energy from the thermal energy source according to a thermal energy management objective.

Abstract: Jet impingement cooling apparatuses having non-uniformly sized jet orifices for producing an array of impingement jets that impinge a target surface are disclosed. In one embodiment, a cooling apparatus includes at least one fluid inlet channel, at least one fluid outlet channel, a target surface, and a jet orifice surface that is offset from the target surface. The jet orifice surface includes an array of jet orifices fluidly coupled to the at least one fluid inlet channel, wherein each individual jet orifice of the array of jet orifices has an area corresponding to a distance of the individual jet orifice to the at least one fluid outlet channel such that individual jet orifices closer to the at least one fluid outlet have an area that is smaller than individual jet orifices further from the at least one fluid outlet. Power electronics modules are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing a fuel efficiency of a hybrid vehicle by learning from a route history. The system may be a hybrid vehicle including an engine, a motor-generator, a battery, a battery module, a GPS unit, a memory, and a processor. The method may include detecting a current route of the hybrid vehicle, calculating a confidence value corresponding to a probability that the current route has a match in the route history, detecting a battery state of charge (SOC), determining a target SOC based on the confidence value and the route history, and adjusting an engine start/stop threshold and/or an engine power request to achieve the target SOC. They system may learn and improve fuel efficiency over successive trips along the route.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the consistency of a hybrid vehicle parking pawl engagement control. A hybrid vehicle includes a motor-generator, a planetary gear, a parking pawl, and a processor. The hybrid vehicle uses feedback to more accurately determine that the parking pawl is fully engaged. The parking pawl is applied to the planetary gear. The processor determines a target movement for the hybrid vehicle and commands a torque from the motor-generator to achieve the target movement. The processor determines that the parking pawl has fully engaged and locked the planetary gear.

Abstract: A launch control system which maximizes hybrid vehicle acceleration from a standing start. A hybrid vehicle includes wheels, an engine, a motor-generator, a processor, and an actuation device. The processor controls an engine speed and an engine torque independently from a wheel speed and a wheel torque. While the hybrid vehicle is at a standstill, the actuation device is switched to an on state, and the engine speed and engine torque is raised to optimal values. When the actuation device is subsequently switched to an off state, the engine speed and the engine torque is applied to the plurality of wheels to launch the hybrid vehicle. The processor blends or further adjusts the torque applied to the plurality of wheels to maximize the acceleration while optimizing an amount of wheel slip. The processor then learns the launch to improve performance on subsequent launches.

Abstract: Systems and vehicles for determining an operational status of at least one trailer brake are provided. A system for determining an operational status of at least one trailer brake includes machine readable instructions stored in one or more memory modules that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the system to command a trailer brake current output circuit to intermittently supply a diagnostic current to the at least one trailer brake during a trailer brake activation period, receive a sensed current signal from a trailer brake current sensing circuit in response to the command to supply the diagnostic current, and determine the operational status of the at least one trailer brake based on the sensed current signal.

Abstract: A control communication method and apparatus couples electrical outputs of devices directly to a network I/O module without connecting the devices to an electrical control system. The network I/O module includes outputs for sending control data received over an Ethernet network directly to a production device without intervening electrical control. The network I/O module transmits data identifying the device generating an output signal along with the network I/O module ID, over the Ethernet network in TCP/IP protocol.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: AbMgaX1-a (0?a<1, 0?b?0.1) for use as an anode material in a magnesium ion battery wherein X is selected from one or more of: group 15 elements, group 14 elements, group 13 elements, transition metals from groups 3-12 and lanthanides. The working voltage of the compound is greater than the voltage of deposition of magnesium.