Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes a plurality of contactors to open or close a connection from two or more battery packs that power one or more motors of the vehicle to move the vehicle. The system also includes a controller to control the plurality of contactors to connect the two or more battery packs in series according to one of a plurality of modes of operation or to connect the two or more battery packs in parallel according to another of the plurality of modes of operation, and to control the plurality of contactors to test an operation of one or more of the plurality of contactors.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging an electric vehicle includes a plug command center having data identifying an availability of an amount of energy which is available for transfer from a first battery system of a first battery electric vehicle (BEV) to a second BEV. A charging adapter provides for energy transfer between a first plug of the first BEV and a second plug of the second BEV. A V2V charging controller communicates data identifying a battery system charge state of the first BEV and a battery system charge state of the second BEV and selects between multiple available charging options.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a DC battery in a vehicle including an electric motor. The apparatus comprises an AC generating module coupled to the battery and the electric motor that generates three AC phases. The first, second, and third AC phases are applied to first, second, and third windings of the electric motor, respectively. The first, second, and third AC phases create zero torque in the electric motor because the first AC phase amplitude is equal to the sum of the second and third AC phase amplitudes and the second and third AC phases are 180 degrees out of phase with the first AC phase. The AC generating module creates a heating alternating current in the DC battery.

Abstract: A powertrain system configured to transfer torque to a driveline is described, and includes an internal combustion engine, a torque converter, a transmission, an electric machine, and a controller. The engine is configured to operate in one of an all-cylinder mode and a dynamic deactivation mode to generate an engine torque. The electric machine is configured to generate a motor torque. The motor torque and the engine torque combine to generate an output torque that is transferable to the driveline and is responsive to an output torque request. The controller is in communication with the engine, the torque converter, the transmission, and the electric machine. The controller includes an instruction set that is executable to operate the engine in the dynamic deactivation mode to generate engine torque, and operate the electric machine to generate motor torque to supplement the engine torque to generate the output torque.

Abstract: An energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle propulsion system includes a first battery electrically coupled to a first voltage bus, a second battery electrically coupled to a second voltage bus, and a bidirectional DC/DC power converter electrically coupled to the voltage buses. A starter for cranking an engine is electrically coupled to the first voltage bus. A controller executes computer code stored in memory. The computer code is configured to operate the converter in a boost mode to transfer power from the second voltage bus to the first voltage bus, in response to the controller determining that: a power capability of the first battery is below a power demand on the first voltage bus; a state of charge of the first battery is below a state of charge threshold; or a temperature of the first battery is below a temperature threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a DC battery in a vehicle including an electric motor. The apparatus comprises an AC generating module coupled to the battery and the electric motor that generates three AC phases. The first, second, and third AC phases are applied to first, second, and third windings of the electric motor, respectively. The first, second, and third AC phases create zero torque in the electric motor because the first AC phase amplitude is equal to the sum of the second and third AC phase amplitudes and the second and third AC phases are 180 degrees out of phase with the first AC phase. The AC generating module creates a heating alternating current in the DC battery.

Abstract: An energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle propulsion system includes a first battery electrically coupled to a first voltage bus, a second battery electrically coupled to a second voltage bus, and a bidirectional DC/DC power converter electrically coupled to the voltage buses. A starter for cranking an engine is electrically coupled to the first voltage bus. A controller executes computer code stored in memory. The computer code is configured to operate the converter in a boost mode to transfer power from the second voltage bus to the first voltage bus, in response to the controller determining that: a power capability of the first battery is below a power demand on the first voltage bus; a state of charge of the first battery is below a state of charge threshold; or a temperature of the first battery is below a temperature threshold.

Abstract: A system to distribute power in the operation of a drone vehicle includes a primary energy storage unit, a plurality of power boost modules that communicate electrically with the primary energy storage unit, and a plurality of propeller-motor modules, each of the plurality of propeller-motor modules being connected electrically to a respective power boost module of the plurality of power boost modules. One or more of the plurality of power boost modules provide on-demand additional energy to a respective propeller-motor module during the operation of the drone vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging an electric vehicle includes a plug command center having data identifying an availability of an amount of energy which is available for transfer from a first battery system of a first battery electric vehicle (BEV) to a second BEV. A charging adapter provides for energy transfer between a first plug of the first BEV and a second plug of the second BEV. A V2V charging controller communicates data identifying a battery system charge state of the first BEV and a battery system charge state of the second BEV and selects between multiple available charging options.

Abstract: A method for preconditioning a battery pack at cold ambient temperatures is disclosed. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells. The method includes the steps of determining a desired rate of temperature rise for a battery cell, determining a desired cell current based on the desired rate of temperature rise, and determining a desired pack current based on the desired cell current and the battery pack configuration. The method further includes using a controller to control a current generation device to provide the desired pack current to the battery pack, wherein the current generation device generates an alternating current.

Abstract: A method to reduce a vehicle-hazard potential, the method including the steps of: detecting, via a sensor, one or more objects in a vehicle environment; determining whether these objects are of a specific type; and based on the specific type of the one or more objects, deterring the one or more objects from colliding with a vehicle.

Abstract: A system for utilizing a deployable flex range battery to augment a primary battery is provided. The system includes a flex electronics bay. The flex electronics bay is electrically connected to an electrical sub-system including the primary battery and includes a DC-DC converter operable to change a voltage of electric power and at least one battery connection terminal. The system further includes the deployable flex range battery removably connected to the at least one battery connection terminal and a flex electronics bay controller programmed to selectively supply electric power from the flex electronics bay to the electrical sub-system.

Abstract: A powertrain system configured to transfer torque to a driveline is described, and includes an internal combustion engine, a torque converter, a transmission, an electric machine, and a controller. The engine is configured to operate in one of an all-cylinder mode and a dynamic deactivation mode to generate an engine torque. The electric machine is configured to generate a motor torque. The motor torque and the engine torque combine to generate an output torque that is transferable to the driveline and is responsive to an output torque request. The controller is in communication with the engine, the torque converter, the transmission, and the electric machine. The controller includes an instruction set that is executable to operate the engine in the dynamic deactivation mode to generate engine torque, and operate the electric machine to generate motor torque to supplement the engine torque to generate the output torque.

Abstract: An engine includes a cylinder liner. The cylinder liner includes an interior wall, an exterior wall, and a thermoelectric element disposed therebetween. The interior wall forms a cylinder bore forming part of a combustion chamber. The exterior wall is positioned adjacent a coolant jacket. The thermoelectric element is operable to generate an electric current in response to a temperature gradient between the interior wall, which is exposed to the high temperatures of the combustion chamber, and the exterior wall, which is exposed to the cooler temperatures of a coolant in the coolant jacket. An electric current in a circuit of the thermoelectric element may be controlled to affect a cylinder wall temperature. The circuit of the thermoelectric element may be opened, and the voltage of the thermoelectric element may be measured and used to calculate the cylinder wall temperature.

Abstract: An engine includes a cylinder liner. The cylinder liner includes an interior wall, an exterior wall, and a thermoelectric element disposed therebetween. The interior wall forms a cylinder bore forming part of a combustion chamber. The exterior wall is positioned adjacent a coolant jacket. The thermoelectric element is operable to generate an electric current in response to a temperature gradient between the interior wall, which is exposed to the high temperatures of the combustion chamber, and the exterior wall, which is exposed to the cooler temperatures of a coolant in the coolant jacket. An electric current in a circuit of the thermoelectric element may be controlled to affect a cylinder wall temperature. The circuit of the thermoelectric element may be opened, and the voltage of the thermoelectric element may be measured and used to calculate the cylinder wall temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to revoking user sessions using signaling. In one scenario, an identity platform operating on a computer system receives an indication indicating that a user's login account has been compromised, where the user's login account has an associated login session and corresponding session artifact that is valid for a specified amount of time. The identity platform generates a signal indicating that the login session is no longer trusted and that the user is to be re-directed to the identity platform to re-authenticate and renew the session artifact and provides the generated signal to various relying parties including at least one relying party that is hosting the login session for the user.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to revoking user sessions using signaling. In one scenario, an identity platform operating on a computer system receives an indication indicating that a user's login account has been compromised, where the user's login account has an associated login session and corresponding session artifact that is valid for a specified amount of time. The identity platform generates a signal indicating that the login session is no longer trusted and that the user is to be re-directed to the identity platform to re-authenticate and renew the session artifact and provides the generated signal to various relying parties including at least one relying party that is hosting the login session for the user.

Abstract: Automated device discovery of pairing-eligible devices for authenticating an unidentified user of a computing device is provided. When the user initiates a login on the computing device on which the user's identity is not known, an automated pairing-eligible device discovery authentication system interrogates a resource (e.g., subnetwork router, calendaring server) for identifying pairing-eligible devices that may be used as a second factor for authentication. A list of the pairing-eligible devices is presented to the user on the computing device. Upon selection of a pairing-eligible device to use as a second factor to verify the user's identity, the user's identity is determined, and a notification is sent to the selected pairing-eligible device for enabling the user to verify his/her identity using a second factor. Upon completion of an authentication challenge on the selected pairing-eligible device, authentication of the user is completed, and a signed token is sent to the computing device.

Abstract: A two-stroke engine includes a crankcase defining a cylinder bore, a piston moveably disposed within the cylinder bore, and a cylinder head that covers the cylinder bore. A wall surface of the cylinder bore, a piston combustion surface of the piston, and a head combustion surface of the cylinder head, cooperate to define a combustion chamber for combusting a fuel therein. A thermal conductivity reducing mechanism is disposed in thermal connectivity with at least one of the crankcase, the piston, and the cylinder head for reducing heat transfer from combusted fuel within the combustion chamber to at least one of the crankcase, the piston, and the cylinder head. The thermal conductivity reducing mechanism may include a layer of low conductivity material coating one of the surfaces defining the combustion chamber, or a void in the cylinder head and/or the crankcase adjacent the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to revoking user sessions using signaling. In one scenario, an identity platform operating on a computer system receives an indication indicating that a user's login account has been compromised, where the user's login account has an associated login session and corresponding session artifact that is valid for a specified amount of time. The identity platform generates a signal indicating that the login session is no longer trusted and that the user is to be re-directed to the identity platform to re-authenticate and renew the session artifact and provides the generated signal to various relying parties including at least one relying party that is hosting the login session for the user.