Abstract: One embodiment can provide a photovoltaic roof tile. The photovoltaic roof tile can include a plurality of photovoltaic structures positioned between a front cover and a back cover, a bridge electrode coupled to a front-side busbar belonging to a photovoltaic structure, and a metallic strip positioned on a back side of the bridge electrode. The bridge electrode can include a substrate and at least one metallization layer positioned on a back surface of the substrate, and the metallization layer is electrically coupled to both the front-side busbar and the metallic strip, thereby enabling electrical coupling between the front-side busbar and the metallic strip.

Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer, with minimal visible difference between photovoltaic and non-photovoltaic areas of the BIPV system. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as roofing tiles that have photovoltaic elements embedded or incorporated into the body of the roofing tiles. BIPV systems can also include mimic or dummy tiles that appear similar to tiles with photovoltaic elements, but do not collect solar energy. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV tile roof systems can be generally uniform to an observer at ground level, where the blending and distribution of photovoltaic and non-photovoltaic elements generate a consistent and elegant appearance that camouflages any differences between photovoltaic tile or non-photovoltaic tiles.

Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays with improved aesthetics and efficiency that can replace conventional roof structures. BIPV mounting systems described herein allow for improved versatility and ease of installation as compared to conventional approaches. Such BIPV mounting systems can include photovoltaic (PV) roof tiles with separate mechanical coupling features and electrical contact portions for use with tile connectors having both mechanical and electrical coupling features. Such PV tiles can be mechanically and electrically coupled in series through the tile connectors without requiring wire bussing between adjacent PV roof tiles and the tile connectors can be slidable within a batten bracket to easily accommodate PV roof tiles of differing dimensions.

Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as photovoltaic tiles. Each photovoltaic module may comprise an inner sheet, an outer sheet, photovoltaic cells, and a bracket. When installed the bracket may be covered by up-roof tiles, giving the overall roof a uniform appearance.

Abstract: A cryocooler mounting arrangement and magnets and cryostats including such an arrangement. The arrangement is for mounting the coldhead 21 of a cryocooler 2 in a cryostat 1 for allowing the extraction of heat from the interior of the cryostat by the cryocooler. The mounting arrangement comprises a coldhead interface portion 22a, 22b for mounting on the coldhead 21 and a sock portion 3 for mounting in the cryostat 1 and arranged for receiving the coldhead 21. The sock portion 3 comprises a receiving interface portion 32a, 32b for receiving the coldhead interface portion so as to provide thermal contact therebetween and hence to provide thermal contact between the coldhead and the interior of the cryostat. The coldhead interface portion comprises plurality of flexible finger portions 23a, 23b and the receiving interface portion comprises a bearing surface 322a, 322b against which the finger portions are arranged to rest.

Abstract: An apparatus for multi-axial transfer of objects in assembly line includes a first conveyor assembly, a second conveyor assembly, a first drive assembly, and a pivot point arrangement. The first conveyor assembly includes a plurality of rollers in a horizontal plane. The second conveyor assembly includes a plurality of geared chain arrangements mounted on at least one drive shaft. At least one of the plurality of rollers and the at least one drive shaft are coupled to the bevel gear arrangement. The first drive assembly includes a first motor coupled to the bevel gear arrangement to cause movement of an object in contact with the first conveyor assembly and the second conveyor assembly along a first axis and a second axis in the horizontal plane, respectively. The plurality of geared chain arrangements are movable along a third axis in a vertical plane using the pivot point arrangement.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a vehicle includes a beam optics assembly that emits a laser beam to irradiate a region on a glass article of the vehicle, debris detection circuitry that detects debris accumulated over the region, and control circuitry. The control circuitry calibrates a set of parameters associated with the laser beam emitted from the beam optics assembly based on detection of the debris accumulated over the region on the glass article, controls an exposure level of the laser beam on the debris accumulated based on calibration of the set of parameters associated with the laser beam, wherein the exposure level is controlled based on pulsing the laser beam at a calibrated rate that limits penetration of the laser beam to a depth that is less than a thickness of the glass article, and removes the debris accumulated over the region on the glass article using the laser beam.

Abstract: A cushion having a fibrous foam architecture. The cushion has a trim cover and a number of fibrous layers attached to the trim cover. One or more structural properties of a fibrous layer can be controlled to differ from that of other layers.

Abstract: A heat exchanger integrated into an electric vehicle's battery pack enclosure is provided, where the heat exchanger conduits are mechanically and thermally coupled to the inside surface of the enclosure base plate and where the battery pack enclosure is mounted such that ambient air flows over the outside surface of the enclosure base plate during vehicle motion. A thermal management system is coupled to, and controls operation of, the integrated battery pack heat exchanger such that in a first operational mode the heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the batteries within the battery pack, and in a second operational mode the heat exchanger is thermally decoupled from the batteries within the battery pack.

Abstract: A thermal system with high aspect ratio vents for a vehicle. The thermal system comprises: at least one HVAC unit; a first vent with a first high aspect ratio, the first vent coupled to the HVAC unit and configured to generate a first plane of air in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; and a second vent coupled to the HVAC unit and configured to generate a second plane of air in the passenger compartment, the second vent positioned so that the second plane of air intersects the first plane of air.

Abstract: An electric motor includes: a housing having a first rotor bearing and a stator support surface; a cantilever stator that includes a lamination stack, a first side of the lamination stack abutting the stator support surface and a second side of the lamination stack abutting a stator endbell that has a second rotor bearing, wherein the cantilever stator is held by way of tie rods attaching the stator endbell to the housing; and a rotor in the cantilever stator, the rotor held by the first and second rotor bearings.

Abstract: An autonomous driving controller includes a plurality of parallel processors operating on common input data received from the plurality of autonomous driving sensors. Each of the plurality of parallel processors includes communication circuitry, a general processor, a security processor subsystem (SCS), and a safety subsystem (SMS). The communication circuitry supports communications between the plurality of parallel processors, including inter-processor communications between the general processors of the plurality of parallel processors, communications between the SCSs of the plurality of parallel processors using SCS cryptography, and communications between the SMSs of the plurality of parallel processors using SMS cryptography, the SMS cryptography differing from the SCS cryptography. The SCS and/or the SMS may each include dedicated hardware and/or memory to support the communications.

Abstract: Securely provisioning a System on a Chip (SoC) includes generating a public/private key pair having a public key and a private key, securely storing the private key external to the SoC, embedding the public key in Resistor Transistor Logic (RTL) of the SoC during manufacture of the SoC, encrypting provisioning data using the private key to create encrypted provisioning data, and programming the SoC using the encrypted provisioning data. The secure provisioning may further include generating a secret shared key, embedding the secret shared key in the RTL of the SoC during manufacture of the SoC, and encrypting the provisioning data using the secret shared key. The RTL may be the boot Read Only Memory (ROM) of the SoC. The secure provisioning technique may also be used for subsequent provisioning after the SoC is deployed.

Abstract: An autonomous driving controller includes a plurality of parallel processors operating on common input data. Each of the plurality of parallel processors includes a general processor, a security processor subsystem (SCS), and a safety subsystem (SMS). The general processors, the SCSs, and the SMSs of the plurality of parallel processors are configured to first, boot the plurality of SCSs from ROM second, boot the plurality of SMSs of the plurality of parallel processors from RAM or ROM, and, third, boot the plurality of general processors of the plurality of parallel processors from RAM. Between booting of the SCSs and the SMSs, at least one of the plurality of SCSs may load SMS boot code into the RAM that is dedicated to the plurality of SMSs.

Abstract: A System on a Chip (SoC) includes a plurality of general purpose processors, a plurality of application specific processors, a plurality of SoC support processing components, a security processing subsystem (SCS), a general access Network on a Chip (NoC) coupled to and servicing communications between the plurality of general purpose processors and the plurality of SoC support components, and a proprietary access NoC coupled to and servicing communications for the plurality of application specific processors and the SCS. The SoC may further include a safety processor subsystem (SMS) coupled to the proprietary access NoC, wherein the proprietary access NoC further services communications for the SMS and isolates communications of the SMS from communications of the plurality of general purpose processors. The general access NoC and the proprietary access NoC isolate communications of the SCS and the SMS from communications of the plurality of general purpose processors.

Abstract: One embodiment can provide a non-flat photovoltaic roof tile. The non-flat photovoltaic roof tile can include a transparent front cover, a back cover, and a plurality of Si-based photovoltaic structures. The transparent front cover can include a first side and a second side, with the first side comprising at least one non-flat portion and the second side comprising a plurality of flat facets. The flat facets are arranged to follow the contour of the at least one non-flat portion. A respective Si-based photovoltaic structure is positioned between a flat facet of the transparent front cover and the back cover.

Abstract: A prying tool comprises: a pry bar comprising a load tip at a distal end and a handle at a proximate end, the pry bar having a pair of pins extending on opposing sides thereof; a body through which the pry bar extends, the body forming a pair of pivot points for the respective pins, and a slot extending away from each of the pivot points; and a clamp that is attached to the body and configured for securing the prying tool by clamping a base of the body to a surface.

Abstract: A base roof rack system for use in a vehicle having a glass roof. A set of base brackets are installed at the factor proximate to the seam between a glass room and metal support members of the vehicle supporting the roof. A j-shaped hook is able to slide in the seam to access the base bracket. Rotation of the bracket inserts the hook into a cavity formed in the base bracket so that it resist pull out when oriented normal to the roof surface. A tower receives the other end of J-shaped hook, a threaded bolt, and a retaining nut threaded about the bolt compresses the tower down toward the roof.

Abstract: An energy storage system includes a module housing and multiple battery cells with insulating material and discharge directing material positioned inside the module housing. Each of the battery cells has a first end and a second end. Further, each of the battery cells has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The energy storage system includes a first interconnect and a second interconnect positioned over the battery cells. Multiple first cell connectors connect the positive terminals of the battery cells to the first interconnect. Multiple second cell connectors connect the negative terminals of the battery cells to the second interconnect. A top plate having an interior side and an exterior side is positioned over the first interconnect and the second interconnect. The top plate includes one or more weak areas with reduced integrity positioned above one or more battery cells.

Abstract: A crash can for a vehicle includes a multi-cell structure that includes at least four hollow cuboids, each defined by four walls that meet at 90 degree angles and at least two of the cuboids share a wall. In another example, a crash can includes a multi-cell structure that includes a hollow cuboid having four walls, and four hollow isosceles trapezoidal prisms having a long base, a short base, and two legs. The multi-cell structures provided herein may increase energy absorption by the crash can if involved in a collision, reducing energy transfer to a vehicle frame and occupants therein.

Abstract: A method for determining the elongation and/or compression of a profiled sealing element applied to a body includes drawing the profiled sealing element, which exists as an endless profiled element, from a store and, with the help of an application roller and by means of an adhesive surface present on the profiled sealing element, rolling the profiled sealing element onto the body part along a line intended for the attachment. A measuring roller, which rolls on the profiled sealing element without slip, is arranged at a small distance before a drive system for the profiled sealing element. The length sensed by the measuring roller corresponds to the length of the profiled sealing element applied to the body along an application distance having a defined length.

Abstract: A battery system includes multiple cells arranged in a common cell enclosure that can also be used for a structure and heat transfer fluid conduit. The battery system also includes a first collector plate. The first collector plate has multiple collector tabs that correspond to the multiple cells. Each collector tab is connected to a cathode of a corresponding cell from amongst the multiple cells present in the battery system.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a hood of a vehicle is provided. The hinge assembly includes a body member and a hood member. The hood member is pivotally coupled with the body member through a pivot pin. The hood member or the body member partially wraps around the pivot pin such that the hood member or the body member defines a notch. The hood member or the body member is adapted to disengage from the pivot pin on application of an impact force on the hood member.

Abstract: A liquid cooling system for an electric motor includes: a pump for liquid to cool the electric motor; a heat exchanger that removes heat from the liquid; a manifold extending above a stator of the electric motor, the manifold receiving the liquid under pressure and having a first opening that directs a first liquid jet onto the stator; and a first tray above first end turns of the stator, the manifold having a second opening that directs a second liquid jet onto the first tray, the first tray having a third opening that performs gravity-fed liquid distribution onto the first end turns.

Abstract: Exemplary systems that may reduce or eliminate the visibility of a boundary between the displaying portions of the system and the non-displaying portions of the system are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a display screen including a plurality of pixels forming a first periodic structure and a frame surrounding at least a portion of the display screen. The frame may include a holographic structure having a second periodic structure. The first pitch of the first periodic structure may be within 0.5 percent to 20 percent of the second pitch of the second periodic structure.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a drive motor having a motor shaft. The steering system also includes a first gear reduction stage for receiving a first rotational input from the motor shaft and providing a first rotational output. The steering system further includes a second gear reduction stage for receiving the first rotational output from the first gear reduction stage and providing a second rotational output. The second gear reduction stage may include at least one of a strain wave gearing, a worm drive, and a planetary gearing. The steering system includes an output shaft for receiving the second rotational output from the second gear reduction stage.

Abstract: A thermal management system and method of use are provided, the system including a heat exchanger, a refrigeration system, a coolant loop thermally coupled to the heat exchanger, and a by-pass valve that regulates the amount of coolant within the coolant loop that either passes through the heat exchanger or is diverted away from the heat exchanger. The coolant loop is thermally coupled to the battery pack of an electric vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seating portion and a backrest portion coupled to the seating portion. The seat also includes a temperature-control system associated with at least one of the seating portion and the backrest portion. The temperature-control system includes a base layer and an intermediate layer disposed adjacent to the base layer. The intermediate layer is adapted to allow fluid to flow through it. The temperature-control system includes a cover layer disposed adjacent to the intermediate layer. The temperature-control system includes at least one heating element disposed between the intermediate layer and the cover layer. The temperature-control system further includes a fluid pump to provide fluid flow through the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A charging connector includes a first electrical socket and a second electrical socket. A first sleeve and a second sleeve are provided, such that the first sleeve is concentrically coupled to the first electrical socket and the second sleeve is concentrically coupled to the second electrical socket. A manifold assembly is adapted to enclose the first and second electrical sockets and the first and second sleeves, such that the first and second sleeves and the manifold assembly create a hollow interior space there between. An inlet conduit and an outlet conduit within the manifold assembly such that inlet conduit, the interior space, and the outlet conduit together create a fluid flow path.

Abstract: A structure for forming inductor windings includes a first portion and a second portion of a clamshell casing. The first portion includes a first set of electrically conductive segments, a first inner carrier, and a first outer carrier. The second portion includes a second set of electrically conductive segments, a second inner carrier, and a second outer carrier. An inductor core is mountable between the first inner carrier and the first outer carrier within the first portion. A control assembly aligns and joins the first portion to the second portion of the clamshell casing such that the first set of electrically conductive segments arranged in the first pattern that correspond to first half-turns of the inductor windings, are attached to the second set of electrically conductive segments arranged in the second pattern that correspond to second half-turns of the inductor windings, to form continuous turns around the inductor core.

Abstract: An apparatus for multi-axial transfer of objects in assembly line includes a first conveyor assembly, a second conveyor assembly, a first drive assembly, and a pivot point arrangement. The first conveyor assembly includes a plurality of rollers in a horizontal plane. The second conveyor assembly includes a plurality of geared chain arrangements mounted on at least one drive shaft. At least one of the plurality of rollers and the at least one drive shaft are coupled to the bevel gear arrangement. The first drive assembly includes a first motor coupled to the bevel gear arrangement to cause movement of an object in contact with the first conveyor assembly and the second conveyor assembly along a first axis and a second axis in the horizontal plane, respectively. The plurality of geared chain arrangements are movable along a third axis in a vertical plane using the pivot point arrangement.

Abstract: A high-power Voltage Regulator Module (VRM) includes a housing having side walls, an upper opening, and a lower opening, a VRM circuit board oriented within the housing, a plane of the VRM circuit board oriented in parallel to at least one of the side walls of the housing, an upper Printed Circuit Board (PCB) coupled to the upper opening of the housing, a lower panel coupled to the lower opening of the housing, a coolant inlet port formed in the lower panel, and a coolant outlet port formed in the lower panel. The high power VRM may include a coolant inlet adapter coupled to the coolant inlet port and a coolant outlet adapter coupled to the coolant outlet port. The coolant inlet adapter and the coolant outlet adapter may provide support for the VRM.

Abstract: Embodiments disclose solar energy generation systems with automatic smart transfer switches. An energy generation system includes an array of PV modules, a PV inverter coupled to the array of PV modules, and a battery pack configured to store DC power from the PV modules and output the stored DC power. The energy generation system can further include a storage inverter/hybrid inverter PCS coupled to the battery pack, and an automatic smart transfer switch configured to select between an AC grid and the storage inverter/hybrid inverter PCS for outputting to a main electrical panel, where the automatic smart transfer switch is configured so that in a first position, the AC grid is coupled to the main electrical panel, and in a second position, both the storage inverter is coupled to the main electrical panel.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic disconnect comprises: a housing with at least a combustion chamber therein; a pyrotechnic charge in the combustion chamber; a busbar covering an opening of the combustion chamber, the busbar configured to be severed by activation of the pyrotechnic charge; and arc splitter plates arranged in the housing on an opposite side of the busbar from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A power conditioning unit for delivering power from a dc power source to an ac mains power supply output includes a dc power input to receive dc power from a dc power source, an ac power output for delivering ac power to the ac mains power supply, a dc link coupled between the dc power input and the ac power output, first and second dc-to-dc converters coupled between the dc power input and the dc link, wherein one or both of the first and second dc-to-dc converters comprises a pair of resonant capacitors, a sensing element connected in parallel to one of the pair of the resonant capacitors for sensing a ripple voltage, and a controller operative to control the first and second dc-to-dc converters in response to the sensed ripple voltage.

Abstract: An energy storage system includes: a grid tie unit comprising at least one DC/AC converter; and multiple pods connected to the grid tie unit, each pod including: a number of cells; and a power electronics unit, wherein the cells are floating relative to the system and are galvanically isolated therefrom. The multiple pods may be organized into packs, with a pack including a thermal management system.

Abstract: A controller for use in a battery charging system includes processing circuitry configured to perform certain tasks during battery charging operations, and other tasks during operational use of the battery. During a charging operation, the controller receives a measured DC impedance of a propulsion battery measured by a battery data acquisition and monitoring subsystem, obtains a reference DC impedance of a hypothetical battery, and determines an impedance degradation factor of the propulsion battery using the measured DC impedance and the reference DC impedance. During operational use of the propulsion battery, the controller obtains an operational reference impedance of the propulsion battery, determines a real-time effective impedance for the propulsion battery based on the impedance degradation factor and the operational reference impedance, and generates a feed-forward parameter based on the real-time effective impedance.

Abstract: Improved techniques for photovoltaic power generation are described. Inverter failure is can be a significant problem in solar photovoltaic systems as it can lead to loss of opportunity to harvest energy. A solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation system is described comprising solar PV panels and power conditioning units. A dc power distribution bus is coupled to the solar PV panels and the power conditioning units to switchably share dc power from the solar PV panels between the power conditioning units. Power distribution controllers detect a faulty power conditioning unit and reroute power from a solar PV panel coupled to the faulty power conditioning unit to other power conditioning units via the dc distribution bus.

Abstract: In various embodiment, the present invention teaches a sequencer that identifies an address point of a first data block within a memory and a length of data that comprises that data block and is related to an input of a matrix processor. The sequencer then calculates, based on the block length, the input length, and a memory map, a block count representative of a number of data blocks that are to be retrieved from the memory. Using the address pointer, the sequencer may retrieve a number of data blocks from the memory in a number of cycles that depends on whether the data blocks are contiguous. In embodiments, based on the length of data, a formatter then maps the data blocks to the input of the matrix processor.

Abstract: Improved battery systems have been developed for lithium-ion based batteries. The improved battery systems consist of two-additive mixtures in an electrolyte solvent. Such battery systems are prepared by assembling a positive electrode and a negative electrode in the sealed cell, removing residual water from the sealed cell, filling the sealed cell with a nonaqueous electrolyte under an inert atmosphere, vacuum-sealing the sealed cell, carrying out a formation process comprising charging and discharging the sealed cell until the sealed cell achieves an initial capacity. The nonaqueous electrolyte includes lithium ions, a first nonaqueous solvent comprising a carbonate solvent, a second nonaquaeous solvent comprising methyl acetate, and an additive mixture of a first operative additive of either vinylene carbonate or fluoroethylene carbonate and a second operative additive of 2-furanone. Gas formation is suppressed in the battery system during the formation process.

Abstract: Improved battery systems with two-additive mixtures including in an electrolyte solvent that is a carbonate solvent, an organic solvent, a non-aqueous solvent, methyl acetate, or a combination of them. The positive electrode of the improved battery systems may be formed from lithium nickel manganese cobalt compounds, and the negative electrode of the improved battery system may be formed from natural or artificial graphite.

Abstract: This disclosure discloses various vehicle technologies for automatically activating a turn signal when a vehicle is turning or changing lanes based on analysis of data, which can include data from an image capture device, radar, a steering angle sensor, and a ultrasonic sensor. This disclosure also contemplates that a decision to automatically activate a turn signal in a vehicle that is turning or changing lanes may take into account whether other vehicles or pedestrians are in vicinity thereof and whether those other vehicles or pedestrians would benefit from the turn signal being activated.

Abstract: An interlocking photovoltaic module mounting system that provides a one piece, integrated photovoltaic module frame portion that is directly mountable to a support structure and interlocks with separate adjoining photovoltaic module frame portions. The apparatus includes a frame member for enclosing the perimeter of a photovoltaic module, having an inside surface and outside surface, with the inside surface including a recess for capture of the panel. The frame member outside surface includes at least one interlocking means for affixation to the complementary outside surface of an adjacent frame-member. The frame member includes a height-adjustable foot portion for supporting the frame member on a roof, so that adjacent frame members may be interlocked to form an array, and the foot portion may be adjusted to level the formed array on the roof.