Abstract: A method of monitoring a bone fracture in an individual. The method comprises the steps of: measuring a first parameter indicative of the load on said bone fracture; measuring a second parameter indicative of the activity level of said individual; obtaining a plurality of values for said first and second parameters; correlating said values to determine a measure of bone fracture condition; monitoring a change in said correlation over time; and determining a measure of the change in bone fracture condition over time. A bone fixation system implements this method of monitoring a bone fracture in an individual. The method and system provide a more accurate and reliable measure of bone fracture condition and of the progression of healing of the bone fracture.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a bone fracture in an individual. The method comprises the steps of: measuring a first parameter indicative of the load on said bone fracture; measuring a second parameter indicative of the activity level of said individual; obtaining a plurality of values for said first and second parameters; correlating said values to determine a measure of bone fracture condition; monitoring a change in said correlation over time; and determining a measure of the change in bone fracture condition over time. A bone fixation system implements this method of monitoring a bone fracture in an individual. The method and system provide a more accurate and reliable measure of bone fracture condition and of the progression of healing of the bone fracture.

Abstract: A method of initializing operation of a shutter arranged relative to a grille opening in a vehicle having a power-plant includes detecting a start-up of the power-plant. The method also includes sensing a temperature of ambient air. The method also includes commanding the shutter to achieve a fully-opened position when the temperature of ambient air is above a predetermined value such that a flow of ambient air to the power-plant through the grille opening is substantially unrestricted. The method additionally includes commanding the shutter to achieve a fully-closed position when a temperature of the power-plant is maintained below a threshold value such that the flow of ambient air through the grille opening to the power-plant is substantially blocked. A vehicle using a controller configured to perform the above method is also provided.

Abstract: A system for controlling an aerodynamic shutter of a vehicle includes an ambient temperature estimation module that determines an ambient temperature. A shutter control module that determines whether to actuate the shutter based on the ambient temperature. The shutter control module also determines a predetermined period before selectively applying a predetermined torque value to the shutter. The predetermined period is selected based on the ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a transmission range selector connected to a transmission of a powertrain system is described. The transmission range selector indicates one of a plurality of ranges including Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive. The method includes, upon detecting a change in a target transmission range, monitoring whether a signal output from an on-board sensor indicates an achieved range position of the transmission. When the signal output from the on-board sensor does not indicate that the target transmission range has been achieved, monitoring a transmission incorrect direction metric, monitoring a transmission unintended propulsion metric, and monitoring a metric associated with achieving the target transmission range. A fault is detected when any one of the transmission incorrect direction metric, the transmission unintended propulsion metric and the target range achievement elapsed time metric is exceeded.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a bone fracture in an individual. The method comprises the steps of: measuring a first parameter indicative of the load on said bone fracture; measuring a second parameter indicative of the activity level of said individual; obtaining a plurality of values for said first and second parameters; correlating said values to determine a measure of bone fracture condition; monitoring a change in said correlation over time; and determining a measure of the change in bone fracture condition over time. A bone fixation system implements this method of monitoring a bone fracture in an individual. The method and system provide a more accurate and reliable measure of bone fracture condition and of the progression of healing of the bone fracture.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing fault notifications for vehicles. A notification unit is configured to provide a notification when a fault is detected for a vehicle. A processor is coupled to the notification unit, and is configured to provide instructions to the notification unit to provide the notification when the fault is detected, and restrict operation of the vehicle, when the fault is detected, until an action is taken in response to the notification.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a transmission range selector connected to a transmission of a powertrain system is described. The transmission range selector indicates one of a plurality of ranges including Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive. The method includes, upon detecting a change in a target transmission range, monitoring whether a signal output from an on-board sensor indicates an achieved range position of the transmission. When the signal output from the on-board sensor does not indicate that the target transmission range has been achieved, monitoring a transmission incorrect direction metric, monitoring a transmission unintended propulsion metric, and monitoring a metric associated with achieving the target transmission range. A fault is detected when any one of the transmission incorrect direction metric, the transmission unintended propulsion metric and the target range achievement elapsed time metric is exceeded.

Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission of a vehicle equipped with an electronic transmission range select system includes receiving an electronic request to actuate a transmission park system. A speed of the vehicle is sensed with each of a plurality of different speed sensors to define a plurality of different sensed vehicle speeds. Each of the plurality of different speed sensors provides a sensed vehicle speed that is independent and separate from the sensed vehicle speed from all of the other speed sensors. All of the different sensed vehicle speeds from the plurality of speed sensors is compared to each other to determine the lowest sensed vehicle speed. When the lowest sensed vehicle speed is equal to or less than a maximum allowable actuation speed, an electronic signal is sent from the transmission control unit to the transmission park system to actuate the transmission park system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing fault notifications for vehicles. A notification unit is configured to provide a notification when a fault is detected for a vehicle. A processor is coupled to the notification unit, and is configured to provide instructions to the notification unit to provide the notification when the fault is detected, and restrict operation of the vehicle, when the fault is detected, until an action is taken in response to the notification.

Abstract: A position diagnostic test for a shift-by-wire system is provided. The shift-by-wire system includes a shift lever configured to move along a shift path, a first and a second position sensor configured to generate a first and a second position signal, respectively, of the shift lever along the shift path, and a controller configured to receive the first and second position signals. The first position sensor includes a first x-coordinate value and a first y-coordinate value, and the second position sensor includes a second x-coordinate value and a second y-coordinate value. The position diagnostic test includes performing a rationality test on each of the coordinate values. If at least one predetermined condition exists for a particular coordinate value, then it fails the rationality test, and the position signal containing the coordinate value may be disregarded.

Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission of a vehicle equipped with an electronic transmission range select system includes receiving an electronic request to actuate a transmission park system. A speed of the vehicle is sensed with each of a plurality of different speed sensors to define a plurality of different sensed vehicle speeds. Each of the plurality of different speed sensors provides a sensed vehicle speed that is independent and separate from the sensed vehicle speed from all of the other speed sensors. All of the different sensed vehicle speeds from the plurality of speed sensors is compared to each other to determine the lowest sensed vehicle speed. When the lowest sensed vehicle speed is equal to or less than a maximum allowable actuation speed, an electronic signal is sent from the transmission control unit to the transmission park system to actuate the transmission park system.

Abstract: A position diagnostic test for a shift-by-wire system is provided. The shift-by-wire system includes a shift lever configured to move along a shift path, a first and a second position sensor configured to generate a first and a second position signal, respectively, of the shift lever along the shift path, and a controller configured to receive the first and second position signals. The first position sensor includes a first x-coordinate value and a first y-coordinate value, and the second position sensor includes a second x-coordinate value and a second y-coordinate value. The position diagnostic test includes performing a rationality test on each of the coordinate values. If at least one predetermined condition exists for a particular coordinate value, then it fails the rationality test, and the position signal containing the coordinate value may be disregarded.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a variance determination module and a fault detection module. The variance determination module determines a variance of samples generated from a ride height signal. The ride height signal is output by a ride height sensor that detects a ride height of a vehicle. The fault detection module detects a fault in the ride height sensor based on the variance.

Abstract: A system for controlling an aerodynamic shutter of a vehicle includes an ambient temperature estimation module that determines an ambient temperature. A shutter control module that determines whether to actuate the shutter based on the ambient temperature. The shutter control module also determines a predetermined period before selectively applying a predetermined torque value to the shutter. The predetermined period is selected based on the ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method of initializing operation of a shutter arranged relative to a grille opening in a vehicle having a power-plant includes detecting a start-up of the power-plant. The method also includes sensing a temperature of ambient air. The method also includes commanding the shutter to achieve a fully-opened position when the temperature of ambient air is above a predetermined value such that a flow of ambient air to the power-plant through the grille opening is substantially unrestricted. The method additionally includes commanding the shutter to achieve a fully-closed position when a temperature of the power-plant is maintained below a threshold value such that the flow of ambient air through the grille opening to the power-plant is substantially blocked. A vehicle using a controller configured to perform the above method is also provided.

Abstract: A suspension control system for a vehicle includes a pressure increasing module and a compressor control module. In response to a startup of the vehicle, the pressure increasing module: selectively sets a pressure increase signal to a first state when an air pressure within air bags of a suspension system is less than a predetermined pressure; and selectively sets the pressure increase signal to a second state when the air pressure is greater than the predetermined pressure. In response to the startup of the vehicle, the compressor control module: operates an air compressor of the suspension system when the pressure increase signal is in the first state; and disables operation of the air compressor when the pressure increase signal is in the second state.

Abstract: A suspension control system for a vehicle includes a pressure increasing module and a compressor control module. In response to a startup of the vehicle, the pressure increasing module: selectively sets a pressure increase signal to a first state when an air pressure within air bags of a suspension system is less than a predetermined pressure; and selectively sets the pressure increase signal to a second state when the air pressure is greater than the predetermined pressure. In response to the startup of the vehicle, the compressor control module: operates an air compressor of the suspension system when the pressure increase signal is in the first state; and disables operation of the air compressor when the pressure increase signal is in the second state.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a variance determination module and a fault detection module. The variance determination module determines a variance of samples generated from a ride height signal. The ride height signal is output by a ride height sensor that detects a ride height of a vehicle. The fault detection module detects a fault in the ride height sensor based on the variance.

Abstract: A wire retainer (10) for securing wire under tension comprising a body (11) having an exterior surface and a far end (11a) and a near end (11b) and a bore (12) extending therebetween in the general direction of a first axis (X) in a first plane (XY), the bore receiving an end of the wire (3) in use, a first slot (13) substantially in said first plane and having a far end which coincides with the far end of the body and a near end intermediate the far and near ends of the body, the first slot extending between said bore and said exterior surface and a second slot (14) intersecting said first slot at the near end thereof and at said bore.