Abstract: The invention provides the internal fixation system of multi-function adjustable spine posterior screw-rod. It not only includes the vertebral plate, but also includes the adjustable connecting rod, screw and lock nut. Among them, vertebral plate is curved, its internal cambered surface directly faces the spine, and external cambered surface of vertebral plate is equipped with a reinforcing rib. The vertebral plate is set with the perforative injecting hole, and the external cambered surface of vertebral plate is set with the located block. The surface of the located block is set with the concave threaded hole, and the located block on two sides of the threaded hole is set with the U-shaped bracket. The top of screw expands to form a locking block, which surface is set with the concave locking hole. The locking block on both sides of locking hole is set with the U-shaped locking groove.

Abstract: A control system for identifying and responding to effective system changes in a monitored system includes data collection, change identification, classifier construction, effective system change and parameter adjustment modules. The data collection module tracks parameters of the monitored system. The change identification module, based on the parameters, identifies: during training, performance changes and first system changes; and post training, a set of performance changes and second system changes. The classifier construction module, based on the performance changes and the first system changes construct a performance-system change classifier module. The performance-system change classifier module, based on the set of performance changes, determines possible system changes and respective probability values. The effective system change module, based on the second and possible system changes, determines effective system changes and respective probability values.

Abstract: A method and system of diagnosing and suggesting least probable faults for an exhibited vehicle failure. The method includes initiating a vehicle health management (VHM) algorithm to monitor a state of health (SOH) for at least one vehicle component at each vehicle operating event over a predetermined time period. The VHM algorithm determines at least one of a Green SOH, a Yellow SOH, and a Red SOH designation with a confidence level for the at least one vehicle component; calculating a number of Green SOH designations (Ncalculated) over the predetermined time period; and upon an exhibited vehicle failure, providing a least probable cause indication for the at least one component when a set of conditions are met. The set of conditions includes (i) Ncalculated is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of Green SOH designations and (ii) no Yellow SOH and Red SOH designations are present.

Abstract: The invention provides the internal fixation system of multi-function adjustable spine posterior screw-rod. It not only includes the vertebral plate, but also includes the adjustable connecting rod, screw and lock nut. Among them, vertebral plate is curved, its internal cambered surface directly faces the spine, and external cambered surface of vertebral plate is equipped with a reinforcing rib. The vertebral plate is set with the perforative injecting hole, and the external cambered surface of vertebral plate is set with the located block. The surface of the located block is set with the concave threaded hole, and the located block on two sides of the threaded hole is set with the U-shaped bracket. The top of screw expands to form a locking block, which surface is set with the concave locking hole. The locking block on both sides of locking hole is set with the U-shaped locking groove.

Abstract: The invention provides the internal fixation system of spine posterior screw-plate, including the vertebral plate. The vertebral plate is curved, its internal cambered surface directly faces the spine, and external cambered surface of vertebral plate is equipped with a reinforcing rib. The vertebral plate is set with the perforative injecting hole. One side of vertebral plate is fixed with a fixed connecting plate, and the end of the fixed connecting plate away from the vertebral plate is set with the first regulating hole. The bottom of the fixed connecting plate on two sides of the first regulating hole is set with n-shaped caulking groove.

Abstract: A control system for identifying and responding to effective system changes in a monitored system includes data collection, change identification, classifier construction, effective system change and parameter adjustment modules. The data collection module tracks parameters of the monitored system. The change identification module, based on the parameters, identifies: during training, performance changes and first system changes; and post training, a set of performance changes and second system changes. The classifier construction module, based on the performance changes and the first system changes construct a performance-system change classifier module. The performance-system change classifier module, based on the set of performance changes, determines possible system changes and respective probability values. The effective system change module, based on the second and possible system changes, determines effective system changes and respective probability values.

Abstract: A vehicle electronics high-resistance fault diagnosis system is provided, as well as a method of detecting and isolating a high-resistance fault in vehicle electronics of a vehicle. The method includes the steps of determining electrical data for one or more portions of the vehicle electronics, wherein the electrical data includes voltage data and/or current data concerning the one or more portions of the vehicle electronics; calculating a resistance for a plurality of resistance sets of the vehicle electronics based on the electrical data, wherein each of the plurality of resistance sets includes one or more electrical components; obtaining a resistance set threshold for each of the plurality of resistance sets of the vehicle electronics; for each of the plurality of resistance sets, evaluating whether the resistance of the resistance set exceeds the resistance set threshold; and based on the evaluating step, identifying one or more high-resistance fault candidates.

Abstract: A scheduling controller in communication with a plurality of autonomous vehicles is described, and includes an operator request compiler, a fleet state-of-health database, an environmental conditions compiler and a fleet scheduling controller. The fleet scheduling controller is configured to deploy the autonomous vehicles based upon inputs from the operator request compiler, the fleet state-of-health database and the environmental conditions compiler. A process for coordinating a fleet of autonomous vehicles includes determining states of health for the autonomous vehicles, and determining a desired autonomous vehicle use requirement from each of a plurality of operators that are associated with the autonomous vehicles. A usage schedule for each of the autonomous vehicles is determined based upon the states of health and the desired autonomous vehicle use requirements from the operators. The autonomous vehicles are deployed based upon the usage schedule.

Abstract: An autonomic vehicle control system includes a perception module of a spatial monitoring system that is disposed to monitor a spatial environment proximal to the autonomous vehicle. A method for evaluating vehicle dynamics operation includes determining a desired trajectory for the autonomous vehicle, wherein the desired trajectory includes desired vehicle positions including an x-position, a y-position and a heading. Vehicle control commands are determined based upon the desired trajectory, and include a commanded steering angle, an acceleration command and a braking command. Actual vehicle states responsive to the vehicle control commands are determined. An estimated trajectory is determined based upon the actual vehicle states, and a trajectory error is determined based upon a difference between the desired trajectory and the estimated trajectory. The trajectory error is monitored over a time horizon, and a first state of health (SOH) is determined based upon the trajectory error over the time horizon.

Abstract: A vehicle electronics high-resistance fault diagnosis system is provided, as well as a method of detecting and isolating a high-resistance fault in vehicle electronics of a vehicle. The method includes the steps of determining electrical data for one or more portions of the vehicle electronics, wherein the electrical data includes voltage data and/or current data concerning the one or more portions of the vehicle electronics; calculating a resistance for a plurality of resistance sets of the vehicle electronics based on the electrical data, wherein each of the plurality of resistance sets includes one or more electrical components; obtaining a resistance set threshold for each of the plurality of resistance sets of the vehicle electronics; for each of the plurality of resistance sets, evaluating whether the resistance of the resistance set exceeds the resistance set threshold; and based on the evaluating step, identifying one or more high-resistance fault candidates.

Abstract: A method for use with a vehicle having one or more subsystems includes receiving vehicle health management (VHM) information via a controller indicative of a state of health of the subsystem. The VHM information is based on prior testing results of the subsystem. The method includes determining a required testing profile using the testing results, applying the testing profile to the subsystem to thereby control a state of the subsystem, and measuring a response of the subsystem to the applied testing profile. The method also includes recording additional testing results in memory of the controller that is indicative of a response of the subsystem to the applied testing profile. The vehicle includes a plurality of subsystems and a controller configured to execute the method.

Abstract: A perception module of a spatial monitoring system to monitor and characterize a spatial environment proximal to an autonomous vehicle is described. A method for evaluating the perception module includes capturing and storing a plurality of frames of data associated with a driving scenario for the autonomous vehicle, and executing the perception module to determine an actual spatial environment for the driving scenario, wherein the actual spatial environment for the driving scenario is stored in the controller. The perception module is executed to determine an estimated spatial environment for the driving scenario based upon the stored frames of data associated with the driving scenario, and the estimated spatial environment is compared to the actual spatial environment for the driving scenario. A first performance index for the perception module is determined based upon the comparing, and a fault can be detected.

Abstract: A method proactively transitions performance of a functional operation from a primary subsystem to a secondary subsystem within a vehicle or other system having an electronic control unit (ECU). The method includes receiving health management information via the ECU when the primary subsystem is actively performing the functional operation within the system and the secondary subsystem operates in a standby mode, wherein the health information is indicative of a numeric state of health (SOH) of the primary subsystem. The method also includes comparing the numeric SOH to a calibrated non-zero threshold SOH, and then commanding, via the ECU, a transition of the performance of the functional operation to the secondary subsystem and placing the primary subsystem in the standby mode when the numeric SOH is less than the calibrated non-zero threshold SOH. A vehicle executes the method via the ECU.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for collaboration between autonomous vehicles. In one embodiment, a processor-implemented method for coordinating travel between multiple autonomous vehicles is provided. The method includes sending a collaboration request to one or more vehicles in an area to form a group to perform a mission, receiving an acceptance of the collaboration request to join the group wherein the group includes a plurality of vehicles, cooperating in assigning leading functions for the group to one or more of the plurality of vehicles in the group, cooperating in mission negotiations for the group, cooperating in determining a formation for the group, and cooperating in generating a trajectory for the group. The vehicles in the group are operated in accordance with the determined formation and generated trajectory.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a fault mode in a system includes recording a hierarchical precedence rule assigning a priority level to fault modes of the system, and recording, in a fault report matrix, fault reports indicative of a corresponding one or more of the fault modes. The method also includes using the hierarchical precedence rule to determine the assigned relative priority level for the fault reports in response to a predetermined condition, e.g., a requested engine starting event, and identifying a root cause subsystem as a subsystem having the highest assigned priority level. A control action executed via the controller identifies the root cause subsystem by recording a diagnostic code and/or transmitting a message. The system is also disclosed, as is a computer-readable medium programmed with instructions embodying the method.

Abstract: A method proactively transitions performance of a functional operation from a primary subsystem to a secondary subsystem within a vehicle or other system having an electronic control unit (ECU). The method includes receiving health management information via the ECU when the primary subsystem is actively performing the functional operation within the system and the secondary subsystem operates in a standby mode, wherein the health information is indicative of a numeric state of health (SOH) of the primary subsystem. The method also includes comparing the numeric SOH to a calibrated non-zero threshold SOH, and then commanding, via the ECU, a transition of the performance of the functional operation to the secondary subsystem and placing the primary subsystem in the standby mode when the numeric SOH is less than the calibrated non-zero threshold SOH. A vehicle executes the method via the ECU.

Abstract: A method for use with a vehicle having one or more subsystems includes receiving vehicle health management (VHM) information via a controller indicative of a state of health of the subsystem. The VHM information is based on prior testing results of the subsystem. The method includes determining a required testing profile using the testing results, applying the testing profile to the subsystem to thereby control a state of the subsystem, and measuring a response of the subsystem to the applied testing profile. The method also includes recording additional testing results in memory of the controller that is indicative of a response of the subsystem to the applied testing profile. The vehicle includes a plurality of subsystems and a controller configured to execute the method.

Abstract: A vehicle including a monitoring system and controller for evaluating a vehicle subsystem is described. The monitoring system includes a sensor that is disposed to monitor on-vehicle noise or vibration. The subsystem includes an actuator, and a fault associated with the subsystem is defined by a fault vibration signature. A command to activate the subsystem is monitored coincident with a signal input from the sensor. A first vibration signature is determined based upon the signal input from the sensor, and a correlation between the first vibration signature and the fault vibration signature are determined for the fault associated with the subsystem. Occurrence of a fault associated with the subsystem can be detected when the correlation between the first vibration signature and the fault vibration signature associated with the subsystem is greater than a threshold correlation.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for collaboration between autonomous vehicles. In one embodiment, a processor-implemented method for coordinating travel between multiple autonomous vehicles is provided. The method includes sending a collaboration request to one or more vehicles in an area to form a group to perform a mission, receiving an acceptance of the collaboration request to join the group wherein the group includes a plurality of vehicles, cooperating in assigning leading functions for the group to one or more of the plurality of vehicles in the group, cooperating in mission negotiations for the group, cooperating in determining a formation for the group, and cooperating in generating a trajectory for the group. The vehicles in the group are operated in accordance with the determined formation and generated trajectory.

Abstract: A scheduling controller in communication with a plurality of autonomous vehicles is described, and includes an operator request compiler, a fleet state-of-health database, an environmental conditions compiler and a fleet scheduling controller. The fleet scheduling controller is configured to deploy the autonomous vehicles based upon inputs from the operator request compiler, the fleet state-of-health database and the environmental conditions compiler. A process for coordinating a fleet of autonomous vehicles includes determining states of health for the autonomous vehicles, and determining a desired autonomous vehicle use requirement from each of a plurality of operators that are associated with the autonomous vehicles. A usage schedule for each of the autonomous vehicles is determined based upon the states of health and the desired autonomous vehicle use requirements from the operators. The autonomous vehicles are deployed based upon the usage schedule.