Abstract: An intake air crossover arrangement for an internal combustion engine having two cylinder banks in a V-shaped arrangement in which air compressed by at least one, and preferably two, turbochargers, is delivered via air ducts to respective intake manifolds for each cylinder bank wherein the air ducts twist at least in the crossover region and have a cross-sectional shape such that they sit in flat contact with one another, preferably by use of an integrally formed crossover pipe containing portions of both ducts. The crossover pipe may further include integral connections for exhaust gas recirculation respectively for each duct.

Abstract: Idle speed stability is imparted to a compression ignition engine by processing data values for actual engine speed and desired engine speed to yield a data value for engine speed error; processing (22) the data value for engine speed error according to a governor algorithm for yielding a data value for a mass fuel rate for governed fueling of the engine; c) processing (24) the data value for mass fuel rate for governed fueling of the engine and the data value for actual engine speed to yield a data value for a quantity of fuel to be injected into an engine cylinder during an ensuing stroke of a piston within the cylinder; and d) injecting (30) that quantity of fuel into the cylinder during that stroke.

Abstract: A compression ignition engine (60) has a control system (66) for processing data, one or more combustion chambers (62), and fuel injectors (64) for injecting fuel into the chambers. The control system controls fueling by processing engine speed and load, to select one of four fueling modes (HCCI+RVT, HCCI+IVC, HCCI+IVC+EVC, and CD+RVT) for operating the engine (FIG. 5). When HCCI+RVT mode is selected, intake valves operate with regular valve timing (RVT), and the engine is fueled to cause homogeneous-charge compression-ignition (HCCI) combustion. When HCCI+IVC mode or HCCI+IVC+EVC mode is selected, intake valve timing is changed relative to RVT, and the engine is fueled to cause HCCI combustion. When the processing selects the CD+RVT mode, the intake valves operate with RVT, and the engine is fueled to cause CD combustion. In HCCI+IVC+EVC mode, exhaust valve closing is retarded relative to its timing in HCCI+IVC mode to reduce cylinder pressure and temperature.

Abstract: A compression ignition engine (20) has a control system (26) for processing data, one or more combustion chambers (22), and fuel injectors (24) for injecting fuel into the combustion chambers. The control system controls fueling using a result of the processing of certain data, such as engine speed and engine load.

Abstract: An automated system for cycling vehicle lamps on and off allows direct inspection by one person of operability of the lamp bulbs while doing a walk around of the vehicle. The system is switch operated. Interlocks to operation are based upon the status of the vehicle's service brake, its park brake and the on/off status of the lights themselves. Lights are organized by related groups and each group given a distinctive, repeating cycle to lighten the burden of memorization on the operator.

Abstract: A cooling system pumps coolant through parallel connections to a crankcase and an EGR cooler in an internal combustion engine with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). A crankcase supply conduit connects a coolant pump to a coolant channel formed by the crankcase. The coolant channel is connected to a coolant chamber formed by the cylinder head. An EGR cooler supply conduit connects the EGR cooler to the coolant pump. The EGR cooler is connected to the coolant chamber. Coolant flows from the coolant pump into the crankcase supply conduit and into the EGR cooler supply conduit at essentially the same time and at essentially the same temperature. The coolant circulates from the coolant pump through the coolant channel into the coolant chamber. The coolant circulates from the coolant pump through the EGR cooler into the coolant chamber. The coolant returns to the coolant pump from the coolant chamber in the cylinder head.

Abstract: A communication system architecture (SA) for a vehicle which may be integrated into the vehicle's multiplexed electronic component communication system, and a process for communicating with the vehicle to provide information for and about the vehicle's operational status and coordinating the vehicle's activities. The communication system will include a multi-functional antenna system for the vehicle that will have the capability to receive AM/FM radio and television signals, and transmit and receive citizens band (CB) radio signals, satellite and microwave and cellular phone communications. The antenna may be installed as original equipment or as a back-fit part in the after-market. In either case the multi-functional antenna will be integrated with the vehicle's multiplexed electronic component communication system.

Abstract: A linkage between an engine control (114) and vehicle controls, such as a transmission gear selector (100) and/or axle speed selector when the vehicle has a two-speed axle, providing input to the engine control that is additional to engine variable inputs (110) for tailoring engine performance characteristics to selected drive ratios of a drivetrain through which the engine drives the vehicle. The tailored characteristics include particular engine torque curves (FIGS. 1, 4, and 5) and particular engine speed regulation curves (FIGS. 1, 2, and 3). As the vehicle quickly accelerates through rated engine speed while the transmission in the lower gears, the driver's notices no feeling of abrupt shut-off. As the vehicle accelerates through the highest gears toward highway speed, the driver can feel sustained pulling effort by the engine.

Abstract: An engine speed governor controls a diesel engine in a motor vehicle. The engine control has a processor for processing data for Engine speed governing, including developing fuel request data comprising data components derived from proportional, integral, and derivative processing of difference between actual engine speed and requested engine speed. A data source, such as a gear selector switch in an automatic transmission vehicle or a clutch switch in a manual transmission vehicle, distinguishes between engagement and disengagerrent of the vehicle driveline with and from the engine. A respective first table, such as a map, is associated with each of the proportional, integral, and derivative processing and provides selectable calibration values used by the processor to develop the fuel request data when the driveline is engaged with the engine.

Abstract: The vehicle seat suspension system of the present invention provides an active seat suspension system responsive to conditions indicative of a collision or rollover for moving the seat downwardly to the limit of its vertical travel. The seat assembly comprises the seat, an active suspension system for maintaining an equilibrium position of the seat, sensors responsive to accident conditions for generating accident indication signals, and a seat positioning signal generator responsive to the accident indication signals for providing a seat relocation signal, where the active suspension system being responsive to the seat relocation signal for moving the seat to a retracted location.

Abstract: A shift tower housing for a vehicle transmission that can receive either a push button selector or a lever selector at a comfortable and ergonomic location. The surfaces of both the push button and the lever selectors are at about 15% to the horizontal, which renders surface indicia on the selectors in a comfortable vision range for the operator. The inclined upper surfaces of the selectors also places lever and push buttons at comfortable ergonomic position for the operator. Replacing a single mounting part can make a conversion from a push button selector unit to a push button selector unit. The shift tower also includes mounting mechanism upon which a stand-alone electronic control unit is mounted, that is compatible with either the push button selector or the lever selector control. The vibrations of the shift tower are minimized as a result of mounting it directly to vehicle floor support member.

Abstract: A powerplant includes an engine (22) that may be disposed on a vehicle chassis 12 including a cab (14) or may be a stationary engine such as a generator set, and has a fuel delivery system (54) through which combustible fuel is introduced into the engine for combustion to power the engine. A tank (42) is disposed on the chassis below the cab at one side of the chassis. A bulkhead (70) divides the tank into a fuel supply reservoir (50) for holding a supply of fuel for the engine and a second supply reservoir (52), the latter reservoir holding a supply of fluid other than engine fuel. A first supply conduit (56) supplies fuel from the fuel supply reservoir to the engine fuel delivery system, and a second supply conduit (66) supplies fluid from the second supply reservoir to a portion of the powertrain. A return conduit (68) returns fluid from the powertrain to the is second supply reservoir and includes a walled passage (72) passing through the fuel supply reservoir.

Abstract: An aerodynamic windshield to door frame interface on a mobile ground vehicle, such as a medium or heavy duty highway truck. More specifically, the interface including the windshield and front door frame, sometimes referred to as the "A" pillar, contains a third order mathematical ellipse when viewed from the top of the vehicle. The inclusion of the third order ellipse in the "A" pillar and in some cases the outer edge of the windshield moves the rear point of tangency further back along the vehicle cab.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a modular component such as a fuel tank for a vehicle such as a truck and a method of installing same on the vehicle. The method is accomplished via a combination of a set or sets of two brackets and an initial alignment means for each set of brackets. The initial alignment means is comprised of two mating components, with one mating component being a portion of one bracket and the other mating component being a portion of the second bracket. One bracket of each set is installed directly to a portion of the vehicle under manufacture, such as to the frame rail. A modular assembly is assembled separately with the second bracket of each set installed on the modular assembly. The sets of brackets are joined via the initial alignment means attaching the modular assembly to the vehicle.

Abstract: A circuit interfaces the brake, the drivetrain, and an accessory driven from the engine through a power take-off with the engine control so as to disallow application of the brake from discontinuing running of the engine at running speed set by the throttle control input whenever there is concurrence of a first input selecting placement of the accessory device in driven relationship to the power shaft, of a second input distinguishing that the transmission is in non-neutral position, and of a third input indicating vehicle speed is below a certain limit. The circuit allows a driver of the vehicle to apply the brake and operate the accessory without interrupting the set running speed of the engine so long the vehicle speed is below the certain limit.

Abstract: The apparatus for providing access steps to a vehicle and a method of installing same on a heavy or medium duty truck. In its most basic form, the apparatus is comprised of an access step and two step brackets. The brackets are installed to outer surfaces of the tank straps which hold a fuel tank to a frame rail of the vehicle. The access step and step brackets have tabs and flaps or slots which can be combined to attach the access step to the step brackets with a reduced number of fasteners.

Abstract: A drive motor mounting module for a hybrid electric vehicle and the motor mounting module in combination with the hybrid electric vehicle. More specifically, the drive motor mounting module is comprised of a drive motor, a front motor mount support bracket, a chassis front support bracket, a chassis cross member, two rear motor mount brackets, two cross braces, two vertical channels and two motor module locating mounts. The entire module can be modularly assembled prior to installation to the vehicle chassis on a main assembly line. The mounting module engages the drive motor to the chassis by three point mountings.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas recirculation control apparatus includes first and second normally closed valves having different flow areas which open to provide communication between a corresponding bank of an exhaust manifold and an intake manifold. Each valve is engaged to an actuator which reciprocates the valve between a fully open and fully closed position. Both actuators are independently operable under control of an ECU programmed to monitor operational parameters of a specific engine via sensors functionally engaged thereto to maintain the engine at a level of optimum performance, the ECU producing in response to sensor input, a no-flow level and an appropriate one of three possible active levels of recirculation.