Abstract: An electronic control (18) for a combustion engine that forms a portion of an automotive vehicle powertrain and has an output shaft for powering a drivetrain portion (14, 16, 17, 19) of the powertrain to propel the vehicle. The control has at least one ambient parameter variable input source representing a respective ambient parameter (EOT, BAP, AIT, and MAP) useful in deriving gross torque output of the combustion engine. The control also has at least one operating variable input source (EFC, ACD, DIT.sub.-- ADJ) representing a respective operating parameter useful in deriving a reduction in gross torque output of the combustion engine due to operation of the combustion engine, and a processor for processing a respective signal correlated to the at least one ambient parameter variable input source and for processing a respective signal correlated to the at least one operating parameter variable input source to derive torque at the output shaft of the engine for powering the drivetrain to propel the vehicle.

Abstract: An aerodynamic exterior rear view mirror for motor vehicles that has low drag as a result of prevention of laminar boundary layer separation on the mirror head and subsequent turbulent wake size reduction. The vehicle mirror comprises an aerodynamic exterior shell having a continuously smooth surface with inboard and outboard trailing edges. The surfaces of the shell preceding the trailing edges can be either parallel or closing relative to the free stream airflow. A boundary layer control device that consists of a trip strip is formed on the exterior surface of the mirror head just upstream of the transition or separation point where the laminar boundary layer flow would transition to turbulent boundary layer flow with delayed separation or to complete separation absent the boundary layer trip strip. The trip strip, when correctly sized and utilized, will assist the laminar boundary layer to transition to turbulent boundary layer flow which reenergizes the boundary layer.

Abstract: A parking brake lock-in key switch system for a truck or bus brake system is disclosed. The system has two parking brake lock-in valves. One parking brake lock-in valve is installed in the air line piping between the primary air tank and the push pull double check valve and the second parking brake lock-in valve is in the air line piping between the secondary air tank and the push pull double check valve. The parking brake lock-in valves are air operated valves which when closed will lock in actuated parking brakes. The parking brake lock-in valves are operated by a solenoid operated pilot valve which provides air from an air supply to close the lock-in valves when the ignition key is moved to the `off` position. An actuated parking brake will be locked in because new air from the respective tanks will be prevented from flowing to the push pull double check valve and hence the brake chambers. The parking brake lock-in valve does not vent off downstream piping when it closes.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation flow control apparatus is proposed for use in an exhaust gas recirculation system of an electronically controlled engine where flow from each of two exhaust manifold banks converges into a common area incorporating a port therein communicating to a passageway of an intake manifold with flow from each of the exhaust banks being balanced. The valve seat in the valve housing port and the valve body are tapered to provide a side seal of the valve body and the tapered seat as the valve is moved linearly into the port from the exhaust manifold side to isolate the banks from one another, as well as to control flow through the communication port under direction of an ECU.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine of the V-type configuration includes a balanced flow EGR control apparatus having a valve comprising a stem having two linearly aligned, substantially similarly plug valve bodies engaged thereto with a predetermined distance therebetween. The valve housing has separate ports for receiving exhaust flow from each cylinder bank and a common outlet passageway communicating with the intake manifold, the ports being in linear alignment. One valve body is disposed to plug the exhaust port from the exhaust port side while the other valve body plugs the other exhaust port from the intake outlet side. Each valve body is configured, sized and positioned over a respective port in a manner where pressure of flow against one valve body effectively cancels out the pressure of flow against the other valve body, producing a valve that is easily maintained in an appropriate seated position thereof and opened with minimum force.

Abstract: An electronically controlled diesel engine for a vehicle which may act as an air compressor in addition to acting as a power source for the vehicle. When acting in the air compressor function, one end cylinder is converted to the function to provide compressed air to air tanks on the vehicle. The air from this combination compressor and power cylinder may be used to fill air tanks which provide air for braking in vehicles such as heavy trucks. The combination compressor and power cylinder has an exhaust isolation valve in the exhaust manifold to isolate an air collection area and a relief/check valve engaged on an upstream side to the air collection area and to an air tank in the air system for the vehicle on the downstream side. An electronic controller means controls the fuel injector for the combination compressor and power cylinder and the exhaust isolation valve. Various types of diesel engines may be modified to become an electronic engine-air compressor system in accordance with this invention.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a spaced apart surge tank, the surge tank being an integral component of a pressurized liquid engine cooling system. A first conduit fluidly couples the surge tank to a component of the pressurized liquid engine cooling system. The conduit has an internal fluid passageway defined therein. The conduit is heat responsive, an application of heat to the conduit acting to effect a contraction of the fluid passageway. Further, a method of controlling fluid flow in a conduit connecting the surge tank to a component of a pressurized liquid engine cooling system, comprises the steps of:forming the conduit of a heat responsive material;flowing a fluid through the conduit;running the engine to an elevated fluid temperature; andcontracting the conduit fluid passageway responsive to the heating of the conduit caused by the fluid flow therein.

Abstract: An identification tag for various size lube oil plugs for mobile vehicles. The identification tag has a mounting hole with an intentional flash in each comer. Each side to the hole has a flap with a living hinge adjacent. The living hinges run between the flashes. The flaps will pivot on installation to allow engagement of the inner edges of the flaps on receiving slots of the receiving slots of the various size lube oil plugs.

Abstract: The air rail comprises a housing defining an air passageway conduit therein. The conduit has a plurality of passageways therethrough with access to the passageways provided by a plurality of ports disposed in the housing, the main passageway being fed pressurized air from an air compressor discharge and discharging to the brake reservoir. A second passageway acts as a sensing and secondary air supply passageway, the outlet ports from this second passageway being engageable in a push to connect manner with air tubing leading to various air-using systems and devices, the outlets each being positioned as close as possible to the corresponding structure to which it is to be engaged. Further, the air rail may incorporate a fuel oil passageway therein, thereby providing for pre-warming of fuel for the engine.

Abstract: A mounting base for a light emitting diode (LED) clearance or identification light for a mobile vehicle such as a truck or a bus. The mounting base is comprised of a centerline structural member with intersecting structural members which are engaged to the centerline structural member at the front end and at two other locations between the front end and the rear end of the centerline structural member. An outer cover encases the centerline structural member and the intersecting structural members. The outer cover extends beyond the front end to form an LED mating surface. The LED mating surface has a slot for an engaging an LED element. The centerline structural member has holes at from the from its top edge to bottom edge at the rear end of the centerline structural member and where the centerline structural member intersects the intersecting structural members. The holes correspond to different vehicle roof mounting configurations.

Abstract: An apparatus for operator controlled purging of the tanks of a pressurized air reservoir of a vehicle air system comprises an air actuated normally closed drain valve mounted to an underside of each tank, a source of pressurized air engaged to each drain valve, and a controller for each valve engaged downstream of the source, and within a driver area of the vehicle, the controller when activated, allowing for communication between the source and the drain valve for opening of the valve. The method for using the apparatus in testing air system integrity includes the steps of draining and refilling each tank individually in a pre-defined sequence while monitoring driver area mounted indicators of air pressure levels and testing functionality of an air system operated service brake system of the vehicle by carrying out the pre-defined sequence.

Abstract: A switching device has a housing containing a magnetic latching relay that operates a set of contacts to respective closed and open conditions. Plural terminals provide for connection of the switching device with controlling circuitry that operates the relay and with controlled circuitry that utilizes the condition of the set of contacts for a control purpose. A thin-line fuse separably mounts on the exterior of the switching device to form a series circuit with the set of contacts between a pair of the terminals that provide connection with the controlled circuitry. The controlling circuitry provides pulse signals to other terminals to operate the relay. The housing further contains a capacitor and LED connected in parallel with the fuse and in series with a resistor so that the LED lights when the fuse is removed or blown. A mechanical override having an external actuator can operate the contacts in the event that they are not operated by the controlling circuitry operating the latching relay.

Abstract: The present invention permits reliable lifting and inverting of one or more casting core elements and positioning the one or more casting core elements in a mold flask. The invention generally includes an outer frame and an inner frame assembly, which are coupled such that they may move vertically relative to each other. The invention further includes apparatus which engage the casting core and invert the casting core, and further align the casting core to a mold to which the core is transferred. The present invention also allows for simultaneous engaging, inverting and aligning of a plurality of core elements. The present invention allows cores to be inventoried and located for automatic handling in a position that permits visual inspection and reliable handling and placement at high production rates therefor.