Abstract: A system for selectively locking a steering-column-mounted transmission shifter in a park position that places the transmission in one of two neutral positions. An electrically operated shift lock releasably locks the shifter in park position. The shift lock is under the control of an electric circuit that contains first and second shift lock relays having normally open contacts connected in series to the shift lock. The electric circuit operatively couples the relays' coils with the ignition switch, a transmission neutral position sensing switch, and a service brake sensing switch. When the service brakes are applied and the ignition switch is on, the shift lock is operated to release the shifter, allowing the shifter to be moved to other positions.

Abstract: A fuel tank system includes a fuel tank defined by an external wrapper or skin within which fuel tank reinforcing support structures are incorporated, the fuel tank support structures further incorporating a tank mounting system for producing simplified mounting of the fuel tank system to a desired portion of a frame rail of a vehicle. The unibody construction produces an enhanced, significantly elevated level of ground clearance for the fuel tank system, the clearance being defined by the bottom wall surface of the fuel tank of the system.

Abstract: An exhaust pressure capacitive transducer includes an improved pressure sensing cavity configuration. The cavity is either in the form of a wide cylinder or a cone so that the housing structure does not underlie the deflecting portion of the diaphragm but only the nondeflecting peripheral edge portion thereof to eliminating any ledges underlying the diaphragm which could collect soot thereon and prevent the diaphragm from returning to its undeflected position and giving an improper pressure reading.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing NOx emissions in diesel engine exhaust air includes a secondary burner engaged within an air intake system of the engine, upstream of an intercooler in the intake system, the secondary burner being actuated during warm temperature operation of the engine to fumigate the intake air with CO.sub.2 thus decreasing NOx output in the exhaust gases. A primary burner disposed between the intercooler and the intake manifold may be selectively operated during cold startup operation of the engine. The apparatus may further include an oxidation catalyst in an exhaust gas line from the engine to eliminate hydrocarbons from the engine exhaust emissions. In an alternative embodiment, the primary burner is eliminated and the intake air from the secondary burner is selectively bypassed around the intercooler to provide cold startup operation.

Abstract: Results of self-testing of portions of an automotive vehicle's electronic instrument cluster are displayed on the cluster's speedometer and tachometer. A fault in a particular portion is indicated by operating the pointers of both meters in unison by repetitive sweeping from zero to a particular location corresponding to the particular portion containing the fault. Detection of no faults is indicated by sweeping both pointers in unison from zero to maximum and back. A person can judge the movements of the meters by observing whether the pointers sweep smoothly in unison or in an erratic manner.

Abstract: A flexible gear support for a PTO gear box for an internal combustion engine is a relatively inexpensive unitary structure comprising two concentrically spaced rings which are engaged together by a flexible web extending therebetween. The gear support replaces very expensive ball bearings of precise tolerance which support a main input gear of the PTO unit during assembly and testing thereof. Further, a ring shipping spacer may be used with the gear support, if desired, to accommodate any shock loads during shipping and handling should the particular gear support be of a spring rate insufficient to accommodate such shocks.

Abstract: A hood control apparatus comprises at least one counterbalancing spring engaged between a forward tilt hood and a top surface radiator frame mounted under the hood. The spring is chosen to have a spring rate such that, when the hood is opened, the spring supports the hood in an open equilibrium position less than fully open. A locking latch device is provided for latching the hood in the open position against unintended closure thereof.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle exterior illumination circuit includes a main headlamp circuit, including a headlamp switch, for operating the headlamps at full intensity and a DRL control incorporating voltage-dropping resistance in a daytime running headlamp circuit for achieving reduced intensity daytime running illumination. The resistance is provided by a plurality of resistance wires mutually connected in parallel in a wiring harness carrying electric current to the headlamp filaments. The headlamp switch is provided not only with the usual set of normally open contacts that close when the headlamp switch is turned on to provide full nominal supply voltage to the similarly rated headlamps, but also a set of normally closed contacts that allows DRL operation when the headlamp switch is off but disallows DRL operation when the headlamp switch is on.

Abstract: A circuit for implementing dual dimmer controls in an automotive vehicle having right- and left-side driver stations. The circuit can be used with existing control switches, thereby avoiding changing or redesigning those switches. The circuit uses several relays, connected in a novel configuration with other existing components.

Abstract: A circuit for implementing dual wash/wipe controls in an automotive vehicle having right- and left-side driver stations. The circuit can be used with existing wash/wipe control switches and comprises solid state diodes, a single selector switch, and a single relay, connected in a novel configuration with other existing components. The selector switch selects a wash/wipe switch at either one of the driver stations to have control over an electric-motor driven wiper motor to the exclusion of a wash/wipe switch at the other driver station. Diodes couple each wash/wipe switch to a wash/wipe electronic control module that in turn operates the electric-motor driven wiper motor.

Abstract: A hood control apparatus includes a single dampening cylinder disposed along a fore-aft centerline of a forward tilting hood, one end of the cylinder being pivotably attached to the hood and another end pivotably engaging a mounting bracket for same engaged to an under hood cooling package frame in a manner to maintain the cylinder above the cooling package components at all times. A spring-loaded locking mechanism may be provided to automatically prevent retraction of the dampening cylinder when the hood is in a fully open position until it is desired to close the hood.

Abstract: A counterweight is proposed for engagement to a lower end of a truck transmission shift lever in a manner to extend forwardly therefrom, relative to the vehicle. The counterweight maintains a center of gravity of the shift lever vertically aligned over a pivot point of the shift lever regardless of the rearward degree of pivoting of the lever from a neutral, vertically oriented equilibrium position thereof. Such maintained vertical alignment of the lever center of gravity relative to the pivot point significantly decreases the tendency of the lever to return to vertical orientation, such return causing a disengagement of the transmission gears, particularly in high gear and during periods when power is not being transferred through the transmission while the truck is traveling over uneven terrain.

Abstract: An extension tube for an internal combustion engine oil fill tube comprises an elongate bent cylindrical member having one threaded end adapted to engage within a threaded port in a valve cover. The tube includes a protruding nub thereon which is positioned to coact with a cavity between segmented threads in the port to produce a detent between the tube and the port when the tube is threaded into the port to a desired relative rotational orientation, for maintaining such orientation. The tube further includes a peripheral flange which compresses a high swell material seal member placed therebeneath against an area disposed about the port to ensure integrity of the engagement.

Abstract: A circuit for the electrical system of an automotive vehicle, such as a truck, interfaces a brake switch, a combination turn signal/hazard warning signal switch, and an engine electronic control module (ECM) that has two separate brake signal inputs. The circuit is especially useful when the vehicle engine has a power take-off (PTO) to prevent unintended interruption of power flow through the PTO to an accessory device, such as a salt spreader, hydraulic pump, air compressor, etc. The circuit can be fabricated from conventional circuit components. A pre-existing vehicle can be retrofitted with the circuit by a jumper harness.