Abstract: A fuel tank protective cage and mounting device for a vehicle such as school bus including a shelf section that is welded to front and rear sections and to right and left longitudinally extending members to provide a protective cage that is a totally welded structure. The right and left longitudinally extending members protect the fuel tank from puncture by the edges of the lower flange of the frame rails and also adds considerable strength and rigidity to the protective cage and mounting device. The protective cage is secured to the outer vertical surfaces of the frame rails and the fuel tank is located between the frame rails and secured to the cage.

Abstract: A water seal coolant wick comprises a ring of absorbent material, such as felt, disposed in the drain cavity between the inner radial face of a water pump seal in a water pump and the bearing housing so that the wick is disposed in the leakage path between the seal and the drain cavity weep hole, the wick preferably completely filling the drain cavity and acting to absorb insignificant weepage from the seal and keep it within the housing, out of sight, while allowing substantial leakage, which would be indicative of pump failure, to flow out of the weep hole.

Abstract: An engine coolant additive sensor comprises two sections, each made of dissimilar metals which have a single point of contact therebetween. A closed circuit is formed through this point of contact and such point is placed into the engine coolant. When additives become depleted in the coolant, corrosion of one metal takes place breaking the closed circuit and creating an indication that coolant additive maintenance is required. Once maintenance is performed, the point of contact is reestablished, resetting the circuit.

Abstract: A wiring harness support and under valve cover oil deflector formed from a single sheet metal blank that is connected to each individual injectors, by a single bolt, of a Hydraulically-actuated Electronically-controlled Unit Injector (HEUI) system for a diesel engine. This combined wiring harness support and oil deflector aligns itself when mounted in the proper tapped holes in the unit injectors.

Abstract: An electronic fuel injection augmentation system and method for a turbocharged diesel engine compression braking system injects a predetermined volume of fuel into cylinders of an engine at a predetermined timing prior to the piston of the cylinder reaching a top dead center position. Combustion of such injected fuel increases cylinder pressure and engine braking. The increased pressure is transferred to the turbocharger of the engine thereby increasing intake air flow and engine braking as a result thereof.

Abstract: An adjustable routing clamp assembly capable of accommodating engagement of various size or numbers of elongated members in a bundle, the clamp assembly including an extension element to be attached to a vehicle frame having a plurality of slots spaced thereon and a tie strap engaged to the extension at a first slot on one side of the bundle and disposed to wrap around the bundle and engage the extension at a second slot displaced from the first slot by the width of the bundle, thus clamping the bundle against the extension element, with a toothed keeper element used to maintain the strap in engagement with the bundle and extension element, thereby accommodating engagement of various size or numbers of elongated members in a bundle by using different slots along the extension element.

Abstract: A circuit interfaces a brake switch and a combination turn signal/hazard warning signal switch with a system electronic control module (ECM). The circuit is especially useful when the vehicle has an engine idle shut-down system that requires an input for distinguishing brake application from brake non-application, wherein such an input is derived from operation of the interface circuit. The circuit also employs a relay, which, along with the brake switch, the system ECM, and the combination turn signal/hazard warning signal switch, are connected such that the brake switch carries only the relay coil load, live D.C. voltage, which is independent of the position of the vehicle's ignition switch, is fed through the relay, and a hazard warning signal is prevented from having any effect on the ECM via the relay.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine that is driven by dimethyl ether (DME) and a storage and delivery system for the DME that will reduce considerably the emissions of NO.sub.x and particulate. Existing internal combustion engines, fueled by conventional fuels can be economically converted to the use of DME as a fuel.

Abstract: A multipiece aerodynamic fairing having horizontally divided sections which are nestable for transport, being engaged together by a bracket having multiple attachment points for independent mounting of each of the sections thereto. The bracket may be mounted to a cab roof for mounted transport and then continued in use for mounting of the bottom fairing section to the cab or, for independent transport, mounted after the multipiece fairing attached thereto is delivered, as in the case of after-market installation. The fairing sections are provided with interlocking vertical or horizontal tongue-in-groove joints, preferably made permanent by adhesive, to achieve a strong joint structure in the operating configuration of the fairing and to cause the exterior surfaces of the fairing pieces to achieve registry and thereby achieve a smooth aerodynamic shape and appearance in the assembled fairing.

Abstract: A cast oil pan, which is reversible for front and rear sump applications, including an integral suction passage which extends the length of the pan and has outlets at either end, the suction passage including a screened intake seated in the sump area of the pan. Preferably, the bottom surface of the sump area is depressed to create a drain passage beneath the suction passage, the drain passage and bottom surface of the suction passage thereabove having aligned drain ports which are accommodated by a single plug to provide for complete drainage of the pan.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle electrical circuit that, when the hazard warning switch is in the on position, provides for the front lamps on both sides of the vehicle to continue to flash on and off when the stop lamp switch is actuated to continuously illuminate the rear lamps on both sides of the vehicle. The invention enables a pre-existing lamp control circuit to be cost-efficiently adapted to this form of control with only relatively minor modifications, namely the addition of two diodes and a minor change to the pre-existing turn signal switch. The invention may also be used to advantage in the production of new vehicles.

Abstract: A dual-piston fuel pump assembly includes a housing having an inlet to a primary chamber and an outlet from a pumping chamber. Between the primary and pumping chambers are interposed concentric inner and outer pistons. Each piston is independently spring biased toward the pumping chamber. The inner piston is mechanically driven by an engine associated reciprocating drive and pumping action occurs as a result of the spring operating on the inner piston. The position of the outer piston relative to the inner piston is determined by the pressure in the pumping chamber as regulated by the force of the spring operating against the outer piston. When pressure in the pumping chamber exceeds predefined limits, the outer piston opens regulator ports disposed on the inner piston to recirculate fuel back into the low pressure primary chamber. Additionally, the outer piston acts as an accumulator to dampen pressure spikes.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for providing a momentary switch closure function output in response to operation of a control-request switch input to a closed condition and maintenance of the control-request switch input in closed condition for an amount of time greater than the time of the momentary switch closure function output. One use of the invention is as a single switch PTO enabler in conjunction with an electronically controlled internal combustion engine to provide a required momentary switch closure input to the engine electronic control for enabling the engine speed to change to a demanded speed.

Abstract: A multiple piston hand priming pump includes a plurality of nested pistons engaged within a hollow cylindrical housing. One end of the housing has an inlet/outlet fitting leading to a pumping chamber defined within the housing and the other end of the housing is closed. Through a center bore in the closed end of the housing, a plunger activating rod extends into communication with the centermost piston of the nested plurality of pistons. The nested pistons each engage within the next circumferential piston in a manner forming a lost motion connection therewith at the end of an axial bore in the next piston to cause sequential actuation after the pumping stroke of the inner piston is completed.

Abstract: A door-activated retractable step for a truck includes at least one step cavity disposed within a side wall structure of the truck in proximity to a door thereof. An extendable cover for the step cavity housing, when closed, creates an aerodynamic continuation of the side wall structure containing the step cavity. The cover is pivoted about a horizontal hinge in response to the truck door being opened to form a continuation of the tread surface, creating a wide step.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system for a turbocharged internal combustion engine utilizes dynamic forces to enhance exhaust gas flow through the EGR system. An impact tube is disposed facing upstream in the exhaust tract of the engine to increase the static pressure by the dynamic pressure of the flow. The EGR outlet to the engine air intake tract is disposed about an intake air tube to create an annular exhaust passage thereabout which opens into a radially outwardly stepped wall of the intake tract thereby creating a low pressure region at the exit from the EGR system. Still further, the intake tract housing is provided with an arcuate radially diverging wall surface so that the exhaust gas follows the wall in accordance with the Coanda principle and induces increased flow through the intake tract from the turbocharger.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer, has a closed circuit television system that provides the driver with rear and side views of blind spots that the he or she may otherwise be unable to see. When the vehicle is placed in reverse, the view from the rear camera is forced onto the screen of the video monitor to the exclusion of the side camera, or any other camera connected to the system. The invention provides an automation circuit that is responsive to turn signal and hazard warning signal actuation for causing the side camera to be actively connected to the monitor screen when the turn signal system is actuated to give a turn signal to the same side as that viewed by the side video camera and for preventing the side camera from being actively connected to the monitor screen when the hazard warning system is actuated to give a hazard warning signal.

Abstract: A system for controlling fuel injection in a diesel engine that includes a hydraulically-actuated, electronically-controlled unit injector (HEUI) fuel system. The injection rate/pressure characteristic of a HEUI fuel system is a function of oil supply (rail) pressure, which is independent of engine speed and load. However, transient operating conditions necessitate rapid changes in rail pressure and the prior art system does not always respond to these rapid changes fast enough. The enhanced control system of this invention incorporates a more sophisticated feed forward control term by changing the feed forward calibration from a lookup function based only on desired rail pressure to a lookup table based on desired rail pressure and RPCV flow and which has been found to be responsible for benefits in transient emissions and engine response and performance.