Abstract: An internal combustion engine piston assembly is provided wherein the underside of the piston has planar load bearing surfaces disposed perpendicularly to the axis thereof and the ends of the piston pin are provided with mating planar surfaces for fastening the pin to the underside of the piston head. The piston pin further includes a cylindrical bearing surface disposed between the ends for connection to the connecting rod.

Abstract: An engine mounting assembly includes a pair of rear engine mounting bracket assemblies having offset mounting surfaces, an engine flywheel housing having complementary mounting surfaces, and a front mounting bracket which together provide a three-point mounting structure resulting in a significantly lowered mounting of the engine on a forward control bus chassis. The front mounting bracket includes a single point, vibration-isolated, engine mount to a lowered frame crossmember to provide vibration isolation in any direction while the rear brackets provide vertical and fore-and-aft vibration isolation. The front mounting bracket further includes a lower mount for supporting a vehicle radiator while upper stabilizing rods connect the upper portion of the radiator to the upper portion of the engine to stabilize the desired vertical position of the radiator perpendicular to the engine fan axis.

Abstract: An exhaust back pressure control system includes a valve in the exhaust outlet of a turbocharger of an internal combustion engine which is controlled by an engine control microcomputer. When the valve is moved toward a closed position, it restricts the exhaust flow, thereby increasing back pressure and friction within the engine by producing an artificial load thereon, and thus speeds up the warming process taking place within the engine upon starting thereof. The valve is moved by an actuating piston within a hydraulic cylinder using engine oil pressure controlled by an electrically operated valve receiving a pulse width modulated operating signal from the engine microcomputer, the operating signal being generated to provide a desired back pressure as a function of engine coolant temperature, engine speed, engine fuel comsumption, and actual back pressure. Operation of the system is enabled if the ambient air temperature is below 2.degree. C.

Abstract: An aerodynamic-gap sealing structure for a tractor-trailer combination includes rigid multipiece articulating shields at rear corners of the tractor and extending rearwardly to engage a side of a front face of the trailer. Similarly, a cab of the tractor is provided with a roof extension pivotally mounted on a top corner of a roof, or roof fairing, of the cab and extends rearwardly and upwardly to a roof of the trailer disposed thereabove. The side shields include a plurality of panels, preferably three, between the cab and the trailer which are pivotally connected to each other by centering springs to allow for varying distances between the cab and the trailer corners as a turn is negotiated while normally maintaining the panels as a straight extension from the cab to the trailer.

Abstract: A cast tubular structure including an integral hose connection element formed thereon is produced by lost foam casting wherein a circular socket seat is formed on a pattern for a body portion of the cast tubular structure and a cylindrical pattern for the integral hose connection element is formed by a mold without vent openings on the mold surface in the area of the cyclindrical pattern corresponding to the hose sealing surface of the cast tubular structure. The pattern sections are joined with the pattern section for the hose connection element sealing within the circular socket seal formed in the body portion of the cast structure. The pattern assembly is coated with a slurry and, after drying, is placed in a casting flask. Molten metal is then poured within the coated pattern assembly dissolving the foam patterns and forming the cast tubular structure.

Abstract: A side mounted rear view mirror assembly for a motor vehicle is provided with a small air deflector integral therewith disposed upstream of and parallel to a forwardly convex mirror housing of the assembly, the deflector being spaced therefrom a sufficient distance to cause the air stream to be smoothly channelled past the lateral edges of the mirror housing. The "see through" open portion of the mirror assembly between the deflector and the mirror housing is provided with an amber light reflecting side marker surface on the front of the mirror housing and a low intensity light disposed on the rear side of the air deflector and shining light onto the light reflecting surface of the mirror housing to become a side marker to indicate the side of the vehicle. The rear side of the mirror housing is provided with a conventional image reflecting surface to reflect a rear side view to the operator.

Abstract: A wheel end play measuring device including a pneumatic actuator attached to the wheel with its rod in axial alignment with the wheel axle and an indicator associated with the actuator rod to indicate the axial end play of the wheel bearing. Adjustment of the wheel relative to the axle for setting the wheel bearings at the desired tightness is accomplished by tightening the adjustment nut to a solid condition, actuating the pneumatic cylinder to pull the wheel to the outboard limit of the end play, setting the indicator to zero, and backing off the adjustment nut until the desired end play setting is shown on the indicator.

Abstract: A vehicle hood of the type disposed to open forwardly of said vehicle and pivot about a horizontal axis to expose an engine compartment thereof has a plastic composite exterior skin defining a portion of the engine compartment and including a forwardly located ambient air inlet to said engine compartment, and a generally vertical front reinforcement member bonded within the skin adjacent the ambient air inlet and having grillework integrally formed therein within the ambient air inlet, the grillework preferably being the only grillework. The front reinforcement further includes vehicle light housings integrally molded therewith and extending laterally to the fender area of the hood, the hood skin being bonded to the light housings. The light housings preferably receive both the headlight and the turn signal which are inserted through apertures in the exterior skin of the hood.

Abstract: The system is provided for actively controlling the pitching of a truck cab. The system includes sensors and a single point hydraulic actuator mounted at the rear of the cab between the cab and the frame on which the cab is mounted which is computer controlled and activated in accordance with calculations provided by an algorithm programmed into the controller in response to cab or frame pitch acceleration signals received from the sensors. A feedback circuit is also provided which verifies activation of the actuator in accordance with the calculations provided by the algorithm being run in the controller.

Abstract: The engine air intake apparatus comprises a planar base plate incorporating a curved duct which lies in the plane of the base member initially and then curves inwardly therethrough. The inwardly curved portion of the duct lies toward a trailing edge of the base plate member and is covered by a cover plate member which seats onto and over the trailing end portion of the base plate member in a parallel plane slightly above the plane of the base plate member. When mounted onto the hood of a vehicle, the leading edge of the base plate member, which is slightly elevated above the level of the hood, provides a leading end splitter plow arrangement to the apparatus for removing hood surface water from the air stream flowing along the hood.

Abstract: A plastic gasket assembly of substantially increased thickness, compared to present day elastomeric or composition gaskets, for use in sealing an engine valve cover to a cylinder head thereof, the gasket including a portion incorporating an electrical conductor for creating an electrical bridge through the sealing area between the cylinder head and valve cover by means of which exterior control circuitry can be electrically coupled to electrical or electronic devices disposed internally of the valve cover. In a first embodiment, the wires connecting the devices to the control unit are simply molded into the gasket whereas in a second embodiment, the gasket is drilled or molded to provide holes for inserting the wires, sealing of the wires being accomplished by clamping of the gasket and/or sealant disposed on the wire.

Abstract: A fluid conduit system especially for high pressure fuel connections in engines comprises an elongate tube having a fitting asssembly mounted at each end thereof. Each fitting assembly is identical to the other and includes a stepped outer diameter sleeve member having a larger diameter distal portion and a narrower proximal portion. A nut is slidably received about the tube and has a threaded bore therein which is of a diameter greater than the diameter of the larger diameter portion of the sleeve member and a proximal flange surrounding a reduced diameter bore having a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the narrower portion of the sleeve member but less than the diameter of the larger diameter portion of the sleeve member.

Abstract: A water separation device designed to be free-standing, self-contained and easily mounted to a housing of an air cleaner in an air intake system of an internal combustion engine includes a housing having an air inlet opening, an air outlet opening having an internal bellmouth section which feeds an air intake port of the air cleaner, and defines a circuitous air flow path, including a 180.degree. turn therein, which causes multiple directional changes to air flowing therethrough, with water particles in the air being thrown off during the directional changes by centrifugal force.

Abstract: A daytime running light circuit is integrated with the existing headlight circuit of an automotive vehicle. The daytime running light circuit functions to automatically illuminate the headlights at reduced intensity when the vehicle is running and the headlight switch is turned off. Any time, however, that the headlight switch is turned on, the headlights are illuminated at full intensity. The daytime running light circuit includes a day relay and a night relay. The night relay is responsive to the headlight switch being turned on for preventing operation of the daytime relay which would otherwise illuminate the headlamps at reduced intensity if the vehicle were running and the headlight switch off. When the headlight switch is off, the night relay enables the day relay to be operated whenever the vehicle is running. Indication that the vehicle is running is obtained from the alternator "R" terminal.

Abstract: An elongate, shallow, rectangular duct is formed in a vehicle hood by structure depending from an inner surface thereof, the hood inner surface forming a top surface of the duct. The rectangular duct includes a forward ambient air inlet and a rear air outlet and incorporates a series of baffles strategically located between the two for eliminating moisture from air flowing therebetween. A sealing sleeve disposed in the duct outlet to engage the engine air cleaner is provided within the duct with an internal passage having a bellmouth nozzle entrance section to the outlet and an external surface having a third baffle section thereon within the duct. The portion of the sleeve external of the duct includes a bellows section to accommodate variations in the position of the air cleaner inlet.

Abstract: A system for alerting the operator of a vehicle to potentially damaging motoring of the engine before such motoring actually occurs so that corrective action can be taken. A speed sensor senses rotational speed of the counter/input shaft of a manual transmission and operates an indicator that presents the alert to the driver. The alert is given with the clutch disengaged as soon as the transmission is placed in a gear that causes the counter/input shaft to operate at a speed that will cause potentially damaging motoring of the engine. Because the alert is given before the clutch is re-engaged, an opportunity is given to prevent the potentially damaging motoring.

Abstract: A speedometer/tachometer assembly for an automotive vehicle, such as a heavy truck, has a ten section DIP switch for calibrating the speedometer and a like switch for calibrating the tachometer. When set to all "0's", each switch causes the corresponding meter to be driven by a variable frequency signal from a corresponding sensor, as calibrated by a corresponding calibration factor that has been preloaded in the non-volatile memory of a microprocessor that operates the meters. When set to all "1's", each switch causes the corresponding meter to be operated from pre-calibrated data appearing on a data link. When set to any other setting, the setting determines the calibration factor that is applied to the uncalibrated signal, and this is used to drive the corresponding meter.

Abstract: A shift prompter/driver information display for a highway truck is disclosed. The display is operable to cruising, prompting, and shifting modes of operation. In the cruising mode of operation the driver of the vehicle can select, via a set of keypad switches, information about the vehicle's operation that he desires to see presented on a multi-digit decimal readout of the display. Information concerning fuel economy, engine speed, vehicle speed, travel time, travel distance and engine hours can be selected. In the prompting mode of operation the display indicates that operation of the transmission to a different gear is appropriate. The shifting mode commences when the driver initiates a shift to a different gear. In the shifting mode the target gear to which the transmission should be shifted is presented on the display.

Abstract: A jump start stud assembly comprises a tin plated brass stud having a plastic insulating body molded around a medial portion thereof for mounting to the vehicle. The stud assembly includes a cylindrical cap which covers a jumper cable contact end of the stud and releasably engages an adjacent end portion of the insulating body. The stud assembly also includes a boot member which has one end thereof sealed against an insulator of a cable extending therethrough into electrical communication with the other end of the stud with the other end of the boot member engaging an adjacent end of the insulating body. The stud assembly thus formed provides a stud which may be completely isolated from the ambient environment when not in use.

Abstract: A passive mechanical damping system, particularly for the suspension of a cab from a truck frame, provides a minimal level of damping force to impede the free movement of a truck cab about its nominal height and also provides higher levels, progressively or in discrete steps, of damping as the movement of the cab exceeds preset limits of displacement defined by a lost motion connection to provide maximum vibration isolation while providing additional damping to control cab movement when the preset displacement limits are exceeded. The system provides a low rate viscous damper continuously connected between the cab and the truck frame and a high rate viscous damper connected therebetween through a lost motion connection.