Abstract: A combustion chamber assembly for use in a diesel engine includes a combustion chamber being defined in a crown of a piston, the combustion chamber having a center portion being elevated relative to a bottom plane of the combustion chamber, the center portion being defined in part by a portion of a convex sphere, the sphere having a radius and an origin, the origin of the radius lying on a piston central axis and the combustion chamber further having an outwardly radially disposed bottom margin, the bottom margin being defined in part by a portion of a concave sphere, the sphere having a radius, the origin of the radius lying on the piston central axis and being greater than the center portion radius. The combustion chamber has a plurality of curved surfaces having smooth transitions between adjacent smooth surfaces, the smooth surfaces including the spherical center portion and the spherical bottom margin in combination with an annular sidewall surface.

Abstract: A mobile vehicle cab has cab extender pieces engaged to the cab rearwards relative to vehicle forward movement. The cab extenders act as extensions of the cab sides to provide aerodynamic efficiency to vehicle operation. A one-piece cab extender mounting and integrated grab handle is engaged to the rearward side of the cab and to the interior surface of the left side cab extender. The cab extender mounting and integrated grab handle contains a vertical handle portion that is integrated and between an approximately horizontal upper portion and an approximately horizontal lower portion.

Abstract: A vehicle window ventilation system of this invention contains vertical slots in forward portions of the window or frame. Air due to vehicle movement passes in the slots to the cavity between the windowpanes. There is a passage for airflow from the cavity rearward to the door handle where there is spacing for outward passage of air. The forward location of the vertical slots allows for the flow of air across a wide area of the windows and hence a minimum reduction of visibility due to moisture in the cavity. The air passageway rearward through the cavity between the windows and then through the door to the rearward located door handle allows for a dispersion pattern of air that covers a large amount of the surface area of the double pane window. While an external fan could be used to enhance the removal of flow of air the forward location of the vertical slots and the rearward location of the inner door passageway to the door handle alleviates the necessity of having a fan.

Abstract: A keyless entry system for a motor vehicle is modified to be operable when the vehicle's engine is running and the vehicle's park brake is set. Keyless entry systems conventionally include an ignition switch position signal source and a door lock module having an enable input connected to the source of the ignition position signal. The disclosure teaches connecting the output of the ignition switch position sensor to the door lock modulo enable input through the part brake lamp. The enable input to the door lock module is then connected in common with the a park brake lamp switch. When the park brake lamp switch is closed by setting the park brake and activates the park brake lamp, the ignition position feed signal on the enable input is sunk by the switch and the potential level on the enable Is reduced, enabling the door lock module to operate as though the ignition switch had been moved to off.

Abstract: Bearing arrangements are provided utilizing retention lips, enlarged retaining washers, or clearance lips to retain a bearing located in an engine in the bearing's housing in the event of bearing failure. Also provided are methods of utilizing retention lips, enlarged retaining washers, or clearance lips to retain a bearing race within a bearing housing in the event of bearing failure.

Abstract: A method for generating indicators relating to the condition of lubricating oil in an internal combustion engine. A set of variables relating to operation of the internal combustion engine serve as proxy variables for brake mean effective pressure developed by the internal combustion engine. Operation of an engine is monitored to develop values for the proxy variables. Soot being added to the lubricating oil from the developed values and accumulated to provide an estimate of total soot in the lubricating oil. Lubricating oil temperature is periodically monitored and a history of the lubricating oil temperature measurements is kept to allow generation therefrom of an estimate of shear of the lubricating oil. Accumulated estimate of soot is kept as a distance remaining until the lubricating oil becomes unsuitable for continued use in the internal combustion engine. Similarly, estimated shear is expressed as a distance until the lubricating oil is to be replaced.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for detecting stuck tools in automated machining operations. When a machining operation on a workpiece is finished, the tools are retracted from the workpiece. Prior to moving the workpiece to another machining operation, a stuck tool detector is moved along a plane of separation between the machine head and the workpiece. If a stuck tool is present, the detector senses the stuck tool and sends an alarm signal of the stuck tool condition so that the operator or controlling microprocessor based system is alerted to the stuck tool. Appropriate actions or repairs can then be carried out.

Abstract: An anti-glare system for motor vehicle headlights is effective to illuminate the headlights at reduced intensity when the vehicle is not in motion and the headlight switch is on thereby promoting better visibility for the driver of an oncoming vehicle. This system is believed particularly useful in service vehicles, such as pick-up and delivery trucks and school buses.

Abstract: A method for generating indicators relating to the condition of lubricating oil in an internal combustion engine. A set of variables relating to operation of the internal combustion engine serve as proxy variables for brake mean effective pressure developed by the internal combustion engine. Operation of an engine is monitored to develop values for the proxy variables. Soot being added to the lubricating oil from the developed values and accumulated to provide an estimate of total soot in the lubricating oil. Lubricating oil temperature is periodically monitored and a history of the lubricating oil temperature measurements is kept to allow generation therefrom of an estimate of shear of the lubricating oil. Accumulated estimate of soot is kept as a distance remaining until the lubricating oil becomes unsuitable for continued use in the internal combustion engine. Similarly, estimated shear is expressed as a distance until the lubricating oil is to be replaced.

Abstract: A combustion chamber assembly for use in a diesel engine includes a combustion chamber being defined in a crown of a piston, the piston having a central axis, the combustion chamber having a center portion being elevated relative to a bottom plane of the combustion chamber. The center portion is defined in part by a portion of a sphere, the sphere having a radius, the origin of the radius lying on the combustion chamber central axis. The combustion chamber further has an outer margin, the outer margin being defined in part by a portion of a sphere, the sphere having a radius, the origin of the radius lying on the combustion chamber central axis and being greater than the center portion radius. The spherical center portion and the spherical outer margin are connected by an annular surface.

Abstract: There is provided an intake manifold module that integrates an intake air manifold with an exhaust gas recirculation system resulting in a compact design that optimizes vehicle engine compartment space, and results in reduced engine manufacturing time and cost. The intake manifold module comprises an integrally cast intake air manifold having an EGR valve aperture, an EGR cooler mounting, an EGR gas-out passage, and an EGR coolant-out; an EGR valve operatively mounted in the EGR valve aperture, and an EGR cooler cooperatively attached to the intake air manifold. Further, the EGR cooler comprises a gas outlet attached to the EGR gas-out passage, an exhaust gas inlet, a coolant inlet passage, a coolant outlet attached to the EGR coolant-out passage, and an EGR cooler mounting bracket. In operation, exhaust gases enter the EGR cooler, are cooled by EGR coolant, pass through the EGR valve and into the intake manifold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge thermostat system that permits removal and replacement of the thermostat without removing the housing or coolant manifold. In the cartridge thermostat system, a coolant manifold is mounted on a cylinder head of an engine. The cylinder head has an engine by-pass and a coolant port for receiving a pilot on the coolant manifold. The coolant manifold further comprises at least one thermostat port with an associated cartridge thermostat and at least one passage for appropriate coolant flow. The cartridge thermostat fastens to the thermostat port and operatively positions a plug to an engine by-pass and a sleeve to a coolant passage. A wax plug in the cartridge thermostat expands when the coolant is hot and thereby appropriately and simultaneously positions the plug relative to the engine by-pass and the sleeve relative to the coolant passage.

Abstract: An airbag inflation system for a vehicle utilizes a truck's an ambient air compression system including a holding tank for providing compressed air to vehicle systems and an air pump. An outlet is added to the holding tank with a frangible seal closing the outlet until discharge of the air is required to inflate the airbag. An air line connecting the outlet to the airbag is filled upon activation of a squib for breaking the frangible seal upon detection of a rollover related event.

Abstract: A roof and mounting structure and a school or commercial bus vehicle provide improved leakage protection to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The roof is an integral unitized roof structure that reduces or eliminates the opportunity for leakage by replacing rivets with adhesive or adhesive tape as the joining force between the roof skin and supporting structure and by decreasing the number of potential leakage points by decreasing the number of parts making up the roof from many overlapping panels to what is effectively a single sheet. This single unitized roof may actually be comprised of two strips of metal welded together or crimped together along a seam.

Abstract: There is provided a method for suspending roller tappets in an internal combustion engine without removal of the cylinder head and gasket. The rocker arm assembly is removed. Each push rod is then removed and replaced with tappet suspension tool to engage a corresponding roller tappet. A suspension tool guide bar is then installed to connect to the tappet suspension tools. The roller tappets are then simultaneously moved to a raised position away from the camshaft forming a clearance between the roller tappets and camshaft bearings. The roller tappets are then secured in the raised position by a securing block. The camshaft can then be removed from the engine block. Alternatively, the rear half of the front cover can be removed by first removing the idler gears, followed by removal of the camshaft, and last removing the rear half of the front cover from the engine case.

Abstract: A torsion bar hood assist system for a vehicle which has a hood that pivots between an open and a closed position. The hood assist system includes a compact torsion mechanism with at least two torsion bar sections. The torsion mechanism of the hood assist system is mounted distant from a pivot axis of the hood. The torsion mechanism is engaged to the vehicle in a manner which allows the torsion mechanism to be mounted distant from the hood pivot axis and reduces the stresses imparted to the torsion mechanism when the hood is pivoted.

Abstract: There is provided a rocker arm assembly for mounting on a carrier in an internal combustion engine that can be pre-assembled and installed on the rocker carrier decreasing manufacturing time and cost. The rocker arm assembly comprises a rocker arm, a fulcrum plate, a retaining clip, and a pivot ball that in cooperation with the retaining clip cooperatively connects the fulcrum plate and the rocker arm such that the pivot ball provides a pivot point for the rocker arm to pivot and thereby actuate at least one valve or valve bridge. The rocker arm further comprises a push rod cup, an aperture, pivot ball cup, and a pivot foot. The fulcrum plate can be a dual fulcrum plate, which holds two rocker arms, or an end fulcrum plate, which holds one rocker arm. The rocker arms can be either intake or exhaust rocker arms.

Abstract: There is provided a rocker carrier for use with a cylinder head in an internal combustion engine comprising a body portion having a continuous peripheral wall including a front and rear wall connected between a first and second end wall, a plurality of rocker arm pedestals comprised of a dual or end rocker arm pedestals integrally formed on the body portion and disposed between the rear and front walls, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The rocker carrier further comprises a plurality of support fins, a high pressure oil line passage, a plurality of high pressure oil reservoir bosses, a plurality of exterior head bolt passages, a plurality of carrier bolt bosses, a plurality of glow plug passages, a plurality of electrical connector passages, and an oil drain passage, and a plurality of valve cover bolt bosses formed adjacent to the rear wall.