Abstract: The invention provides a blasting apparatus with a dual structure deflector. The blasting apparatus includes a blasting cabinet for housing a work piece, a nozzle, a propelling device, and a blasting medium holding unit. In use, the propelling device directs air and blasting medium via a blasting path against a work piece. In one aspect, the dual structure deflector is positioned inside the blasting path and includes an interior structure, an exterior structure, and a tubular support. The interior structure may be made from a rigid material such as steel, aluminum, or another metal. The exterior structure may be made from a resilient material such as polyurethane. The dual structure deflector provides a rigid and impact-resistant configuration.

Abstract: A control pedal assembly for a vehicle. Two or more control pedals are engaged to a pedal mounting system base component through a number of components that are slideably engaged to one another. The construction and arrangement of the components that are slideably engaged to one another and the engagement of those components to the control pedals and the pedal mounting system base component is such that the position of at least two control pedals is adjustable relative to one another. One or more positioning actuators are engaged to the components that are slideably engaged to one another. The positioning actuators, when activated, slide the slideably engaged components relative to one another and thus change the position of one or more control pedals. One or more position control apparatus are connected to the positioning actuators so that an operator of the vehicle can activate the positioning actuators to adjust the position of the control pedals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact injector hold down clamp assembly that allows for disassembly of the fuel injector from a cylinder head without prying the fuel injector from the cylinder head. The injector hold down clamp assembly comprises a clamp having a fastener channel and a retainer ring bore, a fastener with a retainer ring section that is operatively inserted in the fastener channel, and a retaining ring that is operatively attached to the fastener retainer ring section. The retaining ring acts on the retainer ring bore during disassembly and thereby allows the fuel injector and injector hold down clamp assembly to be removed simultaneously. The retaining ring is a partial ring that extends about 230 degrees. The injector clamp further comprises a rear clamp seat, and a first and second a clamp arm that engage the fuel injector.

Abstract: An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine has special accommodations for preventing the pooling of water in the passageways of the exhaust system. One or more of the components of the exhaust system such as mufflers and or sections of exhaust tubing etc. have absorbent liners disposed at points within said exhaust system where water is likely to pool. The absorbent liners wick moisture away from the inner surfaces of the exhaust components in which they are disposed. Moisture is held within the absorbent liners until the temperature of the exhaust system rises enough to evaporate the moisture at which time the water vapor exits the exhaust system with the combustion products of the internal combustion engine. The absorbent liners are of a size and shape and are positioned within the exhaust system components such that they present minimal restriction to flow of combustion products through the exhaust system.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of evaluating vehicle electrical control systems implements a base evaluation and programming station by an appropriately programmed portable computer. A wireless network communication interface is connected to the base evaluation and programming station. Vehicles may then be brought into the general vicinity of the base station. The electrical control system for each vehicle brought into range for testing may be temporarily attached to a transferable wireless node including a wireless communication interface and two way data staging element. Thereupon an ad hoc network is established with individual communication links between the wireless communication interface connected to the base evaluation and programming station and each transferable wireless communication interface.

Abstract: A variable nozzle turbocharger (12) creates engine boost. Boost is controlled by controlling the position of vanes within turbocharger. A processor develops a control signal (29) for controlling vane position. The processor develops a value for desired boost and processes that value with a value. corresponding to the amount of boost being created by the turbocharger to generate error data (48A) defining error between the amount of boost being created by the turbocharger and the desired boost, and the processor develops a component of the control signal by P-LI-D processing (62) of the error data. Other components of the control signal are a feed-forward value from a look-up table (34) and a value from an overspeed protection function (60).

Abstract: A communication system architecture (SA) for a vehicle which may be integrated into the vehicle's multiplexed electronic component communication system, and a process for communicating with the vehicle to provide information for and about the vehicle's operational status and coordinating the vehicle's activities. The communication system will include a multi-functional antenna system for the vehicle that will have the capability to receive AM/FM radio and television signals, and transmit and receive citizens band (CB) radio signals, satellite and microwave and cellular phone communications. The antenna may be installed as original equipment or as a back-fit part in the after-market. In either case the multi-functional antenna will be integrated with the vehicle's multiplexed electronic component communication system.

Abstract: A communication system architecture (SA) for a vehicle which may be integrated into the vehicle's multiplexed electronic component communication system, and a process for communicating with the vehicle to provide information for and about the vehicle's operational status and coordinating the vehicle's activities. The communication system will include a multi-functional antenna system for the vehicle that will have the capability to receive AM/FM radio and television signals, and transmit and receive citizens band (CB) radio signals, satellite and microwave and cellular phone communications. The antenna may be installed as original equipment or as a back-fit part in the after-market. In either case the multi-functional antenna will be integrated with the vehicle's multiplexed electronic component communication system.

Abstract: A system and a method for generating a calibrated speedometer signal is provided utilizing a global positioning unit and wheel speed monitoring units. Side to side comparison of wheel rotational speeds allows detection of vehicle turns. Speed estimation is made from the global positioning unit during straight line operation of the vehicle. The speed estimate is used to calibrate the raw speed signal provided by averaging the wheel rotational speeds as measured by the wheel speed monitoring units.

Abstract: An underhood air cleaner (20) for a vehicle (22) has an inlet shroud seal (72) self-mounted to the filter housing (60) at the filter inlet (68) and engaging the hood (28) at the exit opening (36) of the hood air channel (30). The self-mounting is accomplished without extra parts or fasteners such as bolts and clamps. Both axial (198) and radial (200) retention is provided for the shroud seal (72) on the filter housing (60), as well as reduced inflow restriction.

Abstract: A data transmission system for external use with a controller area network is installed on a motor vehicle undergoing high intensity electromagnetic interference susceptibility testing. The data transmission system includes a fiber optic cable extending from the immediate vicinity of the truck to a site relatively remote to the truck and out of the effective area of the artificially generated electromagnetic interference. An optical/electrical coupler in close proximity to the motor vehicle is connected to the vehicle controller area network to convert messages occurring on the network to optical signals. The connection is provided by an electrical cable constructed of a twisted pair of wires. The optical/electrical coupler is also connected to an end of the fiber optic cable in the vicinity of the truck. A remote data processing device is attached to the remote end of the fiber optic cable by an interface card installed in the remote data processing device.

Abstract: A controller for, and method of, load governing a compression ignition engine. Various data is processed to develop fueling data for accomplishing governed fueling of the engine. The processing includes processing accelerator pedal position data corresponding to the position of an accelerator pedal and engine load data corresponding to the load on the engine to develop engine speed setpoint data according to a function generator containing engine speed setpoint data in correlation with accelerator pedal position data and engine load data to accomplish load governing of the engine in consequence of further processing of the developed engine speed setpoint data. The developed engine speed setpoint data and actual engine speed data are processed by a governor PID to develop the fueling data.

Abstract: An expandable wardrobe for location along an interior wall of a truck cab passengers pace is provided by incorporating into the cab an anchor wall having two vertical edges, the anchor wall being positionally fixed against the vehicle interior wall and providing a back wall to the wardrobe. A pair of opposed sidewalls are provided with each sidewall having two vertical edges, and each of the pair of opposed sidewalls being hingedly mounted along one vertical edge to a different vertical edge of the anchor wall, leaving one vertical edge of each of the opposed sidewalls free. A freewall is hingedly mounted between the free vertical edges of each of the pair of opposed sidewalls to enclose a variably sized space. A doorway through the free wall into the variably sized space provides access to the space.

Abstract: A fuel injector has a body containing a mechanism that is operable to cause fuel to be injected out of the body and into an engine combustion chamber. An electric actuator operates the mechanism to initiate fuel injection and to terminate fuel injection. The injector has an identity circuit that possesses an identity characteristic identifying a calibration category into which the fuel injector has been previously categorized based on data obtained from actual operation of the fuel injector. In some embodiments the identity circuit is electrically connected in shunt with the electric actuator and imposes no significant effect on the response of the fuel injector to the initiating and terminating electric signals. In others, it is connected between engine ground and one actuator terminal.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for using an engine's exhaust back pressure to control a variable geometry turbocharger. The control system determines a desired exhaust back pressure based on engine speed and engine load. The desired exhaust back pressure is compared with a measured exhaust back pressure to determine the difference between the measured and desired exhaust back pressures. The difference value is used to determine the duty cycle. In an alternate embodiment, the exhaust gas pressure is used to adjust the duty cycle determined by other operating parameters. A base duty cycle is determined from the engine speed and the engine load. The difference between the measured and desired exhaust back pressures is used to determine an exhaust pressure control duty cycle. The base duty cycle is then adjusted by the exhaust pressure control duty cycle to give a turbocharger duty cycle.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring a vehicle battery installed on a motor vehicle and indicating the condition of the battery is provided which does not require removal of the battery from the vehicle. Upon initial movement of the ignition key from off to on, open circuit voltage is measured and compared to an allowable range. If open circuit voltage is acceptable, the possibility that polarization is skewing the result is determined, and if the possibility is indicated, a load test is imposed on the engine. Results of testing are maintained as data records to provide updates of the comparison values used for subsequent tests.

Abstract: The invention is a compressible fluid suspension system using a compressible fluid spring, like an air spring, communicating with a reservoir for auxiliary volume of compressible fluid. The reservoir is located within an axle.

Abstract: A delay device for use with a fuel injector, the fuel injector having an electric controller for controlling the flow of a high pressure actuating fluid responsive to initiation and cessation of a pulse width command, the pulse width command defining the duration of an injection event, and an intensifier being in fluid communication with the controller, the intensifier being translatable to increase the pressure of a volume of fuel for injection into the combustion chamber of an engine; the delay device includes an apparatus, shiftable between a first disposition and a second disposition over a certain period of time after initiation of the pulse width command, the period of time effecting a delay in initiation of fuel injection after initiation of the pulse width command. A fuel injector including a delay device.

Abstract: A mount for securing a component, such as an engine, to a vehicle frame. Preferably, the mount includes a bottom and top isolator and a cross member that can be assembled and secured to the engine at an assembly station away from the primary assembly line. The cross member includes frame mounting surfaces that are vertically oriented at each side of the cross member, and the frame includes corresponding engine mounting surfaces. A receiver with a downward facing surface is also provided that is attached to the cross member. A stop support that is attached to the vehicle frame supports the weight of the engine with an upward facing support surface that abuts the receiver support surface.