Abstract: A clamping device for clamping a fuel injector to the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, the fuel injector having a fuel injector body including a injector nozzle tip includes a hold down device for clamping to an object and a seal device for effecting a fluid seal with a plurality of fluid passageways defined in the cylinder head, the sealing device associated with each fluid passageway being compressible by a unidirectional force applied to the hold down device. A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, the fuel injector having a fuel injector body including a injector nozzle tip includes a hold down device for clamping to an object and a seal device for effecting a fluid seal with a plurality of fluid passageways defined in the object, at least one seal device having a dimensional range in which an effective seal is made, the dimensional range being at least as great as the range of manufacturing tolerances existing is between the fuel injector and the object.

Abstract: A fuel injector including a delay device, 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. In one embodiment, a bias against shifting the apparatus from said first disposition to the second disposition is effected by the actuating fluid to reduce variations in the delay period under variable actuating pressure conditions.

Abstract: An ABS sensor bracket made up of two mounting wing plates engaged to a sensor receiver. The sensor receiver is generally cylindrical and is mounted between the wing plates such that the sensor receiver is asymmetric axially relative to the caliper anchor plate. When viewed from the side, there is a shorter end of the sensor receiver jutting out a shorter distance from the wing plates than an opposite longer end of the sensor receiver. In one embodiment, a first end of the sensor receiver has an outer diameter circumference greater than that of the opposite second end. The caliper anchor plate has an outer edge slot for mounting of the ABS sensor brackets. The outer edge slots are generally ‘U’ or ‘V’ shaped. There are mounting holes in the outer radial areas bordering the outer edge slots.

Abstract: A one-piece mounting bracket (30) for mounting an automatic transmission shift control in the cab of a truck has a top wall (34) and laterally spaced apart side walls (36, 38) depending from the top wall and extending rearward into covering relation to laterally opposite sides of the shift control. A face plate (70) spans the side walls of the bracket in covering relation to the shift control, and a shift lever (62) for operating the shift control to shift the transmission extends from the shift control through an opening (72) at the face plate to provide a grip by which a driver of the vehicle can operate the shift control. The side walls are symmetric about an imaginary medial plane that perpendicularly bisects an imaginary plane occupied by the top wall. The side walls also have symmetric hole patterns (50, 52) providing shift cable attachment features that are symmetric about the imaginary medial plane. The bracket may be used in either a right- or left-hand drive vehicle.

Abstract: A right-hand drive vehicle steering system (10) that may be factory built or converted from a left-hand drive steering system or vice versa. The method of conversion begins with the removal of the left-hand drive steering components. A left-hand drive designed steering gear is engaged to an adapter bracket (50). The adapter bracket allows the orientation of the left-hand drive designed steering gear to remain the same in a right-hand drive installation as when installed in the left-hand drive. As a result, the pitman arm (18) that directs the wheel direction of steering and is outboard of the steering gear for left-hand drive applications, is inboard of the steering gear for right-hand drive applications. The adapter bracket allows displacement of the steering column and associated steering equipment to further outboard in the right-hand drive system relative to the outboard position in left-hand drive applications.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle tandem axle has air springs positioned adjacent the ends of the trailing and lead axles of the tandem axle. Pairs of air springs on each side of the vehicle are pneumatically connected to form a common reservoir. Displacement of the ends of the lead and trailing axles of the tandem axle are averaged to provide a controlling input to air spring pressurization controllers provided for each pair of air springs.

Abstract: An apparatus for operator controlled purging of the tanks of a pressurized air reservoir of a vehicle air system comprises an air actuated normally closed drain valve mounted to an underside of each tank, a source of pressurized air engaged to each drain valve, and a controller for each valve engaged downstream of the source, and within a driver area of the vehicle, the controller when activated, allowing for communication between the source and the drain valve for opening of the valve. The method for using the apparatus in testing air system integrity includes the steps of draining and refilling each tank individually in a pre-defined sequence while monitoring driver area mounted indicators of air pressure levels and testing functionality of an air system operated service brake system of the vehicle by carrying out the pre-defined sequence.

Abstract: A support system for the interior of a mobile vehicle such as a tractor-traileror over the road heavy truck. The support system provides vertical support poles for use with various features of the truck vehicle. The poles are integrated into the structure of the sleeper. They provide additional structural rigidity and limit the roof crush in the event of vehicle roll-over. The poles are equipped with various external accessories. They may have a swivel seat attached for additional seating within the sleeper. Sound system speakers may be hung from the poles and aimed where desired. A television or computer monitor may also be hung off the poles enabling adjustment for numerous viewing angles within the cab and the sleeper. The poles may also serve as a conduit for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for the sleeper environment. The poles can serve as the air ducts or a separate duct could be installed within each pole to channel air to multiple air outlets.

Abstract: A control system for vehicle accessories differentiated from one another in terms of required voltage, current drawn, load duration and variability of energization levels utilizes generic interface modules to effect control. One or more generic remote interface modules, in addition to controllers such as engine and chassis controllers, are mounted on the vehicle for controlling actuation and energization of the non-standard devices, such as motors driving pumps for hydraulic lits. An electronic system controller (ESC) manages the remote interface modules over a serial communication link to provide the specialized functionality. Each remote interface module (RIM) is constructed as a standard component capable of providing digital and analog outputs to devices attached to one or more output ports on the module. The remote interface assumes a number of controller states under the control of the electronic system controller for regulating actuation and energization of the differentiated loads.

Abstract: A hydraulically-assisted engine valve actuator for assisting in the actuation of an engine valve, includes a servo piston being operably coupled to the engine valve. A translatable pilot valve is in fluid communication with the servo piston and the main piston and is operably coupled to and controlled by a pilot valve positioning system. The pilot valve positioning system controls a translational stroke of the pilot valve to meter hydraulic fluid under pressure to and from the servo piston. A stroke magnifier magnifies a stroke of the pilot valve positioning system.

Abstract: An improved school bus door operator for a school bus, or other public transportation vehicle or bus. The improved school bus door operator of this invention consists of a linear actuated school bus door operator with a handle for operation by the driver and the linkage tying the operator to the school bus door. The linear actuated school bus door operator allows the driver of the school bus to open and close the school bus door with a back and forth short-stroke linear movement of the handle. This should reduce repetitive stress injuries which school bus drivers have occasioned. The improved school bus door operator generally consists of a handle slide mechanism, a rotatable pivot arm, and a door linkage arm engaged to the school bus door. The handle slide mechanism further consists of a slide arm that may be moved linearly within the handle slide mechanism. The slide arm has a handle that juts out generally in a vertical direction at a rearward portion of the slide arm.

Abstract: A hydraulically-actuated electronically-controlled fuel injector for use with a fuel injection system having an actuating fluid high pressure common rail for conveying an actuating fluid under pressure, the pressure of the actuating fluid in the common rail being selectively variable, the fuel injection system being installed on a diesel engine, the injector having a controller valve for selectively porting the actuating fluid to an injector intensifier assembly for magnifying the pressure of the fuel to be injected, includes a needle valve for controlling the opening and closing of a fuel injection orifice to effect a fuel injection event, the needle valve being shiftable between a closed disposition and an open disposition, a return spring exerting a bias on the needle valve tending to urge the needle valve into the closed disposition.

Abstract: The present invention describes an engine having an oil pan (100) with a pick-up tube (140) for moving oil from an oil reservoir (105) to an oil pump (130). An engine crankcase (110) is connected to a front cover (120) having a front half (122) and a back half (124). The oil pan (100) is connected to the crankcase (110) and the front cover (120). A pick-up tube (140) is disposed along the oil pan (100) and connects the oil reservoir (105) to an inlet path (128) formed by the front half (122). A nipple (150) connects to the pick-up tube (140) to the front half by being inserted into an opening (129) of the inlet path (128). A gasket (160) is disposed adjacent to the nipple (150) and between the pick-up tube (140) and the front half (122). An alternate embodiment omits the nipple (150).

Abstract: An electronic engine control for reducing, and ideally eliminating, accumulation of products of incomplete combustion that result from cold ambient conditions acting on the engine and that otherwise might ultimately affect engine operation before the useful life of an engine has elapsed. An idle speed control has a first source providing a signal corresponding to ambient air temperature, a second source providing a signal corresponding to engine coolant temperature, a third source providing a signal indicating that an engine is running substantially in an idle condition, and a processor that processes the signals from the first source, the second source, and the third source to develop an idle speed control signal for controlling engine idle speed by regulating the engine coolant temperature to a defined coolant temperature when the engine is running in an idle condition and the ambient air temperature does not concurrently exceed a defined air temperature.