Abstract: An assembly comprises a mounted component that is located relative to a mounting component through one or more compilmentary locating-structure pairs that comprise locating structures of the mounted component and of the mounting component that are engaged to one another. The locating structures of the mounted component and the mounting component are those portions thereof that are engaged to one another and through which the forces of gravity and other acceleration forces are transmitted between the mounted component and the mounting component. One or more of the locating structures of the complimentary locating-structure pairs includes a locating-point insert that is integrally molded or cast into parent material of the locating structure. The locating-point inserts are harder, more wear-resistant, stiffer, and/or stronger than the parent material that they are integrally molded or cast into.

Abstract: An engine (10) having a control system (24) that executes a control strategy (44) for limiting engine fueling upon deactivation of an engine retarder. Upon deactivation of the retarder, the strategy immediately shuts off fueling by setting the maximum fueling limit MFLMX to zero via setting of a latch function (42). Fueling continues to be shut off so long as the difference between a desired pressure for the hydraulic fluid used to force fuel into the engine combustion chambers and actual pressure of the hydraulic fluid (ICP_ERR) equals or exceeds a value (ICP_VRE_ERR) from a map (48) correlated both with the speed (N) at which the engine is running and with governed engine fueling (MFGOV) appropriate for the load on the engine at the engine running speed. Once that difference ceases to equal or exceed a value from the map (48), the latch function is reset, and the limit value for fueling provided by the strategy increases withtime according to a map (54).

Abstract: A motor vehicle incorporates a novel grille which provides a port giving access to the cooling system surge tank. The port is closed by a cover which is removable and replaceable without the use of tools. The cover can carry on an outside face a badge or medallion of the manufacturer. While the cover is removable from the frame in the grille, theft is discouraged by a cord connected between the cover and the vehicle itself. Cutting or breaking the cord does not result in damage to the grille.

Abstract: A parking pawl is implemented on a series type, hybrid electric vehicle using a pair of parallel worm gear rollers. The worm gear rollers are placed on opposite sides of a transmission gear from one another and mounted for rotation along their major axes allowing the worm gear rollers to be rotated to present either a planed side or a threaded section to the gear. The gear is circumferentially slotted to cooperate with the threaded section of the rollers to prevent rotation of the gear, but to turn freely when the planed faces of the worm gear roller are adjacent the gear.

Abstract: An assembly that includes a mounted component that is suspended from a mounting component by a novel suspension-system in such a manner that relative movement between the mounted component and the mounting component is allowed only in certain directions and only within certain ranges. The novel suspension system comprises a travel-limiting link that is engaged to the mounted component at one connection point and also engaged to the mounting component at another connection point. The travel-limiting link is pivotally engaged to the mounted component at its connection point thereto and/or is pivotally engaged to the mounting component at its connection point thereto. The travel-limiting link comprises a first snubber that cooperates with a first bump-stop structure of the assembly to limit the rotation of the travel-limiting link relative to the mounted component and/or the mounting component.

Abstract: Vehicle on-board measurement of axle load and gross combined vehicle weight is improved for an air bladder suspended vehicle by allowing for suspension hysteresis. Suspension hysteresis results in at least two distinct air pressures being possible in an air bladder for a single load. The system also reduces the disruptive effect of vehicle acceleration and deceleration on load determination. Vehicle drive train management is enhanced using the load information to effect transmission gear selection.

Abstract: The invention is a splash and spray suppressor for a wheeled motor vehicle, especially for trucks. The splash and spray suppressor includes a wheel panel nested within the fender. Apertures in the wheel panel allow water droplets to flow into the gap between the wheel panel and the fender. Droplets then flow within the gap toward an opening from where the droplets are drained from the splash and spray suppressor.

Abstract: A control system (58) for controlling the extent to which a valve (50) selectively by-passes exhaust flow around one of two turbines (18T, 20T) in an engine exhaust system (14). A desired set-point (TCBC_DES) and the actual set-point of operation of the valve are used to develop a set-point error for closed-loop control of the actual set-point. A data value for closed-loop gain is selected from a schedule (164, 166) based on engine speed and fueling. The selected data value of closed-loop gain and the set-point error data value are used to create a data value for a closed-loop output (TCBC_DTY_PIF) that is used to create a data value for a final output for forcing the actual set-point to the desired set-point.

Abstract: Each of two fuel tanks is disposed at a respective side of a chassis of a motor vehicle and has a respective sender for indicating the level of liquid fuel in the respective tank. A pump draws fuel from the tanks through a respective fuel draw conduit. Excess fuel is returned to each tank through a respective fuel return conduit. When the senders indicate an imbalance of fuel between the two tanks, a valve mechanism controlled by the senders disallows return fuel flow to the tank whose sender indicates that the level of fuel is greater than that indicated by the sender of the other tank by some defined amount while the pump continues to draw fuel from both tanks through the fuel draw conduits.

Abstract: A hood isolator designed for a motor vehicle allows tighter clearances between the hood and cab mounting brackets of a motor vehicle while reducing stress on the hood front hood hinge. The hood isolator comprises a bracket with a mounting plate, a front plate and an intermediate plate therebetween. A receptor cup is located at least partially within the bracket. The receptor cup has a wall and an opening at one end. A connector extends from the receptor cup wall to the inside of the bracket and is preferably compressed between the wall and the bracket. An isolator arm has a head at one end and an opposite distal end. The head fits at least partially within the receptor cup through the opening. The isolator arm mounts to the vehicle opposite the head, while the bracket preferably mounts to hood with the mounting plate.

Abstract: The invention provides a bushing for insertion into a cylindrical aperture defined by a mounting bracket. The bushing further provides for retention of a cylindrical sensor housing which is enveloped around its circumference by the bushing and positioned adjacent a rotating flux focusing element. The bushing is formed from a sheet of spring metal and shaped into a cylinder. A pair of outwardly projecting retaining brackets extend from a first end of the sheet and are positioned at one end of the cylinder. In addition, a pair of outwardly projecting dimples are formed in the sheet near the edge of the sheet opposite the first edge, the dimples being sized to allow insertion of the bushing into a cylindrical aperture but function to resist extraction for the bushing after passing completely through the cylindrical aperture.

Abstract: The invention is for a vandal resistant latch/starter-interlock assembly for a bus door. In the assembly of the invention, the alarm and the starter-interlock are part of the same assembly. The assembly includes box through which a modified latch bolt extends laterally. The latch bolt is locked by a vandal lock. When unlocked, the latch bolt slides or moves to allow the door to be opened. The alarm and starter-interlock are activated after unlocking the vandal lock. Typically, the alarm is activated when the latch bolt is moved, usually by moving a door latch. While the starter-interlock can also be activated by moving the latch bolt, it is preferably activated by unlocking the vandal lock.

Abstract: Hydraulically actuated aerial lift units for trucks typically have a primary hydraulic pump system driven by the vehicle's engine or by an electric motor. An actuation system accessible to a worker suspended by the aerial lift unit allows the worker to cycle the vehicle's engine on and off and, on vehicles so equipped, activate the backup motor for lowering the aerial lift unit.

Abstract: An actuator for actuating a linearly translatable member, such as an engine valve includes a unit trigger actuator, the unit trigger actuator having a trigger being electrically actuatable, a hydraulic cartridge having a selectively translatable component and being operably coupled to the trigger for receiving actuation commands therefrom, the unit trigger actuator being an open loop system. A pivot element is operably coupled to the translatable component and to the engine valve, the pivot element amplifying motion imparted to the pivot element by translatory motion of the piston at the engine valve. A lash adjuster is operably coupled to the pivot element for decoupling the hydraulic cartridge from lash inherent in a plurality of components and assembly of an engine valve arrangement. A method of actuation is further included.

Abstract: An air supply system for a large vehicle air brake system includes an air compressor for supplying compressed air. The compressed or pressurized air is routed to an air dryer which includes a desiccant bed through which the compressed air flows for drying. The air dryer is located between a wet tank and a dry tank for the air supply system and air moves from the dryer to the wet tank. From the wet tank the air passes through a conduit through the air dryer to the dry tank. The air dryer is mounted on tracks allowing it to withdrawn from between the air tanks for replacement or service.

Abstract: An electronic engine control system includes a P-I-D governor (10) that provides a data output having a proportional component (P), an integral component (I), and a derivative component (D), each of which is derived from closed-loop processing of engine speed error data (NERR). A Cold Adder function (16) provides a further component to the data output, that further component having a data value that is based on engine temperature (EOT) and on elapsed engine running time since the engine was last started.

Abstract: A vehicle electrical system is disclosed having a plurality of electrical subsystems for supplying power to different component groups of the vehicle. A voltage regulator is provided each subsystem for setting the voltage on each electrical subsystem independently of the other electrical subsystems. One such subsystem includes a battery having a grounded terminal and an ungrounded terminal. An electrical system controller including data processing capacity provides control of the voltage level on the charging subsystem through a charging regulator having an output connected to the ungrounded terminal of the battery and a control input. An electrical power generator is connected to energize the charging regulator. Instrumentation connected to the electrical system controller provides measurements of current discharged from the battery, current delivered to the battery, and battery temperature.

Abstract: A park-brake monitoring-system monitors the selected and actual operational states of a park-brake system of a vehicle. The park-brake monitoring-system includes one or more selected-state sensor(s) that produce signals implicative of the selected operational state of the park-brake system and one or more actual state sensor(s) that produce signal(s) implicative of the actual-operational state of the park-brake system. Logic device(s) of the park-brake monitoring-system operate dependent upon input from both the selected state sensor(s) and the actual state sensor(s).

Abstract: An engine (10) has a hydraulic system (28) that serves both fuel injectors (22) and hydraulic actuators (40) of an engine brake that brakes the engine by controlling exhaust gas flow during engine braking. Pressure of the hydraulic fluid is set by an injection control strategy when a brake control pressure strategy is inactive. When the brake control pressure strategy is active, braking of the engine occurs when hydraulic fluid is delivered to the actuators. The brake control pressure strategy signals pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the one or more actuators that is in excess of a pressure determined by a brake control pressure strategy. The brake control pressure strategy then limits pressure of the hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A parking pawl is implemented on a series type, hybrid electric vehicle by providing a transmission having a moveable locking plate. The locking plate is used to selectively engage and disengage from one of the power transfer gears of the transmission. While the locking plate is linearly moveable between engaged and disengaged position, it is locked against rotation and prevents rotation of the power transfer gear when engaged thereto. An electromagnet is used to pull the locking plate from an engaged position to a retracted, disengaged position. A compression spring biases the plate toward the engaged position with the rotating gear. The locking plate can be held in the retracted position by moveable locking pins to avoid any need to keep the electromagnet energized.