Abstract: An apparatus for and method of obstructing an air intake flow (115) improves the mixing and driving force when an EGR flow (111) is introduced to the air intake flow (115). Before the EGR flow (111) enters a passage (113) where it is intended to be mixed with an air flow (115), the air flow (115) is obstructed to enable better and faster mixing of the EGR flow (111) with the air flow (115). A pressure differential is created to increase suction of EGR flow (111) into the intake air flow (115), thereby resulting in increased EGR flow (111) into the cylinders of an engine.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, a fixed engine valve timing profile may be combined with a variable profile produced by a valve actuator coupled to one or more engine valves. By controlling one or more engine valves independent of the fixed timing profile, engine gas flow may be more flexibly regulated, thereby optimizing engine performance under a wide variety of operating conditions. In one embodiment, enhanced internal exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) may be achieved. A turbocharger may be used, along with the control provided by the valve actuator, to further control engine gas flow. In this manner, the present invention facilitates greater control of engine gas flow with minimal cost and complexity.

Abstract: A retainer clip for use in assemblies held together by a latch having a resilient engagement arm. The force holding the engagement arm in the latched position is a function of the resiliency of the material of the engagement arm and the length of the unsupported portion of the engagement arm. The retainer clip attaches to a part of the assembly by holding the part between a retaining lip and an engagement side to position the retainer clip to bear against the engagement arm. The retainer clip supports the engagement arm to shorten the length of the unsupported portion of the engagement arm thereby increasing the force holding the engagement arm in the latched position.

Abstract: A motor vehicle engine is under control of an engine control system (18) that performs an idle shutdown function to shut down the engine via a programmable output (50) of an electronic module of the control system after the engine has been idling for some amount of time. An ignition switch (14) is turned on and off for signaling the engine control system to turn the engine on and off. Relays (30, 40) are connected between the ignition switch and load circuits of the vehicle electrical system and to the programmable output of the module to allow the load circuits to be fed when the ignition switch is on and the programmable output of the module is not signaling an idle shutdown and to disallow feeding when the programmable output of the module is signaling an idle shutdown.

Abstract: Electrical power distribution circuits for motor vehicles incorporate a switching element for controlling the energization of the circuits. Current metering elements associated with each switching element indicate the current drawn by the respective electrical circuits. A microcontroller is provided which provides an activation signal for the switching elements, often in accord with a pulse width modulated duty cycle. The microcontroller implements a circuit protective algorithm which takes as inputs the indication of current drawn by a particular electrical circuit and the duty cycle. An equivalent D.C. current is estimated for determining a heat index for a hypothetical fuse suitable for protecting the circuit. When the heat index exceeds the rating for the fuse the fuse melts.

Abstract: A valve actuator assembly for actuating a valve, the valve having a longitudinal axis includes an electrohydraulic actuator being displaced a lateral distance from the valve longitudinal axis, and a rocker arm being rotatable about a hinge point, a first arm portion extending from the hinge point to a proximal end and a second arm portion extending from the hinge point to a distal end, the proximal end being operably coupled to the second stage piston and the distal end being operably coupled to the valve, the fist arm portion being shorter than the second arm portion, the rocker arm spanning the lateral distance. A method of stroke amplification is further included.

Abstract: A mirror head assembly for mounting adjacent to or at a distance from exterior surfaces of a vehicle. The mirror head assembly includes one or more mirrors that enable a person to view areas surrounding the vehicle that the person could not easily view via a direct line of site. One or more lights are mounted to an outer shell of the mirror head assembly. The outer shell of the mirror head assembly may be constructed with a narrow portion disposed between adjacent mirrors so that the mirror head assembly presents less obstruction to the view of persons in the vehicle of areas surrounding the vehicle.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool (10) for testing fuel injectors (50) and their driver circuits (IDM), including associated wiring harnesses, in a fuel injection system of an engine in a motor vehicle. The tool has a driver-connection port (16) for connection to the driver circuits and an injector-connection port (18) for connection to the fuel injectors via jumper wiring harnesses. The tool can perform 1) a fuel injector test, by connecting an ohmmeter to the tool to measure injector coil resistance, 2) a driver-injector test, by connecting an oscilloscope to the tool to observe traces of electric current waveforms applied to the fuel injector, 3) a driver circuit test, by connecting the respective driver circuit to a load that simulates the load imposed by the respective fuel injector, and 4) a cylinder contribution test, by selectively disconnecting certain fuel injector actuators from their driver circuits while leaving the remaining fuel injector actuators connected to their driver circuits.

Abstract: A water pump (10) and impeller (30) for use in applications such as internal combustion engines. A plurality of holes (40, 44) are formed near the hub and periphery of the impeller (30) of the water pump to provide coolant flow through a cavity (22) housing a seal. The seal (18) is thereby cooled to prevent premature failure of the seal (18) due to overheating.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a flexible-bladder air spring to a mounting plate. A first end-plate of a flexible-bladder air spring has a retention projection fixedly attached to it and the retention projection defines a retention recess into itself in directions parallel to the first end-plate of the flexible-bladder air spring. A mounting plate is abutted against the first end-plate and the retention projection mounted to the first end-plate is disposed within a projection recess defined in the mounting plate. A retention pin extends through a pin recess defined through the mounting plate and the retention pin extends into the retention recess defined by the retention projection attached to the first end-plate of the flexible-bladder air spring.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a unit fuel injector, the injector internally preparing fuel during an injection event at a pressure sufficient for injection into an internal combustion engine by means of an intensifier piston includes a selectively actuatable controller being in fluid communication with a source of pressurized actuating fluid and being in fluid communication with a substantially ambient actuating fluid reservoir, the controller having a first valve for selectively independently porting actuating fluid to and venting actuating fluid from the intensifier piston and a second valve for selectively independently porting actuating fluid to and venting actuating fluid from a needle valve during the injection event for controlling opening and closing of the needle valve. The control apparatus may also control an engine intake/exhaust valve. An engine valve actuator and methods of control are further included.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of clamping a device (201), such as a fuel injector (201), to a platform (409), such as a cylinder head (409), allows the fuel injector (201) to be removed from the cylinder head (409) together with the clamp (105). A retaining ring (103) is secured between a conical surface (403) of the clamp (105) and an annular groove (307) of a fastener (101) disposed within the clamp (105). The retaining ring (103) secures the fastener (101) to the clamp (105) during removal of the fastener (101), thereby providing that the clamp assembly and the device, such as a fuel injector (201), are removed together.

Abstract: An engine cooling fan (18) is coupled to an engine (14) of a truck (10) through an electric-operated clutch (20) for selectively placing the cooling fan in driven and non-driven relationship with the engine. A control system (22) processes certain data for indicating when engine speed (N) exceeds a reference engine speed (EFC_N_LMX), for indicating when vehicle speed (VSS) exceeds a reference vehicle speed EFC_VSS_LMX), and for indicating when rate of change of engine speed exceeds a selected rate of change of engine speed. The clutch places the fan in non-driven relationship with the engine when the processing discloses vehicle speed exceeding the reference vehicle speed coincident with the processing of the data disclosing either engine speed exceeding the reference engine speed or rate of change of engine speed exceeding the selected rate of change of engine speed.

Abstract: An electromechanical apparatus suitable for mounting on a vehicle wheel power for generating telemetry relating to the wheel including tire temperature and pressure. The apparatus includes a pendulum mounted to rotate freely relative to the vehicle wheel which is positioned from the wheel hub. When the wheel is set to rotation, the pendulum freely hangs from the wheel hub under the influence of an off center counterweight having sufficient inertia to prevent rotation of the pendulum with the wheel. The pendulum is used to position one or more magnets to be used to excite field coils, which are mounted with respect to the wheel hub to rotate with the wheel. The magnets and rotating coils cooperate to energize a power utilization circuit also mounted with respect to the wheel hub to rotate therewith. The utilization circuit may include such sensors as desired, typically including though a tire pressure gauge and tire and wheel hub temperature gauges.

Abstract: A mechanical oscillator for attenuating pressure waves formed in a rail having a volume of fluid therein includes a rigid enclosed fluid cavity having a selected volume, the volume communicating with the rail actuating fluid though an orifice having a select volume for containing actuating fluid, the orifice having an aperture in fluid communication with the actuating fluid selected such that when an pressure wave impinges on the aperture of the orifice, the motion of the actuating fluid in the volume of the orifice is set to vibrating, the vibrating acting to excite the actuating fluid within the enclosed volume, a resulting amplified motion of the actuating fluid in the orifice, due to phase cancellation between the actuating fluid in the volume of the orifice and the actuating fluid volume in the enclosed cavity, causing energy absorption of the pressure wave due to frictional drag in and around the orifice. An pressure wave attenuator and a method of attenuation are also included.

Abstract: A vehicle cooling system for a mobile vehicle consists of three essential parts. These are a compressed air reservoir, a heat exchanger and a duct connecting the reservoir and the heat exchanger. On demand, the compressed air will be released to the duct and will expand (as the end connected to the reservoir is expected to be lower in cross-sectional area compared to the end connected to the face of the heat exchanger). This expansion will lead to the reduction in air temperature. This helps in increasing the heat rejection capacity of the cooling system. The colder air passes through the heat exchanger and carries away the heat. This air exits from the other end of the heat exchanger into the environment. A fan is optional to operate behind the heat exchanger to help draw the air though it. The compressed air may originate in the vehicle air system for operating air brakes found on medium and heavy-duty trucks or the compressed air may originate from a separate air compressor.

Abstract: A novel suspension-system for a vehicle has two or more leaf-spring groups that vertically support a portion of the weight of a suspended structure of the vehicle. The novel suspension-system further includes pneumatic springs that are engaged to spring-support components of the novel suspension-system and also the suspended structure supported by the novel suspension-system in such a manner that the pneumatic springs assist the leaf-spring groups of the novel suspension system in vertically supporting the weight of the suspended structure.

Abstract: A transmission 16 and gearshift communication sub-system that includes a gearshift 90, a transmission and transmission controller 16, and a common data bus 18. The gearshift 90 communicates with the transmission controller 16 to change gears or mode of operation of the transmission for automatic transmissions over the common data bus. Such communication is by a standard communication protocol that may be the SAE J1939 protocol. Vehicle control system 10 comprises an electrical system controller (ESC) 30, which is the primary component of a vehicle electronic control system. ESC 30 manages a number of vocational controllers disposed on a vehicle 13 and executes a load management program which oversees the total load imposed on the vehicle electrical system and power train by various accessories installed on the vehicle.

Abstract: A modular cooling plant for an internal combustion engine and accessory equipment installed on a motor vehicle provides a joint external frame supporting several heat exchangers and a centrally positioned centrifugal blower. The centrally positioned centrifugal blower is driven by a hydraulic motor through an impeller drive shaft, clutch and impeller. The hydraulic motor and dependent drive assembly are also mounted to the joint external frame to avoid risk of damage to the heat exchangers from the impeller should the vehicle engine shift.

Abstract: A stowage cabinet installs within a motor vehicle frame using cabinet and roof cleats. The cabinet cleat mounts to the stowage cabinet before installing the cabinet within the motor vehicle. The cabinet cleat engages a roof cleat that is fastened to the roof. The stowage cabinet is held in place by the cabinet cleat nested within the roof cleat while the stowage cabinet is fastened at other locations to the vehicle frame.