Abstract: A fluid pump is provided that produces an outflow of fluid that is not proportional to the speed of the input drive. Thus, the fluid pump can be tuned to provide a substantially constant outflow of fluid irrespective of the speed of the input drive. The fluid pump also provides fluid outflow when the rotational direction of the input drive is reversed.

Abstract: There is provided a wire guide for guiding and protecting wires from moving parts underneath the valve cover in a diesel engine. The wire guide has a channel portion connected to a base for securing the wire guide to the cylinder head. The base may be comprised of a retaining clip having two prongs that form an assembly that “snaps-on” to an injector clamp holder to secure the wire guide to the cylinder head. The channel portion is configured to cross a rocker arm when the wire guide is mounted on the cylinder head. The channel portion creates a conduit for holding the wires. The conduit is partially closed on at least one side and has an open side with intermittently spaced retaining tabs. The retaining tabs may be intermittently spaced as a series of pair tabs or alternating opposing singular tabs.

Abstract: A torque calculator and method for providing real time data that measures net torque output of a running engine in a motor vehicle. Gross torque production is calculated using engine speed and fueling data. Torque losses due to accessories, pumping, and friction are calculated and subtracted from gross torque production, and inertial torque is also accounted for to yield engine net running torque. The engine net running torque data and engine speed data are processed according to a filter algorithm that compensates the engine net running torque data for engine speed. Transmission shifting is controlled by the speed-compensated engine net running torque.

Abstract: An engine compartment splash panel for a vehicle is disposed generally between the engine of the vehicle and a nearby wheel to prevent water and debris from being flung from the nearby wheel onto the engine. The engine compartment splash panel and the panel-support components that mount it to the vehicle are constructed in such a manner that the engine compartment splash panel can be quickly and easily mounted to and removed from the vehicle to provide for expedient execution of service procedures. The engine compartment splash panel has a substantially rigid portion that defines and/or has mounted to it a number of locating features that have fixed positions relative to one another. The panel-support components define and/or have mounted to them a plurality of locating features that have fixed positions relative to one another and that are complimentary to the locating features of the engine compartment splash panel.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for a reduced mass balancer shaft that effectively balance first or second order imbalances in an internal combustion engine. The balancer shaft is symmetrical with offset masses that are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction and orientation, and preferably comprises front and rear offset masses between a center section and a front and a rear journal respectively. In a preferred embodiment, there integrally formed stiffening members in the front and rear offset masses that symmetric about the balancer shaft centerline. The front and rear offset masses are each comprised of solid partial annular configurations that extend equally away from the balancer shaft centerline. The center section is comprised of an annular configuration.

Abstract: A molded product has a main body formed of a monolithic sheet of thermoplastic. The thermoplastic sheet has side and back sections extending horizontally at substantially right angles to one another and define an upright orientation of the molded product. The side and back sections are connected to a central vertical spine between the side and back sections. An intermediate angled section interrupts the vertical spine and located between the side and back sections. Front and rear major surfaces cover the main body. A plurality of apertures through the intermediate angled section connecting the front and rear major surfaces and serve as an integral speaker grill.

Abstract: A platform and platform support system for an occupant cabin of a vehicle. The platform support system has a primary supporting structure and a prop, the combination of which provide full support for the platform. The prop of the platform support system can be engaged to one of a plurality of prop support points. The platform is supported in a different unique position by the platform support system when the prop is engaged to each different one of the plurality of prop support points. The platform includes accommodations for storing the prop in the platform when the prop is not in use as a support for the platform. The platform and platform support system can be included as part of a bed for the occupant cabin of a vehicle. Because the platform can be selectively supported in one of a plurality of unique positions, a user of the bed can configure the platform support system to provide a bed that is positioned to allow for a more comfortable sleeping environment for various circumstances.

Abstract: A chassis inverter consisting of a set of clamps that hold a mobile vehicle chassis and a hydraulic driven rotary actuator. The apparatus and an overhead crane system provide a method of inverting and transferring chassis in a short time period needed to meet high volume vehicle manufacturing needs. The apparatus consists of two c-shaped clamps that cradle the chassis. The clamps are assembled to a shaft that is driven by a hydraulic cylinder through a sprocket and chain arrangement that provides a full inversion of the chassis. One clamp has a motorized trolley that provides adjustment needed for handling chassis of widely varying wheelbase. The process involves an overhead crane system with a bridge crane section that provides the necessary broadside loading motion, and an interlocking monorail section that allows the hoist carriers to exit the bridge and travel perpendicularly to the inverting apparatus' loading direction.

Abstract: The invention provides a stowable ladder mechanism for an overhead bed or upper berth in a bunk bed. A horizontal linear guide is vertically spaced above a horizontal support surface and associated with a bed or berth. The rungs of the ladder are supported between two vertical uprights, one of which is fixed at one end of the berth and the second of which is coupled to the horizontal linear guide and translates across the horizontal support surface along one side of the bed. The plurality of rungs include swing sections mounted on hinges which hang vertically when the translatable vertical upright is positioned adjacent to the fixed vertical upright. When the translatable upright is positioned away from the fixed upright, the swing sections are supported in a horizontal position.

Abstract: A rotational element for a wheel comprises a cast iron segment and an anti-lock brake system exciter ring adhering to the cast iron segment as a cast-in insert. The anti-lock brake system exciter ring is made of a material having greater corrosion resistance and a higher melting point than the cast iron. The exciter ring includes at least a first tang penetrating the cast iron segment. The exciter ring is preferably made from ferritic stainless steel. For disk brake systems the rotational element serves as a disk brake rotor. In vehicles using drum brakes the rotational element serves as a wheel hub.

Abstract: An engine or radiator mounting sub-system comprised generally of an engine or radiator frame cross piece that is assembled to the engine or radiator off of the assembly line of a mobile vehicle. The off-line assembly allows the engine mounts to be preloaded prior to assembly. The engine or radiator and frame cross piece module may be lowered into the chassis on an assembly line for final fastener engagement that comes through the side or top of the frame rails. In one embodiment, the frame cross piece has an end bracket on each end that allows the lowering in of the engine or radiator into exact forward and aft placement on the respective frame rails. There may be frame rail brackets that have ‘L’ shaped ends. Where these ‘L’ brackets are used, the length of the frame cross piece including the ‘L’ brackets out to the outer vertical face will closely approximate the width between the rails.

Abstract: A method of modifying a general formula that is used by an engine control system (10) to calculate duration of fuel injector actuation. Coefficients (P1 coeff., P2 coeff., ICP coeff.) of the formula are modified to calibrate individual fuel injectors (16) in an engine. The amount of calibration needed is determined by data that is marked on each fuel injector in electronically readable format after the fuel injector has been operated and its operating characteristic ascertained. The control system reads the marked data and then makes the proper coefficient adjustment.

Abstract: A tilting platform for roll testing automotive vehicles rotates the automotive vehicle so that data can be collected to determine various roll characteristics of the vehicle. The tilting platform includes a support platform that is pivotally attached to a floor hoist. A pivot pin is positioned away from the midpoint of the support platform so that a distal end of the support platform rotates downward and a proximal end rotates upward when the floor hoist is raised.

Abstract: The invention is a tube clip with a clip end and a cam. The design of the tube clip allows the rotation of the tube clip after insertion into a mounting support. Preferably the installed tube clip can rotate no farther than about a quarter turn or about 90° after insertion. The clip end has a base, first and second sides and a channel. The first and second sides are at opposite ends of the base and perpendicular thereto with the channel inbetween. A slanted guide extends inwardly along the length of the first side distal to the base. A slanted outer face extends inwardly along the length of the second side distal to the base. The slanted guide and the outer face align to cooperatively guide a tube into the channel. The cam has a head and a stem connecting the head to the base. The head has a beveled edge and a shoulder. The shoulder projects from the beveled edge toward the stem and overhangs the base.

Abstract: Irregularly shaped mold-core assemblies are retained for casting within a thin-wall container by solid particulate material. In the process, the mold and core elements are formed from the core sand. After the mold and core elements, both of which are formed from core sand, are assembled, the assembly is placed in a container large enough to provide space around the assembled mold and core elements, and solid particulate material is placed in the space around the mold-core assembly to hold the assembled mold and core elements together during pouring of the molten iron alloy into the mold-core assembly and the cooling period, during which the molten iron alloy solidifies to form the casting. After the casting is formed, the solid particles and the core sand from the mold elements and core elements are recovered, processed and reused in further casting operations.

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: A battery mounting assembly for mounting batteries to a vehicle. The battery mounting assembly has lower battery tray and an upper battery tray disposed below and above one another respectively. The battery mounting assembly is constructed to move and deform in predetermined ways when it is subjected to relatively large forces such as might occur when the vehicle is involved in a traffic accident. The battery mounting assembly has one or more bumper components intended to protect batteries mounted to the battery mounting assembly from being subjected to a direct impact. Steel components of the battery mounting assembly are coated with an elastomer that has a high electrical resistance.

Abstract: A truck cab suspension system provides improved durability of the truck cab structure by reducing twisting forces applied to the cab frame from the suspension system. The suspension system provides support to the rear sill of the truck by positioning two air springs on either side of the vehicle center line under the sill and two shock absorbers aligned along the vehicle center line between the air springs. The forces applied to the cab frame rear sill balance one another avoiding twisting.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for selective control of gas flow in a combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine through a moveable or retractable seat valve that is independent of piston position. The retractable seat valve has complete freedom of valving events such that gas flow can be selectively controlled at any time during the engine cycle, or throughout the engine cycle. Further, the retractable seat valve is scalable for adaptation to internal combustions engines of various bore sizes. The retractable seat valve includes a retractable seat, a stationary seat, a retractable seat actuator member, a pin connector for translation of retractable seat actuator member movement to the retractable seat, and a valve actuator assembly that allows the retractable seat valve be selectively positioned in the cylinder head in a closed position, open position or anywhere therebetween.

Abstract: There is provided a glow plug connection apparatus for installing a plurality of glow plug connectors to corresponding glow plugs mounted in a cylinder head in an internal combustion engine while simultaneously preventing engine oil leakage. The apparatus comprises a rigid buss bar rail, a plurality of glow plug connectors attached to the buss bar rail, a plurality of connector wires routed in the buss bar rail and connected to the glow plug connectors, a wire router, a conduit retaining clip, and an apparatus connector angle. Additionally, the glow plug connectors preferably comprises a buss bar rail interface section, a glow plug connector angle, a sealing section having an O-ring seal, a guide section having guide fins around the periphery of the glow plug connector, and a clip section having a clip fingers around the periphery of the glow plug connector able to engage a glow plug terminal.