Abstract: The trim strip is used for trimming a periphery of a windshield. The trim strip has, in cross section, a T shape including a cross member and a base member, the base member comprising a locating member. The locating member depends from the cross member and is adapted to engage onto a locating fixture.The windshield glass and trim assembly comprises a windshield glass having a trim strip bonded along an edge thereof to form an assembly having predetermined dimensions.The method for forming the assembly includes the steps of:a. movably attaching a trim strip to an end edge of the windshield;b. providing locating means on the trim strip;c. providing a locating mixture, the dimensions of which relate to the size of the vehicle opening;e. laying the windshield over the locating fixture;f. adjusting the position of the trim strip on the windshield so that the locating means on the trim strip lock onto the locating fixture; andg.

Abstract: The heat sink bus assembly is adapted to be connected to a printed circuit board having conductor structure leading to conductive foil and printed circuit board mounting structure for physically mounting the printed circuit board components and conduct heat to an enclosure. The printed circuit board is adapted to be mounted in a partially sealed enclosure which is relatively highly thermally conductive. The bus assembly has physically secured thereto high heat generating devices and other devices adjacent to the printed circuit board, is energizable to selectively supply power to a portion of the devices secured thereto, and functions to dissipate heat generated by the high heat generating devices secured thereto by conducting the heat to an enclosure.

Abstract: The spring-operated parking brakes of a tractor-trailer are controlled by a novel electro-pneumatic system. Pneumatic valving through which compressed air is conducted is mounted on the tractor chassis and coupled via an electronic circuit to two hand-operated control devices on the dash of the tractor cab, one for the trailer parking brakes only and the other for the tractor parking brakes. The latter device inherently operates the trailer parking brakes via the circuit if they are not already applied, and the circuit incorporates a sequencing function for operating the trailer brakes slightly before the tractor brakes when the tractor parking brake control is operated. Compressed air for the system is obtained via an engine-driven compressor which charges a tank. A pressure transducer monitors tank pressure for the circuit with the circuit maintaining tank pressure through selective loading and unloading of the compressor. Purging of the dryer is coordinated with compressor unloading.

Abstract: A multi-function turn signal switch comprises a cylindrical switch body on which an operating lever is mounted for pivotal motion about a pivot located on the longitudinal axis of the body. Located internally of the body on a transverse end wall through which the lever passes, is a circular array of four sealed membrane switches, arranged at 90 degree intervals about the longitudinal axis. The lever is mounted in ball and socket type joint enabling the interior end of the lever to describe a frustoconical zone of swivelling. Internal mechanism, including an electromagnetic cancellation mechanism, within the body bears against the interior end of the lever to define various operating positions for the lever around the zone of swivelling, each correlated with actuation of a particular one of the membrane switches by means of a transverse circular disc that is on the lever between the lever mounting and the interior end of the lever.

Abstract: The integral cab side extender or fairing for a tractor-trailer provides reduction of aerodynamic drag. The cab extender is a unitary structure including a rear-quarter-panel-forming portion having a rear wall, a side wall and a front wall. The side wall and rear wall of the rear-quarter-panel-forming portion form an integral fairing. The side wall has a sinuous, progressively rearwardly and laterally outwardly flared sidewall-forming surface and the rear wall has a rearwardly laterally outwardly flared rear wall-forming surface which converges with the flared sidewall-forming surface to form the fairing.

Abstract: The spring-operated parking brakes of a tractor-trailer are controlled by a novel electro-pneumatic system. Pneumatic valving through which compressed air is conducted is mounted on the tractor chassis and coupled via an electronic circuit to two hand-operated control devices on the dash of the tractor cab, one for the trailer parking brakes only and the other for the tractor parking brakes. The latter device inherently operates the trailer parking brakes via the circuit if they are not already applied, and the circuit incorporates a sequencing function for operating the trailer brakes slightly before the tractor brakes when the tractor parking brake control is operated. Compressed air for the system is obtained via an engine-driven compressor which charges a tank. A pressure transducer monitors tank pressure for the circuit with the circuit maintaining tank pressure through selective loading and unloading of the compressor. Purging of the dryer is coordinated with compressor unloading.

Abstract: An adjustable Ackerman steering mechanism to adjust the steering knuckle arm and tie rod to operate with various wheelbase lengths of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: An instrumentation system in which air core gauges are adapted for use with a microprocessor that provides data for the gauges in digital form via an address/data bus. One of the principal features of the invention is that minimum circuitry interfaces the microprocessor with the air core gauges. Each gauge is assigned to a particular output device on the microprocessor memory map. The microprocessor addresses a particular gauge via the address bus at the same time that data for the gauge is present on the data bus. Each gauge comprises a sample and hold circuit and an air core driver circuit which operate the gauge's air core meter. The sample and hold circuits share a common digital-to-analog (D/A) converter which is interposed between the digital data bus and the sample and hold circuits.

Abstract: A vehicle having an air suspension system including air bags supporting the rear cargo area thereof, a deflation control system with automatic reinflation and control reset for manually actuated lowering of the rear cargo area to the minimum height to facilitate loading and/or unloading to the ground. A manually operable control valve delivers an air pressure signal from a source to an inversion valve to exhaust the air from the air bags. A normally open electrically operated air solenoid is interposed between the control valve and the air supply and shuts off air flow to the control valve when the ignition switch is activated to restore air pressure to the air bags. The driver/operator can control the system only when the ignition switch is deactivated. Thus the system provides for operator actuable deflation and automatic reinflation and control reset.

Abstract: An electrical instrumentation system comprises plural sensors that provide data signals representing values of parameters of interest to a CPU that in turn presents corresponding signals in multi-bit forms to corresponding indicator gauges. Each indicator gauge comprises a latching memory circuit in which the multi-bit data received from the CPU is latched, a free-running counting circuit, and a comparator circuit that compares the counting of the free-running counting circuit to the data in the latching memory circuit. The counter repeatedly counts from an initial to a final value, and when the comparator detects coincidence of the count to the latched data during each such counting interval, it switches the state of a bi-stable circuit. The bi-stable circuit assumes one state during the portion of each counting interval preceding the coincidence detection, and the other state during the portion of each interval succeeding the coincidence detection.

Abstract: A choke type thermostat is provided with dual choke seals including a conventional primary choke and a secondary choke which seals with the valve seat of the thermostat prior to the sealing of the primary choke. The secondary choke provides additional sealing for the valve and also functions to strain the flow of coolant which is allowed to pass over the primary choke, thereby preventing sand or other debris from interfering with the sealing of the primary choke.

Abstract: In a "two-wire" multiplexed lighting system, a square wave voltage alternating between positive and negative polarities is delivered by the two wires to both right and left lamps. Each lamp includes a diode, and the diodes are oppositely pulled with respect to each other so that one of the lamps is energized by one polarity of the square wave while the other lamp is energized by the opposite polarity. The magnitude of each polarity relative to ground is twice the continuous D.C. voltage rating of each lamp so that the average voltage applied to each lamp can be equal to the load's maximum continuous rating to thereby provide full intensity illumination.

Abstract: A failure warning device is provided for use with an auxiliary pump unit made ready by either an ignition-on signal or a brake-on signal and activated by a pump-failure signal. The failure warning device has a monitor circuit coupled to a warning circuit. For maintaining reliability of the auxiliary pump unit, the module circuitry is wired as a monitor not including circuit components of the auxiliary pump unit. It has a first input coupled to a common ready signal produced by the pump unit and a second input coupled to a motor terminal of the pump unit. The monitor circuit responds to failure-related states of the ready signal and the motor terminal impedance and voltage by generating an anomaly signal. The alarm circuit switches on an alarm, such as a buzzer and light, when it receives both the ignition-on and anomaly signals.

Abstract: An automotive differential is provided with pinion gears which are rotatably mounted in the differential housing. The differential housing is further provided with radially extending lubricant passages intersecting the pinion gear bores. Grooves or recesses on the rotating pinion bearing surfaces remove oil from the lubricant passages to provide lubrication of the bearing surfaces of the pinion gears. A conical thrust bearing is provided between the pinion and the differential housing to maintain stability of the pinion gear. Preferably, the lubricant passages extend from the interior cavity of the differential to the exterior to provide better recirculation of the oil through the interior cavity to provide improved cooling of the differential and prevent the lubricant from reaching excessive temperatures.

Abstract: A two-element plug having an elastomeric body and a nonsealing retainer molded within the elastomeric body, the retainer having gripping edges which springingly engage portions of the hole walls to maintain the plug body in place, even against a rough as-cast surface having a draft angle. Discontinuities are formed in the gripping edge periphery through the use of scallops and the gripping edge periphery extends beyond the elastomeric periphery to promote better engagement of the walls of the aperture. When used with noncircular holes having rounded corner portions, the retainer is truncated in the corner portions.

Abstract: The land vehicle electrical system comprises a cab controller including a microprocessor system and a chassis controller including a microprocessor system. The microprocessor systems have a multiplexed coupling therebetween and each system includes a microprocessor substantially identical to the microprocessor in the other system with the hardware in each system being substantially identical and with each microprocessor having slightly different software. The microprocessor utilized in the chassis controller has analog inputs for direct connection to sensors. A public data link and a private data link are provided between the microprocessors for additional and backup communication between them. Smart switches are coupled to one or both of the microprocessors and each switch includes means for indicating its status, open circuit or closed circuit, to a microprocessor and the microprocessor includes means for reading the status of the switch and for controlling the status of the switch.