Abstract: Protection for D.C. electrical circuit branches against incipient overloads comprises the use of semiconductor devices known as intelligent switches. An intelligent switch comprises a main controlled conduction path whose conductivity is controlled by an external control input. The semiconductor architecture is configured to possess internal self-protection for the main controlled conduction path against incipient current and/or temperature rises exceeding the device's rating by rendering the main controlled conduction path non-conductive when such incipient conditions are sensed. The invention, recognizing that this internal self-protection attribute can be used also to provide protection for external circuit components connected to the switch in the branch, further comprises the elimination of external protective devices from the branch such that the intelligent switch itself provides the entire overload protection within the branch.

Abstract: A process for making ductile iron castings and apparatus for practicing the process wherein molten metal is poured through a pressure head into a sealed reaction chamber adapted to contain a nuduralizing agent and then into a reservoir from which the molten metal flows to the casting cavity; the reaction chamber and reservoir are formed in the top surface of a single mold part of a two part mold assembly; the rate of molten metal flowing into the reaction chamber is greater than the rate of molten metal flowing from the reaction chamber and the rate of molten metal flowing into the reservoir is greater than the rate of molten metal flowing from the reservoir to the casting cavity.

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: A relatively thin, post-mounted valve lever having a ball bearing pivot for operating an intake or exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine and having a lateral bearing surface which slidably engages aligned spaced lateral surfaces on a wide supporting post which maintain the rocking plane within the valve lever.

Abstract: A highway tractor cab is provided with a rigid aerodynamic structure, which may also be on the cab roof, which extends the sides of the cab and/or roof deflector beyond the rear wall of the cab toward a semi-trailer articulatedly connected to the tractor. A flexible side extension member, which is deformable on contact with the trailer but has a high degree of shape retention in the absence of such contact, is attached to the rear edge of the rigid structure and has an outer surface disposed to form an aerodynamically efficient continuation of the outer surface of the rigid structure. Preferably, the flexible side extension is wedge-shaped and is attached by a T-in-slot connection to a slotted tube mounted to the rigid structure completely inwardly of the outer surface thereof to avoid disturbing the air stream passing therealong.

Abstract: An anti-slip step having a plate member providing a tread surface portion and having an integrally formed down-turned vertical edge extending along a side, the intersection between the tread surface portion and the vertical edge being a curved surface blending into both the tread surface portion and the vertical edge. A plurality of discrete raised tabs are integrally formed as a continuation of the vertical edge and project above the curved surface. A plurality of discrete vertical apertures are open through the plate and disposed in the tread surface portion adjoining the rear and sides of each of the raised tabs. The area of an aperture is substantially larger than the vertical surface area of the respective tabs.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an aerodynamic device, preferably the top center portion of a three-piece wind deflector, to the roof of a truck cab wherein the mounting apparatus includes a base member attached to the cab roof, a forward link pivotally connected to both the device and the forward portion of the base member and a rearward link, preferably of selectively variable length, pivotally connected to the rearward portion of the device and to the base member. The forward and rearward links form, with the base member and device, a four-bar linkage, disposed to shift the forward edge of the device still more forwardly relative to the cab roof as it moves from a raised position to a lower position and thus maintains the rearward edge of the device more nearly over the cab roof in the lowered position. A locking plate is preferably provided to secure the forward link to the base member in either the lowered or raised position and may be slotted to control the movement of the forward link.

Abstract: A hand-held portable transducer simulator unit connects to a vehicle's instrumentation circuitry in substitution of the vehicle's own pressure and/or temperature transducers for diagnostic checking of the instrumentation circuitry. Various sets of adapter cables are available for use to connect the unit to the instrumentation circuitry depending upon the particular model and accessories involved. The unit simulates both pressure and temperature transducers and contains various resistor loads which are selectively presented to the instrumentation circuitry through use of a rotary selector switch on the face of the unit to simulate transducer response to various conditions. The information presented on the vehicle's instrumentation display is monitored for correspondence to the simulated conditions selected by the selector switch.

Abstract: A highway truck having a mobile frame and an engine compartment having a forward facing air inlet at the front of the frame disposed to receive ram air from the travel of the truck, a radiator mounted on the frame adjacent the air inlet, and a charge air cooler mounted adjacently above the radiator and adjacent the engine compartment air inlet for parallel ambient air flow therethrough. The air manifolds or plenums of the cross flow charge air cooler preferably have vertically centered rearwardly facing openings to eliminate bends in the ducts connecting to the engine while providing an optimum manifold design.

Abstract: A turning vane is mounted on a mirror assembly for capturing, turning and ejecting an airstream across a mirror surface. The resulting air jet creates an air barrier protecting the whole mirror face from deposition of the airborne dirt, fluid, and other matter.

Abstract: A master-slave hydraulic control system preferably for actuating a vehicle clutch utilizes single-acting hydraulic cylinders which are both connected to a fluid reservoir. The higher mounted cylinder has a bleed valve in the line connecting that cylinder with the fluid reservoir. The lower mounted cylinder is connected to the fluid reservoir via a check valve. The check valve allows fluid communication between the reservoir and the lower cylinder when the pressure within that cylinder is below a predetermined value. The hydraulic system may be bled regardless of the position of extension of either cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inventive fluid filter-treatment pressure vessel and valve arrangement which allows the fluid filter to be readily isolated from the coolant system. The present invention utilizes a single spool to close off both the inlet and outlet to the fluid filter in a virtually leak proof fashion while not requiring precision machine parts.

Abstract: A hydraulic roller cam follower for an internal combustion engine having an integral cylindrical body including an annular oil receiving exterior groove for receiving oil from the engine oil supply and an enclosed recess opening in the lower end including spaced sidewalls, and a roller having a central bore mounted by a pin extending into the sidewalls of the recess wherein a lubricating oil passage extends through the body from the annular groove through the sidewall and into the recess having an outlet disposed to direct a supply of pressurized lubricating oil to the entrance of the roller bore.

Abstract: An ambient air-to-engine fluid heat exchanger, preferably a charge air cooler, for a vehicle having an ambient air modulator in the form of an apertured plate mounted adjacent the face of the heat exchanger and controllably slidable to bring the plate apertures in registry with the ambient air openings of the heat exchanger. If the heat exchanger is for engine coolant, the front face of the heat exchanger comprises a second plate having the heat exchanger ambient air openings therein. If it is a charge air cooler, a second plate is unnecessary because, in an air-to-air heat exchanger, the charge air tubes are about the same width as the ambient air passages and thus the tubes can block the air flow through the modulator apertures when the plate is positioned to do so. The modulator plate is further preferably provided with integral louver portions between the apertures for channelling and streamlining the ambient air flow into the apertures and heat exchanger.

Abstract: An independent heat system for heating a motor vehicle passenger compartment comprises a surge tank feeding the heat transfer medium to a pump which circulates fluid through the cab heater core, heat exchanger and a waste heater core, if necessary. The heat exchanger is connected to an engine exhaust system for heating the circulating medium by the engine exhaust gasses. The heat system can be adapted for heating of a vehicle passenger compartment in any vehicle having no engine water cooling system.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system is provided with dual offset cantilevered leaf springs. A forward and a rearward extending leaf spring are both mounted to a vehicle axle in a longitudinally overlapping transversely offset manner. The forward and rearward springs are also connected at their extended ends to a structural frame member of the vehicle. The longitudinally overlapped mounting of forward and rearward extending springs allows the deflection per given load of the suspension system to be increased while at the same time minimizing the overall length of the spring suspension system. The transverse offset of the spring may provide for a decreased turning radius by allowing greater clearance between the wheel and suspension system.

Abstract: An electrically heated fuel pick-up assembly insertable into a motor vehicle fuel tank for defrosting and dewaxing the fuel therein at the fuel pick-up point includes an inner tube substantially coextensive with and disposed within an outer tube in spaced relationship thereto to define therewith a fuel flow passage therebetween. The inner and outer tubes are immersed within the fuel tank and are supported by a base member attached to one end of the outer tube. A flexible PTC resistance strip heater of the type which automatically adjusts its heat output in response to fuel temperature is spirally disposed along the entire length of the passage on ribs secured to the inner tube for heating the fuel flowing through the passage from a fuel inlet in the end of the inner tube opposite the base member to a fuel outelt in the cap member communicating with an engine fuel supply line.

Abstract: A vehicle on-board information processing system comprising an actuating means, display unit, a recorder unit. An actuating means comprises a keyboard with numerical keys for entering the numerical data and commands into the system microprocessor and recorder for entering and retrieval of the requested data. The recorder accumulates also data from the vehicle component operation sensors retrievable by the same key commands. A rocker switch is mounted on the key pad for selecting a topic of the program and another switch selects a sub-topic and a numerical code therefor, if necessary. The driver uses only numerical information for entering and retrieval of the preprogrammed subjects, which can be modified or substituted.

Abstract: A twist clip is provided for supporting tubular objects on structural members. The inventive twist clip has opposing fingers which surround and retain the tubular object. The clip fingers are axially separated along the installed tube to allow the tubular object to be angularly inserted.