Abstract: The present invention is a truck with an air powered and air cushioned multipositional reclining sleeper bed. The present invention provides increased comfort for the occupant of the sleeper compartment by utilizing the compressed air system of the truck to adjust the sleeper bed to the position desired and to cushion the ride of the sleeper occupant.

Abstract: A novel parking brake for motorized vehicles is disclosed. The parking brake is designed to be an integral feature of an essentially conventional drive axle housing. The novel parking brake comprises a sliding clutch shaft attached to a clutch element that, when actuated, engages a complimentary clutch element attached to the drive axle ring gear. Additional gear means prevent the engaged clutch shaft from rotating, and so, prevent the drive axle ring gear from rotating, in effect, securing the vehicle.

Abstract: A retainer is installed on the pedestals of adjacent rocker arm assemblies to tie the pedestals, rocker arms, and retainer into a permanent subassembly. The retainer includes rectangular apertures for receiving the pedestal shanks which in one direction comprise spring steel tabs which grip the sides of the pedestal shank with high unit loading and in the other direction provide generous clearance to permit axial sliding adjustments of the pedestals relative to each other to align the bolt holes and thus facilitate installation of the subassembly on the engine head. The spring steel tabs further align the pedestals with each other and with the engine and prevent the pedestals from turning when the tie down bolts therethrough is torqued.

Abstract: An inflatable and extendable skirt for reducing the air drag caused by a moving motor vehicle such as a truck. The skirt is normally rolled up on itself and can be extended, as between parts of the vehicle, upon introduction of the compressed air into the pocket chambers secured to the skirt. The skirt can be inflated or deflated automatically when the motor vehicle passes a predetermined speed or whenever an operator feels it is beneficial to inflate or deflate one or a plurality of skirts.

Abstract: The glow plug control circuit (28) is coupled to one or more glow plugs (31,38) and includes a resistance bridge, the resistance (30) of the parallel connection of the glow plugs plus the resistance (76) of lead wire conductors being coupled to the bridge which has a first resistance leg, a second resistance leg, a third resistance leg (53), and a fourth resistance leg (54). A junction (128,130) between two resistance legs (56,53) is coupled to a source of voltage potential and a junction (67) between the other two resistance legs (53,54) is coupled to ground (67). A comparator (72) has plus and minus inputs (70,74) and an output (82). One junction (58) between two of the resistance legs (53,54) is coupled to the minus output (74). One of the other resistance legs coupled between the voltage source and ground includes two series connected resistors (51,52) which define a voltage divider (41) and which are coupled to the glow plugs.

Abstract: A material wear indicator for a disc brake lining or clutch pad or any other erodible part comprises a vapor substance. Erosion of the part to a predetermined level exposes the substance to an ambient environment or other chemical means. The substance begins to exude an invisible vapor with a specific scent or oder. Alternatively or in combination with a scent emission, visible vapor can be color coded for a fretted part identification or erosion level thereof. The presence of the vapor immediately alerts service personnel of the danger and necessity to replace the worn-out part. The vapor emitting wear indicator does not require any electrical, hydraulic, sound or mechanical connection to any gauge or system and therefore represents one of the cheapest, reliable and most effective ways to indicate the selected level of material abrasion.

Abstract: A mirror vibration absorber for mirror assemblies mounted on motor vehicles comprises a ballast absorbing the vibration of the mirror assembly and disposed either inside or outside thereof. The position and weight of the ballast can be adjusted to the specific vibration frequency of the mirror assembly. The adjustment of the ballast position is made either by moving the adjustment of rods secured to the ballast relative to the mirror assembly or by moving the ballast relative to the adjustment rod. The ballast absorbs the mirror vibration and thereby reduces the need for reenforcing mounting hardware and braces.

Abstract: A hood tilt retardation system comprising a shock absorber mounted on the side of upstanding member near the motor truck engine provides cushioning of the hood descent into its fully open or closed positions in the final segments thereof. This cushioning is augmented by a pair of springs attached to the hood and upstanding member for movement thereabout and functioning as a counterbalance to the hood weight during the hood reciprocal movement between its open and closed positions.

Abstract: A brake activation system for reducing the time between the brake application of tractors and trailers utilizes a speed differential between the electrical and air signals. The application of the tractor brake actuates simultaneously a stop light circuit and the air brake systems. The electrical signals from this energized stop light circuit actuates solenoid valve which releases the air from the trailer reservoir being subsequently reduced to a predetermined low pressure level. This low pressure air reaches the trailer wheel brake chambers prior to the arrival of the brake air with high pressure overriding the low pressure air route and completing the trailer brake application.

Abstract: A shaft torque measuring system comprising a transducer mounted on a slowly rotating shaft that produces an output voltage signal proportional to its torque; a voltage-to-current converter circuit for converting the output voltage signal from the sensor into a current signal; a brush and slip ring assembly for providing a means to transmit the current signal to a monitor station, and a voltage-to-current converter circuit for converting the current signal to a voltage signal which is proportional to the torque of the slowly rotating shaft.

Abstract: A throttle controlling system in a cab-over-engine truck for a positive and remote transmission of a accelerator pedal displacement to an engine mounted fuel control lever. The link system permits raising of the cab into its tilted position without disconnecting of any part of the link system by simply folding out the members thereof. The link system also facilitates a cab isolation from vibration and hunting of the truck frame by a scissor-like geometrical composition and relative motion of its components.

Abstract: The glow plug control circuit (28) is coupled by lead wire conductors to one or more glow plugs (31-38) for energizing same and includes a resistance bridge, the resistance (30) of the parallel connection of the one or more glow plugs plus the resistance (76) of the lead wire conductors being coupled to the bridge which has a first resistance leg, a second resistance leg, a third resistance leg (53), and a fourth resistance leg (54). A junction (128,130) between two resistance legs (56,53) is coupled to a source of voltage potential and a junction (67) between the other two resistance legs (53,54) being coupled to a common or ground (67). A comparator (72) having plus and minus inputs (70,74) and an output (82) is coupled to the bridge. One junction (58) between two of the resistance legs (53,54) connected between the voltage source and ground defines a reference voltage and is coupled to the minus input (74).

Abstract: A self-adjusting cooling system for an internal combustion engine comprising a first circuit re-circulating a larger fluid flow, and excluding the radiator, and a second circuit re-circulating a smaller amount of fluid which passes through the radiator. Three valve control system automatically re-routes the coolant fluid with the lowest temperature in either circuits, or a mixture of fluids in these circuits, into an aftercooler for cooling the air entering the engine.

Abstract: A bolster pin is provided which automatically cleans the flask bushing of a mold set. The bolster pin has brushing elements which clean the flask bushing each time the mold set is joined or separated. Use of the bolster pin provides a method for automatically cleaning the flask flange bushing of entrapped sand.

Abstract: An automotive engine is provided with an improved multifilter oil lubrication system. At least two filters are provided wherein the majority of the oil flow is through a primary coarse filter. At least one fine secondary filter is provided to filter the oil not going to the coarse filter. The oil from the fine filter is delivered directly to the engine. The improved system may be used with a smaller pump using less horsepower than previously possible by multifilter bypass systems. The addition of the fine filtration increases engine life.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for manufacturing graphite fiber metal matrix bearing materials using liquid metal pressure infiltration to achieve a high degree of intimate wetting, contact and infiltration of a compliant metal between and around graphite (carbon) fibers to provide graphite fiber metal matrix bearing material having a predetermined volume percentage of graphite fibers. In one embodiment, graphite fibers are wrapped around a removable cylindrical mandrel and the graphite fiber-wrapped mandrel is inserted into a mold and the mold which contains a liquid compliant metal, such as lead, to cause intimate wetting, contact and infiltration of the compliant metal between and around all of the graphite fibers.

Abstract: Abrasive liquid jet cutting is provided by disposing abrasive particles in positionally supported form, as on a carrier, such as sandpaper, between the liquid jet nozzle and the workpiece. The particles are intercepted by the liquid jet and driven into the workpiece which may be ferrous or nonferrous metal. The particles may be bonded to a paper-like backing, incorporated in a binder, such as a viscous paste, or formed into a rod-like structure. Variable feed of the workpiece or the abrasive carrier can be used to provide optimized or selective abrasive cutting.

Abstract: A dynamic engine power test method comprises operating the engine at a low speed, accelerating the engine at full throttle to a predetermined high speed, such as high idle, without absorbing or dissipating power therefrom, measuring the engine speed and elapsed time to determine the angular acceleration at specific speeds in the operating range of the engine or during one or more relatively small discrete speed intervals or windows preferably corresponding to peak torque speed, an intermediate point, rated speed, and a speed between rated speed and high idle. The torque output of the engine may be calculated manually or preferably automatically for each speed interval based on the equation T=I.alpha. wherein .alpha. is the angular acceleration at that speed and the horsepower for a nominal speed in the interval may also be calculated based on the torque.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved cotton duct structure for a cotton harvester. The air supply line has a nozzle which releases air on the cotton ducts ascending front wall, thereby projecting harvested cotton in a direction towards the receptacle on the cotton harvesting machine.

Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission comprising a speed and range sections connected via a master clutch, provides all speed selections on-the-go, i.e. without stopping the motor vehicle. An engine driven input shaft extending through the speed transmission section carries a pair of drive clutch packs for power shifting of the speeds. The power shifting between the clutch packs on this shift requires no master clutch engagement or disengagement. The plurality of speed which are not power shifted engage via gear synchronizers which require the disengagement of the master clutch while vehicle is still on-the-go. The disengagement of the master clutch simultaneously disengages the clutches in the drive clutch pack and is sequenced in such a manner that re-engagement of the master clutch follows the re-engagement of the drive clutch packs.