Abstract: There is provided a system and method for using an engine's exhaust back pressure to control a variable geometry turbocharger. The control system determines a desired exhaust back pressure based on engine speed and engine load. The desired exhaust back pressure is compared with a measured exhaust back pressure to determine the difference between the measured and desired exhaust back pressures. The difference value is used to determine the duty cycle. In an alternate embodiment, the exhaust gas pressure is used to adjust the duty cycle determined by other operating parameters. A base duty cycle is determined from the engine speed and the engine load. The difference between the measured and desired exhaust back pressures is used to determine an exhaust pressure control duty cycle. The base duty cycle is then adjusted by the exhaust pressure control duty cycle to give a turbocharger duty cycle.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring a vehicle battery installed on a motor vehicle and indicating the condition of the battery is provided which does not require removal of the battery from the vehicle. Upon initial movement of the ignition key from off to on, open circuit voltage is measured and compared to an allowable range. If open circuit voltage is acceptable, the possibility that polarization is skewing the result is determined, and if the possibility is indicated, a load test is imposed on the engine. Results of testing are maintained as data records to provide updates of the comparison values used for subsequent tests.

Abstract: The invention is a compressible fluid suspension system using a compressible fluid spring, like an air spring, communicating with a reservoir for auxiliary volume of compressible fluid. The reservoir is located within an axle.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for stabilizing vibrations in vertical exhaust systems for over highway trucks. A mass-spring absorber having a natural frequency that corresponds to the natural frequency of the vertical exhaust system, which we are trying to stabilize, is secured to the vertical exhaust system. The mass-spring absorber dampens the natural frequency of the exhaust system and creates an anti-resonance to the offending resonance frequency. The mass of the spring-mass system has a generally toroidal shape such that it surrounds the vertical exhaust stanchion and is connected thereto by a spring or springs. The mass of the toroidal shaped absorber is maximized, which results in maximum separation between the new natural frequencies of the vertical exhaust system, while at the same time the damping between the vertical exhaust system and the toroidal shaped absorber is minimized.

Abstract: A delay device for use with a fuel injector, the fuel injector having an electric controller for controlling the flow of a high pressure actuating fluid responsive to initiation and cessation of a pulse width command, the pulse width command defining the duration of an injection event, and an intensifier being in fluid communication with the controller, the intensifier being translatable to increase the pressure of a volume of fuel for injection into the combustion chamber of an engine; the delay device includes an apparatus, shiftable between a first disposition and a second disposition over a certain period of time after initiation of the pulse width command, the period of time effecting a delay in initiation of fuel injection after initiation of the pulse width command. A fuel injector including a delay device.

Abstract: A mount for securing a component, such as an engine, to a vehicle frame. Preferably, the mount includes a bottom and top isolator and a cross member that can be assembled and secured to the engine at an assembly station away from the primary assembly line. The cross member includes frame mounting surfaces that are vertically oriented at each side of the cross member, and the frame includes corresponding engine mounting surfaces. A receiver with a downward facing surface is also provided that is attached to the cross member. A stop support that is attached to the vehicle frame supports the weight of the engine with an upward facing support surface that abuts the receiver support surface.

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 control system and method for an EGR valve, particularly in a diesel engine. A processor processes data in feedback control of the position of the valve element to develop from the data a position control signal for setting the extent to which the valve is open. The processing includes processing data corresponding to actual position of the valve and data representing a desired position of the valve to develop a position error signal, processing data that defines actual EGR rate and data representing a desired EGR rate to develop a rate error signal, and processing the position error signal and the rate error signal to develop the position control signal. Emission control system event monitors flag potential error sources in their incipiency to afford opportunity for correction before mandatory logging occurs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle frame. The frame is constructed from two parallel siderails running longitudinally down the length of the vehicle. An intermediate cross member support is positioned between the siderails to support a driver's cab. A datum support hole is positioned through each siderail to support mounting of one end of the cross member support for the driver's cab. The remaining support holes are arrayed in rows and columns positioned with reference to the datum support hole. A first row of supplemental support holes runs parallel to a bottom flange on each siderail and includes the datum support hole. A second row of supplemental support holes in each siderail runs parallel to and above the first row. A third row of supplemental support holes in each siderail runs parallel to the first and second rows and is positioned above the second row by the distance as the second row is above the first row.

Abstract: A programmable bus stopping system of a mobile vehicle in electrical communication with controllers or actuators for all of the safety and warning devices requiring actuation upon a vehicle stop for passenger egress. The electrical communication may be through an area wide network that may allow multiplexing. In addition the controllers or actuators, the communication network may be electrically engaged to an electronic system controller for coordinating operation of controllers and actuators. There may be a manual switch, push-button, or actuator accessible to the driver of the vehicle that allows communication to activate a series of activities that must occur upon a bus stopping to let on or let off passengers. The system activation points may be tied to vehicle speed or to vehicle position relative to a stop requiring a component or components to activate.

Abstract: The invention is an inlet device or snow valve adapted to fit an air cleaner housing for a motor vehicle. The inlet device has an annular door with an open window that rotates between first and second positions. In the first position, the window of the annular door aligns with an outside air opening in the housing to allow the flow of outside air into the air cleaner apparatus. In the second position, the annular door rotates so the sidewall of the annular door covers the outside air opening and blocks the flow of outside air into the air cleaner apparatus. The second position allows the flow of under hood air into the air cleaner apparatus. In either position, the device preferably totally closes the other opening to assure all under hood intake air flow comes from the desired location.

Abstract: A suspension system for the steering axle of a vehicle chassis includes a right side air spring and a left side air spring. In the preferred embodiment leading rigid arms link each end of the steering axle to a pivoting mount on the chassis and transmits brake reaction torque as a lifting force to the chassis. Spring half leaf trailing links connect each end of the steering axle to the chassis, rigid leading arms provide anti-roll capacity as well as help in locating and stabilizing axle position.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for a single piece integrated front module housing for an internal combustion engine, which decreases engine complexity, manufacturing time and production costs. The front module housing comprises a thermostat housing, a water pump housing, at least one coolant passage, an oil pump housing, and at least one oil passage. The front module housing further comprises a power steering pump mounting, an oil pressure regulating valve housing, at least one support boss member, an at least one sensor housing. There is provided a method for an integrated one-piece front module housing, comprising the steps of forming a front module housing casting mold and cores, forming the front module housing via introduction of molten material into the mold, removing the front module housing from the mold and removing the casting core from the cast front module housing, and finishing the front module housing.

Abstract: A dual draw and return fuel manifold with an integral mounting bracket for use on a mobile vehicle containing at least two fuel tanks such as a heavy duty truck. The invention overcomes problems associated with assembling several fittings to a bracket and reduces the opportunities for leaks to develop in a vehicle fuel system by incorporating the fittings and mounting apparatus into a one piece design. There is a manifold which contains two three way tees integrated onto a mounting bracket or body. The mounting bracket has two engagement legs for engagement to a chassis mounted component or to a vehicle drive train component. In a preferred embodiment these engagement legs will be engaged on either side of a transmission of the vehicle. The return and supply manifolds are located one on top of another on the manifold such that they may be easily connected to the high pressure tubing of the fuel system.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle steering column (10) and adjustment system has a telescope adjustment mechanism for adjusting the fore-aft position of the steering wheel (12) to the driver of the vehicle and a tilt adjustment mechanism for adjusting steering wheel inclination. Each adjustment mechanism includes a respective motorized linear actuator (24, 26). A force feedback system operates the actuators and includes telescope and tilt sensors (42, 44) for sensing telescope and tilt adjustment forces externally applied to the steering wheel by the driver during adjustment of steering wheel position. A controller (40) is responsive to the sensors for operating the actuators to position the steering wheel in directions of adjustment corresponding to the directions of telescope and tilt forces applied by the driver. Adjustment motion stops when the externally applied forces causing the motion cease.

Abstract: A controller area network diagnosis instrument for diagnosis and evaluation of electronic components on a vehicle control system 10. The controlled area network diagnostic instrument (CANDI) includes a computer processor 119 with a graphics display 121. The processor 119 has a cable 132 to plug into the diagnostic connector 36 engaged to a common data bus 18 of the vehicle 101. The processor 119 is programmed to graphically show a mock gauge cluster or vehicle instrument panel 120 on the display 121 in that has the same appearance as a real vehicle gauge cluster or vehicle instrument panel 102. When connected to the diagnostic connector, the processor 119 mines data off of the data bus 18 and converts it into human readable form on the display 121. This may take the form of mock conventional gauges 124, mock warning lights 105, mock switch status 123, or mock LCD displays 126 shown via computer graphics on the processor's display 121.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method to monitor air filter restriction within an air cleaner system of a motor vehicle. The invention uses a quick connect couplig to allow fluid communication between a restriction gauge and the air cleaner housing and also provides a means of attaching the restriction gauge or a remote tubing connector to the air cleaner housing. The quick connect coupling is located within an axial bore, generally within a conduit in the housing. A portion of the filtered air is drawn from the air cleaner housing through the quick connect coupling and into the restriction gauge, where the pressure is measured and the amount of air filter restriction is gauged.