Abstract: A filter assembly includes a base and a filter cartridge installed on the base. The filter cartridge is retained on the base by a radially expandable, resilient, circumferentially extending snap ring which is expanded by rotation of a camming member located between contiguous ends of the snap ring. The snap ring includes a lip which engages a groove on the filter cartridge to hold the filter cartridge on the base.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing and a valve plunger slidably mounted within the housing, which carries a pair of valve engaging, ringlike elements for engagement with corresponding seats on the plunger. The cross-sectional diameter of one of the ringlike valve elements is substantially greater than the other, and fits on the plunger with clearance to permit it to be deformed and deflected relative to the plunger to assure a proper sealing engagement of the other ringlike element. A collar retains the other ringlike element, and acts against the valve seat to limit movement of the plunger relative to the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing two high speed signals through a single high speed input terminal of a microprocessor uses a multiplexing circuit connected between the signal conditioners from the wheel speed sensor and the microprocessor. The multiplexing circuit converts the square wave signal as generated by the signal conditioning circuits into a series of interrupts. The multiplexing circuit includes three hardware semaphores or flip-flops which are set by the interrupts generated from wheel speed signals. The semaphores or flip-flops are reset by the microprocessor.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a rotating shaft which is supported within the turbocharger center housing by rotational bearing elements. The bearing cartridge is located axially within the housing 14 by a pin which extends through orifices drilled in the center housing and in the bearing outer ring. The pin is relatively smooth, so that excursions of the bearing cartridge assembly with the shaft is permitted when the shaft is accelerated through critical rotational speeds. These excursions are damped by lubricating fluid communicated into grooves circumscribing the bearing outer ring through lubrication passages extending through the pin. The lubricating fluid in the grooves communicates into the intersticial space defined between the outer ring of the bearing cartridge assembly and the center housing to thereby dampen the excursions of the bearing cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A hydraulic assisted turbocharger provides charge air to the intake manifold of a vehicle internal combustion engine. The hydraulic assist can be selectively turned on by the vehicle operator when the vehicle is stopped or is traveling at a low speed so that charge air can be supplied to the engine immediately upon a subsequent acceleration.

Abstract: A fuel filter for a motor vehicle includes a housing made of a base Nylon 12 material to which are added stainless steel fibers to render the housing electrically conductive while retaining moldability. The electrically conductive housing permits charges generated by the fuel passing through the filtering media to be dissipated to the vehicle body, thereby preventing erosion of the housing and subsequent leaks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically balancing a rotating component, such as a compressor wheel, without using an arbor is disclosed. A balancing fixture includes a nest for receiving the compressor wheel and is defined by a balancing surface on the balancing fixture. The balancing fixture is attached to a fixed support by flexures which permit tilting motion of the balancing fixture. Compressed air is communicated into an air manifold within the fixture and is communicated to the balancing surface through pressure jets to thereby support and position the compressor wheel on a cushion of compressed air. Motion of the balancing fixture is transmitted through a bracket to a pair of spaced-apart motion transducers.

Abstract: An air filter assembly includes a housing, a primary filter cartridge within the housing, and an adapter member in the outlet opening which extends through one end wall of the housing. An annular elastomeric sealing member circumscribes the outlet opening and includes a pair of projecting portions, one of the projecting portions sealing engaging between the housing and the adapter member, and the other projecting portion providing a seal between the housing and the primary cartridge through a axially projecting, circumferentially extending sealing surfaces and also sealing between the secondary backup filter cartridge and the housing through a radially projecting, circumferentially extending sealing surface on the annular elastomeric sealing member.

Abstract: An electropneumatic subsystem of a vehicle compressed air braking system controls communication within the trailer control line, the trailer supply line, and the tractor spring brake delivery line. A valve operated by pilot pressure is installed in the trailer control line, and responds to the pressure level in the trailer supply line to open or close the trailer control line in accordance therewith, thereby providing a tractor protection function. A solenoid valve in the trailer supply line is actuated by an electronic control unit to open and close the trailer supply line to thereby perform a trailer spring brake control function and tractor protection function.

Abstract: An exhaust gas driven turbocharger includes a housing, and a shaft rotatably supporting a compressor wheel and a turbine wheel for rotation within the housing. A cartridge ball bearing assembly supports the shaft for rotation relative to the housing and includes a bearing outer ring, a bearing inner ring, and roller bearing elements supporting the inner ring for rotation relative to the outer ring. The inner ring is mounted on the shaft by axially spaced faying surfaces, the length of which are controlled to minimize heat transfer from the shaft to the bearing assembly while assuring the necessary stiffness of the assembly.

Abstract: A control system for regenerating a particulate trap in the exhaust system of a diesel engine includes control logic which controls the air/fuel ratio of the engine by operating a backpressure valve in the engine exhaust system to provide a proper amount of excess oxygen to permit efficient combustion of the particulate content of the trap, but to avoid rapid and damaging combustion rates. Actual engine air/fuel ratio is compared to a commanded air/fuel ratio, and the position of the backpressure valve is adjusted accordingly. The commanded air/fuel ratio is ratcheted upwardly or downwardly once in a predetermined time period in response to a temperature error signal between exhaust gas temperature sensed in the engine exhaust manifold and a predetermined commanded temperature.

Abstract: A twin wastegate valve for an exhaust gas driven turbocharger in which exhaust gas is communicated to the turbine wheel through separate inlet passages includes a pair of wastegate valve members mounted for pivoting movement relative to a support. The support is pivotally mounted on the actuating arm. Accordingly, small differences in the height of the valve seat caused by wear or by manufacturing tolerances do not affect closure of the valve.

Abstract: A disposable air filter includes a pair of cover members which enclose an outlet body defining an outlet chamber communicating with an outlet tube. A pair of panel filter elements are supported on opposite sides of the outlet body. Fasteners interconnect the cover members so that they compress seals carried by the filter elements against the outlet body.

Abstract: A liquid filter for filtering the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine includes a bypass passage permitting liquid to flow from the outlet to the inlet in a direction opposite to normal flow through the filter when the engine is initially filled with oil by a pressure lubrication fill process. When the engine is first started, a valve responds to normal engine oil pressure to close the bypass passage.

Abstract: A fluid pressure braking system for a vehicle having service brakes and spring activated parking brakes includes electropneumatic activators for effecting and holding a limited service brake application while the driver leaves the vehicle to make a route pick-up. Accordingly, the spring brakes are not used during route pick-ups, thereby increasing the life of the spring actuator since it is not repeatedly cycled. An electropneumatic interlock automatically effects a parking brake application if the vehicle ignition is switched off while an electropneumatic service actuation is effected.

Abstract: A combustion air induction system for an internal combustion engine equipped with a turbocharger to provide charge air to the engine includes a pair of heat exchangers arranged in series in the conduit communicating the charge air outlet of the turbocharger to the induction manifold of the engine. Charge air from the turbocharger first travels through a charge air to engine coolant heat exchanger, and then travels through a charge air to ambient air heat exchanger. A bypass passage is controlled by a valve to bypass charge air around the charge air to ambient air heat exchanger under predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting the remaining service life of an air filter element reads the pressure drop across the filter element at regular usage intervals (such as engine run time or distance the vehicle has traveled). An approximation of the rate at which the pressure drop is increasing is made, which is used to calculate the usage at which the maximum pressure drop will be attained.

Abstract: A compressed air system includes an electronic control which controls enabling and disabling of the compressor in response to pressure level variations in the system storage reservoir. The control unit responds to compressor disabling by causing the system air dryer to regenerate or purge for a predetermined time period. The timing period of a charge timer is initiated when the compressor is enabled. When the charge timer has timed out, the compressor is disabled and the air dryer purged for the predetermined time period.

Abstract: The end caps of a filter element are formed on the element by dispensing a photo-initiated polymer in a transparent mold, setting the end of the filter media array in the mold, exposing the mold to ultraviolet light for a time sufficient to cure the polymer, and then stripping the mold from the finished end cap. Accordingly, the time of 60-75 seconds required to cure prior art Plastisol end caps is reduced to a few seconds necessary to cure the end caps made from the photo-initiated polymer. The end caps have been designed with reinforcing ribs to minimize the amount of polymer required while still maintaining necessary hoop strength to retain the media in place.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a backplate separate from both the center housing and the turbine housing which is clamped between the latter by tie bolts extending across the center housing so that the tensile/shear forces transmitted through the head of the tie bolt are taken on the relatively cool compressor side of the center housing. The turbine backplate, since it is a separate member, may be made from a material having a relatively low thermal conductivity, thereby serving as a heat barrier between the turbine section and the center housing of the turbocharger. The separate backplate permits manufacture of the center housing by an inexpensive die casting process. An oil splash shield cooperates with the turbine backplate to prevent oil from splashed against the warm parts of the assembly, and also cooperates with the turbine backplate to define a chamber therebetween that also further increases thermal insulation of the center housing from the relatively warm turbine housing.