Abstract: An air cleaner for a heavy duty vehicle comprises a container having an open end for receiving a filter cartridge, and a removable closure for the open end. The closure includes a first portion which defines a central opening which is removably secured to the open end by circumferentially spaced bolts and a second portion comprising an air valve housing which is mounted on the first portion through a swivel connection to permit the air valve housing to pivot relative to the container without removal of the bolts. The air valve housing includes a pair of inlets connected to different air sources, such as to ambient outside air and to heated engine air respectively, and a valve mechanism which opens one of the inlets while the other is closed. Air communicating through the open inlet is communicated through the central opening into the container.

Abstract: An idle speed control actuator is used to maintain a constant vehicle engine idle speed in response to variations of the load on the vehicle engine. The actuator responds almost immediately to an increase in the load on the engine to prevent the engine from stalling, but reduces idle speed slowly when the load on the engine is reduced during idle conditions or when the throttle control lever is returned to the idle position so that the actuator does not have to "hunt" for the proper engine idle speed. The actuator includes a control plunger which is engaged by the throttle lever when the latter is returned to its engine idle position, so that the position of the throttle lever, and, accordingly, the opening of the carburetor butterfly valve which sets the engine idle speed, is varied in accordance with the position of the plunger.

Abstract: A fluid pressure braking system for an articulated vehicle includes a pair of manually operated, push-pull control valves and a pressure differential responsive dual supply valve. The inlet of one of the manually operated valves is connected to the fluid pressure source, and the outlet is connected to the parking brakes on the power portion of the articulated vehicle and also to one inlet of the dual supply valve. Another inlet of the dual supply valve is connected directly to the fluid pressure source. The outlet of the dual supply valve is connected to the inlet of the second manually operated control valve, the outlet of which is connected to the parking brakes on the towed or nonpowered portion of the articulated vehicle. Application of the spring brakes on both portions of the vehicle is effected by actuation of one of the valves, but release of the spring brakes on both portions of the vehicle requires actuation of both of the manually operated valves.

Abstract: An air control valve for a vehicle emissions control system has an inlet connected to the output of the vehicle air pump, a first outlet connected to exhaust injection passages in cylinder head, and a second outlet connected downstream into the exhaust manifold. A vacuum actuated valve element is responsive to engine manifold vacuum to divert the output of the air pump from the downstream injection point to the upstream injection point during cold engine operation. However, the air supply from the air pump is diverted from the upstream injection point to the downsteam injection point for a few seconds when a sudden increase in manifold vacuum occurs, such as during engine deceleration when the engine is cold. After the engine warms up, the air supply from the air pump is continuously communicated to the downstream injection point.

Abstract: A precleaner assembly for the air intake system of a heavy duty vehicle ejects duct particles and other heavy material from the incoming air stream so that the heavy particles will not clog the normal vehicle air cleaner, thereby greatly increasing its life. The precleaner assembly includes an inlet which faces the direction of vehicle movement, so ambient air is rammed into the inlet of the precleaner. The rammed air is directed through turning vanes located in a diverging portion of the assembly to induce a vortex or spiral flow component to the fluid. Centrifugal force generated by movement of the dust particles in the spiral path causes the latter to be centrifuged radially outwardly with respect to the direction of movement of the flow stream. These heavy particles therefore are concentrated in the radial outermost portion of the flow stream, which is ejected from the assembly, so that the remaining portion of the flow stream will be relatively free of the heavy particles.

Abstract: A package assembly for an electronic mechanism includes a housing which receives an electronic circuit board. Studs carried by the housing are connected to the circuit board by a flexible mechanism so that vibrations are dampened and thermal expansion of the connecting mechanism is accommodated. The connecting mechanism not only supports the circuit board within the housing, but also provides an electrical connection between the terminals on the circuit board and the studs, to which the electrical leads are installed which connect the package to other electronic components.

Abstract: A parking brake control valve for a vehicle fluid pressure braking system is actuable by the vehicle operator to control communication from a fluid pressure source to supply hold-off pressure to the vehicle parking brakes. The parking brakes are of the spring applied, fluid pressure released type, in which the spring actuator automatically effects a mechanical brake operation when hold-off pressure drops below a predetermined level. The parking brake control valve is responsive to a supply pressure below a predetermined level to automatically vent the hold-off pressure from the parking brakes, but this predetermined low pressure is less than the value of the spring brake hold-off pressure below which the brakes are gradually applied or "drag".

Abstract: An automatic slack adjuster for a vehicle braking system includes a yoke assembly which is pivotally mounted on the adjuster body and which is adapted to be connected to a push rod actuated by a fluid pressure actuator. The yoke assembly includes a recess having an entrance which is adapted to receive the end of the push rod. An adapter member is threaded on the end of the push rod received in the recess, and a U-shaped connector penetrates the body of the yoke to engage a circumferentially extending groove on the adapter, to thereby define a nonthrust transmitting connection between the yoke and the push rod. The yoke assembly defines a thrust receiving surface which circumscribes the entrance to the recess, and a thrust washer slidable on the push rod is held at a thrust transmitting engagement with the thrust receiving surface by a nut which is threaded on the end of the push rod.

Abstract: A fluid filter, such as that used to filter engine oil in an automotive vehicle, is provided with a combination anti-drainback and relief valve. The relief valve permits oil to bypass the filter if the latter should become clogged, and the anti-drainback valve prevents oil from leaking from the filter when the vehicle engine is not operated. The combination anti-drainback/relief valve includes a shoulder which is disposed between the filtering medium and a supporting flange therefor carried by the base of the filter, and also includes an inwardly extending annular portion which normally closes passages through the flange which permit communication between the inlet and outlet of the filter, and an outwardly extending portion which seals against the base of the filter to trap fluid within the filter when the vehicle engine is off. The valve element includes a spring steel member which is encapsulated in rubber sealing material.

Abstract: A modular control valve manifold assembly is designed for installation in the dashboard of a vehicle equipped with air brakes. The manifold houses the valving required to control the air brake system, and includes a base which provides a plurality of bosses which extend from the base. Each of the bosses house a control valve assembly which controls communication to the vehicle air brake system. The valve assemblies are retained in their bosses by a removable retaining ring, so that the valve assemblies may be easily removed from the manifold through the front of the dashboard for servicing. Furthermore, although the manifold may house an indefinite number of valves, only a single inlet and a single exhaust are required. Each of the valve assemblies controls communication between the inlet, the exhaust, and one of several corresponding outlet ports.

Abstract: A control circuit for delivering control signals to interrupt admission of the fuel-air mixture in the low speed and idle circuit of the carburetor of an internal combustion engine. The control circuit is operated according to the engine operating conditions. The control signal is delivered in response to comparison of a signal whose level is representative of the amplitude of the variations, i.e., the absolute value of the variations in the duration of an engine cycle, with a substantially periodic signal to generate a pulse-shaped signal. The pulses have a relatively narrow width when the amplitude of the variations is great, and a larger width when the amplitude of the variations is smaller.

Abstract: A fluid pressure braking system includes a pair of service reservoirs which supply fluid pressure to the system dual brake valve for actuating the vehicle service brakes. The reservoirs, through appropriate valving, also operate a third brake circuit which controls the vehicle parking/emergency brakes, thereby eliminating a reservoir for the third system, which was necessary in prior art braking systems.

Abstract: A rain hood for the air intake system of an internal combustion engine includes a body and a cover. The body includes a tubular portion which is received within the open end of an air intake tube and an outwardly flared conical portion which extends from the tubular portion and is provided with a lattice-work structure defining openings to permit substantially uninhibited flow of ambient air into the open end of the intake tube. The cover closes the open end of the flared portion of the body, and includes a closing portion closing the open end of the flared portion and a circumferentially extending portion which extends from the closing portion and circumscribes the flared portion. The cover and the body carry a locking mechanism which locks the body to the cover so that the cover cannot be removed from the body once it is installed thereon.

Abstract: An adaptive braking system for a vehicle having fluid pressure operated brakes includes a skid detecting circuit for generating a skid detecting signal when an incipient skidding condition is detected, a pressure command generator which is responsive to the skid detecting signal for generating a pressure command signal, and a duty cycle translator responsive to the pressure command signal to actuate the brake pressure modulator. The duty cycle translator includes a circuit which generates a signal modeling the actual pressure level in the vehicle brake actuators. Since the modulator is actuated by a solenoid which is powered by the vehicle electrical supply, the opening and closing times of the solenoid will vary as a function of the power output of the vehicle power supply, which can vary over a substantial range depending upon ambient temperature and upon the strength of the vehicle battery.

Abstract: An adaptive braking system for a vehicle having fluid pressure operated brakes includes a skid detecting circuit for generating a signal when an incipient skidding condition is detected, a pressure command generator which is responsive to the skid detecting signal for generating a pressure command signal proportional to the optimum fluid pressure level in the vehicle's brakes, and a duty cycle translator responsive to the pressure command signal to actuate the brake pressure modulator. Of course, since the pressure level in the vehicle brakes cannot drop below zero, the value of the pressure command signal generated by the pressure command generator cannot drop below a predetermined level.

Abstract: An adaptive braking system for a vehicle having fluid pressure operated brakes includes a skid detecting circuit for generating a signal when an incipient skidding condition is detected, a pressure command generator which is responsive to the skid detecting signal for generating a pressure command signal proportional to the commanded fluid pressure level in the vehicle's brakes, and a duty cycle translator responsive to the pressure command signal to actuate the brake pressure modulator. The pressure command generator is designed such that the pressure command signal always begins at some predetermined level when adaptive control of the vehicle's brakes is initiated.

Abstract: A wheel speed sensor for a vehicle adaptive braking system is installed within the vehicle hub cap so that the hub cap and speed sensor assembly are installed on the vehicle wheel as a unit. The speed sensor includes a rotor assembly which is rotatable with the hub cap, and a stator assembly which includes a bearing which slidably and rotatably receives a spindle which is integral with the hub cap. A tang projects from the stator assembly and is received in a corresponding slot on the vehicle axle to prevent relative rotation between the sensor assembly and the axle. A spring is provided which rotates with the hub cap and which yieldably urges the stator into engagement with the end of the vehicle axle. Consequently, the hub cap and sensor assembly are installed and removed from the vehicle as a unit, thereby facilitating installation of the sensor assembly since the air gap between the stator and the rotor may be set at the place of manufacture of the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A mechanical actuator for a disc brake is disclosed which provides an improved actuating mechanism which is less expensive and more reliable than prior art mechanical disc brake actuators. The actuator includes a lever which is provided with arcuate camming surfaces on opposite sides thereof. One of the camming surfaces is adapted to rollingly engage a substantially flat insert carried by the caliper housing. The camming surface on the opposite edge of the lever is substantially circular and is defined within a recess on the edge of the lever. Opposite ends of the camming surface terminate in depressions which are adapted to receive a spherical force transmitting element. A force transmitting member slidably mounted within the caliper housing interconnects the force transmitting element with the friction pad of the disc brake. The force transmitting element is disposed in one of the depressions when the brake is released.

Abstract: The invention relates to a servomotor for assisting the operation of a power brake system. The servomotor includes in a housing a power-assisting part and a part forming a hydraulic master-cylinder. The power-assisting part is adapted in use to be connected to an external power source such as a vacuum source. A valve assembly operated by an operator-operated intake member controls the generation of a pressure differential across a driving piston by allowing air to replace the vacuum on one side of the piston. The master-cylinder part includes an assembly having two coaxial pistons. The first piston is attached to the driving piston of the power assist part whereas the second piston is actuated by the intake member. Both coaxial pistons project into a chamber which is divided by a sealing ring. The central piston is adapted to pass through the sealing ring in response to an input force from the input member to further pressurize the fluid in the outlet portion of the chamber.

Abstract: A power steering mechanism comprises distributing means for communicating fluid pressure to the compartments of a fluid motor associated with the steering linkage of the vehicle. Each distributing means comprises a ball valve member disposed in a chamber of a housing. The valve member is urged towards a first valve seat defined in a low pressure supply passage, by means of spring means, and towards a second valve seat defined in a high pressure supply passage by means of an extension of an actuating piston, said extension extending through the low pressure passage. The piston is moved by way of a sleeve disposed intermediate between the input and output members and connected thereto by means of a spline and screw arrangement. In response to a torque applied to the input member, the sleeve is allowed to move axially for displacing the piston and modifying the position of the valve member, thereby changing the value of the pressure transmitted to the associated compartment.