Abstract: An effluent processing apparatus comprises a first processing stage in which oil and water are separated from an effluent mixture containing air, oil, and water from a purge valve of an air dryer. The effluent processing apparatus also comprises a second processing stage in which oil is extracted from the separated oil and water of the first processing stage. The effluent processing apparatus further comprises a third processing stage in which air from the first processing stage and water from the second processing stage are combined and exhausted to atmosphere.

Abstract: A controller is adapted to receive respective images from a sensors of a first vehicle. The images provide a gapless view along, and within a predetermined perpendicular distance away from, a side of the first vehicle. Movement of a second vehicle along, and within the predetermined perpendicular distance away from, the side of the first vehicle, is detected based on at least one of the images. A position of a front of the second vehicle is predicted based on the movement of the second vehicle. An image sequence is recorded at the position.

Abstract: Various examples of a driver monitoring apparatus and a method of disabling a driver facing camera are disclosed. A driver monitoring controller receives video images of a driver and transmits control messages to a driver facing camera. The driver monitoring controller receives a signal indicating that the driver desires to disable the driver facing camera. The driver monitoring controller receives messages indicating a vehicle state. The control logic of the driver monitoring controller disables the driver facing camera by transmitting a control message to disable the driver facing camera in response to a control input indicating the driver desires to disable the driver facing camera and a vehicle state message indicating a vehicle state does not meet a predetermined condition. The control logic of the driver monitoring controller enables the camera automatically in response to a vehicle state message indicating the vehicle state meets the predetermined condition.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for supporting a component mounting plate that is suspended between a first trailer beam and a second trailer beam. The apparatus comprises a pair of top supporting members including (i) a first top supporting member secured to the plate, and (ii) a second top supporting member secured to the plate. Each of the first and second top members spans between and engages the first and second trailer beams. The apparatus also comprises a pair of bottom supporting members including a first bottom supporting member and a second bottom supporting member. The apparatus further comprises a pair of fastening mechanisms including (i) a first fastening mechanism that secures at least the first top member to the plate, and (ii) a second fastening mechanism that secures at least the second top member to the plate.

Abstract: A system and method is described in which vehicles are configured to collect driver and vehicle event data, selectively compress and encode the collected driver and vehicle event data, and communicate the compressed and encoded data wirelessly to one or more telematics service providers. Servers poll this driver event data periodically, process it, and present multiple methods to end users by which they are able to view and analyze it. The present system permits fleet managers to use this driver event data, received through a report or notification, or pulled directly from a web-based portal, to monitor, correct or reward driver behavior, and to implement driver education and training programs.

Abstract: A system on a tractor for controlling trailer service brakes comprises a manually operated trailer brake switch, a first electropneumatic valve in communication with a pressure source and a controller. The controller has an input communicating with the trailer brake switch, an output communicating with the electropneumatic valve and control logic. The control logic receives an input from the trailer brake switch indicating a driver's request to apply the trailer service brakes of the combination vehicle, determines if a predetermined condition exists and transmits a signal to the output to the electropneumatic valve. The electropneumatic valve transmits pressure to a trailer service control line to actuate the trailer service brakes in response to the trailer brake switch and existence of the predetermined condition.

Abstract: A trailer control valve comprises a valve electronic control port adapted to receive an electronic control signal; a valve pneumatic supply port unrestrictedly fluidly communicating with a first supply of a pneumatic fluid; a valve pneumatic control port normally proportionally fluidly communicating with a second supply of the pneumatic fluid based on a pressure representing a driver brake demand, the first supply of the pneumatic fluid being in an independent pneumatic circuit from the second supply of the pneumatic fluid; and a valve delivery port selectively fluidly communicating with at least one of the valve pneumatic supply port and the valve pneumatic control port based on the electronic control signal, the pressure representing the driver brake demand and a pressure of the first supply of the pneumatic fluid.

Abstract: A method for providing user-specific driver assistance includes storing, in a vehicle, warning threshold preset values used to provide driver assistance warnings, and identifying a driver of the vehicle based on driver identification information. Sensors provide driver behavior data for the identified driver, which is then compared to desired driver behavior data. A modified warning value specific to the identified driver is then determined based at least in part on a result of the comparison. One or more of the plurality of warning threshold preset values may be updated based on the modified warning value, and a driver assistance warning may be provided to the identified driver in accordance with the updated one or more of the plurality of warning threshold preset values.

Abstract: A calibration apparatus and method are provided for a surround-view camera system having a plurality of cameras mounted to an object (e.g., a vehicle). A plurality of markers are arbitrarily placed around the object and configured to measure a plurality of distances between one another. The markers preferably include a rangefinder to measure distances. From at least one image from one or more cameras, a controller is configured to visually identify at least two markers which define a coordinate system. Based on the measured plurality of distances between markers and the visually identified markers, the controller generates calibration information as an output, preferably saved in the form of a look-up table, which will be retrieved and used when a display device generates a bird's-eye view for a viewer. Additionally, a marker that is part of the calibration apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A method for modifying a brake application of a combination vehicle comprises receiving a temperature signal of a first brake pad of a first brake assembly and receiving a temperature signal representative of a temperature of a second brake pad of a second brake assembly. The temperatures are compared to a first predetermined temperature. The method will determine if service brakes of the trailer are being applied by a driver and compare a wheel speed of the trailer with the wheel speed of a tractor of the combination vehicle. The method will determine a brake drag exists on the trailer in response to both the first and the second brake pad temperature being greater than the first predetermined temperature, the trailer wheel speed being less than the tractor wheel speed and the service brakes not being applied by the driver.

Abstract: A driving oriented digital video recorder (DVR) system may comprise a camera; a memory; and a control circuit. The occurrence of a predefined driving event type may be determined based on received data. An event object that includes details of the determined event may be generated, including the type of the determined event and a time association with a segment of captured driving video. Metadata tags may be generated, which contain the type of the determined event and the location of the event object in the memory of the DVR. The DVR may retrieve segments of the driving video by identifying the metadata tag as having the same event type as a query parameter and, in turn, identify the event object using the location of the event object included in the metadata tag. The driving video segment may then be located via the association with the event object.

Abstract: A piston assembly is provided for an unloader valve of an air compressor. The assembly comprises an unloader piston having a first bore of a first diameter, and a second bore of a second diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the first bore. The assembly also comprises a coil spring having a central opening, one end portion disposed in the second bore, and an opposite end portion extending into the first bore. The assembly further comprises a balance piston including a head portion sized to be disposed in the first bore, a first stem portion extending from the head portion and having a diameter smaller than the first and second bores, and a second stem portion extending from the first stem portion and extending into the central opening of the coil spring and having a diameter smaller than the first stem portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods monitor driver behavior for vehicular fleet management in a fleet of vehicles using driver-facing imaging device. The systems and methods herein relate generally to vehicular fleet management for enhancing safety of the fleet and improving the performance of the fleet drivers, and further relate to monitoring the operation of fleet vehicles using one or more driver-facing imaging devices disposed in the fleet vehicles for recording activities of the fleet drivers and their passengers, storing information relating to the monitored activities, selectively generating warnings related to the monitored activities, and reporting the monitored activities to a central fleet management system for use in enhancing the safety of the vehicles of the fleet and for helping to improve the performance of the fleet drivers.

Abstract: A driving oriented digital video recorder (DVR) system may comprise a camera; a memory; and a control circuit. The occurrence of a predefined driving event type may be determined based on received data. An event object that includes details of the determined event may be generated, including the type of the determined event and a time association with a segment of captured driving video. Metadata tags may be generated, which contain the type of the determined event and the location of the event object in the memory of the DVR. The DVR may retrieve segments of the driving video by identifying the metadata tag as having the same event type as a query parameter and, in turn, identify the event object using the location of the event object included in the metadata tag. The driving video segment may then be located via the association with the event object.

Abstract: A valve assembly including a fastener-less subcomponent. Installation of the subcomponent is simplified as compared to cover plates utilizing fasteners, while still providing suitable performance. In addition, the fastener-less subcomponent is not readily disassembled with common tools thereby discouraging tampering. The subcomponent includes bayonet style features for interlocking with structure of a valve housing to lock the subcomponent in position.

Abstract: A tri-state electronic vehicle system control circuit comprises a plurality of 3-position switches, each of which is coupled to a dedicated pin on a wiring harness for coupling multiple portions of a combination vehicle such as a tractor-trailer combination. Each switch controls a device (e.g., brake lights, turn signal, etc.) and a data link that can be selectively toggled in a manner that permits data transmission without perceptibly affecting device function. Alternatively, two devices controlled by a given switch can be enabled by a single pin on the wiring harness. The tri-state switching circuitry thus doubles the capacity of the wiring harness to which it is applied.

Abstract: A fastener-less valve cover plate assembly that can be used to enclose a pressure chamber, such as a valve chamber of a relay valve. Installation of the components of the fastener-less valve cover plate assembly is simplified as compared to prior art cover plates utilizing fasteners, while still providing suitable performance. In addition, the fastener-less valve cover plate assembly is not readily disassembled with common tools thereby discouraging tampering.

Abstract: Systems and methods monitor driver behavior for vehicular fleet management in a fleet of vehicles using driver-facing imaging device. The systems and methods herein relate generally to vehicular fleet management for enhancing safety of the fleet and improving the performance of the fleet drivers, and further relate to monitoring the operation of fleet vehicles using one or more driver-facing imaging devices disposed in the fleet vehicles for recording activities of the fleet drivers and their passengers, storing information relating to the monitored activities, selectively generating warnings related to the monitored activities, and reporting the monitored activities to a central fleet management system for use in enhancing the safety of the vehicles of the fleet and for helping to improve the performance of the fleet drivers.

Abstract: A polygonal coupling couples torque source to a torque consumer such that input and output portions of the coupling may elastically rotate relative to one another during torque transfer to accommodate rotational speed variations in delivery of torque from the torque source. In an embodiment the torque source is an internal combustion engine with an integrated switchable coupling between the engine crankshaft and a torque transfer segment supporting a motor-generator. The polygonal coupling includes axially-overlapping polygonal-shaped male and female portions which cooperate to pass torque between the output of the integrated switchable coupling and an input of the torque transfer segment. At least one of the male and female portions includes recesses which form flexible arms adjacent to the lobes of the polygonal shape that allow the portions to rotate relative to one another over small angular displacements, and thereby improve damping of crankshaft rotational vibrations.

Abstract: A latching valve has a valve body defining a fluid chamber and supply, delivery, and exhaust ports. A solenoid within the chamber includes a pole piece defining a fluid passage between the chamber and exhaust port and having one end facing the exhaust port and another end defining a first valve seat. A coil is disposed about the pole piece. A housing has a portion radially outward of the coil and portions extending radially inwardly on opposite sides of the coil radially aligned with the pole piece and an armature. The armature has one end configured for engagement with the first valve seat and another end configured for engagement with a second valve seat formed in the valve body between the fluid chamber and supply port. A return spring biases the armature towards the second valve seat. A magnet ring is disposed about the armature in contact with the housing.