Abstract: A system and method for controlling wheel brakes on a trailer in a tractor-trailer are provided. Upon receiving a command to apply a trailer wheel brake, the system determines a speed of the tractor-trailer responsive to a speed signal generated by a vehicle speed sensor. The system also estimates a threshold speed based on a level of friction between the tractor-trailer and a road surface on which the tractor-trailer is travelling. The system then generates a control signal to control delivery of fluid pressure to the trailer wheel brake. The control signal causes delivery of a first fluid pressure to the trailer wheel brake when the speed meets a predetermined condition relative to the threshold speed and a second fluid pressure, less than the first fluid pressure, when the speed does not meet the predetermined condition.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for hybrid electric internal combustion engine applications in which a motor-generator, a narrow switchable coupling and a torque transfer unit therebetween are arranged and positioned in the constrained environment at the front of an engine in applications such as commercial vehicles, off-road vehicles and stationary engine installations. The motor-generator is preferably positioned laterally offset from the switchable coupling, which is co-axially-arranged with the front end of the engine crankshaft. The switchable coupling is an integrated unit in which a crankshaft vibration damper, an engine accessory drive pulley and a disengageable clutch overlap such that the axial depth of the clutch-pulley-damper unit is nearly the same as a conventional belt drive pulley and engine damper. The front end motor-generator system includes an electrical energy store that receives electrical energy generated by the motor-generator when the coupling is engaged.

Abstract: A controller for synthesizing images for a vehicle display comprises a first image generator for generating a bird's eye image from a first set of cameras, the bird's eye image depicting the surroundings of a host vehicle and having a generally central portion. The controller includes a second image generator for generating a second image separate from the bird's eye image. The controller includes a synthesizer for synthesizing the bird's eye image and the second image for displaying the second image within the generally central portion of the bird's eye image.

Abstract: An absorbent apparatus is provided for an air dryer purge air cleaner. The absorbent apparatus comprises a volume for containing absorbent material. The absorbent apparatus also comprises absorbent material that is both oleophilic and hydrophobic and is packed in the volume to provide a packed bed of absorbent material with a predetermined packing density.

Abstract: An effluent processing apparatus is provided for a vehicle air brake charging system. The effluent processing apparatus comprises an inlet port through which effluent from a purge valve of an air dryer can be received and an outlet port. The effluent processing apparatus also comprises a spiral-shaped effluent channel having a portion of decreasing channel width disposed between the inlet port and the outlet port. The spiral-shaped effluent channel is provided for increasing velocity of an effluent stream as the effluent stream flows through the decreasing channel width portion of the spiral-shaped effluent channel.

Abstract: An effluent processing apparatus is provided for a vehicle air brake charging system. The effluent processing apparatus has an inlet port through which effluent from a purge valve of an air dryer can be received and an outlet port. The effluent processing apparatus further has a quadric surface defining an effluent flow chamber that is connected in fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port. The quadric surface is provided for extracting contaminants from an effluent stream as the effluent stream flows from the inlet port along the quadric surface to the outlet port.

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 ratchet device for providing anti-reverse locking for a grounded slack comprises a pinwheel having flexible angled spokes circumferentially protruding therefrom and a pinion ring into which the pinwheel fits includes a plurality of angled teeth with which the angled spokes mate. The spokes flex and slide over the pinion ring teeth when the ratchet is advanced in a forward direction, and lock against the teeth when the ratchet is not being advanced.

Abstract: A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. A controller deceleration command input receives a deceleration command signal which is compared against predetermined threshold deceleration rate value or against a current deceleration value being executed by the combination vehicle and, based on a result of the comparisons, either the enhanced or the non-enhanced braking modes are implemented by the controller.

Abstract: A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. A controller deceleration command input receives a deceleration command signal which is compared against predetermined threshold deceleration rate value or against a current deceleration value being executed by the combination vehicle and, based on a result of the comparisons, either the enhanced or the non-enhanced braking modes are implemented by the controller.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system for a vehicle combination includes a first brake axle including a first actuatable brake, a second brake axle including a second actuatable brake, a third brake axle including a third actuatable brake, a first valve controlling actuation of the first actuatable brake and actuation of the second actuatable brake, and a second valve controlling actuation of the second actuatable brake and actuation of the third actuatable brake.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for hybrid electric internal combustion engine applications in which a motor-generator, a narrow switchable coupling and a torque transfer unit therebetween are arranged and positioned in the constrained environment at the front of an engine in applications such as commercial vehicles, off-road vehicles and stationary engine installations. The motor-generator is preferably positioned laterally offset from the switchable coupling, which is co-axially-arranged with the front end of the engine crankshaft. The switchable coupling is an integrated unit in which a crankshaft vibration damper, an engine accessory drive pulley and a disengageable clutch overlap such that the axial depth of the clutch-pulley-damper unit is nearly the same as a conventional belt drive pulley and engine damper. The front end motor-generator system includes an electrical energy store that receives electrical energy generated by the motor-generator when the coupling is engaged.

Abstract: A valve system includes an isolation check valve delivering pneumatic fluid as a supply pressure, a double-check valve adapted to deliver a braking demand control signal of the pneumatic fluid based on a higher of a first braking demand in a first pneumatic braking circuit and a second braking demand in a second pneumatic braking circuit, and a control module. The control module is adapted to receive the supply pressure as a control module supply pressure of the pneumatic fluid, receive a control module control pressure of the pneumatic fluid based on the braking demand control signal, and deliver a control module delivery pressure of the pneumatic fluid based on the control module supply pressure and the control module control pressure. A park control module selectively transmits the pneumatic fluid at the supply pressure based on a park brake control signal.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for hybrid electric internal combustion engine applications in which a motor-generator, a narrow switchable coupling and a torque transfer unit therebetween are arranged and positioned in the constrained environment at the front of an engine in applications such as commercial vehicles, off-road vehicles and stationary engine installations. The motor-generator is preferably positioned laterally offset from the switchable coupling, which is co-axially-arranged with the front end of the engine crankshaft. The switchable coupling is an integrated unit in which a crankshaft vibration damper, an engine accessory drive pulley and a disengageable clutch overlap such that the axial depth of the clutch-pulley-damper unit is nearly the same as a conventional belt drive pulley and engine damper. The front end motor-generator system includes an electrical energy store that receives electrical energy generated by the motor-generator when the coupling is engaged.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for hybrid electric internal combustion engine applications in which a motor-generator, a narrow switchable coupling and a torque transfer unit therebetween are arranged and positioned in the constrained environment at the front of an engine in applications such as commercial vehicles, off-road vehicles and stationary engine installations. The motor-generator is preferably positioned laterally offset from the switchable coupling, which is co-axially-arranged with the front end of the engine crankshaft. The switchable coupling is an integrated unit in which a crankshaft vibration damper, an engine accessory drive pulley and a disengageable clutch overlap such that the axial depth of the clutch-pulley-damper unit is nearly the same as a conventional belt drive pulley and engine damper. The front end motor-generator system includes an electrical energy store that receives electrical energy generated by the motor-generator when the coupling is engaged.

Abstract: A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. The enhanced braking mode strategy is used unless trailer capability information reported by one or more the trailers fails to match against expected trailer capability information.

Abstract: Highway vehicle platoon management is provided. Driver quality parameters are used together with vehicle physical characteristic and performance information to select an ordering of the vehicles within the platoon. The vehicles within the platoon mutually self-order to select the ordering of the vehicles within the platoon for enhanced safety and efficiency. The driver quality parameters together with the vehicle physical characteristic and performance information is also used to reward best drivers with preferred locations within the platoon. The vehicles within the platoon mutually self-order to reward best drivers with preferred locations within the platoon. An existing vehicle platoon is selectively split into two or more smaller platoons for improving overall safety and efficiency. Two or more smaller vehicle platoons are selectively aggregated into a larger single platoon for improving overall safety and efficiency.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a controller for controlling at least one solenoid comprise a first electrical connector for electrically communicating with a vehicle communications bus; a second electrical connector for transmitting messages to a plurality of solenoids; and a processor having control logic. The control logic is capable of associating each of a plurality of solenoids with a vehicle function when the plurality of solenoids are in electrical communication with the controller; receiving a control message at the first electrical connector in a first format to enable a first vehicle function; and electrically communicating a control message in a second format at the second electrical connector in response to receiving the control message in the first format to control one of the plurality of solenoids associated with the first vehicle function.

Abstract: A system for transferring torque with zero lash from a driver to a driven object is provided. The system includes a shaft disposed about a rotational axis and a hub defining a bore that receives the shaft. The shaft and hub are each configured for coupling to one of the driver and driven object. The shaft defines a flat on a radially outer surface and the hub defines a flat on a radially inner surface opposing the flat in the shaft. In one embodiment, the shaft includes a threaded bore and the hub includes an aligned through bore. Rotation of a threaded fastener in the bores draws the flat into engagement. In another embodiment, the hub includes a threaded through bore. Rotation of a fastener extending through the bore and engaging the shaft diametrically opposite the flats urges the flats into engagement.

Abstract: A platoon management control system and method for local detection and determination of a non-platooning vehicle inserted or otherwise disposed between and/or adjacent to one or more platooning vehicle(s). A platooning vehicle determines a forward physical distance between itself and a vehicle physically ahead, and compares the determined physical distance with a value of a rearward distance to the platooning vehicle received from a next ahead platooning vehicle. The vehicle physically ahead is determined to be the next ahead platooning vehicle in accordance with a correspondence between the determined physical distance and the received value of the rearward distance. Conversely, the vehicle physically ahead is determined to be a non-platooning vehicle in accordance with a mis-correspondence between the determined physical distance and the received value of the rearward distance.