Abstract: Cleaning, maintaining, refurbishing, and/or diagnosing engine components including fuel system components, e.g., such as fuel-injectors. In one embodiment, a method of cleaning a fuel system component is provided. The method includes supplying a cleaning solution through the fuel system component, discontinuing the supplying of the cleaning solution, repeating the supplying of the cleaning solution and the discontinuing of the supplying of the cleaning solution a plurality of times, decoupling the source of cleaning solution, and connecting a source of fuel to the fuel system component, and supplying fuel through the fuel system component to re-establish fuel-based operation. In additional embodiments, a method of processing a fuel system component while it remains connected to an engine assembly, and a method of diagnosing a defective fuel system component, are provided.

Abstract: A torque management system and method is described by which the torque provided by an engine can be controlled based on a mass of the vehicle and, if available, instantaneous and/or predictive slope information. Also, in some modes of operation, torque can be controlled based on speed limit information for upcoming road segments to be traveled by a vehicle. In addition to controlling the maximum allowable torque, optionally the minimum allowable torque can also be controlled to prevent inadvertent decelerations of the vehicle. A driver/operator can optionally override the torque control and the history of override requests can optionally be used to adjust overrides of the system. A plurality of torque control approach sub-methods can be made available with the appropriate sub-mode being selected depending, for example, upon the extent of the available information.

Abstract: A diesel exhaust treatment system for treating exhaust gas from a diesel engine comprises at least one diesel particulate filter, at least one diesel exhaust fluid mixing chamber and at least one selective catalytic reduction converter (SCR). In one desirable embodiment, plural diesel particulate filters are arranged in parallel and plural SCRs are arranged in parallel. These components including the diesel exhaust fluid mixing chamber can be included in a common housing with the exhaust flow reversing directions a plurality of times as it passes through the treatment system from an exhaust inlet to an exhaust outlet. The housing can be coupled to one vehicle frame rail with most of the housing and components contained therein positioned outside the outer surface of the one frame rail.

Abstract: A Vehicle Disturbance Estimator determines estimates of a vehicle disturbance force according to vehicle operating conditions. The determined vehicle disturbance force estimate can be used, for example, in connection with controlling a cruise control system for the vehicle, in connection with fuel economy evaluations and testing, and in connection with vehicle diagnostics. A plurality of sets of inputs can be used to determine plural vehicle disturbance estimates for time periods during which a cruise control is on, the vehicle is being driven in the highest gear, and the vehicle is not being braked by any brakes. The plurality of vehicle disturbance estimates can be averaged to provide an output corresponding to an average vehicle disturbance estimate over a plurality of sampling time periods. Kalman filtering can be used to determine the vehicle disturbance estimates.

Abstract: A power distribution system comprises at least one fuel cell that is selectively operated in response to conditions to provide power to electrical loads and/or to charge an electrical storage device such as a vehicle battery. One form of an alternator can be selectively engaged or disengaged to provide power to the electrical loads and/or to charge the electrical storage device. Either or both of the fuel cell and alternator can be operated to provide electrical power.

Abstract: Adjustable aerodynamic devices are controlled to control the drag on a vehicle. In one form, control is accomplished in response to pressure from a plurality of pressure sensors. In another form, control is accomplished in response to air movement measurements, such as of wind speed and direction at a location that a vehicle has yet to reach. In another form, the position and location of air vortices between a cab and trailer can be determined and adjusted to adjust the drag by controlling aerodynamic devices.

Abstract: A closure member for a urea tank used to provide urea to an exhaust treatment system of a vehicle comprises a closure member body defining respective urea inlet and outlet passages and coolant inlet and outlet passages therethrough. A valve carried by the closure member body, and a portion of the valve can be an integral one piece part of the closure member body, selectively blocks the flow coolant through the interior of the urea tank. When coolant flows into the tank, it is separated from urea in the tank by a recirculating conduit which returns the coolant from the coolant inlet passage to the coolant outlet passage. Coolant circulating within the tank heats urea therein. The coolant flow valve can comprise a solenoid controlled valve with an electrical connector carried by the coolant tank for making connections to wiring that provides power to the solenoid to control the valve.

Abstract: Described herein are fiber-reinforced composite members and methods and systems for making the same. The composite members can be any of various types, including load-bearing structural members such as frame rails for a truck chassis. The composite members can be formed directly in a desired shape, such as with a pultrusion process, with irregular features, such as bolt holes, preformed therein without damaging the fibers. The composite members can provide similar or greater overall strength compared to metal members with reduced weight, and can comprise fibers distributed and oriented in such a manner to create additional strength in desired locations and directions and reduced strength in other locations/directions.

Abstract: Described herein are fiber-reinforced composite members and methods and systems for making the same. The composite members can be any of various types, including load-bearing structural members such as frame rails for a truck chassis. The composite members can be formed directly in a desired shape, such as with a pultrusion process, with irregular features, such as bolt holes, preformed therein without damaging the fibers. The composite members can provide similar or greater overall strength compared to metal members with reduced weight, and can comprise fibers distributed and oriented in such a manner to create additional strength in desired locations and directions and reduced strength in other locations/directions.

Abstract: An adjustable air-deflecting panel for mounting to a vehicle comprises at least one panel; a plurality of mounts for mounting the panel to the vehicle, each mount comprising a vehicle mount portion for mounting to the vehicle and a panel mount portion for mounting the panel to the vehicle mount portion, the mount portions being pivotally coupled to one another to thereby pivotally couple the panel to the vehicle, the vehicle mount portion comprising a first engagement member and the panel mount portion comprising a second engagement member, the engagement members being operable to engage one another upon clamping the engagement members together to thereby prevent pivoting of the panel about the pivot axis and relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A conduit coupling includes first and second conduits, an annular adapter and a clamp. The first conduit has an annular flange on an outer surface adjacent to a first end. The adapter is coupled to the outer surface of the first conduit and has an annular first engagement surface positioned adjacent to the flange and an annular second engagement surface that is spherical and convex. The second conduit has a flared end with an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface includes an adapter engagement surface that is spherical and concave and engageable with the second engagement surface. The outer surface includes a clamp engagement surface and the clamp includes a flared end engagement surface that is engageable with the clamp engagement surface. The clamp is configured to urge the flared end, adapter and annular flange together.

Abstract: A diesel exhaust treatment system for treating exhaust gas from a diesel engine comprises at least one diesel particulate filter, at least one diesel exhaust fluid mixing chamber and at least one selective catalytic reduction converter (SCR). In one desirable embodiment, plural diesel particulate filters are arranged in parallel and plural SCRs are arranged in parallel. These components including the diesel exhaust fluid mixing chamber can be included in a common housing with the exhaust flow reversing directions a plurality of times as it passes through the treatment system from an exhaust inlet to an exhaust outlet. The housing can be coupled to one vehicle frame rail with most of the housing and components contained therein positioned outside the outer surface of the one frame rail.

Abstract: A diesel exhaust treatment system comprises a housing provided with a drive shaft passageway. The driveshaft of a land vehicle passes through the drive shaft passageway when the drive shaft and diesel exhaust treatment apparatus are incorporated into a vehicle. The housing can be coupled to frame rails of the vehicle with at least a portion of the housing being positioned between vertical planes containing the outer surface of the frame rails. In one specific embodiment at least a portion of the housing is positioned between the frame rails. The housing can comprise a plurality of housing sections, such as upper and lower housing sections which each define a portion of the drive shaft passageway. In addition, the upper housing section can be shorter than the lower housing section.