Abstract: A method of positioning a vehicle chassis of a stationary vehicle in approximate alignment with a predetermined datum is provided. The vehicle has an axle and a fluid suspension system. The fluid suspension system includes a control device, a pressurized fluid source and an exhaust passage. The pressurized fluid source and the exhaust passage are in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid suspension members through the control device. The vehicle also includes an electronic control unit operatively associated with the control device. The method including steps of providing an alignment sensor supported on the chassis for outputting a signal indicative of the orientation of the chassis to the electronic control unit and acquiring a signal output by the alignment sensor. Another step includes comparing the signal from the alignment sensor to alignment data stored in the electronic control unit.

Abstract: Broadly, the present invention provides a thermoplastic vulcanizate which can be readily processed into sheeting material for covering a roof that is both flexible and highly elastic. Where other thermoplastic elastomeric compositions have either been too stiff to act as roofing membranes or not processable due to their melt flow characteristics, the present thermoplastic vulcanizate employs a polypropylene random copolymer resin and a polyethylene random copolymer resin having about 10 to about 35 percent by weight ?-olefin co-monomer units; together with a compatibilizing rubber and a peroxide-based cross-linking agent, to provide an effective membrane for covering roofs.

Abstract: A self-adhering walkway pad (20) comprises an elastomeric pad having upper and lower surfaces (21, 22) and a 100 percent solids tape (25) pre-applied to the lower surface of the pad, prior to use in the field. A method for applying walkway pads to roofing membranes comprises, affixing a 100 percent solids tape to one flat surface of a walkway pad, prior to use in the field, the opposite side of the tape carrying a protective layer of release paper; stripping the release paper from the tape immediately prior to use; subsequently placing the exposed surface of the tape directly onto the upper surface of the roofing membrane and, applying force directly to the walkway pad to enhance the bond between the pad and the membrane, created by the tape.

Abstract: An apparatus for seaming roofing membranes to one another, wherein one of the membranes is secured to an underlying support structure by at least one protruding fastener is provided. The apparatus includes a wheeled carriage having an upwardly extending push/pull bar. A power supply propels the wheeled carriage and energizes a heating assembly that generates a heated airflow sufficient to fuse the roofing membranes to one another. A nozzle is coupled to the heating assembly for directing the heated airflow between the two membranes. A variable pressure roller assembly is coupled to the carriage and has a single durometer material carried by an axle that may have different diameter sections. The roller passes over the at least one protruding fastener while still applying a uniform pressure so as to form a substantially continuous width seam except where interrupted by the protruding fastener.

Abstract: A vehicle air spring assembly having a pair of spaced end members which sealingly engage a flexible bladder to form an internal air chamber having an internal volume. One of the end members is a bead plate which has an annular outer end portion which is crimped to the bladder to provide an air tight seal therebetween. The end plate has a recessed portion located between the outer end portion which projects into the air chamber to reduce the volume of the air chamber to change the spring characteristic of the air spring. A plurality of reinforcing gussets extend between the recessed portion of the bead plate and a surrounding upstanding wall which extends between the outer end portion and recessed portion to enable the bead plate to be clamped by fasteners against an adjacent vehicle component and resist deformation when subjected to internal pressure.

Abstract: A turn-up device (40) for making a molded body of an airspring on a mechanical drum having expandable end portions. The device (40) comprises a support member (42), a plurality of turning arms (44) pivotally mounted to the support member (42), and a sleeve (46) resiliently mounted to the support member (42). The turning arms (44) are movable between radially inner and outer positions and are biased to the radially inner position. The sleeve (46) is movable relative to the arms (44) between a position whereat it holds the arms (44) in the radially outer position and a position whereat it releases the arms (44) so that they can be biased to the radially inner position. The airspring can be used in a large vehicle wheel suspension (i.e., a bus or a truck) and/or can be used to manipulate the lift axle of, for example, a large dump truck.

Abstract: Stand-up roller apparatus (20) for applying a uniform pressure to roofing membranes during installation on roofs according to the present invention comprises an elongated handle (21); a bracket (22) carried at one end of the handle; a roller assembly (23), rotatably affixed to the bracket and providing a sleeve, directly engageable with a roofing membrane being applied, wherein the dead weight of the apparatus is sufficient to join the applied roofing membrane to a mating surface on the roof without the application of additional downward force by the operator.

Abstract: A roofing membrane includes a substrate sheet formed of a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) and a film layer of thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) adhered to at least one surface of the substrate sheet. The TPV preferably includes a copolymer of ethylene and a carbonyl containing monomer dynamically vulcanized in a polyolefin thermoplastic, preferably metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene. A scrim reinforcement layer is optionally embedded in the TPV layer. When installed on a roof substrate, the membrane can be sealed by heat welding the seams of the membrane sheets.

Abstract: An air spring has first and second axially spaced end members with a flexible bellows sealingly clamped to the end members and extending therebetween and forming an intervening air chamber. A flexible elastomeric sleeve having at least one convolution resiliently mounts a rigid restraining cylinder to one of the end members. The cylinder extends co-axially along and outside of the bellows. The flexible sleeve is bonded or snap-fitted to the cylinder.

Abstract: A method of determining appropriate conditions for leveling a vehicle having a height adjustable air suspension system. The method includes the steps of providing an acceleration-determining device adapted to output a signal associated with an acceleration of the vehicle. Another step includes measuring an acceleration value of the vehicle and comparing the acceleration value to a pre-determined signal. Yet another step includes determining whether appropriate conditions exist for leveling the vehicle based on the comparison. A system for performing the steps of the method is also included.

Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomers, such as styrene-poly(ethylene-propylene)-styrene (SEPS) and styrene-poly(ethylene-butylene)-styrene (SEBS), have a tendency to undergo homolytic cleavage on mixing, particularly when extended mixing times are employed. Such thermoplastic elastomers are protected by addition of a polymer with multiple reactive sites, such as polybutadiene. The polymer reacts with two or more of the cleaved fragments forming a copolymer which regains much of the original character of the thermoplastic elastomer.

Abstract: A vehicle air spring assembly has a pair of spaced end plates which sealing engage a bladder to form an air chamber. A pair of bead skirts are attached to the end plates to guide the bladder radially outwardly as the air spring is compressed. By guiding the bladder as it expands radially outwardly, the bead skirts control the effective area with respect to the air spring height, thus controlling the dynamic load and dynamic spring rate of the air spring. The bead skirts are formed complementary in shape and nestle together as they move towards one another. This nestling reduces pinching of the bladder when the air spring is compressed during use.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polyisocyanurate foam insulation board, the method comprising contacting a stream of reactants that comprise an isocyanate-reactive compound with a stream of reactants that include an isocyanate compound to form a reaction product, where. the step of contacting takes place in the presence of a blowing agent and a low-boiling inert gas, and where the amount of low-boiling inert gas present at the time of the contacting is sufficient to result in frothing of the reaction product.

Abstract: A method for producing polyisocyanurate insulation foams, the method comprising contacting an A-side stream of reactants that includes an isocyanate with a B-side stream of reactants that include a polyol and a blowing agent, where the blowing agent includes isopentane and n-pentane in a substantial absence of cyclopentane.

Abstract: A flexible sleeve for an air spring terminates in end portions which define a pair of open ends. The sleeve has inner and outer layers of a flexible material with a plurality of reinforcement elements disposed within the materials with the reinforcement elements extending throughout the end portions. Inner and outer layers of the end portions are joined to the inner and outer layers of the sleeve, by non-overlapping joints with the inner and outer layers of the end portions having a higher modulus of elasticity than the inner and outer layers of the sleeve.

Abstract: An air spring has a pair of spaced end members with a flexible sleeve ending therebetween forming an intervening air chamber. A partition is mounted in a hollow interior of one of the end members and forms an auxiliary air reservoir in the end member. A control valve having a moveable plunger is mounted on the one end member and is connected to a source of pressurized air. The plunger extends between the main air chamber and auxiliary reservoir and is controlled by a solenoid for selectively providing air passages between the pressurized air and the main air chamber and between the main air chamber and auxiliary reservoir to change the volume of the main air chamber to change the spring rate of the air spring.

Abstract: A roofing membrane includes a substrate sheet formed of a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) and a film layer of thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) adhered to at least one surface of the substrate sheet. The TPV preferably includes a copolymer of ethylene and a carbonyl containing monomer dynamically vulcanized in a polyolefin thermoplastic, preferably metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene. A scrim reinforcement layer is optionally embedded in the TPV layer. When installed on a roof substrate, the membrane can be sealed by heat welding the seams of the membrane sheets.

Abstract: An air spring assembly has a pair of spaced end plates and a flexible sleeve extending therebetween forming an internal fluid chamber. One of the end plates is a bead plate which is crimped to an open end of the sleeve. An insert having an internally threaded hole is mounted in a central hole formed in the bead plate. An externally threaded coupler having a hollow bore is mounted in a central opening formed in an end member of an auxiliary reservoir and is threadably engaged with the internally threaded hole to mount the auxiliary reservoir in an abutting relationship on the air spring bead plate to provide a variable rate air spring. A fluid path is provided through the threaded connection for the flow of fluid between the air spring and auxiliary reservoir.

Abstract: Stand-up roller apparatus (20) for applying a uniform pressure to roofing membranes during installation on roofs according to the present invention comprises an elongated handle (21); a bracket (22) carried at one end of the handle; a roller assembly (23), rotatably affixed to the bracket and providing a sleeve, directly engageable with a roofing membrane being applied, wherein the dead weight of the apparatus is sufficient to join the applied roofing membrane to a mating surface on the roof without the application of additional downward force by the operator. Methods for the application of roofing membranes to prepared roofs and for seaming adjacent sheets of roofing membranes on roofs are also provided.