Abstract: A surge tank includes a reservoir wherein the reservoir defines a coolant receiving inlet for coupling to the engine. The reservoir further defines a reservoir outlet through which the flow of coolant is returned to the engine. The coolant receiving inlet receives a flow of coolant from the engine. The surge tank further includes a plurality of objects disposed within the coolant reservoir. The plurality of objects are operatively configured to float at an upper surface of the coolant in the reservoir and to dampen the momentum of the coolant flowing from the engine.

Abstract: In a vehicle equipped for regenerative and non-regenerative braking, regenerative braking only is applied to predetermined wheels in response to braking demand when the driver attempts to slow the vehicle at a first rate (<D1 ft/sec2), no wheel locking on any braking wheel as indicated by an anti-lock braking system controller and speed exceeds a minimum threshold. If braking is applied in a turn, appropriate amount of non-drive wheel service/foundation brake torque to maintain vehicle stability is applied. The appropriate amount of foundation braking to be applied is determined by the amount of vehicle yaw, steering wheel input and vehicle speed by using a look-up table. As braking demand increases foundation/service braking is added, first to any wheels not providing for regenerative braking and later to wheels having regenerative braking.

Abstract: A sunshade assembly for illuminating an underhood area of a vehicle having an electrical system includes an outer wall forming a sun-blocking surface. The outer wall is mounted to the vehicle. At least one work light is mounted to the outer wall. The at least one work light is constructed and positioned such that the light emitted from the at least one work light is directed at the underhood area to illuminate the underhood area.

Abstract: A mirror assembly for illuminating an underhood area of a vehicle having an electrical system includes a mirror head outer shell defining a light reception opening. At least one work light is mounted to the mirror head outer shell within the light reception opening. The work light is constructed and positioned such that the light emitted from the work light is directed at the underhood area of the vehicle to illuminate the underhood area.

Abstract: A lighting assembly has a first array of lamp elements to a first side of a central zone and a second array of lamp elements to a second side of the central zone. Each array has at least one low intensity lamp element operable to cause the lighting assembly to present a low intensity brightness to an observer viewing the lighting assembly and at least one high intensity lamp element operable to cause the lighting assembly to present a high intensity brightness to an observer viewing the lighting assembly, and an electrical connector through which electric current is fed to operate the lamp elements.

Abstract: A method of refilling coolant from a fluid cooling system of an engine, where the fluid cooling system has a surge tank or pressure cap, includes the steps of sealingly connecting a storage tank of a coolant management tool to a drainage port of the cooling system, wherein the drainage port is located at the bottom of the fluid cooling system. The storage tank stores the coolant to refill the cooling system. The method includes installing a vacuum module to the surge tank or pressure cap. The method also includes the steps maintaining a vacuum while drawing at least a portion of the coolant from the storage tank up through the drainage port, up through the cooling system, and to a level just upstream of the vacuum module.

Abstract: An hybrid vehicle control system controls the output from one of two prime movers installed on the vehicle by reference to available angular acceleration rates for the first and second prime movers. When angular acceleration is called for and the prime mover having greater capacity for angular acceleration is active, acceleration is limited to that which would have been available from the lower capacity prime mover. One application of the system is to provide consistent throttle responsiveness, particularly for a power take-off operation vocation installed on the vehicle.

Abstract: A control system for a hydraulic system comprises an electronic control module, an electronic system controller, a remote power module, and a solenoid valve. The electronic control module monitors torque output of an internal combustion engine, an electric motor and generator. The electronic system controller monitors torque demand of a first and a second hydraulic circuit. The remote power module is in electrical communication with the electronic system controller. The solenoid valve is in electrical communication with the remote power module. The solenoid valve connects to a combination valve and has a first open position and a closed position. The combination valve is in fluid communication with a first hydraulic circuit and a second hydraulic circuit. The solenoid valve moves to the open position in response to an output signal from the electronic system controller.

Abstract: A motor vehicle (12) has a chassis (16) with wheels (26, 34) on which the motor vehicle travels, a powertrain having an engine (20) coupled to at least one of the wheels, a primary brake system (38) for braking the motor vehicle via foundation brakes at the wheels, and a secondary brake system for braking the vehicle via at least one powertrain brake mechanism (57) that can apply brake torque to at least one of the wheels to which the powertrain is coupled. The primary brake system has a mechanical operator (40) that when operated by a driver causes pressure to be created in the primary brake system for operating the foundation brakes to apply brake torque correlated with magnitude of the pressure. A device (42) signals a controller (44) that the foundation brakes are being applied. A selector (58) available to the driver signals the controller for selectively enabling use of the secondary brake system in conjunction with the primary brake system.

Abstract: A cylinder mount assembly for a slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly comprises a slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly, a cylinder mount, a hydraulic cylinder, a first longitudinal support, and a second longitudinal support. The slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly has a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position. The cylinder mount is disposed adjacent at least two sides of a first frame cross member. The hydraulic cylinder is disposed between the cylinder mount and the slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly, and is attached to the cylinder mount. The first longitudinal support is disposed between the cylinder mount and a second frame cross member. The second longitudinal support is disposed between the cylinder mount and the second frame cross member. The cylinder mount is adapted to move laterally along the first frame cross member.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an air spring end closure are disclosed. One has an outer part and an inner part joined together to provide a moment of inertia along an axis that is transverse to axial expansion and contraction of the air chamber that is greater than that of the outer part alone. Another has a part that is concave toward the chamber and contains one of a riser and a depression having a generally rectangular shape whose length runs transverse to the direction of expansion and contraction and that is widthwise centered on a diameter of the part. Still another has a part having an elliptical perimeter margin curled onto a similarly shaped axial end of a sleeve that provides the axial expansion and contraction.

Abstract: A fuel system (10) of an engine (16) has a first fuel tank (12), a second fuel tank (14), and a pump (36) for pumping fuel from the tanks to the engine. A first valve mechanism (32) is selectively operable to a first position that allows fuel to be pumped concurrently from both the first and second tanks to the engine, a second position that allows fuel to be pumped from the first tank, but not the second, and a third position that allows fuel to be pumped from the second tank, but not the first. A second valve mechanism (34) is selectively operable to a first position that allows fuel to return from the engine concurrently to both the first and second tanks, a second position that allows fuel to return to the first tank, but not the second, and a third position that allows fuel to return to the second tank, but not the first.

Abstract: Redundant power supplies and redundant channels of communication maximize the probability that a controller will trigger a battery disconnect switch to open when commanded to do so.