Abstract: Embodiments comprise a stackable vehicle which may be supported from, or serve as support to, another like vehicle. The vehicle includes a frame and a body supported from the frame. The body includes a weight bearing roof. Wheel assemblies are mounted for rotation on the frame. The body includes recesses from the roof of the body to accommodate location of wheel assemblies of a like vehicle supported on the roof. Support and mounting points are located on the roof and on the frame respectively to fix location of a vehicle to be carried on top of a supporting vehicle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 23, 2011
Date of Patent:
July 31, 2012
Assignee:
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
Abstract: An anti-separation device for use with an isolator that couples a steering input shaft and a steering gear connector includes a retaining plate and a retaining formation. The retaining plate is coupled to the steering gear connector and is configured to displace with and torque with the steering gear connector. The retaining formation is coupled to the steering input shaft and is configured to displace with and torque with the steering input shaft. When the isolator fails and the steering input shaft displaces or rotates relative to the steering gear connector, the retaining plate limits the relative displacement or rotation of the retaining formation and couples the steering input shaft to the steering gear connector.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 2, 2008
Date of Patent:
July 17, 2012
Assignee:
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
Abstract: A battery connector includes a first end terminal, at least one intermediate terminal and a second end terminal. The at least one intermediate terminal is in communication with the first end terminal via a first flexible cable. The first flexible cable is affixed to the at least one intermediate terminal and the first end terminal. The second end terminal is in communication with the at least one intermediate terminal via a second flexible cable, the second flexible cable being affixed to the at least one intermediate terminal and the second end terminal.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 25, 2009
Publication date:
July 12, 2012
Applicant:
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
Abstract: A method of starting an internal combustion engine of a vehicle with a hybrid-electric powertrain having an internal combustion engine, a generator, and a high-voltage battery pack, is provided. An internal combustion engine start input signal is received. A load on an electric motor and generator is determined. The internal combustion engine receives torque transmitted from the electric motor and generator when the load on the electric motor and generator is below a predetermined load threshold. The internal combustion engine receives torque from an exogenous starting device when the load on the electric motor and generator is above the predetermined load threshold.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 3, 2010
Date of Patent:
July 10, 2012
Assignee:
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
Abstract: A motor vehicle power take off system for a motor vehicle engine includes a viscous coupling. The input rotor of the viscous coupling is provided with a variable geometry impeller section which allows direct control over the proportion of input torque on the input shaft transferred to the viscous fluid and thereby to an output shaft. Both passive and active control schemes are proposed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 15, 2009
Date of Patent:
June 12, 2012
Assignee:
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
Abstract: A frame member for a frame assembly of a vehicle includes a first outer steel layer, a second outer steel layer and an aluminum core layer between the first outer steel layer and the second outer steel layer. The first outer steel layer, the second outer steel layer and the aluminum core layer are metallurgically bonded together.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 27, 2009
Date of Patent:
June 12, 2012
Assignee:
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
Abstract: An axle housing (110) for clamping with a clamp assembly (118, 218) to a spring (16, 216) of a suspension system (14) of a vehicle, the clamp assembly having at least two U-bolts (120, 220) each having a curved portion (136, 236) and two generally linear legs (128, 228) extending therefrom, and a clamping plate (122, 222) for receiving and attaching the legs of the U-bolts to form an enclosure that clamps the axle housing (110) to the spring (16, 216), the housing having a generally oval shape in cross section. The axle housing (110) has a generally planar fore side (132), a generally planar aft side (134), a generally rounded top surface (144) and a generally rounded bottom surface (146), wherein at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface are sized and arranged to mate flushly with the curved portion (136) of the U-bolts (120).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 21, 2009
Date of Patent:
June 12, 2012
Assignee:
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
Abstract: A method of starting an internal combustion engine of a vehicle with a hybrid-electric powertrain having an internal combustion engine, a generator, and a high-voltage battery pack, is provided. An internal combustion engine start input signal is received. A load on an electric motor and generator is determined. The internal combustion engine receives torque transmitted from the electric motor and generator when the load on the electric motor and generator is below a predetermined load threshold. The internal combustion engine receives torque from an exogenous starting device when the load on the electric motor and generator is above the predetermined load threshold.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 3, 2010
Publication date:
June 7, 2012
Applicant:
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
Abstract: Embodiments comprise a stackable vehicle which may be supported from, or serve as support to, another like vehicle. The vehicle includes a frame and a body supported from the frame. The body includes a weight bearing roof Wheel assemblies are mounted for rotation on the frame. The body includes recesses from the roof of the body to accommodate location of wheel assemblies of a like vehicle supported on the roof Support and mounting points are located on the roof and on the frame respectively to fix location of a vehicle to be carried on top of a supporting vehicle.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 23, 2011
Publication date:
June 7, 2012
Applicant:
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide a vehicle roof having a roof panel formed of molded fiberglass. The panel has a first surface and a second surface. An insert is molded into the roof panel. The insert has an interior surface generally concentrically disposed about an axis that is generally perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface of the roof panel. The insert is at least substantially embedded in the roof panel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 23, 2009
Date of Patent:
May 1, 2012
Assignee:
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
Abstract: A control system for a battery powered vehicle of the kind which is provided with an electric power source and at least one switch means, such as a contactor, which is operable to connect the output of the power source to a high power electrical item fitted to the vehicle, such as an electric drive motor, in which the control system is operable to set the vehicle in one of at least 3 different operating modes comprising a first mode in which the vehicle is immobilized and the contactor is held in an open position to isolate the battery from the electrical item, a second mode in which the vehicle is not immobilized and the contactor is held in a closed position to connect the battery to the electrical item, and a third mode in which the vehicle is immobilized but the contactor remains in an closed position to connect the battery to the electrical item.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 26, 2008
Date of Patent:
May 1, 2012
Assignee:
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
Abstract: A steering shaft coupling device and method providing a gearless, offset steering arrangement. The device includes a housing having an first section and a second section forming a compartment having two adjacent openings therein, a first and a second CV joint, each CV joint seated within each one of the openings of the housing compartment, and a linkage joining the first and second joints. The CV joints may also function as slip joints.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 12, 2010
Publication date:
April 12, 2012
Applicant:
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
Abstract: A motor vehicle frame having parallel frame rails and at least one cross member constructed from a tube. The tube is sealed at its opposite ends by first and second mounting plates to provide a sealed, closed space for the storage of fluids. The mounting plates directly abut the frame rails for attachment of the cross member to the vehicle frame.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 24, 2009
Date of Patent:
April 3, 2012
Assignee:
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
Abstract: A vehicle control system is programmed to stop the vehicle's internal combustion engine upon certain conditions including the vehicle being stopped and engine temperature having reached a minimum operating level. On vehicles equipped with air brakes and having an engine driven air compressor, engine restarts are provided by an air pressure supported hydraulic motor once triggered by operator actions such as releasing the brake and/or depressing the vehicle's accelerator indicative of the driver's intention to move the vehicle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 21, 2009
Date of Patent:
April 3, 2012
Assignee:
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
Abstract: A power or motive source for an extensible fairing for an articulated motor vehicle is based on a fluid power system. The fluid power system is disposed on the vehicle to be exposed to airflow around the vehicle resulting from forward movement of the vehicle. A coupling mechanism responsive to exposure of the fluid power system to airflow for extending and retracting the extensible fairing responsive to changes in vehicle speed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 5, 2009
Date of Patent:
February 28, 2012
Assignee:
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
Abstract: A rear-view system for a vehicle has a camera disposed on the vehicle. An electronic control unit receives and processes the image information from the camera. A display displays the processed image information from the electronic control unit. An alarm is operated by the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is used to detect an object from the processed image information. If the distance between the vehicle and the object is less than a predetermined distance, the electronic control unit will activate the alarm.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 22, 2009
Date of Patent:
February 21, 2012
Assignee:
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC