Abstract: A method of protecting an occupant of a vehicle an interior, an exterior and a portal through which air passes. The method includes monitoring quality and pressure of air on the interior and exterior of the vehicle. It is determined if air on the interior or the exterior has lower contaminants. Air pressure is adjusted on the interior to create a pressure differential between pressure of air on interior and pressure of air on the exterior to determine direction of movement of air through the portal.

Abstract: A system for protecting an occupant of a vehicle comprises a vehicle having an interior, an exterior and a portal. An HVAC system circulates air in the vehicle. A source of electromagnetic radiation disposed in the HVAC system reduces contaminant in air. Sensors monitor adjacent air quality and air pressure. A controller is connected with the sensors.

Abstract: An electroplating assembly for holding a workpiece through a thermodynamic cycle of electroplating comprises a plating rack that supports the workpiece. An electric bus bar is disposed on the plating rack. At least one connector joins the workpiece with the plating rack. At least one flexible support joins the workpiece with the plating rack.

Abstract: A fastener comprises a head end and a tail end. A shaft joins the head end and the tail end.

Abstract: A vehicle has a climate control system using a heat pump having a condenser heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant and working fluid within a hot fluid chamber, and an evaporator heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant and working fluid within a cold fluid chamber. A super-heated fluid pressure vessel may be in fluid communication with the cold fluid chamber by way of a heat exchanger and an electrically controlled variable delivery valve, and has an electric heater that may be powered by a drivetrain battery or by a shore power source. The hot fluid chamber provides heat to at least one cabin heat exchanger and to at least one ambient air heat exchanger. The cold fluid chamber is connected to at least one vehicle interior cooling module, to a waste heat source, and to a cold fluid chamber to outside heat exchanger.

Abstract: Disclosed is an exhaust system for a vehicle having an exhaust passageway through which products of combustion from the engine pass through and out to atmosphere, which exhaust system has a bead portion formed in the exhaust passageway with one more holes in the lower portion thereof through which at least a portion of the rain which has entered the interior of the exhaust passageway may flow out from the interior of the exhaust passageway prior to flowing downward to a lower portion of the exhaust passageway at which the rain is undesirable.

Abstract: A 6×2 tandem axle drive has an auxiliary 6×4 drive that is automatically engaged and disengaged. A forward rear drive axle has an input shaft with a clutch selectively driving a simple transfer shaft. A rearward rear drive axle is driven by an inter-axle transfer drive shaft that receives power from the simple transfer shaft. At least one wheel disconnect clutch is operable to selectively connect and disconnect at least one wheel of the rearward rear drive axle from the differential of the axle. A control module is configured to selectively place the vehicle in 6×2 mode by disengaging the clutch on the input shaft of the forward rear drive axle and disengaging the wheel disconnect clutch, and in a 6×4 mode by engaging the clutch on the input shaft of the forward rear drive axle and engaging the wheel disconnect clutch.

Abstract: A forward rear drive axle of a vehicle having at least two rear drive axles has a multiple ratio gearbox and a power divider or inter-axle differential that can be connected to or disconnected from the rearward rear drive axle, so that the vehicle can be operated in 6×4 mode or in 6×2 mode. A control system is connected to the transmission and to the multiple ratio gearbox, and is configured to shift the gearbox sequentially through its ratios when the transmission is within a subset of its gear ratios chosen to maximize use of transmission gears exhibiting higher gear train efficiency. The control system is further configured to control the use of 6×4 mode or 6×2 mode independently from the shifting of the multiple ratio gearbox.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment interface comprises aftertreatment device assembly and first and second mounting brackets attached to the aftertreatment device assembly. First and second apertures are disposed on the mounting brackets. First and second bushings are disposed in the apertures. A fastener is disposed through the bushings.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein comprise wiring for a vehicle including a frame rail and a functional element. In one embodiment, the wiring comprises an electrically conductive substance disposed proximate to the frame rail of the vehicle. An electrically insulating foam encompasses the electrically conductive substance. A conductor is ultrasonically welded between the electrically conductive substance and the functional element.

Abstract: A 6×2 tandem axle drive has an auxiliary 6×4 drive that is automatically engaged and disengaged. A forward rear drive axle has an input shaft with a clutch selectively driving a simple transfer shaft. A rearward rear drive axle is driven by an inter-axle transfer drive shaft that receives power from the simple transfer shaft. At least one wheel disconnect clutch is operable to selectively connect and disconnect at least one wheel of the rearward rear drive axle from the differential of the axle. A control module is configured to selectively place the vehicle in 6×2 mode by disengaging the clutch on the input shaft of the forward rear drive axle and disengaging the wheel disconnect clutch, and in a 6×4 mode by engaging the clutch on the input shaft of the forward rear drive axle and engaging the wheel disconnect clutch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching a bundle of wiring harnesses, air lines, hoses, tubes, cables, fuel lines, and the like to the frame or body of a vehicle or other machine uses a clipping device with a bi-stable flat spring having two states, a metastable flat state and a stable coiled state. The clipping device is preassembled to the vehicle or other machine with the bi-stable flat spring in its flat metastable state using a mounting feature. The bundle is pressed against the bi-stable flat spring, causing it to transition from the flat state to the coiled state, thereby encircling and retaining the bundle to the vehicle. The clipping device may be provided with a secondary locking feature and/or an initial flat state retaining feature.

Abstract: A vehicle has a climate control system using a heat pump having a condenser heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant and working fluid within a hot fluid chamber, and an evaporator heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant and working fluid within a cold fluid chamber. A super-heated fluid pressure vessel may be in fluid communication with the cold fluid chamber by way of a heat exchanger and an electrically controlled variable delivery valve, and has an electric heater that may be powered by a drivetrain battery or by a shore power source. The hot fluid chamber provides heat to at least one cabin heat exchanger and to at least one ambient air heat exchanger. The cold fluid chamber is connected to at least one vehicle interior cooling module, to a waste heat source, and to a cold fluid chamber to outside heat exchanger.

Abstract: An electric or hybrid electric vehicle has a climate control system using a heat pump having a condenser heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant and working fluid within a hot fluid chamber, and an evaporator heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant and working fluid within a cold fluid chamber. An insulated fluid reservoir may selectively be placed in fluid communication with the cold fluid chamber, and has a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater that may be powered by a drivetrain battery unit or by a shore power source. The hot fluid chamber provides heat to at least one cabin heat exchanger and to at least one ambient air heat exchanger. The cold fluid chamber is connected to at least one vehicle interior cooling module and to a liquid cooled heat sink that may cool an electric motor and power electronics of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric or hybrid electric vehicle has a climate control system using a heat pump having a condenser heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant and working fluid within a hot fluid chamber, and an evaporator heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant and working fluid within a cold fluid chamber. An insulated fluid reservoir may be in fluid communication with the cold fluid chamber, and has a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater that may be powered by a drivetrain battery or by a shore power source. The hot fluid chamber provides heat to at least one cabin heat exchanger and to at least one ambient air heat exchanger. The cold fluid chamber is connected to at least one vehicle interior cooling module, to a liquid cooled heat sink that cools the electric motor and power electronics of the vehicle, and to a cold fluid chamber to outside heat exchanger.

Abstract: A forward rear drive axle of a vehicle having at least two rear drive axles has a multiple ratio gearbox and a power divider or inter-axle differential that can be connected to or disconnected from the rearward rear drive axle, so that the vehicle can be operated in 6×4 mode or in 6×2 mode. A control system is connected to the transmission and to the multiple ratio gearbox, and is configured to shift the gearbox sequentially through its ratios when the transmission is within a subset of its gear ratios chosen to maximize use of transmission gears exhibiting higher gear train efficiency. The control system is further configured to control the use of 6×4 mode or 6×2 mode independently from the shifting of the multiple ratio gearbox.