Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine. The injector body contains a variable volume control chamber to and from which control fluid is supplied and drained to operate an intensifier piston which repetitively injects fuel from an injection chamber within the body. An electric-operated supply valve selectively controls flow of control fluid through a supply passage to the control chamber, and an electric-operated drain valve selectively controls flow of control fluid through a drain passage from the control chamber. Each valve is selectively operable independent of the other, and flow through the supply passage is independent of flow through the drain passage, and vice versa.

Abstract: The apparatus for providing access steps to a vehicle and a method of installing same on a heavy or medium duty truck. In its most basic form, the apparatus is comprised of an access step and two step brackets. The brackets are installed to outer surfaces of the tank straps which hold a fuel tank to a frame rail of the vehicle. The access step and step brackets have tabs and flaps or slots which can be combined to attach the access step to the step brackets with a reduced number of fasteners.

Abstract: A drive motor mounting module for a hybrid electric vehicle and the motor mounting module in combination with the hybrid electric vehicle. More specifically, the drive motor mounting module is comprised of a drive motor, a front motor mount support bracket, a chassis front support bracket, a chassis cross member, two rear motor mount brackets, two cross braces, two vertical channels and two motor module locating mounts. The entire module can be modularly assembled prior to installation to the vehicle chassis on a main assembly line. The mounting module engages the drive motor to the chassis by three point mountings.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas recirculation control apparatus includes first and second normally closed valves having different flow areas which open to provide communication between a corresponding bank of an exhaust manifold and an intake manifold. Each valve is engaged to an actuator which reciprocates the valve between a fully open and fully closed position. Both actuators are independently operable under control of an ECU programmed to monitor operational parameters of a specific engine via sensors functionally engaged thereto to maintain the engine at a level of optimum performance, the ECU producing in response to sensor input, a no-flow level and an appropriate one of three possible active levels of recirculation.

Abstract: An electronic control (18) for a combustion engine that forms a portion of an automotive vehicle powertrain and has an output shaft for powering a drivetrain portion (14, 16, 17, 19) of the powertrain to propel the vehicle. The control has at least one ambient parameter variable input source representing a respective ambient parameter (EOT, BAP, AIT, and MAP) useful in deriving gross torque output of the combustion engine. The control also has at least one operating variable input source (EFC, ACD, DIT.sub.-- ADJ) representing a respective operating parameter useful in deriving a reduction in gross torque output of the combustion engine due to operation of the combustion engine, and a processor for processing a respective signal correlated to the at least one ambient parameter variable input source and for processing a respective signal correlated to the at least one operating parameter variable input source to derive torque at the output shaft of the engine for powering the drivetrain to propel the vehicle.

Abstract: An aerodynamic exterior rear view mirror for motor vehicles that has low drag as a result of prevention of laminar boundary layer separation on the mirror head and subsequent turbulent wake size reduction. The vehicle mirror comprises an aerodynamic exterior shell having a continuously smooth surface with inboard and outboard trailing edges. The surfaces of the shell preceding the trailing edges can be either parallel or closing relative to the free stream airflow. A boundary layer control device that consists of a trip strip is formed on the exterior surface of the mirror head just upstream of the transition or separation point where the laminar boundary layer flow would transition to turbulent boundary layer flow with delayed separation or to complete separation absent the boundary layer trip strip. The trip strip, when correctly sized and utilized, will assist the laminar boundary layer to transition to turbulent boundary layer flow which reenergizes the boundary layer.

Abstract: A parking brake lock-in key switch system for a truck or bus brake system is disclosed. The system has two parking brake lock-in valves. One parking brake lock-in valve is installed in the air line piping between the primary air tank and the push pull double check valve and the second parking brake lock-in valve is in the air line piping between the secondary air tank and the push pull double check valve. The parking brake lock-in valves are air operated valves which when closed will lock in actuated parking brakes. The parking brake lock-in valves are operated by a solenoid operated pilot valve which provides air from an air supply to close the lock-in valves when the ignition key is moved to the `off` position. An actuated parking brake will be locked in because new air from the respective tanks will be prevented from flowing to the push pull double check valve and hence the brake chambers. The parking brake lock-in valve does not vent off downstream piping when it closes.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine of the V-type configuration includes a balanced flow EGR control apparatus having a valve comprising a stem having two linearly aligned, substantially similarly plug valve bodies engaged thereto with a predetermined distance therebetween. The valve housing has separate ports for receiving exhaust flow from each cylinder bank and a common outlet passageway communicating with the intake manifold, the ports being in linear alignment. One valve body is disposed to plug the exhaust port from the exhaust port side while the other valve body plugs the other exhaust port from the intake outlet side. Each valve body is configured, sized and positioned over a respective port in a manner where pressure of flow against one valve body effectively cancels out the pressure of flow against the other valve body, producing a valve that is easily maintained in an appropriate seated position thereof and opened with minimum force.

Abstract: An electronically controlled diesel engine for a vehicle which may act as an air compressor in addition to acting as a power source for the vehicle. When acting in the air compressor function, one end cylinder is converted to the function to provide compressed air to air tanks on the vehicle. The air from this combination compressor and power cylinder may be used to fill air tanks which provide air for braking in vehicles such as heavy trucks. The combination compressor and power cylinder has an exhaust isolation valve in the exhaust manifold to isolate an air collection area and a relief/check valve engaged on an upstream side to the air collection area and to an air tank in the air system for the vehicle on the downstream side. An electronic controller means controls the fuel injector for the combination compressor and power cylinder and the exhaust isolation valve. Various types of diesel engines may be modified to become an electronic engine-air compressor system in accordance with this invention.

Abstract: An oil pickup tube assembly for an internal combustion engine comprises a two-piece structure including a base member which attaches to an oil intake or inlet of an engine and includes an elbow therein permitting angling the inlet end of the pickup member into the appropriate position within a sump area of the oil pan. The pickup member comprises a U-shaped tube, one end of which engages the base member and another end of which depends into the sump area, with the inlet end being supported by a bracket attached to the crankcase. The interface between the tube and the base member includes an O-ring seal, with the tube and base member being releasably locked together by relative rotation therebetween and a tab and slot engagement formed between the pieces to permit a certain amount of stress-free misalignment between the base member and the pickup member.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a spaced apart surge tank, the surge tank being an integral component of a pressurized liquid engine cooling system. A first conduit fluidly couples the surge tank to a component of the pressurized liquid engine cooling system. The conduit has an internal fluid passageway defined therein. The conduit is heat responsive, an application of heat to the conduit acting to effect a contraction of the fluid passageway. Further, a method of controlling fluid flow in a conduit connecting the surge tank to a component of a pressurized liquid engine cooling system, comprises the steps of:forming the conduit of a heat responsive material;flowing a fluid through the conduit;running the engine to an elevated fluid temperature; andcontracting the conduit fluid passageway responsive to the heating of the conduit caused by the fluid flow therein.

Abstract: An identification tag for various size lube oil plugs for mobile vehicles. The identification tag has a mounting hole with an intentional flash in each comer. Each side to the hole has a flap with a living hinge adjacent. The living hinges run between the flashes. The flaps will pivot on installation to allow engagement of the inner edges of the flaps on receiving slots of the receiving slots of the various size lube oil plugs.

Abstract: The air rail comprises a housing defining an air passageway conduit therein. The conduit has a plurality of passageways therethrough with access to the passageways provided by a plurality of ports disposed in the housing, the main passageway being fed pressurized air from an air compressor discharge and discharging to the brake reservoir. A second passageway acts as a sensing and secondary air supply passageway, the outlet ports from this second passageway being engageable in a push to connect manner with air tubing leading to various air-using systems and devices, the outlets each being positioned as close as possible to the corresponding structure to which it is to be engaged. Further, the air rail may incorporate a fuel oil passageway therein, thereby providing for pre-warming of fuel for the engine.

Abstract: A mounting base for a light emitting diode (LED) clearance or identification light for a mobile vehicle such as a truck or a bus. The mounting base is comprised of a centerline structural member with intersecting structural members which are engaged to the centerline structural member at the front end and at two other locations between the front end and the rear end of the centerline structural member. An outer cover encases the centerline structural member and the intersecting structural members. The outer cover extends beyond the front end to form an LED mating surface. The LED mating surface has a slot for an engaging an LED element. The centerline structural member has holes at from the from its top edge to bottom edge at the rear end of the centerline structural member and where the centerline structural member intersects the intersecting structural members. The holes correspond to different vehicle roof mounting configurations.

Abstract: An apparatus for operator controlled purging of the tanks of a pressurized air reservoir of a vehicle air system comprises an air actuated normally closed drain valve mounted to an underside of each tank, a source of pressurized air engaged to each drain valve, and a controller for each valve engaged downstream of the source, and within a driver area of the vehicle, the controller when activated, allowing for communication between the source and the drain valve for opening of the valve. The method for using the apparatus in testing air system integrity includes the steps of draining and refilling each tank individually in a pre-defined sequence while monitoring driver area mounted indicators of air pressure levels and testing functionality of an air system operated service brake system of the vehicle by carrying out the pre-defined sequence.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic clutch actuation system for a manual transmission comprises a slave cylinder engaged to a transmission clutch fork member, the cylinder being operated to cause clutch disengagement by actuation of a push-button on a gear shift lever of the transmission, such cylinder effectively producing a manual transmission which does not require clutch pedal actuation during shifting of the transmission. Further, the system eliminates the need for transmission synchronizers by using sensed speed of tailshaft rotation to determine the point of synchronization for such shifting, and, in an automatic mode of operation, the system indicates to an operator not only that the synchronization point has been achieved, but also prompts an upshift or downshift, as required, to minimize load. The cylinder is operated using oil under high pressure which is supplied thereto from a high pressure engine oil rail.

Abstract: An electric control for a fuel injector develops a commanded boost signal that is superimposed on a fuel injection pulse waveform. Variable operating parameters, such as engine speed, fuel injection quantity, engine coolant temperature, and engine air intake temperature are monitored and may diminish the duration of the commanded boost signal under certain conditions to avoid overheating electric circuit elements in the control through which electric power is delivered to the fuel injector.