Abstract: A drag reduction system introduces pressurized gases to selected regions of a vehicle, such as a tractor trailer combination 100 for reducing the aerodynamic drag thereon. The system 140 or any combination of components thereof may be installed on new combinations or may be retrofitted on existing combinations. The drag reduction system may be controlled to selectively determine which regions receive pressurized gases and at what flow rates such regions receive the pressurized gas.

Abstract: A valve is provided having a housing with an inlet and an outlet. Within the confines of the housing is a fluid flow path that allows for fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. The valve includes a valve element that is movable to and from a position where it blocks fluid communication along the fluid flow path, thereby closing the valve. The valve also includes a resilient member provided in a chamber of the valve that is fluidly sealed from the fluid flow path. The resilient member urges the valve element to move to the position for closing the valve. When the pressure of fluid entering the inlet exceeds a preselected amount, the pressure of the fluid overcomes the urging of the resilient member and the valve element moves towards a position that allows fluid communication along the fluid flow path, thereby opening the valve.

Abstract: An electronic winch monitoring system for a winch having a fixed-ratio gearbox with input and output shafts, a winch drum connected to the output shaft, and an auxiliary brake connected to the output shaft activated by reducing the pressure in a brake release hydraulic circuit. The system comprises an input shaft speed sensor, an output shaft speed sensor, and an electronic control unit having a monitoring section and a brake control section. The monitoring section receives the speed signals, processes them to produce a calculated ratio of actual input to output shaft speeds, and produces a fault indication signal when the value of the difference between the calculated speed ratio and the fixed ratio exceeds a predetermined value. The brake control section, upon receiving the fault signal, reduces the hydraulic pressure in the brake circuit using a nonlinear pressure-time profile to engage the auxiliary brake and stop the winch drum.

Abstract: A hinge is provided suitable for attaching a hood to a car or truck. The hinge includes generally tubular members sharing a common axis of rotation. Elastomeric elements interposed between the tubular members provide isolation between the parts of the hinge. Relative rotation between the tubular members compresses the elastomeric elements creating a spring-force opposing the relative rotation. The hood, hinge, and vehicle may be configured so that the spring-force of the elastomeric elements assists in opening and/or closing of the hood.

Abstract: A latching device and operating mechanism are provided suitable for controlling the opening or closing of a tilting cover such as the hood of a car or truck. The latching device operates to prevent accidental closure of the cover when the cover is open. The operating mechanism is coupled to the latching device for releasing the latching device when the hood is to be shut. The operating mechanism is located on the vehicle near a location from which an operator typically opens or closes the hood.

Abstract: A bracket is provided for attaching a cylindrical strut, such as a side-view mirror support, to a motor vehicle. The bracket comprises an internal bracket adapted to be fastened to the motor vehicle and an external bracket adapted to be fastened to the internal bracket. The cylindrical strut is clamped between clamping surfaces of the internal and external brackets. The external bracket has a streamlined shape.

Abstract: An instrument mounting assembly (100) for mounting an instrument (102) to a vehicle (200) is provided. The assembly includes a carrier (114) coupled to the vehicle (200) and a support (108) coupled to the carrier, the support adapted to support an instrument (102). The assembly includes a first track (132 or 156) disposed on the carrier and a first follower (130 or 134) disposed on the support for interfacing with the first track. The assembly further includes a second track (132 or 156) disposed on the support and a second follower (130 or 134) disposed on the carrier for interfacing with the second track. The support may be transitioned between stowed and extended positions, wherein the first and second followers interface with the first and second tracks causing the support to be both linearly displaced and rotated while the support is transitioned between the positions.

Abstract: A radiator fan shroud (100) is disclosed that is adapted to be attached to a vehicle radiator (96)—for example, the radiator of a Class 8 truck. The fan shroud includes a peripheral cover portion (112) and a ring assembly (102) that encloses the blades of the engine-driven radiator fan (88). The ring assembly may be formed integrally with the peripheral cover portion or may include a separable ring extension (120). The ring assembly includes a plurality of ports (104) defined by vanes (106) at the rearward portion of the ring assembly. The ports are selectively positioned to manage the airflow in the engine compartment, directing the airflow towards selected locations. The vanes may be fluted. The fan shroud may be formed from two or more pieces that cooperatively form the fan shroud, to facilitate installation and maintenance of the fan shroud.

Abstract: A system for supplying electrical power for use when the vehicle engine is shut down and configurations of long-haul trucks employing the system are disclosed. The power system is a battery bank contained within an insulated enclosure. The batteries are heated when the truck is in operation with the insulated enclosure maintaining battery temperature sufficient to provide high battery power capacity for an extended period after the vehicle is shut down. A large capacitor, rather than the batteries, provides current for starting the vehicle engine. A dc-to-dc converter controls the fully charged capacitor voltage and provides capacitor charging current even when the batteries have been discharged to a low-voltage condition. The disclosed long-haul truck configurations include a storage cooler that employs a phase-change medium that is thermally charged to a low temperature while the truck is in operation and is used to provide sleeper unit cooling air.

Abstract: A planetary gearbox with transmitted torque sensor comprises a gear housing, first and second coupling members, sensing assembly, and planetary gears. The coupling members have axial faces disposed in a spaced apart, opposing relationship. Formed therein are a plurality of conical seats arranged in opposing pairs, each pair receiving a ball therebetween. The sensing assembly is positioned between the housing and at least one of the coupling members, urging the members toward one another and detecting relative axial movement. The planetary gears transmit torque from the second coupling member to a second gearbox shaft. The balls roll partway up the conical seats when transmitting torque between the coupling members, thereby causing the members to move axially away from one another a distance proportional to the torque transmitted. The distance is detected by the sensing assembly to indicate the torque transmitted by the unit.