Abstract: An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus for use with vehicles having downstream surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus includes folding panels that extend rearward for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving configuration.

Abstract: A nut fastener is provided for locking the nut to prevent inadvertent loosening of the nut. The nut fastener is particularly useful for tightening a wheel onto an axle. The nut fastener includes a nut, a collar and a retaining ring. The nut is unlocked by pushing on an engagement surface of the collar or by riding ratchet teeth over each other. When the collar is released, the collar locks against the nut to resist rotation of the nut.

Abstract: A spindle repair kit including a pair of alignment mandrels positionable in a respective spindle bore of a steering spindle. An alignment rod is operative to retain the mandrels in their respective spindle bores. The kit can also include a first clamp member and a second clamp member, each being positionable between the spindle bores. The kit includes a drill fixture including a drill mounting surface and a bearing fixture including a bearing aperture sized to receive the alignment rod. Fasteners clamp the drill fixture and first clamp member to the first spindle bore and clamp the bearing holder and second clamp member to the second spindle bore. The kit includes an arbor connectable to a drill and a reamer, wherein the arbor is sized to position the reamer in the first spindle bore.

Abstract: This invention provides an aerodynamic structure attached to the rear cargo body, having doors that swing open, or a single, full-width door, which rolls upwardly. The embodiments provide an aerodynamic structure attached to the rear in a manner that would obscure access to the door(s) in a deployed position, in which the structure reduces drag, yet enables access to the door(s) in a folded position. The folded position allows access to the rear for loading and unloading, and in the case of swinging, hinged doors, allows the doors to be folded through a 270-degree arc, with a minimal sideways projection. The various embodiments also enable relatively rapid and easy transition between the folded position and the deployed position using actuators and/or linkages that tie the folding and deployment of panels of the structure together. This allows selective folding and deployment of the structure without undue effort or strength.

Abstract: A monitoring unit wirelessly monitors sensor(s) associated with a vehicle and includes (a) a radio frequency (RF) receiver that receives RF signals from one or more sensors; (b) a processing unit connected to the RF receiver that monitors information related received RF signals from the sensor(s); (c) the processing unit monitoring the received RF signals and a status of an output of the sensor(s) associated with the vehicle. The received RF signals may include information on a value of an output of the sensor and limits of acceptable values, and the processing unit generates an alarm when the value of the output is outside of the limits of acceptable values. The alarm may be a visual indication visible from the exterior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A rear-mounted aerodynamic structure for securing to a cargo body includes a three- or four-sided structure having a deployed position for assisting in improving aerodynamic efficiency of the cargo body. The cargo body can be the body of a trailer of a tractor-trailer vehicle or trailer towed behind a vehicle such as a truck. It can comprise a trailer body or other cargo body well-known in the art. A spoiler “flow keeper” mounted to a top surface of the rear of the cargo body, as additional aerodynamic structures or as a standalone spoiler for cargo bodies. The three- or four-sided rear-mounted aerodynamic structure can comprise any of a variety of illustrative embodiments shown and described herein.

Abstract: An aerodynamic structure attached to the sides and top of a truck cargo body (either a stand-alone trailer or a “straight truck” with the cab and cargo area as a fixed vehicle) at the aftmost region, which rear typically contains a rolling door assembly, which rolls upwardly. An aerodynamic structure is permanently attached to the sides and top of the trailer in a manner that extend past the aftmost plane of the truck cargo body and retract to the aftmost plane of the truck cargo body when subjected to a force, allowing this device to be backed into structures. The retracted orientation allows for the rear of the trailer to be fully accessible for loading and unloading, and does not reduce the size of the opening of the trailer. The various embodiments of the invention allow for automated deployment once the force used to compress the structure is removed.

Abstract: An aerodynamic underbody fairing or “skirt” that is attached to the rear wheels or “bogeys” of a truck cargo body which typically can be slidably adjusted forward and aft along the cargo body. The various embodiments allow for a skirt that attaches to the bogeys of a truck cargo body and extends rearward to the rear plane of the trailer, and is of a retractable nature to allow for slidable adjustment of bogeys forward and aft along the cargo body for the purpose of continuing streamlined flow along the side of a truck cargo body already equipped with a side skirt forward of the bogeys. In the various embodiments of the invention, the retractable nature of the invention allows for a continuous skirt surface in-plane with the side of the truck cargo body extending from the bogeys to the rear plane of the truck cargo body, regardless of bogey position.

Abstract: An electronic pressure regulator is provided to regulate the pressure in one or more pneumatic tires that are selectively in fluid communication with a pressurized air source. The electronic pressure regulator may include a proportional MEMS valve that may be used to vary pressure behind a diaphragm in a method that provides a relatively fast response time and may experience relatively little wear over a relatively large number of cycles.

Abstract: An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus for use with vehicles having downstream surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus includes folding panels that extend rearward for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving configuration.

Abstract: A central tire inflation system for maintaining tire inflation on a vehicle is provided. The central tire inflation system includes a rotary union assembly having a housing that is coupled to and rotates with the hubcap. The housing is rotationally coupled to a stationary shaft. A flexible torque transfer shaft is connected to the stationary shaft on one end and to an axle plug on the other end. The axle plug has a hub forming, a bore where the hub is movable on a web of material. The flexible torque transfer shaft and hub have cooperative non-circular shapes to resist rotation. An air vent is provided in the rotary union assembly that is isolated from the lubrication area, which inhibits the pressurized air from the central tire inflation system from pressurizing the lubrication area.

Abstract: A monitoring unit wirelessly monitors sensor(s) associated with a vehicle and includes (a) a radio frequency (RF) receiver that receives RF signals from one or more sensors; (b) a processing unit connected to the RF receiver that monitors information related received RF signals from the sensor(s); (c) the processing unit monitoring the received RF signals and a status of an output of the sensor(s) associated with the vehicle. The received RF signals may include information on a value of an output of the sensor and limits of acceptable values, and the processing unit generates an alarm when the value of the output is outside of the limits of acceptable values. The alarm may be a visual indication visible from the exterior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A nut assembly is provided. The nut assembly includes a nut having a bottom extension surface and an intermediate member. The intermediate member includes at least one radially extending slot. The nut assembly also includes a washer having a base and an inner wall. The inner wall has a locking feature. The nut and the washer are operably coupled by a plurality of locking pins. The locking pin slidingly fits in the slot on the intermediate member and engages the locking feature when the nut assembly is in the installed configuration.

Abstract: A nut assembly is provided. The nut assembly includes a nut having a bottom extension surface and an intermediate member. The intermediate member includes at least one radially extending slot. The nut assembly also includes a washer having a base and an inner wall. The inner wall has a locking feature. The nut and the washer are operably coupled by a plurality of locking pins. The locking pin slidingly fits in the slot on the intermediate member and engages the locking feature when the nut assembly is in the installed configuration.

Abstract: A flow indication system for a central tire inflation system is provided. The flow indication system provides a venturi in fluid communication with the conduit providing air to a tire. A pressure reading is taken at the inlet and throat of the venturi and the air flowing through the venturi is calculated based on the pressure differential. According to some embodiments, the pressure readings are provided to a microcontroller that uses a table and interpolation algorithms to calculate the flow of the air flowing through the venturi, such as the mass of air in a given unit of time (grams/second for example). In one embodiment, two separate pressure sensors are coupled to different ends of a narrowed orifice that causes a pressure change in the flow as flow rate increases in the throat of the sensor. This pressure change is then used to calculate a proportional flow that can then be broadcast to various parties instead of an on/off reading.

Abstract: An electronic pressure regulator is provided to regulate the pressure in one or more pneumatic tires that are selectively in fluid communication with a pressurized air source. The electronic pressure regulator may include a proportional MEMS valve that may be used to vary pressure behind a diaphragm in a method that provides a relatively fast response time and may experience relatively little wear over a relatively large number of cycles.

Abstract: A flow indication system for a central tire inflation system is provided. The flow indication system provides a venturi in fluid communication with the conduit providing air to a tire. A pressure reading is taken at the inlet and throat of the venturi and the air flowing through the venturi is calculated based on the pressure differential. According to some embodiments, the pressure readings are provided to a microcontroller that uses a table and interpolation algorithms to calculate the flow of the air flowing through the venturi, such as the mass of air in a given unit of time (grams/second for example). In one embodiment, two separate pressure sensors are coupled to different ends of a narrowed orifice that causes a pressure change in the flow as flow rate increases in the throat of the sensor.

Abstract: A central tire inflation system for maintaining tire inflation on a vehicle is provided. The central tire inflation system includes a rotary union assembly having a housing that is coupled to and rotates with the hubcap. The housing is rotationally coupled to a stationary shaft. A flexible torque transfer shaft is connected to the stationary shaft on one end and to an axle plug on the other end. The axle plug has a hub forming, a bore where the hub is movable on a web of material. The flexible torque transfer shaft and hub have cooperative non-circular shapes to resist rotation. An air vent is provided in the rotary union assembly that is isolated from the lubrication area, which inhibits the pressurized air from the central tire inflation system from pressurizing the lubrication area.

Abstract: Self-locking nuts help prevent the nut from backing off of a spindle or other type of threaded shaft. A single piece nut assembly is provided that is self-locking and comprises a nut subassembly and a washer subassembly. Nut and washer subassemblies are secured together, and do not require any special tools for installation or removal. The washer has an edge which is formed/rolled over a lip extending from the bottom edge of the nut when assembled to provide the unitized assembly. The nut and washer are held apart by a spring, such as a wave spring, until the washer contacts the face of the object to which the nut is being secured. At this point the spring is compressed to engage the nut with the washer, and engage holding elements located in the nut with a holding feature located on the washer and prevent movement between the washer and nut.