Abstract: A torque-limiting nut is provided. The torque-limiting nut has a washer, a threaded component, and a tool interface. The threaded component has a plurality of detents and the tool interface has a corresponding plurality of recesses and a spring groove. A plurality of engagement members are sized and shaped to fit within the plurality of detents and recesses. An elastic member in the spring grooves provides a compressive force to seat the pins in the corresponding detents to frictionally couple the threaded component and tool interface. When a torque required to rotate the tool interface exceeds a predetermined value, the pin moves against the spring and unseats from the detent such that the tool interface rotates without rotating the threaded component.

Abstract: A unitized wheelend is provided. The unitized wheelend includes a hub having an inboard side bounded by an oil seal and an outboard side bounded by a retainer releasably coupled to the hub. The unitized wheelend assembly includes an inboard bearing assembly, a spacer, an outboard bearing assembly, and a spindle nut assembly.

Abstract: A vent plug for a hub cap is provided. The vent plug includes a cover and base forming a chamber. A vent plug body extends from the base and forms a cavity. A shield is coupled to the vent plug body. The shield comprises an annularly extending disc that traverses the cavity. The shield includes a connecting surface to connect the shield to the vent plug body. The shield provides a lubrication/liquid barrier to inhibit lubrication (or other liquid) from entering the cavity formed by the vent plug body and the chamber. The connection between the shield and the vent plug body allows a gas (typically air) to vent past the shield into the cavity and, when pressure is sufficiently high, to the chamber and eventually atmosphere.

Abstract: A grease tool for a unitized wheelend assembly is provided. The grease tool may have a plug with a fluid conduit to place a lubrication source in fluid communication with an inner bearing and a cap with a fluid conduit to place the lubrication source in fluid communication with an outer bearing. The grease tool may include a cylindrical body having an inner bearing support and an outer bearing support. The cylindrical body has an inner rotor and disc and an outer rotor and disc where the inner rotor and the outer rotor cause the discs to move between an extended and retracted position.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a first tie rod end component having a first threaded surface and a second tie rod end component having a second threaded surface. The first and second tie rod end components are configured to rotatably couple to a center component in opposite directions. The tie rod end components each include a groove designed to assist a user in determining whether the tie rod ends are properly coupled to the center component. If the groove is visible to a user then the tie-rod end is not screwed in far enough. In contrast, it the groove is hidden that indicates that the tie rod end component and the center component are properly assembled to each other.

Abstract: A vent plug for a hub cap is provided. The vent plug includes a cover and base forming a chamber. A vent plug body extends from the base and forms a cavity. A shield is coupled to the vent plug body. The shield comprises an annularly extending disc that traverses the cavity. The shield includes a connecting surface to connect the shield to the vent plug body. The shield provides a lubrication/liquid barrier to inhibit lubrication (or other liquid) from entering the cavity formed by the vent plug body and the chamber. The connection between the shield and the vent plug body allows a gas (typically air) to vent past the shield into the cavity and, when pressure is sufficiently high, to the chamber and eventually atmosphere.

Abstract: A unitized wheelend is provided. The unitized wheelend includes a hub having an inboard side bounded by an oil seal and an outboard side bounded by a retainer releasably coupled to the hub. The unitized wheelend assembly includes an inboard bearing assembly, a spacer, an outboard bearing assembly, and a spindle nut assembly.

Abstract: A wheelend is provided. The wheelend includes a spacer having a plurality of perforations to place a hub sump in fluid communication with a cavity between the spacer and a spindle to facilitate lubricant flow.

Abstract: A wheelend assembly seal between the hub of a wheelend and a spindle shaft is provided. The wheelend assembly seal is a seal device having at least a static seal structure, a wear ring, and a dynamic seal structure. The dynamic seal structure comprises a resilient member that is biased such that in an uninstalled state, the resilient member diverges from an axially extending portion of the dynamic seal structure. When installed, the resilient member is compressed to be approximately parallel the axially extending portion and forms a seal between the surface of the resilient member and the outer surface of the spindle shaft.

Abstract: A distance measuring device (100) is provided, comprising a first sensing module (110), a second sensing module (120), a reference device (130), and an evaluating module (140). The first sensing module and the second sensing module are arranged on a horizontal base line (150). Each one of the first and second sensing module is configured to detect the strength of a magnetic field (50) and each one of the first and second sensing module has a first sensing direction (y) and a second sensing direction (x).

Abstract: A boom arm sensor assembly is provided. The boom arm sensor assembly includes a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor detects whether a boom arm for a trailer is positioned within a saddle on the trailer. The boom arm sensor assembly also includes a transmitter that transmits a signal at least when the boom arm is not detected in the saddle to a boom arm alarm assembly, which also is provided. The boom arm alarm assembly provides an alarm to a vehicle driver that the boom arm is not positioned within the saddle.

Abstract: Technology is provided for an inflation hubcap installation system for connecting an air hose to an inflation hubcap air fitting. The inflation hubcap installation system includes a locking tool, a tool retainer, and a torque wrench adapter. The locking tool includes a hubcap interface portion and a wrench portion configured to engage the air fitting when the hubcap interface portion is connected to the inflation hubcap. The tool retainer connects to the locking tool and retains the locking tool on the inflation hubcap. The torque wrench adapter engages the air hose and connects to a suitable torque wrench.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an air spring comprising a piston, a top plate, a clamp ring, a snap ring, and a flexible member which is affixed to the piston and the top plate, wherein the piston, the top plate and the flexible member define a pressurizable chamber, wherein the snap ring is affixed to the clamp ring, wherein the clamp ring affixes an upper portion of the flexible member to the top plate, wherein the clamp ring affixes the snap ring to the top plate, and wherein the top plate is affixed between the snap ring and the flexible member.

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: A system that has electrically or electro-pneumatically actuated aerodynamic structures. An electric or electro-pneumatic actuator is employed, which receives signals from an existing anti-lock braking system (ABS) controller to determine when actuation occurs. Other systems are also provided that feature electric or electro-pneumatic actuation, including underbody skirts and scoops, as well as inflatable tractor-trailer gap sealing devices, adjustable tractor-trailer gap sealing flaps and inflatable trailer upper streamlining devices. Electronic control units (ECUs) for aerodynamic system control interfacing with alternate sensors for calculating speed are also provided. Satellite navigation, platooning awareness and managed pressure reserve capability can be employed with the aerodynamics ECU.

Abstract: This invention provides aerodynamic structures for the rear of a cargo body that move between a deployed position and a retracted position. The aerodynamic structures are typically three-sided, with a top panel and opposing side panels that form a partial cavity at the rear of the body. The panels employ tensioned flexible (e.g. fabric) panels or rigid/semi-rigid panels that are stowed, rolled, or folded in a retracted position against the rear of the door frame (for flexible panels) of the cargo body, or along the sides of the cargo body (for rigid/semi-rigid panels). The rigid/semi-rigid panels can be stored within nacelles that protect the panels and improve aerodynamic performance. Various linkages, including rotating rigid members attached to the rear of the body can coordinate movement between a top panel and side panels between deployed and retracted positions and a variety of powered and non-powered actuators can facilitate panel movement.

Abstract: A kingpin removal system including a cart assembly having one or more wheels and a yoke assembly carried by the cart assembly and positionable around a steering spindle of a vehicle's wheel end assembly. The yoke assembly can include a pair of plates interconnected by a pair of rods. An intermediate plate is positioned between the pair of yoke plates. A wheel end support mechanism can be carried by the cart assembly and a hub mounting ring can be carried by the wheel end support mechanism. The hub mounting ring can be positioned to connect to and support the wheel end assembly once the kingpin is removed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a deployable aerodynamic structure for a cargo body of a vehicle. The aerodynamic structure can include one or more panels that can be mounted to a cargo body of a vehicle and can move between a retracted position and a deployed position using various automated actuation systems.