Abstract: Vehicle electrical system management systems and methods are provided for a vehicle, such as a tractor/trailer. In particular, a system and method are provided for detecting a faulty alternator or other motorized component by analyzing the waveform of the alternator and other motor of the vehicle. As a result, the system and method can provide a motorist with an advance warning as whether the alternator or other motor is functioning improperly. In addition, a system and method are provided for controlling the charging of a battery based upon the temperature of the battery such that the battery can be charged in a more efficient manner. In this regard, the temperature of the battery is sensed and the alternator thereafter charges the battery to a predefined voltage based upon the sensed temperature and a predetermined battery temperature/battery voltage schedule.

Abstract: A status of one or more subsystems positioned on one or more trailers is communicated to a tractor electrically and mechanically connected to the trailer. The status may be automatically supplied by the subsystem or may be requested either by the operator of the tractor/trailer combination or automatically by another subsystem on either the tractor or the trailer. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the status of a respective subsystem is superposed on the power bus. The status of the respective subsystem can then be determined from the spread spectrum data communications signal. Preferably, the status of the subsystem is indicated to an operator positioned on the tractor. A command for controlling a subsystem on a trailer can also be communicated from the tractor to the trailer over the power bus. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the command is produced on the power bus, and the subsystem is controlled based on the spread spectrum data communications signal.

Abstract: A vehicle identification system is provided that has a vehicle, preferably including a tractor and a trailer mechanically connected to the tractor and a wavelength carrier communicator connected to the vehicle for producing an identification signal representing an identity of the vehicle. The identification signal preferably includes an optical wavelength carrier signal such as an infrared wavelength carrier signal. External to the vehicle, an identity of the vehicle is determined from the optical identification signal. The optical identification signal may be produced from an indicator mounted on the vehicle, preferably from an indicator which includes an indicator housing having a form factor similar to a standard truck light. In a standalone embodiment, an identification signal representing an identity of the vehicle is generated within the indicator and an optical identification signal is produced from the generated identification signal by an optical transmitter retained within the indicator.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for controlling power to interior functions of a trailer of a heavy duty vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for data communications associated with a heavy duty vehicle. The apparatus preferably includes at least one electronic subsystem associated with the heavy duty vehicle and a plurality of electrical conductors connected to the at least one electronic subsystem and associated with the heavy duty vehicle. A vehicle data communications protocol converter is preferably connected to the plurality of electrical conductors for converting a first data communications protocol associated with data communications along the plurality of electrical conductors to a second data communications protocol such as an infrared or an RF data communications protocol. The apparatus also preferably includes a transceiver connected to the data communications protocol converter for transmitting the second data communications protocol from the heavy duty vehicle and receiving the data communications protocol from a remote data communications terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for for indicating load weight of a vehicle. The apparatus preferably includes a fluid pressure sensor, such as a transducer, associated with a fluid pressure line of a vehicle for producing a plurality of fluid pressure signals representative of a corresponding plurality of load weights and a load weight indicating device responsive to the sensor for indicating a plurality of load weight levels. The load weight indicating device includes a memory for storing a calibration signal representative of a predetermined load weight limit level and a comparator in communication with the memory and the sensor for comparing the calibration signal to the plurality of fluid pressure signals. The device also preferably includes a plurality of indicators responsive to the comparator for indicating at least two load weight levels.

Abstract: A data communications coupler is provided for communicating data related to various operating conditions of a tractor and/or a trailer. The data communications coupler preferably includes a first coupler portion arranged to connect to a tractor. The first coupler portion has a first lens positioned therein for allowing data communications signals to pass therethrough. A second coupler portion is arranged to connect to a trailer and to connect to the first coupler portion. The second coupler portion has a second lens positioned therein for allowing data communication signals to pass therethrough. A data communicator is positioned in the first and second coupler portions for communicating data between the first and second coupler portions through the first and second lenses. Each of the first and second lenses preferably has a body integrally formed of a translucent material for allowing light to pass therethrough.

Abstract: Vehicle cranking management systems and methods are provided for a vehicle preferably including a tractor mechanically connected to a trailer. Electrical energy is enabled to transfer from a battery of the vehicle to an electrical accessory load, when a battery output voltage signal is above a first predetermined threshold voltage, but is inhibited from transferring from the battery to the electrical accessory load if the battery output voltage signal is below a second predetermined threshold voltage. The first and second predetermined threshold voltages may be determined responsive to a sensed temperature of the vehicle engine, preferably a sensed temperature of oil present in the engine. In addition, electrical energy is enabled to transfer from the battery to a starter which cranks the vehicle's engine if a cranking command signal to crank the engine is asserted for less than a first predetermined time interval.

Abstract: In combination with a tractor and a trailer, an apparatus and method are provided for monitoring various operating conditions of at least the trailer by a driver positioned on the tractor. The apparatus preferably has a pneumatic braking system carried by the tractor and the trailer to permit the driver to supply pneumatic braking pressure from the tractor to the trailer. The pneumatic braking system preferably includes at least one pair of air hoses connected to the tractor and the trailer and a coupler connected to the pair of air hoses. The coupler has interconnecting first and second coupler portions arranged to facilitate connecting and disconnecting the pair of air hoses. The apparatus also has a data communications system which preferably includes a respective pair of transceivers connected to the first and second coupler portions for communicating signals representative of monitoring data from the trailer to the tractor so as to in turn be monitored by a driver positioned on the tractor.

Abstract: A communications channel interconnects first and second controllers positioned in the tractor and trailer, respectively, and includes inductive coupling coils carried by an electrical connector so that the connector is preferably compatible with the industry standard J560 connector. The communications channel also preferably includes first and second sections of twisted pair cable extending between respective controllers and coils. The connector includes disengageable first and second connector portions to facilitate disconnecting the tractor and the trailer. A pair of controllers communicates over the communications channel via respective modems. In addition, each of the controllers includes digital and analog interfaces for receiving and outputting signals to monitor and control operation of various subsystems of the tractor/trailer combination.