Abstract: A self-adjusting, self-damping air spring having a first air spring disposed between a cab and a frame of a vehicle and a second air spring in fluid communication with the first air spring. The second air spring positioned relative to the first to provide an opposition force in response to a change in height of the first air spring. This change in height corresponds to a change in displacement between the cab and the frame. The opposition force provided by the second air spring acting to dampen the changes in displacement.

Abstract: A tractor-trailer truck engine coolant manifold comprises a first supply port for receiving coolant from an engine or radiator, and a first return port for returning coolant to the engine or radiator. The manifold also has a second supply port in fluid communication with the first supply port, and a second return port in fluid communication with the first return port. Further, the manifold can have a third supply port in fluid communication with the first supply port, and a third return port in fluid communication with the first return port. The coolant manifold can further have one or more internal flow paths that are configured so that coolant flow rate or pressure exiting one supply port is different from the coolant flow rate or pressure exiting from another supply port, pre-selected based upon the thermal requirements of the heat source or heat sink components.

Abstract: A method for increasing the aerodynamic efficiency of a vehicle includes monitoring operating condition of a vehicle, determining if a pre-selected event has occurred with respect to the operating condition of the vehicle, communicating a spacing value to a moving device and adjusting a spacing between a cab and a trailer of the vehicle based on the communicated spacing value.

Abstract: A multiple axis hinge arrangement for a truck hood includes a first hinge arrangement and a second hinge arrangement laterally spaced and mounted at first and second sides, respectively, of a front end of a truck. The first and second hinge arrangements include horizontal hinge elements that support a truck hood for pivotal movement on a horizontal axis relative to a truck frame and include vertical hinge elements that provide vertical pivot axes. A coupling member is provided at each of the first and second hinge arrangements allowing the selected hinge arrangement to be uncoupled from the front end of the truck so the hood is free to pivot on the vertical axis of the coupled arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle provided with a sprung mass, including a vehicle frame, at least one axle provided with first and second ends, and a suspension system provided with a mechanical springs and leveling springs. The mechanical springs connect the axle ends to the frame and are provided with a spring rate in a rebound direction that is greater than or substantially equal to a spring rate in a jounce direction. The leveling springs are configured to support the sprung mass at one or more sprung mass load points, whereby the first and second mechanical springs may become substantially unloaded by the sprung mass of the vehicle at the one or more sprung mass load points.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle bunk restraint system that includes a padded ladder restraint member and at least one other restraint member. The padded ladder restraint member provides access to an upper bunk. The padded ladder restraint member and at least one other restraint member may cooperate to obstruct the entrance to the lower bunk, whereby ejection from the lower bunk via the entrance is obstructed via the padded ladder restraint member and the at least one other restraint member.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a vertically oriented exhaust system component includes a base member mountable to a vehicle frame with a plurality of upstanding rods fixed to the base member. At least one clamping band is interconnected with the plurality of rods and can be clamped onto an exhaust component. The arrangement is advantageous for heavy components such as SCR catalyst bodies and diesel particulate filters.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a dual steering system including a first front wheel and a second front wheel, a lateral steering linkage connecting the first and second front wheels, a first steering system with a first steering wheel and a power steering module that assists steering inputs applied to the first steering wheel, and a second steering system with a second steering wheel and a torque sensor in communication with the power steering module of the first steering system and monitoring steering inputs applied to the second steering wheel, whereby the power steering module may provide power assist to the steering inputs applied to the second steering wheel.

Abstract: A truck includes a frame, an operator cab on the frame and a drive axle having a differential. The differential can be connected to a drive shaft. A fairing for directing air flow around the differential is attached to the frame forward of the drive axle and forward of the differential. The fairing can have a non-deflected position and a deflected position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle provided with a sprung mass, including a vehicle frame, at least one axle provided with first and second ends, and a suspension system provided with a mechanical springs and leveling springs. The mechanical springs connect the axle ends to the frame and are provided with a spring rate in a rebound direction that is greater than or substantially equal to a spring rate in a jounce direction. The leveling springs are configured to support the sprung mass at one or more sprung mass load points, whereby the first and second mechanical springs may become substantially unloaded by the sprung mass of the vehicle at the one or more sprung mass load points.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle and a method for improving the roll characteristics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes an axle, a sprung mass, a first control arm, a second control arm, a third control arm, a first pivotable joint, a second pivotable joint, a third pivotable joint, and a fourth pivotable joint. The torsional stiffness of the first control arm, the second control arm, the first pivotable joint, the second pivotable joint, the third pivotable joint, and the fourth pivotable joint are substantially equal to or greater than the torsional stiffness of the axle, whereby the axle bends and twists during a sprung mass roll event in order to limit an amount of roll.

Abstract: A truck for pulling a semi-trailer includes an operator cab positioned on a frame and a fifth wheel mounted on the frame for receiving an underside of the semi-trailer. The trailer when attached to the truck defines a gap between a forward most portion of the semi-trailer and rearward most portion of the operator cab. A fairing can be located on the frame, aft of the operator cab and forward of at least a portion of the fifth wheel. The fairing can block at least a portion of the air flow attempting to enter the gap from below the frame.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a dual steering system including a first front wheel and a second front wheel, a lateral steering linkage connecting the first and second front wheels, a first steering system with a first steering wheel and a power steering module that assists steering inputs applied to the first steering wheel, and a second steering system with a second steering wheel and a torque sensor in communication with the power steering module of the first steering system and monitoring steering inputs applied to the second steering wheel, whereby the power steering module may provide power assist to the steering inputs applied to the second steering wheel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a roof fairing body and a method of installing a roof fairing on a vehicle. The roof fairing includes a lower fairing body section, an upper fairing body section, a shipping configuration, and an operable configuration. The lower fairing body section includes a front wall and side walls extending rearward from opposite ends of the front wall. The front wall and side walls cooperate to define an upper roof fairing section receiving space. The upper fairing body section is configured to mate with the lower fairing body section to form at least one hinge. When in the shipping configuration, the upper roof fairing section is positioned at least partially within the upper roof fairing section receiving space of the lower fairing body section, whereby the roof fairing body is provided with a shipping height and the upper roof fairing section and the lower fairing body section mate to form at least one hinge.

Abstract: A restraint device includes a latch and a catch. The latch is rotatable between a first latch position and a second latch position about a latch axis of rotation, which is remote from the latch. The catch is provided with a first arm and a second arm. The catch is rotatable about a catch axis of rotation between a first catch position and a second catch position. The catch axis of rotation extends through the catch. When the catch is in the first catch position, the latch, as it is rotated from the first latch position toward the second latch position, contacts the first arm to rotate the catch about the catch axis of rotation, thereby allowing the latch to rotate about the latch axis of rotation past the catch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle that includes a hood and a bumper. The hood is provided with open position and a closed position. The bumper is provided with an intermediate bumper portion, a first end cap, and a second end cap. The first and second bumper end caps are supported by the hood and are moveable with the hood as the hood transitions between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hemmed panel and a method for fabricating a hemmed panel. The hemmed panel includes an inner panel, an outer panel, and an adhesive. The inner panel is provided with a first face, a second face, and an edge that defines a plurality of cutouts. The outer panel is provided with a first face, a second face, and a border flange. The border flange of the outer panel is hemmed over the edge and the first face of the inner panel to form a hemmed portion on the outer panel. The adhesive bonds the first face of the inner panel to the second face of the outer panel, bonds the hemmed portion of the outer panel to the first face of the inner panel, and is located in the plurality of cutouts.

Abstract: A method for determining ambient air temperature outside of a vehicle with a sensor mounted on the vehicle, includes the steps of determining a road speed of the vehicle, comparing the determined road speed to a reference road speed value, if the determined road speed is below the reference road speed value, activating a device to move ambient air across the sensor, the ambient air being drawn from a location outside the vehicle, taking a temperature reading with the sensor, and, if the temperature reading is lower than a stored temperature value, storing the lower temperature reading as the ambient air temperature.

Abstract: A truck for pulling a semi-trailer includes an operator cab positioned on a frame and a fifth wheel mounted on the frame for receiving an underside of the semi-trailer. The trailer when attached to the truck defines a gap between a forward most portion of the semi-trailer and rearward most portion of the operator cab. A fairing can be located on the frame, aft of the operator cab and forward of at least a portion of the fifth wheel. The fairing can block at least a portion of the air flow attempting to enter the gap from below the frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for a refuse vehicle and a method for controlling a refuse vehicle provided with at least one refuse container location sensor, at least one vehicle speed control, and one or more electronics. The one or more electronics receive and process signals from the at least one refuse container location sensor and outputs a control signal to the at least one vehicle speed control to stop the refuse vehicle at a predetermined location with respect to a refuse container.