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: 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 method for determining location such as vehicle location receives data at a predetermined frequency, validates the received data, stores the received data based on the validation and computes a location based on the stored data. The validation includes verifying a presence of particular data substrings within the received data, verifying a presence of a plurality of data fields within each data substring, computing a parameter based on information contained in two of the plurality of data fields and comparing the computer parameter with a pre-defined threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable towing system and a method for adjusting a length of a longitudinally extending gap between a cab of a truck tractor and a trailer. The truck tractor is provided with at least one front axle, at least one rear axle, and a fifth wheel. The trailer provided with at least one axle and a kingpin. At least two of the fifth wheel, the kingpin, and the at least one axle are repositionable along the truck tractor or the trailer as the truck tractor tows the trailer, whereby the length of the gap is determined according to the position of the fifth wheel and the kingpin.

Abstract: A structural joint in a truck tractor frame includes a first frame member having an interface plate permanently mounted thereon, the interface plate having an interface surface contoured with a plurality of protrusions and depressions, which may be grooves and ridges. A second frame member has an interface surface contoured with a plurality of protrusions and depressions complementary to the plurality of protrusions and depressions of the interface surface of the interface plate. The second frame member is mounted to the first frame member with the interface surfaces in contact, with a plurality of releasable fasteners fastening the second frame member to the interface plate, wherein, the contoured interface surfaces interengage to resist linear and torsional shear forces.

Abstract: A suspension arrangement for interconnecting a frame and an axle in a vehicle includes a control arm having a first beam and a second beam in parallel, spaced relation, each beam having a first end with a single arm and a second end with an upper arm and a lower arm to define a Y-shape, the first end being pivotally connectable to a vehicle frame, and the second end being connectable to a vehicle axle disposed between the upper and lower arms, and a bushing arrangement mountable to the vehicle axle, the bushing arrangement having an upper portion connecting between the upper arms of the first beam and second beam and a lower portion connecting between the lower arms of the first beam and second beam.

Abstract: A wheel cover includes a quick fasten and release device for securing the wheel cover to a vehicle wheel. The device includes a clamp mechanism extending from a central location on the wheel cover. The clamp includes grappling fingers that engage the wheel hub flange when drawn into engagement by a mechanism operated by a handle accessible from the outward facing surface of the wheel cover.

Abstract: A system and method for validating data stored in one or more vehicle electronic units includes confirming that a data validation package is present in a first electronic control unit on-board the vehicle, comparing data in the validation package to data stored by at least one target electronic control unit on-board the vehicle, logging any discrepancies between the data in the validation package and the data stored by the at least one target electronic control unit, and wirelessly transmitting a message from the first electronic control unit identifying any discrepancies in the data stored by the at least one electronic control unit to a remote location.

Abstract: An apparatus for affecting airflow in a gap between a lead vehicle and a connected trailing vehicle, includes a guide vane having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a gap side surface, and an outward facing surface, and a support apparatus mountable on a vehicle for supporting the guide vane in a vertical orientation relative to the vehicle with a space between the vehicle and the guide vane gap side surface and with at least a portion of the vane extending beyond an end of the vehicle. The flow guide divides an air flow at the trailing edge of a vehicle to avoid the creation of turbulence in the air flow as it encounters the gap between the vehicle and the trailing vehicle.

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 mirror assembly for a vehicle that includes a cab provided with an operators seat. The mirror assembly is positioned in relation to the cab, whereby the mirror assembly is visible from the operators seat. The mirror assembly includes a housing, a rearward viewing mirror portion, and a forward viewing mirror portion. The housing is provided with an exterior shell surface and an inner shell surface, which defines a cavity. The rearward viewing mirror portion is at least partially received within the cavity of the housing. The forward viewing mirror portion is located on the exterior shell surface of the housing.

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 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: 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: An exhaust diluting and diffusing apparatus includes a pipe mountable on a exhaust stack pipe, and having a flared skirt inlet to define an annular inlet, a mixing section adjacent the inlet, and an exhaust section formed as a pipe section with a multiplicity of holes. The apparatus pipe has a diameter greater than the diameter of the exhaust stack on which it is mounted.

Abstract: A tow assembly for a truck for high capacity loads provides independent load paths interconnected to a tow eye for bearing a towing load. According to one embodiment, the assembly includes a mounting interface having a front face and oppositely located side faces and defining an interior space, a first outer member extending from one side face of the mounting box, a second outer member extending from an opposite side face of the mounting box, an inner member disposed and extending through the first outer member, the interface, and the second outer member, and, a tow eye mounted to the front face of the interface and structurally interconnected to the inner bar. Towing loads are transmitted to the mounting interface and distributed and shared by the inner member and first and second tube structure.

Abstract: A vehicle operator interface system and method for a diesel particulate filter regeneration system, includes a control unit for receiving information on regeneration status of a vehicle diesel particulate filter and receiving information on operational status of selected vehicle systems and components, a visual display for displaying messages to an operator indicative of said regeneration status and said operational status, an input device for highlighting a portion of the displayed messages and for providing an input selection of a highlighted portion, an input selection being communicated to a control device to carry out the input selection.

Abstract: A tractor truck configured for towing trailers of different air connection configuration. The truck has a first and a second tractor protection valve, each configured to be located on the tractor at a location remote from the other. Each tractor protection valve location is proximate a typical position at which a mating connection on a trailer will be located when hitched to the tractor. The truck also has a selector which is operator-transitionable between a first configuration in which the first tractor protection valve is activated to supply pressured air to an interconnected trailer and a second configuration in which the second tractor protection valve is activated to supply pressured air to a different interconnected trailer.