Abstract: A vehicle system comprises a hitch mounted on a vehicle and at least one sensor in connection with the hitch. A controller is configured to identify a force applied to the hitch via the at least one sensor. In response to the force, the controller is further configured to approximate a direction of the force. Based on the direction, the controller generates instructions identifying a height adjustment of a coupler of a trailer.

Abstract: A Venturi device for producing vacuum from fluids in an engine system has a body defining a Venturi gap separating apart an outlet end of a converging motive section and an inlet end of a diverging discharge section by a lineal distance, and a suction port in fluid communication with the Venturi gap. The converging motive section and the diverging discharge section both gradually, continuously taper toward the Venturi gap, the converging motive section defines a circular-shaped motive inlet and an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped motive outlet, the diverging discharge section defines an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped discharge inlet, and an inner passageway of the converging motive section transitions as a hyperbolic function from the motive inlet to the elliptical- or polygonal-shaped motive outlet.

Abstract: Venturi devices for producing vacuum are disclosed that include a housing defining a motive port, a suction port, a discharge port, a first flow passage between the motive port and the discharge port, and a second flow passage into and through the suction port and into fluid communication with the first flow passage, a first check valve incorporated into the housing and positioned to control fluid flow through the suction port, and a sound attenuating wrap about the outer surface of the housing. The Venturi devices may also include a sound attenuating member disposed in the first flow passage downstream of the intersection of the second flow passage and the first flow passage, in the portion of the second flow passage leading into the suction port, in the first check valve, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle system comprises a hitch mounted on a vehicle and at least one sensor in connection with the hitch. A controller is configured to identify a force applied to the hitch via the at least one sensor. In response to the force, the controller is further configured to approximate a direction of the force. Based on the direction, the controller generates instructions identifying a height adjustment of a coupler of a trailer.

Abstract: An evacuator for supplying vacuum to a device in a boosted engine air system is disclosed. The evacuator defines a body comprising a converging motive section, a diverging discharge section, at least one suction port, and a Venturi gap located between an outlet end of the converging motive section and an inlet end of the diverging discharge section. A lineal distance is measured between the outlet end and the inlet end. The lineal distance is decreased in length if higher suction vacuum at a specific set of operating conditions is required and the lineal distances is increased in length if higher suction flow rate at the specific set of operating conditions is required.

Abstract: Check valves are disclosed and include a housing defining an internal cavity having a first seat and a second seat, and a seal member within the internal cavity translatable between a closed position against the first seat and an open position against the second seat. The second seat has a middle axis transverse to a plane of a longitudinal cross-section of the housing and has a shortest finger positioned to either the left or to the right of the middle axis. The seal member is seatable against the second seat at an angle or in a deflected position against the plurality of fingers, thereby defining a longer distance of travel to reach the closed position for a portion of the check valve disc that is associated with the position of the shortest finger relative to other portions of the check valve disc.

Abstract: A Venturi device for producing vacuum from fluids in an engine system has a body defining a Venturi gap separating apart an outlet end of a converging motive section and an inlet end of a diverging discharge section by a lineal distance, and a suction port in fluid communication with the Venturi gap. The converging motive section and the diverging discharge section both gradually, continuously taper toward the Venturi gap, the converging motive section defines a circular-shaped motive inlet and an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped motive outlet, the diverging discharge section defines an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped discharge inlet, and an inner passageway of the converging motive section transitions as a hyperbolic function from the motive inlet to the elliptical- or polygonal-shaped motive outlet.

Abstract: An evacuator for supplying vacuum to a device in a boosted engine air system is disclosed. The evacuator defines a body comprising a converging motive section, a diverging discharge section, at least one suction port, and a Venturi gap located between an outlet end of the converging motive section and an inlet end of the diverging discharge section. A lineal distance is measured between the outlet end and the inlet end. The lineal distance is decreased in length if higher suction vacuum at a specific set of operating conditions is required and the lineal distances is increased in length if higher suction flow rate at the specific set of operating conditions is required.

Abstract: An evacuator for supplying vacuum to a device in a boosted engine air system is disclosed. The evacuator defines a body comprising a converging motive section, a diverging discharge section, at least one suction port, and a Venturi gap located between an outlet end of the converging motive section and an inlet end of the diverging discharge section. A lineal distance is measured between the outlet end and the inlet end. The lineal distance is decreased in length if higher suction vacuum at a specific set of operating conditions is required and the lineal distances is increased in length if higher suction flow rate at the specific set of operating conditions is required.

Abstract: Methods for post-mold processing a Venturi device for generating vacuum are disclosed that improve the evacuation time thereof. The methods include providing a molded Venturi device having a body defining a Venturi gap between an outlet end of a converging motive passageway and an inlet end of a diverging discharge passageway, where the outlet end defines a motive exit having flash extending radially inward and the inlet end defines a discharge inlet having flash extending radially inward. Then, the method includes positioning the molded Venturi device with an inlet end of the converging motive passageway facing a blasting nozzle or with an outlet end of a diverging discharge passageway facing a blasting nozzle, and propelling blasting media into the motive inlet or the discharge exit of the Venturi device to remove the flash in the motive exit and in the discharge inlet, or vice versa.

Abstract: A device for producing vacuum using the Venturi effect, systems utilizing the device, and methods of making the device are disclosed. The device has a housing defining a Venturi gap, a motive passageway converging toward the Venturi gap and in fluid communication therewith, a discharge passageway diverging away from the Venturi gap and in fluid communication therewith, and a suction passageway in fluid communication with the Venturi gap. The suction passageway has an interior surface with a surface topography that renders the interior surface hydrophobic and has an oleophobic coating applied to the interior surface while maintaining the surface topography.

Abstract: Check valves, Venturi devices and engines having such check valves, define an internal cavity having a first port and a second port, a first seat and a second seat, and a translatable seal disk. The check valves have an outlet conduit extending from the second port and/or the first seat has a first annular seal bead and a second annular seal bead disposed radially inward of the first annular seal bead with a plurality of ribs extending between the first annular seal bead and the second annular seal bead within the fluid flow path of the first port. The outlet conduit defines an outlet passageway having a restrictor profile that is circular in a transverse profile, and the ribs decrease the flow area of the fluid flow path of the first port by about 10% to about 60%.

Abstract: Check valves, Venturi devices and engines that include the check valves are disclosed. The check valves define an internal cavity having a first port and a second port, a first seat and a second seat, and a translatable seal disk. The first seat is proximate the first port and has a first annular seal bead, and a second annular seal bead radially inward from the first annular seal bead. The seal disk has a first sealing portion seatable against the first annular seal bead and a second sealing portion seatable against the second annular seal bead (both of a first thickness), an intermediate portion between the first and second sealing portions of a second thickness, and a lip portion defining the outer periphery of the seal disk of a third thickness. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness, and the third thickness is less than the first thickness.

Abstract: Check valves are disclosed and include a housing defining an internal cavity having a first seat and a second seat, and a seal member within the internal cavity translatable between a closed position against the first seat and an open position against the second seat. The second seat has a middle axis transverse to a plane of a longitudinal cross-section of the housing and has a shortest finger positioned to either the left or to the right of the middle axis. The seal member is seatable against the second seat at an angle or in a deflected position against the plurality of fingers, thereby defining a longer distance of travel to reach the closed position for a portion of the check valve disc that is associated with the position of the shortest finger relative to other portions of the check valve disc.