Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating operation of a fuel-level indicator of a vehicle are disclosed. The systems and methods include means of determining and/or receiving configuration information about the vehicle and integrating appropriate logic for converting raw fuel-level signals produced by a fuel-level sensor into appropriate processed fuel-level signals to be received by the fuel-level indicator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating operation of a fuel-level indicator of a vehicle are disclosed. The systems and methods include means of determining and/or receiving configuration information about the vehicle and integrating appropriate logic for converting raw fuel-level signals produced by a fuel-level sensor into appropriate processed fuel-level signals to be received by the fuel-level indicator.

Abstract: Clutching arrangements for motor vehicle standard transmissions. The force required to clutch a vehicle transmission using a foot pedal is reduced by providing a compressed air actuated boost device attached to the clutch linkage. The degree of boost is selectable using a hand controlled air pressure regulator. Activation of the boost device is controlled by switches which are sensitive to clutch pedal position.

Abstract: A method of operating a retarder control system for a drivetrain retarder such as an engine compression brake of a heavy-duty truck vehicle is disclosed. The method of operation includes three novel subsets each of which controls the operational state and the resistance level at which the drivetrain retarder is operated dependent at least partially upon one or more factors including speeds of one or more drivetrain components, vehicle speed, rotational speed of one or more undriven wheels, position of a brake control member, elapsed time of activation of a brake control member and/or elapsed time from a change in a selected resistance level at which the retarder control system is commanded to effect operation of the drivetrain retarder.

Abstract: The disclosure describes clutching arrangements for motor vehicle standard transmissions. The force required to clutch a vehicle transmission using a foot pedal is reduced by providing a compressed air actuated boost device attached to the clutch linkage. The degree of boost is selectable using a hand controlled air pressure regulator. Activation of the boost device is controlled by switches which are sensitive to clutch pedal position.

Abstract: A method of boot strap starting a diesel having a plurality of cylinders comprises the steps of initiating cranking the diesel and responsive to cranking forcing exhaust valves for all cylinders open during compression strokes. Thereafter, responsive to the engine rotational speed signal exceeding a first threshold, an exhaust valve for one cylinder is allowed to open and close in synchronous with movement of a piston in the cylinder. Further responsive to engine rotational speed exceeding a second threshold higher than the first threshold, cranking is discontinued and the remaining exhaust valves are allowed to open and close in synchronous with movements of pistons in their respective cylinders.

Abstract: A method of boot strap starting a diesel having a plurality of cylinders comprises the steps of initiating cranking the diesel and responsive to cranking forcing exhaust valves for all cylinders open during compression strokes. Thereafter, responsive to the engine rotational speed signal exceeding a first threshold, an exhaust valve for one cylinder is allowed to open and close in synchronous with movement of a piston in the cylinder. Further responsive to engine rotational speed exceeding a second threshold higher than the first threshold, cranking is discontinued and the remaining exhaust valves are allowed to open and close in synchronous with movements of pistons in their respective cylinders.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for installation on a vehicle having an automatic transmission , a gear select lever, an engine, and an engine cranking motor, which allows operation of an auxiliary system by the engine when the automatic transmission is in neutral regardless of the position of the automatic transmission gear select lever and cranking of the engine when the gear select lever for the automatic transmission is positioned at neutral.

Abstract: A method of operating a retarder control system for a drivetrain retarder such as an engine compression brake of a heavy-duty truck vehicle is disclosed. The method of operation includes three novel subsets each of which controls the operational state and the resistance level at which the drivetrain retarder is operated dependent at least partially upon one or more factors including speeds of one or more drivetrain components, vehicle speed, rotational speed of one or more undriven wheels, position of a brake control member, elapsed time of activation of a brake control member and/or elapsed time from a change in a selected resistance level at which the retarder control system is commanded to effect operation of the drivetrain retarder.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for installation on a vehicle having an automatic transmission, a gear select lever, an engine, and an engine cranking motor, which allows operation of an auxiliary system by the engine when the automatic transmission is in neutral regardless of the position of the automatic transmission gear select lever and cranking of the engine when the gear select lever for the automatic transmission is positioned at neutral.

Abstract: The invention provides a cranking inhibition control system for an electric starter to an internal combustion engine. Engine rotational speed is developed from the signal produced by a cam shaft position sensor, which drives the logic of the system. Responsive to changes in engine rotation speed which result in engine speed falling below idle speed, the control logic generates a temporary cranking inhibit signal. Once engine speed falls low enough to clearly indicate cranking has ceased, a timer is triggered which resets the inhibit signal to permit cranking after a suitable delay.

Abstract: A circuit interfaces the brake, the drivetrain, and an accessory driven from the engine through a power take-off with the engine control so as to disallow application of the brake from discontinuing running of the engine at running speed set by the throttle control input whenever there is concurrence of a first input selecting placement of the accessory device in driven relationship to the power shaft, of a second input distinguishing that the transmission is in non-neutral position, and of a third input indicating vehicle speed is below a certain limit. The circuit allows a driver of the vehicle to apply the brake and operate the accessory without interrupting the set running speed of the engine so long the vehicle speed is below the certain limit.

Abstract: An electronically controlled diesel engine for a vehicle which may act as an air compressor in addition to acting as a power source for the vehicle. When acting in the air compressor function, one end cylinder is converted to the function to provide compressed air to air tanks on the vehicle. The air from this combination compressor and power cylinder may be used to fill air tanks which provide air for braking in vehicles such as heavy trucks. The combination compressor and power cylinder has an exhaust isolation valve in the exhaust manifold to isolate an air collection area and a relief/check valve engaged on an upstream side to the air collection area and to an air tank in the air system for the vehicle on the downstream side. An electronic controller means controls the fuel injector for the combination compressor and power cylinder and the exhaust isolation valve. Various types of diesel engines may be modified to become an electronic engine-air compressor system in accordance with this invention.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for providing a momentary switch closure function output in response to operation of a control-request switch input to a closed condition and maintenance of the control-request switch input in closed condition for an amount of time greater than the time of the momentary switch closure function output. One use of the invention is as a single switch PTO enabler in conjunction with an electronically controlled internal combustion engine to provide a required momentary switch closure input to the engine electronic control for enabling the engine speed to change to a demanded speed.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer, has a closed circuit television system that provides the driver with rear and side views of blind spots that the he or she may otherwise be unable to see. When the vehicle is placed in reverse, the view from the rear camera is forced onto the screen of the video monitor to the exclusion of the side camera, or any other camera connected to the system. The invention provides an automation circuit that is responsive to turn signal and hazard warning signal actuation for causing the side camera to be actively connected to the monitor screen when the turn signal system is actuated to give a turn signal to the same side as that viewed by the side video camera and for preventing the side camera from being actively connected to the monitor screen when the hazard warning system is actuated to give a hazard warning signal.

Abstract: When the driver parks a truck for the purpose of sleeping in the cab's bunk space and desires to have the air conditioner operate, fan clutch cycling, which may create objectionable noise that disturbs sleep, is avoided by the inclusion of a branch circuit off of the air conditioner switch that comprises a parking brake switch in series with a relay coil. When the air conditioner is on and the parking brakes are set, this relay coil is energized to open a circuit to the engine fan clutch solenoid, preventing the fan clutch from being disengaged, and thereby keeping the fan in driven relation to the engine crankshaft so that fan clutch cycling does not occur.

Abstract: Multiple control-request switches are operatively coupled by an electronic interlock circuit with an electronic engine control that controls an engine that powers a heavy duty automotive vehicle. The vehicle is also equipped with one or more devices, such as an air-compressor or hydraulic pump, that are powered from the engine via a power take-off. The control-request switches request control of this equipment from various stations via control of an operational function of the engine, such as control of engine speed. The interlock circuit functions to allow only a first-to-be-actuated of the control-request switches to acquire control so that subsequent actuation of any other switch causes the control to go to a default mode to avoid conflicting control of the engine and equipment powered through a power take-off.

Abstract: An ignition switch of an automotive vehicle employs a non-contacting key reader for reading a code on a key when the key is inserted lengthwise into the switch. Such a key reader is either a magnetic one that reads a magnetically coded key or an optical one that reads an optically coded key. A detent mechanism defines successive Accessory and On (Ignition) positions as the key is increasingly inserted. Various branch circuits are switched on to the vehicle's electric power supply at these two positions provided that a valid key has been detected. Full insertion of the key physically pushes a spring-loaded plunger of a mechanical start switch at the inner end of the ignition switch, causing start switch actuation and the engine starter motor to crank the engine, provided that the key is valid. Once the engine starts, the key is released and is returned to the On position.

Abstract: In a properly calibrated accelerator pedal sensor that provides a signal representative of pedal position to an electronic control module for the engine, the point at which the associated idle validation switch switches to distinguish idle from non-idle lies within a limited range of positions proximate closed throttle. The invention is a method for performing an in-vehicle test that can quickly determine if the switch point is in or out of calibration. A jumper is inserted between the sensor and the vehicle wiring harness that normally connects to the sensor. The jumper comprises several test points to which a voltmeter can be connected to measure certain voltages during the test and two LED's that are observed during the test. A special slide calculator is used to convert certain test data into a form that can be readily compared with other test data to make the determination regarding the idle validation switch.