Abstract: A vehicle ventilation system mounted to the upper portion of the exterior structure of a vehicle's occupant cabin. The components of the exterior structure of the occupant cabin define an opening through the exterior structure of the occupant cabin in the upper portion of the occupant cabin. A duct is mounted to the exterior structure of the occupant cabin and has a first end in fluid communication with the opening in the exterior structure of the occupant cabin. A second end of the duct is positioned below the first end of the duct and is open to and in fluid communication with the outside atmosphere. A fan is mounted to the exterior structure of the occupant cabin and is positioned such that when in operation it can be operated to move air through the opening in the exterior structure of the occupant cabin. The fan is controllable to change the rate and direction of the flow of air which it creates.

Abstract: A hood control apparatus includes a single dampening cylinder disposed along a fore-aft centerline of a forward tilting hood, one end of the cylinder being pivotably attached to the hood and another end pivotably engaging a mounting bracket for same engaged to an under hood cooling package frame in a manner to maintain the cylinder above the cooling package components at all times. A spring-loaded locking mechanism may be provided to automatically prevent retraction of the dampening cylinder when the hood is in a fully open position until it is desired to close the hood.

Abstract: A hood tilt control mechanism includes a hood support brakcet having one hinge leaf attached to the chassis including a longitudinally extending slot for slidably receiving one end of a telescoping hood tilt assist mechanism and a second hinge leaf attached to the hood and providing a pivotal mount for the other end of the assist mechanism. The assist mechanism telescopes or extends respectively against the bias of opening or closing springs disposed adjacently on the assist mechanism so that when the hood is closed, the closing spring exerts a counterbalancing force on the hood to assist its opening. As the hood opens the closing spring force goes to zero and, as the hood moves to the open position, the opening spring is engaged by the mechanism to dampen the motion of the hood, ultimately stops the hood by interference of the spring coils, and counterbalances the hood weight in the open position to assist closing.

Abstract: In a hood for a conventional highway truck, induction air for the engine of the truck is drawn by the engine vacuum into the hood through air inlets therein at the upper corners of the grille opening defined by the front hood reinforcement to avoid the more severe road splash contamination. The air is drawn through several turns of ninety degree or smaller angle, including the inlets disposed perpendicularly to the path of travel, through a vertical duct adjacent the front reinforcement, a horizontal duct adjacent the fenders, a rear vertical duct, and the duct-defining rear reinforcement to a connection with the engine air cleaner. Both of the vertical ducts are provided with small drain holes adjacent their lower ends to permit heavier particles and water to drain therefrom. The ducts have been provided with large cross-sectional areas which, in addition to reducing air flow restriction, provide lower air flow velocity which further enables water and heavier particles to drop out of the air stream.