Abstract: Vehicle armrests configured to removably receive beverage container holders are provided. Armrests are configured to removably receive beverage container holders in end portions and/or intermediate portions thereof. Armrests pivotally mounted within passenger compartments of vehicles can be restrained from pivotal movement when beverage container holders are removably secured thereto.

Abstract: A combination thermal and pressure relief valve is disclosed that includes a first housing having an opening at a first end and a pathway extending towards the opening from a second end of the first housing. A second housing is partially received in the opening of the first housing, and the first and the second housings define a chamber adjacent the pathway. An exitway extends from the chamber to an exterior of the valve. A bearing element is within the chamber adjacent the pathway and is larger than a width of the pathway. A spring is within the chamber, is under compression, and in line with the bearing element. A thermal element is also within the chamber and in line with the spring. The thermal element melts at a predetermined temperature. The spring exerts a force on the bearing element such that the bearing element is biased against the pathway and forms a seal between the chamber and the pathway.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body having a passageway and first and second oppositely facing valve seats that extend around the passageway. First and second valve elements are positioned in the passageway to seal against the respective valve seats, and a spring biases the first valve element to the closed position against the first valve seat. The valve seats are spaced sufficiently closely together along the passageway that the first valve element, when positioned against the first valve seat, holds the second valve element away from the second valve seat. For this reason, the spring also biases the second valve element away from the second valve seat.

Abstract: Vehicle armrests configured to removably receive beverage container holders are provided. Armrests are configured to removably receive beverage container holders in end portions and/or intermediate portions thereof. Armrests pivotally mounted within passenger compartments of vehicles can be restrained from pivotal movement when beverage container holders are removably secured thereto.

Abstract: Vehicle armrests configured to removably receive beverage container holders are provided. Armrests are configured to removably receive beverage container holders in end portions and/or intermediate portions thereof. Armrests pivotally mounted within passenger compartments of vehicles can be restrained from pivotal movement when beverage container holders are removably secured thereto.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine includes a pressure spike attenuator that is installed between the pump and fuel rail inlet of the system. This pressure spike attenuator includes an expandable pressure vessel having a sidewall that is corrugated in cross-section to facilitate volumetric expansion of the pressure vessel. A solenoid valve includes a tapered needle that is moved between an opened and a closed position. In the opened position, the fuel pump, the pressure vessel, and the fuel rail are all in fluid communication with one another. In the closed position, the pressure vessel is isolated from both the fuel pump and the fuel rail, and the fuel rail is isolated from both the fuel pump and the pressure vessel.

Abstract: An air conditioner access fitting includes a valve body having a threaded bore and an annular valve seat extending around the bore. A twist-to-open valve is disposed in the bore and threadedly engaged with the valve body. The valve includes a valve element configured to form a metal-to-metal seal with the valve seat. A valve core is disposed in a second bore formed in the twist-to-open valve, and the valve core operates selectively to open and close a flow path extending through the second bore. The valve body further includes a quick connect shoulder disposed around the bore. An associated service fitting includes a quick release mechanism, a wrench for rotating the twist-to-open valve, and a valve core depressor for opening the valve core.

Abstract: A tire monitor (100) for use in a remote tire monitor system (1000) includes an accelerometer (902, 904, 906) for detecting acceleration of the tire monitor. Position information for the tire monitor is determined in response to the acceleration. In this manner, tire position information is determined automatically to allow the system to display tire characteristic data such as air pressure in conjunction with tire position.

Abstract: A snowmobile cover with first and second receptacles for trapping water, snow, ice and dirt. The first receptacle is the cover as a whole wherein the cover forms a bowl like shape via an elastic cord housed in an endless sheath formed by and about the perimeter of the cover. As the cover is taken off the snowmobile, the cover is turned inside out, forming the bowl shape for containing the water, snow, ice and dirt. A second receptacle is a built in carrying bag for the receptacle. The cover (whether or not turned inside out) is rolled up into a bundle and the bundle is tucked inside of the bag for storage. If desired, water, snow, ice and dirt on the outside of the cover (or on the inside of the cover turned inside out) is also rolled up with the cover and retained within the built in bag.

Abstract: A jet pump includes a jet pump nozzle and a pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve includes an inlet, a valve seat around the inlet, and an unregulated outlet downstream of the valve seat. A valve member is mounted in the valve body to move between a closed position and an open position, and a spring reacts against the valve body to bias the valve member to the closed position. The valve seat defines a first area A1, the valve member defines a second area A2, and the ratio A2/A1 is selected to provide a hysteresis between opening and closing pressures as measured at the inlet of at least 6 psi. This hysteresis improves efficiency of operation of the jet pump nozzle.

Abstract: A housing having a socket surrounded by an annular flange is connected to a tube having a raised annular shoulder. The tube is inserted in the socket, and then the flange is deformed radially inwardly to capture the shoulder in the housing. The flange is also recurved alongside the sidewall of the tube on a side of the shoulder opposite the housing to support the tube against bending. The flange includes an inwardly directed wall having an array of raised features positioned to enhance frictional engagement between the wall and the tube when the raised features are forced against the tube as the flange is deformed. In this way rotation of the tube in the housing is inhibited.

Abstract: A combined charge/relief valve for an air conditioner system includes an outer housing that defines a first passageway and an inner housing that defines a second passageway. The inner housing includes an O-ring seal and is biased by an outer spring to a sealed position to seal the first passageway. The inner housing can be moved to a charging position by the direct application of mechanical force in order to facilitate high rate charging of the air conditioner system. The inner housing includes a valve member movable between an opened and a closed position to seal the inner passageway. The valve member is biased to the closed position by a precision relief spring. Excessive refrigerant pressure in the air conditioner system moves the valve member from the closed to the open position in order to vent refrigerant to the environment.

Abstract: The system is used for pumping cryogenic liquids from delivery vehicles including trucks, semi-trailers and trailers. An internal combustion engine is mounted at the forward end of the vehicle or, in the case of a trailer truck at the forward end of the trailer, and drives a variable displacement hydrostatic transmission which comprises a hydraulic pump driven directly from the output shaft of the internal combustion engine. The transmission also comprises a high speed hydraulic motor coupled by hydraulic lines with the hydraulic pump and arranged in a closed loop system. The hydraulic motor is disposed at a rear end of the vehicle (trailer) and has its output shaft coupled directly to the cryogenic delivery pump of the vehicle. A control panel is mounted in a rear compartment of the vehicle and allows the operator to control, inter alia, engine speed, hydrostatic drive speed and cryogenic pump output pressure.

Abstract: Thermal insulation comprised of fiberglass boards or batts having relatively small diameter fiberglass fibers either bound or unbound is wound about the lading container pressure vessel of a tank truck, trailer or rail car. As the insulation is wound about a longitudinal section of the vessel, the insulation is squeezed from its free height to a lesser height to increase the density of the insulation and also permit passage of the outer jacket. The squeezing is preferably accomplished by wrapping each layer of insulation with a continuous wire mesh. The tension is maintained with the use of a long rod intertwined in the wire mesh, which rod is withdrawn after a section of the outer jacket is over a section of the vessel thereby permitting the insulation to expand and substantially fill the void between the vessel and outer jacket.

Abstract: Thermal insulation comprised of fiberglass boards or batts having relatively small diameter fiberglass fibers either bound or unbound is wound about the lading container pressure vessel of a tank truck, trailer or rail car. As the insulation is wound about a longitudinal section of the vessel, the insulation is squeezed from its free height to a lesser height to increase the density of the insulation and also permit passage of the outer jacket. The squeezing is preferably accomplished by wrapping each layer of insulation with a continuous wire mesh. The tension is maintained with the use of a long rod intertwined in the wire mesh, which rod is withdrawn after a section of the outer jacket is over a section of the vessel thereby permitting the insulation to expand and substantially fill the void between the vessel and outer jacket.