Abstract: An axle/suspension system for a wheeled vehicle, in which the vehicle has a frame, includes an integral arm structure that includes an attachment member for connecting the integral arm structure to the vehicle frame. A flexible transition member is connected to and extends from the attachment member and a body is connected to and extends from the transition member The flexible transition member may be generally curved or angular and enables pivotal movement of the integral arm structure and cooperates with the body to distribute forces encountered by the axle/suspension system The body may be a truss structure or a solid body, which may include a member that replaces a conventional axle tube.

Abstract: A frame for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a pail of spaced-apart, parallel, elongated, and longitudinally-extending main members. At least a pair of transverse cross members extend between and are attached to the main members, and each one of at least a pair of hangers is attached to and depends from a respective one of the main members and/or the cross members. A component is disposed between each one of the hangers and its respective main member, or alternatively is incorporated into the hangers, for absorbing the energy that is created by an extreme event during vehicle operation, to reduce the possibility of damage to the main members and/or the cross members caused by movement of at least one of the hangers during the extreme event.

Abstract: A tank for containing compressed air for supplying the air to one or more pneumatically-operated components, devices, or systems of a heavy-duty vehicle such as a tractor-trailer or straight truck, also serves as part of the structure of the frame or subframe of the vehicle. The frame or subframe includes a pair of spaced-apart, parallel, elongated and longitudinally extending main members. One or more of the tanks also serve as interconnecting cross members of the frame or subframe structure. Each tank/cross member generally extends between and is perpendicular to the main members and is secured to the main members and/or suspension hangers and/or the air springs to form a rigid, integrated flame or subframe structure having reduced weight, yet which is capable of reacting the loads imparted to the structure by the axle/suspension system during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved locking mechanism for a movable subframe of a tractor-trailer has a pair of transversely-spaced main members extending longitudinally beneath a body of the tractor-trailer, at least one cross member extending between and being attached to the main members, and an axle/suspension system attached to and depending from the main members. At least one clamping mechanism is attached to the subframe and mechanically engages a longitudinally extending rail of the body of the tractor-trailer to enable efficient selective positioning of the subframe relative to the body. Undesirable movements between the subframe and the tractor-trailer body are minimized by fore-aft and/or vertical clamping loads exerted on the body rail and the subframe by the clamping mechanism. This secure positioning allows portions of the trailer body and/or subframe to be constructed of lightweight materials which in turn permits the tractor-trailer to carry larger payloads.

Abstract: An axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle, in which the vehicle has a frame, is attached to the vehicle frame via a pair of hangers, and includes an axle and a pair of suspension assemblies. Each of the suspension assemblies includes an air spring and at least one spring member. The spring member includes a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion. The first attachment portion is generally rigidly connected to the hanger via a clamped connection, and the second attachment portion is operatively connected to the axle. The spring member, connected in this manner, reduces or eliminates dock walk when a cargo transfer vehicle enters the heavy-duty vehicle, and also reduces or eliminates rebound when the cargo transfer vehicle exits the vehicle. The spring member is also capable of being tuned to a predetermined stiffness that is sufficient to control heavy-duty vehicle roll forces.

Abstract: An axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle, in which the vehicle includes a frame that extends in a longitudinal direction relative to the vehicle. The axle/suspension system is attached to the vehicle frame via at least one hanger and includes at least one beam, which includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the beam is connected to the hanger, and the second end of the beam immovably captures an axle, which extends in a transverse direction relative to the vehicle. The beam is formed of a composite material and has a substantially constant cross section in the transverse direction to provide sufficient strength to control roll forces encountered by the vehicle during operation.

Abstract: A frame or subframe for a tractor-trailer for supporting one or more axle/suspension systems includes a pair of spaced-apart, parallel, elongated, and longitudinally extending main members. At least one cross member structure extends between and is connected to the longitudinal main members using structural nodes. A bonding adhesive, or other suitable means of attachment, connects the cross member structure and the structural nodes to one another and to the main members. The structural nodes distribute loads encountered during vehicle operation generally over a relatively large area thereby generally reducing the concentration of such loadings at the connections, and assist in generally evenly distributing loads between the cross member structure and the main members to effectively react lateral, longitudinal, vertical, and racking loads. The combination of greater load distribution and reduced loading concentrations allows the structure to be constructed from lighter weight materials.

Abstract: A movable subframe or slider box for tractor-trailers includes a pair of elongated, longitudinally-extending, spaced-apart, parallel main members, and a plurality of cross members which extend between and are attached to the main members to form a rigid slider box structure. The slider box includes a retractable pin mechanism for selectively positioning the slider box beneath the trailer. The slider box supports one or more axle/suspension systems which in turn support the vehicle wheels and tires. The slider box is free of hangers for pivotally mounting beams of the axle/suspension systems on the slider box. The beams instead are pivotally mounted directly on the main members. Each main member has an inverted generally U-shaped configuration which forms a channel, so that a bushing assembly end of each beam nests within the channel of its respective main member and is pivotally attached thereto.

Abstract: A sensor system for actuating the lifting of a steerable axle of a wheeled vehicle includes at least one proximity switch mounted on a first structure of the wheeled vehicle and at least one magnet mounted on a second structure of the wheeled vehicle, wherein at least one of the first and second structures pivots relative to the other structure. When at least one of the first and second structures moves to a predetermined position relative to the other structure, the at least one proximity switch and the at least one magnet are aligned in close proximity, thereby activating the proximity switch to, in turn, actuate a lift mechanism for the steerable axle.

Abstract: The present invention is a fuel cell stack including at least one direct methanol fuel cell. A cathode manifold is used to convey liquid methanol fuel to each fuel cell, and an anode manifold is used to convey ambient air to each fuel cell. Tie-bolt penetrations and tie-bolts are spaced evenly around the perimeter to hold the fuel cell stack together. Each fuel cell uses two graphite-based plates. One plate includes a cathode active area that is defined by serpentine channels connecting the inlet manifold with an integral flow restrictor to the outlet manifold. The other plate includes an anode active area defined by serpentine channels connecting the inlet and outlet of the anode manifold. Located between the two plates is the fuel cell active region.

Abstract: An axle/suspension system for a wheeled vehicle, in which the vehicle has a frame, includes an integral arm structure that includes an attachment member for connecting the integral arm structure to the vehicle frame. A flexible transition member is connected to and extends from the attachment member and a truss structure is connected to and extends from the transition member. The flexible transition member may be generally curved or angular and enables pivotal movement of the integral arm structure and cooperates with the truss structure to distribute forces encountered by the axle/suspension system. The truss structure may include a truss member that replaces a conventional axle tube. Optionally, two axle/suspension integral arm structures may be used to capture a conventional axle tube.

Abstract: A movable subframe or slider for semi-trailers includes a pair of spaced-apart, parallel and longitudinally extending main members. The main members are interconnected by a pair of longitudinally spaced, parallel and transversely extending horizontal cross members, a horizontally-disposed cross-brace structure, and a pair of longitudinally-spaced, parallel and vertically-disposed cross-brace structures. One or more axle/suspension systems are suspended from hangers which are mounted on and depend from the slider structure, and a retractable pin mechanism enables selective positioning of the slider relative to the trailer body for optimum load distribution and trailer versatility during vehicle operation. The integral slider structure supports the one or more axle/suspension systems, so that concentrated loads imposed on the slider via the axle/suspension systems during operation of the vehicle generally are dissipated throughout the entire slider structure.

Abstract: A tank for containing compressed air for supplying the air to one or more pneumatically-operated components, devices, or systems of a heavy-duty vehicle such as a tractor-trailer or straight truck, also serves as part of the structure of the frame or subframe of the vehicle. The frame or subframe includes a pair of spaced-apart, parallel, elongated and longitudinally extending main members. One or more of the tanks serve as interconnecting cross members of the frame or subframe structure. Each tank/cross member generally extends between and is perpendicular to the main members and is secured to the main members and/or suspension hangers to form a rigid, integrated frame or subframe structure having reduced weight, yet which is capable of reacting the loads placed on the structure during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A distributed compliance air-ride axle/suspension system includes an integral structure preferably formed of a lightweight composite material, replacing traditional beams and an axle. The composite structure includes a plurality of plates of various sizes and shapes, with the size, shape and arrangement of the plates being determined by the load capacity model of a specific vehicle application. Traditional axle spindle ends are mounted on the integral plate structure, together with pivot bushings, air springs, and shock absorbers, to complete the air-ride axle/suspension system. The system in turn is pivotally mounted on frame brackets of a heavy-duty vehicle such as a semi-trailer or dump truck. Forces, loads and/or stresses imposed on the axle/suspension system during vehicle operation are distributed generally throughout the composite structure to achieve the desired structural roll compliance of the axle/suspension system for the particular application.

Abstract: An electrical circuit board is provided with a substrate, preferably of paper such as gloss art paper, bond paper or a semi-synthetic paper, and an electrical circuit lithographically printed onto the substrate from an ink comprising electrical particles suspended in a resin. The resin may be an organic resin such as an alkyd resin, and the conductive particles may be metallic silver. The manufacture of electrical components such as resistors and capacitors and antennae is also described. The circuit printing technique is reliable, cheap and can be based on a range of substrates not previously possible.

Abstract: A method of washing animals prior to slaughter involves passing the animals 40 one after another through a race 10 having means 35 to apply a pressurized spray of a cleaning fluid to the animal at least in those areas where incisions will be made. The animal exits from the race into a holding pen before passing to a wash station to wash off the cleaning fluid. The fluid is a high pH dilute detergent solution and is supplied under pressure to a solenoid operated valve 65 and from there to spray bars 20, 21, 22, 30, 50 and 70 so that the spray continues so long as valve 65 is open. The presence of the animal 40 is detected by a flexible wand 60 switch which turns on or off the solenoid operated valve.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system particularly useful in the heavy duty truck and trailer industry is disclosed. The suspension features lower control rods that are pivotally connected at their leading ends to hangers attached to each side frame member. The rearward ends of the lower control rods are attached to axle seats, one at each end of the axle, which are connected to the axle of the vehicle. Air springs and shock absorbers or, alternatively, hydraulic cylinders with accumulators, are mounted between each axle seat and each side frame member. The lower control rods are in an inclined orientation with their forward ends above their trailing ends. Additionally, some embodiments of the suspension feature upper control rods with their forward ends pivotally attached to the two opposing truck side frame members. The rearward ends of the upper control rods are attached to the top center of the axle by either a bolt and bushing mount or a ball and socket mount so that the upper control rods form a "V".

Abstract: A break-out attachment (2) configured for connection to a vehicle, such as a lift truck (20), for retrieving, transporting and releasing cotton bales. The break-out attachment comprises a shaft (24) rotatably mounted to a base frame (4), two lower horizontally spaced support arms (10, 12) extending outward from the shaft for supporting a cotton bale and an upper arm (6) extending from the shaft between the support arms for engaging the cotton bale. A rotary actuator (52) is coupled to the shaft for rotating the shaft and the three arms around the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The upper arm has a hydraulic cylinder (88) for telescoping toward and away from the shaft. The hydraulic cylinder provides more flexibility in the positioning of the truck and allows the operator to initially engage the cotton bale with only the upper arm, thus facilitating the process of retrieving the bale.

Abstract: A beam-type axle suspension system particularly applicable to trailers and which is subject to torsional forces includes an elongated beam, a pneumatic bellows located on the beam, a hanger bracket located at one end of the beam, a connection for rigidly connecting the beam to the axle and a resilient pivot connection for resiliently connecting the beam to the hanger bracket wherein the beam includes an orifice through which the axle is slid or pressed and rigidly attached thereto, thereby preventing the axle from assuming a cross-sectional shape substantially different from its unstressed shape due to the torsional forces imposed on the axle. This beam-type axle suspension system also includes a resilient pivot connection for connecting the hanger bracket to the beam, thereby allowing the brake components to be attached to the beam instead of to the axle, and having the effect of eliminating stress risers on the axle due to welding the brake components to the axle.

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus is shown for beverages and more particularly a dispenser apparatus for one or more large size carbonated beverage bottles. The dispenser apparatus comprises a supporting base having a top surface with one or more vertical openings each configured to receive and hermetically seal the open end of a large size carbonated beverage bottle in an inverted position and a horizontal front opening for each vertical opening. A short vertical passageway in the base extends from each top opening and a horizontal passageway extending from each front opening to open into the vertical passageways. A bleed passageway extends horizontally substantially in parallel to each horizontal passageway from each front opening and then vertically through each vertical opening to a point adjacent to the bottom of an inverted carbonated beverage bottle installed on the apparatus.