Abstract: A surgical system, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium involving a robotic manipulator configured to move a surgical instrument relative to virtual boundaries. A navigation system tracks each of a first object, a second object, and the surgical instrument. The first object is moveable relative to the second object. One or more controllers associate a first virtual boundary with the first object and associate a second virtual boundary with the second object. The first virtual boundary is moveable in relation to the second virtual boundary. The controller(s) control the robotic manipulator in relation to the first virtual boundary to facilitate interaction of the surgical instrument with the first object. The controller(s) control the robotic manipulator in relation to the second virtual boundary to avoid interaction of the surgical instrument with the second object.

Abstract: A wear pad for a guide rail of a trailer with a slider suspension assembly, including at least one leg configured to be positioned between the guide rail and a frame member of the slider suspension assembly. The wear pad permits the passage of lock pins through the wear pad. A wear pad includes two legs that provide the wear pad with an L-shaped profile. One of the legs of a wear pad includes different portions with different thickness.

Abstract: A wear pad for a guide rail of a trailer with a slider suspension assembly, including at least one leg configured to be positioned between the guide rail and a frame member of the slider suspension assembly. The wear pad permits the passage of lock pins through the wear pad. A wear pad includes two legs that provide the wear pad with an L-shaped profile. One of the legs of a wear pad includes different portions with different thickness.

Abstract: An elastomeric spring suspension is described for supporting a longitudinally extending vehicle frame rail above first and second axles forming a tandem axle configuration. The suspension includes a frame hanger assembly mounted to the vehicle frame rail. The frame hanger assembly has two full spring modules, each of which includes two shear springs, a progressive spring rate load cushion having a pyramidal shape with a flattened top surface and a spring mount for mounting the springs. A saddle assembly is connected to the spring mount, and an equalizing beam is connected to the saddle assembly and further connected to the axles. The spring rate for the suspension increases almost linearly as a function of sprung load, resembling a pneumatic suspension. Accordingly, the suspension exhibits excellent ride quality, without sacrificing roll stability.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the balancing of fuel among tanks in a circulating fuel system. The tanks in the system have both a draw conduit and a return conduit mounted to and extending into the tank. Flow restriction devices are mounted in both the draw and the return conduits and are controlled by a fuel level detection system, which detects the fuel in the tank.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the balancing of fuel among tanks in a circulating fuel system. The tanks in the system have both a draw conduit and a return conduit mounted to and extending into the tank. Flow restriction devices are mounted in both the draw and the return conduits and are controlled by a fuel level detection system, which detects the fuel in the tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a T-clip for a fitting having a T-branch, especially for T-fittings and Union fittings used in motor vehicles. The T-clip has a base with holders at opposite ends of the base and optionally an inner sidewall between the holders. Each holder has sidewalls which hold the legs of the fitting in place. The inner sidewall prevents the T-branch from over-rotation within the T-clip.

Abstract: An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine has special accommodations for preventing the pooling of water in the passageways of the exhaust system. One or more of the components of the exhaust system such as mufflers and or sections of exhaust tubing etc. have absorbent liners disposed at points within said exhaust system where water is likely to pool. The absorbent liners wick moisture away from the inner surfaces of the exhaust components in which they are disposed. Moisture is held within the absorbent liners until the temperature of the exhaust system rises enough to evaporate the moisture at which time the water vapor exits the exhaust system with the combustion products of the internal combustion engine. The absorbent liners are of a size and shape and are positioned within the exhaust system components such that they present minimal restriction to flow of combustion products through the exhaust system.

Abstract: A front axle suspension having on each side of a vehicle a spring beam pivotally attached at its fore or front end to a bracket depending from a chassis frame side beam with its aft or trailing end mounted on the vehicle front axle. An assembly of integrated parts serves to resiliently support each chassis frame side beam on the spring beam and axle below. A key part of each assembly is a multi-functional component having a central body portion mounted on the trailing end of the spring beam which has: (1) fore-and-aft spring support formations projecting in cantilever relationship from its fore and aft sides; (2) seats for the bight portions of U-bolts located inwardly of the spring support formations; (3) a laterally projecting shock absorber mount on its front wheel facing side; and (4) a track rod attachment bracket projecting laterally from its vehicle center facing.

Abstract: A dual volume air spring for a truck suspension, which has an air bag chamber providing a variable volume and a fixed volume chamber. The chambers are interconnected by a closable orifice. The air bag is provided with a post-like orifice closer which is pushed into the orifice when the air bag is sufficiently compressed ad withdrawn from the orifice when the air bag is not compressed. In normal operation the orifice is open and the combined volumes of the chambers are available resulting in a low spring rate. The orifice closer has an orifice closing portion which is relatively pliant and a rigid or semi-rigid portion which acts as a bump-stop when the pliant portion is substantially completely compressed. When the orifice is completely closed the spring has a high spring rate.

Abstract: The apparatus for providing access steps to a vehicle and a method of installing same on a heavy or medium duty truck. In its most basic form, the apparatus is comprised of an access step and two step brackets. The brackets are installed to outer surfaces of the tank straps which hold a fuel tank to a frame rail of the vehicle. The access step and step brackets have tabs and flaps or slots which can be combined to attach the access step to the step brackets with a reduced number of fasteners.

Abstract: The apparatus for providing access steps to a vehicle and a method of installing same on a heavy or medium duty truck. In its most basic form, the apparatus is comprised of an access step and two step brackets. The brackets are installed to outer surfaces of the tank straps which hold a fuel tank to a frame rail of the vehicle. The access step and step brackets have tabs and flaps or slots which can be combined to attach the access step to the step brackets with a reduced number of fasteners.

Abstract: A front air suspension system for a mobile vehicle such as a medium or heavy truck or school bus. The system has horizontally mounted shock absorbers engaged at a rear end to each of the frame rails of the chassis and at a forward end to a bell crank. The bell crank is pivotably engaged in its center to the frame rails and on its opposite side to an upper portion of a vertical link. The lower portion of the vertical link is engaged to a trailing beam. An air spring is engaged between each frame rail and the trailing beams. The bell crank transfers energy between the shock absorber and the air springs to dampen air spring induced movement of the chassis. The vertical link and bell crank combination provide lateral support for the sprung mass.

Abstract: The apparatus for providing access steps to a vehicle and a method of installing same on a heavy or medium duty truck. In its most basic form, the apparatus is comprised of an access step and two step brackets. The brackets are installed to outer surfaces of the tank straps which hold a fuel tank to a frame rail of the vehicle. The access step and step brackets have tabs and flaps or slots which can be combined to attach the access step to the step brackets with a reduced number of fasteners.

Abstract: The apparatus for providing access steps to a vehicle and a method of installing same on a heavy or medium duty truck. In its most basic form, the apparatus is comprised of an access step and two step brackets. The brackets are installed to outer surfaces of the tank straps which hold a fuel tank to a frame rail of the vehicle. The access step and step brackets have tabs and flaps or slots which can be combined to attach the access step to the step brackets with a reduced number of fasteners.

Abstract: A stabilizer for a steer axle air ride suspension of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a frame having longitudinally extending beams, a pair of spring beams each pivotally attached at its forward end to one of the frame beams by a pivot pin and an air spring interposed between each of the frame and spring beams. The pivot pins lie on a common axis. The stabilizer includes a somewhat U-shaped torsion bar having side portions connected by a cross portion. The distal ends of the side portions of the U-shaped torsion bar are pivotally attached to the pivot pins and the cross portion is rotatably connected to the axle. Isolators are installed at the pivotal attachments of the distal ends of the side portions of the U-shaped bar to the pivot pins and at the rotatable connections of the cross portion to the axle.

Abstract: An anti-friction pad for a bushed pivot connection of a main leaf spring and a secondary leaf spring of a spring mounted air spring suspension of a vehicle. The pivot connection includes a bushing, a main leaf spring having an eye receiving the bushing and a secondary leaf spring having an eye receiving the eye of the main leaf spring and the inside surfaces of bushing hanger bracket. The anti-friction pad has an elongated main body portion positioned between and in contact with the main leaf spring and the secondary leaf spring. The anti-friction pad also has side walls which engage the secondary leaf spring. The anti-friction pad has a center post which seats in a socket of the secondary leaf spring. The main body portion of the pad has an outer convex surface which mates with a concave face of the main leaf spring. The anti-friction pad is formed of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

Abstract: A flow conditioner for providing a relatively ideal flow profile when used in a fluid conduit upstream from an orifice meter comprises a bundle of parallel tubes including a central tube having the largest diameter in the range of 0.2 to 0.5 times the conduit internal diameter. The central tube is surrounded by circular arrays of tubes each having a diameter smaller than the central tube so that the flow conditioner produces an orifice discharge coefficient that does not vary from a coefficient created by non swirling, fully developed ideal flow conditions.

Abstract: A slider frame adapted to be slidably mounted on a semi-trailer having a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending body rails on the underside thereof. The slider frame includes a pair of longitudinally extending side rails of C-channel shape. Suspension hangers are fastened to the C-channel rails. A reinforcing pan is mounted in each C-channel rail above each suspension hanger. Tubular cross-members extend between the cross-rails and are attached to the reinforcing pans and the side rails. The reinforcing pans box-in and connect the C-channel rails to the suspension hangers.