Abstract: A power unit has: a conversion device (3, 106) for converting mechanical energy of rotation into a different form of energy which can be used for various purposes; a first internal combustion engine (1, 102); a second internal combustion engine (5, 104); a first clutch (2, 103) through which the first engine can be selectively coupled to a first axial end of a rotor shaft of the conversion device for transmitting mechanical energy of rotation to the rotor shaft when the first clutch is engaged; and a second clutch (4, 105) through which the second engine can be selectively coupled to a second axial end of the rotor shaft for transmitting mechanical energy of rotation from the second engine to the rotor shaft when the second clutch is coupling the second engine to the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A power unit has: a conversion device (3, 106) for converting mechanical energy of rotation into a different form of energy which can be used for various purposes; a first internal combustion engine (1, 102); a second internal combustion engine (5, 104); a first clutch (2, 103) through which the first engine can be selectively coupled to a first axial end of a rotor shaft of the conversion device for transmitting mechanical energy of rotation to the rotor shaft when the first clutch is engaged; and a second clutch (4, 105) through which the second engine can be selectively coupled to a second axial end of the rotor shaft for transmitting mechanical energy of rotation from the second engine to the rotor shaft when the second clutch is coupling the second engine to the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A battery assembly is disclosed having an enclosure with a top and sides, one of the sides having an opening for receiving the batteries therein. A plurality of batteries in electrical communication with one another are disposed within the enclosure. Each battery has a pair of parallel tubular openings extending through the battery, with one tubular opening being in electrical communication with the positive pole and the other tubular opening being in electrical communication-with the negative pole of the battery. When the batteries are aligned with one another within the enclosure, the tubular openings are axially aligned with each other. A conductor rod threaded at each end extends through and is in electrical communication with each tubular opening in each battery. A threaded fastener is secured to each of the threaded end of each of the conductor rods.

Abstract: A protection structure is formed from a platform and a forward pair and a rearward pair of load bearing members, where each load bearing member is attached at a lower end to the platform. A first and second pair of side beams are attached to the outer side of one of each of the pair of load bearing members, respectively. A pair of upper corner beams are attached to an upper end of each of the load bearing members and attached to an end of each of a forward pair and a rearward pair of transverse members, where a beam is attached to the opposite end of each of the pair of transverse members. Body panels may be attached to the protection structure to define and enclose the occupant compartment.

Abstract: A school bus rollover protection structure is formed from a vehicle support platform and a forward pair and a rearward pair of vertically extending load bearing members where each vertically extending load bearing member is attached at a lower end to the vehicle support platform. A first and second pairs of longitudinally extending side beams are attached to the outer side of one of each of the pair of vertically extending load bearing members, respectively. A pair of upper corner longitudinally extending beams are attached to an upper end of each of the vertically extending load bearing members and attached to an end of each of a forward pair and a rearward pair of transverse load bearing members, where a center upper longitudinally extending beam is attached to the opposite end of each of the pair of transverse load bearing members. Non-structural body panels may be attached to the school bus rollover protection structure to define an occupant compartment.

Abstract: A passenger bus body is fabricated in a mold by introducing resin and reinforcing fibers into a cavity of the mold that causes the introduced material to seamlessly join lengthwise margins of the roof (18, 18A) with upper lengthwise margins of the side walls (14, 16; 14A, 16A) and to seamlessly join lengthwise margins of the floor (12, 12A) with the lower lengthwise margins of the side walls. Floor rails (32, 34) of structural composite can eliminate the need for a separate metal chassis frame.