Abstract: A system for supplying electrical power for use when the vehicle engine is shut down and configurations of long-haul trucks employing the system are disclosed. The power system is a battery bank contained within an insulated enclosure. The batteries are heated when the truck is in operation with the insulated enclosure maintaining battery temperature sufficient to provide high battery power capacity for an extended period after the vehicle is shut down. A large capacitor, rather than the batteries, provides current for starting the vehicle engine. A dc-to-dc converter controls the fully charged capacitor voltage and provides capacitor charging current even when the batteries have been discharged to a low-voltage condition. The disclosed long-haul truck configurations include a storage cooler that employs a phase-change medium that is thermally charged to a low temperature while the truck is in operation and is used to provide sleeper unit cooling air.

Abstract: A vehicle interior cooling system (100) for a vehicle having a cabin (108) and an engine (107) for providing propulsion power is disclosed. The vehicle interior cooling system includes a cabin cooling system (102) driven by the engine of the vehicle and an electrically driven cooling system (103) having a cold storage device (110) coupled to the vehicle. The electrically driven cooling system selectively thermally charges the cold storage device when the engine is in an on and/or off position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for interfacing steering wheel inputs on a steering wheel assembly with electronically-controlled devices in a vehicle. A steering wheel interface module in the steering wheel assembly is connected between the steering wheel inputs and a data communication bus in the steering wheel assembly. The steering wheel inputs provide control information to the steering wheel interface module, which in turn formulates data messages based on the control information and transmits the data messages on the data communication bus in the steering wheel assembly. Preferably, the steering wheel interface module includes a processing unit and a memory in communication with the processing unit. The data messages are formulated by the processing unit in accordance with programmed instructions stored in the memory. The programmed instructions and/or data messages stored in the memory may be modified or supplemented at a later time.

Abstract: An electrical interface for connecting a truck electrical system to a trailer electrical system. The electrical interface includes a solid-state switching device for selectively connecting a power source in the truck electrical system to a circuit in the trailer electrical system. If a fault is detected in the provision of power to the circuit in the trailer electrical system, the solid-state switching device reduces the flow of power or disconnects the power source from the circuit in the trailer electrical system. A microcontroller system connected to the truck electrical system transmits control signals to the solid-state switching device to control the flow of power from the power source to the circuit in the trailer electrical system in accordance with instruction signals received from the truck electrical system.

Abstract: A linear position transducer (10) including a housing (12), a threaded stud (56) fixedly secured within the housing, a rotatable drum (26) thread-mounted on the threaded stud, a string (18) secured to the drum and extending from the housing, a torsion spring (80) attached to the drum providing retraction torque to the drum, a cantilever beam (28) having one end fixed to the housing and the other end biased against the drum, and a strain gauge (48) for measuring deflection-induced strain in the cantilever beam. The drum moves axially along the threaded stud as it rotates in response to linear movement of the string. As the drum moves axially, it deflects the cantilever beam, which deflection is detected by the strain gauge. The strain is proportional to the linear movement of the free end of the string.

Abstract: An upper mounting portion of a support stand is connected to a carpet cleaning wand between two handles. A lower support leg of the stand is pivotally movable between an in-use position and a stowed position. In its in-use position the lower support leg is in affect an endwise extension of the mount and together with the inlet end of the wand forms a three point support, supporting the wand in an elevated attitude closely approximating the wands in-use attitude. A single spring serves to bias the support leg in both its in-use position and its stowed position.