Abstract: The invention is a chassis skirt for a motor vehicle's chassis. The chassis skirt has a panel assembly that releasably engages a frame assembly. The frame assembly mounts to a chassis, such as to a chassis mounted bracket like a battery box. The frame assembly has spaced apart bracket assemblies that can have a pin extending from a bracket to engage receivers in the panel assembly. Isolators in the frame assembly also engage the panel assembly. A spring is used to assist in moving the panel assembly away from the chassis to access the chassis mounted bracket.

Abstract: A removable tow device and tow device receiver is provided having lugs upon the removable tow device that engage lug pockets within the tow device receiver for secure engagement. The removable tow device and receiver are simple to use, requiring a minimal of manipulation to install. Installation is reduced to insert, twist, and release. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The invention is a chassis skirt for a motor vehicle's chassis. The chassis skirt has a panel assembly that releasably engages a frame assembly. The frame assembly mounts to a chassis, such as to a chassis mounted bracket like a battery box. The frame assembly has spaced apart bracket assemblies that can have a pin extending from a bracket to engage receivers in the panel assembly. Isolators in the frame assembly also engage the panel assembly. A spring is used to assist in moving the panel assembly away from the chassis to access the chassis mounted bracket.

Abstract: A vehicle chassis with at least two fuel tanks with each of the fuel tanks having fuel level detector or sender. The level senders are engaged to an electronic controller. The individual tank draw lines from each tank come together at a control valve that has a single outlet that leads to an engine. The control valve can be open from one of the tanks at a time to the engine. An electronic controller takes the inputs from the fuel senders and compares levels between the tanks to control the valve. The system defaults or starts drawing from a primary tank and upon the level in the primary tank falling to a pre-specified amount below the level in a secondary tank, the electronic controller shifts the control valve to draw from the secondary tank or vice versa on a secondary tank level drop.

Abstract: A hydraulic system, such as a fuel injection system, includes a fixed displacement pump with at least one pump piston. A sleeve surrounds each pump piston and provides the method by which fluid displaced by the pumping stroke of the pump piston is directed either to a high pressure area in the pump or a low pressure area. The sleeves are a portion of an electro-hydraulic controller that includes a mechanical bias to bias the pump to a high output position when a pressure differential between the outlet area and the inlet area is relatively low, such as at cold start up. This aspect facilitates priming of the system. In addition, the controller includes a biasing hydraulic surface in opposition to the mechanical biaser that serves to bias the pump to its low output position when the pressure differential between the outlet area and the inlet area is relatively high. This aspect prevents over pressurization in the event that electric current to the controller is disrupted.

Abstract: A hydraulic system, such as a fuel injection system, includes a fixed displacement pump with at least one pump piston. A sleeve surrounds each pump piston and provides the method by which fluid displaced by the pumping stroke of the pump piston is directed either to a high pressure area in the pump or a low pressure area. The sleeves are a portion of an electro-hydraulic controller that includes a mechanical bias to bias the pump to a high output position when a pressure differential between the outlet area and the inlet area is relatively low, such as at cold start up. This aspect facilitates priming of the system. In addition, the controller includes a biasing hydraulic surface in opposition to the mechanical biaser that serves to bias the pump to its low output position when the pressure differential between the outlet area and the inlet area is relatively high. This aspect prevents over pressurization in the event that electric current to the controller is disrupted.

Abstract: A vehicle has a novel frame structure that comprises two novel frame rails that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and cross-members that are fixedly engaged between the two novel frame rails. Each of the novel frame rails comprises a web that extends vertically along the length of the frame rail, an upper flange that extends horizontally from an upper end of the web, and a lower flange that extends horizontally from a lower end of the web. Each of the novel frame rails further comprises one or more reinforcing lips, each of which extends vertically from an outer end of either the upper flange or the lower flange.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle frame. The frame is constructed from two parallel siderails running longitudinally down the length of the vehicle. An intermediate cross member support is positioned between the siderails to support a driver's cab. A datum support hole is positioned through each siderail to support mounting of one end of the cross member support for the driver's cab. The remaining support holes are arrayed in rows and columns positioned with reference to the datum support hole. A first row of supplemental support holes runs parallel to a bottom flange on each siderail and includes the datum support hole. A second row of supplemental support holes in each siderail runs parallel to and above the first row. A third row of supplemental support holes in each siderail runs parallel to the first and second rows and is positioned above the second row by the distance as the second row is above the first row.

Abstract: A hydraulically-actuated system includes a fixed displacement pump with at least one piston that reciprocates in a pump housing that defines a high pressure area and a low pressure area. A control valve is attached to the pump housing and moveable between a first position in which the piston displaces fluid in a first proportion between the high pressure area and the low pressure area, and a second position in which the piston displaces fluid in a second proportion between the high pressure area and the low pressure area. At least one hydraulically-actuated device is connected to the high pressure area of the pump. A source of low pressure fluid is connected to the low pressure area of the pump. An electronic control module is in communication with and capable of controlling the position of the control valve.

Abstract: A variable delivery liquid pump system includes a housing defining an inlet, an outlet and a plunger bore. A rotating shaft includes a cam that defines a fixed displacement distance with each rotation of the shaft. A plunger is slidably positioned in the plunger bore. A supply of liquid at a supply pressure is attached to the inlet by a supply passage. An output control mechanism includes an electronically-controlled flow restriction valve positioned in the supply passage. The plunger retracts less than the fixed displacement distance of the cam during each rotation of the shaft when the flow restriction valve is at least partially closed. The variable delivery pump is particularly suited for use in a hydraulically-actuated fuel injection system.

Abstract: A hydraulically-actuated system includes a fixed displacement pump with a plurality of parallel disposed pistons that reciprocate in a pump housing that defines a high pressure area and a low pressure area. A control valve is attached to the pump housing and moveable between a first position in which the pistons displace fluid in a first proportion between the high pressure area and the low pressure area, and a second position in which the pistons displace fluid in a second proportion between the high pressure area and the low pressure area. A high pressure common rail is connected to the high pressure area of the pump. At least one hydraulically-actuated device is connected to the high pressure rail. A source of low pressure fluid is connected to the low pressure area of the pump. An electronic control module is in communication with and capable of controlling the position of the control valve.