Abstract: The compression ratio of an internal combustion engine is adjustable in a stepwise fashion, such as by pivoting an extension of an eccentric connecting rod bearing. The projection extends into a chamber defined by a portion of a connecting rod coupling portion of a connecting rod assembly. Liquid is delivered to one side of the projection and removed from the opposite side of the projection to move the projection and thereby the eccentric connecting rod bearing from one position corresponding to one compression ratio to another position corresponding to another compression ratio.

Abstract: A valve actuating cam has a periphery that can be varied in shape to control the opening and closing of one or more valves associated with a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. One portion of a valve assembly can be moved outwardly to change the valve lift. A band can surround the movable cam portion and cam body portion, and can form at least a major portion of the exterior surface of the cam that engages a cam follower such as a valve operating rocker arm. The timing of the opening and closing of one or more valves can be adjusted by adjusting the peripheral shape of the cam. The shape can be adjusted to start a ramp portion of the cam peripheral surface earlier to cause a valve to open earlier and to end a ramp portion later to cause the valve to close later with a first load on the engine and to open and close earlier when the engine is under a second load that is less than the first load.

Abstract: The compression ratio of an internal combustion engine is adjustable in a stepwise fashion, such as by pivoting an extension of an eccentric connecting rod bearing. The projection extends into a chamber defined by a portion of a connecting rod coupling portion of a connecting rod assembly. Liquid is delivered to one side of the projection and removed from the opposite side of the projection to move the projection and thereby the eccentric connecting rod bearing from one position corresponding to one compression ratio to another position corresponding to another compression ratio.

Abstract: A valve actuating cam has a periphery that can be varied in shape to control the opening and closing of one or more valves associated with a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. One portion of a valve assembly can be moved outwardly to change the valve lift. A band can surround the movable cam portion and cam body portion, and can form at least a major portion of the exterior surface of the cam that engages a cam follower such as a valve operating rocker arm. The timing of the opening and closing of one or more valves can be adjusted by adjusting the peripheral shape of the cam. The shape can be adjusted to start a ramp portion of the cam peripheral surface earlier to cause a valve to open earlier and to end a ramp portion later to cause the valve to close later with a first load on the engine and to open and close earlier when the engine is under a second load that is less than the first load.

Abstract: A coupler, such as a piston pin, is pivotally coupled to a piston such that the piston can pivot about a first axis relative to the coupler. The pivot pin can take various forms with unique combinations of features. A connecting rod is coupled to the coupler for pivoting about a second axis. The relative positions of the first and second axes can be shifted by pivoting an eccentric portion of the coupler to thereby vary the compression ratio of a piston cylinder within which the piston slides. The coupler comprises a pivot member engager portion that is selectively shifted from first to second positions to vary the compression rates in response to shifting of a pivot member. The pivot member engager is shifted from first to second positions as the piston approaches the bottom dead center position. The pivot member and pivot member engager disengage from one another as the piston travels away from the bottom dead center position.

Abstract: In one form of variable compression ratio engine, a connecting rod of an internal combustion engine is coupled to the rod receiving crank shaft by an eccentric connecting rod bearing. Pivoting of an eccentric portion of the eccentric connecting rod bearing relative to the crank shaft pin by a compression ratio adjuster varies the compression ratio of the engine. Resistance is provided to the pivoting of the eccentric portion in the absence of a compression ratio adjustment force. Pivoting of the eccentric can be delayed until tension and compression forces in the connecting rod are at a reduced level. The compression ratio can be continuously varied over a range from low to high values within limits of the structural components of the system to allow greater control of the compression ratio.

Abstract: A coupler, such as a piston pin, is pivotally coupled to a piston such that the piston can pivot about a first axis relative to the coupler. A connecting rod is coupled to the coupler for pivoting about a second axis. The relative positions of the first and second axes can be shifted by pivoting an eccentric portion of the coupler to thereby vary the compression ratio of a piston cylinder within which the piston slides. The coupler comprises a pivot member engager portion that is selectively shifted from first to second positions to vary the compression rates in response to shifting of a pivot member. The pivot member engager is shifted from first to second positions as the piston approaches the bottom dead center position. The pivot member and pivot member engager disengage from one another as the piston travels away from the bottom dead center position.

Abstract: A piston coupler, such as a piston pin, is pivotally coupled to a piston such that the piston can pivot about a first axis relative to the piston pin. A connecting rod is coupled to the coupler for pivoting about a second axis. The relative positions of the first and second axes can be shifted by pivoting an eccentric portion of the piston pin to thereby vary the compression ratio of a piston cylinder within which the piston slides. An adjuster retainer is coupled to the piston or to the connecting rod. A combustion ratio adjuster (CRA) is coupled to the adjuster retainer. A biasing member couples the CRA to the piston pin. The CRA being selectively pivoted from first to second positions in response to shifting of a pivot member. Pivoting the CRA loads the biasing member with energy for use in turning the piston pin to adjust the compression ratio. The CRA is pivoted as the piston approaches the bottom dead center (BDC) position and the piston pin is turned after the piston travels away from the BDC position.

Abstract: A vehicle axle construction comprises a suspension for supporting the axle from first and second frame rail members. Elongated support members extend forwardly from respective locations along the frame rail members that are rearwardly of the axle and are clamped or otherwise coupled to the axle. A single pivot may be utilized to couple the respective rearmost end portions of the supports to the respective frame members. The forward ends of the supports may be coupled to respective air springs. Desirably, at least a portion of each air spring is positioned forwardly of the axle. In addition, at least one lateral stabilizer rigidifies the suspension. An alternative suspension utilizes leaf springs. A double acting rack-and-pinion steering mechanism may be rigidly coupled to the axle for use in steering the wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: Mechanisms are described for selectively closing grille and/or bumper openings. These mechanisms may be operated in response to one or more vehicle parameters. Closure mechanism control signals may be delivered to such mechanisms along a vehicle databus. In addition, vehicle parameters used in determining the control of such mechanisms may be sensed and provided along the databus to a controller which then processes the parameter information for determining whether to open or close the vehicle grille closing mechanism and/or the vehicle bumper opening closing mechanism.

Abstract: Mechanisms are described for selectively closing grille and/or bumper openings. These mechanisms may be operated in response to one or more vehicle parameters. Closure mechanism control signals may be delivered to such mechanisms along a vehicle databus. In addition, vehicle parameters used in determining the control of such mechanisms may be sensed and provided along the databus to a controller which then processes the parameter information for determining whether to open or close the vehicle grille closing mechanism and/or the vehicle bumper opening closing mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle axle construction comprises a suspension for supporting the axle from first and second frame rail members. Elongated support members extend forwardly from respective locations along the frame rail members that are rearwardly of the axle and are clamped or otherwise coupled to the axle. A single pivot may be utilized to couple the respective rearmost end portions of the supports to the respective frame members. The forward ends of the supports may be coupled to respective air springs. Desirably, at least a portion of each air spring is positioned forwardly of the axle. In addition, at least one lateral stabilizer rigidifies the suspension. An alternative suspension utilizes leaf springs. A double acting rack-and-pinion steering mechanism may be rigidly coupled to the axle for use in steering the wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: Mechanisms are described for selectively closing grille and/or bumper openings. These mechanisms may be operated in response to one or more vehicle parameters. Closure mechanism control signals may be delivered to such mechanisms along a vehicle databus. In addition, vehicle parameters used in determining the control of such mechanisms may be sensed and provided along the databus to a controller which then processes the parameter information for determining whether to open or close the vehicle grille closing mechanism and/or the vehicle bumper opening closing mechanism.

Abstract: A coupler, such as a piston pin, is pivotally coupled to a piston such that the piston can pivot about a first axis relative to the coupler. A connecting rod is coupled to the coupler for pivoting about a second axis. The relative positions of the first and second axes can be shifted by pivoting an eccentric portion of the coupler to thereby vary the compression ratio of a piston cylinder within which the piston slides. The coupler comprises a pivot member engager portion that is selectively shifted from first to second positions to vary the compression rates in response to shifting of a pivot member. The pivot member engager is shifted from first to second positions as the piston approaches the bottom dead center position. The pivot member and pivot member engager disengage from one another as the piston travels away from the bottom dead center position.

Abstract: A vehicle axle construction comprises a suspension for supporting the axle from first and second frame rail members. Elongated support members extend forwardly from respective locations along the frame rail members that are rearwardly of the axle and are clamped or otherwise coupled to the axle. A single pivot may be utilized to couple the respective rearmost end portions of the supports to the respective frame members. The forward ends of the supports may be coupled to respective air springs. Desirably, at least a portion of each air spring is positioned forwardly of the axle. In addition, at least one lateral stabilizer rigidifies the suspension. An alternative suspension utilizes leaf springs. A double acting rack-and-pinion steering mechanism may be rigidly coupled to the axle for use in steering the wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: The parking brakes on a truck or other vehicle having plural axles are applied such that at least one wheel at a first end of a first axle receives a parking brake force without applying a parking brake force to any wheel at the opposite end of the first axle. In addition, at least one wheel at a second end of a second axle, the second end of the second axle being opposite to the first end of the first axle, receives a parking brake force. Desirably, any wheels at the opposite end of the second axle from the second end of the second axle are not the recipient of a parking brake force such that diagonally disposed parking brake forces are applied upon activation of the vehicle parking brakes. The first axle in one example is forwardly of the second axle and the first end of the first axle may be at the longitudinal side of the vehicle which is the heaviest.

Abstract: A wind tunnel for measuring the aerodynamics of a vehicle may comprise a test section. Air moving through the test section may be collected in a plurality of individual ducts, each with a fan for moving the air through the test section and ducts. The vehicle of vehicle wheels may be supported at an incline.

Abstract: Mechanisms are described for selectively closing grille and/or bumper openings. These mechanisms may be operated in response to one or more vehicle parameters. Closure mechanism control signals may be delivered to such mechanisms along a vehicle databus. In addition, vehicle parameters used in determining the control of such mechanisms may be sensed and provided along the databus to a controller which then processes the parameter information for determining whether to open or close the vehicle grille closing mechanism and/or the vehicle bumper opening closing mechanism.

Abstract: The parking brakes on a truck or other vehicle having plural axles are applied such that at least one wheel at a first end of a first axle receives a parking brake force without applying a parking brake force to any wheel at the opposite end of the first axle. In addition, at least one wheel at a second end of a second axle, the second end of the second axle being opposite to the first end of the first axle, receives a parking brake force. Desirably, any wheels at the opposite end of the second axle from the second end of the second axle are not the recipient of a parking brake force such that diagonally disposed parking brake forces are applied upon activation of the vehicle parking brakes. The first axle in one example is forwardly of the second axle and the first end of the first axle may be at the longitudinal side of the vehicle which is the heaviest.

Abstract: A wind tunnel for measuring the aerodynamics of a vehicle may comprise a 1 section. Air moving through the test section may be collected in a plurality of individual ducts, each with a fan for moving the air through the test section and duct The vehicle or vehicle wheels may be supported at an incine.