Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: Techniques for identifying and managing an organization's remote attack surface that account for the fluid nature of the remote attack surface are described. Data collected from organization-issued endpoint devices are obtained and analyzed to determine public IP addresses used by the endpoint devices. The devices connected to external networks (i.e., non-organization networks) at various time windows are identified by distinguishing between public IP addresses that are associated with the organization and those that are not. Data obtained from ongoing global probing of public IP addresses, which at least indicate software instances hosted on networks corresponding to the public IP address, are correlated with each public IP address determined to be associated with an external network to which an endpoint device has connected. From these data, any security risks that connections to external networks may pose to the organization's network can be identified.

Abstract: A system and method for regulating torque transmitted via a torque converter can include providing a lock up clutch between a crankshaft and transmission of a vehicle. A position sensor can output data indicative of at least one of an engaged position of the lock-up clutch, a transitional position of the lock-up clutch, and a disengaged position of the lock-up clutch. An engine speed sensor can output data indicative of rotational speed of the crankshaft. A controller can be placed in electrical communication with the engine speed sensor and the position sensor and configured to determine when actuation of the lock-up clutch is desired. The controller can be configured to determine a torque reduction target based on certain variables, for example, engine acceleration. The controller can then signal the engine to output torque substantially equal to the torque reduction target when conditions exist that warrant torque reduction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically controlling a drivetrain coupled to at least one drive wheel of a vehicle can include providing a first assembly including a low range drive ratio and a high range drive ratio. An electronic control unit can be configured to receive information from at least one sensor located on the vehicle and to provide an output signal based on the information. An actuator mechanism can be provided and configured to cause the first assembly to operate at a selected one of the low range drive ratio and the high range drive ratio based on instructions from the control unit. Separate algorithms can be provided to determine when to actuate from the high range drive ratio to the low range drive ratio and vice versa.

Abstract: A vehicle drivetrain can include various structures, such as a multi-ratio transmission, a two-speed final drive assembly connected in series with the multi-ratio transmission and including a low speed final drive ratio and a high speed final drive ratio, a pair of front driveshafts driven by the two-speed final drive assembly, a pair of rear driveshafts, a rear differential assembly connected to the two-speed final drive assembly, and a control assembly including. The control assembly can include a controller in electrical communication with portions of the rear differential assembly, such as a variable displacement pump and purge valve. An input array can be in electrical communication with the controller and can include a plurality of sensors, and at least one switch accessible to an operator of the vehicle. Various related methods can also be executed for control and operation of such a drivetrain.

Abstract: A system and method for regulating torque transmitted via a torque converter can include providing a lock up clutch between a crankshaft and transmission of a vehicle. A position sensor can output data indicative of at least one of an engaged position of the lock-up clutch, a transitional position of the lock-up clutch, and a disengaged position of the lock-up clutch. An engine speed sensor can output data indicative of rotational speed of the crankshaft. A controller can be placed in electrical communication with the engine speed sensor and the position sensor and configured to determine when actuation of the lock-up clutch is desired. The controller can be configured to determine a torque reduction target based on certain variables, for example, engine acceleration. The controller can then signal the engine to output torque substantially equal to the torque reduction target when conditions exist that warrant torque reduction.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-rollback system and method can be incorporated into a vehicle that includes a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels, a power unit, and a transmission connecting the power unit to at least one wheel of the front and rear wheels. The transmission can include a plurality of forward drive ratios and at least one reverse drive ratio and a two speed final drive ratio transmission configured to select between a high range drive ratio and a low range drive ratio when the transmission is in one of the plurality of forward drive ratios. A controller can be provided that senses a vehicle rollback condition. When the rollback condition is detected, the controller can decrease torque distributed from the power unit of the vehicle to the at least one wheel, and can actuate a brake. While the vehicle is braked and torque transfer is reduced, the controller can execute drive ratio changeover in a stable manner from the high range drive ratio to the low range drive ratio.

Abstract: An exhaust diluting and diffusing apparatus includes a pipe mountable on a exhaust stack pipe, and having a flared skirt inlet to define an annular inlet, a mixing section adjacent the inlet, and an exhaust section formed as a pipe section with a multiplicity of holes. The apparatus pipe has a diameter greater than the diameter of the exhaust stack on which it is mounted.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-rollback system and method can be incorporated into a vehicle that includes a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels, a power unit, and a transmission connecting the power unit to at least one wheel of the front and rear wheels. The transmission can include a plurality of forward drive ratios and at least one reverse drive ratio and a two speed final drive ratio transmission configured to select between a high range drive ratio and a low range drive ratio when the transmission is in one of the plurality of forward drive ratios. A controller can be provided that senses a vehicle rollback condition. When the rollback condition is detected, the controller can decrease torque distributed from the power unit of the vehicle to the at least one wheel, and can actuate a brake. While the vehicle is braked and torque transfer is reduced, the controller can execute drive ratio changeover in a stable manner from the high range drive ratio to the low range drive ratio.

Abstract: A vehicle drivetrain can include various structures, such as a multi-ratio transmission, a two-speed final drive assembly connected in series with the multi-ratio transmission and including a low speed final drive ratio and a high speed final drive ratio, a pair of front driveshafts driven by the two-speed final drive assembly, a pair of rear driveshafts, a rear differential assembly connected to the two-speed final drive assembly, and a control assembly including. The control assembly can include a controller in electrical communication with portions of the rear differential assembly, such as a variable displacement pump and purge valve. An input array can be in electrical communication with the controller and can include a plurality of sensors, and at least one switch accessible to an operator of the vehicle. Various related methods can also be executed for control and operation of such a drivetrain.

Abstract: An engine exhaust dispersing device includes a tubular member having a first portion formed as a generally cylindrical wall and adapted to be mounted in fluid communication with an exhaust outlet and a second portion formed as a longitudinally-sectioned cylindrical wall defining a longitudinally extending opening, and, a wedge surface formed on said second portion and protruding into the longitudinally extending opening, the wedge surface having an apex adjacent or in the first portion and a base at an end of the second portion, the base having a width substantially equal to a width of the second portion.

Abstract: An exhaust diffuser for a truck includes a chamber mountable on a truck exhaust stack pipe. The chamber has a cross sectional area much greater than the cross sectional area of the exhaust pipe, and has a dispersing element disposed in the line of exhaust flow to divert exhaust gases laterally into the chamber volume. One or both of the top and front side walls are formed as a mesh or screen to allow the dispersed exhaust gases to flow outward away from the truck cab in a diffused area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically controlling a drivetrain coupled to at least one drive wheel of a vehicle can include providing a first assembly including a low range drive ratio and a high range drive ratio. An electronic control unit can be configured to receive information from at least one sensor located on the vehicle and to provide an output signal based on the information. An actuator mechanism can be provided and configured to cause the first assembly to operate at a selected one of the low range drive ratio and the high range drive ratio based on instructions from the control unit. Separate algorithms can be provided to determine when to actuate from the high range drive ratio to the low range drive ratio and vice versa.

Abstract: A support apparatus for an exhaust includes a first bracket mountable to a vehicle cab, a spherical bearing carried by the first bracket, a second bracket mountable to an exhaust pipe, and a rod fixedly mounted to the second bracket and extending through the spherical bearing, the rod being freely movable axially in the spherical bearing, and the spherical bearing allowing the rod to pivot relative to the first bracket.

Abstract: A control device for a truck dump body heating system includes a valve for controlling an exhaust gas flow to either an exhaust stack or an inlet to the dump body heating conduit. The valve may be manually controlled by the operator to select between the exhaust and heating functions. An override detects whether a diesel particulate filter regeneration is being performed, and responsive thereto, causes the valve to direct exhaust gas to the stack, preventing excessive heating of the dump body.

Abstract: An exhaust diffuser for a truck includes a chamber mountable on a truck exhaust stack pipe. The chamber has a cross sectional area much greater than the cross sectional area of the exhaust pipe, and has a dispersing element disposed in the line of exhaust flow to divert exhaust gases laterally into the chamber volume. One or both of the top and front side walls are formed as a mesh or screen to allow the dispersed exhaust gases to flow outward away from the truck cab in a diffused area.

Abstract: An exhaust diluting and diffusing apparatus includes a pipe mountable on a exhaust stack pipe, and having a flared skirt inlet to define an annular inlet, a mixing section adjacent the inlet, and an exhaust section formed as a pipe section with a multiplicity of holes. The apparatus pipe has a diameter greater than the diameter of the exhaust stack on which it is mounted.

Abstract: A lock-up clutch control method and apparatus controls a lock-up state of a torque converter interposed between a drive unit and a transmission on a vehicle. Data indicative of the operating condition of an antilock braking system can be provided as input to the control method and apparatus and affect the lock-up state of the torque converter.

Abstract: An engine exhaust dispersing device includes a tubular member having a first portion formed as a generally cylindrical wall and adapted to be mounted in fluid communication with an exhaust outlet and a second portion formed as a longitudinally-sectioned cylindrical wall defining a longitudinally extending opening, and, a wedge surface formed on said second portion and protruding into the longitudinally extending opening, the wedge surface having an apex adjacent or in the first portion and a base at an end of the second portion, the base having a width substantially equal to a width of the second portion.