Abstract: A system and method are provided for improving the operational performance of a moving cement mixer vehicle with a rotatable mixing drum by automatically stopping the rotation of the mixing drum at select moments. The system may include a sensor adapted to deliver a signal indicative of an operational parameter, such as steering angle of the vehicle, and a processing unit adapted to receive the signal from the sensor and deliver a control signal based on the signal for stopping rotation of the mixing drum.

Abstract: A method and system for assessing and preventing overturn of a vehicle, the method and system being particularly suitable for use with commercial vehicles with brake systems typically used in North America, wherein a vehicle equipped with single brake pressure modulator is controlled to increase or decrease brake pressure, depending on braking state, to test vehicle wheel speed by response. If the vehicle wheel speed response indicates the inside wheels of the vehicle are off the ground or only lightly loaded, it may be assumed that the vehicle is approaching overturning. A braking intervention may be then executed by the single brake pressure modulator to prevent the incipient overturn event.

Abstract: A brake disabling device for a vehicle includes an electronic control unit (ECU) for receiving a signal indicative of a direction of the vehicle. A control device communicates with the ECU for disabling brakes associated with a steer axle of the vehicle as a function of the direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: An air brake system for use with a vehicle is provided. This system includes an antilock braking system component; a stability system component, wherein the stability system component works in combination with the antilock braking system component to stabilize the motion of the vehicle under predetermined conditions; and a means for automatically determining the operability of stability system component, wherein the means determining the operability of stability system component provides at least one of an audible indicator of stability system operability and an electronic indicator of stability system operability.

Abstract: Controlling one or more component of a vehicle air supply system, such as an air compressor or an air dryer, based on an engine control signal. Examples of engine control signals include emission control signals, turbocharger status signals, coolant temperature signals, and ambient temperature signals.

Abstract: A trailer brake system status indicator is provided to a tractor driver. The status is obtained by sensing the condition of one or more trailer brake system components. The trailer brake component status is used to determine the status of the trailer brake system. The trailer brake status indicator is activated to inform the tractor driver of the trailer brake system status.

Abstract: A roll stability control system for a pneumatically operated vehicle brake system is implemented using simpler ABS hardware rather than more complex EBS hardware. For each brake chamber or channel, two 3/2 solenoid controlled valves are used. An ECU is operative to control the solenoids. The ECU is preferably operative to provide a selected delivery pressure to the brake chamber without measurement of delivery pressure to the brake chamber. Supply air is provided at a known pressure to a first solenoid controlled valve that is associated with the brake chamber; the amount of time of energization and de-energization of the first valve that is needed to provide an output therefrom of a given pressure, is calculated; and the first valve is energized and de-energized for the calculated times, thereby to cause a low-pressure test pulse to be provided to the brake chamber.

Abstract: A remote diagnostic unit for use with a heavy vehicle includes a pin connector communicating with a data bus on the vehicle. The pin connector receives a signal from the data bus. A microcontroller receives and interprets a standard diagnostic message as a function of the signal received by the pin connector. A plurality of lights are controlled by the microcontroller as a function of the standard diagnostic message.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for diagnosing short circuit conditions in a circuit protects circuit components from being damaged during a diagnostic operation. The apparatus includes a control processor, a control circuit coupled to the control processor, and an A/D converter coupled to the control processor and the control circuit. In operation the control processor disables operation of an A/D converter after completion of a conversion operation, enables operation of the control circuit after operation of the A/D converter has been disabled, enables operation of the A/D converter to obtain an analog signal from the control circuit after operation of the control circuit has been enabled, and disables operation of the control circuit after enabling operation of the A/D converter to obtain the analog signal. The A/D converter converts the analog signal into a digital signal and the control processor analyzes the digital signal to determine if a short circuit condition exits in the control circuit.