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The SHIFT-MATE is a dashboard mounted computer based device that cues a truck driver to shift more efficiently. Through electronic circuitry, key vehicle parameters are monitored, computed, then via graphic display, instructs the driver when to shift for improved fuel economy. The theory of operation is described in the text.

A patent lawyer suggests ways for an inventor, either an individual inventor or one employed by a corporation, to make the most effective use of his or her patent lawyer. Patentable invention is defined, with the suggestion that inventing creates rights that can be lost by failure to act to preserve them. Secrecy, the duty of disclosure to the Patent and Trademark Office, and cost control are considered in their application to inventions and inventors.

Design of a Cabin Tilting System of heavy trucks, a multi degree of freedom mechanism, is a challenge. Factors like adequate tilting angle, cabin styling, packaging, non interference of tilting system with ride comfort, forces in the system, specifications of the hydraulic system, are all very important for designing the system. Numerous considerations make the design process highly iterative hence longer design time. This paper primarily focuses on Kinematics and Dynamic analysis of the system in ADAMS and validation of system with real time testing results. Intention of this work is to make a parametric ADAMS model and link it to a Knowledge Based Engineering application to facilitate designer to quickly carry out design iterations for reducing development time. The Knowledge Based Engineering software is made using object oriented language called ‘Object Definition Language’ which has been developed using C and C++ software languages.

The main purpose of this study is the development of an innovative methodology for Heat Exchangers (HE) design to replace the conventional design procedures. The new procedure is based on the definition of a software package managed by modeFRONTIER, a multi-objective optimization software produced by ESTECO, able to create HE virtual models by targeting several objectives, like HE performance, optimal use of material, HE minimal weight and size and optimal manufacturability. The proposed methodology consists first in the definition of a workflow for the automatic CFD simulation of a parametric model of a periodic HE cellular element.

It is the goal of this paper, to discuss the impact of electronics on modern day commercial vehicles an buses. Seen from the position of advanced engineering of an European commercial vehicle manufacturer, the emphasis will be placed on the mechanical-electronical system itself, rather than the electronics themselves. User friendly, logic protected systems will minimize operator unfamiliarity and misapplication and will offer not only component control, but shortly the integration of all of these subsystems in the total vehicle control. Total vehicle control will be the ultimate result, when the driver, the truck and the environment are brought together. Such vehicles will be more responsive, safer and easier to drive than today's commercial vehicles and buses and offer a cost effective utilization of these new technologies to the customer.

All around the world, steps are being taken to improve the quality of our environment. Prominent among these are the definition, implementation, and attainment of increasingly stringent emissions regulations for all types of engines, including off-highway diesels. These rigorous regulations have driven use of technologies like after-treatment, advanced air systems, and advanced fuel systems. Fuel dispensed off-highway is routinely and significantly dirtier than fuel from on-highway outlets. Furthermore, fuels used in developing countries can be up to 30 times dirtier than the average fuels in North America. Poor fuel cleanliness, coupled with the higher pressures and performance demands of modern fuel systems, create life challenges greater than encountered with cleaner fuels. This can result in costly disruption of operations, loss of productivity, and customer dissatisfaction in the off-highway market.

Work solenoids are widely used in household appliances. The environment and design of this type application does not lead to solenoids for the earthmoving industry. This paper presents the environmental effects to be considered when designing a solenoid for the earthmoving industry. It further explains the need for, and type of, test necessary to validate the design. Finally a review of production quality procedures, necessary to insure reliable production parts is discussed.

This SAE Recommended Practice establishes testing methods and performance requirements for windshield wiping systems on trucks, buses, and multipurpose passenger vehicles with a GVWR of 4500 kg (10000 pounds) or greater and light duty utility vehicles with a GVWR of less than 4500 kg (10000 pounds). The test procedures and minimum performance requirements, outlined in this document, are based on currently available engineering data. It is the intent that all portions of the document will be periodically reviewed and revised as additional data regarding windshield wiping system performance are developed.

This SAE Recommended Practice establishes for left-hand steer on-road trucks, buses, and multipurpose passenger vehicles with GVW of 4500 kg (10 000 lb) or greater: a Minimum performance requirements for windshield wiping systems. b Uniform test procedures that include those tests that can be conducted on uniform test equipment by commercially available laboratory facilities. c Uniform terminology of windshield wiper system characteristics and phenomena consistent with those found in guides for the use of engineering layout studies to evaluate system performance. d Guides for the design and location of components of the systems for function, servicing of the system, etc. The test procedures and minimum performance requirements, outlined in this document, are based on currently available engineering data. It is the intent that all portions of the document will be periodically reviewed and revised as additional data regarding windshield wiping system performance are developed.

Abstract Windshield glare at night is a safety concern for all drivers. Public transit bus drivers also face another concern about glare caused by interior lighting sources originally designed for passenger safety. The extent to which interior light reflections contribute to glare is unknown. Unique methods for measuring discomfort and disability glare during bus driving were developed. An initial simulation study measured windshield luminance inside of a New Flyer D40LF diesel bus parked in a controlled, artificial, totally darkened test environment. Findings indicated significant disability glare (from elevated luminance) in the drivers’ primary field of view due to interior reflections. Any reduction in contrast would result in less prominent glare if actual driving conditions differ. To assess this, levels of windshield glare were also measured with the bus parked on the roadside under the “background glow” of the urban environment.

This SAE Recommended Practice establishes uniform engineering nomenclature for wide base disc wheels and demountable rims. This nomenclature and accompanying figures are intended to define fundamental wide base disc wheel and demountable rim terms. The dimensions given are those necessary to maintain serviceability and interchangeability of the wide base disc wheels and demountable rims with standard hardware. Valve clearances have not been included in this document.

This SAE Recommended Practice establishes uniform engineering nomenclature for wide base disc wheels and demountable rims. This nomenclature and accompanying figures are intended to define fundamental wide base disc wheels and demountable rim terms. The dimensions given are those necessary to maintain serviceability and interchangeability of the wide base disc wheels and demountable rims with standard hardware. Valve clearances have not been included in this document.

Bus drivers are daily exposed to whole-body vibrations (WBV) submitted to risks for develop health problems related to these conditions. Numerous studies focused to quantify and identify the risks that drivers are exposed have been developed in recent years. Many factors influence the transmission of vibration to the body. Road type may be an important factor in determining the WBV exposure a bus driver receives. In urban areas, common types of routes include several road surfaces like: smooth highway, older rough freeway, pavement, bumpy, speed humps, and others. The purpose of this study was to determine whether different kinds of road surfaces, found in urban routes, cause different WBV responses, and determine the influence for each road type in daily exposure to WBV according the standard ISO 2631-1 (1997).

While the basis of wheel design has evolved by using current technological materials and concepts, the manufacturing and design is still inexact and partially an art. This paper reviews wheels intended for use on commercial vehicles, including light, medium, and heavy trucks, truck trailers, transit, and inter-city buses. The paper also covers spoke-type wheels, demountable rims, and disc-type wheels with rims from 13 inch diameter to 24 inch diameter. The paper encompasses a brief history, historical and market trends by vehicular types, design parameters, standardization, industrial technical committees, and future trends in design and materials.

This recommended practice contains dimensions and tolerances for spindles in the interface area. Interfacing components include axle spindle, bearing cones, bearing spacer, seal and wheel hub. This recommended practice is intended for axles commonly used on Class 7 and 8 commercial vehicles. Included are SAE axle configurations FF, FL, R, N and P. SAE configurations FC, K, L, U, and W are not included, but may be added in the future.

This SAE standard presents the basic information required for the design and manufacture of a wheel chock.

The scope of Finite Element Analysis in the Product Development Cycle is given. A brief review of the development process is given. A brief description of the analysis method is presented. A description of how it works, how is it implemented, and where do I use it are included. The entire range of questions are answered through, how do I train for it, how do I manage it, along with what are the limitations and what are the benefits of this analysis method.

Shift quality of a manual transmission is a critical characteristic that is requires utmost care by the designers while structuring the transmission. Shift quality is affected by many factors viz. synchronizer design, shift fork design, shifter design, gear design, transmission oil selection etc. Designers have realized that shift fork is critical element for improving shift feel of a transmission. This paper focuses upon the reduction in weight of the overall transmission shift system by using steel inserts in aluminum shifter forks. No compromise on the stiffness and strength of the shift fork of a manual transmission is done. Stiffness and strength of shifter fork is optimized using contact pattern analysis and stiffness analysis on MSC Nastran. All the subsystem (i.e. synchronizer and the shift system component) are constrained to optimize the shift fork stiffness. A 5-speed manual transmission is used as an example to illustrate the same.

The environmental impact from herbicide utilization has been well documented in recent years. The reduction in weed control with out a viable alternative will likely result in decreased per acre production and thus higher unit production cost. The potential for selective herbicide application to reduce herbicide usage and yet maintain adequate weed control has generated significant interest in different forms of remote sensing of agricultural crops. This research evaluated the color co-occurrence texture analysis technique to determine its potential for utilization in crop groundcover identification. A program termed GCVIS (Ground Cover VISion) was developed to control an ATT TARGA 24 frame grabber; and generate HSI color features from the RGB format pixel data, HSI CCM matrices and the co-occurrence texture feature data.

Nowadays, developing web (World Wide Web) engineering is considered to be a top priority task in many companies. A corporate web information center with broad coverage to support a company's worldwide engineering activities can make the product development and customer support more efficient. First, the archived, readily available product information, knowledge database, and user friendly engineering tools can ease up the more ever demanding engineering jobs. Second, the convenient information storage, retrieval systems and hyperlinks on the web should ensure effective communications among engineers, customers, and suppliers. However, without in-depth planning, the full benefits of web engineering cannot be realized. To be effective, other companion engineering programs must also be instated. This paper reviews the experience we have gained in utilizing web engineering for product development and customer support.