Thermo King Corporation

Vortex International, LLC

Loran W Sutton

Gerald Floyd Smith

Jay L Hanson

Gary F Krofchalk

Donald G Knauff

An oil filter assembly has an outer canister in which full flow and bypass flow filtration sections are operatively housed in a nested relationship. Oil forced into the canister has imparted thereto a vortex flow pattern which forces contaminant particles in the oil away from the full flow filter section before the oil passes therethrough. The bypass filtration section is disposed within the full flow filtration section and creates a second vortex flow pattern in the oil which induces a small portion thereof to flow through a bypass filter element while at the same time causing the entire balance of the oil to bypass this filter element and be discharged from the canister after having traversed the filtering portion of only the full flow filtration portion of the filter assembly.

Fluid filtration apparatus

A method of automatically starting and stopping an engine of a truck to conserve fuel while maintaining the engine in a ready-to-start condition, and while controlling the temperature of a truck sleeper unit. The method includes the steps of selecting predetermined system parameters via a password accessible interactive program, providing a first switch for selecting an automatic engine start-stop operating mode, providing a second switch for selecting an automatic temperature control mode for the truck sleeper unit, and providing safety apparatus which indicates when the truck engine may be safely operated in the automatic engine start-stop operating mode. The method further includes the step of overriding the ignition switch control of the engine in response to a predetermined condition when the first switch selects the automatic operating mode and the safety apparatus indicates the truck engine may be safely operated in the automatic operating mode. The engine is started and stopped automatically while the ignition switch control of the engine is being overridden by the overriding step, to maintain the engine in a ready-to-start condition, regardless of the selection of the second switch, and additionally controlling the temperature of the sleeper unit, when the second switching means selects automatic temperature control. The overriding step is terminated in response to a predetermined condition, restoring ignition switch control of the engine, and preventing automatic re-starting of the engine while the ignition switch is in control of the engine.

Method of monitoring a truck engine and for controlling the temperature

Apparatus for monitoring an engine of a vehicle having an ignition switch operable between on and off positions, a vehicle power supply, and an electrical load, including the engine, selectively connectable to the vehicle power supply via the ignition switch. A controllable switching device is disposed between the vehicle power supply and the ignition switch. A timer accumulates time when the ignition switch is in the on position and the vehicle is stationary. If the timer reaches a predetermined time value the controllable switching device is actuated to disconnect the vehicle power supply from the ignition switch, to turn off the engine, if running, as well as disconnecting the electrical load energized via the ignition switch, limiting engine idle time, reducing engine wear and emissions, and terminating any drain on the vehicle power supply in the event the engine is not running.

Apparatus for monitoring an internal combustion engine of a vehicle

Apparatus for the automatic starting, running and stopping of an internal combustion engine. Designed primarily for automotive applications, this invention provides significant improvements in convenience, safety, and reliability as compared to current state of the art engine controller designs. Included are means of automatic activation for ease of operation, means of automatic deactivation to insure safety, and means of automatically initiating an engine start sequence or disregarding an engine shutdown request in order to avoid a low probability of restart condition. Means are also provided for the actuation of fuel supply means, actuation of the starter, and actuation of accessories as with any automatic engine starting device.

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East Peoria, IL, United States of America

Loran W Sutton