Paccar Inc.

E-systems, Inc.

William C Kahn

Frank H Schneck

Charles L Cook

Jeffrey S Corey

Kyle G Fluegel

Christopher G Wehrwein

John T Johnston

A Brent Hankins

Steve J Polansky

Ed Legler

The present technology describes systems and methods for varying a pump speed of an electric truck. In examples, vehicle efficiency losses may be reduced by varying the speed of a hydraulic pump associated with a power steering gear. An electronic control unit (ECU) may receive a set of steering information from a torque overlay system (TOS). Based on the set of steering information, a power may be provided to a variable pump motor. The power provided to the variable pump motor may correspond with a speed of a hydraulic pump associated with a power steering gear of the vehicle. As new or additional steering information is received from the TOS, the ECU may adjust the power provided to the variable pump motor.

Electric truck steering with varying pump speed

A vehicle includes one or more laser scanners and an on-board vehicle computer system communicatively coupled to the laser scanners. The computer system uses information (e.g., coordinate points) obtained from the laser scanners to calculate a trailer angle (e.g., a cab-trailer angle) for the vehicle. The computer system may include a shape detection module that detects a trailer based on the information obtained from the laser scanners and an angle detection module that calculates an angle of the detected trailer relative to a laser scanner, calculates the orientation of the detected trailer based on that angle and dimensions (e.g., width and length) of the trailer, and calculates a cab-trailer angle based on the orientation of the trailer. The computer system may include an autonomous operation module configured to use the cab-trailer angle in an autonomous or computer-guided vehicle maneuver, such as a parking maneuver or backing maneuver.

Use of laser scanner for autonomous truck operation

System and method for starting a turbine engine are disclosed. These systems and methods for starting a turbine engine may be located on a vehicle, such as such as a Class 8 vehicle, equipped with a turbine engine as the prime mover or as a generator in a hybrid powertrain. In that regard, a fluid forcing device may be employed to start the turbine engine, such as an electric pump/compressor. The fluid forcing device may already be located on the vehicle for other purposes, and can include an electrically powered steering pump (also referred to as an electric pump) or an electrically powered air brake compressor (also referred to as an electric compressor). In order to start the turbine engine, the output of the electric pump/compressor drives an associated fluid circuit, which in turn, supplies fluid over a portion of the turbine shaft, wheel or scroll in order to impart rotational motion thereto. The rotational motion imparted to the turbine shaft, wheel or scroll aims to start the turbine engine. Once started, the output of the electric pump/compressor is either inhibited or redirected to power other devices, such as one or more vehicle accessories (e.g., steering gear, air brakes, power take off (PTO), air conditioner, etc).

Turbine engine starting system

An electrified engine accessory drive (EEAD) system is provided that replaces the front engine accessory drive (FEAD) components (e.g., a/c compressor, air brake compressor; power steering pump, etc.) on vehicles, such as heavy duty trucks. Using such an EEAD system aims to reduce parasitic losses induced on a conventional engine by the front engine accessory drive (FEAD) while providing additional benefits, such as engine off vehicle and/or system operation. The EEAD systems may also be used in lieu of rear-end accessory drives and other accessory drives powering multiple accessories from a common driveshaft.

Engine accessory drive system

Provided herein is a cab for a tractor-truck. The cab includes a work station, suitable for use as a desk or the like, which can be provided with common office machines. Also provided in the cab is a seat, which is slidably fixed to a seat-supporting track that extends across the floor of the cab, so that the seat can be selectively positioned between a driving position and a workstation position. The tractor-truck can be equipped with an interlock system that keeps the vehicle from moving if the seat is not in the driving position. Also, when the seat is not in the workstation position, a second seat can be detachably fixed in the workstation position.

Tractor-truck cab with workstation and mobile seat

A storage compartment for a vehicle capable of being coupled to a trailer via a coupling. When in a coupled state, a space is defined between the trailer and the vehicle. The space includes a swing clearance area for the trailer. The swing clearance area is bounded by a front portion of the trailer, and an arc traversed by the front portion of the trailer, about the coupling, within the space when the vehicle and the trailer are combined and in transition between a straight configuration and a turning configuration. The storage compartment is adapted to attach to the vehicle within the space such that at least a portion of the storage compartment extends rearward beyond a forwardmost point on the arc, but without extending into the swing clearance area.

Storage compartment for a vehicle

A seat assembly (,) is disclosed which utilizes a retractable armrest (,) which can be retracted into a recess (,) in the seat back (,) of the seat assembly to maximize the available space around the seat assembly. The retractable armrest,can be moved from the retracted position to the deployed position by a pneumatic cylinder (,), coil spring (,) or other actuator. The retractable armrest (,) is guided in this motion by a guide pin (,) moving within a guide slot (,) in a mount on the seat back.

Extendable armrest assembly for a seat

An extendable sleeper for a truck that has a fixed portion and an extension. The extension is slidably connected to the fixed portion for horizontal longitudinal movement with respect thereto. The fixed portion is defined by rigid sleeper sidewalls, and is adapted for attaching to a rear portion of a truck cab. The extension has rigid extension sidewalls and a rigid rear panel. The movement of the extension with respect to the fixed portion causes the extendable sleeper to move between a stored configuration and a deployed configuration. In the stored configuration, at least part of the extension is located inside the fixed portion. In the deployed configuration, at least another part of the extension is extending behind the fixed portion such that the sleeper has a relatively greater enclosed volume. The extendable sleeper may further incorporate a bed, a table, retractable furniture, a retractable platform, a storage compartment, windows, a safety lock, a safety alarm system, or a power actuator for moving the extension.

Extendable sleeper for a truck

There is described a vehicle door assembly with shear layer control for controlling the airflow in and around an aperture in the vehicle fuselage. The vehicle door assembly consists of an upper door and a lower door, both slidably mounted to the exterior surface of the vehicle fuselage. In addition, an inner door is slidably mounted beneath the upper door. Beneath the inner door is an aperture assembly having an aperture opening positionable to be substantially flush with the exterior surface of the vehicle fuselage. Also provided are means for positioning the aperture assembly in an upward and downward direction in relation to the vehicle fuselage.

Growing community of inventors

Denton, TX, United States of America

William C Kahn