Speed optimality analysis for evaluating the optimality of a powertrain
AssigneePACCAR Inc
InventorsChristopher Michael James Douglas, Michael Douglas Gerty, Mark G. Malowicki
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for improving fuel economy in vehicles such as Class 8 trucks are provided. In some embodiments, signals indicating states of the powertrain are collected and used to generate fuel rate optimization values. Fuel rate optimization values may indicate a difference between optimum fuel flow rates and actual fuel flow rates during a vehicle drive cycle. Recorded fuel rate optimization values may be used to compare different vehicle configurations during testing, and may also be used to evaluate vehicle performance during real-world operation.
Claims18
A vehicle, comprising:
- a powertrain;
- an engine control unit (ECU);
- one or more sensors configured to generate signals indicating one or more states of the powertrain and to transmit the signals to the ECU;
- and
- a non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to provide a performance data store;
- wherein the ECU is configured to:
- receive the signals indicating one or more states of the powertrain from the one or more sensors;
- calculate at least one fuel rate optimization value based on the received signals for a given time period;
- and
- store the at least one fuel rate optimization value for the time period in the performance data store;
- wherein calculating the at least one fuel rate optimization value includes, for the given time period;
- determining a fuel usage rate and a detected engine power generated during the time period based on the received signals;
- determining an optimal fuel rate for the detected engine power;
- and
- determining a ratio between the optimal fuel rate and the fuel usage rate to obtain the at least one fuel rate optimization value.
An engine control system for a vehicle, comprising:
- at least one processor;
- and
- a memory, operatively connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the engine control system to perform a method, the method comprising:
- receiving signals from one or more sensors indicating one or more states of a powertrain of the vehicle;
- calculating at least one fuel rate optimization value based on the received signals for a given time period;
- and
- storing the at least one fuel rate optimization value for the time period in a performance data store;
- wherein calculating the at least one fuel rate optimization value includes, for the given time period;
- determining a fuel usage rate and a detected engine power generated during the time period based on the received signals;
- determining an optimal fuel rate for the detected engine power;
- and
- determining a ratio between the optimal fuel rate and the fuel usage rate to obtain the at least one fuel rate optimization value.
A method comprising:
- receiving, at an engine control unit of a vehicle, signals from one or more sensors indicating one or more states of a powertrain of the vehicle, including at least, for a given time period, a detected engine power and a fuel usage rate;
- calculating at least one fuel rate optimization value based on the received signals for the given time period, the calculating including at least:
- determining an optimal fuel rate for the engine for the detected engine power;
- and
- calculating a ratio of the optimal fuel rate and the fuel usage rate to determine the at least one fuel rate optimization value;
- and
- storing the at least one fuel rate optimization value for the time period in a performance data store.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.