Driver alert and de-rate control system and method
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsHenry Todd Young, Kenneth Paul Nedley, Sean Cillessen, Timothy Warren Brown
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A driver alert and de-rate control system for a vehicle includes a sensor configured to monitor an engine operating condition, and a control unit in communication with the sensor. The control unit is configured to estimate a time until automatic de-rate of the engine based on the engine operating condition and to modify a performance parameter of the vehicle in dependence upon the estimated time until automatic de-rate.
Claims20
A system for a vehicle, comprising:
- a sensor configured to monitor an engine operating condition of an engine of the vehicle;
- and
- a control unit configured to communicate with the sensor;
- wherein the control unit is configured to determine an estimated time until automatic de-rate of the engine based on the engine operating condition;
- and
- wherein the control unit is configured to modify a performance parameter of the vehicle in dependence upon the estimated time until automatic de-rate.
A method for controlling an engine of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- estimating at least one automatic de-rate characteristic;
- issuing a pre-emptive warning to an operator of the vehicle of the at least one automatic de-rate characteristic;
- and
- modifying a performance parameter of the vehicle to avoid automatic de-rate.
A system for a vehicle, comprising:
- a sensor configured to monitor an engine operating condition of an engine of the vehicle;
- and
- a control unit configured to communicate with the sensor;
- wherein the control unit is configured to estimate a time until automatic de-rate of the engine and a location in a haul cycle where the de-rate will occur based on the engine operating condition;
- and
- wherein the control unit is configured to modify a performance parameter of the vehicle in dependence upon the estimated time until, and location of, automatic de-rate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.