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US 8,014,928 B2Granted
Automotive slipstreaming support system
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsAaron L. Mills, Anthony Gerald King, Alex Miller, John Curtis Hickey, Robert Lietz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided to enhance the ability of a driver to safely slipstream a leading vehicle to realize a fuel economy benefit.
Claims18
A system for use in slipstreaming, comprising:
- (a) at least one mechanism for sensing a presence of an in-path vehicle;
- (b) at least one mechanism for sensing factors on a host vehicle relevant to an estimation of coefficient of drag;
- (c) a controller in communication with the sensing mechanism(s) for the in-path vehicle and with the sensing mechanism(s) for the host vehicle, the controller adapted to calculate an estimated range of distances for the host vehicle to trail the in-path vehicle to optimize for fuel economy of the host vehicle.
A method of supporting a driver in a host vehicle for slipstreaming, comprising:
- (a) sensing an in-path vehicle;
- (b) sensing factors about a host vehicle relevant to a calculation of coefficient of drag;
- (c) calculating an estimated distance or a range of estimated distances by which the host vehicle can trail the in-path vehicle to optimize for fuel economy;
- and
- (d) displaying whether an instantaneous distance results in a fuel economy benefit.
2 more elements
A method of supporting a driver in a host vehicle for improving fuel economy, comprising:
- (a) sensing an in-path vehicle;
- (b) receiving input about the host vehicle relevant to fuel economy;
- (c) calculating a distance or range of distances by which the host vehicle can trail the in-path vehicle to optimize for fuel economy;
- and
- (d) displaying whether an instantaneous distance results in a fuel economy benefit.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.