APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COMPARING THE FUEL CONSUMPTION OF AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLE WITH THAT OF A TRADITIONALLY FUELED COMPARISON VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A fuel savings informational system for implementation on an alternative fuel vehicle the operation of which may be characterized by a first plurality of fixed parameters and a second plurality of variable parameters, the informational system for comparing the fuel consumption of the alternative fuel vehicle to that of a virtual comparison vehicle characterized by a third plurality of fixed parameters, the system comprising:
- a plurality of sensors for monitoring the second plurality of variable parameters; and
a processor coupled to said plurality of sensors, said processor configured to (i) recall the first and third pluralities of fixed parameters;
(ii) capture data corresponding to the second plurality of variable parameters;
(iii) determine the fuel consumption of the alternative fuel vehicle from the second plurality of variable parameters;
(iv) estimate the fuel consumption of the comparison vehicle from the second plurality of variable parameters and from the first and third pluralities of fixed parameters; and
(v) compare the fuel consumption of the alternative fuel vehicle to the estimated fuel consumption of the comparison vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel savings informational system is provided for implementation on an alternative fuel vehicle the operation of which may be characterized by a first plurality of fixed parameters and a second plurality of variable parameters. The system compares the fuel consumption of the alternative fuel vehicle to that of a virtual comparison vehicle characterized by a third plurality of fixed parameters, and comprises a plurality of sensors for monitoring the second plurality and a processor coupled thereto. The processor is configured to recall the first and third pluralities, capture data corresponding to the second plurality, and determine the fuel consumption of the alternative fuel vehicle from the second plurality. The processor is further configured to estimate the fuel consumption of the comparison vehicle from the first, second, and third pluralities, and compare the fuel consumption of the alternative fuel vehicle to the estimated fuel consumption of the comparison vehicle.
73 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fuel savings informational system for implementation on an alternative fuel vehicle the operation of which may be characterized by a first plurality of fixed parameters and a second plurality of variable parameters, the informational system for comparing the fuel consumption of the alternative fuel vehicle to that of a virtual comparison vehicle characterized by a third plurality of fixed parameters, the system comprising:
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a plurality of sensors for monitoring the second plurality of variable parameters; and
a processor coupled to said plurality of sensors, said processor configured to (i) recall the first and third pluralities of fixed parameters;
(ii) capture data corresponding to the second plurality of variable parameters;
(iii) determine the fuel consumption of the alternative fuel vehicle from the second plurality of variable parameters;
(iv) estimate the fuel consumption of the comparison vehicle from the second plurality of variable parameters and from the first and third pluralities of fixed parameters; and
(v) compare the fuel consumption of the alternative fuel vehicle to the estimated fuel consumption of the comparison vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A fuel savings informational system for implementation on a hybrid vehicle for comparing the fuel consumption of the hybrid vehicle to that of a virtual comparison vehicle, the operation of the hybrid vehicle being characterized by a plurality of variable operational parameters, the hybrid vehicle having a first predetermined axle ratio and a first predetermined tire rolling radii and the comparison vehicle having a second predetermined axle ratio and a second predetermined tire rolling radii, the system comprising:
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a display deployed on the hybrid vehicle;
a plurality of sensors for monitoring the plurality of variable operational parameters; and
a processor coupled to said display and to said plurality of sensors, said processor configured to (i) recall the first and second axle ratios and the first and second tire rolling radii;
(ii) capture data corresponding to the plurality of variable operational parameters;
(iii) determine the fuel consumption of the hybrid vehicle from a first subset of the plurality of variable operational parameters;
(iv) estimate the fuel consumption of the comparison vehicle from a second subset of the plurality of variable operational parameters, from the first and second axle ratios, and from the first and second tire rolling radii;
(v) compare the fuel consumption of the hybrid vehicle to the estimated fuel consumption of the comparison vehicle; and
(vi) display the results of the comparison on said display. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for informing a driver of a hybrid vehicle of the difference between the fuel consumption rate of a virtual comparison vehicle and the fuel consumption rate of a hybrid vehicle that includes a display, a plurality of sensors for measuring a plurality of variable operational parameters relating to the driving conditions experienced by the hybrid vehicle, and a processor for recalling a plurality of fixed parameters describing physical aspects of the hybrid vehicle and the comparison vehicle, the method comprising:
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recalling the plurality of fixed parameters;
capturing data corresponding to the plurality of variable operational parameters;
determining hybrid vehicle fuel consumption rate from the plurality of variable operational parameters;
estimating comparison vehicle fuel consumption rate from the plurality of variable operational parameters and the plurality of fixed parameters;
comparing hybrid vehicle fuel consumption rate to comparison vehicle fuel consumption rate; and
displaying the results of the comparison on the display. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification