VEHICLE WITH MASS AND GRADE RESPONSIVE CRUISE CONTROL
First Claim
1. A vehicle comprising:
- an engine configured to generate mechanical power to propel the vehicle; and
a controller programmed to adjust the power to maintain a distance between the vehicle and another vehicle substantially equal to a target following distance and to alter the target following distance in response to a change in a mass of the vehicle.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle controller estimates the turbine torque based on measured impeller and turbine speeds. Then, it estimates the tractive force based on gear ratios, tire sizes, and estimates of parasitic losses. The controller estimates the current grade based on a difference between an acceleration sensor reading and the derivative of a measured vehicle speed. Then, it estimates the current vehicle weight based on the tractive force, the acceleration rate, and the grade. The controller adjust a target following distance of a cruise control system based on the estimate of the weight and the grade. The cruise control system adjusts power to maintain a measured following distance equal to the target following distance.
22 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A vehicle comprising:
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an engine configured to generate mechanical power to propel the vehicle; and a controller programmed to adjust the power to maintain a distance between the vehicle and another vehicle substantially equal to a target following distance and to alter the target following distance in response to a change in a mass of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A vehicle comprising:
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an engine configured to generate mechanical power to propel the vehicle; a range sensor configured to measure a distance between the vehicle and another vehicle; and a controller programmed to adjust the power to maintain the distance substantially equal to a target following distance and to alter the target following distance in response to a change in a current road grade. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A method of operating a vehicle comprising:
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periodically measuring a distance between the vehicle and another vehicle, a vehicle acceleration, an impeller speed, and a turbine speed; adjusting a power setting to maintain the distance substantially equal to a target following distance; and altering the target following distance in response to a change in a relationship among impeller speed, turbine speed, and vehicle acceleration indicative of a change in vehicle mass or road grade. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification