Electronic fuel management system

• US 4,347,496 A
• Filed: 03/10/1980
• Issued: 08/31/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gene M. Berghoff, Thomas P. Kubalak, William J. Palmer
• Original Assignee: Gene M. Berghoff, Thomas P. Kubalak, William J. Palmer
• Inventors: Kubalak, Thomas P., Berghoff, Gene M., Palmer, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, Sr., John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nowicki, Joseph E.
• Application Number:
  US06/128,517
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 340/52 R, 340/52 H, 340/669, 200/61.45 R, 200/61.47, 200/61.52, 200/52 A
• US Class Current: 340/439
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0236 for economical driving
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 77/084 indicating economy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

A device to be used in connection with an automotive vehicle for indicating rates of acceleration above pre-set thresholds so that the vehicle operator may change such rate in a fashion to reduce fuel consumption. The device includes a box-like housing containing a mercury switch having two electrodes located at a first end thereof and which are adapted to be bridged when the mercury mass moves under the influence of acceleration forces. These electrodes are connected in a series circuit with a source of electrical potential and an indicator means such that a signal is given when and if the vehicle is accelerated at a rate above an adjustable, pre-set level.

Claims

1. Apparatus for indicating when the acceleration of a device in a selected direction exceeds a predetermined value, comprising, in combination:

(a) a housing having a longitudinal axis;

(b) switch means mounted in the housing, including an electrically conductive acceleration responsive mass movable in a direction aligned with said longitudinal axis, and a plurality of electrical contacts disposed at one end of said switch means for bridging contact by said mass when moved to said one end;

(c) a light emitting diode mounted in said housing and visible from without said housing;

(d) a disabling switch mounted in said housing and operable from without said housing;

(e) a battery removably mounted within said housing;

(f) means connecting said battery, said switch means, said diode, and said disabling switch in a series circuit;

(g) a support bracket having a base surface and support legs extending from said surface;

(h) means carried by said legs for engaging sides of said housing in adjustable supporting relation about a pivotal axis orthogonal to said longitudinal axis;

(i) Velcro loop and hook means for removably fastening said base surface to a generally flat mounting portion of the device, with said pivotal axis generally horizontal and said directions in alignment;

(j) and means fixing the adjusted position of said housing about said pivotal axis to determine the acceleration required to move said mass into bridging engagement with said contacts.

2. Apparatus for indicating when the acceleration of a device in a selected direction exceeds a predetermined value, comprising, in combination:

(a) a housing having a longitudinal axis;

(b) switch means mounted in the housing, including an electrically conductive acceleration responsive mass movable in a direction aligned with said longitudinal axis, and a plurality of electrical contacts disposed at one end of said switch means for bridging contact by said mass when moved to said one end;

(c) a light emitting diode mounted in said housing and visible from without said housing;

(d) a battery removably mounted within said housing;

(e) means connecting said battery, said switch means, and said diode in a series circuit;

(f) a support bracket having a base surface and support legs extending from said surface;

(g) means carried by said legs for engaging sides of said housing in adjustable supporting relation about a pivotal axis orthogonal to said longitudinal axis;

(h) Velcro loop and hook means for removably fastening said base surface to a generally flat mounting portion of the device, with said pivotal axis generally horizontal and said directions in alignment;

(i) and means fixing the adjusted position of said housing about said pivotal axis to determine the acceleration required to move said mass into bridging engagement with said contacts.