Fuel consumption estimating method
First Claim
1. A method for estimating the fuel consumption of a preselected engine driven tractor and trailer combination, said method including a processor, and comprising the steps of:
- selecting a preselected engine type and determining an engine type correction factor "E" based on the selected engine type;
estimating a normal cruise speed of the engine driven tractor and trailer combination and determining an estimated cruise speed correction factor "S" based on the received predetermined estimated normal cruise speed;
selecting a tractor category and trailer type and determining an aerodynamic tractor and trailer load type correction factor "L" based on the tractor category and trailer type;
selecting a magnitude of space between the tractor and trailer and a trailer height and determining an aerodynamic trailer gap correction factor "G" corresponding to the space between the tractor and trailer and the trailer height;
selecting at least one a plurality of special trailer features and determining an aerodynamic trailer features correction factor "F" based on the special features selected;
receiving a preselected testing period determining an average daily ambient temperature correction factor "T" for the preselected testing period;
selecting a percentage of time of operation at gross combination weight and the gross combination weight of the tractor trailer combination and determining an average gross combination weight correction factor "W" based on the percentage of time of operation at gross combination weight and the gross combination weight of the tractor trailer combination;
selecting a percentage of time at which the engine is at idle for the testing period and determining an engine idle time correction factor "I" for the percentage of time selected;
selecting a tire type in use on the tractor and trailer and determining a tire correction factor "A" based on the preselected tire type in use on the engine driven tractor and trailer combination;
selecting an estimated travel frequency on a two lane road and determining a road correction factor "R" based on the estimated travel frequency;
selecting a predetermined API gravity value at a time of fuel mileage checking and determining an average fuel API gravity correction factor "B" based on the selected API gravity value;
summing the correction factors in steps a-k to determine a combined correction factor "CCF";
determining a total estimated fuel consumption "EFC" based on the combined correction factor "CCF"; and
recording a magnitude of the total estimated fuel consumption.
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Abstract
A method for estimating the fuel consumption of a tractor and trailer combination during a test period and identify at least one of a plurality of operating conditions attributable to the actual total fuel consumption being a preselected minimum amount greater than the estimated total fuel consumption. A processor determines a correction factor for each of the plurality of operating conditions and a related estimated fuel consumption penalty or gain. The processor determines a combined correction factor and a related total estimated fuel consumption for the combined correction factors. The estimated fuel consumption penalties or gains and the total estimated fuel consumption are displayed on a monitor.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for estimating the fuel consumption of a preselected engine driven tractor and trailer combination, said method including a processor, and comprising the steps of:
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selecting a preselected engine type and determining an engine type correction factor "E" based on the selected engine type; estimating a normal cruise speed of the engine driven tractor and trailer combination and determining an estimated cruise speed correction factor "S" based on the received predetermined estimated normal cruise speed; selecting a tractor category and trailer type and determining an aerodynamic tractor and trailer load type correction factor "L" based on the tractor category and trailer type; selecting a magnitude of space between the tractor and trailer and a trailer height and determining an aerodynamic trailer gap correction factor "G" corresponding to the space between the tractor and trailer and the trailer height; selecting at least one a plurality of special trailer features and determining an aerodynamic trailer features correction factor "F" based on the special features selected; receiving a preselected testing period determining an average daily ambient temperature correction factor "T" for the preselected testing period; selecting a percentage of time of operation at gross combination weight and the gross combination weight of the tractor trailer combination and determining an average gross combination weight correction factor "W" based on the percentage of time of operation at gross combination weight and the gross combination weight of the tractor trailer combination; selecting a percentage of time at which the engine is at idle for the testing period and determining an engine idle time correction factor "I" for the percentage of time selected; selecting a tire type in use on the tractor and trailer and determining a tire correction factor "A" based on the preselected tire type in use on the engine driven tractor and trailer combination; selecting an estimated travel frequency on a two lane road and determining a road correction factor "R" based on the estimated travel frequency; selecting a predetermined API gravity value at a time of fuel mileage checking and determining an average fuel API gravity correction factor "B" based on the selected API gravity value; summing the correction factors in steps a-k to determine a combined correction factor "CCF"; determining a total estimated fuel consumption "EFC" based on the combined correction factor "CCF"; and recording a magnitude of the total estimated fuel consumption. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for identifying at least one of a plurality of operating conditions attribute to an actual total fuel consumption being greater in magnitude than the magnitude of a total estimated fuel consumption of an engine driven tractor and trailer combination, said method including a processor and a monitor;
- and comprising the steps of;
receiving a plurality of operating condition signals; determining a correction factor for each of the plurality of operating condition signals; determining one of a fuel consumption gain and penalty for each of said plurality of correction factors; listing said one fuel consumption gain and penalty related to each of said plurality of correcting factors in an estimated fuel consumption summary table; displaying said estimated fuel consumption summary table on the monitor. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
- and comprising the steps of;
Specification