Systems and methods for guiding operators to optimized engine operation

• US 7,512,477 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Issued: 03/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America Incorporated (AB Volvo)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America Incorporated (AB Volvo)
• Inventors: Hammerlid, Bo U., Prinzo, Gregory J., Quigley, Jon M.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOLFE JR, WILLIS RAY
• Application Number:
  US11/576,028
• Publication Number:
  US 20070203625A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,600 Days
• Field of Search: 123349-352, 123/361, 123/399, 123/403, 123/478, 123/480, 701101-105, 701/110, 701/115, 340/438, 340/439, 477107-111, 700/28, 700/38, 700/40, 702182-186, 731/145.2, 731/145.3
• US Class Current: 701/103
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0625 Fuel consumption, e.g. measured in fuel liters per 100 kms or miles per gallon
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1004 Estimation of the output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1406 with use of a optimisation method, e.g. iteration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

System and methods provide information to an operator of an engine such that the engine operates with optimal performance, such as maximal fuel efficiency. Such a system may include a plurality of sensors adapted to measure operating parameters of the engine; an engine management system adapted to receive measured operating parameters from the sensors and to generate signals indicative of a current operating performance of the engine and signals indicative of performance-increasing adjustments to current operating parameters; and a display adapted to present symbols in response to signals from the engine management system. The symbols guide the operator to increase or maintain engine performance.

Claims

1. A system for providing information to an operator of an engine such that engine performance can be optimized, comprising:

a plurality of sensors adapted to measure operating parameters of the engine;

an engine management system adapted to receive measured operating parameters from the sensors and to generate signals indicative of a current operating performance of the engine and signals indicative of performance-increasing adjustments to current operating parameters; and

a display adapted to present symbols in response to signals from the engine management system, wherein the symbols guide the operator to increase or maintain engine performance;

wherein the signals indicative of performance-increasing adjustments are generated based on comparison of measured operating parameters to a set of predetermined operating parameters that represent a two-dimensional engine torque-speed map having an area in which the engine operates with maximal fuel efficiency, and the area in which the engine operates with maximal fuel efficiency is an area of minimal brake specific fuel consumption.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the sensors measures engine speed and the engine management system computes engine torque from measured fuel consumption and predetermined engine friction losses.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the symbols include associated indications that are audible to the operator.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the engine management system includes an electronic processor adapted to execute programmed instructions for controlling the operation of the engine, and a memory that stores the programmed instructions and measured operating parameters from the sensors.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the set of predetermined operating parameters are stored as a look-up table in a memory.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensors are adapted to measure engine speed and fuel flow.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the sensors measure a rotational speed of at least one of an engine camshaft and an engine flywheel, and maximizing engine fuel efficiency corresponds to increasing engine performance.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the engine is included in a vehicle and the display is included in an instrument cluster that includes a plurality of gauges that indicate operating conditions of the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the symbols include at least one icon, and the at least one icon indicates at least one of a status of an award to the operator and a direction for the operator to alter at least one of torque and engine speed.

10. A system for providing information to an operator of an engine such that engine performance can be optimized, comprising:

a plurality of sensors adapted to measure operating parameters of the engine;

an engine management system adapted to receive measured operating parameters from the sensors and to generate signals indicative of a current operating performance of the engine and signals indicative of performance-increasing adjustments to current operating parameters; and

a display adapted to present symbols in response to signals from the engine management system, wherein the symbols guide the operator to increase or maintain engine performance;

wherein the signals indicative of performance-increasing adjustments are generated based on comparison of measured operating parameters to a set of predetermined operating parameters; and

data indicative of a ratio of distance over which the engine operated in an area of high performance to a predetermined running interval distance is computed by the engine management system.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the area of high performance is adjustable by program instructions executed by the engine management system.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the data is downloadable to a remote location through a communication link.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the data are presented as at least one symbol on the display.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the operator is awarded a performance bonus based on comparison of the data to a predetermined target.

15. A method of providing information to an operator of an engine such that engine performance can be optimized, comprising:

determining at least one current operating parameter of the engine;

generating at least one signal indicative of at least one performance-increasing adjustment to the at least one current operating parameter; and

presenting at least one symbol to the operator based on the at least one signal, wherein the symbol guides the operator to increase or maintain engine performance;

wherein the at least one signal indicative of at least one performance-increasing adjustment is generated based on comparison of measured operating parameters to a set of predetermined operating parameters that represent a two-dimensional engine torque-speed map having an area in which the engine operates with maximal fuel efficiency, and the area in which the engine operates with maximal fuel efficiency is an area of minimal brake specific fuel consumption.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one symbol includes associated indications that are audible to the operator.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the determining step comprises measuring engine speed and the generating step comprises computing engine torque from measured fuel consumption and predetermined engine friction losses.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the set of predetermined operating parameters are stored as a look-up table in a memory.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the determining step comprises measuring engine speed and fuel flow.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein measuring engine speed comprises measuring a rotational speed of at least one of an engine camshaft and an engine flywheel, and maximizing engine fuel efficiency corresponds to increasing engine performance.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the engine is included in a vehicle and the at least one symbol is presented on a display that is included in an instrument cluster that includes a plurality of gauges that indicate operating conditions of the vehicle.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the symbol includes at least one icon that indicates at least one of a status of an award to the operator and a direction for the operator to alter at least one of torque and engine speed.

23. A method of providing information to an operator of an engine such that engine performance can be optimized, comprising:

determining at least one current operating parameter of the engine;

generating at least one signal indicative of at least one performance-increasing adjustment to the at least one current operating parameter; and

presenting at least one symbol to the operator based on the at least one signal, wherein the symbol guides the operator to increase or maintain engine performance;

wherein the at least one signal indicative of at least one performance-increasing adjustment is generated based on comparison of measured operating parameters to a set of predetermined operating parameters, and the generating step comprises computing data indicative of a ratio of distance over which the engine operated in an area of high performance to a predetermined running interval distance, and the at least one symbol is based on the data computed.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the area of high performance is adjustable.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the operator is awarded a performance bonus based on comparison of the data to a predetermined target.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the data is downloadable to a remote location through a communication link.