Energy conservation systems and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A fuel efficiency engine control system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
- an input module configured to access from an accelerator pedal position sensor a first function corresponding to a user-specified power output of an engine of the vehicle over a time duration;
a global positioning system module configured to determine a geographic location of the vehicle; and
an engine power control module in communication with the input module, the global positioning system module, and an engine control unit, the engine power control module configured to transmit a second function corresponding to a directive power output of the engine over the time duration to the engine control unit for controlling engine power output according to the directive power output of the engine over the time duration;
wherein the second function corresponds to an oscillating directive power output of the engine over the time duration based on the global positioning system module detecting a first geographic location of the vehicle, the second function including a plurality of regions of equal or increased engine power output relative to the user-specified power output of the engine over the time duration and a plurality of regions of decreased engine power output relative to the user-specified power output of the engine over the time duration;
wherein the second function corresponds to the user-specified power output of the engine over the time duration based on the global positioning system detecting a second geographic location of the vehicle;
wherein the engine remains engaged during the plurality of regions of decreased engine power output when the engine outputs power according to the directive power output of the engine over the time duration; and
wherein the fuel efficiency engine control system includes an electronic memory configured to store modules and a computer processor configured to execute the modules.
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Abstract
Methods and systems are described for conserving energy used by an energy consuming device. In certain embodiments, an energy conservation system can be configured to deliver energy to the energy consuming device for a period, followed by a period where energy delivery is dampened and/or cut. By cycling the delivery of energy in this fashion, the energy conservation can achieve a pulsed efficiency.
70 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fuel efficiency engine control system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
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an input module configured to access from an accelerator pedal position sensor a first function corresponding to a user-specified power output of an engine of the vehicle over a time duration; a global positioning system module configured to determine a geographic location of the vehicle; and an engine power control module in communication with the input module, the global positioning system module, and an engine control unit, the engine power control module configured to transmit a second function corresponding to a directive power output of the engine over the time duration to the engine control unit for controlling engine power output according to the directive power output of the engine over the time duration; wherein the second function corresponds to an oscillating directive power output of the engine over the time duration based on the global positioning system module detecting a first geographic location of the vehicle, the second function including a plurality of regions of equal or increased engine power output relative to the user-specified power output of the engine over the time duration and a plurality of regions of decreased engine power output relative to the user-specified power output of the engine over the time duration; wherein the second function corresponds to the user-specified power output of the engine over the time duration based on the global positioning system detecting a second geographic location of the vehicle; wherein the engine remains engaged during the plurality of regions of decreased engine power output when the engine outputs power according to the directive power output of the engine over the time duration; and wherein the fuel efficiency engine control system includes an electronic memory configured to store modules and a computer processor configured to execute the modules. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A fuel efficiency engine control system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
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an input module of an engine control unit in communication with an engine of the vehicle, the input module configured to access from an accelerator pedal position sensor a first function corresponding to a user-specified power output of the engine of the vehicle over a time duration; an object sensor module of the engine control unit, the object sensor module configured to determine at least one of a position or a change in position of a nearby object relative to the vehicle; and an engine power control module of the engine control unit, the engine power control module in communication with the input module and the object sensor module, the engine power control module configured to transmit a second function corresponding to a directive power output of the engine over the time duration to the engine for controlling engine power output according to the directive power output of the engine over the time duration; wherein the second function corresponds to an oscillating directive power output of the engine over the time duration based on the object sensor module detecting at least one of a first position or a first change in position relative to the vehicle, the second function including a plurality of regions of equal or increased engine power output relative to the user-specified power output of the engine over the time duration and a plurality of regions of decreased engine power output relative to the user-specified power output of the engine over the time duration; wherein the second function corresponds to the user-specified power output of the engine over the time duration based on the object sensor module detecting at least one of a second position relative to the vehicle or a second change in position relative to the vehicle; wherein the engine remains engaged during the plurality of regions of decreased engine power output; and wherein the fuel efficiency engine control system includes an electronic memory configured to store modules and a computer processor configured to execute the modules. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A fuel efficiency engine control system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
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an input module of an engine control unit in communication with an engine of the vehicle, the input module configured to access from an accelerator pedal position sensor a first function corresponding to a user-specified power output of the engine of the vehicle over a time duration; and a motor power control module of the engine control unit, the motor power control module in communication with the input module and an electric motor control unit, the motor power control module configured to transmit a second function corresponding to a directive power output of the combustion engine over the time duration to the combustion engine control unit for controlling combustion engine power output according to the directive power output of the engine over the time duration and configured to transmit a third function corresponding to a directive power output of an electric motor of the vehicle over the time duration to the electric motor control unit for controlling electric motor power output according to the directive power of the electric motor over the time duration; wherein the second function includes a plurality of regions of equal or increased combustion engine power output relative to the user-specified power output of the engine over the time duration and a plurality of regions of decreased combustion engine power output relative to the user-specified power output of the engine over the time duration; wherein the third function includes a plurality of regions of equal or increased electric motor power output relative to the user-specified power output of the engine over the time duration and a plurality of regions of decreased electric motor power output relative to the user-specified power output of the engine over the time duration; wherein the plurality of regions of equal or increased electric motor power output relative to the user-specified power output of the engine over the time duration are configured to compensate for the plurality of regions of decreased combustion engine power output relative to the user-specified power output of the engine over the time duration to dampen oscillations of the directive power output of the combustion engine over the time duration; wherein the engine is engaged during the plurality of regions of decreased combustion engine power output; and wherein the fuel efficiency engine control system includes an electronic memory configured to store modules and a computer processor configured to execute the modules. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification