Data acquisition for operation of a vehicle
First Claim
1. A method of operating a vehicle having an electric traction system (ETS) and an internal combustion engine (ICE) and corresponding ETS and ICE operation modes, comprising:
- generating vehicle location data using a GPS system physically coupled to the vehicle;
sending from the vehicle the vehicle location data to a remote system operating an emission credit process;
the vehicle receiving from the remote system an indication that emission credits are available for the vehicle as a function of the vehicle location data if the vehicle operates in the ETS operation mode within a specified geographical location;
enabling a system controller in the vehicle to switch between the ICE and ETS operation modes as a function of the vehicle location data, the indication of the available emission credits, and parametric measurements of an operation of the vehicle; and
sending from the vehicle the parametric measurements of the operation of the vehicle to the remote system while the vehicle is operating in the ETS operation mode;
wherein during the ETS operation mode, the vehicle is operating solely under power of an electric motor/generator, and the ICE is shut off;
wherein the ETS comprises the electric motor/generator coupled to a transmission of the vehicle via a power takeoff port of the transmission.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle has independent electric traction system (ETS) and internal combustion engine (ICE). A system controller, a data acquisition system, and a GPS system are added to the vehicle. A remote system has a data base of locations identifying emission non-attainment areas. The data acquisition system obtains the vehicle location along with parametric data related to operation of the vehicle. The remote system notifies the vehicle operator and the auxiliary control system of opportunities to obtain emission reduction credits in response to the vehicle location data and its operating status. The system controller or the operator switch between ICE operation and ETS operation in response to the vehicle location, emission reduction credit process, and parametric measurements of the vehicle operation to achieve an emissions credit result while optimizing fuel for the ICE and stored electrical potential energy for the ETS.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of operating a vehicle having an electric traction system (ETS) and an internal combustion engine (ICE) and corresponding ETS and ICE operation modes, comprising:
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generating vehicle location data using a GPS system physically coupled to the vehicle; sending from the vehicle the vehicle location data to a remote system operating an emission credit process; the vehicle receiving from the remote system an indication that emission credits are available for the vehicle as a function of the vehicle location data if the vehicle operates in the ETS operation mode within a specified geographical location; enabling a system controller in the vehicle to switch between the ICE and ETS operation modes as a function of the vehicle location data, the indication of the available emission credits, and parametric measurements of an operation of the vehicle; and sending from the vehicle the parametric measurements of the operation of the vehicle to the remote system while the vehicle is operating in the ETS operation mode;
wherein during the ETS operation mode, the vehicle is operating solely under power of an electric motor/generator, and the ICE is shut off;
wherein the ETS comprises the electric motor/generator coupled to a transmission of the vehicle via a power takeoff port of the transmission. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 22)
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9. A system for operating a vehicle having an electric traction system (ETS), wherein the ETS comprises an electric motor coupled to the drive train of the vehicle, and an internal combustion engine (ICE) and corresponding ETS and ICE operation modes, wherein the ICE operation mode, movement of the vehicle is a direct result of generation of a motive force by the ICE, and wherein the ETS operation mode, movement of the vehicle is a direct result of generation of a motive force by the ETS, the system for operating the vehicle further comprising:
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a data transceiver system configured for sending to an emission credit system vehicle location data that identifies the geographical location of the vehicle, wherein the emission credit system is geographically remote from the geographical location of the vehicle; the data transceiver system also configured for receiving signals from the emission credit system that emission credits are available for the vehicle as a function of the vehicle location data if the vehicle operates in the ETS operation mode within a specified geographical location; a system controller that has logic circuitry that switches between the ICE and ETS operation modes in response to receiving data corresponding to the vehicle location data, the signals from the emission credit system that emission credits are available for the vehicle, and parametric measurements of an operation of the vehicle wherein during the ETS operation mode, the movement of the vehicle is solely the direct result of the generation of the motive force by the ETS, and the ICE is shut off;
wherein the electric motor is coupled to the drive train via a power takeoff port of a transmission in the drive train. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for awarding emission credits to a vehicle having an electric traction system (ETS), wherein the ETS comprises an electric motor coupled to the drive train of the vehicle, and an internal combustion engine (ICE) and corresponding ETS and ICE operation modes, wherein the ICE operation mode, movement of the vehicle is a direct result of generation of a motive force by the ICE, and wherein the ETS operation mode, movement of the vehicle is a direct result of generation of a motive force by the ETS, the system comprising:
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communications means configured for sending vehicle location data that identifies the geographical location of the vehicle to an emission credit system, wherein the emission credit system is geographically remote from the geographical location of the vehicle; a database coupled to the emission credit system that stores an amount and types of emission credits available as a function of vehicle location, emission control regulations, and vehicle operation modes; logic circuitry coupled to the emission credit system configured for determining that emission credits are available to be awarded to the vehicle as a function of the vehicle location data received from the vehicle; communications means configured for sending signals from the emission credit system to the vehicle that the emission credits are available for the vehicle as a function of the vehicle location data when the vehicle operates in the ETS operation mode within a specified geographical location; a system controller configured for switching from the ICE operation mode to the ETS operation mode as a function of receipt by the vehicle of the signals from the emission credit system to the vehicle that the emission credits are available for the vehicle when the vehicle operates in the ETS operation mode within the specified geographical location; and communications means configured for sending parametric measurements of an operation of the vehicle from the vehicle to the emission credit system;
wherein during the ETS operation mode, the movement of the vehicle is solely the direct result of the generation of the motive force by the ETS, and the ICE is shut off;
wherein the electric motor is coupled to the drive train via a power takeoff port of a transmission in the drive train. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An operating system for a vehicle having an electric traction system (ETS), wherein the ETS comprises an electric motor coupled to the drive train of the vehicle, and an internal combustion engine (ICE) and corresponding ETS and ICE operation modes, wherein the ICE operation mode, movement of the vehicle is a direct result of generation of a motive force by the ICE, and wherein the ETS operation mode, movement of the vehicle is a direct result of generation of a motive force by the ETS, the system comprising:
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a GPS device physically coupled to the vehicle configured for determining and outputting a geographical location of the vehicle; a system controller configured for switching the vehicle between the ICE operation mode and the ETS operation mode, the system controller further configured to award emission reduction credits to the vehicle as a function of (1) the geographical location of the vehicle that corresponds to indications of intervals during which the vehicle is operated in the ETS operation mode, and (2) a comparison of the geographical location of the vehicle to a stored data structure indicating coordinates of boundaries for emission non-attainment areas to determine whether the ETS operation mode occurred in non-attainment areas;
wherein during the ETS operation mode, the movement of the vehicle is solely the direct result of the generation of the motive force by the ETS, and the ICE is shut off;
wherein the electric motor is coupled to the drive train via a power takeoff port of a transmission in the drive train.
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Specification