Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110140875 | TIRE PRESSURE ADJUSTMENT BASED ON VEHICLE LOAD - A device for monitoring and adjusting tire pressure of a vehicle having a monitoring module and a computing module operatively coupled to the monitoring module. The monitoring module is configured to sense a tire pressure. Further, the monitoring module is configured to compare the sensed pressure with the low pressure limit value associated with the tire, to identify a low pressure condition. The computing module includes an interface module, configured to alert a user once the low pressure condition is identified and accept a new load value, and a processing module. The processing module is configured to generate a new tire pressure value based on the new load value, recommend the new tire pressure value to the user, and modify the tire pressure to the new tire pressure value upon a determination that the user accepts the new tire pressure value. | 06-16-2011 |
20130297124 | METHODS FOR UTILIZING STOP SIGN AND TRAFFIC LIGHT DETECTIONS TO ENHANCE FUEL ECONOMY AND SAFETY - Methods for operating a vehicle as the vehicle approaches an intersection with a traffic control device are provided herein. One example method includes detecting a traffic control device at an intersection the vehicle is approaching, and releasing and applying a disconnect clutch arranged in a driveline of the vehicle intermediate an engine and a starter/generator based on a type of the detected traffic control device. Because releasing the disconnect clutch disconnects the engine from the vehicle driveline, the engine may be turned off to increase fuel efficiency while the disconnect clutch is released. | 11-07-2013 |
20130332013 | UTILIZATION OF VEHICLE PORTAL STATES TO ASSESS INTERIOR COMFORT AND ADJUST VEHICLE OPERATION TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUEL ECONOMY - A method of operating a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, comprising during a first engine-running condition, where a vehicle window or vent is in a more closed position, operating a climate control system to provide a user requested level of thermal comfort, and during a second engine-running condition, wherein the vehicle window or vent is in a less closed position, limiting the performance of the climate control system and biasing shared vehicle resources to provide additional fuel economy. In this manner, thermal comfort of the vehicle passengers can be maintained while providing additional fuel economy. | 12-12-2013 |
20140074330 | UTILIZATION OF VEHICLE PRESENCE SYSTEMS FOR POWERTRAIN RESPONSE READINESS AND CONSERVING ENERGY - A method and system relates to improving powertrain responsiveness in a vehicle while maintaining fuel economy by inhibiting entry into, or exiting, energy-saving modes when oncoming traffic is detected. In one example, the energy-saving mode is inhibited in response to an indication of an oncoming vehicle of concern. In a second example, the energy-saving mode is selectively maintained in response to an indication of an absence of oncoming traffic. | 03-13-2014 |
20140081492 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INDICATING DELAY IN IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ENERGY-EXPENDING ACTION IN A POWERED VEHICLE SYSTEM - A method for operation of a vehicle by a control system is provided. The method comprises indicating to a vehicle operator a delay in implementation of an energy-expending action in a powered vehicle system in response to receiving an implementation request from an input device based on vehicle energy usage via a delay indicator. | 03-20-2014 |
20140081561 | User Interface For Automatic Start-Stop System and Method of Controlling The Same - Vehicles equipped with an automatic start-stop system may include an interface for conveying inhibitors preventing an engine from auto-stopping in addition to the status of the automatic start-stop system. The system may identify one or more inhibitors actively preventing an auto-stop event from occurring and select at least one of the active inhibitors based on a priority scheme. The interface may communicate the at least one selected inhibitor to a driver using a display or a speaker, or both. | 03-20-2014 |
20140136041 | UTILIZATION OF VEHICLE PRESENCE SYSTEMS FOR POWERTRAIN RESPONSE READINESS AND CONSERVING ENERGY - A method and system relates to improving powertrain responsiveness in a vehicle while maintaining fuel economy by inhibiting entry into, or exiting, energy-saving modes when oncoming traffic is detected. In one example, the energy-saving mode is inhibited in response to an indication of an oncoming vehicle of concern. In a second example, the energy-saving mode is selectively maintained in response to an indication of an absence of oncoming traffic. | 05-15-2014 |
20140278019 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING AVAILABILITY OF VEHICLE ENERGY CONSERVING MODES - Vehicles capable of operating in an energy conserving mode may include an interface for conveying inhibitors preventing activation of the energy conserving mode. The system may identify the inhibiting features and prompt an operator of the vehicle for authorization to disable the inhibiting features or adjust the feature states to enable the energy conserving mode. In response to receiving authorization, the system may automatically control feature interfaces to remove inhibits to the energy conserving mode. The interface may communicate active inhibitors to an operator using a display or a speaker, or both. Additionally, the interface may query the operator to approve automatic deactivation of the inhibiting features and facilitate the receipt of operator input to the query. | 09-18-2014 |