Patent US4160376A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4160376A
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US
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Method and device for estimating fuel consumption
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-06-03
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Granted: 1979-07-10
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Expires: 1997-06-03
Abstract
Abstract Fuel consumption is estimated by counting the number of cycles of operation of the cylinders of an internal combustion engine and multiplying by a constant representing the fuel consumed for each cycle. Rate of consumption is measured relative to time and distance. The cycles are counted by sensing the ignition spark or revolution of the distributor rotor.
Inventors
- 👤 William N. Borkan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F9/00; G01F9/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
In a fuel consumption estimating and indicating device including means for generating a first signal representing distance traversed by a vehicle, means for generating a second signal representing fuel consumed, and means responsive to said first and second signal for generating a third signal representing distance traversed per volume of fuel, the improvement being said second signal means which comprises: means for sensing the number of cycles of operation of the cylinders of the vehicle's engine; and means for modifying said sensed number by a constant representing an estimate of fuel delivered to a cylinder to generate said second signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a fuel consumption estimating and indicating device including means for generating a first signal representing distance traversed by a vehicle, means for generating a second signal representing fuel consumed, and means responsive to said first and second signal for generating a third signal representing distance traversed per volume of fuel, the improvement being said second signal means which comprises: means for sensing the number of cycles of operation of the cylinders of the vehicle's engine; and means for modifying said sensed number by a constant representing an estimate of fuel delivered to a cylinder to generate said second signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fuel consumption device according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means includes means for detecting the pulses igniting the spark plugs of said cylinders.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fuel consumption device according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means includes means for detecting revolutions of the distributor rotor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel consumption device according to claim 1 wherein said modifying means includes means for adjusting said constant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A fuel consumption estimating device for non fuel injection engines comprising: means for counting the number of cycles of operation of the cylinders of an internal combustion engine; and means for multiplying the count by a selected constant representing an estimate of the fuel consumed by each cylinder to generate a signal representing fuel consumption.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A fuel consumption estimating device for non fuel injection engines comprising: means for counting the number of cycles of operation of the cylinders of an internal combustion engine; and means for multiplying the count by a selected constant representing an estimate of the fuel consumed by each cylinder to generate a signal representing fuel consumption.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fuel consumption estimating device according to claim 5 including means for sensing a cycle of operation of each cylinder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fuel consumption estimating device according to claim 6 wherein said sensing means includes means for detecting the pulses igniting the spark plugs for the cylinders.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fuel consumption estimating device according to claim 6 wherein said sensing means includes means for detecting revolutions of the distributor rotor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fuel consumption estimating device according to claim 5 wherein said multiplying means includes means for adjusting said constant.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for estimating fuel consumption of an internal combustion engine comprising: counting the number of cycles of operation of the cylinders of said engine; and multiplying the count by a constant representing an estimate of the fuel consumed by each cycle of a cylinder to provide fuel consumption.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for estimating fuel consumption of an internal combustion engine comprising: counting the number of cycles of operation of the cylinders of said engine; and multiplying the count by a constant representing an estimate of the fuel consumed by each cycle of a cylinder to provide fuel consumption.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein said counting is performed for a period of time to provide a rate of consumption per unit of time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 11 when said counting is performed for an amount of distance travelled by a vehicle propelled by said engine to provide a rate of consumption per unit of distance.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein said count is obtained by counting the number of ignition pulses for the spark plugs.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein said counting is obtained by counting the number of revolutions of the distributor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 10 including the step of selecting said constant as a function of engine operating parameters.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 15 including the step of adjusting said constant in response to changes in vehicle operating or environmental parameters.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3812710A
Cited
US4026146A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-07-09 | 1983-01-08 | 1983-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-07-09 | 1987-01-08 | 1987-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-07-09 | 1991-01-08 | 1991-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |