US4845630A — Method and apparatus for calculating corrected ve…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 115 words

A vehicle fuel economy meter for adjusting the value of a distance traveled by the vehicle per unit of fuel consumed by the vehicle, including means for measuring the speed of the vehicle during a measurement period, means for measuring the change of kinetic energy of the vehicle from measured speeds of the vehicle, and electronic circuitry for adjusting the value in which the value is increased by the change of kinetic energy of the vehicle during the measurement period when the vehicle speed is increasing from a lower value to a higher value, and correspondingly decreased during the measurement period when the vehicle speed is decreasing from a higher value to a lower value.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 115 words

A vehicle fuel economy meter for adjusting the value of a distance traveled by the vehicle per unit of fuel consumed by the vehicle, including means for measuring the speed of the vehicle during a measurement period, means for measuring the change of kinetic energy of the vehicle from measured speeds of the vehicle, and electronic circuitry for adjusting the value in which the value is increased by the change of kinetic energy of the vehicle during the measurement period when the vehicle speed is increasing from a lower value to a higher value, and correspondingly decreased during the measurement period when the vehicle speed is decreasing from a higher value to a lower value.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 154 words

A vehicle fuel economy meter for adjusting the value of a distance traveled by the vehicle per unit of fuel consumed by the vehicle, including means for measuring the speed of the vehicle during a measurement period, means for measuring the change of kinetic energy of the vehicle from measured speeds of the vehicle, and electronic circuitry for adjusting the value in which the consumed fuel equivalent of the change of vehicle kinetic energy in the distance traveled is a fuel decreasing factor in the calculation of the distance traveled per unit of fuel consumed for an increasing vehicle speed from a lower value to a higher value and in which the consumed fuel equivalent of the change of vehicle kinetic energy in the distence traveled is fuel increasing factor in the calculation of distance traveled per unit of fuel consumed for a decreasing vehicle speed from a higher value to a lower value.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 154 words

A vehicle fuel economy meter for adjusting the value of a distance traveled by the vehicle per unit of fuel consumed by the vehicle, including means for measuring the speed of the vehicle during a measurement period, means for measuring the change of kinetic energy of the vehicle from measured speeds of the vehicle, and electronic circuitry for adjusting the value in which the consumed fuel equivalent of the change of vehicle kinetic energy in the distance traveled is a fuel decreasing factor in the calculation of the distance traveled per unit of fuel consumed for an increasing vehicle speed from a lower value to a higher value and in which the consumed fuel equivalent of the change of vehicle kinetic energy in the distence traveled is fuel increasing factor in the calculation of distance traveled per unit of fuel consumed for a decreasing vehicle speed from a higher value to a lower value.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 161 words

A fuel economy measurement apparatus for use in a ground vehicle propelled by an engine that consumes a fuel, comprising: means for producing signals that measure a predetermined interval of time, the interval having a beginning and an end; means for producing signals that measure a distance traveled by the vehicle in the interval of time; means for producing signals that measure the fuel consimed by the engine in the interval of time; and means for receiving the time interval, distance traveled and fuel consumption signals and calculating a corrected fuel consumption of the engine in the interval of time by subtracting a weighted difference of the kinetic energies of the ground vehicle at the end and at the beginning of the interval of time from the measured fuel consumed in the interval of time, and for calculating a value of a ratio of the distance traveled by the ground vehicle in the interval of time and the corrected fuel consumption.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 161 words

A fuel economy measurement apparatus for use in a ground vehicle propelled by an engine that consumes a fuel, comprising: means for producing signals that measure a predetermined interval of time, the interval having a beginning and an end; means for producing signals that measure a distance traveled by the vehicle in the interval of time; means for producing signals that measure the fuel consimed by the engine in the interval of time; and means for receiving the time interval, distance traveled and fuel consumption signals and calculating a corrected fuel consumption of the engine in the interval of time by subtracting a weighted difference of the kinetic energies of the ground vehicle at the end and at the beginning of the interval of time from the measured fuel consumed in the interval of time, and for calculating a value of a ratio of the distance traveled by the ground vehicle in the interval of time and the corrected fuel consumption.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 16 words

The fuel economy measurement apparatus of claim 3 wherein the means for calculating is a microprocessor.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 43 words

The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising read-only memory (ROM) for storing a program for the microprocessor and random-access memory (RAM) for storing one or more values of data generated by the program, wherein the ROM and RAM are connected to the microprocessor.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 48 words

The fuel economy measurement apparatus of claim 5 wherein the microprocessor calculates the difference of the kinetic energies of the ground vehicle at the end and the beginning of the interval of time, based on stored values of the measured fuel consumption rate over the interval of time.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 170 words

A fuel economy measurement apparatus for use in a ground vehicle, propelled by an engine that consumes a fuel, comprising: means for producing signals that measure a predetermined interval of time, the interval having a beginning and an end; means for producing signals that measure a distance traveled by the ground vehicle in the interval of time; means for producing signals that measure the fuel consumed by the engine in the interval of time; a microprocessor for receiving the time interval, distance travelled, and fuel consumption signals and calculating a corrected fuel consumption of the engine in the interval of time by subtracting a weighted difference of the kinetic energies of the ground vehicle at the end and the beginning of the interval of time from the measured fuel consumed in the interval of time, and for calculating a value of a ratio of the distance traveled by the ground behicle in the interval of time and the corrected fuel consumption; and means for displaying the value of the ratio.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 170 words

A fuel economy measurement apparatus for use in a ground vehicle, propelled by an engine that consumes a fuel, comprising: means for producing signals that measure a predetermined interval of time, the interval having a beginning and an end; means for producing signals that measure a distance traveled by the ground vehicle in the interval of time; means for producing signals that measure the fuel consumed by the engine in the interval of time; a microprocessor for receiving the time interval, distance travelled, and fuel consumption signals and calculating a corrected fuel consumption of the engine in the interval of time by subtracting a weighted difference of the kinetic energies of the ground vehicle at the end and the beginning of the interval of time from the measured fuel consumed in the interval of time, and for calculating a value of a ratio of the distance traveled by the ground behicle in the interval of time and the corrected fuel consumption; and means for displaying the value of the ratio.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 16 words

The fuel economy measurement apparatus of claim 7 wherein the display means is a digital display.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 180 words

A method of measuring a corrected fuel economy rate of a fuel-consuming engine in a ground vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: (A) producing signals that measure a predetermined interval of time, the interval having a beginning and an end; (B) producing signals that measure a distance traveled by the ground vehicle in the interval of time; (C) producing signals that measure the fuel consumed by the engine in the interval of time; (D) receiving the time interval, distance traveled, and fuel consumption signals and calculating the kinetic energy of the ground vehicle at the end and at the beginning of the time interval; (E) calculating a corrected fuel consumption of the engine in the interval of time by subtracting a weighted difference of the kinetic energies. of the ground vehicle at the end and at the beginning of the interval of time from the measured fuel consumption in the interval of time; and (F) calculating a value of a ratio of the corrected fuel consumption and the distance traveled by the ground vehicle in the interval of time.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 180 words

A method of measuring a corrected fuel economy rate of a fuel-consuming engine in a ground vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: (A) producing signals that measure a predetermined interval of time, the interval having a beginning and an end; (B) producing signals that measure a distance traveled by the ground vehicle in the interval of time; (C) producing signals that measure the fuel consumed by the engine in the interval of time; (D) receiving the time interval, distance traveled, and fuel consumption signals and calculating the kinetic energy of the ground vehicle at the end and at the beginning of the time interval; (E) calculating a corrected fuel consumption of the engine in the interval of time by subtracting a weighted difference of the kinetic energies. of the ground vehicle at the end and at the beginning of the interval of time from the measured fuel consumption in the interval of time; and (F) calculating a value of a ratio of the corrected fuel consumption and the distance traveled by the ground vehicle in the interval of time.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of displaying the calculated ratio.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 167 words

A fuel economy measurement apparatus for use in a ground vehicle propelled by an engine that consumes a fuel, comprising: means for producing signals that measure a predetermined interval of distance traveled by the ground vehicle, the interval having a beginning and an end; means for producing signals that measure the fuel consumed by the engine in the interval of distance; and means for receiving signals that measure the predetermined interval of distance traveled by the ground vehicle and the signals that measure the fuel consumed by the engine in the interval of distance and calculating a corrected fuel consumption of the engine in the interval of distance by subtracting a weighted difference of the kinetic energies of the ground vehicle at the end and at the beginning of the interval of distance from the measured fuel consumed in the interval of distance, and for calculating a value of a ratio of the interval of the distance traveled by the ground vehicle and the corrected fuel consumption.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 167 words

A fuel economy measurement apparatus for use in a ground vehicle propelled by an engine that consumes a fuel, comprising: means for producing signals that measure a predetermined interval of distance traveled by the ground vehicle, the interval having a beginning and an end; means for producing signals that measure the fuel consumed by the engine in the interval of distance; and means for receiving signals that measure the predetermined interval of distance traveled by the ground vehicle and the signals that measure the fuel consumed by the engine in the interval of distance and calculating a corrected fuel consumption of the engine in the interval of distance by subtracting a weighted difference of the kinetic energies of the ground vehicle at the end and at the beginning of the interval of distance from the measured fuel consumed in the interval of distance, and for calculating a value of a ratio of the interval of the distance traveled by the ground vehicle and the corrected fuel consumption.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 17 words

The fuel economy measurement apparatus of claim 11 wherein the signal-receiving and calculating means is a microprocessor.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 41 words

The apparatus oflaim 12, further comprising read-only memory (ROM) for storing a program for the microprocessor and random-access memory (RAM) for storing one or more values of data generated by the program, the ROM and RAM being connected to the microprocessor.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 41 words

The apparatus oflaim 12, further comprising read-only memory (ROM) for storing a program for the microprocessor and random-access memory (RAM) for storing one or more values of data generated by the program, the ROM and RAM being connected to the microprocessor.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 57 words

The fuel economy measurement apparatus of claim 13 wherein the RAM stored values of the measured fuel consumed in the interval of distance and said microprocessor calculates the difference of the kinetic energies of the ground vehicle at the end and at the beginning of the interval of distance, based on the values stored in the RAM.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 176 words

A fuel economy measurement apparatus for use in a ground vehicle propelled by an engine that consumes a fuel, comprising: means for producing signals that measure an interval of distance traveled by the ground vehicle in a predetermined interval of time, the interval of distance having a beginning and an end; means for producing signals that measure the fuel consumed by the engine in the predetermined interval of time; a microprocessor for receiving signals that measure the predetermined interval of distance traveled by the ground vehicle and the signals that measure the fuel consumed by the engine in the interval of distance and calculating a corrected fuel consumption of the engine in the predetermined interval of time by subtracting a weighted difference of the kinetic energies of the ground vehicle at the end and at the beginning of the interval of distance from the measured fuel consumed in the interval of distance, and for calculating a value of a ratio of the interval of distance and the corrected fuel cinsumption; and means for displaying the ratio.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 176 words

A fuel economy measurement apparatus for use in a ground vehicle propelled by an engine that consumes a fuel, comprising: means for producing signals that measure an interval of distance traveled by the ground vehicle in a predetermined interval of time, the interval of distance having a beginning and an end; means for producing signals that measure the fuel consumed by the engine in the predetermined interval of time; a microprocessor for receiving signals that measure the predetermined interval of distance traveled by the ground vehicle and the signals that measure the fuel consumed by the engine in the interval of distance and calculating a corrected fuel consumption of the engine in the predetermined interval of time by subtracting a weighted difference of the kinetic energies of the ground vehicle at the end and at the beginning of the interval of distance from the measured fuel consumed in the interval of distance, and for calculating a value of a ratio of the interval of distance and the corrected fuel cinsumption; and means for displaying the ratio.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 16 words

The fuel economy measurement apparatus of claim 15 wherein the display means is a digital display.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 166 words

A method of measuring a corrected fuel economy rate of a fuel-consuming engine in a ground vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: (A) producing signals that measure an interval of distance traveled by the ground vehicle in a predetermined interval of time, the interval of time having a beginning and an end; (B) producing signals that measure the kinetic energy of the vehicle at the beginning and at the end of the interval of time; (C) measuring the fuel consumed by the engine in the interval of time to produce a measured fuel consumption rate; (D) calculating a corrected fuel consumption rate of the engine in the interval of distance by substracting a weighted difference of the kinetic energies of the ground vehicle at the end and at the beginning of the interval of time from the measured fuel consumption rate over the interval of time; and (E) calculating a value of a ratio of the corrected fuel consumption rate and the interval of distance.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 166 words

A method of measuring a corrected fuel economy rate of a fuel-consuming engine in a ground vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: (A) producing signals that measure an interval of distance traveled by the ground vehicle in a predetermined interval of time, the interval of time having a beginning and an end; (B) producing signals that measure the kinetic energy of the vehicle at the beginning and at the end of the interval of time; (C) measuring the fuel consumed by the engine in the interval of time to produce a measured fuel consumption rate; (D) calculating a corrected fuel consumption rate of the engine in the interval of distance by substracting a weighted difference of the kinetic energies of the ground vehicle at the end and at the beginning of the interval of time from the measured fuel consumption rate over the interval of time; and (E) calculating a value of a ratio of the corrected fuel consumption rate and the interval of distance.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of displaying the ratio.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 115 words

A vehicle fuel economy meter for adjusting the value of the fuel consumed by the vehicle per unit of distance traveled by the vehicle, including means for measuring the speed of the vehicle during a measurement period, means for measuring the change of kinetic energy of the vehicle from measured speeds of the vehicle, and electronic circuitry for adjusting the value in which the value is decreased by the change of kinetic energy of the vehicle during the measurement period when the vehicle speed is increasing from a lower value to a high value, and correspondingly increased during the measurement period when the vehicle speed is decreasing from a higher value to a lower value.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 115 words

A vehicle fuel economy meter for adjusting the value of the fuel consumed by the vehicle per unit of distance traveled by the vehicle, including means for measuring the speed of the vehicle during a measurement period, means for measuring the change of kinetic energy of the vehicle from measured speeds of the vehicle, and electronic circuitry for adjusting the value in which the value is decreased by the change of kinetic energy of the vehicle during the measurement period when the vehicle speed is increasing from a lower value to a high value, and correspondingly increased during the measurement period when the vehicle speed is decreasing from a higher value to a lower value.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 154 words

A vehicle fuel economy meter for adjusting the value of the consumed by the vehicle per unit of distance traveled by the vehicle, including means for measuring the speed of the vehicle during a measurement period, means for measuring the change of kinetic energy of the vehicle from measured speeds of the vehicle, and electronic circuitry for adjusting the value in which the consumed fuel equivalent of the change of vehicle kinetic energy in the distance traveled is a fuel decreasing factor in the calculation of the fuel consumed per unit of distance traveled for an increasing vehicle speed from a lower value to a higher value, and in which the consumed fuel equivalent of the change of vehicle kinetic energy in the distance traveled is a fuel increasing factor in the calculation of distance traveled per unit of fuel consumed for a decreasing vehicle speed from a higher value to a lower value.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 154 words

A vehicle fuel economy meter for adjusting the value of the consumed by the vehicle per unit of distance traveled by the vehicle, including means for measuring the speed of the vehicle during a measurement period, means for measuring the change of kinetic energy of the vehicle from measured speeds of the vehicle, and electronic circuitry for adjusting the value in which the consumed fuel equivalent of the change of vehicle kinetic energy in the distance traveled is a fuel decreasing factor in the calculation of the fuel consumed per unit of distance traveled for an increasing vehicle speed from a lower value to a higher value, and in which the consumed fuel equivalent of the change of vehicle kinetic energy in the distance traveled is a fuel increasing factor in the calculation of distance traveled per unit of fuel consumed for a decreasing vehicle speed from a higher value to a lower value.

Claim 32

Independent Claim 89 words

A method for measuring fuel economy in a ground vehicle propelled by an engine that consumes a fuel, comprising the steps of: (A) measuring a distance interval traveled by the vehicle; (B) measuring the fuel consumed by the vehicle in the distance interval; (C) generating a value corresponding to a change in kinetic energy of the vehicle in the distance interval; and (D) calculating a fuel economy value based on the fuel consumed by the vehicle and said value corresponding to the change in kinetic energy of the vehicle.

Claim 33

Independent Claim 89 words

A method for measuring fuel economy in a ground vehicle propelled by an engine that consumes a fuel, comprising the steps of: (A) measuring a distance interval traveled by the vehicle; (B) measuring the fuel consumed by the vehicle in the distance interval; (C) generating a value corresponding to a change in kinetic energy of the vehicle in the distance interval; and (D) calculating a fuel economy value based on the fuel consumed by the vehicle and said value corresponding to the change in kinetic energy of the vehicle.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of displaying the fuel economy value.

Claim 35

Independent Claim 80 words

A method for measuring fuel economy in a ground vehicle propelled by an engine that consumes a fuel, comprising the steps of: (A) measuring the fuel consumed by the vehicle in a time interval; (B) generating a value corresponding to a change in kinetic energy of the vehicle in the time interval; and (C) calculating a fuel economy value based on the fuel consumed by the vehicle and said value corresponding to the change in kinetic energy of the vehicle.

Claim 36

Independent Claim 80 words

A method for measuring fuel economy in a ground vehicle propelled by an engine that consumes a fuel, comprising the steps of: (A) measuring the fuel consumed by the vehicle in a time interval; (B) generating a value corresponding to a change in kinetic energy of the vehicle in the time interval; and (C) calculating a fuel economy value based on the fuel consumed by the vehicle and said value corresponding to the change in kinetic energy of the vehicle.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of displaying the fuel economy value.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 91 words

A fuel economy measurement apparatus for use in a ground vehicle propelled by an engine that consumes a fuel, comprising: means for measuring a distance interval traveled by the vehicle; means for measuring the fuel consumed by the vehicle in the distance interval; means for generating a value corresponding to a change in kinetic energy of the vehicle in the distance interval; and means for calculating a fuel economy value based on the fuel consumed by the vehicle and said value corresponding to the change in kinetic energy of the vehicle.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 91 words

A fuel economy measurement apparatus for use in a ground vehicle propelled by an engine that consumes a fuel, comprising: means for measuring a distance interval traveled by the vehicle; means for measuring the fuel consumed by the vehicle in the distance interval; means for generating a value corresponding to a change in kinetic energy of the vehicle in the distance interval; and means for calculating a fuel economy value based on the fuel consumed by the vehicle and said value corresponding to the change in kinetic energy of the vehicle.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 17 words

The fuel economy measurement apparatus of claim 25, further comprising means for displaying the fuel economy value.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 81 words

A fuel economy measurement apparatus for use in a ground vehicle propelled by an engine that consumes a fuel, comprising: means for measuring the fuel consumed by the vehicle in a time interval; means for generating a value corresponding to a change in kinetic energy of the vehicle in the time interval; and means for calculating a fuel economy value based on the fuel consumed by the vehicle and said value corresponding to the change in kinetic energy of the vehicle.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 81 words

A fuel economy measurement apparatus for use in a ground vehicle propelled by an engine that consumes a fuel, comprising: means for measuring the fuel consumed by the vehicle in a time interval; means for generating a value corresponding to a change in kinetic energy of the vehicle in the time interval; and means for calculating a fuel economy value based on the fuel consumed by the vehicle and said value corresponding to the change in kinetic energy of the vehicle.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 17 words

The fuel economy measurement apparatus of claim 27, further comprising means for displaying the fuel economy value.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 114 words

A fuel economy display and measuring apparatus for a vehicel, comprising: a fuel sensor for measuring the amount of fuel consumed by said vehicle in a predetermined time period; a distance sensor for measuring a distance traveled by said vehicle in said predetermined time period; an electronic circuit for determining a measured fuel economy value based on said fuel consumed and said distance traveled; means for determining changes in said vehicle's kinetic energy in said predetermined time period; an electronic circuit foe generating a modified fuel economy value based on said changes in said vehicle's kinetic energy and said measured fuel economy value; and a visual display for displaying said modified fuel economy value.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 114 words

A fuel economy display and measuring apparatus for a vehicel, comprising: a fuel sensor for measuring the amount of fuel consumed by said vehicle in a predetermined time period; a distance sensor for measuring a distance traveled by said vehicle in said predetermined time period; an electronic circuit for determining a measured fuel economy value based on said fuel consumed and said distance traveled; means for determining changes in said vehicle's kinetic energy in said predetermined time period; an electronic circuit foe generating a modified fuel economy value based on said changes in said vehicle's kinetic energy and said measured fuel economy value; and a visual display for displaying said modified fuel economy value.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said means for determining changes in said vehicle's kinetic energy includes means for inputting said vehicle's mass.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said electronic circuit for generating said modified value includes means for modifying said measured fuel consumed.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said electronic circuit for generating said modified value includes means for modifying siad measured distance traveled.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1992-07-03	1993-01-02	1993-07-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1996-07-03	1997-01-02	1997-07-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2000-07-03	2001-01-02	2001-07-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for calculating corrected vehicle fuel economy

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