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US5074144A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Vehicle performance monitoring system

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-06-08
•
Granted: 1991-12-24
•
Expires: 2010-06-08
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Abstract

Abstract Apparatus for monitoring the operating performance of a vehicle. The vehicle speed, engine operating speed and manifold pressure of the vehicle are compared to corresponding preset threshold values. The total time during which each of the vehicle speed, engine operating speed and manifold pressure exceed its threshold value is recorded and provided to the driver in a real-time display. The total time during which the engine is operating and the total time during which the engine is idling are also recorded and provided to the driver in a real time display.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gary F. Krofchalk
  • 👤 Richard F. Dickey
  • 👤 Courtney Hall

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 16:22
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C5/00; G07C5/08; G07C5/0841; G07C5/085

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 114 words
A performance monitoring system for an engine-driven vehicle comprising: means for determining manifold pressure of said engine; means for comparing manifold pressure of said engine to a manifold pressure threshold value; means for determining the total time during which the manifold pressure of said engine exceeds said manifold pressure threshold value; means for detecting vehicle speed; means for detecting engine operating speed; means responsive to said means for detecting vehicle speed and said means for detecting operating speed, for determining the total time during which said vehicle is idling; means for determining the total time during which said engine is operating; and means for displaying the total time during which said engine is operating.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 114 words
A performance monitoring system for an engine-driven vehicle comprising: means for determining manifold pressure of said engine; means for comparing manifold pressure of said engine to a manifold pressure threshold value; means for determining the total time during which the manifold pressure of said engine exceeds said manifold pressure threshold value; means for detecting vehicle speed; means for detecting engine operating speed; means responsive to said means for detecting vehicle speed and said means for detecting operating speed, for determining the total time during which said vehicle is idling; means for determining the total time during which said engine is operating; and means for displaying the total time during which said engine is operating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 23 words
The performance monitoring system according to claim 1 and further comprising means for displaying the total time during which said vehicle is idling.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 99 words
A method for evaluating at a central location, the performance of a driver operating a vehicle at a remote location comprising the steps of: setting an operating characteristic threshold value; measuring the operating characteristic of said vehicle during operation; determining the total time during the operation of said vehicle that the operating characteristic of said vehicle exceeds said operating characteristic threshold value; transmitting said determined total time to said central location for processing; determining at said central location, a percent violation which corresponds to said determined total time; transmitting said percent violation to said driver at said remote location.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 99 words
A method for evaluating at a central location, the performance of a driver operating a vehicle at a remote location comprising the steps of: setting an operating characteristic threshold value; measuring the operating characteristic of said vehicle during operation; determining the total time during the operation of said vehicle that the operating characteristic of said vehicle exceeds said operating characteristic threshold value; transmitting said determined total time to said central location for processing; determining at said central location, a percent violation which corresponds to said determined total time; transmitting said percent violation to said driver at said remote location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 13 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein the operating characteristic is manifold pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein the operating characteristic is engine operating speed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 13 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein the operating characteristic is vehicle speed.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3281783A Cited
US4280358A Cited
US4384479A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-12-23 1995-06-24 1995-12-24 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-12-23 1999-06-24 1999-12-24 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-12-23 2003-06-24 2003-12-24 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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