Behavioral fuel-saving method for a motor vehicle

Patent · Tue Mar 11 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5898773

Schulman, R E; Breen, W C

This patent describes a method of conserving energy in the operation of a powered vehicle in which the fuel supplied is controlled by depressing and releasing a foot pedal member. This method consists of applying a predetermined resistance to depression of the pedal member at a first predetermined velocity, increasing the resistance to depression of the pedal member by predetermined increments in response to increases in vehicle velocity between a first predetermined resistance at the first predetermined velocity and a larger predetermined resistance at a higher second predetermined velocity so as to differentially increase the effort required by the operator to attain higher velocities and decreasing the resistance to depression of the pedal member by predetermined increments in response to decreases in vehicle velocities between the higher second predetermined velocity and the first predetermined velocity to differentially decrease the effort required by the operator at lower velocities so that the operator is constrained to reduce the occurrence and duration of vehicle operation at velocities over the first predetermined velocity or speed limit, and removal of the predetermined resistance to depression of the pedal member at the first predetermined velocity.

• Assignee: Deaccelerator Corp., Kalamazoo, MI
• Patent Number(s): US 4574757
• OSTI ID: 5898773
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320203 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Transportation-- Land & Roadway
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330603* -- Vehicle Design Factors-- Engine System
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
ENERGY CONSERVATION
EQUIPMENT
FUEL SYSTEMS
SPEED REGULATORS
VEHICLES
VELOCITY