Fuel saver speed control

摘要

Embodiments of the invention are used to provide a Fuel Saver Speed Control (FSSC) system that facilitates vehicle speed control while maximizing fuel economy. For instance, when the vehicle traverses an uphill section of the road, the Fuel Saver Speed Control reduces the vehicle's fuel consumption by controllably reducing engine power output within the boundaries of activated FSSC settings.

主权项

1. A system for reducing vehicle fuel consumption in connection with vehicle speed control, the system comprising:
an engine producing a power output necessary for a vehicle to achieve a speed control setting selected by a vehicle operator; and a speed controller receiving data indicative of the power output associated with the engine, the speed controller further receiving input of a speed variation threshold and a vehicle's current speed reading, the speed controller being selectively activatable by the vehicle operator to cause a reduction in engine power output; wherein the speed controller is arranged and configured to cause engine power output to reduce by:
monitoring said data indicative of the power output associated with the engine,determining whether the power output necessary for a vehicle to maintain the speed control setting selected by the operator exceeds a maximum desired power output, andwhen the speed controller is active and the power output of the engine exceeds the maximum desired power, communicating a control directive that causes a reduction in the engine power output to a level that reduces the vehicle's current speed reading within the speed variation threshold.