The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 12, 2002
Filed:
May. 17, 2001
Dale Scott Crombez, Livonia, MI (US);
Steven Lee Napier, Canton, MI (US);
Christopher A. Ochocinski, Canton, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, Inc., Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
The invention is an improved method and system to monitor vehicle operation state and operator requests. It combines into a single gauge information indicating current vehicle operating state and ability to increase power assist using a display of instantaneous rate of consumption usage superimposed over available rate of power consumption limits. The invention can display whether an operator is requesting power assist, regenerative braking or battery charging while also displaying the available amount of each under present operating conditions. A vehicle system controller (VSC) or similar type controller is connected to the gauge, which can limit instantaneous rate of consumption usage or charge to the available rate of power consumption or charge limits. The invention can use analog needles or LEDs in various configurations as well as adding warning lamps or chimes when the instantaneous rate of consumption usage approaches or exceeds the available rate of power consumption limits.