Christopher L Kirn

6498976, Dec 24, 2002

Nov 1, 2000

09/704461

James M. Ehlbeck - LaCenter WA
Christopher L. Kirn - Portland OR
Thomas Lenz - Lehrte, DE
Joerg Moellenhoff - Hannover DE
Gerd Roters - Isernhagen, DE
Gerhard Ruhnau - Neustadt, DE

Freightliner LLC - Portland OR

G01D 2100

701 70, 701 71, 701 72, 701 79

An automatic deceleration control apparatus for a vehicle operates so as to secure appropriate tire grip performance, depending on the conditions of a road surface on which the vehicle runs turning, and restrain excessive rolling of the vehicle body, there by stabilizing the turning behavior of the vehicle at all times. While the vehicle is turning on a high-friction road surface without undergoing haw moment control, a safe vehicle speed is computed within the rollover limit of the vehicle. While the vehicle is turning on a low-friction road surface under haw moment control, on the other hand, a safe vehicle speed that ensures satisfactory tire grip performance is computed in accordance with an estimated road friction coefficient. When the vehicle is about to exceed its safe speed as it turns, it is automatically decelerated to the safe speed or below. Thus, the vehicle can be prevented from spinning, drifting out, or rolling over.

60920211, Jul 18, 2000

Dec 1, 1997

8/982117

James M. Ehlbeck - LaCenter WA
Goetz Renner - Esslingen, DE
Jared A. Powell - Portland OR
Christopher L. Kirn - Portland OR

Freightliner Corporation - Portland OR

G06G 770
G01L 326

701123

A fuel efficiency monitoring and display system for a vehicle dynamically evaluates vehicle performance parameters to detect conditions that cause excessive fuel consumption. The conditions include increased aerodynamic drag due to excessive speed, high RPM, braking and accelerating, excessive idling, and rapid throttle movements. The system dynamically estimates gross vehicle weight, roadway grade and drag factor from monitored parameters and uses these estimates to detect inefficient fuel use. The system indicates to the driver when inefficient fuel use is detected. For example, it displays a measure of excess fuel consumed and messages indicating actions that can be taken to improve fuel economy in response to detecting inefficient fuel use.