EconoCruise - "Satellite to Throttle™"
EconoCruise® is an advanced application of Mirenco's
patented technology, offering a self-educating software system to constantly
monitor and manage a vehicle's performance. All variables affecting a vehicle's
performance (e.g., RPM, exhaust emissions, speed, fuel usage, etc.) may be
computer-analyzed in real time with knowledge of the road ahead via satellite
Global Positioning System (GPS) signals. This "intelligent" cruise control is
programmed according to the engine performance criteria desired by the operator
(e.g., best fuel-speed-emissions tradeoff), learns the topography of the
roadway, and produces a precise, dynamic fuel delivery rate to achieve the
desired results.
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EconoCruise® has been successfully demonstrated and is currently under
development in a Work For Others contract with the U.S. Department of Energy's
Kansas City Plant Operated by Honeywell. |
How does it work?
Simple. First consider a new EconoCruise® installed on a vehicle:
EconoCruise® begins monitoring all internal factors of the vehicle's performance
(fuel usage, speed, exhaust emissions, RPM, etc.).
EconoCruise® begins monitoring all external factors of the roadway and builds a
"map," tracking hills, topography, etc.
At this point, EconoCruise® "knows" how the individual engine performs along a
particular route(s). Now, EconoCruise® can get busy on all subsequent trips by:
The vehicle's driver (or fleet owner/manager) sets the EconoCruise's® priorities
and performance criteria (e.g., best fuel savings, speed, and emissions
tradeoff).
When the EconoCruise® is turned on, the system now "knows" how to best manage
the throttle to meet the desired performance criteria, literally
second-by-second, via satellite, taking into account the topography and terrain
of the roadway, wind resistance, exhaust emissions, and engine performance.
With intelligent management of the vehicle's throttle, EconoCruise® can, for
example, allow the vehicle to gain an acceptable and safe amount of momentum
while traveling downhill or on a straight away in order to prepare for an uphill
stretch of road just ahead.
The Intelligent Cruise Control will allow less talented drivers to achieve the
same vehicle performance as the best drivers on the road. Operation of
EconoCruise® has a similarity with present day cruise controls in the The Intelligent Cruise Control will allow less talented drivers to achieve the
same vehicle performance as the best drivers on the road. Operation of
EconoCruise® has a similarity with present day cruise controls in the fact the
vehicle driver can always override the EconoCruise® if a situation arises by
applying pressure to the brake pedal or increase vehicle acceleration by
applying more throttle pedal pressure.
Does it work? EconoCruise employs Mirenco patented technology. Its first proven and disclosed
trial was publicly conducted jointly with the U.S. Department of Energy on
September 15, 1999 and was a resounding success.
Key Benefits
- Maximized Vehicle and Driver Efficiency
- Decreased Fuel Usage
- Decreased Vehicle Maintenance Costs
- Decreased Pollution from Emissions
- Monitoring and tracking of emissions data (for example, for
EPA emissions credits)
Mirenco's EconoCruise® is comparable in size to other GPS navigation systems and
is shown above in size comparison to a Garmin GPS product. Garmin is a
registered trademark of Garmin Ltd.
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