69results about How to "Reduce fuel usage" patented technology

A method includes determining an operational parameter of a first vehicle traveling with a plurality of vehicles in a transportation network and / or a route in the transportation network, identifying a failure condition of the first vehicle and / or the route based on the operational parameter, obtaining plural different sets of remedial actions that dictate operations to be taken based on the operational parameter, simulating travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network based on implementation of the different sets of remedial actions, determining potential consequences on travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network when the different sets of remedial actions are implemented in the travel that is simulated, and based on the potential consequences, receiving a selection of at least one of the different sets of remedial actions to be implemented in actual travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network.

A vehicle drive system for adjusting vehicle fuel economy is described. In one example, the vehicle drive system includes an operator interface for adjusting vehicle operation so as to increase or decrease fuel consumption according to a driver preference.

A method includes determining an operational parameter of a first vehicle traveling with a plurality of vehicles in a transportation network and / or a route in the transportation network, identifying a failure condition of the first vehicle and / or the route based on the operational parameter, obtaining plural different sets of remedial actions that dictate operations to be taken based on the operational parameter, simulating travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network based on implementation of the different sets of remedial actions, determining potential consequences on travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network when the different sets of remedial actions are implemented in the travel that is simulated, and based on the potential consequences, receiving a selection of at least one of the different sets of remedial actions to be implemented in actual travel of the plurality of vehicles in the transportation network.

A vehicle propulsion system and a method of its operation are described. As one example, the vehicle propulsion system includes a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The method may include: producing a motor output by selectively operating the motor to consume electrical energy stored on-board the vehicle; producing an engine output by selectively operating the engine to consume fuel stored on-board the vehicle; and increasing consumption of the fuel by the engine relative to consumption of the electrical energy by the motor as a residence time of the fuel stored on-board the vehicle increases. The residence time of the fuel stored on-board the vehicle can provide an indication of fuel degradation, enabling the duty cycle of the engine to be selectively increased to enforce fuel use conditions, particularly in the context of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle where fuel use may be less frequent.

A fuel efficient grill that permits effective direct and indirect cooking, permits movement of the fuel grate and has uniquely shaped air intake slots is provided.

A fold-out trailer, including a trailer frame, the trailer frame having a tongue joined to a hitch, the tongue being joined to a stationary platform, and the stationary platform having a major surface defining a stationary plane, a plurality of side edges, a front edge and a back edge; at least one primary folding platform, the primary platform having a major surface defining a primary plane, an inside edge, an outside edge, a front edge, and a back edge, the inside edge of the primary platform being joined to one side edge of the stationary platform, the primary platform having a folded position; and a trunk, the trunk defined by the stationary platform, a front cover, and primary platforms when the primary platforms are in the folded position, the trunk having a generally triangular cross-section and being accessible via a back cover.

A fold-out trailer, including a trailer frame, the trailer frame having a tongue joined to a hitch, the tongue being joined to a stationary platform, and the stationary platform having a major surface defining a stationary plane, a plurality of side edges, a front edge and a back edge; at least one primary folding platform, the primary platform having a major surface defining a primary plane, an inside edge, an outside edge, a front edge, and a back edge, the inside edge of the primary platform being joined to one side edge of the stationary platform, the primary platform having a folded position; and a trunk, the trunk defined by the stationary platform, a front cover, and primary platforms when the primary platforms are in the folded position, the trunk having a generally triangular cross-section and being accessible via a back cover.

A method for operating a vehicle may include operating a motor and an engine to propel the vehicle, and increasing consumption of fuel as a residence time of the fuel stored on-board the vehicle increases. The residence time of the fuel stored on-board the vehicle can provide an indication of fuel degradation, enabling the duty cycle of the engine to be selectively increased to enforce fuel use conditions, particularly in the context of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle where fuel use may be less frequent.

A system includes a first controller, a data acquisition device, a friction modification unit, and a friction management controller. The first controller is configured to obtain an operational setting for a vehicle, and to output a first signal relating to the operational setting for controlling the vehicle. The data acquisition device is configured to obtain operational data of the vehicle as the vehicle travels, and to provide the operational data to the first controller. The first controller is configured to obtain a difference between the operational data and the operational setting, and to adjust the first signal based on the difference. The friction modification unit is configured to modify a friction characteristic of a surface of the route. The friction management controller is configured to direct the friction modification unit to modify the friction characteristic of the surface of the route based on the operational setting.

A method for reducing engine fuel consumption of an electro-motive vehicle during braking, the method including steps for providing an engine for the vehicle, generating primary electric power at a primary electric power generator connected to the engine, generating primary electric power at a secondary electric power generator connected to the engine, operating a plurality of electric traction motors each coupled in driving relationship to a respective one of a plurality of driven wheels to propel the vehicle during motoring operations and to generate electricity upon braking operations of the vehicle, electrically connecting a braking switch between the traction motors and the primary electric power generator, applying braking, closing the braking switch, and transmitting power generated by the traction motors to the primary electric power generator to operate as a motor to rotate the engine and drive the secondary electric power generator to power the auxiliary equipment without fueling the engine.

A steam methane reforming method in which a feed stream is treated in a reactor containing a catalyst that is capable of promoting both hydrogenation and partial oxidation reactions. The reactor is either operated in a catalytic hydrogenation mode to convert olefins into saturated hydrocarbons and / or to chemically reduce sulfur species to hydrogen sulfide or a catalytic oxidative mode utilizing oxygen and steam to prereform the feed and thus, increase the hydrogen content of a synthesis gas produced by a steam methane reformer. The method is applicable to the treatment of feed streams containing at least 15% by volume of hydrocarbons with two or more carbon atoms and / or 3% by volume of olefins, such as a refinery off-gas. In such case, the catalytic oxidative mode is conducted with a steam to carbon ratio of less than 0.5, an oxygen to carbon ratio of less than 0.25 and a reaction temperature of between about 500° C. and about 860° C. to limit the feed to the steam methane reformer to volumetric dry concentrations of less than about 0.5% for the olefins and less than about 10% for alkanes with two or more carbon atoms.

The invention relates to a furnace for testing the limit of fire resistance of a tunnel fire-proof protective material, which is characterized in that when a sample is tested, the sample is covered at the top of a furnace body, and a burning device is placed at the bottom of the sample to be used for heating the sample. The furnace body comprises a furnace lining, short-flame burners, a sample clamping and turning device and a cellular heat absorbing board, wherein the furnace lining in a modular structure is arranged in a furnace shell; the cellular heat absorbing board is arranged at the opening part of the bottom of the furnace shell; the cellular heat absorbing board is connected with a water-cooled multi-tube cooler; the sample clamping and turning device is arranged at one side of the furnace shell; the internal dimension of the furnace lining is matched with the external boundary dimension of the sample; and a plurality of temperature thermocouples and the short-flame burners are sequentially arranged in the furnace lining from top to bottom. The invention has the advantages that (1) the sample is arranged at the top of a furnace chamber and is reasonably heated, thereby reducing the fuel consumption and enabling the transverse temperature of the furnace chamber to be more uniform and stable; (2) the corner-type electric sample clamping and turning device is adopted, thereby relieving the labor intensity of experimenters and ensuring that the experiment operating process is more simple, more convenient and more reliable; and (3) the flue gas emission temperature reaches the specified emission standard.

Formable pallets that are easy to construct into a generally stably product receiving state and easy to collapse into a storage / transport state. Embodiments of the pallet of which include a construction wherein one or more support beams can be further integrally formed from the sheet material of the pallet itself and function to support a product support surface on an uppermost surface of the pallet. The one or more support beams can be supported internally by structural inserts. Additionally, the supporting inserts may include braces for added stability and strength. The beams, as well as the platform can be further braced and structurally supported by cross braces, which run generally at right angles to the beams and pass through apertures in the beams themselves and slots in the inserts.

The present invention relates to a method of producing an improved asphalt. The method involves providing an asphalt and providing a compound of formula (I), as described herein. The asphalt is mixed with the compound of formula (I) under conditions effective to produce an improved asphalt. Also disclosed are an asphalt product and a method of making asphalt material. The invention further discloses a method of producing an improved asphalt comprising providing a polymer modified asphalt and providing a compound of formula (IIa) or formula (II). The polymer modified asphalt is mixed with the compound of formula (IIa) or formula (IIb) under conditions effective to produce an improved asphalt, which is yet another aspect of the present invention.

A method for cultivating Monarda fistulosa for production of thymoquinone includes planting seeds at rates between about 2.5 and about 5 pounds per acre, preferably about 4 pounds per acre. The heavy rate of planting produces plants bearing oil without weed contamination and reduces herbicide use due to production of natural herbicides by the monarda plants. Seeding and mowing the first season, and harvesting in seasons thereafter reduce costs. The method results in increased production of essential oils including thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone at levels up to about 40% or more of recovered oils, and which may be distilled from the plant.

In a method and a device for engine stop / engine start of hybrid vehicles, which includes an internal combustion engine and an electric machine which is coupled to the internal combustion engine and is selectively able to be operated regeneratively or motively, the engine speed can be detected and compared to a limit speed to initiate the stopping of the engine in a hybrid vehicle using an automatic start / stop mechanism, and if the engine speed drops to the threshold speed, the engine is stopped, the electric machine being switched over into the motive or the regenerative operation when the limit speed is reached; the electric machine assuming the limit speed, whereas the fuel supply of the internal combustion engine is shut down or remains shut down and the electric machine initiates the stopping of the internal combustion engine.

A fuel efficient grill that permits effective direct and indirect cooking, permits movement of the fuel grate and has uniquely shaped air intake slots is provided.