Abstract: Systems and methods of vehicle freight/load distribution are provided to assist in determining optimal freight distribution. Although it is standard practice to fill each vehicle to its maximum limit, due to the non-linear nature of engine fueling maps (that is, fueling maps vary non-linearly as a function of torque and speed), the optimal distribution may not be obtained by the standard practice. Finding a solution for the optimal freight distribution may also need to account for the cost of fueling and operator costs, particularly if the situation involves multiple vehicles not filled to capacity. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination amongst a fleet of vehicles.

Abstract: A system for establishing a torque limit for a vehicle is provided. The system uses impending terrain and speed conditions to determine an optimum torque, which improves engine efficiency and reduces fuel consumption.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a control system, apparatus, and method includes dynamic optimization of at least one of a vehicle reference speed and/or transmission gear state of a vehicle by determining current and future engine power requirements from the current and forward-looking route conditions to improve performance, drivability, and/or fuel economy of the vehicle over what is achievable through conventional gear state selection via static calibration tables and conventional shifting strategies. The selection of the vehicle reference speed and gear state can be performed independently of one another in one embodiment, and complementary of one another in another embodiment.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a controller configured to control the vehicle to operate in an active control mode or a passive control mode. In the passive control mode, the controller may provide a feedback indicator on a human machine interface. In the active control mode, the controller may provide a control command to an engine control unit.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus includes management of cruise speed in anticipation of upcoming terrain changes. A cruise speed controller can be structured to predict a change in speed of vehicle in light of an upcoming terrain feature, and lead a change in reference speed to which the cruise speed controller is regulating vehicle speed to accommodate the upcoming terrain feature. In one embodiment a physics based model of the vehicle is used to predict a speed change. If predicted speed change exceeds a threshold, the cruise speed controller will initiate a change in speed to either speed up for an upcoming uphill terrain feature, or slow down for an upcoming downhill feature. In one form the distance in advance of the terrain feature as well as the velocity change profile (acceleration or deceleration) are determined by computation of a regression formula.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, systems and controls including dynamic vehicle parameter determination are disclosed. One embodiment is a method of operating a vehicle system including a powertrain comprising a prime mover structured to propel the vehicle, and an electronic control system in operative communication with the prime mover and the transmission. The method includes estimating a plurality of coefficients of a vehicle loss model, evaluating a convergence criterion for the plurality of estimated coefficients, setting converged values of the plurality of coefficients if the convergence criterion is satisfied, determining a vehicle powertrain command utilizing the converged values of the plurality of coefficients, and transmitting a vehicle powertrain command to control operation of one or more powertrain components.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a control system, apparatus, and method includes dynamic optimization of at least one of a vehicle reference speed and/or transmission gear state of a vehicle by determining current and future engine power requirements from the current and forward-looking route conditions to improve performance, drivability, and/or fuel economy of the vehicle over what is achievable through conventional gear state selection via static calibration tables and conventional shifting strategies. The selection of the vehicle reference speed and gear state can be performed independently of one another in one embodiment, and complementary of one another in another embodiment.

Abstract: A system for establishing a torque limit for a vehicle is provided. The system uses impending terrain and speed conditions to determine an optimum torque, which improves engine efficiency and reduces fuel consumption.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a control system, apparatus, and method includes dynamic optimization of at least one of a vehicle reference speed and/or transmission gear state of a vehicle by determining current and future engine power requirements from the current and forward-looking route conditions to improve performance, drivability, and/or fuel economy of the vehicle over what is achievable through conventional gear state selection via static calibration tables and conventional shifting strategies. The selection of the vehicle reference speed and gear state can be performed independently of one another in one embodiment, and complementary of one another in another embodiment.

Abstract: A system for establishing a torque limit for a vehicle is provided. The system uses impending terrain and speed conditions to determine an optimum torque, which improves engine efficiency and reduces fuel consumption.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems including dynamic estimations of vehicle mass and road grade estimation are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a method including operating a vehicle system to propel a vehicle, determining with a controller a vehicle mass estimate and an uncertainty of the vehicle mass estimate, evaluating with the controller the uncertainty of the vehicle mass estimate relative to at least one criterion, if the uncertainty of the vehicle mass estimate satisfies the criterion, determining with the controller a road grade estimate, and controlling with the controller utilizing the road grade estimate at least one of a vehicle speed and an engine output.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods herein relate to vehicle speed management. The apparatus includes a projection module structured to determine a future road load for a vehicle based on horizon data regarding an attribute of a route of the vehicle at a future location of the vehicle. The apparatus also includes a vehicle drafting module structured to determine a drafting road load for the vehicle based on drafting data regarding operation of a second vehicle. The apparatus further includes a vehicle speed management module structured to determine and provide a vehicle speed adjustment to an output device of the vehicle to at least one of facilitate and maintain a drafting arrangement between the vehicle and the second vehicle responsive to at least one of the future road load and the drafting road load.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems comprising vehicle gear shifting controls are disclosed. One embodiment is a method comprising operating a vehicle system comprising an engine structured to output torque, a transmission structured to receive torque from the engine and output torque to one or more ground contacting wheels, and an electronic control system in operative communication with the engine and the transmission. The electronic control system is structured to estimate an engine load parameter using one or more dynamically determined vehicle operating parameters, set an engine load threshold using the engine load parameter, evaluate a current engine load relative to the engine load threshold, and selectably perform an operation to control or influence a shifting event in response to the evaluation.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, systems and controls including dynamic vehicle parameter determination are disclosed. One embodiment is a method of operating a vehicle system including a powertrain comprising a prime mover structured to propel the vehicle, and an electronic control system in operative communication with the prime mover and the transmission. The method includes estimating a plurality of coefficients of a vehicle loss model, evaluating a convergence criterion for the plurality of estimated coefficients, setting converged values of the plurality of coefficients if the convergence criterion is satisfied, determining a vehicle powertrain command utilizing the converged values of the plurality of coefficients, and transmitting a vehicle powertrain command to control operation of one or more powertrain components.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems comprising vehicle gear shifting controls are disclosed. One embodiment is a method comprising operating a vehicle system comprising an engine structured to output torque, a transmission structured to receive torque from the engine and output torque to one or more ground contacting wheels, and an electronic control system in operative communication with the engine and the transmission. The electronic control system is structured to estimate an engine load parameter using one or more dynamically determined vehicle operating parameters, set an engine load threshold using the engine load parameter, evaluate a current engine load relative to the engine load threshold, and selectably perform an operation to control or influence a shifting event in response to the evaluation.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus includes management of cruise speed in anticipation of upcoming terrain changes. A cruise speed controller can be structured to predict a change in speed of vehicle in light of an upcoming terrain feature, and lead a change in reference speed to which the cruise speed controller is regulating vehicle speed to accommodate the upcoming terrain feature. In one embodiment a physics based model of the vehicle is used to predict a speed change. If predicted speed change exceeds a threshold, the cruise speed controller will initiate a change in speed to either speed up for an upcoming uphill terrain feature, or slow down for an upcoming downhill feature. In one form the distance in advance of the terrain feature as well as the velocity change profile (acceleration or deceleration) are determined by computation of a regression formula.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods herein relate to vehicle speed management. The apparatus includes a projection module structured to determine a future road load for a vehicle based on horizon data regarding an attribute of a route of the vehicle at a future location of the vehicle. The apparatus also includes a vehicle drafting module structured to determine a drafting road load for the vehicle based on drafting data regarding operation of a second vehicle. The apparatus further includes a vehicle speed management module structured to determine and provide a vehicle speed adjustment to an output device of the vehicle to at least one of facilitate and maintain a drafting arrangement between the vehicle and the second vehicle responsive to at least one of the future road load and the drafting road load.

Abstract: A velocity profile can be used in conjunction with vehicle operating condition data to determine a gear shift schedule that mitigates the amount of service brake effort required to slow a vehicle by making optimal use of engine speed, friction and engine brakes. The gear shift point drives the engine to a higher operating speed and greater frictional torque, slowing the vehicle, which can then coast to a desired speed. The gear shift point can be timed to minimize fuel consumption during the maneuver. Thus, a vehicle downshift event is created based on the transmission gear recommendation. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination by minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining drivability.

Abstract: Systems and methods of vehicle freight/load distribution are provided to assist in determining optimal freight distribution. Although it is standard practice to fill each vehicle to its maximum limit, due to the non-linear nature of engine fueling maps (that is, fueling maps vary non-linearly as a function of torque and speed), the optimal distribution may not be obtained by the standard practice. Finding a solution for the optimal freight distribution may also need to account for the cost of fueling and operator costs, particularly if the situation involves multiple vehicles not filled to capacity. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination amongst a fleet of vehicles.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems including dynamic estimations of vehicle mass and road grade estimation are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a method including operating a vehicle system to propel a vehicle, determining with a controller a vehicle mass estimate and an uncertainty of the vehicle mass estimate, evaluating with the controller the uncertainty of the vehicle mass estimate relative to at least one criterion, if the uncertainty of the vehicle mass estimate satisfies the criterion, determining with the controller a road grade estimate, and controlling with the controller utilizing the road grade estimate at least one of a vehicle speed and an engine output.