System and method of vehicle fuel quantity management

US8639436B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC. · US

Inventors

• Vivek A. Sujan · Columbus, US
• Phani Vajapeyazula · Columbus, US
• Kenneth M. Follen · Greenwood, US
• An Wu · Columbus, US
• Barty L. Moffett · Seymour, US
• Howard Robert Frost · Columbus, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 12, 2012
• Grant date: Jan 28, 2014
• Expiry date: Jan 12, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q10/04
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Systems and methods of vehicle fuel quantity management are provided to assist in determining an optimal quantity of fuel to carry on-board a vehicle. Certain routes are sufficiently short so to not require a completely filled fuel tank to traverse. Additionally, most routes have an abundance of vehicle fueling stations that provide ample refueling opportunities, thus permitting an operator to carry less fuel than might be required to complete a route. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure balance initial fuel loading and fuel stops to optimize the amount of freight weight that can be carried for a given route. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination while maintaining drivability.