Driver alert and de-rate control system and method
A driver alert and de-rate control system for a vehicle includes a sensor configured to monitor an engine operating condition, and a control unit in communication with the sensor. The control unit is configured to estimate a time until automatic de-rate of the engine based on the engine operating condition and to modify a performance parameter of the vehicle in dependence upon the estimated time until automatic de-rate.
1. A system for a vehicle, comprising:
a sensor configured to monitor an engine operating condition of an engine of the vehicle; and
a control unit configured to communicate with the sensor;
wherein the control unit is configured to determine an estimated time until automatic de-rate of the engine based on the engine operating condition; and
wherein the control unit is configured to modify a performance parameter of the vehicle in dependence upon the estimated time until automatic de-rate.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the control unit is further configured to receive a signal indicative of the engine operating condition, compare the signal to an allowable range of engine operation conditions, and predict a future engine performance based on the comparison.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the sensor is a NO x sensor and the engine operating condition is a concentration of NO x .
4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a driver alert mechanism, the driver alert mechanism being configured to issue a pre-emptive warning indicating modification of the performance parameter.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein:
the pre-emptive warning is one or more of lights, sounds, or vibrations.
6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a location tracking mechanism configured to communicate with the control unit, the location tracking mechanism being configured to relay to the control unit a signal relating to a geographic location of the vehicle, wherein the control unit is configured to modify the performance parameter based on the geographic location of the vehicle.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the control unit is configured to determine the estimated time until automatic de-rate based on drive system parameters of a drive system of the vehicle.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the performance parameter is at least one of engine acceleration rate, traction horsepower, or vehicle speed.
9. A method for controlling an engine of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
estimating at least one automatic de-rate characteristic;
issuing a pre-emptive warning to an operator of the vehicle of the at least one automatic de-rate characteristic; and
modifying a performance parameter of the vehicle to avoid automatic de-rate.
10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein:
the at least one automatic de-rate characteristic is a time until automatic de-rate.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein:
the at least one automatic de-rate characteristic is a location of the vehicle in a haul cycle at the time of automatic de-rate.
12. The method according to claim 9 , wherein:
the step of modifying the performance parameter of the vehicle includes at least one of limiting an engine acceleration rate, limiting fraction horsepower, or limiting a speed of the vehicle.
13. The method according to claim 9 , wherein:
the step of modifying the performance parameter of the vehicle includes utilizing variable engine acceleration rate, traction horsepower, and speed limits based on a position of the vehicle in a haul route and at least one learned parameter.
14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein:
the at least one learned parameter is a speed of the vehicle in a previous haul cycle.
15. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
issuing a secondary warning to the operator indicating the modified performance parameter.
16. The method according to claim 9 , wherein:
the step of estimating the at least one automatic de-rate characteristic includes receiving a signal indicative of a current engine operation, comparing the signal to an allowable range of engine operation, and predicting a future engine performance based on the comparison.
17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein:
the signal is indicative of a NO x emissions level.
18. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
receiving data relating to a geographic location of the vehicle;
wherein the step of modifying the performance parameter of the vehicle to avoid automatic de-rate is based on the data relating to the geographic location.
19. A system for a vehicle, comprising:
a sensor configured to monitor an engine operating condition of an engine of the vehicle; and
a control unit configured to communicate with the sensor;
wherein the control unit is configured to estimate a time until automatic de-rate of the engine and a location in a haul cycle where the de-rate will occur based on the engine operating condition; and
wherein the control unit is configured to modify a performance parameter of the vehicle in dependence upon the estimated time until, and location of, automatic de-rate.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein:
the sensor is a NO x sensor and the operating condition is a concentration of NO x .