Patent ID: 8612165
Filing Date: 2013-12-17
Classification: G01M,G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for determining an aerodynamic drag area (ADA) for a vehicle in dependence upon an airflow direction, comprising: a) obtaining vehicle trip data comprising vehicle speed data and airflow data, the vehicle trip data collected for the vehicle during a trip thereof along a selected route, wherein the airflow data comprises airflow yaw angle data and airflow speed data, or information indicative thereof; b) from the vehicle trip data, computing a plurality of virtual elevation or slope profiles for the trip using a plurality of rules relating the ADA to the airflow yaw angle; c) selecting, from the plurality of rules relating the ADA to the airflow yaw angle, a selected rule that corresponds to a virtual elevation or slope profile that matches a known feature of the trip; and, d) using the selected rule for computing the ADA of the vehicle in dependence upon the airflow yaw angle.