Patent ID: 6349253
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: B60W,B60Y,F02B,F02D,Y10T

Abstract:
System for controlling downhill vehicle operation, comprising:an engine compression brake associated with an internal combustion engine for retarding engine operation; a service brake associated with a vehicle carrying said engine; a transmission coupled to said engine and having a number of automatically selectable gear ratios; means for determining one of a target engine and vehicle speed; means for determining whether said vehicle is traversing a negative grade; and a control computer responsive to detection of said vehicle traversing a negative grade to control said engine compression brake, said service brake and selection of said number of automatically selectable gear ratios of said transmission to thereby control one of engine and vehicle speed to a corresponding one of said target engine speed and said target vehicle speed, said control computer activating said service brake only to an extent necessary to slow said vehicle sufficiently to allow an automatic downshift of said transmission.