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Method of Determining Gap Spacing for Vehicles in Platoons: 10,429,855

Abstract: 

A method of determining the optimum vehicle gap distance for a vehicle in a platoon, the vehicle having a cooling fan and a coolant-based cooling system. The vehicle's vehicle control system determines a base gap distance, based on safety considerations related to platoon operation. A gap control process stores a fan turn-on threshold temperature, which is less than the coolant temperature that will result in the vehicle's cooling fan becoming activated. During vehicle operation, the gap control process receives a current coolant temperature value, and compares that value to the fan turn-on threshold temperature. If the coolant temperature is at or above the fan turn-on threshold temperature, the vehicle is operated to increase the base gap distance. 

Patent Number: 
10,429,855
Date Of Issue: 
10/01/2019
Inventors: 

Thomas E. Reinhart