Patent attributes
A cruise control system controls fuel supplied to an engine of a motor vehicle based in part on whether the vehicle is travelling on a positive gradient, a negative gradient, or a level surface. The system includes a sensor for detecting a position of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle, an inclinometer for detecting a gradient of a surface over which the vehicle is traveling; and an electronic processor operative to set a fuel flow rate. The fuel flow rate is set as a function of the accelerator pedal position detected at an activation time of the cruise control system, and that fuel flow rate is maintained at a constant rate if the vehicle is travelling on a positive gradient or a level surface. The vehicle therefore slows down on the positive gradient rather than maintaining a target speed as with a conventional cruise control system.
