GPS Satellite Signals Help Drivers Save Fuel and Reduce Emissions; Patent Issued to Mirenco For Use of GPS Satellite Communication To Reduce Emissions
RADCLIFFE, Iowa, Nov. 19 --
Mirenco (OTC Bulletin Board: MREO - news) has been issued a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for their ``Method and Apparatus for Reducing Unwanted Vehicle Emissions Using Satellite Navigation.''
Mirenco currently holds patents issued in the U.S., Canada and Mexico for advanced technologies designed to reduce over fueling of vehicle engines. Engine over fueling is a primary and recognized source of excess emissions and fuel waste, generally resulting from engine combustion-process deterioration and the driver's imprecise throttle positioning.
Expanding on Mirenco's patents, their core Satellite-To-Throttle(TM) technology -- known as EconoCruise® -- was initially demonstrated in 1999 after a joint design with the U.S. Department of Energy Kansas City Plant Operated by Honeywell (DOE). Subsequent to the initial prototype demonstration, Mirenco filed for patent protection and made full, public disclosure of the technology.
The recently issued patent is effective through September 15, 2020, and covers an entirely new application for the satellite Global Positioning System (GPS). With GPS signals as input to the onboard EconoCruise® computer, a precise throttle position can be applied in real time based on ``knowledge'' of the upcoming terrain, surrounding conditions and the operators' objectives. Initially, the route map may be obtained through a prior run over the route so that on subsequent runs EconoCruise will ``know'' the terrain. In the future, Mirenco envisions versions of the EconoCruise employing real time onboard emissions sensors and communicating directly with existing highway map database systems such as Navtech® from Navigation Technologies, advanced systems from Trimble , or any number of navigational systems now being included in newer model vehicles.
An EconoCruise® production model is currently in final stages of development under Mirenco's second engineering contract with the DOE. Preliminary testing performed with a Garmin GPS receiver has shown consistent fuel savings of 8-12% in comparison to standard cruise control technology, and can readily be over twice that amount in comparison to manual driver control. Emissions reductions are a direct result of the reduced consumption of fuel in that, according to EPA figures, over 22 pounds of greenhouse gas are produced for each gallon of fuel burned.
Commenting on the technology, Dwayne Fosseen, Mirenco's Chairman & CEO stated, ``We believe these patents will pay off as the transportation industry recognizes that a simple computer and GPS can save fuel and emissions by simply using speed and terrain wisely. We continue to be amazed that we are the first to consider Satellite-To-Throttle, well ahead of today's progressive automakers.'' Mirenco has employed outside services to help further introduce its patented technology to auto and truck manufacturers. Further commenting on the market, Mr. Fosseen added, ``Consumers will dramatically reduce their fuel consumption and emissions generation when they are given simplistic, economical and effective technologies to help them do so. We believe Satellite-To-Throttle is clearly one of those technologies.''
About Mirenco
Mirenco is focused on fuel management -- today and tomorrow. Consistent with this focus, Mirenco has patented technologies that work today to reduce emissions, eliminate excess fuel usage, save money and contribute to a cleaner environment. In anticipation of tomorrow's vehicles, Mirenco recently announced their patent-protected Satellite-to-Throttle(TM) technology. Application of this technology has produced the world's most intelligent vehicle throttle positioning and emissions-monitoring system, using GPS to reduce emissions and save fuel. Years of Mirenco research have demonstrated that the majority of exhaust emissions are generated from wasted fuel -- waste from natural engine degradation and over-throttling. Mirenco results show that by precisely managing fuel delivery to the engine with an onboard computer, their technologies can eliminate the majority of exhaust emissions and save fuel. Please contact Mirenco at 800-423-9903 or via e-mail at info@mirenco.com . Additional information is available on the company's website at http://www.mirenco.com