Patent · US Expired

Engine cruise control with variable power limits

US4914597A · kind A · utility

34Cited by
8References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 22, 1988
Grant dateApr 3, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 22, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF02D2200/501
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A control for and method of operating a vehicle engine (12) equipped with a cruise control (44) includes apparatus for and the steps of providing a memory (86) having stored therein first and second sets of data which control the position of a fuel rack (20) as a function of engine speed, determining when the cruise control (44) is engaged, retrieving the first set of data from the memory (86) when the cruise control (44) is engaged, retrieving the second set of data from the memory (86) when the cruise control (44) is not engaged and using the retrieved set of data to control the rate of fuel delivery to the engine (12) whereby extra power is available when the cruise control (44) is engaged to minimize downshifting. Also, fuel economy is improved and the set cruise control speed is better maintained.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.