Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for controlling throttle during vehicle coasting

US7213570B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
9References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 30, 2005
Grant dateMay 8, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 30, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF02D2200/602
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and system to improve fuel economy of an engine on a vehicle is offered. An electronic throttle control device is commanded to a wide open throttle position during vehicle coast down, thus improving engine breathing and reducing pumping losses, and improving engine efficiency. This includes monitoring operator inputs to: an accelerator device, a braking device, and a cruise control device, and, monitoring throttle position control input from the electronic controller to the electronically controlled throttle mechanism. The electronically controlled throttle mechanism is commanded to a substantially wide-open throttle condition only when the monitored operator inputs to the accelerator device, the braking device, and the cruise control device are each at a null position. A further limitation on the wide-open throttle command includes monitoring other inputs from the electronic controller to the throttle mechanism.

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