Speed control system for an automtoive vehicle

Claim 2

A speed control system for an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, comprising controller means coupled to the internal combustion engine for controlling the power output of the engine, means for producing a first electrical signal corresponding to the actual speed Of the vehicle, means for producing a second electrical signal corresponding to the position of said controller means, power actuating means coupled to said controller means for controlling the position of said controller means, said power actuating means including an atmosphere valve and a vacuum valve, each of said valves having a winding, a solid-state switching means connected to control each of said windings, each of said solid-state switching means having an input circuit, a memory means including a high input impedance amplifier having a control electrode and a capacitor having one terminal connected to said control electrode and the other terminal coupled to said means for producing said first electrical signal for storing a third electrical signal corresponding to the desired speed of the vehicle, means receiving said first, said second and said third signals and combining said signals to produce an actuating error signal, the input circuit of each of said solid-state switching means being connected to receive the actuating error signal, a normally open switch having one terminal connected to said control electrode of said high input impedance amplifier and a diode connecting the other terminal of said switch to a point intermediate one of said windings and one of said solid-state switching means, said diode being poled to permit current flow between said control electrode and said winding until said solid-state switching means commences to conduct, and means operable by the vehicle operator for closing said normally open switch.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 in which said high input impedance amplifier comprises a field-effect transistor and said control electrode is the gate electrode of said field-effect transistor.

Claim 4

A speed control system for an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine comprising controller means coupled to the internal combustion engine for controlling the power output of the engine, means for producing a first electrical signal corresponding to the actual speed of the vehicle, a memory means comprising a capacitor and a high input impedance amplifier having a control electrode and a pair of output electrodes, one of the terminals of said capacitor connected to said means for producing the first electrical signal and the other terminal of said capacitor connected to the control electrode of said high input impedance amplifier, a source of electrical energy, an ignition switch connected to said source of electrical energy and to the ignition system of the internal combustion engine, and circuit means coupled to said source of electrical energy and said ignition switch for connecting said source of electrical energy to said control electrode momentarily but for a sufficient length of time to place a voltage on said gate electrode of a magnitude and a polarity to render said high input impedance substantially nonconductive when said ignition switch is closed.

Claim 5

A speed control system for an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine comprising controller means coupled to the internal combustion engine for controlling the power output of the engine, means for producing a first electrical signal corresponding to the actual speed of the vehicle, a memory means comprising a capacitor and a high input impedance amplifier having a control electrode and a pair of output electrodes, one of the terminals of said capacitor connected to said means for producing the first electrical signal and the other terminal of said capacitor connected to the control electrode of said high input impedance amplifier, a source of electrical energy, an ignition switch connected to said source of electrical energy and to the ignition system of the internal combustion engine, and circuit means coupled to said source of electrical energy and said ignition switch for connecting said source of electrical energy to said control electrode momentarily but for a sufficient length of time to place a voltage on said gate electrode of a magnitude and a polarity to render said high input impedance substantially nonconductive when said ignition switch is closed.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 3 including electrically controlled power actuator means coupled to said controller means for controlling the position of said controller means, circuit means coupled to one of the output electrodes of said high input impedance amplifier means and said electrically controlled power actuator, said speed control system including a first switching means coupled to said source of electrical energy for coupling said source of electrical energy to said speed control system including connecting said source of electrical energy across the output electrodes of said high input impedance amplifier and said first mentioned means and to said electrically controlled power actuator.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 4 including means coupled to one of said output electrodes of said high input impedance amplifier for disconnecting said source of electrical energy from said speed control system including the output electrodes of said high input impedance amplifier, said electrically operated power actuator and said means for producing a voltage corresponding to vehicle speed when the actual speed of the vehicle falls below the desired speed of the vehicle by a predetermined amount.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 4 including a second switching means coupled to said source of electrical energy for coupling said control electrode of said high impedance input amplifier to said circuit means coupled to one of said output electrodes and to said electrically controlled power actuator, said circuit means including means for changing the voltage on said control electrode to a value where said high input impedance amplifier conducts sufficiently to actuate said electrically controlled power actuator whereby a voltage corresponding to the desired speed of the vehicle is set across said capacitor.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 6 in which said automotive vehicle has a stop lamp, a brake pedal, a switch actuated when said brake pedal is depressed to apply the brakes of the vehicle, said switch when actuated coupling said stop lamp to said source of electrical energy, and circuit means coupled to said switch and to said control electrode of said high input impedance amplifier for applying a voltage from said source of electrical energy to said control electrode of a magnitude and polarity to render the high input impedance amplifier substantially nonconductive and said speed control system inoperative.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 6 including means coupled to said one of said output electrodes of said high input impedance amplifier for disconnecting said source of electrical energy from said speed control system including the output electrodes of said high input impedance amplifier, said electrically operated power actuator and said means for producing a voltage corresponding to vehicle speed when the actual speed of the vehicle falls below the desired speed of the vehicle by a predetermined amount.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 6 including means for increasing the desired speed of the vehicle when the vehicle is under the control of the speed control system comprising, an acceleration set switch of the pushbutton type, and circuit means including a normally open switch connected between the control electrode of said high input impedance amplifier and a reference voltage circuit, means coupled to said acceleration set switch and said source of electrical energy for closing said normally open switch during the time said acceleration set switch is closed whereby the voltage of said control electrode of said high input impedance amplifier is changed in a direction to increase the conduction of said high input impedance amplifier and to increase the speed of the vehicle, and circuit means coupled to said acceleration set switch for coupling said control electrode of said high input impedance amplifier to said circuit means coupled to one of said output electrodes and to said electrically controlled power actuator when said acceleration set switch is opened momentarily, but for a sufficient length of time to set a voltage corresponding to a new desired speed across said capacitor.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 6 including means for decreasing the desired speed of the vehicle when the vehicle is under the control of the speed control system comprising a coast set switch of the pushbutton type, circuit means coupled to said coast set switch and said source of electrical energy for connecting said source of electrical energy to said control electrode momentarily, but for a sufficient length of time to place a voltage on said control electrode of substantially equal potential to the terminal voltage of said source of electrical energy when said coast set switch is closed, and for coupling said control electrode to said electrically controlled power actuator for a sufficient period of time thereafter to set a voltage across said capacitor corresponding to the new desired speed.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 3 in which the automotive vehicle has a brake pedal, and means coupled to said source of electrical energy, said control electrode of said High input impedance amplifier and said brake pedal for applying a voltage from said source of electrical energy to said control electrode when said brake pedal is depressed of a magnitude and polarity to render said high input impedance amplifier substantially nonconductive and said speed control system inoperative.

Claim 14

A speed control system for an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine comprising controller means coupled to the internal combustion engine for controlling the power output of the engine, a memory system comprising a high input impedance amplifier and a capacitor, said high input impedance amplifier having an input circuit comprising a control electrode and second electrode, an output circuit including said second electrode and a third electrode, a capacitor having one terminal connected to said control electrode, means for generating a voltage corresponding to the actual speed of the vehicle, said means connected to the other terminal of said capacitor and applying said voltage thereto, means coupled to said control electrode and said one terminal of said capacitor for setting a voltage across said capacitor corresponding to the desired speed of the vehicle, and a power actuator means coupled to said controller means for controlling the position of said controller means, said power actuator including electrically operated means for controlling the position of said power actuator, and circuit means coupled to the electrically operated means of said power actuator and to the output circuit of said high input impedance amplifier for positioning said power actuator and said controller means as a function of the conduction of said high input impedance amplifier, and means coupled to the output circuit of said high input impedance amplifier and to said means for generating a voltage corresponding to the actual speed of the vehicle for rendering the voltage of said means substantially zero when the actual speed of the vehicle falls below the desired speed of the vehicle by a predetermined amount.

Claim 15

A speed control system for an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine comprising controller means coupled to the internal combustion engine for controlling the power output of the engine, a memory system comprising a high input impedance amplifier and a capacitor, said high input impedance amplifier having an input circuit comprising a control electrode and second electrode, an output circuit including said second electrode and a third electrode, a capacitor having one terminal connected to said control electrode, means for generating a voltage corresponding to the actual speed of the vehicle, said means connected to the other terminal of said capacitor and applying said voltage thereto, means coupled to said control electrode and said one terminal of said capacitor for setting a voltage across said capacitor corresponding to the desired speed of the vehicle, and a power actuator means coupled to said controller means for controlling the position of said controller means, said power actuator including electrically operated means for controlling the position of said power actuator, and circuit means coupled to the electrically operated means of said power actuator and to the output circuit of said high input impedance amplifier for positioning said power actuator and said controller means as a function of the conduction of said high input impedance amplifier, and means coupled to the output circuit of said high input impedance amplifier and to said means for generating a voltage corresponding to the actual speed of the vehicle for rendering the voltage of said means substantially zero when the actual speed of the vehicle falls below the desired speed of the vehicle by a predetermined amount.

Claim 16

A speed control system for an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, comprising controller means coupled to the internal combustion engine for controlling the power output of the engine, means for producing a first electrical signal corresponding to the actual speed of the vehicle, means producing a second electrical signal corresponding to the position of said controller means, power actuating means coupled to said controller means for controlling the position of said controller means, a memory means including a high input impedance amplifier having a control electrode and a capacitor having one terminal connected to said control electrode and the other terminal coupled to said means for producing said first electrical signal for storing a third electrical signal corresponding to the desired speed of the vehicle, means receiving said first, said second and said third signals and combining said signals to produce an actuating error signal, circuit means coupled to said last mentioned means and said power actuating means for applying said actuating error signal to said power actuating means, a source of direct current electrical energy, an ignition switch for the internal combustion engine coupled to said source of electrical energy, a brake pedal for operating the braking system, a switch actuated when said brake pedal is depressed coupled to said source of electrical energy, an on-switch coupled to said source of electrical energy and to said speed control system, and circuit means coupled to said source of electrical energy and to said control electrode of said high input impedance amplifier through each of said switches for applying a voltage from said source of electrical energy to said control electrode of said high input impedance amplifier of a magnitude and polarity to render said high input impedance amplifier inoperative when any one of said switches is actuated.

Claim 17

A speed control system for an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, comprising controller means coupled to the internal combustion engine for controlling the power output of the engine, means for producing a first electrical signal corresponding to the actual speed of the vehicle, means producing a second electrical signal corresponding to the position of said controller means, power actuating means coupled to said controller means for controlling the position of said controller means, a memory means including a high input impedance amplifier having a control electrode and a capacitor having one terminal connected to said control electrode and the other terminal coupled to said means for producing said first electrical signal for storing a third electrical signal corresponding to the desired speed of the vehicle, means receiving said first, said second and said third signals and combining said signals to produce an actuating error signal, circuit means coupled to said last mentioned means and said power actuating means for applying said actuating error signal to said power actuating means, a source of direct current electrical energy, an ignition switch for the internal combustion engine coupled to said source of electrical energy, a brake pedal for operating the braking system, a switch actuated when said brake pedal is depressed coupled to said source of electrical energy, an on-switch coupled to said source of electrical energy and to said speed control system, and circuit means coupled to said source of electrical energy and to said control electrode of said high input impedance amplifier through each of said switches for applying a voltage from said source of electrical energy to said control electrode of said high input impedance amplifier of a magnitude and polarity to render said high input impedance amplifier inoperative when any one of said switches is actuated.

Claim 18

The combination of claim 13 and further coMprising a low speed inhibit circuit means coupled to said means for producing said first electrical signal corresponding to the actual speed of the vehicle, a speed setting switch coupled to said control electrode for setting said third signal across said capacitor when actuated, and means coupled to said switch, said control electrode, said source of electrical energy and said low speed inhibit circuit for applying a voltage to said control electrode of a magnitude and polarity to render said high input impedance amplifier nonconductive when said switch is actuated and the actual speed of the vehicle is below a predetermined speed.

Claim 19

A speed control system for an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, comprising controller means coupled to the internal combustion engine for controlling the power output of the engine, means for producing a first electrical signal corresponding to the actual speed of the vehicle, means for producing a second electrical signal corresponding to the position of said controller means, power actuating means coupled to said controller means for controlling the position of said controller means, a memory means including a high input impedance amplifier having a control electrode and a capacitor having one terminal connected to said control electrode and the other terminal coupled to said means for producing said first electrical signal for storing a third electrical signal corresponding to the desired speed of the vehicle, means receiving said first, said second and said third signals and combining said signals to produce an actuating error signal, a source of electrical energy having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, an ignition switch for the internal combustion engine connected to one of said terminals of said source of electrical energy, and switch means actuated when said ignition switch is closed for connecting none of said terminals of said source of electrical energy to said control electrode of said high input impedance amplifier and said terminal of said capacitor connected thereto momentarily but for sufficient period of time to charge said terminal of said capacitor to substantially the terminal voltage of said source of electrical energy, the polarity of said charge being such as to render said high input impedance amplifier nonconductive.

Claim 20

A speed control system for an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, comprising controller means coupled to the internal combustion engine for controlling the power output of the engine, means for producing a first electrical signal corresponding to the actual speed of the vehicle, means for producing a second electrical signal corresponding to the position of said controller means, power actuating means coupled to said controller means for controlling the position of said controller means, a memory means including a high input impedance amplifier having a control electrode and a capacitor having one terminal connected to said control electrode and the other terminal coupled to said means for producing said first electrical signal for storing a third electrical signal corresponding to the desired speed of the vehicle, means receiving said first, said second and said third signals and combining said signals to produce an actuating error signal, a source of electrical energy having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, an ignition switch for the internal combustion engine connected to one of said terminals of said source of electrical energy, and switch means actuated when said ignition switch is closed for connecting none of said terminals of said source of electrical energy to said control electrode of said high input impedance amplifier and said terminal of said capacitor connected thereto momentarily but for sufficient period of time to charge said terminal of said capacitor to substantially the terminal voltage of said source of electrical energy, the polarity of said charge being such as to render said high input impedance amplifier nonconductive.

Claim 21

A speed control system for an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, comprising controller means coupled to the internal combustion engine for controlling the power output of the engine, means for producing a first electrical signal corresponding to the actual speed of the vehicle, means for producing a second electrical signal corresponding to the position of said controller means, power actuating means coupled to said controller means for controlling the position of said controller means, said power actuating means including an atmosphere valve and a vacuum valve, each of said valves having a winding, a solid-state switching means connected to control each of said windings, each of said solid-state switching means having an input circuit, a memory means including a high input impedance amplifier having a control electrode and a capacitor having one terminal connected to said control electrode and the other terminal coupled to said means for producing said first electrical signal for storing a third electrical signal corresponding to the desired speed of the vehicle, means receiving said first, said second and said third signals and combining said signals to produce an actuating error signal, the input circuit of each of said solid-state switching means being connected to receive the actuating error signal, a source of electrical energy, circuit means connecting said source of electrical energy to said windings and said solid-state switching means for each of said valves, circuit means including a normally open switch connecting said control electrode to the junction of one of said windings and the corresponding solid-state switching means, Said circuit means including unilateral conducting means connected in series with said normally open switch and poled to permit current flow in one direction between the control electrode and the junction and preventing current flow in the opposite direction, a vehicle operator actuated switching means for setting the speed of the vehicle when actuated, and circuit means coupled to said source of electrical energy for closing said normally open switch when said vehicle operator actuated switching means is actuated whereby the voltage on said control electrode of said high input impedance amplifier is changed by charge flowing through said winding until said solid-state switching device commences to conduct and the winding of said one of said valves of said vacuum motor is energized.

Claim 22

A speed control system for an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, comprising controller means coupled to the internal combustion engine for controlling the power output of the engine, means for producing a first electrical signal corresponding to the actual speed of the vehicle, means for producing a second electrical signal corresponding to the position of said controller means, power actuating means coupled to said controller means for controlling the position of said controller means, said power actuating means including an atmosphere valve and a vacuum valve, each of said valves having a winding, a solid-state switching means connected to control each of said windings, each of said solid-state switching means having an input circuit, a memory means including a high input impedance amplifier having a control electrode and a capacitor having one terminal connected to said control electrode and the other terminal coupled to said means for producing said first electrical signal for storing a third electrical signal corresponding to the desired speed of the vehicle, means receiving said first, said second and said third signals and combining said signals to produce an actuating error signal, the input circuit of each of said solid-state switching means being connected to receive the actuating error signal, a source of electrical energy, circuit means connecting said source of electrical energy to said windings and said solid-state switching means for each of said valves, circuit means including a normally open switch connecting said control electrode to the junction of one of said windings and the corresponding solid-state switching means, Said circuit means including unilateral conducting means connected in series with said normally open switch and poled to permit current flow in one direction between the control electrode and the junction and preventing current flow in the opposite direction, a vehicle operator actuated switching means for setting the speed of the vehicle when actuated, and circuit means coupled to said source of electrical energy for closing said normally open switch when said vehicle operator actuated switching means is actuated whereby the voltage on said control electrode of said high input impedance amplifier is changed by charge flowing through said winding until said solid-state switching device commences to conduct and the winding of said one of said valves of said vacuum motor is energized.