US3578108A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automotive cruise control system having fluidic control devices
Assignee: Carter Automotive Co Inc
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Filing: 1969-02-19
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Granted: 1971-05-11
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Expires: 1989-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A cruise control system for an automotive vehicle maintains a selected speed. The system has a fluid amplifier control unit which includes a disc rotated by the speedometer and having a pair of openings or gates. A pair of fluid orifices adjacent the disc are angularly adjustable to set the desired speed. When the speed departs from the selected value fluid is supplied through one or the other of the gates and orifices to one side or the other of the fluidic amplifier. The fluid amplifier then operates switching means for a reversible electric motor to increase or decrease the speed of the vehicle. During braking the cruise control system is made inoperative. A thermal relay, in one embodiment of the invention, produces a time delay between an overspeed and a closing of the throttle to correct the overspeed, thereby permitting a desired acceleration for a predetermined time. In another embodiment a warning signal device is actuated when the preset speed is exceeded.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Knapp Mcconnell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:53
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S123/00; Y10S123/10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0971; Y10T137/206; Y10T137/2065; Y10T137/2071; Y10T137/2278; Y10T137/2322
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A cruise control system for an automobile, comprising a fluidic amplifier, fluid supply means positionable in accordance with a selected cruising speed, fluid-gating means juxtaposed to said fluid supply means and movable relative thereto in accordance with the speed of the automobile for opening or closing said fluid supply means, means connecting said fluid supply means to a control port of said fluidic amplifier, reversible electric motor means for controlling the automobile engine speed, and means responsive to the output of said fluidic amplifier for controlling the direction of said reversible electric motor means, whereby the engine speed is regulated to maintain the selected cruising speed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A cruise control system for an automobile, comprising a fluidic amplifier, fluid supply means positionable in accordance with a selected cruising speed, fluid-gating means juxtaposed to said fluid supply means and movable relative thereto in accordance with the speed of the automobile for opening or closing said fluid supply means, means connecting said fluid supply means to a control port of said fluidic amplifier, reversible electric motor means for controlling the automobile engine speed, and means responsive to the output of said fluidic amplifier for controlling the direction of said reversible electric motor means, whereby the engine speed is regulated to maintain the selected cruising speed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said fluid supply means and said fluid-gating means are rotatable about a common axis, said fluid supply means having a pair of angularly spaced fluid supply channels and said fluid-gating means having a pair of openings each adapted to register with one of said fluid supply channels at speeds respectively above and below the selected speed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein said fluid-gating means includes a disc connected to a shaft driven by the speedometer of the automobile, said fluidic amplifier having a pair of control ports, each supply channel of said fluid supply means being connected to one of said control ports of the fluidic amplifier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein said means for controlling the engine speed includes a reversible electric motor, linkage extending between said motor and the throttle valve of the carburetor of said engine, and an electric clutch connected between said motor and said linkage, and a switch in series with said electric clutch, and means for opening said switch and thereby opening said clutch in response to operation of the brake pedal of the automobile.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 4, including switching means responsive to a predetermined depression of the accelerator of the accelerator pedal for preventing said motor from being driven in the direction causing closing of the throttle valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 5, including manually operated switching means for connecting or disconnecting said system from a source of electric current, and means connected to the engine-starting circuit of the automobile for disconnecting said source of electric current when the engine-starting circuit is energized.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system according to claim 1, comprising an overspaced warning device for producing a signal when a preset speed is exceeded, an electric circuit including switching means for energizing said warning device, and fluidic control means for closing said switching means and thereby operating said warning device when said preset speed is exceeded.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
A system according to claim 3, comprising an overspeed warning device for producing a signal when a preset speed is exceeded, an electric circuit including switching means for energizing said warning device, fluidic control means for closing said switching means when said preset speed is exceeded said fluidic control means including another fluid supply means and an additional opening in said fluid-gating means located so as to come into registry with said other fluid supply channel when said preset speed is exceeded.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
149 words
A speed control system for an automobile having an internal combustion engine comprising a pair of fluid channels, means including a member adjustable in accordance with a selected travel speed for causing a flow of fluid through a first of said channels when the actual speed is above the selected speed, and through the other of said channels when the actual speed is below the selected speed; a fluid amplifier having input ports connected to said channels; control means connected to the output ports of said fluid amplifier for decreasing the speed of the automobile engine in response to fluid flow through said first channel and for increasing the engine speed in response to fluid flow through the other of said channels; engine-accelerating means; and means responsive to actuation of said engine-accelerating means for preventing said control means from decreasing the speed of the engine for a predetermined time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
149 words
A speed control system for an automobile having an internal combustion engine comprising a pair of fluid channels, means including a member adjustable in accordance with a selected travel speed for causing a flow of fluid through a first of said channels when the actual speed is above the selected speed, and through the other of said channels when the actual speed is below the selected speed; a fluid amplifier having input ports connected to said channels; control means connected to the output ports of said fluid amplifier for decreasing the speed of the automobile engine in response to fluid flow through said first channel and for increasing the engine speed in response to fluid flow through the other of said channels; engine-accelerating means; and means responsive to actuation of said engine-accelerating means for preventing said control means from decreasing the speed of the engine for a predetermined time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, including a third fluid channel means juxtaposed to said third channel, for causing a flow of fluid therethrough when the speed of the automobile exceeds the selected speed, and means responsive to the flow of fluid in said third channel for producing a warning signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, including a fourth fluid channel, means juxtaposed to said fourth fluid channel for causing a flow of fluid therethrough when the speed of the automobile exceeds the selected speed, and means responsive to the flow of fluid in said fourth channel for a predetermined time for disabling said control means and reducing the speed of the engine.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-10 | 1974-11-09 | 1975-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-10 | 1978-11-09 | 1979-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-10 | 1982-11-09 | 1983-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |