US3596731A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle road speed control system
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1969-11-14
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1989-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A system for maintaining a desired vehicle speed, with the desired speed being set through a self-tracking sensor. A vehicle road speed-responsive valve is connected to a tracking spring which is moved by a vacuum-operated servomotor under control of the valve so that the position of the tracking spring, and therefore the tension exerted by it, reflects vehicle speed. This tension is set by a valve and lock assembly when the system is energized, so that the control valve desired vehicle speed input is set. Another servomotor also operating under control of the control valve is connected to operate the vehicle engine throttle valve to maintain the desired vehicle speed substantially at the set speed.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas I Fales
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 04:28
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/06; B60K31/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
288 words
A vehicle road speed control system comprising: a source of vacuum, a vehicle speed sensor, an engine throttle valve for controlling vehicle speed, and having a throttle valve-closing spring, a vacuum conduit connected at the outlet end thereof with said vacuum source and having in series restrictive orifice and an atmospheric pressure inlet, a control valve connected with said speed sensor to control said inlet as a function of vehicle speed nd having first means biasing said valve to close said inlet and second means biasing said valve to open said inlet, a first servomotor connected to said conduit fluidly intermediate said restrictive orifice and said inlet and having a first movable member operatively connected with said second biasing means to change the effective biasing force exerted by said second biasing means on said control valve in accordance with the pressure differential in said servomotor, a second servomotor connected in said conduit fluidly intermediate said restrictive orifice and said inlet and having a second movable member operatively connected with said throttle valve, for exerting a throttle valve-opening force in accordance with the pressure differential across said second movable members, a normally closed valve fluidly intermediate said conduit and said second servomotor, and selectively actuatable locking means connected to open said normally closed valve to lock said first movable member against movement by said first servomotor when said locking means is actuated, and to establish a biasing force exerted by said second biasing means on said control valve reflecting a desired vehicle road speed, said control valve then modulating the atmospheric pressure entering said inlet to generate a pressure differential acting on said second servomotor in opposition to said throttle valveclosing spring to maintain a substantially constant vehicle speed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
288 words
A vehicle road speed control system comprising: a source of vacuum, a vehicle speed sensor, an engine throttle valve for controlling vehicle speed, and having a throttle valve-closing spring, a vacuum conduit connected at the outlet end thereof with said vacuum source and having in series restrictive orifice and an atmospheric pressure inlet, a control valve connected with said speed sensor to control said inlet as a function of vehicle speed nd having first means biasing said valve to close said inlet and second means biasing said valve to open said inlet, a first servomotor connected to said conduit fluidly intermediate said restrictive orifice and said inlet and having a first movable member operatively connected with said second biasing means to change the effective biasing force exerted by said second biasing means on said control valve in accordance with the pressure differential in said servomotor, a second servomotor connected in said conduit fluidly intermediate said restrictive orifice and said inlet and having a second movable member operatively connected with said throttle valve, for exerting a throttle valve-opening force in accordance with the pressure differential across said second movable members, a normally closed valve fluidly intermediate said conduit and said second servomotor, and selectively actuatable locking means connected to open said normally closed valve to lock said first movable member against movement by said first servomotor when said locking means is actuated, and to establish a biasing force exerted by said second biasing means on said control valve reflecting a desired vehicle road speed, said control valve then modulating the atmospheric pressure entering said inlet to generate a pressure differential acting on said second servomotor in opposition to said throttle valveclosing spring to maintain a substantially constant vehicle speed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The vehicle road speed control system of claim 1 in which resilient means is connected intermediate said first servomotor and said first movable member to permit continued first servomotor movement, and means sensitive to sufficient movement of said first servomotor in response to a predetermined minimum vacuum in said conduit to deactuate said locking means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
The vehicle road speed control system of claim 1, said locking means including a solenoid said first movable member and second normally closed valve being magnetically attracted by energization of said solenoid to respectively lock said first movable member against movement and to hold said normally close valve open, and normally closed switch means responsive to said first servomotor below a predetermined minimum vacuum level to open and thereby deenergize said solenoid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3189120A
Cited
US3368640A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |