US3647017A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic cruise control system
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1969-09-11
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Granted: 1972-03-07
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Expires: 1989-09-11
Abstract
Abstract An electronic cruise control system having an electric torque motor whose output shaft tracks vehicle speed. A pneumatic pressure controller supplies a controlled pressure to a pneumatic power unit which in turn controls the position of a vehicle throttle. A clutch has one member attached for rotation with the torque motor output shaft and another member attached to a pneumatic valve. The clutch members are coupled together by a solenoid energized through a momentary switch such that any deviations of the torque motor output shaft position will control the pneumatic valve which in turn controls the pressure input to the power unit so as to position the vehicle throttle to provide for vehicle cruise control.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman R Brainard
- 👤 William H Holl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:47
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/06; B60K31/10; B60K31/102; B60W; B60W2710/00; B60W2710/06; B60W2710/0605
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
In an electronic cruise control system for a throttlecontrolled vehicle, the combination of an electric torque motor having an output shaft, vehicle speed responsive means sensing vehicle speed and supplying a signal corresponding to vehicle speed to the electric torque motor, the torque motor being responsive thereto for rotating the output shaft to a position corresponding to vehicle speed, power means for positioning the vehicle throttle, control means coupled to the power means, and selectively operable coupling means for coupling the control means to the electric torque motor output shaft, the control means, when coupled to the output shaft, being responsive to deviations in the electric torque motor output shaft position for causing the power means to position the vehicle throttle to provide for vehicle cruise control.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
In an electronic cruise control system for a throttlecontrolled vehicle, the combination of an electric torque motor having an output shaft, vehicle speed responsive means sensing vehicle speed and supplying a signal corresponding to vehicle speed to the electric torque motor, the torque motor being responsive thereto for rotating the output shaft to a position corresponding to vehicle speed, power means for positioning the vehicle throttle, control means coupled to the power means, and selectively operable coupling means for coupling the control means to the electric torque motor output shaft, the control means, when coupled to the output shaft, being responsive to deviations in the electric torque motor output shaft position for causing the power means to position the vehicle throttle to provide for vehicle cruise control.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
156 words
In an electronic cruise coNtrol system for a throttle-controlled vehicle, the combination of an electric torque motor having an output shaft, an indicator connected to the output shaft for rotation therewith and suitably calibrated to indicate vehicle speed, vehicle speed responsive means sensing vehicle speed and supplying a signal corresponding to vehicle speed to the electric torque motor, the torque motor being responsive thereto for rotating the output shaft and the indicator to a position whereby the indicator indicates the vehicle speed sensed by the vehicle speed responsive means, power means for positioning the vehicle throttle, control means for the power means, and selectively operable coupling means for coupling the control means to the electric torque motor output shaft, the control means, when coupled to the output shaft, being responsive to deviations in the electric torque motor output shaft position for causing the power means to position the vehicle throttle to provide for vehicle cruise control.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
156 words
In an electronic cruise coNtrol system for a throttle-controlled vehicle, the combination of an electric torque motor having an output shaft, an indicator connected to the output shaft for rotation therewith and suitably calibrated to indicate vehicle speed, vehicle speed responsive means sensing vehicle speed and supplying a signal corresponding to vehicle speed to the electric torque motor, the torque motor being responsive thereto for rotating the output shaft and the indicator to a position whereby the indicator indicates the vehicle speed sensed by the vehicle speed responsive means, power means for positioning the vehicle throttle, control means for the power means, and selectively operable coupling means for coupling the control means to the electric torque motor output shaft, the control means, when coupled to the output shaft, being responsive to deviations in the electric torque motor output shaft position for causing the power means to position the vehicle throttle to provide for vehicle cruise control.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
163 words
In an electronic cruise control system for a throttle-controlled vehicle, the combination of an electric torque motor having an output shaft, vehicle speed responsive means sensing vehicle speed and supplying a signal corresponding to vehicle speed to the electric torque motor, the torque motor being responsive thereto for rotating the output shaft to a position corresponding to vehicle speed, power means for positioning the vehicle throttle, control means for the power means, and selectively operable coupling means including a clutch having a first member connected to the electric torque motor output shaft for rotation therewith and a second member connected to the control means and a selectively operable clutch control means operable to couple the second member to the first member for rotation therewith, the control means, when the first and second members are coupled, being responsive to deviations in the electric torque motor output shaft position for causing the power means to position the vehicle throttle to provide for vehicle cruise control.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
163 words
In an electronic cruise control system for a throttle-controlled vehicle, the combination of an electric torque motor having an output shaft, vehicle speed responsive means sensing vehicle speed and supplying a signal corresponding to vehicle speed to the electric torque motor, the torque motor being responsive thereto for rotating the output shaft to a position corresponding to vehicle speed, power means for positioning the vehicle throttle, control means for the power means, and selectively operable coupling means including a clutch having a first member connected to the electric torque motor output shaft for rotation therewith and a second member connected to the control means and a selectively operable clutch control means operable to couple the second member to the first member for rotation therewith, the control means, when the first and second members are coupled, being responsive to deviations in the electric torque motor output shaft position for causing the power means to position the vehicle throttle to provide for vehicle cruise control.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
193 words
In an electronic cruise control system for a throttle-controlled vehicle, the combination of an electric torque motor having an output shaft, an indicator connected to the output shaft for rotation therewith and suitably calibrated to indicate vehicle speed, vehicle speed responsive means sensing vehicle speed and supplying a signal corresponding to vehicle speed to the electric torque motor the torque motor being responsive thereto for rotating the output shaft and the indicator to a position whereby the indicator indicates the speed sensed by the vehicle speed responsive means, power means for positioning the vehicle throttle, control means for the power means, and selectively operable coupling means including a clutch having a first member connected to the electric torque motor output shaft for rotation therewith, a second member connected to the control means, and selectively operable clutch control means including a solenoid operable to couple the second member to the first member for rotation therewith, the control means, when the first and second members are coupled, being responsive to deviations in the electric torque motor output shaft position for causing the power means to position the vehicle throttle to provide for vehicle cruise control.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
193 words
In an electronic cruise control system for a throttle-controlled vehicle, the combination of an electric torque motor having an output shaft, an indicator connected to the output shaft for rotation therewith and suitably calibrated to indicate vehicle speed, vehicle speed responsive means sensing vehicle speed and supplying a signal corresponding to vehicle speed to the electric torque motor the torque motor being responsive thereto for rotating the output shaft and the indicator to a position whereby the indicator indicates the speed sensed by the vehicle speed responsive means, power means for positioning the vehicle throttle, control means for the power means, and selectively operable coupling means including a clutch having a first member connected to the electric torque motor output shaft for rotation therewith, a second member connected to the control means, and selectively operable clutch control means including a solenoid operable to couple the second member to the first member for rotation therewith, the control means, when the first and second members are coupled, being responsive to deviations in the electric torque motor output shaft position for causing the power means to position the vehicle throttle to provide for vehicle cruise control.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
243 words
In an electronic cruise control system for a throttle-controlled vehicle, the combination of an electric torque motor having an output shaft, an indicator connected to the output shaft for rotation therewith and suitably calibrated to indicate vehicle speed, vehicle speed responsive means including a magnetically sensitive reed switch for sensing vehicle speed and producing electric pulses having a frequency corresponding to vehicle speed, and a pulse shaper and amplifier for supplying a signal corresponding to vehicle speed to the electric torque motor so as to rotate the output shaft and the indicator to a position whereby the indicator indicates the vehicle speed sensed by the magnetically sensitive reed switch, power means including a pneumatic power unit for controlling the vehicle throttle position, control means for the power means including a pneumatic valve means for controlling the pneumatic pressure input to the pneumatic power unit, and selectively operable coupling means including a clutch having a first member connected to the electric torque motor output shaft for rotation therewith and a second member connected to the pneumatic valve means and selectively operable clutch control means including a solenoid operable to couple the second member to the first member for rotation therewith so as to render the pneumatic valve responsive to deviations in the electric torque motor output shaft position to vary the pneumatic pressure input to the pneumatic power unit to cause the pneumatic power unit to position the vehicle throttle for vehicle cruise control.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
243 words
In an electronic cruise control system for a throttle-controlled vehicle, the combination of an electric torque motor having an output shaft, an indicator connected to the output shaft for rotation therewith and suitably calibrated to indicate vehicle speed, vehicle speed responsive means including a magnetically sensitive reed switch for sensing vehicle speed and producing electric pulses having a frequency corresponding to vehicle speed, and a pulse shaper and amplifier for supplying a signal corresponding to vehicle speed to the electric torque motor so as to rotate the output shaft and the indicator to a position whereby the indicator indicates the vehicle speed sensed by the magnetically sensitive reed switch, power means including a pneumatic power unit for controlling the vehicle throttle position, control means for the power means including a pneumatic valve means for controlling the pneumatic pressure input to the pneumatic power unit, and selectively operable coupling means including a clutch having a first member connected to the electric torque motor output shaft for rotation therewith and a second member connected to the pneumatic valve means and selectively operable clutch control means including a solenoid operable to couple the second member to the first member for rotation therewith so as to render the pneumatic valve responsive to deviations in the electric torque motor output shaft position to vary the pneumatic pressure input to the pneumatic power unit to cause the pneumatic power unit to position the vehicle throttle for vehicle cruise control.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-07 | 1975-09-06 | 1976-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-07 | 1979-09-06 | 1980-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-07 | 1983-09-06 | 1984-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |