Speed regulator for an internal combustion engine

Claim 1

In a speed regulator for an internal combustion engine having a control valve for regulating the flow of a fuel-air mixture to said engine; an electrical control device connected to said control valve, said control device including means for continuously measuring the speed of the engine, means for comparing the measured engine speed with a preset speed value, and means for adjusting the flow setting of said control valve in accordance with the measured differential between the engine speed and the preset speed value, the improvement comprising; thermal switch means responsive to the temperature of the engine being positioned in the circuit of said electrical control device, said switch means being adapted to interrupt connection between said control device and said control valve until said engine attains a predetermined minimum operating temperature; means for setting said control valve to provide a flow of said fuel-air mixture in an engine idling mode during the period of interrupted connection between the control device and the control valve; a variable-speed electric motor connected to said control valve; a low-voltage relay interposed in an electrical line energizing said motor, said electric motor including substantially instantaneously actuatable, electrically-controlled air brake means, said air brake means braking said motor in response to interruption to the flow of electrical current thereto and being adapted to receive an actuating brake-releasing current coincident with resumption of current flow through said motor, said low-voltage relay being responsive to variations in the electrical current being applied to said electrical control device whereby, upon interruption of the electrical current to said control device, said motor adjusts the setting of said control valve into the engine idling mode.