US4088110A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Engine idle control
Assignee: SPS Instrument Co
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Filing: 1976-10-29
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Granted: 1978-05-09
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Expires: 1996-10-29
Abstract
Abstract An automatic control for continuing idle operation of an internal combustion engine, particularly a diesel motor, to provide proper engine conditioning before the engine is shut down. Automatic control circuitry is added by connection to the contacts of a conventional manual control switch for the engine. Normally open contacts of a relay are pre-set during engine use to bypass the manual control switch for a predetermined time following subsequent opening of the switch. A first electronic detector monitors the closing of the switch, while a second electronic detector monitors its opening. The two detectors operate both the relay and an electronic timing mechanism. The timing mechanism opens the relay contacts following a predetermined period after the opening of the manual control switch. In this way shutdown of the engine is accomplished electronically as an automatic function following the manual opening of the usual key switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul D. Sperline
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:07
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/02; F02D41/04; F02D41/08; F02D33/00; F02B; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; F02B3/00; F02B3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
466 words
In an apparatus for maintaining operation of the electrical power control circuit of an internal combustion engine for a preselected period of time, the combination with an internal combustion engine, a direct current electrical power source, an electrical load device operable to shut down the engine, and a power circuit connecting said power source to said electrical load device; said power circuit including a manual control switch having a first contact operatively connected to one side of the power source and a second contact operatively connected in series with the electrical load device to the remaining side of the power source; the manual control switch contacts being closed during normal operation of the power circuit and being open when the power circuit is normally inoperative; the improvement comprising: relay means including energizing means and a pair of normally nonconductive terminals controlled thereby and adapted to be rendered conductive upon activation of said energizing means, a first terminal of the relay means being operatively wired to the first contact of the manual control switch, the second terminal of the relay means being operatively wired in series with said energizing means to the remaining side of the power source; electronic switching means having normally conductive terminals operatively wired in series between said second terminal of the relay means and the remaining side of the power source; electronic timing means having an output terminal for producing an electrical signal at said output terminal following a predetermined period of time after activation of the electronic timing means; first electronic sensing means operatively connected between the second contact of the manual control switch and said second terminal of the relay means for detection of the closing of the manual control switch, said first electronic sensing means being operable, upon detecting the closing of the manual control switch, to complete a current path across the power source through the manual control switch, the energizing means and the normally conductive terminal of said electronic switch means to thereby cause the first and second terminals of the relay means to be conductive; second electronic sensing means operatively connected between the second contact of the manual control switch and the second terminal of the relay means and having normally nonconductive terminals wired in series between said second terminal of the relay means and said electronic timing means for detection of the opening of the manual control switch, said second electronic switching means being operable to activate said electronic timing means upon detecting an opening of the manual control switch; the output terminal of said electronic timing means being operatively connected to said electronic switching means for causing said normally conductive terminals thereof to become nonconductive upon production of an electrical signal by said electronic timing means, thereby opening the power circuit to said energizing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
466 words
In an apparatus for maintaining operation of the electrical power control circuit of an internal combustion engine for a preselected period of time, the combination with an internal combustion engine, a direct current electrical power source, an electrical load device operable to shut down the engine, and a power circuit connecting said power source to said electrical load device; said power circuit including a manual control switch having a first contact operatively connected to one side of the power source and a second contact operatively connected in series with the electrical load device to the remaining side of the power source; the manual control switch contacts being closed during normal operation of the power circuit and being open when the power circuit is normally inoperative; the improvement comprising: relay means including energizing means and a pair of normally nonconductive terminals controlled thereby and adapted to be rendered conductive upon activation of said energizing means, a first terminal of the relay means being operatively wired to the first contact of the manual control switch, the second terminal of the relay means being operatively wired in series with said energizing means to the remaining side of the power source; electronic switching means having normally conductive terminals operatively wired in series between said second terminal of the relay means and the remaining side of the power source; electronic timing means having an output terminal for producing an electrical signal at said output terminal following a predetermined period of time after activation of the electronic timing means; first electronic sensing means operatively connected between the second contact of the manual control switch and said second terminal of the relay means for detection of the closing of the manual control switch, said first electronic sensing means being operable, upon detecting the closing of the manual control switch, to complete a current path across the power source through the manual control switch, the energizing means and the normally conductive terminal of said electronic switch means to thereby cause the first and second terminals of the relay means to be conductive; second electronic sensing means operatively connected between the second contact of the manual control switch and the second terminal of the relay means and having normally nonconductive terminals wired in series between said second terminal of the relay means and said electronic timing means for detection of the opening of the manual control switch, said second electronic switching means being operable to activate said electronic timing means upon detecting an opening of the manual control switch; the output terminal of said electronic timing means being operatively connected to said electronic switching means for causing said normally conductive terminals thereof to become nonconductive upon production of an electrical signal by said electronic timing means, thereby opening the power circuit to said energizing means.
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) | 1981-05-08 | 1981-11-07 | 1982-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-08 | 1985-11-07 | 1986-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-08 | 1989-11-07 | 1990-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |