US4515124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Engine control system
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1983-01-17
•
Granted: 1985-05-07
•
Expires: 2003-01-17
Abstract
Abstract A control system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, comprises a first device for detecting an operating parameter in relation to vehicle cruising, a second device for detecting an engine temperature, and a third device for lowering engine speed at the fully closed position of a throttle valve in response to the detected operating parameter and the detected engine temperature, thereby effectively reducing fuel consumption and engine noise without deterioration in engine running stability.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshimasa Hayashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:59
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M3/00; F02M3/06; F02M3/07; F02M3/075
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A control system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an accelerator pedal and an automatic transmission, comprising: means for detecting one of an engine speed and a vehicle speed not lower than a predetermined level; means for detecting an engine temperature not lower than a predetermined level; means for decreasing the amount of air to be supplied to the engine by a predetermined amount during release of said accelerator pedal and only in response to (1) said one detected speed and (2) said engine temperature being both not lower than said respective predetermined levels; and wherein said vehicle has a throttle valve controlled by the accelerator pedal and wherein the air amount decreasing mean includes throttle regulating means operative for placing the fully closed position of the throttle valve in a first state when at least one of said detected speeds is lower than said predetermined level and said engine temperature is lower than said predetermined level, and a second state when at least one of said detected speeds is not lower than said predetermined level and said engine temperature is not lower than said predetermined level, the valve opening degree of said second state being smaller than that of said first state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
A control system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle equipped with an accelerator pedal and an automatic transmission, comprising: means for detecting one of an engine speed and a vehicle speed not lower than a predetermined level; means for detecting an engine temperature not lower than a predetermined level; means for decreasing the amount of air to be supplied to the engine by a predetermined amount during release of said accelerator pedal and only in response to (1) said one detected speed and (2) said engine temperature being both not lower than said respective predetermined levels; and wherein said vehicle has a throttle valve controlled by the accelerator pedal and wherein the air amount decreasing mean includes throttle regulating means operative for placing the fully closed position of the throttle valve in a first state when at least one of said detected speeds is lower than said predetermined level and said engine temperature is lower than said predetermined level, and a second state when at least one of said detected speeds is not lower than said predetermined level and said engine temperature is not lower than said predetermined level, the valve opening degree of said second state being smaller than that of said first state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
A control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said throttle regulating means includes a vacuum actuator having a movable push rod which is contactable with a lever fixedly connected to the throttle valve, said push rod taking its first state to put the throttle valve into said first state of the fully closed position when supplied with vacuum while taking its second state to put the throttle valve into said second state of the fully closed position when supplied with atmospheric air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A control system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said vehicle speed detecting means includes a vehicle speed switch which is open when said vehicle speed is not lower than said predetermined level, and said engine temperature detecting means includes an engine temperature switch which is open when said engine temperature is not lower than said predetermined level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A control system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said throttle regulating means includes a vacuum control valve for supplying atmospheric air to said vacuum actuator in response to the open condition of both said vehicle speed switch and said engine temperature switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
A control system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said vacuum actuator includes first and second diaphragms which are located spaced from each other to define therebetween a vacuum chamber to be supplied with one of vacuum and atmospheric air, said second diaphragm being larger in pressure receiving area than said first diaphragm and located farther from said lever than said first diaphragm, said push rod being fixedly connected to said first and second diagphragms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A control system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said vacuum actuator includes a spring for urging said first diaphragm in the direction far from said lever.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
A control system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said vacuum control valve is an electromagnetic valve which is fluidly connected to the vacuum chamber of said vacuum actuator and electrically connected to said vehicle speed switch and said engine temperature switch, said electromagnetic valve causing atmospheric air to be supplied to the vacuum chamber of said vacuum actuator when de-energized in response to the open condition of said vehicle speed switch and said temperature switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A control system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said engine speed detecting means includes an engine speed switch which is open when engine speed is not lower than a predetermined level corresponding to said predetermined engine speed level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A control system as recited in claim 3 wherein said vehicle speed switch and said engine temperature switch are connected in parallel to said throttle regulating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A control system as recited in claim 7 wherein said vehicle speed switch and said vehicle temperature switch are connected in parallel to said electromagnetic valve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3338111A
Cited
US3575148A
Cited
US3603297A
Cited
US3581852A
Cited
GB1316470A
Cited
US3906909A
Cited
US3855975A
Cited
US4144853A
Cited
US4026168A
Cited
US4192202A
Cited
GB2012997A
Cited
US4365599A
Cited
GB2051422A
Cited
US4364347A
Cited
US4321900A
Cited
JPS56115829A
Cited
US4354465A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-05-06 | 1988-11-05 | 1989-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-05-06 | 1992-11-05 | 1993-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-05-06 | 1996-11-05 | 1997-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |