Patent US5611751A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5611751A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Engine speed control and method for operating same
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1995-09-26
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Granted: 1997-03-18
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Expires: 2015-09-26
Abstract
Abstract A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a power take off ("PTO") controller used on a vehicle. The controller includes a PTO on/off switch, a brake/clutch ignore switch, and a PTO set/resume switch connected to an electronic controller. The controller sets the engine speed command to a PTO default speed in response to the PTO on/off switch being in an on position. By placing the brake/clutch ignore switch in an ignore position, the vehicle operator can use the brake or clutch without affecting the PTO engine speed.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin D. Ehrenhardt
- 👤 Gregory S. Gauger
- 👤 Prasad V. Parupalli
- 👤 Thomas R. Sandborg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:27
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K17/00; B60K17/28; B60W; B60W2710/00; B60W2710/06; B60W2710/0644; F; F16; F16H; F16H59/00; F16H59/50; F16H59/54; F16H59/56; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S477/00; Y10S477/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle engine, said engine being connected to a power-take-off, said apparatus comprising: an electronic controller; a PTO on/off switch connected to said electronic controller and having an on position and an off position; a brake/clutch ignore switch having an ignore position and a normal position and being connected to said electronic controller; a brake pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a brake engaged signal; a clutch pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a clutch engaged signal; memory means connected to said electronic controller; a driver circuit connected to said electronic controller and connected to a fuel injector; a PTO set/resume switch having a set position and a resume position; speed sensing means connected to said engine and to said electronic controller for producing an electrical signal corresponding to said engine speed; wherein said electronic controller produces an engine speed command corresponding to the electrical signal produced by said speed sensing means as a function of said PTO set/resume switch being moved to said set position and said PTO on/off switch being in said on position; and wherein said electronic controller produces a fuel injection signal delivered to said driver circuit corresponding to said engine speed command when said PTO on/off switch is in the on position, and said brake/clutch ignore switch is in the ignore position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
227 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle engine, said engine being connected to a power-take-off, said apparatus comprising: an electronic controller; a PTO on/off switch connected to said electronic controller and having an on position and an off position; a brake/clutch ignore switch having an ignore position and a normal position and being connected to said electronic controller; a brake pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a brake engaged signal; a clutch pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a clutch engaged signal; memory means connected to said electronic controller; a driver circuit connected to said electronic controller and connected to a fuel injector; a PTO set/resume switch having a set position and a resume position; speed sensing means connected to said engine and to said electronic controller for producing an electrical signal corresponding to said engine speed; wherein said electronic controller produces an engine speed command corresponding to the electrical signal produced by said speed sensing means as a function of said PTO set/resume switch being moved to said set position and said PTO on/off switch being in said on position; and wherein said electronic controller produces a fuel injection signal delivered to said driver circuit corresponding to said engine speed command when said PTO on/off switch is in the on position, and said brake/clutch ignore switch is in the ignore position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electronic controller includes a microprocessor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said electronic controller produces a fuel injection signal corresponding to an engine speed command when said brake pedal sensor produces a brake engaged signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said electronic controller produces a fuel injection signal corresponding to said engine speed command when said clutch pedal sensor produces a clutch engaged signal.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
232 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle engine, said engine being connected to a power-take-off, said apparatus comprising: an electronic controller; a PTO on/off switch connected to said electronic controller and having an on position and an off position; a PTO set/resume switch connected to said electronic controller, said PTO set/resume switch having a set position and a resume position; a brake/clutch ignore switch having an ignore position and a normal position and being connected to said electronic controller; a brake pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a brake engaged signal; a clutch pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a clutch engaged signal; memory means connected to said electronic controller; a driver circuit connected to said electronic controller and connected to a fuel injector; speed sensing means connected to said engine and to said electronic controller for producing an electrical signal corresponding to said engine speed; wherein said electronic controller stores an engine speed command signal corresponding to said engine speed in response to said PTO on/off switch being in the on position and said PTO set/resume switch being momentarily placed in said set position: and wherein said electronic controller produces a fuel injection signal delivered to said driver circuit corresponding to said engine speed command signal when said PTO on/off switch is in the on position, and said brake/clutch ignore switch is in the normal position.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
232 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle engine, said engine being connected to a power-take-off, said apparatus comprising: an electronic controller; a PTO on/off switch connected to said electronic controller and having an on position and an off position; a PTO set/resume switch connected to said electronic controller, said PTO set/resume switch having a set position and a resume position; a brake/clutch ignore switch having an ignore position and a normal position and being connected to said electronic controller; a brake pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a brake engaged signal; a clutch pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a clutch engaged signal; memory means connected to said electronic controller; a driver circuit connected to said electronic controller and connected to a fuel injector; speed sensing means connected to said engine and to said electronic controller for producing an electrical signal corresponding to said engine speed; wherein said electronic controller stores an engine speed command signal corresponding to said engine speed in response to said PTO on/off switch being in the on position and said PTO set/resume switch being momentarily placed in said set position: and wherein said electronic controller produces a fuel injection signal delivered to said driver circuit corresponding to said engine speed command signal when said PTO on/off switch is in the on position, and said brake/clutch ignore switch is in the normal position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said electronic controller produces a fuel injection signal calculated by the engine control in response to said brake sensor producing a brake engaged signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said electronic controller produces a fuel injection signal calculated by the engine control in response to said clutch sensor producing a clutch engaged signal.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle engine, said engine being connected to a power-take-off, said apparatus comprising: an electronic controller; a PTO on/off switch connected to said electronic controller and having an on position and an off position; a brake/clutch ignore switch having an ignore position and a normal position and being connected to said electronic controller; a brake pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a brake engaged signal; a clutch pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a clutch engaged signal; memory means connected to said electronic controller; a driver circuit connected to said electronic controller and connected to a fuel injector; speed sensing means connected to said engine and to said electronic controller for producing an electrical signal corresponding to said engine speed; wherein said electronic controller produces a fuel injection signal delivered to said driver circuit corresponding to a value determined by engine controls when said PTO on/off switch is in the off position.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle engine, said engine being connected to a power-take-off, said apparatus comprising: an electronic controller; a PTO on/off switch connected to said electronic controller and having an on position and an off position; a brake/clutch ignore switch having an ignore position and a normal position and being connected to said electronic controller; a brake pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a brake engaged signal; a clutch pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a clutch engaged signal; memory means connected to said electronic controller; a driver circuit connected to said electronic controller and connected to a fuel injector; speed sensing means connected to said engine and to said electronic controller for producing an electrical signal corresponding to said engine speed; wherein said electronic controller produces a fuel injection signal delivered to said driver circuit corresponding to a value determined by engine controls when said PTO on/off switch is in the off position.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for operating a PTO control used in connection with a vehicle having an engine, an electronic controller, a brake pedal sensor, a clutch pedal sensor, a PTO on/off switch having an on and an off position, and a brake/clutch ignore switch having an ignore and a normal position, said method comprising the steps of: sensing a position of the PTO on/off switch; sensing a position of the brake/clutch ignore switch; producing a fuel delivery signal corresponding to a PTO default speed in response to said PTO on/off switch being in the on position and said brake/clutch ignore switch being in the ignore position.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for operating a PTO control used in connection with a vehicle having an engine, an electronic controller, a brake pedal sensor, a clutch pedal sensor, a PTO on/off switch having an on and an off position, and a brake/clutch ignore switch having an ignore and a normal position, said method comprising the steps of: sensing a position of the PTO on/off switch; sensing a position of the brake/clutch ignore switch; producing a fuel delivery signal corresponding to a PTO default speed in response to said PTO on/off switch being in the on position and said brake/clutch ignore switch being in the ignore position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method according to claim 9, including the steps of: sensing a position of the brake pedal and producing a brake pedal engaged signal in response to said brake pedal being engaged; and sensing a position of the clutch pedal and producing a clutch pedal engaged signal in response to said clutch pedal being engaged.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method according to claim 10, including the steps of: incrementing said PTO default speed in response to a PTO set/resume switch being moved to a resume position and decrementing said PTO default speed in response to the PTO set/resume switch being moved to a set position.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
243 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle engine said apparatus comprising: an electronic controller; a PTO/IDLE set/resume switch connected to said electronic controller and having a set position and a resume position, a PTO/IDLE on/off switch connected to said electronic controller, said PTO/IDLE on/off switch having an on position and an off position; memory means connected to said electronic controller; a driver circuit connected to said electronic controller and connected to a fuel injector; speed sensing means connected to said engine and to said electronic controller for producing an engine speed signal; wherein said electronic controller stores a first engine speed command corresponding to said engine speed signal when said PTO/IDLE on/off switch is in said on position and the PTO/IDLE set/resume switch is moved to said set position; wherein said electronic controller produces a fuel injection signal delivered to said driver circuit corresponding to said first engine speed command when said PTO/IDLE on/off switch is in the on position; a brake/clutch ignore switch connected to said electronic controller and having a first and second position; a brake pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a brake engaged signal; a clutch pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a clutch engaged signal; and wherein said electronic controller discontinues producing a fuel injection signal corresponding to said first engine speed command and produces a fuel injection signal corresponding to Low Idle default value in response to receiving a brake engaged signal.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
243 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle engine said apparatus comprising: an electronic controller; a PTO/IDLE set/resume switch connected to said electronic controller and having a set position and a resume position, a PTO/IDLE on/off switch connected to said electronic controller, said PTO/IDLE on/off switch having an on position and an off position; memory means connected to said electronic controller; a driver circuit connected to said electronic controller and connected to a fuel injector; speed sensing means connected to said engine and to said electronic controller for producing an engine speed signal; wherein said electronic controller stores a first engine speed command corresponding to said engine speed signal when said PTO/IDLE on/off switch is in said on position and the PTO/IDLE set/resume switch is moved to said set position; wherein said electronic controller produces a fuel injection signal delivered to said driver circuit corresponding to said first engine speed command when said PTO/IDLE on/off switch is in the on position; a brake/clutch ignore switch connected to said electronic controller and having a first and second position; a brake pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a brake engaged signal; a clutch pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a clutch engaged signal; and wherein said electronic controller discontinues producing a fuel injection signal corresponding to said first engine speed command and produces a fuel injection signal corresponding to Low Idle default value in response to receiving a brake engaged signal.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
239 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle engine said apparatus comprising: an electronic controller; a PTO/IDLE set/resume switch connected to said electronic controller and having a set position and a resume position. a PTO/IDLE on/off switch connected to said electronic controller, said PTO/IDLE on/off switch having an on position and an off position; memory means connected to said electronic controller; a driver circuit connected to said electronic controller and connected to a fuel injector; speed sensing means connected to said engine and to said electronic controller for producing an engine speed signal; wherein said electronic controller stores a first engine speed command corresponding to said engine speed signal when said PTO/IDLE on/off switch is in said on position and the PTO/IDLE set/resume switch is moved to said set position; wherein said electronic controller produces a fuel injection signal delivered to said driver circuit corresponding to said first engine speed command when said PTO/IDLE on/off switch is in the on position: a brake/clutch ignore switch connected to said electronic controller and having a first and second position; a brake pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a brake engaged signal; a clutch pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a clutch engaged signal; and wherein said electronic controller continues producing a fuel injection signal corresponding to said first engine speed command when said brake/clutch ignore switch is in a second position while receiving a brake engaged signal.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
239 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle engine said apparatus comprising: an electronic controller; a PTO/IDLE set/resume switch connected to said electronic controller and having a set position and a resume position. a PTO/IDLE on/off switch connected to said electronic controller, said PTO/IDLE on/off switch having an on position and an off position; memory means connected to said electronic controller; a driver circuit connected to said electronic controller and connected to a fuel injector; speed sensing means connected to said engine and to said electronic controller for producing an engine speed signal; wherein said electronic controller stores a first engine speed command corresponding to said engine speed signal when said PTO/IDLE on/off switch is in said on position and the PTO/IDLE set/resume switch is moved to said set position; wherein said electronic controller produces a fuel injection signal delivered to said driver circuit corresponding to said first engine speed command when said PTO/IDLE on/off switch is in the on position: a brake/clutch ignore switch connected to said electronic controller and having a first and second position; a brake pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a brake engaged signal; a clutch pedal sensor connected to said electronic controller and producing a clutch engaged signal; and wherein said electronic controller continues producing a fuel injection signal corresponding to said first engine speed command when said brake/clutch ignore switch is in a second position while receiving a brake engaged signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said electronic controller discontinues producing a fuel injection signal corresponding to said first engine speed command and produces a fuel injection signal corresponding to Low Idle default value in response to receiving a clutch engaged signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said electronic controller continues producing a fuel injection signal corresponding to said first engine speed command when said brake/clutch ignore switch is in a second position while receiving a clutch engaged signal.
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) | 2000-03-17 | 2000-09-16 | 2001-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-17 | 2004-09-16 | 2005-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-17 | 2008-09-16 | 2009-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |