US5947084A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for controlling engine idle speed
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
•
Filing: 1998-03-04
•
Granted: 1999-09-07
•
Expires: 2018-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A method for controlling the idle speed of an internal combustion engine includes an adjustment responsive to a steering wheel angle sensor or a steering wheel torque sensor. The steering wheel angle sensor and the steering wheel torque sensor predict a power steering pump torque requirement which is used to minimize engine speed fluctuations.
Inventors
- 👤 John David Russell
- 👤 Todd Anthony Rumpsa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:31
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D31/00; F02D31/001; F02D41/00; F02D41/02; F02D41/04; F02D41/08; F02D41/083; F02D41/14; F02D41/1497; F02D2200/00; F02D2200/02; F02D2200/10; F02D2200/1006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
An idle speed control adjustment method for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle provided with a power steering system accessory powered by the engine, the method comprising the steps of: generating a power steering pump torque requirement estimate in response to a steering torque measurement; and adjusting an engine control signal in response to the power steering pump torque requirement estimate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
An idle speed control adjustment method for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle provided with a power steering system accessory powered by the engine, the method comprising the steps of: generating a power steering pump torque requirement estimate in response to a steering torque measurement; and adjusting an engine control signal in response to the power steering pump torque requirement estimate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said steering torque measurement is created from a steering wheel position sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said steering torque measurement is created from a steering wheel torque sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said adjusting step further comprises the step of adjusting a fuel pulse width of said engine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said adjusting step further comprises the step of adjusting an idle air bypass valve of said engine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said adjusting step further comprises the step of adjusting an ignition timing of said engine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method recited in claim 1 where said creating step further comprises the step of modifying the power steering torque requirement estimate in response to a vehicle speed signal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for preventing changes in engine speed of an automotive vehicle under predetermined steering conditions, the vehicle including a power steering pump, a steering gear, and a steering wheel connected to the steering gear by a linkage, the method comprising the steps of: measuring engine speed of said vehicle; measuring vehicle speed of said vehicle; measuring a steering wheel deviation of said steering wheel from a known position; determining an estimated amount of torque required by the steering pump in response to engine speed, vehicle speed, and steering wheel deviation; and adjusting an engine control signal in response to the estimated amount of torque.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for preventing changes in engine speed of an automotive vehicle under predetermined steering conditions, the vehicle including a power steering pump, a steering gear, and a steering wheel connected to the steering gear by a linkage, the method comprising the steps of: measuring engine speed of said vehicle; measuring vehicle speed of said vehicle; measuring a steering wheel deviation of said steering wheel from a known position; determining an estimated amount of torque required by the steering pump in response to engine speed, vehicle speed, and steering wheel deviation; and adjusting an engine control signal in response to the estimated amount of torque.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method recited in claim 8 wherein said adjusting step further comprises the step of adjusting a fuel pulse width of said engine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method recited in claim 8 wherein said adjusting step further comprises the step of adjusting an air control valve of said engine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method recited in claim 8 wherein said adjusting step further comprises the step of adjusting an ignition timing of said engine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method recited in claim 8 wherein said adjusting step further comprises the steps of adjusting a fuel pulse width of said engine, adjusting an air control valve of said engine, and adjusting an ignition timing of said engine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
91 words
A control system for controlling engine idle speed in a vehicle including a power steering pump, a steering gear, and a steering wheel connected to the steering gear by a linkage, the system comprising; a steering wheel position sensor; an engine speed sensor; a vehicle speed sensor; and a controller for creating an estimated power steering pump torque requirement in response to said steering wheel position sensor and for adjusting an engine control signal in response to the estimated power steering pump torque requirement, engine speed sensor, and vehicle speed sensor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
91 words
A control system for controlling engine idle speed in a vehicle including a power steering pump, a steering gear, and a steering wheel connected to the steering gear by a linkage, the system comprising; a steering wheel position sensor; an engine speed sensor; a vehicle speed sensor; and a controller for creating an estimated power steering pump torque requirement in response to said steering wheel position sensor and for adjusting an engine control signal in response to the estimated power steering pump torque requirement, engine speed sensor, and vehicle speed sensor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system recited in claim 13 wherein said controller further adjusts a fuel pulse width of said engine in response to the estimated power steering pump torque requirement.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system recited in claim 13 wherein said controller further adjusts an air control valve of said engine in response to the estimated power steering pump torque requirement.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system recited in claim 13 wherein said controller further adjusts a ignition timing of said engine in response to the estimated power steering pump torque requirement.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4545449A
Cited
US4617890A
Cited
US4748951A
Cited
US4838223A
Cited
US4966111A
Cited
US5097808A
Cited
GB2238845A
Cited
US5228421A
Cited
US5593002A
Cited
US5703410A
Cited
US5666917A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-09-06 | 2003-03-08 | 2003-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-06 | 2007-03-08 | 2007-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-06 | 2011-03-08 | 2011-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |