Automatic elevated idle speed control and method of operating same

Claim 1

An apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine on a vehicle, said engine powering a drive shaft and a Power Take Off ("PTO"), said PTO driving a PTO device requiring multiple engine levels, said apparatus comprising in combination: an electronic controller; a sensor connected with said PTO device and producing a PTO signal responsive to engine speed required by said PTO device; an engine speed sensor electrically connected to said electronic engine controller and adapted to produce an engine speed signal; wherein said electronic controller includes a first programmed PTO speed and controls the engine speed to said first programmed PTO engine speed in response to said PTO signal; wherein said PTO device includes a hydraulic pump connected with a hydraulic circuit, said hydraulic pump connected with said PTO and creating a hydraulic pressure in said hydraulic circuit, said hydraulic pressure causing controllable motion of a hydraulic actuator; wherein said sensor includes a hydraulic pressure sensor associated with said hydraulic circuit, said pressure sensor producing a hydraulic pressure signal.

Claim 2

An apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine on a vehicle, said engine powering a drive shaft and a Power Take Off ("PTO"), said PTO driving a PTO device requiring multiple engine levels, said apparatus comprising in combination: an electronic controller; a sensor connected with said PTO device and producing a PTO signal responsive to engine speed required by said PTO device; an engine speed sensor electrically connected to said electronic engine controller and adapted to produce an engine speed signal; wherein said electronic controller includes a first programmed PTO speed and controls the engine speed to said first programmed PTO engine speed in response to said PTO signal; wherein said PTO device includes a hydraulic pump connected with a hydraulic circuit, said hydraulic pump connected with said PTO and creating a hydraulic pressure in said hydraulic circuit, said hydraulic pressure causing controllable motion of a hydraulic actuator; wherein said sensor includes a hydraulic pressure sensor associated with said hydraulic circuit, said pressure sensor producing a hydraulic pressure signal.

Claim 5

An apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine on a vehicle, said engine powering a drive shaft and a Power Take Off ("PTO"), said PTO driving a PTO device requiring multiple engine levels, said apparatus comprising in combination: an electronic controller; a sensor connected with said PTO device and producing a PTO signal responsive to engine speed required by said PTO device; an engine speed sensor electrically connected to said electronic engine controller and adapted to produce an engine speed signal; said sensor includes a plurality of sensors each producing a PTO signal; wherein said electronic controller includes a plurality of programmed PTO speed and controls the engine speed as a function of one of said plurality of programmed engine speed in response to said PTO signals; wherein said PTO device includes a hydraulic pump connected with a hydraulic circuit, said hydraulic pump connected with said PTO and creating a hydraulic pressure in said hydraulic circuit, said hydraulic pressure causing controllable motion of a hydraulic actuator; and wherein said sensor includes a hydraulic pressure sensor associated with said hydraulic circuit, said pressure sensor producing a hydraulic pressure signal.

Claim 6

An apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine on a vehicle, said engine powering a drive shaft and a Power Take Off ("PTO"), said PTO driving a PTO device requiring multiple engine levels, said apparatus comprising in combination: an electronic controller; a sensor connected with said PTO device and producing a PTO signal responsive to engine speed required by said PTO device; an engine speed sensor electrically connected to said electronic engine controller and adapted to produce an engine speed signal; said sensor includes a plurality of sensors each producing a PTO signal; wherein said electronic controller includes a plurality of programmed PTO speed and controls the engine speed as a function of one of said plurality of programmed engine speed in response to said PTO signals; wherein said PTO device includes a hydraulic pump connected with a hydraulic circuit, said hydraulic pump connected with said PTO and creating a hydraulic pressure in said hydraulic circuit, said hydraulic pressure causing controllable motion of a hydraulic actuator; and wherein said sensor includes a hydraulic pressure sensor associated with said hydraulic circuit, said pressure sensor producing a hydraulic pressure signal.

Claim 7

An apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine on a vehicle, said engine powering a drive shaft and a Power Take Off ("PTO"), said PTO driving a PTO device requiring multiple engine levels, said apparatus comprising in combination: an electronic controller; a sensor connected with said PTO device and producing a PTO signal responsive to engine speed required by said PTO device; an engine speed sensor electrically connected to said electronic engine controller and adapted to produce an engine speed signal; said sensor includes a plurality of sensors each producing a PTO signal; wherein said electronic controller includes a plurality of programmed PTO speed and controls the engine speed as a function of one of said plurality of programmed engine speed in response to said PTO signals; and wherein said PTO device includes an air compressor in a compressed air circuit, wherein said air compressor is connected to said PTO.

Claim 8

An apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine on a vehicle, said engine powering a drive shaft and a Power Take Off ("PTO"), said PTO driving a PTO device requiring multiple engine levels, said apparatus comprising in combination: an electronic controller; a sensor connected with said PTO device and producing a PTO signal responsive to engine speed required by said PTO device; an engine speed sensor electrically connected to said electronic engine controller and adapted to produce an engine speed signal; said sensor includes a plurality of sensors each producing a PTO signal; wherein said electronic controller includes a plurality of programmed PTO speed and controls the engine speed as a function of one of said plurality of programmed engine speed in response to said PTO signals; and wherein said PTO device includes an air compressor in a compressed air circuit, wherein said air compressor is connected to said PTO.