US6178371B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle speed control system and method
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1999-04-12
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Granted: 2001-01-23
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Expires: 2019-04-12
Abstract
Abstract A speed control method for vehicles having an internal combustion engine smoothly controls engine torque to control vehicle speed. Torque is controlled via airflow in a first torque control range. Torque is controlled via a coordination of air/fuel ratio, ignition timing, and cylinder deactivation is a second torque control range. The torque range is selected based on the required airflow to deliver the required torque. If the required airflow is less than a lower allowable value, then the airflow is fixed at this lower allowable value and the second range is selected. Otherwise, the first range is selected.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis Allen Light
- 👤 Michael John Cullen
- 👤 Richard John Hippley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:57
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/02; B60K31/04; B60W; B60W50/00; B60W2050/0001; B60W2050/0002; B60W2050/0008; B60W2050/001; B60W2510/00; B60W2510/06; B60W2510/0614; B60W2510/0628; B60W2710/00; B60W2710/06; B60W2710/0605; B60W2710/0611; B60W2710/0666; B60W2720/00; B60W2720/10; B60W2720/106; F; F02; F02D; F02D2250/00; F02D2250/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for controlling an actual vehicle speed of a vehicle to a desired vehicle speed, the vehicle having an engine with operating parameters that influence an engine torque, the method comprising the steps of: calculating a desired engine torque that would cause the actual vehicle speed to approach the desired vehicle speed determining a required airflow that would generate said desired engine torque; determining a minimum allowable airflow which would allow adjustment of the operating parameters to adjust the engine torque without adversely affecting engine performance; controlling airflow to said required airflow when said required airflow is greater than said minimum airflow, thereby providing said desired engine torque; and controlling airflow to said minimum airflow and adjusting the operating parameters to provide said desired engine torque when said required airflow is less than said minimum airflow.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for controlling an actual vehicle speed of a vehicle to a desired vehicle speed, the vehicle having an engine with operating parameters that influence an engine torque, the method comprising the steps of: calculating a desired engine torque that would cause the actual vehicle speed to approach the desired vehicle speed determining a required airflow that would generate said desired engine torque; determining a minimum allowable airflow which would allow adjustment of the operating parameters to adjust the engine torque without adversely affecting engine performance; controlling airflow to said required airflow when said required airflow is greater than said minimum airflow, thereby providing said desired engine torque; and controlling airflow to said minimum airflow and adjusting the operating parameters to provide said desired engine torque when said required airflow is less than said minimum airflow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said engine comprises an electronically controlled throttle for controlling airflow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said operating parameters comprise an air/fuel ratio of a mixture entering the engine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said operating parameters comprise an ignition timing of an ignition of a mixture being burned in the engine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said operating parameters comprise a number of deactivated cylinders.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said step of determining a required airflow further comprises the step of determining a required airflow that would generate said desired engine torque with said operating conditions at nominal settings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method recited in claim 6 wherein said nominal settings represent an air/fuel ratio at stiochiometry.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 6 wherein said nominal settings represent all cylinders of the engine activated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method recited in claim 6 wherein said nominal settings represent optimum ignition timing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method recited in claim 3 wherein said step of determining said minimum allowable airflow further comprises the step of determining said minimum allowable airflow which would allow adjustment of said air/fuel ratio to adjust the engine torque without experiencing engine misfire.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method recited in claim 3 wherein said step of determining said minimum allowable airflow further comprises the step of determining said minimum allowable airflow which would allow adjustment of said ignition timing to adjust the engine torque without experiencing engine misfire.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method recited in claim 3 wherein said step of determining said minimum allowable airflow further comprises the step of determining said minimum allowable airflow which would allow adjustment of said ignition timing and said air/fuel ratio to adjust the engine torque without experiencing engine misfire.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said step of determining a minimum allowable airflow further comprises the step of determining said minimum allowable airflow based on an engine speed.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for controlling an actual vehicle speed of a vehicle to a desired vehicle speed, the vehicle having an engine with operating parameters that influence an engine torque, the operating parameters comprising an air/fuel ratio of a mixture entering the engine, an ignition timing of an ignition of the mixture being burned in the engine, and a number of deactivated cylinders of the engine, the method comprising the steps of: calculating a desired engine torque that would cause the actual vehicle speed to approach the desired vehicle speed determining a required airflow based on an engine speed that would generate said desired engine torque with said operating conditions at nominal settings; determining a minimum allowable airflow which would allow adjustment of at least one of the operating parameters to adjust the engine torque without adversely affecting engine performance; controlling airflow to said required airflow when said required airflow is greater than said minimum airflow, thereby providing said desired engine torque; and controlling airflow to said minimum airflow and adjusting said at least one of the operating parameters to provide said desired engine torque when said required airflow is less than said minimum airflow.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for controlling an actual vehicle speed of a vehicle to a desired vehicle speed, the vehicle having an engine with operating parameters that influence an engine torque, the operating parameters comprising an air/fuel ratio of a mixture entering the engine, an ignition timing of an ignition of the mixture being burned in the engine, and a number of deactivated cylinders of the engine, the method comprising the steps of: calculating a desired engine torque that would cause the actual vehicle speed to approach the desired vehicle speed determining a required airflow based on an engine speed that would generate said desired engine torque with said operating conditions at nominal settings; determining a minimum allowable airflow which would allow adjustment of at least one of the operating parameters to adjust the engine torque without adversely affecting engine performance; controlling airflow to said required airflow when said required airflow is greater than said minimum airflow, thereby providing said desired engine torque; and controlling airflow to said minimum airflow and adjusting said at least one of the operating parameters to provide said desired engine torque when said required airflow is less than said minimum airflow.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method recited in claim 14 wherein said step of determining said minimum allowable airflow further comprises the step of determining said minimum allowable airflow which would allow adjustment of said ignition timing and said air/fuel ratio to adjust the engine torque without experiencing engine misfire.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method recited in claim 14 wherein said nominal settings represent an air/fuel ratio at stiochiometry.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 16 wherein said nominal settings represent all cylinders of the engine activated.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method recited in claim 17 wherein said nominal settings represent optimum ignition timing.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
231 words
A system for controlling an actual vehicle speed of a vehicle to a desired vehicle speed, the system comprising: an engine with operating parameters that influence an engine torque, the operating parameters comprising an air/fuel ratio of a mixture entering the engine, an ignition timing of an ignition of the mixture being burned in the engine, and a number of deactivated cylinders of the engine; a fuel injection system coupled to said engine for delivering fuel to said engine; a throttle valve coupled to said engine for controlling an airflow entering said engine; a controller for calculating a desired engine torque that would cause the actual vehicle speed to approach the desired vehicle speed, determining a required airflow based on an engine speed that would generate said desired engine torque with said operating conditions at nominal settings, determining a minimum allowable airflow which would allow adjustment of at least one of the operating parameters to adjust the engine torque without adversely affecting engine performance, controlling said throttle valve to control said airflow to said required airflow when said required airflow is greater than said minimum airflow, thereby providing said desired engine torque, and controlling said throttle valve to control said airflow to said minimum airflow and adjusting said at least one of the operating parameters to provide said desired engine torque when said required airflow is less than said minimum airflow.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
231 words
A system for controlling an actual vehicle speed of a vehicle to a desired vehicle speed, the system comprising: an engine with operating parameters that influence an engine torque, the operating parameters comprising an air/fuel ratio of a mixture entering the engine, an ignition timing of an ignition of the mixture being burned in the engine, and a number of deactivated cylinders of the engine; a fuel injection system coupled to said engine for delivering fuel to said engine; a throttle valve coupled to said engine for controlling an airflow entering said engine; a controller for calculating a desired engine torque that would cause the actual vehicle speed to approach the desired vehicle speed, determining a required airflow based on an engine speed that would generate said desired engine torque with said operating conditions at nominal settings, determining a minimum allowable airflow which would allow adjustment of at least one of the operating parameters to adjust the engine torque without adversely affecting engine performance, controlling said throttle valve to control said airflow to said required airflow when said required airflow is greater than said minimum airflow, thereby providing said desired engine torque, and controlling said throttle valve to control said airflow to said minimum airflow and adjusting said at least one of the operating parameters to provide said desired engine torque when said required airflow is less than said minimum airflow.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-23 | 2004-07-24 | 2005-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-23 | 2008-07-24 | 2009-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-23 | 2012-07-24 | 2013-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |