Engine speed control apparatus and method

Details Engine speed control apparatus and method Engine speed control apparatus and method

1999-08-10

2001-02-27

Argenbright, Tony M. (Department: 3747)

Internal-combustion engines

Engine speed regulator

Having condition responsive means with engine being part of...

C074S482000, C074S513000, C123S357000, C123S361000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06192860

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to controls for internal combustion engines, and more particularly, to an engine speed control apparatus and method for a work vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Typical work vehicles, such as agricultural tractors, control the speed of the engine by limiting the amount of fuel into the engine cylinders for combustion. A controller provides a signal to, for instance, a fuel injection system that adjusts the amount of fuel delivered to the engine. The signal is generally produced by a transducer connected to a lever or an accelerator pedal (the “gas pedal”) that proportionately responds to the movement of the accelerator pedal or lever. In some circumstances the operator of the work vehicle would desire the “gas pedal” to respond as an accelerator and in some circumstances to respond as a decelerator. In either instance, it is desirable to use the same motion of the “gas pedal” to achieve either response.
Thus, there is a continuing need for a system that would allow the fuel control actuator of a work vehicle to function in either an accelerator mode or a decelerator mode, without changing the usual motion of such actuator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is provided in accord with the present invention a work vehicle comprising a vehicle support structure upon which a plurality of wheels are rotatably mounted and which structure supports an engine having a fuel injection system operatively coupled to at least two of the wheels. The engine is provided with an engine speed control system in electrical communication with the engine and comprising a controller operatively connected to the fuel injection system with the controller receiving feedback signals from an engine transducer to control engine speed in response to an actuator operatively connected to a potentiometer. The potentiometer is electrically connected to the controller and responsive in relation to (proportionately) the movement of t he actuator. The actuator can be operated in a first mode or a second mode as determined by a selector operatively connected to the actuator and the controller, wherein the first mode is an accelerator mode and the second mode is a decelerator mode such that when the accelerator mode is selected the engine speed will increase as the actuator is moved from a first position to a second position and when the deceleration mode is selected, the engine speed will decrease as the actuator is moved from the first position to the second position. The actuator can be a pedal or a lever and the selector switch can be a toggle switch, a push button switch, a slide switch, a rotary switch, an electronic switch or a voice actuated circuit. One embodiment of the present invention includes a range selector operatively connected to the controller with the range selector designating a range of engine speed within which the actuator will operate regardless of whether the engine speed control apparatus is in the first mode or the second mode.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3682145 (1972-08-01), Ohtani
patent: 4615409 (1986-10-01), Kupper et al.
patent: 4671235 (1987-06-01), Hosaka
patent: 6041673 (2000-03-01), Schmillen

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