Engine speed control system

• US 20030154015A1
• Filed: 02/06/2003
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garry Anno Dubois
• Original Assignee: Garry Anno Dubois
• Inventors: Dubois, Garry Anno
• Granted Patent: US 6,876,914 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/93
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/0058 responsive to externally generated signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/02 including electrically actuated servomechanism including an electric control system or a servomechanism in which the vehicle velocity affecting element is actuated electrically
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0605 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0616 Position of fuel or air injector
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/114 Racing vehicles, e.g. Formula one, Karts
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2009/0272 Two or more throttles disposed in series
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2400/11 After-sales modification devices designed to be used to modify an engine afterwards
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/001 Electric control of rotation speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 35/0053 by means of a carburettor
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/00 Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents F02D43/00 takes precedence ; control of engine starters F02N11/08, electrical control of engine ignition timing F02P5/145
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 9/14 the members being slidable transversely of conduit

Abstract

An engine speed control system for a vehicle such as a go-kart in order to, independently of the driver, control the speed of the vehicle includes a butterfly valve which is moved by a stepper motor (70) upon receipt of over the air signals by a receiver (60) from a control station (50). The movement of the butterfly valve alters the amount of air and fuel drawn into the engine independent of control of a throttle assembly (22, 25) operated by the driver of the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle can be slowed from a control station (50) independently of the vehicle if necessary.

Claims

1. An engine speed system for a vehicle having an engine, a fuel and air supply system for supplying air and fuel to the vehicle, and driver actuable means for controlling the supply of air and fuel so as to enable the speed of the vehicle to be increased or decreased by the driver of the vehicle, said system including;

a valve unit for selectively allowing, preventing or reducing the supply of air and fuel to the engine;

control means for moving the valve to alter the amount of fuel and air supplied to the vehicle to thereby change the speed of the vehicle independent of the driver actuable means;

receiver means for receiving a transmitted signal to cause the control means to move the valve unit for changing the speed of the engine independent of the driver; and

wherein the system includes a support member, the support member having an opening through which air and fuel can be supplied, said valve comprising a valve which is moveable in a linear manner so as to close the opening to a desired degree between a first position allowing maximum supply of air and fuel to the engine and a second position allowing minimum or no supply of air or fuel to the engine.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the control means comprises a stepper motor having a stepper motor shaft connected to the butterfly valve so that upon actuation of the stepper motor the shaft is moved to in turn move the butterfly valve between the fist and second positions.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the receiving means. comprises a receiver and stepper motor controller for actuating the stepper motor to cause the butterfly valve to move between the first and second positions.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the system includes a transmitter for transmitting the transmitted signal to the receiver for detection by the receiver and for operating the stepper motor.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the valve is a linearly moveable butterfly valve.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter is coupled to a computer for receiving operator inputs to cause the transmitter to transmit the transmitted signal.

7. A vehicle including;

a fuel and air supply system for supplying air and fuel to the engine;

a driver controlled throttle for controlling the fuel and air supply system for altering the speed of the engine;

a valve unit separate to the driver controlled throttle and not operable by a driver of the vehicle for selectively allowing, preventing or reducing the supply of air and fuel to the engine;

control means for moving the valve to alter the amount of fuel and air supplied to the vehicle to thereby change the speed of the vehicle independently of the driver; and

receiver means for receiving a transmitted signal to cause the control means to move the valve for changing the speed of the engine independent of the driver.

8. The vehicle of claim 7 wherein the fuel and air supply means comprises a carburettor including a primary butterfly valve.

9. The vehicle of claim 7 wherein the valve unit includes a secondary butterfly valve.

10. The vehicle of claim 7 wherein the valve unit is a linearly moveable valve.

11. A method of controlling the speed of a vehicle on a driveway which is being driven by a driver, the method including the steps of;

providing a vehicle with a driver throttle control means operable by the driver to set the speed of the vehicle;

providing a valve member in the vehicle independent of the driver throttle control means and which is not operable by the driver, the valve member being actuable to adjust the speed of the vehicle;

transmitting a signal to the vehicle from a remote location by way of wireless transmission; and

causing, by way of the transmission, the closing of the valve member independent of driver control, so as to reduce, increase or shut off supply of air and fuel to a vehicle of the engine, and whereby, the speed of the engine is thereby altered by the transmitted signal.