METHODS FOR CONTROLLING ENGINE IDLE SPEED
First Claim
1. A method of operating an engine in a motor vehicle comprising:
- determining the existence of an engine idle condition;
determining whether an operator is in the motor vehicle;
operating the engine at a performance idle speed when an idle condition exists and the operator is in the motor vehicle; and
operating the engine at a fuel economy idle speed, which is lower than the performance idle speed, when an idle condition exists and the operator is not present in the motor vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present technology provides one or more methods of operating an engine in a motor vehicle. In at least one embodiment, the existence of an engine idle condition is determined. The method may also include determining whether an operator is present in the vehicle. In some embodiments, the engine operates at a performance idle speed when an engine idle condition exists and an operator is present in the vehicle. In further embodiments, the engine operates at a fuel economy idle speed when an idle condition exists and no operator is present in the vehicle. In still further embodiments, the fuel economy idle speed will be lower than the performance idle speed. The present technology anticipates engine workload and controls engine idle speeds. Based on the anticipated workloads, the present technology can reduce engine stalling while also reducing emissions and increasing fuel economy.
24 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of operating an engine in a motor vehicle comprising:
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determining the existence of an engine idle condition; determining whether an operator is in the motor vehicle; operating the engine at a performance idle speed when an idle condition exists and the operator is in the motor vehicle; and operating the engine at a fuel economy idle speed, which is lower than the performance idle speed, when an idle condition exists and the operator is not present in the motor vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of operating an engine in a motor vehicle comprising:
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determining the existence of a vehicle engine idle condition; operating the engine at a performance idle speed when the existence of a vehicle idle condition is first determined; determining whether the vehicle is not in motion for a predetermined period of time; and operating the engine at a fuel economy idle speed, which is lower than the performance idle speed, when an idle condition exists and the vehicle is not in motion for the predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification