Electronic, variable speed engine governor
First Claim
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1. An improved apparatus for automatically controlling the speed of an engine in response to demand sensors and having an actuator controlled throttle and having rpm sensing means for sensing the actual speed of the engine, wherein the improvement comprises:
- (a) rpm command generator means for determining the desired speed of the engine in response to the demand sensors;
(b) rpm error generator means, responsive to the outputs of the rpm command generator means and the rpm sensing means, for generating an output proportional to the difference between the desired speed and the actual speed of the engine;
(c) throttle actuator command generator means, responsive to the output of the rpm error generator means, for generating throttle actuator commands, comprising;
(1) digital computational means, responsive to the output of the rpm error generator means, for generating an intermediate digital control number by a combination of digital processes that are approximately equivalent to a lag feedback network, the digital processes effectively having variable feedback components that are altered in magnitude in a step-wise manner responsive to the output of the rpm error generator means, and (2) nonlinear means, responsive to the intermediate digital control number, for generating throttle actuator commands, which throttle actuator commands are related in a predetermined, nonlinear manner to the intermediate digital control number;
(d) the throttle actuator being responsive to the throttle actuator commands.
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Abstract
A speed regulator or governor for an engine. The governor utilizes the approximate digital equivalent of a lead and a lag feedback network in combination with a stored, digital, nonlinear look-up table, or other nonlinear means, to control engine speed. The governor controls the engine at different fixed engine speeds in response to demand, or at continuously variable engine speeds in response to demand.
38 Citations
9 Claims
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1. An improved apparatus for automatically controlling the speed of an engine in response to demand sensors and having an actuator controlled throttle and having rpm sensing means for sensing the actual speed of the engine, wherein the improvement comprises:
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(a) rpm command generator means for determining the desired speed of the engine in response to the demand sensors; (b) rpm error generator means, responsive to the outputs of the rpm command generator means and the rpm sensing means, for generating an output proportional to the difference between the desired speed and the actual speed of the engine; (c) throttle actuator command generator means, responsive to the output of the rpm error generator means, for generating throttle actuator commands, comprising;
(1) digital computational means, responsive to the output of the rpm error generator means, for generating an intermediate digital control number by a combination of digital processes that are approximately equivalent to a lag feedback network, the digital processes effectively having variable feedback components that are altered in magnitude in a step-wise manner responsive to the output of the rpm error generator means, and (2) nonlinear means, responsive to the intermediate digital control number, for generating throttle actuator commands, which throttle actuator commands are related in a predetermined, nonlinear manner to the intermediate digital control number;(d) the throttle actuator being responsive to the throttle actuator commands. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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2. An improved apparatus for automatically controlling the speed of an engine in response to demand sensors and having an actuator controlled throttle and having rpm sensing means for sensing the actual speed of the engine, wherein the improvement comprises:
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(a) rpm command generator means for determining the desired speed of the engine in response to the demand sensors; (b) rpm error generator means, responsive to the outputs of the rpm command generator means and the rpm sensing means, for generating an output proportional to the difference between the desired speed and the actual speed of the engine; (c) throttle actuator command generator means, responsive to the output of the rpm error generator means, for generating throttle actuator commands, comprising;
(1) digital computational means, responsive to the output of the rpm error generator means, for generating an intermediate digital control number by a combination of digital processes that are approximately equivalent to a combination of lead and lag feedback networks, the digital processes effectively having variable feedback components that are altered in magnitude in a step-wise manner responsive to the output of the rpm error generator means, and (2) nonlinear means, responsive to the intermediate digital control number, for generating throttle actuator commands, which throttle actuator commands are related in a predetermined, nonlinear manner to the intermediate digital control number;(d) the throttle actuator being responsive to the throttle actuator commands. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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6. An improved method for automatically controlling the speed of an engine having an actuator controlled throttle and having rpm sensing means for sensing the actual speed of the engine wherein the improved method comprises:
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(a) determining the desired speed of the engine; (b) generating an rpm error representing the difference between the desired speed and the actual speed of the engine; (c) generating throttle actuator commands in response to the rpm error by first generating an intermediate digital control number by a combination of digital processes that are approximately equivalent to a lag feedback network, the digital processes effectively having variable feedback components that are altered in magnitude in a stepwise manner responsive to the rpm error and, second, entering a nonlinear look-up table with the intermediate digital control number to obtain from the nonlinear look-up table the throttle actuator commands; (c) controlling the throttle actuator in response to the throttle actuator commands.
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7. An improved method for automatically controlling the speed of an engine having an actuator controlled throttle and having rpm sensing means for sensing the actual speed of the engine wherein the improved method comprises:
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(a) determining the desired speed of the engine; (b) generating an rpm error representing the difference between the desired speed and the actual speed of the engine; (c) generating throttle actuator commands in response to the rpm error by first generating an intermediate digital control number by a combination of digital processes that are approximately equivalent to a lag feedback network, the digital processes effectively having variable feedback components that are altered in magnitude in a stepwise manner responsive to the rpm error and, second, calculating the throttle actuator command from a polynomial function of the intermediate digital control number; (d) controlling the throttle actuator in response to the throttle actuator commands.
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8. An improved method for automatically controlling the speed of an engine having an actuator controlled throttle and having rpm sensing means for sensing the actual speed of the engine wherein the improved method comprises:
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(a) determining the desired speed of the engine; (b) generating an rpm error representing the difference between the desired speed and the actual speed of the engine; (c) generating throttle actuator commands in response to the rpm error by first generating an intermediate digital control number by a combination of digital processes that are approximately equivalent to a combination of lead and lag feedback networks, the digital processes effectively having variable feedback components that are altered in magnitude in a stepwise manner responsive to the rpm error and, second, entering a nonlinear look-up table with the intermediate digital control number to obtain from the nonlinear look-up table the throttle actuator commands; (d) controlling the throttle actuator in response to the throttle actuator commands.
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9. An improved method for automatically controlling the speed of an engine having an actuator controlled throttle and having rpm sensing means for sensing the actual speed of the engine wherein the improved method comprises:
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(a) determining the desired speed of the engine; (b) generating an rpm error representing the difference between the desired speed and the actual speed of the engine; (c) generating throttle actuator commands in response to the rpm error by first generating an intermediate digital control number by a combination of digital processes that are approximately equivalent to a combination of lead and lag feedback networks, the digital processes effectively having variable feedback components that are altered in magnitude in a stepwise manner responsive to the rpm error and, second, calculating the throttle actuator command from a polynomial function of the intermediate digital control number; (d) controlling the throttle actuator in response to the throttle actuator commands.
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Specification