Vehicle engine remote starter control and protective system

• US 4,345,554 A
• Filed: 11/19/1979
• Issued: 08/24/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Julia Tyler
• Original Assignee: Donald M. Hildreth, Edward P. Tyler
• Inventors: Hildreth, Donald M., Tyler, Edward P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lall, P. S.
• Application Number:
  US06/095,260
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 123/179 R, 123/179 B, 123/179 BG, 123/335, 123/352, 290/37 R, 290/37 A, 290/38 R
• US Class Current: 123/179.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00642 Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices B60H1/3201 - B60H1/3208, B60H1/3225 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0807 Remote means
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0848 with means for detecting successful engine start, e.g. to stop starter actuation

Abstract

A remotely controlled engine starter and protective system, particularly for engine driven vehicles, in which a remotely located radio transmitter is utilized to initiate energization of the starter motor; a first timer opens the starter circuit if the engine does not start in approximately ten seconds, and if the engine starts, a second timer is operative to stop the engine after approximately ten minutes. Protective features are also provided to cut off power to the starter motor and ignition system in the event that the engine speed reaches a preset overspeed level; the vehicle is physically moved in a forward or reverse direction; automatically initiate starting of the engine when the ambient temperature falls below a preset level; cut off the system and prevent restarting for a period of 5 seconds, when the engine RPM is less than a preset level for a period of one second; cut off power to the starter motor when a preset running RPM of the engine is obtained; and delay energization of accessories for a period of 30 seconds after a starting operation is successfully initiated.

Claims

1. A remotely controlled starting and control system for an internal combustion engine of an unattended vehicle, in which switching means are operative upon receipt of a remotely transmitted command signal to connect and disconnect an associated starter motor and ignition system to an energy source, the improvement comprising:

a solenoid actuated switch for controlling the operation of the starter motor;

normally closed contacts in an energizing circuit of said solenoid;

means responsive to engine operation for continuously generating an output signal indicative of the engine operating RPM;

means controlled by said output signal for actuating the normally closed contacts to an open position, when the RPM is less than a preset level for a predetermined first time interval; and

means operable in response to the operation of said actuating means to open said normally closed contacts, for preventing reclosure of said contacts until the expiration of a predetermined second time interval.

2. A control system according to claim 1, in which:

the first time interval is of the order of 1 second, and the second time interval is of the order of 5 seconds.

3. A remotely controlled starting and control system for an internal combustion engine of an unattended vehicle, in which switching means are operative upon receipt of a remotely transmitted command signal to connect an associated starter motor and ignition system to an energy source, the improvement comprising:

means responsive to engine operation for continuously generating an output signal indicative of the engine operating speed;

means for controlling the activation of said switching means in response to said output signal, and being operative to cause actuation of the switching means to disconnect said starting motor and ignition system from the energy source, when said output signal corresponds to a preset overspeed of the engine;

said switching means includes a switch having normally closed contacts in an energizing circuit from said energy source to said starter motor and said ignition system;

an actuating coil energizable by said generated output signal and being operative to move said contacts to an open position upon the occurrence of said overspeed;

a second actuating coil energizable to move said contacts from said open position to said closed position; and

a manually operable push-button for controlling the energization of said second actuating coil.

4. A remotely controlled starting and control system for an internal combustion engine of an unattended vehicle, in which switching means are operative upon receipt of a remotely transmitted command signal to connect an associated starter motor and ignition system to an energy source, the improvement comprising:

means responsive to engine operation for continuously generating an output signal indicative of the engine operating speed;

means for controlling the activation of said switching means in response to said output signal, and being operative to cause actuation of the switching means to disconnect said starting motor and ignition system from the energy source, when said output signal corresponds to a preset overspeed of the engine;

said switching means includes a switch having normally closed contacts in an energizing circuit from said energy source to said starter motor and said ignition system;

an actuating coil energizable by said generated output signal and being operative to move said contacts to an open position upon the occurrence of said overspeed;

said switch also having normally open contacts which are adapted to close, upon movement of the normally closed contacts to open position;

a green indicating light circuit being activated by the normally closed contacts; and

a red indicating light circuit being activated by the closure of the normally open contacts.

5. A remotely controlled starting and control system for an internal combustion engine of an unattended vehicle, in which switching means are operative upon receipt of a remotely transmitted command signal to connect an associated starter motor and ignition system to an energy source, the improvement comprising:

means responsive to engine operation for continuously generating an output signal indicative of the engine operating speed;

means for controlling the activation of said switching means in response to said output signal, and being operative to cause actuation of the switching means to disconnect said starting motor and ignition system from the energy source, when said output signal corresponds to a preset overspeed of the engine;

said switching means includes a switch having normally closed contacts in an energizing circuit from said energy source to said starter motor and said ignition system;

an actuating coil energizable by said generated output signal and being operative to move said contacts to an open position upon the occurrence of said overspeed;

a comparator for comparing the generated output signal with a reference voltage indicative of a predetermined engine speed level;

said actuating coil having an energizing circuit connected to the output of said comparator, and being operative when the engine speed exceeds said predetermined engine speed level to actuate said contacts to open position;

the output of said comparator comprising one input connection to an "OR" gate having its output connected to an energizing circuit of said actuating coil; and

a motion detector being operable to connect a power source to a second input connection of the "OR" gate, in response to forward or reverse movement of the vehicle in which said engine is mounted.

6. A remotely controlled starting and control system for an internal combustion engine, in which switching means are operative upon receipt of a command signal to connect and disconnect an associated starter motor and ignition system to an energy source, the improvement comprising:

a solenoid actuated switch for controlling the operation of the starter motor;

normally closed contacts in an energizing circuit of said solenoid;

means responsive to engine operation for generating an output signal indicative of the engine RPM;

a first comparator for comparing said output signal with a reference voltage corresponding to approximately 150 RPM;

a first "AND" gate having an input connection to the output of said comparator and an input connection with said energy source;

a 1 second timing circuit connected between the output of said gate and an input of a second comparator;

said second comparator having another input connection with a reference voltage, and an output connection;

a second "AND" gate having one input connection with the output connection of the second comparator;

a 5 second timing circuit, connected between the output connection of said second comparator and one input of a third comparator;

said third comparator having another input connection with a reference voltage, and an output connection providing another input connection of the second "AND" gate; and

an actuating coil for said normally closed contacts having an energizing circuit connection with the output of the second "AND" gate.

7. A control system according to claim 6, which includes:

a feedback connection between the output of said third comparator and another input connection of the first "AND" gate for resetting said timing circuits.