Abstract: A method and system adjusts powertrain controls to avoid significant deviations from set speed during speed control operation. Low vacuum conditions of a reservoir vacuum resulting from high load conditions are detected and eliminated through the initiation of downshifts. Detection is based on the determination that speed control mode has been initialized, the throttle is extended, vehicle acceleration is low, and there has been a significant deviation from set speed. The downshift creates an increase in engine rpm and a reduction in throttle angle to increase the manifold vacuum and thereby recharge the reservoir vacuum and eliminate the low vacuum condition. The transmission can be returned to normal operation and the pre-adjustment gear upon elimination of the low vacuum condition or the occurrence of a driver override condition.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for injecting gasoline or other fuel directly into the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine including a fuel pump with a plurality of fuel pumping pistons mounted within cylinders formed in a fixed barrel member. Each of the pistons internally contains an improved inlet valving assembly mounted wholly within a bore axially extending in the piston. The valving assembly provides a one-way fluid inletting to the pumping chamber by slight movement of a low mass valving member away from an annular seating surface formed about an inlet passage. Unlike rotary sliding type valves, the subject valve does not move rapidly through and agitate fuel and thereby does not generate any significant degree of undesirable fuel heating thus preventing undesirable fuel vaporization which is detrimental to pumping action of fluid.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for injecting gasoline or other fuel directly into the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine includes a fuel pump having a fixed barrel member therein which has a plurality of bores forming cylinders extending therethrough. A pumping piston extends into one open end of each of the cylinder bores. The piston is supported for reciprocal movements as produced by an input mechanism, such as a shaft and swash plate. A fluid inlet passage and inlet check valve are positioned at one end portion of each piston so that fluid can be drawn into the pumping chamber formed by the cylinder bore and piston. The other open end of the cylinder bore in the barrel member serves as an outlet for fluid from the pumping chamber and a flat reed valve portion of an outlet valve plate overlies the open end to prevent fludi from reentering the pumping chamber during an inletting stroke.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for injecting gasoline or other fuel directly into the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine including a pump that incorporates a rotary driven swash plate, a plurality of fuel pumping pistons radially separated from one another and operatively mounted for axial fuel pumping movement in a fixed barrel. A special bearing assembly and creeper plate is operatively interposed in the pump housing to transmit pumping forces of the swash plate to the pumping pistons while isolating the pumping pistons from rotation so that they stroke axially in the barrel. With this arrangement, check type valves are effectively used to control the inlet and discharge of fuel to and from the pumping chambers of the pistons eliminating rotary sliding valves with attendant heat build-up and undesirable fuel vaporization.