Abstract: The specification discloses a linear actuator including a quick-release mechanism enabling the actuator to be successfully commercially utilized in a variety of applications including a vehicle speed control. More specifically, the actuator includes an axially reciprocable rod, a mechanism for angularly shifting the rod about its axis between first and second angular orientations, and a quarter-turn coupling for releasably coupling the rod to an element, such as a throttle cable, to be driven thereby. Angular shifting of the rod couples and releases the rod and driven element through the quarter turn coupling. Also disclosed is a vehicle speed control responsive to vehicle acceleration and/or vehicle tilt to deactivate the speed control when either the acceleration or tilt falls outside of acceptable parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device ascertaining that a vehicle does not exceed a pre-set speed limit and/or a pre-set engine RPM limit. Said device comprises means for transferring the input movement from the accelerator to means for contacting the output movement; means for transferring said output movement to the speed control unit; electrical means actuating said control means at the proper time, means for reading the speed and/or the engine RPM and means for pre-setting the desired speed limit and/or engine RPM limit. Said device may comprise additional means for protecting the vehicle to be driven by unauthorized persons. The device may be utilized for any vehicle and/or machine which is actuated by a lever and the drawing distance together with the load determine the speed, e.g., cars, airplanes, tractors and other agricultural implements.

Abstract: An automobile speed control system has a comparator circuit for issuing a speed difference signal when there is a difference between an automobile speed signal indicative of an automobile speed and an automobile speed setting signal indicative of a desired speed setting, an actuator responsive to the speed difference signal for adjusting the opening of a throttle valve to change the speed of an automobile in order to eliminate the speed difference signal, a cancel switch for cancelling a constant-speed travel mode of the automobile, a resume switch for resuming the constant-speed travel mode which has been cancelled, a timer circuit energizable for a prescribed interval of time in response to operation of the resume switch while the automobile is running in the constant-speed travel mode, and an acceleration signal generator circuit for generating an acceleration signal in response to operation of the resume switch while the timer circuit is in operation, whereby the acceleration signal can be produced to inc

Abstract: An automobile speed control system which is capable of running at a speed which is the same as the desired memorized speed and which will be maintained constant even during momentary voltage interruptions in the system, is comprised of a discharge device such as a diode which is arranged between one end of a grounded capacitor in an integrating circuit and a line which supplies a voltage higher than that of said one end of the capacitor when a voltage power source is normal. When the voltage of the voltage power source drops, the terminal voltage of the capacitor decreases slowly and the electric charge of the capacitor is discharged. When the voltage of the voltage power source rises again, the circuit operates in the same manner as the operation thereof when the power switch is closed and the memorized automobile speed is not changed from the prior memorized speed.

Abstract: An automotive speed control system uses logic activated switches on both sides of solenoids controlling vent and vacuum valves. A vacuum solenoid is activated upon the simultaneous occurrence of an activation of a vent valve solenoid, an activation of the speed control system, and a determination that solenoid current is below a desired magnitude.

Abstract: Vehicle operating conditions including vehicle acceleration and the position of an operator manipulated accelerator pedal are monitored to determine whether transient or steady state operation is indicated. When transient operation is indicated, the vehicle power output is brought into correspondence with a power command determined according to accelerator pedal position. When steady state operation is indicated, the vehicle power output is brought into correspondence with a power command determined according to the difference between the vehicle velocity and a remembered velocity.

Abstract: An automobile speed control system for use with an automobile includes a throttle valve, actuator means operatively connected to the throttle valve for actuating the throttle valve, a plurality of switch means, detector means for detecting a speed of the automobile, a plurality of automobile speed memories, and electronic control means for storing values dependent on output signals issued from the detector means into the automobile speed memories, respectively, in response to operation of the switch means, for reading the values, one at a time, from the automobile speed memories in response to operation of the switch means, and for energizing the actuator means according to the read values.

Abstract: A cruise control system for an automotive vehicle which automatically controls the throttle valve opening to maintain the vehicle speed constant without a driver's operation of the accelerator pedal once the vehicle speed is set to a desired value, is designed so that acceleration at the time of operating an increase set switch or resume switch is increased to ensure a comfortable drive while ascending a long slope. To this end, the cruise control system is provided with an overdrive controller which releases overdrive at the time of operating the increase set switch and resumes the overdrive at the time of releasing the operation of the increase set switch, or an overdrive controller which releases overdrive at the time of operating the resume switch when the vehicle speed at that time is sufficiently lower than the set speed and resumes the overdrive when the vehicle speed has been restored substantially to the set speed.

Abstract: A cruise control system for an automotive vehicle, which automatically controls the throttle valve opening to maintain the vehicle speed constant without a driver's operation of the accelerator pedal once the vehicle speed is set to a desired value, is designed so that acceleration at the time of operating an increase set switch or resume switch is increased to ensure a comfortable drive while ascending a long slope. To this end, the cruise control system is provided with an overdrive controller which releases the overdrive at the time of operating the increase set switch and which resumes the overdrive at the time of releasing the operation of the increase set switch, or an overdrive controller which releases the overdrive at the time of operating the resume switch when the vehicle speed at that time is sufficiently lower than the set speed and which resumes the overdrive when the vehicle speed has been restored substantially to the set speed.

Abstract: Apparatus for limiting the speed of motor vehicles, especially small motorcycles, which have a carburetor provided with a fuel control element, wherein the fuel control element is responsive both to a signal generated by the driver and to an automatic control system which is responsive both to engine speed and vehicle speed. A displaceable stop member for limiting speed increasing displacement of the control element is driven by a servomotor controlled by a bridge switch circuit which is responsive to a comparison between control signals derived, respectively, from the position of the control element and the engine or vehicle speed. In the absence of a vehicle speed signal, an electronic switch automatically couples engine speed control signals to the bridge circuit.

Abstract: A device for automatically disengaging an automotive cruise control system whenever one or more failures or malfunctions occur in the vehicle brake system and also if such a malfunction should occur when the vehicle is in the "resume speed" mode of the cruise control system. The device comprises an exclusive NOR circuit whose two symmetrical input terminals are connected to opposite sides of the brake switch in series with the vehicle power source. The output from the exclusive NOR circuit is connected to a logic control circuit and through a control resistor to a vehicle power lead. Any malfunction of the brake circuit when the cruise control is in operation will cause the exclusive NOR output to go from a relatively low to a relatively high potential thereby causing a logic control circuit to provide a disconnect signal to a throttle actuator. An additional safety factor is attained by connecting the control resistor to the base of a transistor in a power lead to the throttle actuator.

Abstract: A method of controlling an engine speed for an internal combustion engine and an apparatus therefor which are capable of significantly improving transient response characteristics and controlling the engine speed with high accuracy. The method and apparatus are adapted to keep the actual engine speed at a set engine speed by proportional control action and derivative control action wherein a derivative control engine speed range is set about the set engine speed to stop derivative action to allow only proportional action to operate an engine speed adjusting operation unit when the actual engine speed is out of the range.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric gas pedal for automotive vehicles having a desired-value transmitter 1 from which a desired-value signal can be fed to an electronic controller unit 3. The controller unit 3 controls by means of electric signals a setting member 4 which controls the motor power via a displacement device. In order to make optimum adjustment of this electric gas pedal possible in a simple and economical manner, the actual setting range possible for the displacement device is determined and stored as effective desired setting range of the controller unit 3 in the latter.

Abstract: A running control system for vehicles includes a control unit, a plurality of control switches for selecting various operations, a throttle actuator, and an automatic transmission having a lock-up clutch solenoid. An automatic cruise control operation and transmission control operation is performed by the output control signals from the control unit through the throttle actuator, the lock-up clutch, and the solenoids in accordance with the set conditions of the control switches and detected signals from a vehicle speed sensor and a throttle valve sensor. With this construction, when the vehicle speed is above a predetermined value and automatic cruising is instructed, the lock-up clutch is compulsorily operated and this locked up condition of the clutch is maintained during the automatic cruising condition, thus enabling improved fuel comsumption as well as power transmission efficiency.

Abstract: A vehicle speed control method comprises the steps of dividing a frequency corresponding with the actual speed by a frequency divisional ratio determined inversely proportional to a desired speed, producing a timing signal with the divided frequency, calculating a time difference between a predetermined time period corresponding with a desired speed and the total of constant time periods defined by a time period of the timing signal, calculating a time difference between both the totals of constant time periods defined by respective time periods of the preceding and following timing signals, and producing a correction signal related to the calculated time differences such that an output signal is produced to actuate a control element so as to control the quantity of fuel supplied into an engine.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for disengaging an electronic speed control system when the rate of change of the automobile engine speed exceeds a predetermined amount is disclosed. A ferrite or powdered iron ring current transformer generates an input signal to the electronic circuit from one of the spark plug wires in the engine. The pulses from the ring current transformer are passed through a monostable multivibrator circuit and a filter network to a differentiator. The output of the differentiator is connected to a high limit detector and a low limit detector. When the rate of change of engine speed exceeds a predetermined amount, a signal is generated to disengage the speed control circuit.

Abstract: An engine oil pressure monitor includes an engine oil pressure sensor and an engine speed sensor. A plurality of pressure alarm values are generated to correspond to designated distinct ranges of engine speed. One of the alarm values is selected according to which engine speed range contains the sensed engine speed. An alarm signal is generated when the sensed pressure falls below the alarm value. The alarm is disabled when the engine speed falls below a minimum non-zero engine speed and is disabled unless the pressure failure condition persists for at least a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A vehicle, such as an agricultural tractor, includes a hydraulic assist-type transmission with fluid control and lubricating circuits. A monitoring system senses the fluid pressure in the lubricating circuit, the hydraulic fluid temperature and the engine speed. The sensed pressure is compared to a temperature and engine speed-compensated alarm value. Alarm signals are generated when the sensed pressure is continuously below the alarm value for a certain period. The alarm is disabled when the engine speed falls below a non-zero threshold level.

Abstract: An intake system of an engine comprising a main intake passage which has a throttle valve therein. The throttle valve is controlled by a main actuator. An auxiliary intake passage is branched off from the main intake passage located upstream of the throttle valve and is connected to the main intake passage located downstream of the throttle valve. An auxiliary valve, controlled by a subactuator, is arranged in the auxiliary intake passage. The vehicle speed is controlled by the main actuator when the vehicle speed is too increased or too reduced relative to a set speed to be maintained. Contrary to this, the vehicle speed is controlled by the subactuator when the vehicle speed is maintained at a speed near the set speed.

Abstract: In a speed control system for automotive vehicles, a first time difference between values of a timing signal responsive to the actual speed of the vehicle and a command signal indicative of a desired speed is calculated to produce a first differential signal indicative of an absolute value of the first time difference, and a second time difference between respective values of the preceding and following timing signals is calculated to produce a second differential signal indicative of an absolute value of the second time difference and a sign signal indicative of one of positive and negative signs of the second time difference.

Abstract: A vehicle speed control system is disclosed which is primarily intended for heavy vehicles and which is arranged to `anticipate` an uphill section of road immediately following a downhill section, so as to prevent loss of momentum gained on the downhill section. A comparator compares an actual speed signal Vs with a driver-settable desired speed signal Vr and produces an error signal. A level changing circuit produces an output equal to Vr in normal circumstances, but which follows Vs when the vehicle accelerates downhill. This output is fed through a memory via a switch which is open when an acceleration-deceleration unit detects that the vehicle has reached the foot of the hill. This memory therefore stores a signal Vr' representing the speed at that time, and the comparator therefore increases the engine power when the vehicle speed has fallen below this augmented reference speed, instead of waiting for the speed to fall to the original reference.

Abstract: A cruise control system for an automotive vehicle, which automatically controls the throttle valve opening to maintain the vehicle speed constant without a driver's operation of the accelerator pedal once the vehicle speed is set to a desired value, is designed so that acceleration at the time of operating an increase set switch or resume switch is increased to ensure a comfortable drive while ascending a long slope. To this end, the cruise control system is provided with an overdrive controller which releases the overdrive at the time of operating the increase set switch and which resumes the overdrive at the time of releasing the operation of the increase set switch, or an overdrive controller which releases the overdrive at the time of operating the resume switch when the vehicle speed at that time is sufficiently lower than the set speed and which resumes the overdrive when the vehicle speed has been restored substantially to the set speed.

Abstract: A start-up failsafe system for an engine control system monitors a command signal and the corresponding feedback signal for a fuel injection rate control servo device when the starter motor switch is closed. If the feedback signal and the command signal differ by more than a predetermined amount, the failsafe system acts to prevent operation of the starter motor.

Abstract: A vehicle automatic speed control system responds to turning off of a restart switch so the system is activated in response to a control signal indicative of an error between actual vehicle speed and set speed and the restart switch switched off. The vehicle does not unexpectedly accelerate in response to misoperation of or damage to the restart switch or damage thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle speed control method comprises the steps of calculating a time difference between a predetermined period of time corresponding with a desired speed and the actual period of time corresponding with the actual vehicle speed, calculating a time difference between the respective actual periods of time, detecting each value of the calculated time differences in its low resolution related to a predetermined low speed range when the actual period of time represents a value in the predetermined low speed range, detecting each value of the calculated time differences in its high resolution related to a predetermined high speed range when the actual period of time represents a value in the predetermined high speed range, and producing a correction signal related to one of the detected values such that an output signal is produced to actuate a control element so as to control the quantity of fuel supplied into a combustion engine.

Abstract: In order to mathematically detect the gear position of a vehicle transmission system, engine speed and vehicle speed are detected. A first reference level defined by a predetermined ratio of engine speed and vehicle speed is established for determining the gear position by a mathematical operation involving the sensed engine speed and the sensed vehicle speed and the reference level. The first reference level is shifted to a second reference level in accordance with the determined gear position, thereby preventing an erroneous determination of the gear position.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system for an automotive vehicle for controlling the vehicle driving speed at a pre-set constant speed comprising a setting device for pre-setting as desired vehicle speed , a control for controlling the throttle valve position or the carburetor in order to keep the vehicle speed at the pre-set value, and an accelerator switch for resetting the pre-set value and renewing the pre-set value in the control system. A safety means is provided in the control system and is cooperative with a brake switch which is turned on while the brake is applied. The safety means becomes operative in response to turning on of the brake switch while the accelerator switch is in an ON condition.

Abstract: An rpm-governing system for an internal combustion engine with auto-ignition is proposed, in which the fuel quantity to be injected at least in the event of idling is subject to the influence of an electromagnetic final control element, in which the control unit for forming the final control element trigger signal includes a regulator having PID behavior and in which the regulation signal is formed in accordance with the actual rpm/set-point rpm deviation. This rpm-governing system has an increase in rpm set-point value, with a retarded drop, this increase in set-point being made to follow up the increase in actual value. The PID regulator furthermore has a non-linear and preferably rpm-dependent P component. The signal end stage includes a pulse length modulator, the output signal of which triggers an electromagnetic final control element while there is a simultaneous current regulating action.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling fuel flow from a fuel source to the fuel rail of a fuel injected, internal combustion engine. Two fuel flow paths are connected in parallel between the source and the fuel rail, an on-off solenoid valve being provided in each of the fuel flow paths. The two solenoid valves have dissimilar fuel flow capacities. A microcomputer generates a pulse width modulated signal for application to a selected one of the two solenoid valves so as to control fuel flow through the associated fuel flow path. The microcomputer decides to which solenoid valve to apply the pulse width modulated signal and the duty cycle of the pulse width modulated signal in accordance with the value of a master variable. The master variable is adjusted in accordance with the difference between vehicle or engine speed and an associated limit, thereby providing vehicle or engine speed governing. The system is also operable in cruise control and variable engine speed governing modes.

Abstract: When a load to an engine of a vehicle running at a constant speed increases and a vehicle speed slows down below a preset vehicle speed for a constant speed running condition, a gear of an automatic transmission is shifted down. A shift-down signal for causing the gear to shift down is held for a predetermined time to prevent the shift-up of the gear in cases when the vehicle speed momentarily recovers the preset vehicle speed.

Abstract: An automatic speed control for a heavy duty vehicle includes a controller which regulates communication between a compressed air source and an air actuated throttle mechanism. The controller generates a control signal which is a function of a speed error signal and the position of the air actuated throttle to regulate the compressed air source. The speed error signal is calculated as the difference between a commanded speed signal and an actual speed signal. To generate the control signal, the error signal and throttle position signal are operated on by different lead-lag transfer functions. These lead-lag terms are thereafter combined with a proportional speed error term to yield the desired control signal. The system further includes a throttle control feature for powering auxiliary equipment when the actual speed signal is zero. Another feature of the control limits the commanded speed signal to a set value when it exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: An automobile control system is disclosed which saves fuel while reducing environmental pollution. The accelerator pedal of a vehicle is monitored to provide a control signal indicative of the magnitude of the depression of the pedal. A first sensor monitors engine speed, while a second sensor monitors vehicle speed. A comparator aided by mode selected logic automatically selectively compares either the engine speed signal or the vehicle speed signal with the control signal and the throttle is automatically advanced or retarded for a given accelerator pedal position to provide operation with low fuel consumption and improved transmission shifting. In a mode which is particularly economical of fuel consumption for highway driving, the average vehicle speed is controlled by the accelerator pedal and automatically is caused to vary slightly in a cyclical manner so that intervals of acceleration are followed by intervals of coasting in which the throttle is substantially closed.

Abstract: A set switch 28 is connected via a first gate 34 to an analog switch 16, a speed incrementing circuit 36, and a latch circuit 30, but is connected directly to a second gate 22. When set switch 28 is actuated, a setting signal is passed through the first gate 34, unless the gate is closed by a signal from an upper-speed limit switch 38, thereby actuating analog switch 16 to pass vehicle speed signals from detector 10 to a storage device 18, and actuating latch circuit 30 to partially enable second gate 22. When set switch 28 is released, analog switch 16 closes, thereby storing the present vehicle speed signal in device 18 as a desired speed signal, and second gate 22 is fully enabled, thereby passing an actual speed/desired speed difference signal from comparator 20 to a speed controller 26.

Abstract: A sample and hold circuit for an automotive speed control system is disclosed which includes a non-monotonic digital-to-analog converter suitable for fabrication as a highly dense monolithic circuit. The non-monotonic digital-to-analog converter precludes the occurrence of large positive errors in the analog output value, which might be caused by tolerance errors in the ratio of binary-weighted currents within the digital-to-analog converter, by including offsetting negative errors within the design of the digital-to-analog converter.

Abstract: Automatic speed control system is provided which has circuitry responsive to the turning off of the system's restart switch. This circuitry activates the control upon detection of a control signal, generated as a function of the difference between the actual vehicle speed and the set speed, when the restart switch switches off. In the system according to the present invention, the vehicle is effectively prevented from unexpected acceleration caused by the misoperation of the restart switch or damage thereof.

Abstract: A system for regulating the engine speed of an internal combustion engine having a carburetor and a throttle valve in the carburetor. The system comprises an electro-mechanical actuator having an electric motor and a push rod engaged with a throttle lever for maintaining the throttle valve to an open state, a speed sensor for detecting the speed of the engine, and an electronic control circuit. A detecting means is provided for producing a pulse train according to the number of the rotations of the electric motor. The electronic control circuit comprises a comparing circuit connected to the speed sensor, a level setting circuit for applying a standard level to the comparing circuit for comparing the output of the speed sensor with the standard level, a counter for counting the output of the detecting means, and a control circuit for producing a pair of output signals in dependency on the outputs of the comparing circuit and of the counter.

Abstract: An automatic speed control for a heavy duty vehicle includes a controller which regulates communication between a compressed air source and an air actuated throttle mechanism. The controller generates a control signal which is a function of a speed error signal and the position of the air actuated throttle to regulate the compressed air source. The speed error signal is calculated as the difference between a commanded speed signal and an actual speed signal. To generate the control signal, the error signal and throttle position signal are operated on by different lead-lag transfer functions. These lead-lag terms are thereafter combined with a proportional speed error term to yield the desired control signal. The system further includes a throttle control feature for powering auxiliary equipment when the actual speed signal is zero. Another feature of the control limits the commanded speed signal to a set value when it exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A control circuit for a speed governor is disclosed which provides governing action of one type for operation in a normal engine speed governing mode and governing action of a different type for engine operation in a power take off (PTO) mode. In the normal mode, the throttle control means is actuated between wide open throttle and a close throttle reference position. In the PTO mode the throttle control means is actuated between an open throttle reference position and the close throttle reference position. An overspeed sensing circuit is operative to allow the throttle control means to be driven past the close throttle reference position in an overspeed condition. A PTO selector switch is provided which is operative to provide different governed speeds for the PTO and normal modes.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the running speed of an automobile at a desired running speed includes a device for decreasing the range of acceleration control as the actual running speed approaches the desired value, and a biasing device which opposes the acceleration control tending to exceed the desired value.

Abstract: A speed control for a wheeled vehicle which is propelled by a motive device that has a speed proportional to the vehicle speed, and a power output control to control the speed of the motive device. A first signal generator generates a signal proportional to a desired vehicle speed. A second signal generator generates a signal proportional to the actual vehicle speed. A comparator compares the signals to detect any difference, and controls an actuator to adjust the power output control to tend to eliminate the difference. The actual speed will thereby tend to approach the desired speed. The first signal generator can, if desired, be operated by the occupant of the vehicle as part of his propulsive effort, for example by driving a bicycle chain drive. The speed control also can have provisions to continue operations at a pre-set rate even when the first signal generator may be inactive, and to make appropriate power control settings at start-up and at the beginning of acceleration conditions.

Abstract: A tachometer signal provides input to first and second parallel connected channels, each of the channels comprising in series operational amplifier, threshold detector, and counting devices. A comparator checks that the same count is registered by the counters of both channels. Each of the threshold detectors is biased to require a minimum amplitude over and under tachometer pulse input in order to deliver an output to the pulse counter of the associated channel. Attenuating circuits act on the inputs of the operational amplifiers of both channels during predetermined intervals to check that the amplitude of the tachometer pulses is sufficient to be counted by the tachometer counters. Dynamic checking circuits are provided to check the integrity of the attenuating system.

Abstract: In a speed control system for vehicles, a speed difference calculation circuit calculates an absolute value of a time difference between a predetermined period of time corresponding with a desired speed and an instant period of time corresponding with the actual speed, an acceleration calculation circuit calculates an absolute value of a time difference between the respective instant periods of time, and a correction signal generator calculates a sum of the absolute values in consideration with the actual speed when each sign of the calculated time differences is positive or negative and calculates a difference between the absolute values in consideration with the actual speed when respective signs of the calculated time differences are opposite to each other. The signal generator selectively produces correction signals related to the calculated sum and the calculated difference.

Abstract: A device for the control of the traveling speed of a motor vehicle with an electrical controller applied by an actual speed signal and a desired speed signal, an output stage which contains a servo-motor being in operative connection with an element, preferably the throttle valve, which element influences the ratio of the fuel-air mixture that is supplied to the vehicle engine, and the output stage being electrically connected to a first switch which is coupled to the foot brake to switch the output stage into an inoperative condition if the foot brake is actuated. An additional switch which is actuatable by output stage, which switches are disposed in an electrical control circuit (which circuit influences the rotational speed of the engine) are embodied such that if the brake is actuated and if the output stage is outside the idling position the control circuit is controlled in the sense of a reduction of the rotational speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the traveling speed of a motor vehicle has a regulating device connected to control the fuel-air mixture supplied to the vehicle engine, with a safety circuit including a switching-off device responsive to a prespecified deceleration of the vehicle to deactuate the regulating device.

Abstract: An open loop adaptive control system for improving the driveability of a vehicle having at least one air supply modulator such as a throttle. The control system generating a correction signal supplied to the air supply modulator wherein the correction signal when added to the operator commanded signal input to the air supply modulator is such as to cancel the speed and pressure variability of the engine and vehicle dynamics and substitute for these dynamics determinable vehicle control dynamics therein improving the driveability of the vehicle by establishing uniform performance.

Abstract: A motor vehicle speed governor has safety features to assure that the throttle is released when the brake pedal is depressed even if malfunctions occur in certain components of the system. The speed governor has a servo for moving the throttle, an accelerator device for causing the servo to advance the throttle, a decelerator device for releasing the throttle, a control circuit for controlling the accelerator and decelerator devices in response to vehicle speed, and a power circuit that energizes the control circuit. The power circuit is connected into the brake electrical line. It includes a latching device that is powered through the ignition switch, but will latch and conduct only when energized by a set/on switch. The set/on switch requires power in the brake line across the brake fuse. The resume switch also requires power from the brake line across the brake fuse. A brake switch in the brake line is closed by depressing the brake pedal, sending a signal to the control circuit to release the throttle.

Abstract: A proportional speed control arrangement (100) is disclosed for use with vehicles requiring variable velocities of operation. Specifically, the arrangement is utilized with a traction motor apparatus (101) to provide velocity adjustments to a service type of vehicle via electronic circuitry responsive to signals generated from an interface controller (102). The interface controller (102) comprises acceleration switches (KI, KD) and an enabling switch (KE) which are responsive to activation thereof by external means to establish velocity command signals. The velocity command signals control the application of energizing signals to the motor apparatus. A requisite velocity is maintained by deactivation of the acceleration switches while correspondingly maintaining activation of the enabling switch.

Abstract: An open loop adaptive control system for improving the driveability of a vehicle having at least one air supply modulator such as a throttle. The control system generating a correction signal supplied to the air supply modulator wherein the correction signal when added to the operator commanded signal input to the air supply modulator is such as to cancel the speed and pressure variability of the engine and vehicle dynamics and substitute for these dynamics determinable vehicle control dynamics therein improving the driveability of the vehicle by establishing uniform performance.

Abstract: A braking system for a mobile medical diagnostic device having forward support wheels operatively associated with proportional electromechanical brakes and a single central steerable wheel assembly at the rear of the device. Means are provided for generating throttle command signals and actual velocity signals and for comparing the two and for applying current to the proportional brakes to a degree which is proportional to the difference in those two signals. When this difference exceeds a predetermined level, a motor brake is further actuated to augment the proportional braking system. Also included is a means for automatically reducing the throttle command signal in proportion to the degree that the steerable wheel assembly is turned from the straight-ahead position.

Abstract: A digital control apparatus for the running speed of a motor vehicle having an actual-value source, a memory for a demand-value which is proportional to the desired running speed, comparison means for executing an actual-value/demand-value comparison, and a setting device controlled by the output of the comparison means for controlling the throttle flap of an engine. Upon the actuation of a switch, the actual value is transferred into the demand-value memory apparatus and represents the running speed. To change the running speed by means of the control apparatus there is provided a second and auxiliary demand-value memory apparatus in which a ramp function is producible by means of a digital counting process. The given ramp value presents a supplementary demand-value during such an alteration of the running speed, i.e. the old running speed value is transformed into the new running speed value with the aid of the supplementary demand value.