# US 11,994,081 B2 · Apparatus for active engine idle control > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,994,081 B2 - Document ID: US11994081B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/295,864 - Filed: 2023-04-05 - Published: 2023-12-07 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2022-04-21 - Assignees: Battelle Memorial Institute - Applicants: Battelle Memorial Institute - Inventors: Arnez Franklin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11994081B2 ## CPC - F02D 41/083: {taking into account engine load variation, e.g. air-conditionning} - F02D 41/0225: {in relation with the gear ratio or shift lever position} - G07C 5/0825: {using optical means} - F02D 2200/602: Pedal position - F02D: CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES (vehicle fittings, acting on a single sub-unit only, for automatically controlling vehicle speed B60K31/00; conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function, road vehicle drive control systems for purposes other than the control of a single sub-unit B60W) - G07C: TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE ## Abstract In an approach to active engine idle control, an apparatus comprises: an accelerator module interface; an engine control module (ECM) interface; a computer readable storage media; and a controller. The controller is configured to: determine an engine speed target for a vehicle engine in revolutions per minute (RPM) based on an electrical load on the vehicle; determine a voltage curve for one or more position sensors of an accelerator module in the vehicle; determine a voltage target for the ECM for each position sensor of the one or more position sensors; and responsive to a first signal that the apparatus is engaged and a second signal that the vehicle is stopped, set an input voltage to the ECM at the voltage target for each of the one or more position sensors. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for active engine idle control for a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: an accelerator module interface; an engine control module (ECM) interface; a computer readable storage media; and a controller, the controller configured to: determine an engine speed target for a vehicle engine in revolutions per minute (RPM) based on an electrical load on the vehicle, wherein the engine speed target is a minimum engine RPM at which a generator output meets or exceeds an electrical demand of the vehicle; determine a voltage curve for one or more position sensors of an accelerator module in the vehicle; determine a voltage target for the ECM for each position sensor of the one or more position sensors, wherein the voltage target for the ECM is a voltage that causes the ECM to set an engine RPM at the engine speed target based on the voltage curve; and responsive to a first signal that the apparatus is engaged and a second signal that the vehicle is stopped, set an input voltage to the ECM at the voltage target for each of the one or more position sensors. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an optional remote module; wherein the optional remote module is communicatively coupled to the apparatus. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the optional remote module further comprises: a switch, wherein the switch is configured to engage the active engine idle control when selected; and a display of a status of the active engine idle control. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the optional remote module is communicatively coupled to the apparatus via a cable. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the optional remote module is communicatively coupled to the apparatus via a wireless interface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the wireless interface is a Bluetooth wireless interface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to enable retrofit applications. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein responsive to the first signal that the apparatus is engaged and the second signal that the vehicle is stopped, set the input voltage to the ECM at the voltage target for each of the one or more position sensors comprises: responsive to the first signal that the apparatus is engaged and the second signal that the vehicle is moving, downshift the vehicle to a lower gear selection to set an engine speed at the engine speed target. ### Claim 9 An apparatus for active engine idle control for a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: an accelerator module interface; an engine control module (ECM) interface; an idle adjustment; a computer readable storage media; and a controller, the controller configured to: determine an engine speed target for a vehicle engine in revolutions per minute (RPM) based on the idle adjustment; determine a voltage curve for one or more position sensors of the accelerator module interface; determine a voltage target for the ECM for each position sensor of the one or more position sensors, wherein the voltage target for the ECM is a voltage that causes the ECM to set an engine RPM at the engine speed target based on the voltage curve; and responsive to a first signal that the apparatus is engaged and a second signal that the vehicle is stopped, set an input voltage to the ECM at the voltage target for each of the one or more position sensors. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising an optional remote module; wherein the optional remote module is communicatively coupled to the apparatus. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the optional remote module further comprises: a switch, wherein the switch is configured to engage the active engine idle control when selected; and a display of a status of the active engine idle control. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the idle adjustment is preset by a user. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the idle adjustment is accessible to a user to allow adjustment during operation. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein responsive to the first signal that the apparatus is engaged and the second signal that the vehicle is stopped, set the input voltage to the ECM at the voltage target for each of the one or more position sensors comprises: responsive to the first signal that the apparatus is engaged and the second signal that the vehicle is moving, downshift the vehicle to a lower gear selection to set an engine speed at the engine speed target.