Speed limiter

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a controller implemented to govern the engine fuelling rate to control the engine speed to the predetermined engine speed limit operates exclusively in a uni-directional manner to only ever reduce the demanded fuelling rate.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the level of reduction of the demanded engine fuelling rate is a function of the demanded engine speed.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the amount of reduction to the demanded fuelling rate is directly controlled by the operator, the actuation of a throttle means by the operator serving as an input which assists determination of the reduction to the demanded fuelling rate when the demanded engine speed is above the predetermined engine speed limit.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein control over the engine speed is effected by a fuel-led control system.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engine speed is controlled to the predetermined engine speed limit in order to provide a limp-home mode of engine operation.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein speed entry ramps are implemented to facilitate a smooth transition to the predetermined engine speed, the entry ramps being determined as a function of the rate of change of the engine speed prior to attainment of the predetermined engine speed limit.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ability for the engine to be controlled to the predetermined engine speed limit is enabled by the use of programmable key or card.

A method of controlling the speed of a vehicle, the method including the steps of determining the vehicle speed demanded by an operator of the vehicle and comparing this demanded vehicle speed with a predetermined vehicle speed limit, wherein if the demanded vehicle speed exceeds the predetermined vehicle speed limit, the fuelling rate demanded by the operator is only reduced in order to control the vehicle speed to the predetermined vehicle speed limit.

A method of controlling the engine speed of an internal combustion engine including operating the engine in a speed limited mode in response to a demanded engine speed exceeding a predetermined engine speed limit, wherein modified event timings are used during said speed limited mode, said modified event timings varying from the normal event timings which would otherwise be used at the predetermined engine speed.

An ECU adapted to control the engine speed of an inherent combustion engine, including the steps of determining the engine speed demanded by an operator of the engine and comparing this demanded engine speed with a predetermined engine speed limit, wherein if the demanded engine speed exceeds the predetermined engine speed limit, the fuelling rate demanded by the operator is only reduced in order to control the engine speed to the predetermined engine speed limit.

An ECU according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein control over the engine speed is effected by a fuel-led control system.

An ECU adapted to control the engine speed of an internal combustion engine including operating the engine in a speed limited mode in response to a demanded engine speed exceeding a predetermined engine speed limit, wherein modified event timings are used during said speed limited mode, said modified event timings varying from the normal event timings which would otherwise be used at the predetermined engine speed.