Powered default position for motorized throttle
AssigneeVisteon Global Technologies, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey R. Hedrick, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Chang Yang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method to control the position of a throttle valve in the presence of a fault. The method works independently of throttle position in an open-loop mode. The method assures that the throttle plate will assume the default position if: 1) the return spring is functional and the motor is functional; 2) the return spring has failed but the motor is functional; or 3) if the return spring is functional but the motor has failed. This method does not need to detect loss of return spring functionality and it does not need to detect loss of motor functionality. The detected fault that initiates the action need not be related to either the return spring or the motor.
Claims18
A method of controlling the position of a valve having a first torque producing element comprising electrical motor providing a torque and a second torque producing element providing a return torque tending to return the valve to a default position, said method comprising the steps of:
- detecting a throttle fault requiring throttle movement to a default valve position;
- and
- applying a predetermined motor torque profile to move said throttle toward said default position whether or not said second torque producing element is providing a return torque.
A method of controlling the position of a throttle having a driving motor, said method comprising the steps of:
- detecting a throttle fault condition requiring movement of the throttle to a default position;
- returning said throttle to said default position without considering throttle position by applying a first voltage to said motor sufficient to accelerate said throttle toward a default position;
- and
- applying a second voltage to said motor sufficient to hold said throttle to at said default position, said application being made independent of said throttle position.
A system for ensuring the return to a default position for a throttle in a vehicle, said system comprising:
- a first driving means linked to said throttle for moving said throttle toward an open position and toward a default position;
- a secondary driving means linked to said throttle capable of moving said throttle toward a default position;
- signal generation means in communication with said first driving means for signaling said first driving means to position said throttle to said default position independent of the position of said throttle;
- and
- detection means in communication with said signal generation means for detecting a fault relating to said vehicle requiring movement of said throttle to said default position when said throttle is in an open position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.