Patent ID: 8479706
Filing Date: 2013-07-09
Classification: F02D,F02M,F02N

Abstract:
1. A system for regulating operation of an idling motor vehicle engine, said system comprising: (a) an engine control module having a microprocessor and a microprocessor memory, said engine control module being operative to deactivate a motor vehicle's ignition system in response to an engine shutdown signal from the microprocessor; (b) one or more engine sensors, each engine sensor being adapted to measure a selected engine operational parameter and to send corresponding engine sensor input values to the engine control module; (c) a vehicle motion sensor adapted to send a vehicle motion signal to the engine control module upon detecting that the motor vehicle has been put into motion, and wherein the engine control module is adapted to enter an inactive state upon receipt of a vehicle motion signal; and (d) an outside air temperature sensor adapted to measure the air temperature outside the motor vehicle and to send corresponding outside air temperature signals to the engine control module; wherein: (e) the microprocessor memory is adaptable to store selected benchmark values for the operational parameters measured by the one or more engine sensors; (f) the microprocessor is programmed to compare engine sensor input values against the stored benchmark values, and to generate an engine shutdown signal when all engine sensor input values equal or exceed corresponding benchmark values; and (g) the microprocessor is programmed to generate an engine shutdown signal only when the measured outside air temperature is within a selected range.