Robertshaw Controls Company

James A Keller

George T Hardin

Earl C Pearson

An engine control system is disclosed having a unit for providing signals indicative of the position of an engine throttle member. The unit comprises a housing assembly associated with an engine throttle member and containing a stator assembly and a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly moves relative to the stator assembly as the throttle member moves. The rotor and stator assemblies are electrically coupled together for producing first and second continuously variable, ratiometrically identical signals whose values depend upon the throttle member position. The first signal is delivered from the housing assembly for use in controlling the engine operation. Processing circuitry processes the second signal for producing a throttle position validation signal having a first value when the throttle member is in an engine idle range of positions and a second value when the throttle member moves beyond the idle range of positions. If the first signal and the validation signal signify incompatible throttle member positions the engine speed is limited to 'idle.'

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Knoxville, TN, United States of America

James A Keller