The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 29, 1993
Filed:
Jun. 09, 1992
Loran W Sutton, East Peoria, IL (US);
Thermo King Corporation, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
Apparatus for monitoring an engine of a vehicle having an ignition switch operable between on and off positions, a vehicle power supply, and an electrical load, including the engine, selectively connectable to the vehicle power supply via the ignition switch. A controllable switching device is disposed between the vehicle power supply and the ignition switch. A timer accumulates time when the ignition switch is in the on position and the vehicle is stationary. If the timer reaches a predetermined time value the controllable switching device is actuated to disconnect the vehicle power supply from the ignition switch, to turn off the engine, if running, as well as disconnecting the electrical load energized via the ignition switch, limiting engine idle time, reducing engine wear and emissions, and terminating any drain on the vehicle power supply in the event the engine is not running.