GB153966A - Starting apparatus for internal combustion engines - Google Patents

Abstract

153,966. Norman, G. H., and Smith, W. S. Aug. 18, 1919. Starting.-A multi-cylinder engine is started by charging one or more selected cylinders with explosive mixture under pressure and the remaining cylinders with mixture at atmospheric pressure, and firing the charges consecutively. The mixture is supplied by an auxiliary internal-combustion engine, one cylinder of which acts as a. pump, drawing mixture from the carburettor of the auxiliary engine. A non-return valve on the pump cylinder outlet may have a manual release to facilitate the starting of the auxiliary engine, and a loaded valve may be arranged to return mixture to the induction system when a predetermined pressure is reached. The mixture from the pump preferably passes through an engine-driven distributing- valve, Fig. 8, comprising a rotary member 43 with ports 44 in communication with the conduit 47, 46 from the pump and registering in turn with ports 41 in a fixed member 40 leading through pipes 20 to non-return valves 50 on the cylinders of the main engine. Some of the ports 44 are fitted with loaded valves 49, which do not open until a sufficient pressure is reached in the cylinders supplied through the other ports. A small permanent leak hole may replace the valve 49. The non-return valves 50, which admit the starting-mixture to the main engine, may be contained in valve casings 51, Fig. 9, fitted around the sparking-plugs 53 and secured by screwing in the plugs. The outlet passage 52 from the casing 51 communicates through ports 56 with the interior of the sparking- plug. Leakage past the valve stem may be prevented by a cover 59 fitted with a valve 61, which can be used as a plunger for freeing the valve 50 in case of sticking. The starting-mixture may be ignited by the magneto of the auxiliary engine, one terminal of the magneto distributor being connected to the distributor of the main engine. The Provisional Specification states also that the starting-mixture may be supplied by a hand pump.