GB203787A - Improvements relating to starting mechanism for internal combustion engines - Google Patents

Abstract

203,787. Horstmann, S. A., and Rooke, J. W. June 14, 1922. Turning-gear.-In a starting-device for internal-combustion engines, a worm 3 driven by an electric motor 1 is in constant mesh' with a worm wheel 19 connected to the engine shaft 5 by clutch members such. as pawls 10 disengaged by centrifugal action when the engine attains normal speed. A ratchet wheel 6 secured to the worm wheel is engaged by the pawls 10, which are pivoted upon a disc 9 mounted on the engine shaft and are restricted in their movement bv pins 12 entering circular recesses 13 in the disc 9. One of the pawls is normally held by gravity in engagement, with the ratchet wheel, until they are thrown outwards by the rotation of the engine shaft. The worm 3 is slidable on a hexagonal or splined sleeve 2 connected to a coaxial spindle 21 by a cotter 22 fixed in the spindle and entering a slot in the sleeve 2, the spindle 21 being connected to the spindle 25 of the starting-motor by a key 26 and pin 27. The sleeve 2 runs in a ball bearing 14, and a spring 15 is interposed between a thrust bearing 23 and a collar 20 on the spindle 21, to oppose longitudinal movement of the worm on its spindle due to the resistance of the engine to turning. In a modification, the spring 15 is replaced by a spring between the worm and the ball bearing. The Provisional Specification comprises also a form in which the worm is normally out of engagement with the worm wheel and is brought into engagement when the motor is rotated, by means of a pawl in engagement with the threads of the worm or by centrifugal, magnetic or other means.