GB368986A - Improvements in or relating to a coupling device for the automatic engagement and disengagement of toothed or friction gearing - Google Patents

Abstract

368,986. Turning-gear. ROUX, C., 48, Rue Claude Decaen, and CLEMENCET, L. E., 278, Avenue Daumesnil, both in Paris. March 10, 1931, No. 7442. Convention date, March 10, 1930. [Class 7 (v).] Engine turning-gear automatically disengaged on overrunning of the driven element comprises a loose toothed or friction pinion 6, Fig. 1, adapted by inertia to move axially on a powerdriven shaft 1 into engagement with a driven wheel 19, the pinion 6 and a collar 7 rigid with the shaft 1 being secured respectively to the ends of coaxial helical springs, or preferably pairs of springs 12, 8 with interengaging coils acting in the manner of a screw and nut. The fixed ends 13, 9 of the springs 12, 8 may be secured by bending into slots in the parts 6, 7, their free ends being shown at 14, 10. When the pinion 6 is fully engaged, it abuts on a collar 5, the springs being thereafter compressed in taking up the torque. When the engine starts, the pinion 6 overruns the shaft 1 and is carried by inertia clear of the wheel 19 ; to avoid accidental engagement due to vibration, the pinion is braked by one or more light blade springs 18 set transversely of the tubular casing 17 screwed on the collar 7. The journal bearing 3 may,be omitted, the shaft 1 being overhung from the starter-motor 2, which is then placed at the left side. In order to avoid wear due to clashing teeth, one or more blade springs 16, secured to the collar 7, may be interposed between the coils of the springs 8, 12 to increase the axial flexibility of the system. Alternatively or additionally, there may be interposed between the main springs and the collar 7 one or more weak springs which may be secured to or associated with the spring or springs 16, or one or more gapped washers 21, Fig. 12, may be secured to the outer face of the collar, the bent ends 9 of the springs 8 bearing against springy tongues 23 thereof. In a further modification, the springs 8, Fig. 13, are anchored to a loose ring 28 spaced from the collar 7 and connected by one or more helical springs 25 to a collar 24 secured to the casing 17, the springs 25, which are preferably wound oppositely to the springs 8, 12, acting in tension-if the teeth clash and in torsion to assist cushioning the drive. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) comprises also reference to hand-operated turning-gear. This subjectmatter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.