GB388489A - Improvements in engine starting mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

388,489. Turning - gear. ECLIPSE MACHINE CO., Elmira, New York, U.S.A. Nov. 6, 1931, No. 30852. Convention date, Nov. 15, 1930. [Class 7 (v).] In an electric starter in which the driving pinion 37 is threaded upon a sleeve 17 slidable on splines 13 on the shaft 11 of the starting motor, axial movement of the sleeve is resisted initially by a weaker spring 21 and afterwards by a stronger spring 20. A thimble 24 is arranged between the springs, which bear against flanges 25, 26 on the thimble and against thrust washers 23, 22 engaging respectively the end of the sleeve 17 and a shoulder 12 on the shaft 11. At its outer end, the shaft 11 carries a stop nut 34, a stop member or sleeve 27, an abutment member 32, and an anti-drift spring 31 between the member 32 and a washer 30 on the sleeve 27. On rotation of the shaft 11, the pinion 37 moves axially into mesh with the engine gear 38, a hub portion 39 bearing against the washer 30 and compressing the spring 31. Further rotation causes the sleeve 17 to move to the right, compressing the spring 21 and then the spring 20 until sufficient resistance has been built up to compel the shaft to drive the pinion and the gear 38. If the teeth of the pinion clash with the gear 38, the movement of the pinion to the right on the sleeve 17 compresses the springs 21, 20 until the pinion is turned to bring the teeth into the meshing position. When the engine starts, the sleeve and the pinion are returned to their initial positions by the action of the threaded connection.