GB485951A - Improvements relating to engine starters - Google Patents

Abstract

485,951. Turning-gear. BRYCE, Ltd., and AYRES, J. March 11, 1937, No. 7176. [Class 7 (v)] [Also m Group XXIX] In an electric starter having a fluid coupling between the shafts 1, 18 of the starting motor 4 and the starter pinion 22, a mechanical clutch between these shafts is automatically rendered operative only after the starter pinion has meshed with the engine flywheel and full power is required from the starting motor. As shown in Fig. 1, the pinion 22 is threaded on a sleeve 21 on the shaft 18, which is driven through a fluid coupling comprising members 6, 7, each formed with fluid galleries 8. The member 6 is fixed to the casing 5 of the coupling by a locking ring 9, and the member 7 is bolted to a flywheel member 13 locked on a nut 14 engaging a thread 17 on the shaft 18. When the pinion 22 is fully meshed with an engine flywheel, the load arrests the shaft 18 and continued rotation of the coupling member 7 causes axial movement of the nut 14 on the thread 17, bringing a dogclutch member 20 splined thereon into engagement with a clutch member 11 on the casing 5. The shaft 18 is then positively driven through the clutch 20, 11. A spring 29 yields if the teeth of the clutch abut. In case of backfire of the engine, axial movement of the flywheel 13 is limited by stops 32 thereon and the shaft 18 moves to the left against spring plates 26 interposed between members 27, 28, so that a member 31 on the shaft 18 disengages the clutch 20, 11. In a modification, Fig. 2, the members 26 .. 28 are replaced by a loose ring 36 carrying radial spring-pressed pins 37 chamfered to engage between a cam ring 40 fixed on the coupling member 6 and a pressure ring 41 fixed on the shaft 18, springs 42 being interposed between the rings 36, 41. The pins 37 are displaced inwards upon axial movement of the shaft 18 due to backire. In further modifications, the dog clutch 11, 20 is replaced by a friction cone or plate clutch between the members 13, 5.