GB564995A - Improvements in starters for internal-combustion engines - Google Patents

Abstract

564,995. Epicyclic gearing. JACK & HEINTZ, INC. July 21, 1942, No. 10179. Convention date, July 21, 1941. [Class 80 (i)] [Also in Groups XXVII and XXXIV] In an engine starter comprising an inertia wheel 6 connected through toothed and planetary gearing to a clutch member 56 engageable with the engine to be started, interleaved friction plates 44, 45 for normally restraining an internally toothed element of the gearing to effect the transmission of torque to the engine, and spring means 49 controlling the amount of this restraint; cam means are provided which are responsive to torque to reduce the restraining force when the torque exceeds a predetermined value. As shown, the inertia wheel 6 is mounted on the shaft 4 of an electric motor 2 enclosed in a section 5, of the starter housing. The transmission gearing includes a pinion 10 on the shaft 4 .meshing with a gear 13 on a countershaft 14 carrying a pinion 19 in mesh with an internal gear 20 mounted on a shaft 23. The shaft 23 can be driven manually, for setting the inertia wheel 6 in rotation, through bevel and spur gearing 26, 27, 29, 32, 33 from a socket 34 actuated by a cranking handle. A sun gear 38 on the shaft 23 meshes with one or more planet gears 39 carried by a spider 43 and meshing with internal teeth on friction plates 44 interleaved with friction plates 45 splined to a reaction ring 47 capable of slight rotation in the section 21 of the housing. A sleeve extension 43c of the spider 43 is in splined connection at 57 with the clutch member 56. The reaction ring 47 is formed with cam members co-operating with cam members on a pressure ring 48 splined in the housing section 41, springs 49 being interposed between the ring 48 and plate 50 adjusted by means of screws 54. The inclined engaging faces of the cam members are formed to include a series of involute curves evolved from a base circle having a diameter preferably more than .7 and not greater than .9 of the mean diameter of the reaction rings, the starting points of the involutes forming a helix on the base circle. In operation, the friction plates 44, 45 tend to cause the reaction ring 47 to rotate and the cam members to effect axial movement of the pressure plate 48 against the springs, relieving momentarily the friction between the plates 44, 45 when the driving torque is excessive. Specification 550,689 is referred to.