GB708808A - Improvements in starters for internal combustion engines - Google Patents

Abstract

708,808. Turning-gear. MORRIS, J., and LEBOUCHER, M. G. P. Dec. 18, 1951 [Sept. 18, 1950], No. 22910/50. Class 7(5) In an engine starter comprising a pinion 16, Fig. 1, capable of being set into and out of engagement with an engine gear 17, a flywheel 2 to store the energy required for starting, and clutch means, such as cone clutch 60, 61 between the flywheel 2 and pinion 16, there is provided a single lever 56 which is so arranged that continuous movement thereof from one extreme position to the other first moves the pinion 16 into engagement with the gear 17 and then closes the clutch means with a force that is under the direct control of an operator as to the amount thereof to apply the inertia of the flywheel 2 to the pinion 16 without the possibility of these two operations being executed in the reverse order. The flywheel 2 within the cylindrical housing 1 is either driven by hand or by an electric motor mounted on the side of the casing through gearing and a clutch, not shown; the flywheel 2 is coupled to its shaft 62 by means of planetary gearing 9, the sun wheel of which is integral with the flywheel hub whilst the planet gears are journalled upon the driving clutch-member 61 which is integral with shaft 62. 'In the front of the housing 1 is a starter shaft 55 having a pinion 16 threaded thereon for translation into mesh with gear 17 upon leftward movement of lever 56, the initial movement of the lever 56 in this direction acting through a spring-loaded hook and fork 25 and 19, respectively, a collar 21 slidable on the shaft 55, and conical rollers 22 engaging the inner end of the latter. As the lever 56 reaches the end of its travel the hook 25 slips off the fork 19 leaving the pinion free to move back when the engine overruns the starter. The lever 56 is also coupled by a lost-motion connection comprising a link 57 and a fork 58 with the driven clutch member 60 so that after the pinion 16 has meshed with the engine gear 17 the clutch 60, 61 is closed with a pressure which is under the control of the operator. In a modification, when the control lever 69, Fig. 2, is moved leftwardly the driven clutch member 68 is traversed to the right upon the splined starter shaft 65 and through a spring 74 pushes the pinion 71 along the same splines until it meshes with the engine gear 17 whereupon member 68 engages the driving clutch-member 66; the clutch 66, 68 cannot transmit the drive from the flywheel 2 to the pinion 71 until the latter is fully meshed with gear 17. An extension of the member 66 carries the planet wheels of the gear 9. In a final modification, the axial length of the driving clutchmember is reduced and a telescopic extension device is inserted between the sleeve extensions of the driven clutch-member and the pinion. A brake may be provided to minimize or prevent rotation of the pinion before it meshes with the engine. The starting energy may be stored in the rotor of the electric motor or other prime mover. The Provisional Specification describes also a modification to Fig. 1 above in which the flywheel is driven through two stages of step-up planetary gearing whilst a driving clutch-member is joined to the flywheel shaft through a rubber ring and a multi-plate friction clutch. The flywheel and starter shafts are coupled by an indirectly manually-operable tooth-clutch. In another modification the manual lever is directly coupled to the driven member of a conical friction clutch, the driving member of which is connected to the flywheel shaft. Rightward movement of the lever causes engagement of the clutch whilst the starter shaft, due to a splined connection with the driven clutch-member, is rotated to translate the pinion into mesh with the engine gear.