GB738413A - Improvements in or relating to the starting of internal combustion engines - Google Patents

Abstract

738,413. Surface carburetters; starting. ROLLS-ROYCE, Ltd. April 27, 1954 [Feb. 24, 1953], No. 5196/53. Classes 7(3) and 7(5). Starting-facilitating apparatus. In enginestarting facilitating means comprising a casing 23, Fig. 1, which accommodates a charge of absorbent material 31 and which is arranged to have a volatile fuel fed thereto, a pipe 10, through which combustion air is drawn into the engine, having a valve 11 therein capable of adjustment from a non-restricting position to one restricting the air flow through the pipe and having in the wall thereof upstream of the valve an opening 19 into the casing 23, a diffuser nozzle 26 downstream of the valve 11 provides an outlet from the casing 23 into the pipe 10. One end 12b of the valve spindle protrudes through a bearing block 14 and has an arm 15 fixed thereto and the limits of movement of the valve are defined by two adjustable stops 17, 18 ; the valve 11 embodies a notch 20 to enable it to pass over the nozzle. In the valve closed position the notch is filled by a member 21 in the pipe. Within the casing 23 is a housing 27 incorporating gauze-covered end-walls 28 and having a perforated tube 29 extending therethrough that is connected to a supply of fuel, such as a capsule of ether mounted upon a vehicle dash board, not shown ; the capsule may be pressurized and mounted in a holder provided with a piercing device. To start an engine, the valve is closed and the engine turned over so that the intake air is forced to travel through the ether impregnated material 31 ; the valve is opened when the engine starts. In a modification, the absorbent material is housed in a perforated copper basket located between a plate and a boss integral with the pipe, and the fuel supply tube is laterally disposed. The diffuser nozzle is situated well downstream of the valve and a notch is not incorporated in the latter ; a channel in the tube wall connects the regions of the valve edge (in the valve closed position) and nozzle, and thereby creates a high depression across the nozzle. The pipe may be connected to a supercharger, not shown. Control apparatus. Control of the valve is effected by a double-armed lever, one end of which is spring-loaded and tends to close the valve, the other end being attached to a cable that may include a ratchet to give a sensitive control of the valve position. In another embodiment, the valve spindle 51, Fig. 6, has a lever 52 fixed thereto, the lever being connected to the operator's control rod 54 and provided with a pin 53. Another member 55, which is pivoted on the spindle 51, incorporates an orifice 56 with which the pin 53 co-operates to limit the free movement of the member 55, which movement is resisted by a spring 60; member 55 also carries a projection 57 which coacts with either of two stops 58, 59, the latter being adjustable. The projection 57 is retained against either of the stops by a toggle mechanism comprising a spring 63, a guide 64 and a plunger 66. To start the engine the rod 54 is pulled and member 55 is rotated through the spring 60 and snapped against the stop 59 by the toggle spring 63 whereupon the rod is released. Under these conditions the valve 11 is slightly open. To fully close the valve 11 the rod is pulled further to the left and the lever 52 rotates relative to member 55 until pin 53 abuts the opposite side of the orifice 56 ; this position is only maintained as long as the rod is pulled leftward. When the engine starts the rod is released and the valve returns to the slightly open position; upon steady engine running conditions obtaining the rod is pushed to the right, the valve is opened and member 55 is snapped into the position shown by the toggle mechanism.