GB834746A - Single lever control for internal combustion engine starting mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

834,746. Engine starting mechanism. CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO. April 30, 1958 [Feb. 17, 1958], No. 13691/58. Class 7(5) A starting mechanism for an internal combustion engine having a ring gear 15, Fig. 1, comprises a pinion 33 on a hollow shaft 35 for engagement of the ring gear and rotatable therewith, and control means starting engine crankshaft 14 and the pinion 33 including a spring-loaded normally engaged clutch 11 on a shaft 19, a disc-type brake 12 on a hollow shaft 25 axially movable on the shaft 19 and rotatable therewith, and control means actuated by a single lever 46 on a rockable shaft 43, Fig. 2, for sequential operation of disengaging the clutch, applying the brake and effecting engagement of the pinion 33 with the ring gear 15 by a single movement of the lever. As shown, the clutch plates 16, 17 are retained in engagement by springs 21 through a friction ring 20 to which are secured levers 23 which bear against a thrust bearing 24 on the shaft 25. The pinion 33 is mounted on a hollow shaft 35 and is driven through gearing from the shaft 19. A spring- lcaded control rod 38, slidable within the shaft 35 and secured to the pinion 33, is actuated by an arm 42 on the shaft 43 for engaging the pinion 33 with the ring gear 15, the pinion being retained in engagement by a spring - loaded latch 41 engaging a corresponding notch in the rod 38. A slotted arm 47 secured to the shaft 43 embraces a roller 49 supported in a bifurcated lever 50 resiliently connectea to a brake actuating lever 52 on a rockable shaft 31 having a yoke 30 thereon contacting the brake 12. On clockwise rotation of the lever 46 from the position indicated by broken lines, the shaft 31 and the yoke 30 are made to rotate anti-clockwise so that the clutch 11 is disengaged and the brake 12 simultaneously applied, whilst the arm 42 is rotated clockwise and contacts the rod 38 so that the pinion 33 engages the ring gear 15. The starting engine may then be started and the lever 46 rotated in a counterclockwise direction whereupon the brake 12 is released and the clutch 11 re-engaged whilst the arm 42 is rocked out of contact with the rod 38. When the engine reaches a predetermined speed centrifugal force will disengage the latch 41 and allow disengagement of the pinion 33 and the ring gear 15 under the action of a spring 40. In a modification, Fig. 3, an arm 47<SP>1</SP> on a rockable shaft 43 is connected through a resilient link 60 to a lever 52<SP>1</SP> mounted on a stationary shaft 31<SP>1</SP> and having an integral brake actuating yoke 30<SP>1</SP>.