US1000929A - Starter for automobile-engines. - Google Patents

Description

H. MASON. STARTER FOR AUTOMOBILE ENGINES." I APPLICATION FILED AUG. 31. 1909. 1,000,929, Patented Aug. 15, 1911.

v I s SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H. MASON.

STARTER FORAUTOMOBILE ENGINES. APPLICATION FILED AUG.,31. 1909.

1,000,929, PatentedAug. 15, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E \\l i s I I I .1 I i. /4 I" H. MASON. STARTER FOE AUTOMOBILE ENGINES.

APPLIOATIQN FILED AUG. 31 1909.

Patented Aug. 15, 1911.

3 SHEE' I'SSHEET 3.

UTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY MASON, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

STARTER FOB AUTOMOBILE-ENGINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Au 15, 1911.

Application filed August 31, 1909. Serial No. 515,469.

vide means for delivering charges of a suit-.

able explosive mixture to the engine, comprising a :four-way valved distributer connected by pipes with the several engines, and

means for delivering said mixture under pressure to said dis-tributer, the valves of which are operated by a cam connected with the operating shaft of a rotary timer, which is connected with .the cam shaft of the engines, the opening of the valves of said distributer being so timed relatively to the timer, that immediately before said timer closes a circuit between the battery and the spark plug ofan engine, the valve connectng the distributer with said engine is opened, permitting a charge of the explosive mixture to be delivered to the engine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a' suitable clutch connection between the valve-operating cam and the timer shaft, and means for disen aging said clutch, when the timer is turned to advance thespark under the increasing speed of the engine,-

whereby the valves are renderedinoperative;

These objects are obtained by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: I j

Figure 1, is aplan view illustrating the front portion of an automobile and the ,ap-

, plication of the improved starting device thereto. Fig. 2, is an elevation of the dash board, showing the arrangement of the parts constituting the invention. Fig. 3,.is a horizontal sectional view through the valved explosive miXture-distributer. 4, is a verticalsectional view through the distributer and timer, showing a clutch mechanism for connecting the valve-operating rotary cam and timer, and means for disconnecting the clutches. elevation of the valve, showing one of th track cams thereon, which are engaged b; Wheels, carried by the timer, whereby the Fig.

Fig; 5, is a sidh dash boa-rd, and apipe 22 extends from said valve is lifted to disengage the clutches, when the timer is turned. Fig. 6, is a side elevation of the clutch secured upon the shaft of the rotary valve cam. Fig. 7, is a side elevation of the clutch carried by the timer shaft. Figs. 8' and 9 are planviews respectively of the two clutch members.

- Fig. 10, is a side elevation showing thetwo clutch members in position to engage. Fig.

11, is a similar view showing the clutch members in engagement. Fig. 12, is a horizontal, sectional view through the sight fee-d cap for the explosive mixture. Fig. 13, is a vertical, sectional view through the same. Fig. 1 1, is a side elevation, partly in section,

illustrating the outlet valve connected with.

the storagetank. Fig. 15- is a plan "view of the camturning knob. Fig. 16, is a horizontal sectional view through the timer, and

Fig. 17 is a diagrammaticview illustrating the operation of the improved starter.

Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numeral '1, designates the frame of an automobile}, 2, the radiator; 3, the engine casings; 4, the crankshaft; 5, the fly wheel;

and 6, the cam shaft; all of these parts being of a type now in general use.

To one side of "the frame 1, is hinged a yoke-shaped. frame 7, which extends over and above the fly wheel 5, and at the for ward end'of't-h is frame is journaleda shaft 8, carrying a friction wheel 9, adapted to l0.isalso secured upon the friction wheel shaft, which meshes with a gear wheel 11, secured to a stub shaft 12, j'ournaled upon one side of the frame 7, and to'the gear Wheel '11, is'pivotal'ly secured the forward end of the'piston rod 13, of an air compressing cylinder 14, which is of a style in common use, and therefore requires no further illustration or description. A pipe 15, extends from the rear ei'id of the cylinder 14, and preferably connects with a tube 16,

contact with the said fly wheel. A pinion forming an extension of one of'the journals of the said cylinder, and a pipe 17 connects this tube with a storage tank '18. The pipe 15 has an ordinary check valve 19, which prevents back pressure in the cylinder 14:.

A pipe 20 extendsfromthe rear end of the storage tank to a pressure gage 21, on the tank to a sight feed cup-.23, also secured to the dash board. The sight feed cup comprisesa glass cylinder of suitable size, which is closed at top and bottom by caps 24. and

251respectively.v The pipe 22 entersthe cup.

"place the tank in such apositi'on that the mixture will feed by gravity, the same may.

be forced out by .air .under' pressure'. A tube 28 extends from the; top cap: 24 to which it is'secured, through the bottom cap.

" 25.} The lowerv end of thetube-is threaded and a nut 29 .is screwed thereon, againstthe 7 bottom cap, thus clamping the parts of the, cup together, Thenut 29has, a threaded extension, .to which .a union v30' iss'crewed, which couples thereto a pipe-31, the 0p-.

* posite end offwhich isj'connected to a fourway 'distributer 32, which will'presently be fully described. An= aperture 33 is.formed tube 34 is secured' any suitable manner, to the cap .24, so as tosurroundthetube 28,

vin the tube 28, near its upper end, and a and extends to withinfa slight distance-of the bottom "of the cup. A space of suitable width is left between-thetubes28"and'34,

and a small vent hole'35 is formed in;

tube 34, near its-upper end,. I v

:- h 's pp y-p pe 6 which-is opened to admit a charge-of the} explosive mixture to the sight feedcup, vand th'epipe 22 connecting the said cuP-Withitlie ini-position tobe' pressed by the .foot ofthe attendantyand when this stem isfpress'ed}v v the valve 37 is openedand air under pres :,sure1ais admitted to the sight" feedcup through the, pipe 22, forcing the charge of explosive-mixture therein,-up through the "outside tube 34, through the -aperture 33, and into the tube 28, whence it passes through th'e pipe 31 to the distributer. The vent hole 35, at the topof the tube 34, permits-the escape of the air when the explosive mixture is rising in the cup, whereas ifthe j vent wer'e not present the mixture wouldbe prevented from rising in the sight feed cup,

I and would thus interfere with the filling of the cup.

-'.;-,The distributer 32 coinprisesa cylindricalv ,lrasiiig or receptacle, having four vequi-distaut-threaded holes through its periphery, inwhich are screwed "nipples 39, the inner 'ends'oj which form seats-for valves 4640 T40 and 40,which are substantially of hell crank shape, and are each-centrally pivoted between a pair totem 41, formed on'theinterior of the distributor] Thesevalves are normally held against theifseats, by suit- .jwwa r able springs-42, and their .free ends are posit-ion to lbe engagedsuccessively by galrotary cam 43,;having a depending hollowf 'stem 44, which 'extendsthrough a. hub 45 in g the bottom oflthe-distribut'er The operat- "'ing'iface of thef'cam'isz of suchlength that befor'ees'caping' the endof one valve, it en gages and opens the'nextisucc'eeding valve, the purpose of which will be explained here-.

inafter, Thus one outlet from the distributer isalways open; To the nipples 39 are connected, in any suital') le manner, pipes 46,

"47, '48,}and 49, which connect respectively .with' theengines A, 13,0, and D,-commu'ni cation between the engines and the distribu-Y terbeing'efiectedby the engagement of."

the cam 43,= with the ta'ilsiof the'valves,

whereby theyare rocked on their'pivots and pipes are rovided, adjacent to the engines,

thu moved away" from their 'seats .The

with chec valves X. Astufling-hox 50 is' screwed upon the end of the hubf45,

upon'the end of the "stem 44,-which projects through this box, is rigidly screwed 'a disk'51, from the under side of which pro-* jects 'twopins'52' and 53- of unequal length,

which are adapted to extend into a'recess' 54, in'the edge ofasim'ilar disk 55, which. isrigidly secured upon the shaft 56,- oi'a timer .57, which is ofa type in common use, and comprises a fiber ring 58,-halving four u g equi-distant contacts 58 from which screws '59-extend out through ther-ing, and

jare provided with wire clamping nuts 60.

Upper JandloWer plates Gland-.62 respective1y',-,inclose'the ring, and a hub 63 is secured-to the shaft 56', having a 'bifura ycated "arm' 64 in'which is pivotallymounted 'aspring actuated arm 65, carrying a contact gear69, which meshes with a bevel gear 70,

of the same diameter, which is secured upon the rear end of-the cam shaft 6 of the engines, and while I- have illustrated a type of engine in which theintake valves 'are located on one side andfthe exhaust valveon the other, thus-requiring two cam shafts,

it is apparent thatilthegresult is just the same when the device isfconnected to enginesJ havingal-l the valves. on'one side,'-and; con

sequently -,b.u't= a single cam shaft; the

gears-69.v and 70 are of the same diameter, the speed .of the timer shaft is identicalzw-ith that of the'cam, shaf andjtheitimbrf'i timed relatively to: madame-shaft; that itcloses a circuit through the battery,'pr {nagneto, as the case may be, and the spark plug of each engine, 1 at the instant the engine is ready to'be fired.

-'-Upon;opposite sidesof the i bottom of the I cam shaft.

distributer 32 are secured cam tracks 71,

which are of the form shown in Fig. 5, and these tracks rest upon rollers 72, mounted in the bifurcated ends of posts 73, which are secured to the timer by sorews 74, which pass through the same and into the said" posts. When the rollers engage the ends 7 5 of the tracks, the distributer 32 is iniits lowest position, the clutch disks 51 and 55 are in engagement, and the cam 43 is turned. in unison with the timer shaft, but whenthe timer is turned to advance the spark,

as the engines gain speed, the rollers 72 ride underthe cam portions ofthe tracks, and

.lift the distributor so that thedisk 51 is lifted out. of engagement with the disk- 55, and the cam and valves are rendered inoperative. When thedistrib'uter is lowered again for the purpose of starting the en gines, the longer pin 53 of the. clutch disk 51 first engages the face of the disk 55,

the disk 51 is then turned manually in a backward direction, and as the pin 53 passes the disk 55, the disk 51 drops untilvthe shorter the adjacent end of the recess 54 of pin 52 strikes the face of the disk 55, as

shown in Fig. 10, and the pin 53 extends. partially into the recess 54,.in position to be engaged by the opposite end of the said recess, and as the disk 51 is still further turned the short pin 52 drops into the recess 54, and at the same time the pin 53 is engaged by theadjacent end of the saidrecess, j

and the two disks are locked in engagement with each other.

length of said'pins makes it'impossible for them to pass the recess" 54,- without. the

longer pin being engaged by the end-of said recess.

The cam 43 and disk 51 are turned manually by a rod 76, which is rigidly 'secured' .to the cam 43, and extends outthrough .the

top of the distributer. The upper end of the rod is provided with a knob or disk 77, for turning the cam and disk 51,-and this knob is preferably providedwith four indicating marks or notches-78," at equi-distant points.

around its circumferential edge, which may i be numbered in thesa-me relative order in which the engines are fired, and these indicating marks register'with a pointer 79 Se cured to the dash board. In this way, when the disk 51 is locked to the disk 55, the knob 77, will always indicate the engine thatis tov enters the 81.

This arrangement pro vides a clutch for positively and quickly locking the disks together as the unequal A'branch pipe 83 connects with the pipe 31'near its'connection-with the distributer, and this branch pipe is provided at its upper end with an ordinary valve-controlled oil cup 84, by means of which lubricating oil may be conveyed to the d-istributer, .and' by turning compressed air intothe distributer, this oil is driven into the engines, and a quick. and .convenient manner of lubricating them is therebyprovided.

The operation of he starter is as follows: Assumingthatt'hedistributer is raised by the engagement-of the rollers 72' with the" cam tracks 71, and. that thedisks 51 and 55 are consequently-out of engagement with each other, the attendant first gives the timer a. partialrotatiom. by meansof asuitable lever 85, which'n oves the rollers 72 from underthe cam portions ofthe tracks and allows the distributer to descend. The longer pin 53 of the disk 51 thencontacts. with the face'of the disk 55,'and by turning'the disk the recess 54 of the disk 55, and is engaged bythe opposite end of the recess asv the shorter pin 52 drops into the-said recess.

The cam 43lisnowlocked to the timer shaft, I and the knob 77 indicates the engine that is ready to be fired, whilethe cam- 43 is in engagement with the'valve which opensthe pipe leading to the said engine. The valve 36 is then ,opened'to admit'a charge of'explosive mixture to the sight feed cup23, and

" the rod-38.0f the valve 37 is depressed, per- .mitting air under pressure to pass from the tank 18 through thepipe 22 to the sight feed Jieup, expelling the explosive mixture therein out through the pipe-31 to the distributer,

and assuming that the engines are fired in successive order, and that the piston of the engine D is on the"firing.stroke, the cam 43 has engaged the valve 40 and opened'communication with the said engine D, through the pipe 49, and the charge of explosive mixture isidriven through the said pipe to the said engine. The air raises the pressure.

in this engine and may force its piston down, but before the exhaust takes place the cam passes to the next valve 40, which opens communication with the engine C, whose piston hasmoved, toward the firing point,

and the'air enters the said engine C, driving 51 in a reverse direction, the' pin 53 enters 1 its piston down, and' thereby raising the pistonofthe engine D to. the firing point, at

which instant the timer forms a circuit through the spark plug'of said engine and the batteries, causing an explosion which drives said p'iston'down andbrings'the pistonof the next succeeding engine C to the firing point, thus starting the engines. After the. engines have gained sufficient speed, the

. spark current may be switched into the magneto, 'as will be understood, where the"machine'is supplied with-one. and the timer" is turned to "advance the spark, thereby lifting i the distributer, which disconnects the clutch claim as new disks 51 and 55, and puts the distributer and cam 43 out of Operation. Under proper-con ditions, however, the engine D may be fired 1 gine's and pipes connectingsaid outlets and saidpnipples; a rotary cam for successively operating said valves; means connected with the cam shaft for operating said rotary cam;

' ter.

3.In, a starter for gasolene enginesas engines;- valves for normally closing said outlets; a rotarycam for successively engaging sa1d valves to open communication between vthe distributer and engines; a 'sight feed cup; -a pipe connecting said cup-with a supply of explosive mixture; a valve insaid plpe for determining the quantity of the-- mixture admitted to the cup;-a pipe connecting the cup with the distributer; and means for-delivering air under pressure to said cup,"

whereby the mixture is" forced into the distributer and through the openvalve to an-..

engine.

2. Ina starter for =gasolene engines as specified, the combination with the engines, and the cam shaft, of an explosive mixture distributer, having outlet nipples corre-" sponding to the number of engines and pipes connecting said nipples withthe, engines;

valves for normally closing the inner ends of and means for deliveringcharges of explosive mixture under pressure to said distribuspecified, the combination with'the engines and the cam shaft, ofa distributer having equidistant outlets corresponding to the number of engines; spring-pressed Valves in the distributer which normally close said outlets; a rotary cam for successively engaging said valves to move them away from-the outlets; and means connecting said' cam with the camshaft of the engines for operating said cam.in unison with the said cam shaft; a sight feed cup; a valved pipe conmeans for normally closing connection be a predetermined time relatively. tothe formv ing of acircuitby said timer; a-clutchconnection betweensaid cam and said timer fshaft; means for disconnecting the clutch,'- comprisingrollers on thetimer casing, and

necting said cup with a supply of explosive mixture; a pipe connecting said cup with the distributer; a pipe for connecting said cup with a source, of air under pressure; and

tween said cup and said air source.

4. In astarter for gasolene engines as 7 specified, the combination with the engines, 60

the cam shaft, and a timer geared to rotate in unison with said cam shaft, of a distribu ter having outlets corresponding to-ithe number of engines; valves which normally closethe outlets, and pipes connecting the. outletswith the engine;a rotary cam'for" of the distributer, which rest upon said rollsiveIy; a hollow stem on said cam which exfor disconnecting the clutch.

successively saidvalves; a clutch.

mechanism for connecting-said cam withithe shaft I of .saidtimer; means connected with the timerfor disconnecting- "said, clutch Y mechanism; and means for delivering e for gasolene engines as es," I

timer, of a distributer above said timer; op Y pos'itely disposed cam tracks on the'bottom ers; pipes connecting said distributer with the engines;'-valves in the di stributer for normally closing the outlets tosaid pipes;a

rotary cam for opening the valves succestends through the bottom of the distributer,

and receives the upper end of the timer shaft;'a clutch, one member of which is-Lse- I cured to the said stem, while the other memher is secured to the timer shaft; said clutch members being disconnectedby the engagement of therbllers with the cam tracks when the timer is partially rotated ;-and means-for delivering charges of an explosive mixture-f under pressure to sa'id distributer.

In a' starter for gasolene engines as" specified, thefcombination with the engines and the cam shaft of 'a distributer, pipes connecting the same with the engines; valves for normally closing the pipes; a rotary cam for opening said valves successively; means said cam. in unison with the said cam shaft;

connected with the camshaft ,for rotating a sight feed cup; a valved pipe connecting I said cup with a supply of explosive '-mix ture; a pipe connecting said cupwith the distributer; a valved pipe connecting said cup with a source of air underpressure; a

clutch connection between the rotary cam= and the'rotating means therefor; andjmeans 7. In va starter for gasolene engines as ing devices of said engines, an a source of,

electrical power; a distributer; pi es; 0011- which normally close said pipes; a' rotary cam for successively opening sajid'valves at necting the same with. the engines; valves 1" cam; tracks on the distributer, said rollers being adapiedtoengage the cam tracks and lift the'distributer when the timer is givena partial rotation; andmeans for delivering charges of explosive mixture under pressure .to said distributor 8. In a starter for gasolene engines as specified, the combination with the-engines and the cam shaft, of an explosive mixture distributer, comprising a-receptacle having outlets corresponding to the number of engines; spring pressed, pivotally mounted valves in the distributer, which normally close the outlets; pipes connecting the outlets with the engines; a rotarycam' for opening said valves successively; means connected with the camshaft of'the engine for rotating said cam in unison with the said cam shaft; a sight feed cup; a valved pipe I connecting said cup with a supply of explosive mixture; a pipe connecting said cupwith the distributer; a pipe connecting the cup with a source of air under pressure; a valve in said pipe; and means'for disconnecting the cam from its operating means.

9; In a starter for gasolene englnes as specified, the combination with the'engines and the cam shaft, of a 'distributer; pipes connecting the distributor with the 'englnes; a sight feed cup; a valved pipe'connecting the cup with a supply of explosive mixture; a pipe connectingthe cup with the distribu ter; a valved pipe connecting thecu-p with a source of air under pressure; valves for controlling the outlets from the distributer; 3

and means connected with the said cam shaft for'operating said valves. 7

- 10. In a starter for gasolene engines as "specified, the combination with the engines 7 and cam shaft, of a distributer connected by pipes with the engines; valves insaid distribute'r; a cam for operating the valves, a timer in circuit with the sparking system of said engines; gears connecting the timer with the'cam shaft tocause the timer to rotatein unison with the cam shaft; a disk on the timer shaft having a circumferential .re cess; a disk connected to the cam havingpins adapted to lie insaid recess to lock the disksin engagement; means connected with the timer for raising the distributer to dis- Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cen'cs each, by addressing the sparking system of the outlets of operating engage the disks; and means for delivering explosive mixture under pressure to the (118-.

tributer.

11. In a starter for gasolene engines as specified, the combination with the engines, a cam-shaft; a timer in circuit with the said engines, gears connecting the timer with the cam shaft to cause the timer to rotate in unison with the cam shaft, and a distributr connected withthe engines, havingvalves for controlling said distributer; of a cam for said valves, having a stem extending throu h the bottom of the distributer; a disk on said stem havingtwo depending pins of unequal length; a disk on the timer shaft having a circumferential recess adapted to receive the pins to lock the disks in on agement; means for uncoupling the, dis s; a

sight feed cup connected with a supply'of v explosive mixture and with a source of air under pressure; and a pipe connecting said feed cup with the distribut'er.

12. In a starter for gasolene engines as.

tube secured to the top cap and extending through the bottom cap, having an aperture connecting said near its upper end; a pipe tube with the distributer; a second tube connected to the top cap and surrounding the first 'tube, said second tube extending to within a'short-distance of the bottom cap, an intervening space being left between said tubes; a pipe connecting the feed cup with a source of explosive mixture; and a pipe connecting said cupwithha source of air under pressure. 1

v In testimony whereof I affix my slgnature in presence of two witnesses. 1

- HARRY MASON.

Witnesses:

G. ,SARGENT ELLIOTT, ADELLA M. Ifowns.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0.

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