US1091092A - Starting device. - Google Patents

Description

C. G. TATE. STARTING DEVICE.

' APPLICATION FILED JAN. 27 191s.

Patented Mar. 24, 1914 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

YVENTOR ATTORNEY COLUMBIA PLANOGRPH 60..,v'vASHINaTON. D. C.

o. G. TATS. STARTING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 27.1913.

Patented Mar. 24, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

wlTNEssEs 71]* INVENTOR ATTORNEY I G. G. `TATE. STARTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.2' 7, 1913. 1,091,092. Patented Mar.24,1914

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES fr www. A @gm UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE. f

CHARLES G. TATE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED MOTOR EQUIPMENT CO., 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

STARTING DEVICE.

To all whom 'it may conc-cra.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES Gr. TATE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Iilinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Starting Devices for Explosive-Engines, of which the following is a specification. i

My invention relates to that class of defvices which are designed to introduce a gaseous Huid into the explosion chamber of the engine previous to the ignition being caused through the medium of an electric spark. Devices of this character with which I am familiar are subject to the following objection that it is nearly, if not quite impossible to introduce a uniform volume of gas at a constant pressure into each and every cylinder, this being due to two factors, one the difficulty of securing a uniform opening and closing of the valves, admitting the gaseous fluid to the explosion chamber of the engine, and the other being that devices of this character are usually connected to the Prestolite tank, the pressure of which constantly varies from the time that it is first used until it is exhausted. There is another objectionable feature to devices of this character which is due to the tendency of the gas to pocket itself in the explosion chamber and not suiciently mix with the air to produce an explosive mixture. Then also there is present the diiiculty of attempting to introduce the gas at a pressure of 5 or 10 pounds when the compression in the cylinder is many times that. Devices have been made to overcome these defects by arranging means to release the compression in the cylinder and cause a circulation therethrough, this insuring the mixture of the explosive gaseous fluid with the air in the explosion chamber.

My invention has for its object to provide means to secure a more uniform opening and closing of the ports leading to the explosion chamber and to improve the means used for opening the valve which releases the compression in the explosion chamber.

In my application No. 731,928, I have described means for rendering more uniform the movement of the valve which opens and closes the ports leading to the engine. This device, as described, is objectionable, due to the fact that there is not sufficient difference between the tension of the spring when the valve has been-rotated to the closed position Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Ian 24: 1914 Application iled January 27, 1913.

Serial No. 744,307.

and when it is in its normal position. My present invention .is designed to overcome this by doing away with the balance wheel and substituting in the place thereof a train of gears. This permits the use of a very much greater tension upon the main spring, due to the power required to operate the gears with the result that a more uniform movement of the valve is secured, due to the fact that there is a very much smaller difference between the tension exerted by the spring in its normal position and that in its fully contracted position. My means of accomplishing' the foregoing may be more readily understood by having reference to the accompanying drawings, which are hereunto annexed and are a part of this specilication, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of my starting device equipped with my improve'- inents. Fig. 2 is a cross section taken on the line g-g 1n Fig. .1 in the direction indicated by the arrows. Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on line T in the direction indicated by the arrows a-a, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on the same line in the direction indicated by the arrows b-, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an isometric view of the spring hub and stop arm shown in position with bearing plate and casing, gears omitted. Fig. 6 is. a detail view of the intermediate gear and pinion, showing method of keying. Fig. 7 is an isometric detail view of the release cam with pins. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the cone thrust spring and pivot.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the entire description.

As shown in the drawings, 1 is a cylindrical shell in which is mounted a co-nevalve 2, which is flexibly secured to one end of a shaft 3, the other end of the shaft 3 being provided with a handle 4. The cone valve is held to its seat through the medium of a thrust spring 7 .which is provided with a pin 8, which engages a tapered recess formed in the end of a cap screw 5. This cap screw also serves to hold in position a cam 29, which opensl the valve 58 by contacting with its valve stem 59, which admits the explosive gaseous iiuid into a chamber 30, from which it flows into the horizontal ports or passages 12 into the cone valve 2.

The end of the cylindrical shell 1 is closed by a cap 9, a gasket 10 being provided to ,render the joint between the two tight, the

cap being held tightly down upon the gasket by means of screws 11. As has been stated, the cone valve 2 is provided with a horizontal port or passage 12, which registers with radial po-rts or passages 13. The latter extend to the periphery of the cone valve. These radial ports are adapted to register with ports 14, which lead to pipes 15 and thus to the explosion chambers of the va rious cylinders of the engine.

A cam 6, which is better seen in Fig. 2, is mounted upon a squared end of the shaft 8, and is provided with two holes 35 and 36, which are adapted to engage pi-ns 37, which extend outwardly from the forward end of the cone valve 2. The cam is further provided with two outwardly extending pins or lugs 38 and 39, which extend into a slot 40, formed in the spring hub 41. This arrangement provides for a liexible connection of the shaft. The cam 6 is mounted so that its edge will contact with one end of a bell crank lever 16, which is mounted upon a pin 17, secured in the wall of the cylindrical shell 1.l The opposite end of the lever is adapted to engage a valve stem 18 which carries a valve 19, which is connected to a pipe 20, which leads to the explosion chambers of the engine. Ports 2l lead from the interior of the valve casing 22 to the atmosphere.

23 is a spring which is secured by means of screws 24 to the wall of the cylindrical shell 1. This spring serves to hold the bell crank lever normally out of engagement with the valve stem 18, a coil spring 25 operating to keep the said valve closed when the valve stem is not in contact with the arm of the bell crank lever.

The main spring 26 is mounted in a chamber 27 and has its inner end attached to the spring hub and stop arm 41. Its outer end is secured to an annular member 31 which is provided with a threaded groove 32, to which is fitted a tension adjusting screw 33 so that the rotation of the screw 33 serves to rotate the member 31, and this in turn operates to tighten the tension of the spring 26.

A ratchet wheel 42 is rotatably mounted upon the shaft 3 and is engaged by a pawl 43, which is mounted upon a pin 44 mounted in the stop arm 41.` A spring 45, which is also secured to the stop arm, serves to hold the pawl normally in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel. The ratchet wheel 42 is ixedly mounted upon the laterally extending hub 46 of a gear 47, it being secured from rotation by means of a pin 48. The teeth of the gear 47 are in mesh with the teeth of a pinion 49, the pinion 49 being provided with a laterally extending hub 51. Upon this hub51 is fixedly mounted a gear 52, which in turn meshes with a pinion 53, which is rotatably mounted on the 35 and is provided with a laterally @X- tending hub, upon which is mounted an escapement wheel 54, the teeth of which engage an escapement arm 55, which is mounted upon a pin or pivot 56.

57 is the pendulum which is securely fastened by means of rivets 50 to the escapeh ment arm 55.

60 is a pressure gage designed to be connected to the line by suitable piping (not shown) to indicate the pressure in the tank containing the source of iiuid supply.

The operation of the device is as follows: The operator grasps the handle 4 and moves the same to the left. This movement is continued until the stop arm 41 is in the posi tion shown in F ig. 5, indicated by thc dotted lines. This has the effect of winding up the spring and also moves the cone valve 2, so that the radial ports 13 are moved out of register with the ports 14, while the cam 29 is brought into contact with the stem of the valve 58. This admits the explosive gaseous fluid into the chamber 30. The same movement brings the cam 6 in contact with the bell crank lever 16 and causes its arm to engage the stem 18 of the valve 19, moving the same away from its seat, permitting the compressed fluid in the cylinders of the engine to escape to the atmosphere through the ports 21, the device being so timed that this action takes place just slightly in advance of the admission of the explosive gaseous fluid to the engine cyl` inders. rThe release of the handle by the operator permits the spring to act, through the gears and the ratchet 42 and pawl 43, to move the cone valve so that the radial ports 18 will be brought into register with the ports 14, affording a clear and uninterrupted passage through these ports from the cham- -ber 30, the too rapid movement of the valve being prevented by the train of gears, while the escapement pendulum operates to provide a uniform time for the opening and closing of the ports in question.

Practice has shown that the variation in the charge delivery to the diliierent cylinders of the engine is so infinitesimal as not to bc capable of measurement by the ordinary means, with the result that the mixture is always constant, while the release of the compression permits the explosive gas to iow through the cylinders of the engine so as to evenly distribute the same and avoid any possibility of its pocketing itself.

Having described my invention, what I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A starter for gas engines comprising the combination of a cone valve, a cylindrical sleeve in which said valve turns, there being a chamber in said sleeve at the large end of the valve, said valve having a horizontal port and a plurality of radial ports extending therefrom to the periphery of the cone valve, the said ports being adapted to register with a plurality of ports leading from the interior of said sleeve, a source of gaseous Huid supply, a valve to shut oif said fluid, a cam secured to the large end of the cone adapted to open said valve at a predetermined time, a cam at the small end of said valve, a bell crank lever, one arm of which is engaged by said cam, the other arm of which is adapted to engage a valve stem, a valve having a stem mounted in a passage which leads to the explosion chambers of an engine, ports or passages leading from said valve to the atmosphere, means to hold said bell crank lever normally out of engagement with said valve stem, means to hold said cone valve to its seat, a shaft flexibly connected to said cone valve, `a handle on said shaft, a spring hub and stop arm rotatably mounted on said shaft, a spring, the inner end of Which is secured to said spring hub, the outer end of Which is secured to an annular member mounted inside of the cylindrical shell, means to regulate the tension of said spring, a spur gear having a laterally extending hub, a ratchet Wheel fiXedly mounted upon said hub, said gear being rotatably mounted upon the said shaft, a paWl secured to the stop arm adapted to engage the teeth of said ratchet Wheel, a pinion in mesh With the teeth of'ca gear, said pinion having a laterally extending hub, a gear iXedly mounted upon said hub, the teeth of Which mesh with thepinion rotatably mounted upon the shaft, Which actuates the cone valve, an escapementv Wheel and escapement arm, a pin or pivot upon which said escapement arm is mounted and a pendulum rigidly secured to the escapement arm.

Q. A starter for gas engines comprising the combination of a cone valve, a cylindrical sleeve in Which` said valve turns, there being ports through said valve and sleeve leading to the cylinders of an engine, a

valve to relieve the compression in the en-V gine cylinders, and means operated by the rotation of the cone valve to open said valve just prior to the opening of the ports which lead to the engine. I

3. In a starter for gas engines the combination With a spring-actuated cone valve, of means to cause the spring to act indirectly to rotate the valve, and means to impart a uniform speed to said rotation.

4. A starter for gas engines comprising the combination of a cone valve, a cylindrical sleeve in Which said valve oscillates, a shaft flexibly connect-ed to said cone valve, a handle on said shaft, a spring hub and stop arm rotatably mounted on said shaft, a spring, the innerend of which is secured to said spring hub, the outer end of which is secured to an annular member mounted inside of the cylindrical shell, means to regulate the tension of said spring, a spur gear having a laterally extending hub, a ratchet Wheel lixedly mounted upon said hub, Vsaid gear being rotatably mounted upon the said shaft, a pavvl secured tothe stop arm adapted to engage the teeth of said ratchet Wheel, a pinion in mesh With the teeth of a gear, said pinion having a laterally extending hub, a gear iXedly mounted upon said hub, the teeth of which mesh With the pinion rotatably mounted upon vthe shaft, Which actuates the cone valve, an escapement Wheel and escapement arm, a pin or pivot upon Which said escapement arm is mounted, and a pendulum rigidly secured to the escapement arm. Y

5. A starter for gas engines comprising the combination of a conev valve, a cylindrical sleeve in which said valve turns, there being ports through said valve and sleeve leading to the cylinders of an engine, a valve torelieve the compression in the engine cylinders, means operated by the rotation of the conevalve to open 'said'valve just prior to the Vopening of the ports which lead to the engine, manually operated means to rotate said cone valve in one direction and spring actuated means to return it to its normal position, and a stop to prevent its rotation in either direction beyond a predetermined point.Y Y

6. A starter forgas engines comprising the combination of a cone valve, a cylindrical sleeve in Which said valve turns, there being ports through said valve and sleeve leading to the cylinders of an engine, a valve to relieve the compression in the engine cylinders, means operated by the rotation of the cone valve to open said valve just prior to the opening of the ports Which lead to the engine, manually operated means to rotate said cone valve in one direction, spring actuated means to return it to its normal position, a stop to prevent its rotation in either direction beyond a predetermined point, said spring actuated means acting through 'a train of gears, and an escapement'vvheel and Varm and pendulum for the purpose set forth,

substantially as described.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of an engine cylinder, a source of gas supply, a conduit connecting said cylinder and gas supply, a controlling valve in said conduit, means for manually moving said valve into supply position, and a timed motor mechanism for returning said valve to normal position during Which return movement a measured quantity of gas is supplied to said cylinder, substantially as described.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of an engine cylinder, a source of gas supply, a conduit between said engine cylinder and said source of gas supply, a controlling valve located in said conduit, means for delivering gas to said controlling valve at a substantially uniform pressure, manually operable means for moving said valve in one direction against spring pressure, and a retardng device associated with Y said valve adapted to control the movement of said valve in the opposite direction, whereby at each actuation of said valve a fixed quantity of gas is permitted to pass from said supply to said cylinder, substantially as described. y

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of engine cylinders, a source of gas supply, a conduit between said engine cylinders and said source of gas supply, a distributing valve located in said conduit, means for delivering gas to said distributing valve at a substantially uniform pressure, manually operable means for moving said valve in one direction against spring pressure, and a speed controlling device associa-ted with said valve adapted to control the movement of said valve in the opposite direction, whereby at each actuation of said valve a fixed quantity of gas is permitted to pass from said supply to each of said cylinders, substantially as described.

l0. In a device of the class described, the combination of a. plurality of engine cylinders, a source of gas supply, a conduitbetween said engine cylinders and said source of gas supply, a distributing valve located in said conduit, means for delivering gas to said distributing valve at a substantially uniform pressure, manually operable means for moving said valve in one direction against spring pressure, and a speed controlling device associated with said valve, said device being inactive in the manual operation but adapted to control the movement of said'valve in the opposite direction whereby at each actuation of said valve a fixed quantity of gas is permitted to pass from said supply to each of said cylinders, subst-antially as described.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of engine cylinders, a source of gas supply, a conduit bctween said engine cylinders and said source of gas supply, a distributing valve .located in said conduit, means for delivering gas to said distributing valve at a substantially uniform pressure, an admission valve associated with said distributing valve, manually operable means for moving said distributing valve into supply position, then opening said admission valve and maintaining said admission valve in open position during the return movement of said distributing valve, then closing said admission valve near the end of the return movement of said distributing valve, sul'istantially as described.

l2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of engine cylinders, a source of gas supply, a conduit lietween said engine cylinders and said source of gas supply, a distributing valve located in said conduit, means for delivering gas to said distributing valve at a substantially uniform pressure, an admission valve controlling the entrance of gas to said distributing valve, manually operable means for moving said distributing valve in one direction against resistance, said admission valve being opened just prior to the completion of the opening movement of said distributing valve, and a timing device associated with said distributing` valve adapted to control the return movement thereof, said admission valve being adapted to be closed b v said distributing valve at or near the return movement thereof, substantially as (lescribed.

In witness whereof I have signed the forcgoing specification.

CHARLES G. TATP).

Witnesses:

C. M. BAUMEISTER, K. DoLBnY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C.

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