US1142193A - Starting device for internal-combustion engines. - Google Patents

Description

Ensim Mensen, or iunnnosn, MASSACHUSETTS.

rSTAB/31N Gr DEVISE FOR ENTERNL-GOMBUSTEGN ENGINES.

Specification of Letters latent.

vPatented June 8, A191.5..

epplcetign med October 4, 1191,31. Serial No. 793.4719.

To ,all whom it may concern Be it known that l, FRANK MORGAN, a subject of the Kingdom Aof Great Britain, residing at Melrose, in the county of'MiddleseX vand State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful improvement in Starting' Devices for lnternal-Gombustion Engines, 4ot which the following is e specification. reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a starting device for internal combustion engines in which fluid under compression is utilized as the motive power.

The main object of my invention is to provide a starting device of the above eheracter which is simple. etiicient and of low cost both in construction and operation.

Another object of lthe invention is to provide a device which is entirely self-contained and in which the iiuid :used for starting the engine is compressed by a pump or other device operated by the engine.

A further object ofi*k the invention is to save wear on the pump or other device used for compressing the .operating Huid, and to this end means are `provided whereby the compressing device is automatically thrown into and outA of operation as required to maintain a constant pressure of Huid.

v Xn additional object of ,the invention is to secure en accurate distribution of the comn pressed fluid to the proper cylinders in the .fluid which is compressed by the pump.

means for distributing the Huid under compression to the cylinders of the engine to start the same und means for automatically throwing the pump or other compressingr dcvice into and out ci operation as required to maintain a constan; pressure in the storage tank ln the accompanying dim-Wings illustrat ing the preferred embodiment of my invention. Figure lis a diagrammatic View of an apparatus constructed and operated in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical, central, longitudinal sectional view or the compression device and distributing ineens; Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the same, partly in elevation, on line 3 8 look` ing from right to left in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is en elevation of the distributing device with the Adistribut-ing disk removed, looking from right to left in Fig. 3; F ig. 5 is a side elevation of the distributing disk.

Referring to Fig. l of the .drawings illustrating one embodiment ot the invention epplied to .fi foul-:cylinder internal combustion engine, 7, S, 9 and 10 designate the four cylinaders. ll a main shaft, 12 a crank case and -13 a fly wheel mounted on the main shaft,

all .of old and well known construction. The position iof the pistons in the various cylinders is shown in dotted lines. To hold a supply of the compressed operating iluid, y

preferably air, a suitable reservoir li is provided and connected to a. compressing device 16 by a Ipipe 17 and to a distributing device by a pipe 18 controlled by a valve 19 which may be operated from a distance by a rod 2O or in any suitable manner. From the distributing device the compressed ii'uid is ,delivered to 1the cylinders 7, 8, 9 and 10 by pipes 2l, 22, l23 and 24 respectively. l/Vith Vthis arrangement the compressing device forces the compressed fluid into the reservoir lthrough Ithe pipe 17, whence it Hows through the pipe 18 when the valve 19 is open to `the distributing device Where it is delivered ,to the four cylinders through the pipes 2l, V22, 23 and 24 in the proper sequence. y

` Although any suitable form of compression means may be employed, prefer to use a pump of the form shown on an enlarged scade in Fig. 2, comprising a pump cylinder 26 mounted on a crank casing 27 and a piston 28. The latter is operated by en eccentric 29 Within a strap 3 0 having an integral arm 3l pivotally connected to a cross-pin 32 in the piston. The eccentric is held Within the strap by a projecting Hangs 83 on one side and a cross-piece 34 fastened to the other side of the eccentric by screws 35. The compression end of the pump cylinder may he provided with an inlet valve 3G to admit air to the cylinder when the piston is on the suction stroke and with an outlet valve 37 to permit air under pressure to llou' into the reservoir through the pipe 17 when the pres soA shown in the drawings which consists of a ball 38 held in a seated position to close the valve by a spring 39. `The pump cylinder may be provided with fins 40 for coolingv The means for operating the purposes. pump will be described hereafter as they are intimately associated with the means for operating the distributing device.

In the form of distributing means shown, I provide a circular disk 41 mounted within a distributing chamber,42..,.which is formed in one end ofthe-crak casing 27 and closed by a plate 43 bolted to the casing by bolts 44. The disk has an outwardly extending hollow hub 45 which in interior cross-section is squarev to receive the squared end 46 of a shaft 47 in order that the disk may rotate with the shaft. The distributing pipes 21, 22, 23 and 24 are connected to suitable passages 48 in the crank casing which lead to the distributing chamber 42 and enter it at four dierent points as shown in Fig. 4 where the disk is shown as removed. The disk is provided with an elliptical port 49 which registers with the four different passages 48 in rotation and admits Huid under pressure'from the distributing/chamber to the cylinders 'in turn. The end plate 43 has also a central outwardly .exterdin hub 50 to conform to the shape of the dis and to accommodate a spring 51 which bears at one end against the hub 50 and at the otherr end against the diskhub to force the disk into air tight engagement with the casin 27 and to prevent leakage of air from the distributing chamber into the passages 48. A pin 52 keeps the spring in centralposition on the hub of the disk. This spring may, however,

in some cases be dispensed with as the pressure of the air which flows into the distrib,- uting chamber through the pipe 18 from the reservoir will generally be suicient to maintain a tight joint. The spring by exerting a continuous pressure prevents the disk becoming unseated when the valve 19 is closed and the air pressure reduced and therebyv the pressure in the reservoir reaches a certain maximum, without interfering with the continuous' operation of the distributing means. It is necessary that the latter means be operated continuously in order that the distribution .ofthe compressed fluid may be properly timed to flow into the proper cylinders of the engine. Any means may be used for this. purpose and one suchis shown in the drawings. The shaft 47 which carries the distributing disk 41 extends through the crank casing 27 and has mounted upon its outer end a gear-wheel 54 meshing with a gear-wheel 55 mounted on the main shaft y 11 of the engine. The two gear-wheels are so proportioned that the gear-wheel 54.

makes one revolution for each two revolutions of the engine shaft in a four cylinder engine. The result is that the distributing disk 41/is rotated whenever the engine is operated. Upon the shaft 4 is mounted asleeve 56 to which the eccentric29`which perates the'pump is secured; the eccentric being provided with a hub 57 extending outwardly on both sides and engaging at each end the crank casing 27. The sleeve 56 is rotated by the shaft 47 by means of a clutch of any suitable` form. As shown the clutch comprises a female member 58 secured to one end of the sleeve and a male member 59 secured to the shaft Iby a key 60. The clutch is thrown into and out of operation by moving the shaft 47, clutch member 59 and gear-wheel 54 as a unit.

In Fig. 2 the'mechanism is shown with the clutch in operative position. When it is thrown out of operative position the parts` are moved to the left and for this reason the gear-wheel 54 is made wider in order to engage the lgear-wheel 55 when in either position. To operate the clutch. a clutch lever 62 pivotally fastened at its lower end ltoa bracket 64 on the casing 27 may be provided, the lever having a yoke 65 with pins 66 enaging an annular groove in the male member 59 4of the clutch. Thislever may be operated by hand or automatically as preferred. I have shown it as operated automatically by'the pressure in the storage reservoir so that 'when' the pressure in the reservoir reaches a certain predetermined ma-ximum the ressure operates'to disconnect the clutchgmd) stop the pump 'or' pressure creating device and when the pressure falls below a certain pre-determined amount the clutch is thrown into operation to start the pump. To accomplish this result the pump cylinder may be provided with an extension on one side to form a chamber 69 in which is arranged a diaphragm 70 of leather or other suitable material. 'the inner part of the c amber 69 with the chamber of the valve 37 and the diaphragm `is 'at all times subjected to the pressure of the storage reservoir. To the center of the A assage 71 connectsl diaphragm is secured by a nut 72 and washers 73 a rod 74 which passes through the outer end of the extension 68 and 1s pivotally connected to the upper end of the clutch and the diaphragm` toj'prevent operation of the clutch until the maximum preure has lso l Limi-198 been reached in the' storage reservoir. To

prevent operation of the clutchz for slight yplaced therein in position tol engage notches 78 in the rod 74;, the ball being held in position by a spring 79 and a screw S0. By turning the latter the pressure exerted by the spring may be'regulated andy the operation of the clutch correspondingly aifeeted.

v The operation of my device is as follows: The dotted outlines in Fig. 1 show the normal position of the pistons when the engine is at rest with the valve 19 closed. To start the engine the valve 19 is opened which permits the compressed fluid to flow from thev reservoir through the pipe 18' into the chamber 42 and port 49 into one of the pipes to the proper cylinder. The pipes 21,

'22,23 and 24 may be controlled, if desired.

by valves 82 and when so controlled allE ot these valves should' be. opened before opera t ing the valve 19. Owing to the fact that the distributing disk 41 is operated directly from the main shaft of the engine the port 49 always registers with the proper opening `4:8 so that the compressed fluid when first admitted to the distributing chamber will. ,flow into that cylinder in whichl the piston is on the firing stroke when the engine is running. The admission of the compressed fluid moves the pistonzofthe engine which action rotates the main shaft and turns the ,distributing disk to the next opening i8 thereby admitting the compressed fluid to another cylinder. The result is that the en` ginev is operated by the compressed fluid acting on the pistons in the different cylinders in proper rotation until the explosive. mixture has been drawn into the cylinders and fired by the ignition means. which starts the engine. To provide for a slight varia` tion in the location of the pistons when the engine stops, the port 49 is elongated so that it registers with one of the openings 48 even it the piston for that opening is not at the extreme end of its compression stroke. After the engine is started the operator. bv manipulation of the rod Q0 closes the valve 19 and thereby checks the flow of compressed Huid to the cylinders. W'henever, as for ini stance, after a startingr operation, the pressure in the starting reservoir 14 falls below the maximum and to a degree sufficient to reduce the pressure on the diaphragm so that thev spring T5. returns it to a normal position as shown 'in Fig. 2-ot the drawings the male clutch 59 is thrown into engagement with the female clutch member 5S thereby causing a rotation ol' thc slccvc 56 to operate the pump. For instance. if the maximum pressure in the storage reservoir 17.5 pounds. then thc locking device comprising the hall 'T7 and spring 79 should be so adjusted as to lock thc rod 74 against movement untii the pressure has dropped some 25 pounds to 150 pounds; At this" point, by making' the properadju's'tments of the locking device the spring 7 5 will overy` come the' resistance of the locking device i and throw the rod 74 inwardly,4 thereby operating' the. clutch lto start the pump as above described; As soon as the pressure is increased in the storage reservoir to the maximum, the pressure upon'the diaphragm 70 overcomes the resistance ot the spring T5 and the locking device and throws the rod 'Il outwardly disconnecting the clutch and the pump stops. In consequence the pressure iu the storage reservoir never exceeds 175 pounds and never falls below 150 pounds.

, It will be noted that the automatic 'feature of this device is an important one because it eliminates the necessity of'vfatchingthe pressure in the storage reservoir aud at the same time reduces the wear on the pump to a minimum. Another important feature of my invention is that the pump and distributing devices are operated independently oi each other. This is absolutely necessary bccause the. distributing device must be so timed that the compressed fluid will be admitted to the proper cylinder in starting the engine and unless the distributing device is directly connected to and operated from the main shaft of the engine this result is impossible.

lt is to be observed that my device is of extreme simplicity, that it is entirely seltcontained. that it requires no electrical br other extraneous power to operate it, and that it is so constructed that it cannot get out ot order or become inoperative.

Although l have 'shown and described my invention as applied to an internal combus` tion engine having tour cylinders. l do not wish to limit it to that particular kind or type of engine. since it may be applied to any internal combustion engine having more or less cylinders than four.

lt is to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the exact construction herein shown and described as it may be embodied in other forms ot' construction and l desire to claim it. broadly within the scope of the following claims.

What Claim isZ- l. A starting dm ice for internal combustion engines comprising in combination with an internal combustion cugino a shaft, means on one end of said shaft for driving it from said engine. a rotary distributer operated by said shaft a sleeve loosely mounted on said sha l't. a pump operated by roe llt)

with an internal combustion engine a shaft, tion engines comprising in combination `4l means on one end of said shaft for driving; with an internal combustion engine a shaft,

it from said engine, a, rotary distributer operated by said shaft, sleeve loosely mounted on said shaft, a pump operated by said sleeve and automaticiieans for operatively connecting said sleeve to said shaft to oper.- ate said pump when the pressure of the workingluid falls below a predetermined point.

3. A starting device for internal combustion engines comprisin in combination with an internal combustion engine a shaft,

means on one end ofl said shaft fordriving it from said engine, a rotary distributer operated by said shaftfa sleeve loosely mount ed on said shaft, a pump operated by said sleeve and a clutch for operatively connecting said sleeve to said shaft to operate said um when the pressure of the working uid falls below a predetermined point.

4. A starting device for internal combustion engines comprisin in combination with an internal combustion enginea shaft,

means on one end of said shaft for driving it from' said engine, a rotary distributer operated by said shaft, a sleeve loosely mounted on said shaft, a vpump operated by said sleeve, a clutch, and automatic means for operating said clutch when Athe pressure of the working fluid falls below a predetermined oint. p 5. A starting device for internal combustion engines comprising 1n combination with an internal combustion engine a shaft, means on one end .of said shaft for driving it from said engine, a; rotary dstributer op-y erated by said shaft, a sleeve loosely mountl ed on said shaft between'said driving means vand said distributer, a' pump operated by said sleeve and means for operatively connecting said sleeve to said shaft to operate said pump.

6. A'starting device for internal combusmeans on oneend of said shaft for driving .it from said engine, a rotary distributer operated by said shaft, a sleeve loosely mounted on said shaft between said driving means and said distributer, a pump operatedy by;

said sleeve an'd automatic means for opera` 'i tively connecting said sleeveto said shaft to.-

operate said pum when the pressure of the] working iuid fa s below apredetermined point. 7. A starting device for internal combustion engines comprising in combination with` an internal combustion engine a shaft, means on one end of said shaft for driving it from said engine, a rotarydistributer operated by said shaft, a sleeve loosely mounted on said shaft between said driving means `and said distributer, a .pump operated' byV said sleeve and a clutch for operatively 'connecting said 'sleeve to said shaft to operate said pump when the pressure of the working {iuid falls below a predetermined point.

8. A starting device for internal combus- I tion engines comprising in combination with an internal combustion engines. shaft, means on one end of said shaft for driving it from said engine, a rotary distributer opf` erated by said shaft, a sleeve loosely mount ed on said shaft between said drivmg means Aas and said distributer, a ump'operated by said sleeve, a clutch,an for operating said clutch when the prepure, of the workinguid falls below a predetermined point. y

automatic -means` In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my i,

hand in the presence of two subscribing wtil nesses, this the second day of October, 1913.

i FRANK 'Witnessem y Y CHARLES' F. RIonAnnsoN, 'E. F. Unno.

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