US1273870A - Engine starting device. - Google Patents

Description

c. F. KETTERING & w. A. CHRYST.

ENGINE-STARTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED FEILS, 1916.

Patented July 30, 1918.

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l 1,241,990 oa.

practically all systems embodying starting CHARLES F. KETTERING AND WILLIAM A. CHRYST, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO THE D 'J W ENGINEERING LABORATORIES COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

ENGINE STARTING DEVICE.

Original application To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES F. KET- TERING and \VILLIAM A. CHR Ys'r, citizens of the United States of America, residing at Dayton, county of Montgomery, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Engine Starting Devices, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a system of devices adapted for supplying power to start an engine, and the engine when thus started, is arranged to store up power for similar future starting operations, and this same power source may then be used to supply current for the ignition system of the engine, and for any other purposes which may be desired.

The present application is a divisional of our copending application, Serial No. 778,931, filed July 11, 1913, now Patent 2, 1917, wherein a system of electrical generation, distribution, and con trol has been shown, described and claimed. Up to the time of the present invention,

devices of the electrical type, such as, for 1nstance, as are included in the copending applications of C. F. Ketterin filed April 17,1911, Serial No. 621,512 now Patent 1,171,055, Feb. 8, 1916, filed September 19, 1912. Serial No. 721,237 now Pat. 1,2),318, Sept. 18, 1917, and the issued U. S. patent of Charles F. Kettering No. 1,150,523, comprised in general a source of current, for instance, an accumulator or storage battery, and a motor and a generator, either combined in a single unit or embodied in separate and independent units. The above mentioned units generally have electrical connections between the electric machine, or machines, and the storage battery, and mechanical connections between the said machine or machines, and the engine, together with controlling mechanism which comprises a switch unit for selecting the electrical connections and any suitable means for controlling the mechanical connections.

Now, it is among the objects of the present invention to simplify this controlling mechanism, and to eliminate certain of the units of the system, by so constructing, arranging, and combining other elements thereof, which are already employed to perform Specification of Letters Patent.

operation, to perform not only their own original functions, but also the functions of the eliminated elements or mechanisms.

In the issued U. S. patent of Charles F. Kettering, No. 1,150,523, it is set forth that one of the objects of the invention is to secure a preliminary movement of the electric machine, in order to facilitate the shiftiiig of the connections between the said machine and the engine, so as to connect the machine to the engine for starting purposes.

One of the objects of the present-inventionis to secure this preliminary movement of the electric machine by the operation of a movable commutator brush, having means associated therewith to cut down the normal flow of current and thereby impart an initial movement to the electric machine, previous to the normal starting operation of the machine. a

One manner of carrying out the above object is to provide a movable commutator brush, including a plurality of relatively movable elements. A resistance unit is associated with said elements in such a manner that an initial movement of this commutator brush will tend to close the circuit through the electric machine with this resistance in series in said circuit, this initial operation of the machine as a motor tending to facilitate themechanicalconnecting up of the electric machine to the engine.

Now, upon a further movement of the elements of the commutator brush, this resistance will be short-circuited and the main motor circuit closed, whereby a full flow of current will pass through the motor, and thus. effect the actual starting operation of the. motor. v

Further objects and advantages of the present. invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to' the accompanying drawings, wherein preferred forms of the present invention are clearly illustrated.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a portion Patented July 30, 1918.

filed July 14, 1913, Serial No. 778.934. Divided and this application filed February 9,

SeriaLNo. 77,346.

partly structural of one form ofthe'prese'nt invention; the structure of the vehicle and its chassis being eliminated, except for one side frame, for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 3 is a view in sideelevation of the electric machine'disclosed in' Fig. 2, certain parts thereof being shown in section for the sake of clearness.

F i'g.'4 is a detail plan View of certain of the mechanical structure shown in- Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 illustrates a modified form of the brush holder shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the

namo electric machine is substantially the same as shown in the co-pending application, Serial N 0. 721,237, filed September 19,

1912; and the issued U. S. patent of Charles F. Kettering, No. 1,150,523; but it will. be understood that this unit may be located on any part of the machine, the'only restriction being that it be in such a position that it will eiiiciently perform the desired and intended functions.

The lighting and ignition systems, and the circuits and devices therefor, have been .unit 44 electrically connects the element 40 clearly described, illustrated and claimed in our co-pending application, Serial No. 778,934, filed July 14, 1913, and therefore no further description or illustration of these features is deemed necessary in the present application.

In Fig. 2 there is illustrated an electric machine of what may be termed the dynamo electric machine type, which may have its field and armature windings so arranged and constructed that it may be operated as a generator for the purpose of charging the accumulator or providing current for ignition or lighting purposes, and again, as a motor for starting purposes.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2, one terminal 27 of the battery 28, is connected to the frame 20 of the chassis, while the other terminal of the battery leads through the wire 29, directly to the terminal 30, which is secured to but insulated from the dynamo electric machine. This wire 29 constitutes what may be termed the common connection between both the motor and generator windings of the electric machine and the storage battery.

Referring to diagrammatic Fig. 2, it will be noted that the wire 29 leads to a terminal 30 which is secured to the frame of the dynamo electric machine. This terminal is insulated from the frame inany suitable manner, as by washers 31 and the sleeve 32.

The opposite end of the terminal 30 is connected to one end 33 of the heavy or series motor winding 34, and also has a connection with the comparatively high resistance wire 35, Which leads to the contact plate 36 of the cut-out relay 37, which is included in the generator circuit. a

Referring to Fig. 2, the opposite end of the series winding 34 is connectedv to the commutator brush 38. This brush is normally mounted so as to be in contact with the commutator at all times.

The opposite brush 39, however, is normally maintained out of contact making position with respect to the commutator, but is so mounted that'it may be depressed to en gage o'r cont-act with the commutator.

The holder of brush 39 is divided into two elements 40 I and 41, insulated from each other, but capable of independent movement to a certain degree. The element 41 is pivotally mounted to any part of the generator frame and is electrically connected thereto. These two elements, that is, the element 40 and the element 41, are normally maintained apart by means of a coil spring 42, which in Fig. 3 not only functions as a spring but also is composed of resistance material for the purposes hereinafter described.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 5, the means for maintaining the elements 40 and 41 apart, is shown as comprising simply a coil spring 43, while a separate resistance to the element 41. In this form, it is necessary that the spring which is interposed between the two elements be insulated from the element 41, so as to prevent the passage of current therethrough.

The portion or element 40 of the brush holder is provided with an angle arm 45, which carries a roller 46 positioned in a slot 47, formed in one end of the lever 48. This lever 48 in turn is pivotally secured as at 49, while its opposite end is connected to an operating rod 50, which extends rearwardly and may be secured to any suitable operating pedal 51. This rod 50 may be directly connected to a shaft 52, which carries the pedal 51 or which may be secured thereto by means of a magnetic latch connection, such as is described in the issued U. S. patent of Charles F. Kettering, No. 1,150,523.

This same operating rod 50 is connected to the shiftable gearing 53, which comprises a large pinion 54 and a small pinion 55, mounted adj acent to the armature pinion 56, which is carried on one end of the armature shaft 57.

' wardly This gearing 53 is adapted-to be shifted into engagement with the armature pinion 56 and the flywheel gearing 23, and forms the driving means between the electric machine, when operating as a motor, and the flywheel of the engine.

It has been found advisable to provide some means for imparting a supplemental or initial movement to either the shiftable gearing 53 or to the armature and its pinion, during the shifting of the gearing 53, so as to facilitate its connection with the armature pinion 56, and the flywheel teeth 23. That is, it has been found that there is a tendency, under certain conditions, for the end faces of the pinions 54 and 55 to connet with the end faces of'the teeth of the armature pinion 56, and the teeth of the flywheel gearing and under certain circumstances, prevent the ready enmeshment ol the above mentioned parts.

However, by imparting a relative movement. to certain of these parts, as for instance. the armature pinion'56 and the shiftable gearing 53, any conflicting of the end faces ol' the teeth may be readily overcome and thrgears easily enmeshed.

3y describing the operation of the system shown in the accompanying drawings, it is thought that the. sequence of operations, and the manner in which they are secured, will be readily apparent.

When it is desired to operate the electric machine as a motor for starting purposes, the main operating pedal 51, is first depressed. crating member will draw the rod 50 rearin the direction of the arrow 58 shown in Figs. and 3, and this will tend to couple up the electric machine to the engine, by enmeshing the gearing 53 with the armature pinion 5t) and the toothed portion 23 oi the flywheel.

It will be understood. however, that the cnmcshment ot' the above mentioned gearing will not lzlh'O place until after a slow initial movement has been imparted to the armatureof the electric machine. This initial movement of the electric machine as a motor is secured by the operation the movable motor commutator brush. The initialmovement of this brush and its holderwill tend to break the generator circuit and will then be in such position that neither the gen erator circuit or the motor circuit will be closed. However, upon continued movement: of the. operating member, the motor brush 39 will be brought into engagement with the motor conn'lmtator, and this, of course, will establish the motor circuit.

It. will now be obvious by refcrringto Fig. 2 that. all cuiient flowing through this established motor circuit, must necessarily pass through the following circuit: from the battery 28, through the wire 29, to. the

The depression of this main op terminal button 30, thence through the series field coil 34, to the stationary commutator brush 38-, across the armature to the movable brush 39 and thence through the re sistanee unit 42 to the other element of the motor brush holder 41', thence to the ground connection 59 of the generator frame, back to the opposite side of the battery, via ground connection 60.

On a continued movement of the rod 50 in the direction of the arrow 58, see Figs.

2'a-nd 3, the element 41 of the movable brush holder will be depressed further, relative to the commutator and also to the element 40 of the brush holder, which of course is already in contact with the motor commutator.

Now, asspon as the portion 41 of the brush holder contacts with the portion 40, the resistance unit 42 will be short-circuited and thus the full flow of current through the motor circuit will be effected.

In Fig. 3 it will be noted that the separate resistance unit is eliminated by combining this resistance'unit directly with the spring 42, which normally tends to support the two elements of the movable motor commutator brush.

Now, as soon as the engine has become self-actuating, the operator will release the pedal 51 and permit the gearing 53 to return to its normal position, and also to permit the lever 48 to act on the movable com-- mutator brush 39, in such a manner as .to return the same to its normal position, such as is shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Any suitable arrangement of springs, (not shown), may be provided for returning the main operating member to its normal position as soon as it is released by the operator; these spring arrangements being clearly described and shown in the heretofore referred to eo-pending applications and the issued patent.

In view of the fact that the operation of the electric machine as a generator does not form a part of the present invention, no description of the circuitarrangements and the associated devices is deemed necessary in the present application, inasmuch as these circuits and devices have been fully shown, described and claimed in our eopending application, Serial No. 778,934, filed July 14, 1913.

\Vhilctthc form of mechanism herein shown and described constitutes a preferred form of embodiment of the invention. it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

\Vhat. we claim is as follows:

1. In a starting device, the combination with an engine and a motor adapted to be used for starting purposes, said motor having a set of commutator brushes and brushcopies of thin patentmay be obtained for brushes having a brush-holder, comprising.

two independent elements insulated from each other; of an accumulator electrically connected with said motor; a resistance unit electrically connecting the independent elements of said brush-holder; and means for moving both of said elements of the brushholder to close the circuit connections initially through said resistance and by con tinued movement to short-circuit the said resistance element.

3. In electric machines, the combination with an armature having a commutator and brushes, one of said brushes having a brushholder consisting of two independent and insulated elements, and movable relative to each. other; of a resistance unit electrically connecting said elements of the brush-holder; and a main operating member for moving one element of the said brush-holder into contact with the other element to short-circuit the said resistance.

4. In electric machines, the combination with a commutator brush and brush-holder comprising separate insulated elements; of

a resistance unit electrically connecting said elements of the brush-holder; and means for moving one element of said brush-holder to cut out said resistance. I

5. In electric machines, the combination with a commutator brush and brush-holder,

said bruslrholder comprising two independ cut and insulated elements; of a resistance unit electrically connecting said elements andresiliently separating the same; and means for moving one element of said brushholder into contact with the other to cut out said resistance.

6. In a starting device for engines, the combination with an-engine of an electric motor; shiftable mechanical connections be tween said engine and motor; a storage battery having circuit connections adapted to be connected with said motor; a commutator brush included in said circuit connections, but normally maintained in position to break one of said connections, .said comnmtator brush comprising a plurality of elements 7. In a starting device for engines, the

combination with an engine of an electric motor; shiftable mechanical connections between said engine and motor; a storage battery having circuit connections adapted to be connected with said motor; a commutator brush included in said circuit connec tions, but normally maintained in position to break one of said connections, said commutator brush comprising a plurality of elements and a resistance associated therewith; and a common operating member capable of an initial movement to actuate said commutator brush to close one of said circuit connections through the resistance to efi 'ect the operation of the motor at a slow initial speed, and capable of a second movement to shift the mechanical connections to couple up the motor and engine, and capable of a third movement to actuate one of the elements of said brush, relative to the other to short-circuit said resistance, whereby the electric machine may operate for starting purposes.

8. In a starting device, the combination with an engine, of a motor adapted to be coupled thereto for starting purposes; an accumulator; electrical connections between the accumulator and the motor, but normally disconnected ;.a movable device for completing the circuit between the accumulator and motor, comprising movably mounted ele: ments insulated from each other, and a resistance element connected between the said elements; and an operating member for shifting said movable device'to initially close the circuit through the resistance, and, adapted by continued movement to cut out said resistance by bringing said .movably mounted elements into contact with each other.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES F. KETTERING. WILLIAM A. CHI YSfl.

WVi tn esses J. W. MCDONALD, O. D. Mower.

five cents each, by addrenlng the "communion! of htents, Washington, D. 0."

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