US1613875A - Locking mechanism for internal-combustion engines - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 11 1927- DOUGLAS LOCKING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE S Filed June 27 1925 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 1,613,875 Jan- 11 1927- I H. A. DOUGLAS LOCKING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed June 27 1925 Sheets -Sheet 2 1,613,875 11 1927 H. A. DOUGLAS LOCKING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed June 27, 1925 s Sheets-Shet s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY A. DOUGLAS, or BBONSON, MICHIGAN.

LOCKING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Application filed June 27, 1925.

My invention relates to power plants and has for its object the provision of apparatus whereby the source of energy that is employed for operating the engines or motors of such plants may be locked out of connection with such engines or motors. My invention is of particular utility in connection with those power plants which are employed to operate automotive vehicles and which include internal combustion hydrocarbon engines. In practicing my invention in connection with such engines I employ a spring for turning the throttle valve to a closed position. Step by step mechanism is employed for turning this throttle valve to an open position, the number of steps required for this purpose being known to the operator and those in confidence with him to guard against the unauthorized use of the automotive vehicle equipped with the apparatus. The step by step mechanism for placing the throttle in open position is desirably operated by an elcctroma-gnet. A second electromagnet is employed for removing the first magnet from its association with the step by step mechanism to permit the aforesaid spring to function. I also desirably couple a master ignition switch contact with the mechanism that governs the operation of the aforesaid throttle valve whereby, when this throttle valve is closed the master ignition switch is opened, and when this throttle valve is opened the master ignition switchis closed. 7

The invention will be more fully explained in connection with the accompanying drawin which Fig. lis a diagrammatic illustration of the preferred embodiment of the invention as employed in connection with an automobile; Fig. 2 is a rear view'of the preferred form of switch which controls the circuits of the magnets; Fig. 3 is the front view of the switch with parts broken away; Fig. l is a sectional view on line 4-4: of Fig. 6, of the switch; Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 6; Fig. 6. is a sectional view of the switch on line 6 6 of Fig. l; 7 is a detail view of a part of the switch structure takenon line 7-7 of F ig. 4-; Fig. 8 is another axial sectional view of the switch on line 88 of Fig. 4; Fig. 9

is a sectional view of a part of the switch structure taken on line 99 of Fig. 6 Fig. 10 is a view partially in elevation and partially in section illustrative of the self operating mechanical means which serves when Serial No. 40,081.

free to function to close the added throttle valve, the locking and releasing magnets and associated mechanism being also illustrated; Fig. 11 is a sectional view on line 11-11 ofFig. 10; Fig. 12 is an end View, with a small portion in section, illustrating the ignition switch; Fig. 13 is a sectional view on line 13-13 of Fig. 10; and Fig. 14 is a sectional view on line l e-14 of Fig. 13.

The power plant illustrated includes an internal combustion engine having four cylinders, 1, 2, 8 and 4,. each cylinder having an ignition circuit inclusive of the sparking terminals 5, included in a conductor grounded at one end and connected with a contact 6 at its other end. The four contacts 6 of the four ignition circuits are arranged in a circular row which is concentric with a revoluble switching arm 7 adaptedto engage the contacts 6 in succession. The switch arm 7 is carried upon a shaft 8 which is driven by the engine through the intermediation of an engine driven pulley 9 and a pulley 10 driven by the pulley 9 through the intermediation of the bolt 11, The shaft 8 also carries a circuit interrupting cam wheel 12 that serves to vibrate the circuit interrupting switch 13 whichis included in an inducing ignition circuit arranged to be supplied with current from the battery or generator 14 of direct current. be traced from the battery 14, which is grounded, through the contacts 15 and 16, when these contacts are bridged by the switch member 17, the inducing winding 18, the switch 13, to the grounded contact of this switch. The switch 13 and its contact are desirably shunted by a grounded condenser 19 in accordance with common practice. The switch 7 is in the induced circuit which may be traced from the switch 13 and its grounded-contact through the induced coil 20, the switch arm 7, the particular contact button 6 which happens to be engaged by the switch arm 7 to the sparking terminals 5 pertaining to the engaged contact 6.

The liquid fuel, usually gasoline, is supplied from the tank 21 through the pipe 22 This inducing circuit may to the fluid chamber 23 of the carburetor,

the admission of the liquid gasoline to this fluid chamber being governed by a needle valve 24 that is controlled by a float 25 in said chamber, in accordance with common practice. The fluid chamber 23' communicates with the intake piping 26 that is concontrol this valve in accordance with the purpose of my invention. This valve is mounted to turn upon and turns with a shaft 33. Thepipingg26 is notched where the valve 32 is located so that this valve may remain closed. during apart of its revolution. A coiled spring. 33 serves to place the valve in its closed position. When this valve is to be opened" it is moved step by step throughout the portion of its range of movement in which it remains closed, the step by step movement of the valve being continued to place it in its fully opened position. This step by step mechanism operates in opposition to the coiled spring 33.

In theembodiment of the invention illustrated, the step by step mechanism is inclusiveiof an arcuate ratchet 3a which is fixed upon the shaft 33. This ratchet is engaged by a pawl 35 carried upon the armature 36 of an unlocking magnet 37.

The switch, to be hereinafter described, which governsv the magnet 37, furnishes eight impu'lses in turning the shaft c3 against the "force of the spring 33 to openv the valve 32, thisval ve remainingclosed during several of these impulses and being brought to its fully open position by the remainder of the impulses. The switching mechanism that governs the unlocking magnet 37 also governs the locking magnet 38, the switch rendering the circuit 01 the magnet 3'? ineffective' when it renders the circuit of the magnet 38 effective. When the magnet is energized it attracts its armature to withdraw the holding'dog 40 upon this armature from engagement with the ratchet 3a. The spring 33, against the force of which the magnet 37 turns the shaft 33, is then "tree to unwind to place the valve 32 in its closed position. If the magnet should be given more than the predetermined number 01 impulses,'the"pin 41 upon the ratchet would 'engage the plate 42 which is ournaled upon the shaft 33, the. plate being thereby turned to bring the arm 43 thereon into engagement withthe detent 44 upon the armature the arm 43 then depressing the armature 39 to disengage the dog it) from the ratchet 3i, whereupon the spring 33 will unwind and place the valve32 in closed position. da hen the valve 32 is placed in' its fully open posi tion, the shaft 33 engages the contact 17 with the two contacts 15 and 16 to close the ignition circuit, the engine of the power plant thus not being operable even though the valve 32 may be partially open, until the ignition circuit is thus closed.

The switching. mechanism for governing the circuits of the unlocking magnet 37 and the locking magnet 38 is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 1, and is desirably con- The switch shown is inclusive of a 'ndrical casing d6 closed at one end by a disc of insulation l6 and assembled at its other end 'ith a mounting plate 47 which may be agtached, for example, to the dashboard or an automobile. The disc 46 also constitutes a contact carrier, as will appear, and is preferably assembled with the casing by means of bayonet pins 48 provided thereon that are received in bayonet slots 49 provided in the casing. A locl: is provided which has an enclosing casing 50 that is in fixed relation with the casing 46. Aolurality oi inwardly spring pressed locking plungers 51 are carried by the shell 52 of the lock, this shell and the lock casing 50 being in fixedrelati'on. A lock barrel 53 carries tumblers (at that are respectively aligned with the plungers 51. When the key 55 is inserted said tumblers and plungers meet where the barrel 53 engages the shell 52, permitting the key to turn said barrel. This barrel is re ceived within the central opening of an in sulating disc 56' which constitutes a contact actuator, as will appear. A metallic contact ring 57 is assembled with the disc by means of the spring. barrels 58 which are in lined r lation with said ring 57 and which are in sliding engagement with the disc These s ring barrels contain spring pressed plunge 53, which are thrust i'orwardly to engage the disc 56. The springs 58 that press upon said plungers forwardly, also pr s upon the rear ends of the barrels, these barrel ends constituting contacts 59, 60, 61

and ()2, chagrammatically indicated in F 1g.

1 as fingers projecting radially from the ring but in practice desirably projecting from the rear flat face of the ring.

A triangular metallic plate 63 is formed with acontact ca that is located upon the common of the lock barrel the-disc 56 and ring 5?, this contact 6% being in constant engagement with the terminal contact carried by the insulating disc 46, which not only serve; to close the casing 46 but also serves as a contact carrier. The metallic contact plate 63 also carries another contact 66 which is brought into and out of on. gement with the segn'icntal metallic contact (3? that is coaxial with the barrel 53, the plate 63 being also assembled with the 56 by means of the spring barrels 63 63,, these spring barrels ed by he plate structed as illustrated in Fi 's. 2 to 9 inclurier.

sliding engagement with this disc. Forwardly spring pressed plungers 69'are contained in the barrels 68, these plungers pressing upon the disc 66 and' forcing the concessible for engagement upon the inner face of the contact carrier 46 and being electrically connected by a segmental metallic strap 74 upon the rear face of said contact car- Another group of contacts 75, 76, 77 and 78 are also in the circle of rotation of the contacts 59 .to 62, these contacts 75 to 78 being also accessible for engagement upon the inner face of the contact carrier and being electrically connected by a metallic strap 79 on the rear face of said contact carr1er.

lVhen the key is inserted the contact actuator 56 may be turned thereby in a uniform direction so that the contacts 59 to 62 inclusive may each sweep over and engage each of the contacts 7 O to 73 inclusive and each of the contacts 75 to 78 inclusive, this movement being clockwise as viewed from the front of the switch and counterclockwise as viewed from Fig. 1. l/Vhen the key 55 is withdrawn the plungers 51 enter the lock barrel 53 to hold this look barrel from rotation and, through the medium of the lock barrel, to hold the-contact actuator 56 from rotation. the circuit is opened at 66, 67, as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 1. lVhenthe key is inserted the. lock barrel 53 is released whereupon the key is turned clockwise as viewed in Figs. 3 and 6, to turn the contact actuator 56 and the contact plate 63 clockwise as view-ed in there figures, but counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 1. The first result is to connect the contacts 66 and 67, whereby a circuit section is established tracing from the ground to the contact 67, the contact 66, the body of the plate 63, the contact 64,the contact 65, and the conductor 80. A conductor 81' connects conductor 80 with the metallic strap 79, the unlocking magnet 37 being included in the conductor 81. A conductor 112 is connected with the conductor 80, this conductor 82 being grounded through the locking magnet 38. NVhen the contacts 66 and 67 are initially engaged no circuit is entirely complete, but when the key is moved further, the contacts 71 and 59 are engaged and contacts 61 and 78 are engaged, whereupon the grounded battery 14 is connected with the conductor 81, this bat- In this adjustment tery being connected with the metallic strap 74 by the conductor 83 to complete the circuit of the unlocking magnet 37. r This unlocking magnet is energized to move the segmental ratchet 34 one tooth space to turn the shaft 33 to a corresponding extent against the force of the valve closing spring 33. WVhen the key 55 is moved further the circuit thus established is broken to restore the pawl 35. The ratchet 34, however, is held by the dog 40. When the key 55 is moved a little further the contacts 59 and 72 are'connected, contacts and 7 O are connected, and contacts 61 and 77 are connected, whereupon the unlocking magnet 37 is again energized to move the ratchet 34 another tooth space. In like manner, as the key 55 is continued to be turned, the contacts 59 and 73 are connected, contacts 60 and 71 are connected, contacts 61 and 76 are connected, and contacts 62 and 78 are connected, again to energize the magnet 37; the contacts 60 and 72 are connected, the contacts 61 and 75 are connected, and contacts 62 and 77 are connected again to energize the magnet 37: the contacts 60 and 73 are connected, and contacts 62 and 76 are connected to again energize the magnet 37; the contacts 61 and 70 are connected, and contacts 62 and are connected, again to energize the magnet 37 contacts 61 and 71 are connected and contacts 59 and 78 are connected again to energize the magnet 37; and contacts 61 and 72 are connected, contacts 62 and 70 are connected, and contacts 59 and 7 7 are connected, whereupon the magnet 37 is given its final energization. The contact 66 is now at the upper end of the contact 67. A slight further movement of the key will bring th e contact 66 out of engage ment with the contact 67 to open the circuit between the ground that is connected, with the contact 67 and the conductor 80. The magnet 37 is thereupon releasedbut the dog 40 still continues to hold the ratchet 34. As

a consequence of the intermittent movements of the'shaft 33 effected by the magnet 37, the valve 31 is moved to fully open position. This condition is manifested to the operator of the automobile by means of the spring pressed plunger 84 upon the actuator 56 which clicks in its pocket 86 formed in the front end wall of the casing'46. Whenever the circuit of the unlocking magnet 37 was closed, a. conductively continuous connection between the magnet 38 and, the battery 14 was also establi2hed, but the magnet 38 was prevented from being energized due to the shunted ground connection extending from the contact 67. In order that the locking magnet 38 will not be energized when the circuit of the unlocking magnet 37 is finally broken by the separation of the contacts 66 and .67, the ring 57 should be disconnected from the battery 14 before the contact 66 the shaft 83-.to an extent sufiicient to place this valve in its closed position. This result secured by turning the key in its previous direction a suiiicient distance to connect the contact 61 with the contact 73, con tact 62' with contact 71,- to connect contact 59 with 76, and contact with contact 78, whereupon the circuit for the locking magnet S8 is established. The circuit for the unlocking magnet 37 is also established but this magnet is not affected when magnet 38 is energized, the latter magnet being of sufficiently' less resistance than magnet 37 as to shunt magnet 37. Rotation of the key 55 is desirably thereafter continued until the spring pressed plunger 8% clicks into the pocket 87 upon the front end wall of the casing 46. During this further movement of the key 55 the locking magnet 88 is in cidentally intermittently energized with no efl ect.

Iclaim- 1. The combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply conduit and a valve movable to control the flow of fuel through said conduit; of electro magnetic means operable to movesaid valve step by step, and a switch controlling the operation of said electro-magnetic means.

2.. The combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply conduit and a valve movable to control the flow of fuel through said conduit: of an electro magnetically operated pawl and ratchet mechanism for moving said valve, and means controlling the operation of said mechanism.

3. The combination with an internal combustion engine including an ignition circuit and a switch movable to control said circuit; of electro-magnetic means operable to move said switch step by step, and means controlling the operation of said electro-magnetic means.

4. The combination with an internal combustion engine including an ignition circuit and a switch movable to control said circuit; of an electro-magnetically operated pawl and ratchet mechanism for mpving said switch, and means controlling the operation of said mechanism.

The combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply conduit and a valve movable to control the flow of fuel through said conduit of yieldable means constantly urging said valve towards a closed position, electro-magnctic means for moving said valve step by step to open position against the influence of said yieldable closing means, and means controlling the operation of said electro-magnetic means.

6. The combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply conduit and a valve movable to open and closed positions to control the flow of fuel through. said conduit; of an electro-magnetically operated pawl and ratchet'mechanism for moving said valve to one of its positions, yieldable means for moving said valve to the other of its positions, releasable means for holding said valve against movement during the intervals between the intermittent operations of said pawl and ratchet mechanism, electro-mag-netic means controlling the operation of said holding means, and a switch controlling the'operation of said pawl andv ratchet mechanism and said holding means.

7. The combination with an internal combustion engine including an ignition circuit and a switch movable to control said circuit; yieldable means constantly urging said switch towards an open position, electromagnetic means for moving said switch step by step to closed position against the influence of said yieldable switch opening means, and means controlling the operation of said electro-m-agnetic means- 8. The combination with an internal com-- bustion engine including a fuel supply conduit and a valve movable to control the flow of fuel through said conduit; of electro-magnetic means operable when intermittently energized to move said valve step by step, and a switch controlling the op eration of said electro-magnetic means, said switch including a rotatable part and means whereby continuous rotation of said part intermittently energizes said electrical means.

9. The combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply conduit and a valve movable to control the flow of fuel through said conduit; of a spring constantly urging said valve towards closed position, a ratchet fixed to said valve, an electro-magnet including an armature, a pawl carried by said armature cooperating with said ratchet, means for intermittently energizing said magnet whereby said pawl and ratchet serves to move said valve step by step towards open position,-and a releasable dog for holding said valve against closing movement during the intervals between the intermittent operations of said magnet.

10. The combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply conduit and a valve movable to control the flow of fuel through said conduit: of a spring constantly urging said valve towards closed position, a'ratchet fixed-to said valve, an electro-magnet including an armature, a pawl carried. by said armature cooperating with said ratchet, means for intermittently energizing said magnet whereby said pawl and ratchet serves to move said valve step by step towards open position, areleasable dog for holding said valve against closing movement during the intervals between the intermittent operations of said magnet, and means whereby said dog is released to permit said spring to close said valve in the event said magnet is intermittently energized more than a predetermined number of times.

11. The combination with an internal combustion engine including a member movable between two positions in one of which it permits operation of the engine and in the other of which it prevents operation of the engine; of mechanism operable intermittently to move said member step-by-step to a position in which it permits operation of the engine, and means controlling the opera-- tion of said mechanism.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe 2 my name.

' HARRY A. DOUGLAS.

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