US2017870A - Engine starter - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 22, 1935. F. H. PRESCOTT ENGINE STARTER Filed June 8, 1931 ludbfom p Patented Oct. 22, 1935 PATENT OFFICE moms s'rzm'rsa Frank H. Prescott, Anderson, Ind., asslgnor, by

mesne assignments, to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich" a corporation of Delaware Application June a, 1931, Serial No. 542,806

37 Claims. v (01. zen-3s) This invention relates to automatic starting devices for internal combustion engines, and more specifically, to devices of this kind which will automatically start the engine whenever the 5 ignition switch is closed and which will automatically operate to restart the engine if said engine should stop at any time as long as the ignition switch remains closed.

Devices of this general type are shown in the prior art, as for instance, in the patent to Hasselbring No. 1,739,069, granted December 10, 1929.

In the device disclosed in the drawing, the engine starter is of the type in which the starting motor is connected to the motor through the medium of a pinion which is rotated by the starting motor and which is axially slidable into and out of engagement with the flywheel gear by means other than the starting motor before the motor switch is closed to effect rotation of the pinion. It will be understood. however, that the invention is not limited to this particular type of engine starting device.

In automatic engine starting devices of the type shown in the patent to Hasselbring, an electromagnet has been used to effect the shifting of the driving pinion of the engine starting device and to closethe switch of the starting motor,

the circuit of such electromagnet being closed when the ignition switch is closed and the circuit through such magnet being automatically broken by the action of the generator when the engine is operating under its own power. In such a device it is necessary to employ an electromag- 3 net of considerable size in order to perform its net involves considerable expense.

It is the object of thepresent invention to provide an automatic engine starting device of the character above referred to, which is simple in construction, positive in operation and relatively inexpensive to make.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which includes means for delaying the re-starting of the engine subsequent to any stalling thereof at least long enough to permit the shaft of the starting motor to come to rest.

According to the present invention, these objects are attained by the use of a small electric motor, the circuit of which is closed when the ignition switch is closed, and which is effective to move the starting motor pinion axially into engagement with the flywheel gear and to close the main switch of the starting motor so that the flywheel gear is driven thereby to starttheenvarious operations and so large an electromagglue. The circuit of the small motor is broken when the engine is operating under its own power after which its shaft is reversely rotated by a spring to restore the various parts operate by the motor to normal position.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accom- D yin drawing, wherein a preferred embodiment of one form of the present invention is 10 clearly shown.

In the drawing:

The single figure isa diagrammatic illustration of an automatic starting device constructed in accordance with the present invention. 18

In the drawing, a starting motor is diagrammatically illustrated at III. This motor is provided with an armature shaft l2, which is splined, as indicated at H and an internally splined I sleeve I6 engages splines I 4 so that said sleeve 20 rotates with the shaft l2, but is slidable thereon as hereinafter described.

A pinion I8 is connected to one member'of an over-running clutch indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 20, the other member of :5 which is connected to the sleeve l6, integrally or in any other suitable manner, so that the pinion will rotate with the sleeve it after the main motor switch is closed and as long as the engine flywheel gear 9 is being turned by the pinion. but so as soon as the engine starts operating under its own power, the pinion may rotate independently of the sleeve 16 through the medium of such clutch.. The specific construction of this clutch is not material so far as the prese'ntinvention s5 is concerned and since the clutches of this character are known and in common'use, thespeciflc construction thereof will not be further described.

. slidable on the sleeve Ii and rotatable with 4.0 respect thereto, is a collar 22. which, when moved to the right by means hereinafter described, will operate through a coil spring 24, coiled around the sleeve l6 between the collar and the clutch 20 to move the driving pinion ll toward the-6 flywheel gear. If the pinion It strikes a gear tooth of the flywheel gear 9 as it is thus moved, the spring will yield so that the collar moving means may continue its movement to close the main motor switch whereupon the shaft I2 is so effective to rotate the pinion to meshing position through the medium of the clutch, and the spring 24, which is under compression. will cause the pinion to jump into engagement with the flywheel gear teeth as is well known in the art.- ,I'

The collar is moved to engage the pinion with the engine gear by a lever 26 pivoted at 28, on some suitable support and provided with a yoke 30 at its lower end, the arms of which have projecting lugs 02, which are received in a groove 34, formed on the collar 22, as shown in the drawing. At its upper end, the lever 20 is provided with an open end slot 36 which engages a pin 38 projecting from a nut 40 engaging the threaded end 42 of the armature shaft of a small motor indicated diagrammatically at N, the shaft 42 being provided with a pin 46 extending therethrough to prevent the nut 40 from being disengaged from the shaft.

One end of the shaft 42 is connected to one end of a spring 48, in any suitable way while the other end of the spring engages a pin 54, or some other stationary part, so that as the shaft 42 is turned during the operation of the motor 44, to rock the lever 20 about its pivot in a counterclockwise direction, the spring I! will be put under tension and, when the motor ceases to operate after the starting of the engine, the spring, which is an ordinary clock spring, will unwind and restore the parts to the position shown in the drawing.

Mounted in any suitable manner in proximity to the lever 26, is a switch closing plunger 60, having a head 62 adapted to be engaged by a projecting shoulder 64 of said lever 20 and normally held in its open or inoperative position by a spring 00, received between the head 62 and a member 60, which supports the switchplunger. At the opposite end of the plunger 00, a bridge contact I is provided which will engage the stationary contacts 12 and 14 when the switch plunger is in its operative or closed position to enable current to pass from battery 16 to ground.

at I0, and through the lead 00, contact 12, contact piece I0, contact ll, the connection 02, through armature and brushes of the motor I0 and the connection 04 back to the ground. Therefore, whenever the lever 20 is operated to move the switch plunger 00 to its operative or closed position, the circuit is closed through the main starting motor which turns the shaft I2 and through the medium of the pinion l0, which is moved into engagement with the engine 11vwheel gear 9 before the switch plunger is moved 3 to its closed position, rotates the engine flywheel and starts the engine. After the engine is operating under its own power, the lever 20 is moved to its original position and the switch plunger is moved to its open position breaking the circuit through the starting motor.

The small motor 04 is operated whenever the ignition switch is closed to move the lever 20 in a counterclockwise direction to effect movement of the switch plunger 00 in the manner above described. The ignition switch is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 00, and has three contacts 02, 90, and 00, from which extend electrical connections 90, I00 and I02, which lead respectively, to the ignition mechanism, to an automatically operated electromagnetic switch I04 in circuit with the motor N and to the generator circuit between the generator I34 and the battery I6. A three arm contact member I06, when moved to its closing position, engages all of the contacts 02, 04 and 90. The connection I00 leads to a stationary contact I00 of the automatic switch I04, which is normally engaged by a movable switch arm IIO, held in closed position by a spring H2. The other end of arm H0 is connected by wire I through the cause of the inertia of the parts.

- brush H6, H8 and armature of motor 44, to the through the connections I01 and I 02 to the switch 5 contact point 96, the member I06, contact 8!, connection I00, stationary and movable contacts I00 and 0, connection, Ill, brushes H6 and H0 and the armature of motor 44 back to the ground. The circuit of the motor 44 is, therefore, closed whenever the member II 6 is in its closed position, resulting in the rotation of the armature shaft 42 and the operation of the lever 26 in a counterclockwise direction as previously described, to effect, first, the movement of the 10 starting pinion I8 to the right into engagement with the flywheel gear 9 and thereafter the closing of the main starting motor switch which will result in the cranking and starting of the engine.

When the engine has started and is operating under its own power, the generator is operated in the usual manner to charge the battery 16 and becomes effective to break the circuit of the motor M by operating the electromagnetic switch I04 to separate the contacts I 00 and H0. To this ll end the switch I includes a solenoid I20, having a core I22 and a winding I24 connected to the ground as indicated at I20 and by wire I28 connected to the generator which is grounded as indicated at I30. A cut-out relay of ordinary 00 construction is indicated at I32 between the generator and the battery.

After the engine starts to run under its own power and the generator is operated to sufficient speed to generate current of approximate- 0 1y 2 /2 volts potential, the switch arm H0 is moved to break the circuit of the motor H, and such circuit will remain broken as long as the generator operates at sufllcient speed to generate current having a voltage of approximately .2 volt. The difference in voltage required to separate the contacts I 00 and H0 and that required to hold the contacts in open position is due to the fact that the air gap within the solenoid is reduced after the switch is opened, so that much less voltage is effective to keep the switch open than is required to open it when closed. Thus it will be clear that the electromagnetic switch is held in its open position until the engine has practically ceased to run so that l0 motor 44 can not be rendered effective to close the circuit of the main starting motor, or eflect engagement of the pinion I0 with the flywheel gear 9' until the flywheel gear has substantially stopped moving. This is important, because if II it were possible to cause engagement of the pinion I8 with the flywheel gear during the operation of the latter, it would result in stripping the teeth of the gear or pinion.

It is desirable that there always be some delay Q in meshing of the starting pinion with the flywheel gear and closing of the circuit of the main starting motor. This is necessary because the engine might be started and then stopped substantially immediately after it had started to run, U

in which event the starting motor shaft would still be turning and the pinion I8 rotating relatively rapidly after the engine has stopped, be- If it were possible to operate the lever 25 immediately, under 10 these conditions, movement of the pinion I0 to engage the gear 8 would be effected while the shaft of the starting motor was still rotating, resulting in probable breaking of the teeth of gear or pinion. The device illustrated herein is effective to prevent this immediate reoperation of the lever 26 because of the worm connection between the nut 40 and the shaft 42 of the small motor. Due to this worm connection, it takes an appreciable time interval for the lever 26 to be rocked on its pivot sufficiently to effect engagement of the pinion and gear.

The small motor 44 is positive in its action and is relatively low in cost, being of substantially the same size as motors employed in motor operated horns.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. Engine starting apparatus for automotive vehicles comprising in combination, a current source, an ignition switch, a starting motor, a switch for effecting the connection of the current source and the motor, an auxiliary rotary motor for operating the main motor switch, and means for rendering said auxiliary motor effective on closing of the ignition switch.

2. Engine. starting apparatus for automotive vehicles comprising in combination, a current source, an ignition switch, a starting motor, a switch for effecting the connection of the current source and the motor, an auxiliary rotary motor for operating the main motor switch, means for rendering said auxiliary motor effective on closing of the ignition switch, and means for rendering said auxiliary motor ineffective when the engine is operating under its own power.

3. Engine starting apparatus for automotive vehicles comprising in .combination, a current source, an ignition switch, a starting motor, a switch for effecting the connection of the current source and the motor, an auxiliary rotary motor for operating the main motor switch, means for rendering said auxiliary motor effective on closing of the ignition switch, a generator adapted to be operated by the engine and means operated by the generator for rendering said auxiliary motor ineffective.

4. Engine starting apparatus for automotive vehicles comprising in combination, a current source, an ignition switch, a starting motor, a

switch for effecting the connection of the current source and the motor, a motor driven pinion for operating the engine flywheel to start the engine, an auxiliary. rotary motor for moving said pinion into engagement with said flywheel,

and means controlled by the ignition switch for rendering said auxiliary motor effective on clos ing of the ignitionv switch.

5. Engine starting apparatus for automotive 'vehicles/ comprising in combination, a current source, an ignition switch, a starting motor, a switch for effecting the connection of the current source and the motor, a motor driven pinion for operating the engine flywheel to start the "engine, an auxiliary rotary motor for moving said pinion into engagement with said flywheel independently of the starting motor, means for rendering said auxiliary motor eifective on closing of the ignition switch and a delayed operating connection between the auxiliary motor and the pinion whereby'the engagement of the pinion with the engine fiywheel is materially delayed.

6. Engine starting apparatus for automotive vehicles comprising in combination, a current source, an ignition switch, a starting motor, a switch for effecting the connection of the current source and the motor, a motor driven pinion for operating the engine flywheel to start the engine, an auxiliary motor for moving said pinion 5 into engagement with said'flywheel, means for rendering said auxiliary motor effective on closing of the ignition switch, and an operating connection between the auxiliary motor and pinion; including a worm drive, whereby the engage- 0 ment of the pinion with the flywheel gear is materially delayed.

7. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, an engine starting motor, a pinion operated thereby and movable into mesh with a 15 gear of the engine to be started, a smaller rotary electric motor, means operated thereby for closing the circuit of the starting motor to cause the engine starting motor to operate to crank the engine, and means for controlling the smaller motor.

8. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, an engine starting motor, a pinion operated thereby and movable into mesh with a gear of the engine to be started, a smaller rotary electric motor, a current source, means operated by the smaller motor for connecting the current source with the engine starting motor to cause the latter to crank the engine, and means for controlling the smaller motor.

9. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, an engine starting motor, a pinion operated thereby and movable into mesh with a gear of the engine to be started, a smaller rotary electric motor, a current source, means operated by the smaller motor for connecting the current source with the engine starting motor and for shifting the pinion into mesh with the engine gear, and means for controllingthe smaller motor.

10. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in 40' combination, an engine starting motor, a pinion operated thereby and movable into mesh with a gear of the engine to be started, a rotary electric motor, means operated by said rotary motor for directly moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and for causing the engine cranking motor to be energized independently of said rotary motor, and means for controlling said rotary motor.

11. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, an engine starting motor, a pinion operated therebyand movable into mesh with a gear of the engine to be started, a smaller electric motor, a shaft rotated by the smaller motor in one direction, means operated by said shaft when driven by the smaller motor for shifting the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and for causing the engine cranking motor to operate, a spring operable when the smaller motor ceases to operate for rotating the shaft in the opposite direction to cause the pinion to be demeshed from the engine gear and the engine starting motor to cease operation, and means for controlling the smaller motor.

12. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in 65. combination, an engine starting motor, a pinion operated thereby and movable into mesh with a gear of the engine to be started, a smaller electric motor, a current source, a shaft rotated by the smaller motor in one direction, means operated by said shaft when driven by the smaller motor for shifting the pinion into mesh with the engine gear, and for connecting the engine starting motor with the current source, a spring operable when the smaller motor ceases to operate for ro- (I tating the shaft in the opposite direction to cause the pinion to be demeshed from the engine gear,

' and for disconnecting the engine starting motor combination, an engine starting motor, a pinion operated thereby and movable into mesh with a gear of the engine to be started, a smaller electric motor, a current source, a screw threaded shaft rotated by the smaller motor in one direction, a non-rotatable nut threaded by the shaft axially thereof, a pinion shifting lever operated by the nut, a switch operated by the lever for connecting the current source and engine cranking motor, a spring operable when the smaller motor ceases to operate for rotating the shaft in the opposite direction to cause the pinion to be demeshed from the engine gear, and for effecting the opening of the starting motor switch, and means for controlling the smaller motor.

14. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in

combination, an engine starting motor, a pinion operated thereby and movable into mesh with a gear of the engine to be started, a smaller rotary electric motor, means operated thereby for causing the engine starting motor to operate to crank the engine, and means responsive to engine operation for rendering the smaller motor inoperative.

' 15. Engine starting apparatuscomprising, in combination, an engine starting motor, a pinion operated thereby and movable into mesh with a gear of the engine to be started, a smaller rotary electric motor, means operated thereby for causing the engine starting motor to operate to crank the engine, a manually operable switch for causing the smaller motor to operate, and a switch automatically responsive to engine operation for rendering the smaller motor inoperative.

16. Engine starting apparatus for automotive vehicles comprising, in combination, a current source, an ignition switch, a starting motor, a starter switch for closing the circuit between the current source and the starting motor, means for closing said starter switch upon closing of the ignition switch when the engine is not running and to hold said switch closed until the engine begins to run if said ignition switch remains closed and effective to close the starter switch whenever the engine stops if the ignition switch is in closed position, said switch closing means includins transmission mechanism so constructed as to delay the closing of the starter switch for an appreciable interval after the closing of the ignition switch or after any stopping of the engine when the ignition switch is closed, and means for preventing operation of the starter switch when the engine is running.

17. Engine starting apparatus for automotive vehicles comprising, in combination, a current source, an ignition switch, a starting motor, a starter switch for closing the circuit between the current source and the starting motor, a motor driven pinion for operating the engine flywheel to start the engine, means for moving said pinion into driving engagement with said flywheel upon closing of the ignition switch when the engine is not running and eflective to so move the pinion whenever the engine stops while the ignition switch is in closed position, said means for moving the pinion including transmission mechanism so constructed as to delay the engagement of the pinion with the flywheel for an appreciable interval after the closing of the ignition switch or after any stopping of the engine when the ignition switch is closed, and means for preventing movement of the pinion into engagement with the flywheel when the engine is running.

18. Engine starting apparatus for automotive 5 vehicles comprising, in combination, a current source, an ignition switch, a starting motor, a starter switch for closing the circuit between the current source and the starting motor, a motor driven pinion for operating the engine flywheel to start the engine, means for moving said pinion into driving engagement with said flywheel and for closing the starter switch upon closing of the ignition switch when the engine is not running and eiiective to so move the pinion and close the 1s switch whenever the engine stops while the ignition switch is in closed position, said means for moving the pinion and closing the starter switch including transmission mechanism so constructed as inherently to delay the engagement of the pinion with the flywheel and the closing of said switch for an appreciable interval after the closing of the ignition switch or after any stopping of the engine when the ignition switch is closed. and means for preventing movement of the pinion into engagement with the flywheel and the closing of the starter switch when the engine is running.

19. Engine starting apparatus for automotive vehicles comprising, in combination, a current source, an ignition switch, a starting motor, a starter switch for closing the circuit between the current source and the starting motor, a motor driven pinion for operating the engine flywheel 'to start the engine, a lever for moving said pinion into driving engagement with said engine flywheel, means operable upon closing of the ignition switch when the engine is not running for operating said lever and effective to operate the lever whenever the engine stops while the ignition so switch is in closed positon, said operating means including transmission mechanism so constructed that the movement of the pinion to engaging position with the flywheel is delayed for an appreciable interval after the closing of the ignition switch or after any stopping of the engine if the ignition switch is closed, and means for preventing operation of the lever when the engine is running.

20. Engine starting apparatus for automotive 50 vehicles comprising, in combination, a current source, an ignition switch, a starting motor, a starter switch for closing the circuit between the current source and the starting motor, a motor driven pinion for operating the engine flywheel to II start the engine, a lever for moving said pinion into driving engagement with said engine flywheel and for closing the starter switch, means operable upon closing of the ignition switch when the engine is not running for operating said lever and effective to operate the lever whenever the engine stops while the ignition switch is in closed position, said operating means including transmission mechanismjso constructed that the movement of the pinion to engaging position with the II flywheel and the closing of the starter switch is delayed for an appreciable interval after the closing of me ignition switch or after any stopping of the engine if the ignition switch is closed, and means for preventing operation of the lever when I0 the engine is running.

21. Engine starting apparatus for automotive vehicles comprising, in combination, a current source, an ignition switch, a starting motor, a starter switch for completing the circuit between II the current source and the starting motor, a membar for operating said starter switch, means effective on closing of the ignition switch when the engine is not running for operating said member, and means for effecting a relatively slow movement of said member with respect to its operating means so constructed that inherently the closing of the starter switch is delayed for an appreciable interval subsequent to the closing of the ignition switch.

22. Engine starting apparatus comprising in combination, an engine starting motor, a pinion operated thereby and movable into engagement with a gear on the engine to be started, a rotary electric motor adapted to be connected with the same source of current as the starting motor, means operated by the rotary motor for directly moving the pinion into engagement with the engine gear and for connecting the starting motor with the current source, and means for controlling the operation of said rotary motor..

23. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, a current source, astarting motor adapted to receive current from said source and normally disconnected from the engine and having an armature shaft extending therefrom, a shiftable member slidable on said shaft for establishing driving connection between the starting motor and the engine, an auxiliary motor having a rotary armature shaft,

means whereby rotation of the armature shaft of the auxiliary motor moves the slidable member on the shaft of the starting motor to establish driving connection between said starting motor and the engine, and means for controlling the operation of the auxiliary motor.

24. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, a starting motor, a current source for supplying current to said starting motor, a circuit between said starting motor and current source, an auxiliary rotary motor also in circuit with said current source and adapted when operative to cause the starting motor to become effective to drive the engine and means for controlling the operation of said auxiliary motor.

25. Control apparatus for internal combustion .engines, comprising in combination, a starting motor, a current source for supplying current to said starting motor, a circuit between said starting motor and current source having a starter switch therein, an auxiliary rotary motor also in circuit with said current source and adapt ed when operative to close said starter switch to cause the starting motor to become effective to drive the engine, and means for controlling the operation of said auxiliary motor.

26. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, a starting motor normally disconnected from the engine, a current source, a circuit between the starting motor and current source, a starter ,switch in said circuit, an auxiliary rotary motor also in circ'ui't with said current source and adapted when operative to close said starter switch and establish driving connection between the starting motor and the engine, and means for controlling the operation of said rotary motor.

2'7. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, a starting motor, a current source for supplying current tov said starting motor, a circuit between said starting motor and current source having a main starter switch therein, an auxiliary rotary motor for operating said switch and also in circuit with the current source, and manually and automatically operated switches for controlling the operation of said auxiliary motor.

28. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, a starting 5 motor, a current source for supplying current to said starting motor, a circuit between said starting motor and current source, an auxiliary rotary motor also in circuit with said current source and adapted when operative to cause the starting 10 motor to become effective to drive the engine, an

ignition switch andmeans whereby operation of said ignition switch controls the operation of said auxiliary motor.

29. Control apparatus for internal combustion l5 engines, comprising in combination, a starting ignition switch and means whereby closing of the ignition switch causes the auxiliary motor to become operative. g5

30. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, a starting motor, a current source for supplying current-to said starting motor, a circuit between said starting motor and current source, an auxiliary rotary 80 motor also in circuit with said current source and adapted when operative to cause the starting motor to become effective to drive the engine, an ignition switch, means whereby closing of the ignition switch causes the auxiliary motor to become operative and an automatic switch operated by the engine to cause the auxiliary motor to become inoperative when the engine is running under its own power.

31, Control apparatus for internal combustion 40 engines, comprising in combination, a starting motor, a current source for supplying current to said starting motor, a circuit between said starting motor and current source having a starter switch therein, an auxiliary rotary motor also in 5-- closing of the ignition switch causes said auxiliary 5 motor to become operative.

32. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, a starting motor, a current source for supplying current to said starting'motor, a circuit between said starting motor and current source having a starter switch therein, an auxiliary rotary motor also in circuit with said current source and adapted when operative to close said starter switch to cause the starting motor to become effective to drive the engine, a manually operable switch for causing the auxiliary motor to become operative and an automatic switch controlled by operation or the engine to cause said auxiliary motor to become-inoperative when the engine runs under 35 its own power.

33. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, a starting motor normally disconnected from the engine, a shiitable member operative to establish driving 7 connection between the starting motor and the engine, a current source with which said starting motor is in circuit, an auxiliary rotary motor also in circuit with said current source and adapted when operative to move said shiftable member switch in said circuit adapted to be closed bymovement or said shiitable member, an auxiliary rotary motor also in circuit with said current source and adapted when operative to move said shii'table member into position to establish driving connection between the starting motor and the engine and to close said starter switch, and means for controlling the operation of said auxiliary motor.

35. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, a starting motor normally disconnected from the engine, a. shiitable member operative to establish driving connection between the starting motor and the engine, a current source, a circuit between said current source and said starting motor, a starter switch in said circuit adapted to be closed by movement of said shiitable member, an auxiliary rotary motor also in circuit with said current source, and adapted when operative to move said shii'table member into position to establish driving connection between the starting motor and the engine and to close said starter switch, a manually operable switch for causing the auxiliary motor to become operative and an automatic switch operable by the engine to cause said auxiliary motor to become inoperative when the engine is operating under its own power.

36. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, a current source, a. starting motor adapted to receive current from said source and normally disconnected from the engine, a drive shaft operable by said motor, a member adapted to be moved laterally to establish driving connection between the starting motor and the engine and in driving relation 10 with said drive shaft in either normal or shifted position, an auxiliary rotary motor, means operated by rotation of said auxiliary motor to move said member laterally to connect the starting motor in driving relation with the engine, and 1 means for controlling the operation 01 said auxiliary motor.

37. Control apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, a current source, a starting motor adapted to receive cur- :0 rent from said source and normally disconnected from the engine, a drive shaft operable by said motor, a member adapted to be moved laterally to establish driving connection between the starting motor and the engine and in driving relation '25 with said drive shaft in either normal or shifted position, an auxiliary rotary motor, means op erated by rotation of said auxiliary motor to move said member laterally to connect the starting motor in driving relation with the engine, a switch so for connecting the starting motor with the current source, means operated by said laterally shiitable member as it is moved to establish driving connection between the starting motor and engine to close said switch, and means for conas trolling the operation of said auxiliary motor.

FRANK H. PRESCOTT.

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