US3824978A

US3824978A - Method and apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine

Info

Publication number: US3824978A
Application number: US00354087A
Authority: US
Inventors: M Paquette; R Paquette
Original assignee: MC CULLOCH CORP
Current assignee: Mcculloch Corp; MC CULLOCH CORP
Priority date: 1973-04-24
Filing date: 1973-04-24
Publication date: 1974-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 1991-07-23
Also published as: CA991039A; JPS5012443A; SE401716B

Abstract

A method and apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a convolute spring disposed about an arbor which in turn is coaxially mounted upon a crankshaft of the engine. The spring serves to drive the crankshaft through a one-way clutch operably connected between the arbor and the crankshaft. The spring is fastened at the other end to a spring casing which is mounted for unidirectional rotation about the crankshaft. A spring rewind drive train drivingly connects the crankshaft with the spring casing and is operable to rotate the spring casing to rewind the starter spring upon starting of the internal combustion engine. A hydraulic system is provided for automatically resetting a starter spring release to rewind the starter spring upon starting of the engine. A hydraulic lock-out means automatically terminates the rewinding operation upon winding the spring to a predetermined extend. The lock-out precludes overwinding and excessive wear during operation of the engine. The method includes the steps of releasing a spring biased arbor connected through a one-way clutch to the engine crankshaft, transmitting torque energy from a wound spring to the engine crankshaft for rotating the crankshaft and starting the internal combustion engine. Further, the method includes hydraulically resetting the arbor arm to stop rotation thereof automatically upon starting of the internal combustion engine, rewinding the starter spring for subsequent use, and hydraulically terminating the rewinding process upon the starter spring achieving a rewound condition.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Paquette, deceased [451 July 23,1974

[ METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STARTING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE [75] Inventor: Merle Winfield Paquette, deceased,

late of Los Angeles, Calif. by Richard N. Paquette, petitioner [73] Assignee: McCulloch Corporation, Los

Angeles, Calif.

22 Filed: Apr. 24, 1973 211 Appl. No.: 354,087

[52] US. Cl. 123/179 S, 185/39 [51] Int. Cl. F02n 5/02 [58] Field of Search 123/179 S, 179 R; 185/38, 185/39 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,042,841 6/1936 Harmon 123/179 S 2,744,586 5/1956 Blankenburg 123/179 S 2,974,658 3/1961 Russell 123/179 S 2,987,057 6/1961 Kopp 1231179 5 3,139,877 7/1964 Graybill 123/179 S 3,140,703 7/1964 Barr 123/179 S 3,692,010 9/1972 Dooley et al. [23/179 S X FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 372,376 3/1923 Germany 185/39 Primary Examiner-Charles J. Myhre Assistant ExaminerWilliam Rutledge, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Burns, Doane, Swecker 8L Mathis [57] ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a convolute spring disposed about an arbor which in turn is coaxially mounted upon a crankshaft of the engine. The spring serves to drive the crankshaft through a oneway clutch operably connected between the arbor and the crankshaft. The spring is fastened at the other end to a spring casing which is mounted for unidirectional rotation about the crankshaft. A spring rewind drive train drivingly connects the crankshaft with the spring casing and is operable to rotate the spring casing to rewind the starter spring upon starting of the internal combustion engine. A hydraulic system is provided for automatically resetting a starter spring release to rewind the starter spring upon starting of the engine. A hydraulic lock-out means automatically terminates the rewinding operation upon winding the spring to a predetermined extend. The lock-out precludes overwinding and excessive wear during operation of the engine.

The method includes the steps of releasing a spring biased arbor connected through a one-way clutch to the engine crankshaft, transmitting torque energy from a wound spring to the engine crankshaft for rotating the crankshaft and starting the internal combustion engine. Further, the method includes hydraulically resetting the arbor arm to stop rotation thereof automatically upon starting of the internal combustion engine, rewinding the starter spring for subsequent use, and hydraulically terminating the rewinding process upon the starter spring achieving a rewound condition.

23 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEU JUL 2 3 I974 SHEET 1 0F 4 FIGI METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STARTING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a method and apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine. More particularly the invention relates to a method and apparatus for spring starting compression ignition engines.

The diesel engine is currently used in a wide spectrum of applications for driving devices such as cement mixers, pumps, generators, and vehicles such as, for example, boats. it has long been recognized that starting a cold diesel engine is generally a difficult matter. Many procedures and devices have been developed for facilitating cold engine starting such as the use of compressed air, introduction of heated air into the cylinder, and the injection of various fluid materials into the cylinders. All of these approaches for facilitating cold starting of diesel engines require a significant amount of additional auxiliary apparatus and are generally expensive to incorporate within a conventional engine or present logistics supply problems. Moreover the reliability of such engine starting facilitating methods and devices have been less than desirable in many applications such as in the field or in cold remote areas, and, of course, reliability is of primary importance in these aforementioned applications.

The direct manual starting of a diesel engine is a difficult matter for a grown man and should hardly be attempted by a woman or child. Therefore, a distinct disadvantage exists in diesel engines which must be handcranked even when such diesel engines are provided with the aforementioned starter facilitating features. Moreover, if the diesel engine should be turned over too slowly during the starting process, there is a tendency for the compressed gas to leak through various spaces in the piston cylinders, and the cold walls of the chamber have a longer time in which to act on and cool the compressed gas so as to impede ignition and starting. Another disadvantage in turning the crankshaft of an engine over too slowly during the starting of the engine is that the fuel injection system may often fail to inject a satisfactory mist into the chamber for combustion. This disadvantage similarly impedes proper ignition and starting of the engine.

Therefore, it can be generally said that reliable and fast ignition of a compression ignition internal combustion engine requires that the engine be turned over very rapidly during the starter period. Also, it would be advantageous if a system could be provided which would permit a woman or child to provide the energy for rotating the crankshaft for proper starting. This last advantage is of particular significance in relation to the application of diesel engines to small boats or as auxiliary engines on large boats or electric generators for emergency power, etc.

In the context of the foregoing basic objectives, the invention is further concerned with the elimination of cumbersome complex and often unreliable control mechanisms heretofore often encountered in the art. More particularly, the presently known state of the art indicates a need for a compact, reliable starter control mechanism, operable with minimum manipulation, efficient in design and rugged in operation, which may be easily incorporated on a conventional engine frame or housing.

In this connection it would be highly desirable to provide a starting system for an internal combustion engine which will be compact, reliable, relatively inexpensive, highly efficient in design and rugged in operation, utilizing a minimum number of moving parts.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine which will obviate or mini mize problems often encountered in the prior art such as briefly and illustratively previously described.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine which is particularly adapted to cold-starting diesel engines.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine which ensures that the engine will be turned over very rapidly during the starting period.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine which may be operated by a woman or small child with the same results of reliability and quick ignition as if the system were operated by a full grown man.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine which minimizes problems of gas leakage past the piston cylinders, loss of compressed charge heat through cold walls of the cylinder, and lack of fuel pressure for properly spraying fuel into the fuel injection system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine which is highly reliable in operation.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine which is adaptable to existing conventional internal combustion engine equipment.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine which is highly efficient in design and lends itself to ease of manufacture, installation and operation.

it is a further object of the invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine which automatically rewinds the starter spring upon starting of the internal combustion engine.

lt is an additional object of the invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for controlling a starting spring for an internal combustion engine whereby the automatic rewinding system may be automatically terminated upon rewinding of the starter spring.

It is a specific object of the invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for controlling a starting spring for an internal combustion engine wherein the effective wear life of clutching operating elements may be maximized.

BRIEF SUMMARY A method and apparatus operable for starting an internal combustion engine which is suitable to achieve at least some of the foregoing objects includes an arbor means mounted for rotation upon an engine crankshaft by way of a one-way clutch. The arbor means, crank shaft, and oneway clutch are arranged so that torque is transmitted only from the arbor means to the crankshaft. A spring casing is mounted to freely rotate about the exterior of the arbor. A convolute spring is connected between the spring casing and the arbor. A starter spring release mechanism releases the arbor to drive the crankshaft under bias of the previously wound starter spring. Hydraulic means are provided for automatically resetting the starter spring release means following starting of the internal combustion engine. A starter spring rewind drive train is operatively connected between the engine crankshaft and the spring casing means to automatically rewind the starter spring upon starting of the internal combustion engine. A hydraulic means is also provided for automatically disengaging the starter spring rewind drive train upon the starter spring achieving a previously determined rewound condition.

A method for controlling a spring starter for an internal combustion engine includes releasing a springbiased arbor arm connected through a one-way clutch to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. The next step includes transmitting torque energy from a wound spring to the arbor arm to rotate the crankshaft and start the internal combustion engine. Following starting of the internal combustion engine, the method includes hydraulically resetting an arbor arm stop to interfere with at least a portion of the arbor arm and to stop rotation thereof automatically upon starting of the internal combustion engine. The final two steps include rewinding a spring casing automatically upon starting of the internal combustion engine and hydraulically stopping the rewinding process automatically upon the starter spring achieving a rewound condition.

THE DRAWINGS While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is described in the following detailed description which may best be understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a partial sectional view shown in elevation of an overall spring starting system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 2-2 in FIG. I, and particularly discloses a starter spring release mechanism in contact with an arbor arm of the starter spring system;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 33 in FIG. 1 and particularly discloses a convolute starter spring and a starter spring casing rewind spur gear set;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along section line 4-4 in FIG. 1 and discloses in detail a manually operable starter spring release mechanism in conjunction with an alternate manual or hydraulic reset assemy;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along section line 5-5 in FIG. 1 and discloses an automatic rewind drive train for rewinding the starter spring upon starting of the internal combustion engine;

FIG. 6 is a partial detailed view taken along section line 6-6 in FIG. 8 and discloses in detail the operation of a hydraulic valve suitable to control actuation of a hydraulic lockout for the automatic spring starter rewind system;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view taken along section line 7-7 in FIG. 1 and discloses in detail a hydraulic lockout system for preventing the starter spring from being over wound; and

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view taken along section line 8-8 in FIG. 4 and discloses an arbor arm slider having a tang which rides within a spiral groove on the exterior surface of the starter spring casing and carries another tang suitable to operate a hydraulic valve of the starter spring rewind lockout mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views thereof, FIGS. I, 2 and 3 show an overall spring starter system for an internal combustion engine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 1, an engine crankshaft 10 or an extension thereof is rotatably mounted within an engine housing 12 by means of a bearing 14. A pulley may be mounted upon a further extension of the shaft 10 as at 11 to connect the shaft with an air pump, or the like, (not shown). The engine (not shown) is entirely conventional and may be, for example, of the multicylinder compression ignition type. In order to start the engine a spring starter system, comprising the subject invention, is connected to the engine crankshaft as will be discussed in detail hereinafter.

Starter Spring Assembly The starter spring system of the subject invention includes a starter spring assembly 16 which comprises a starter spring casing 18 rotatably mounted upon an arbor 20 by

cylindrical bearing members

22 and 24. The arbor 20 in turn is mounted for rotation upon the crankshaft 10 by means of bearings 25 and 26. The arbor 20 is further mounted for unidirectional rotation with respect to the shaft 10 by the provision of oneway or overrunning clutch means 28 and 30.

The unidirectional clutches 28 and 30 may be of a conventional commercial type. In this connection, one type suitable for this intended use may be identified as a drawn cup roller clutch in a publication KC 10 M7/67 of the Torrington Company of Torrington, Connecticut, United States of America.

By the provision of overrunning clutches 28 and 30 the shaft 10 may be rotated clockwise relative to the arbor 20. However, counterclockwise relative rotation of the shaft 10 with respect to arbor 20 will activate the clutches to unify the arbor with the shaft in clockwise rotation. The effect of this clutching system is that when the shaft 10 is rotating clockwise, more rapidly than the arbor, the clutches are freewheeling. Such a condition exists when the internal combustion engine is running under power. However, in the event the arbor 20 is rotated in a clockwise direction at a relative rate faster than the shaft 10, as when the engine is being started, the clutches effectively unify the arbor 20 with the shaft 10. Still another way of stating the same thing is to say that the arbor may drive the shaft in a clockwise direction, but the shaft may never drive the arbor in a clockwise direction. The significance of this mounting arrangement will become apparent during a discussion of the overall operational characteristics of the subject invention.

Mounted within the spring casing 18 is a flat convolute spring 32, note FIGS. 1 and 3. An inner end 34 of the spring 32 extends within a radially extending slot 36 within the arbor 20 and is retained therein by a conventional fastening means, such as rod 38. The other end 37 of the spring 32 is connected to the casing 18 by being looped around a transversely extending pin 40. The arbor 20 in cross section is polygonally shaped into a spiral-like form, enlarging in a clockwise direction, so as to define a spiral winding core, note FIG. 3.

From the foregoing description of the spring casing 18, arbor 20 and spring 32, it will be appreciated that if the spring casing 18 is rotated clockwise, relative to the arbor 20, the spring 32 will be wound. Conversely, the spring 32 may be unwound by rotating the arbor 20 in a clockwise direction relative to the spring casing 18.

Starter Spring Release Mechanism In order to permit the spring to transfer potential energy stored therein to the arbor and start the internal combustion engine a starter spring release mechanism is provided. One preferred form of this release mechanism is particularly illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings.

The spring release mechanism 50 includes an arbor arm 52 which is fixedly connected to the arbor 20 by an interference ring 54, note FIG. 1. The arbor arm 52 radially projects along an exterior surface of the spring casing 18 and terminates approximately the outer periphery thereof. In a preferred embodiment one surface 56 of the radially outmost portion of the arbor arm 52 is fashioned to slope toward the tip thereof for a reason which will be discussed in detail hereinafter.

In order to prevent the arbor arm 52 and the arbor 20 from rotating continuously in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 4, a rod or sear 58 is fashioned to reciprocate within a cylindrical opening 60 fashioned through the engine casing 12. In order to maintain a seal between the rod 58 and the aperture 60, a channel 62 is circumferentially formed within the rod 58. The channel carries an O-ring 64 of a conventional design which is suitable to maintain the seal integrity of the reciprocating sear within the aperture 60.

The tip of the rod or sear 58 may be, in a preferred embodiment, conically tapered from a lateral portion thereof to the tip with a sloping surface 68 compatible with the previously mentioned sloping surface 56 on the arbor arm.

When it is desired to start the internal combustion engine by rotating the crankshaft in a clockwise direction, the sear 58 is longitudinally extracted from interference with the tip of the arbor arm 52. As the sear 58 moves in the direction of arrow A, note FIG. 4, the sloping

surfaces

56 and 68 permit the arbor arm 52 to rotate under the bias of the convolute spring 32 slightly in a clockwise direction. This slight movement prior to completely removing the sear from contact with the arbor arm permits slack to be taken up in the one-way clutches 28 and 30 prior to transferring all of the potential energy of the spring into the drive shaft. This taking up of slack procedure minimizes the tendency of large force impulses to be transferred into the clutching mechanism due to the sudden closing of inherent lost motion of conventional unidirectional clutch devices.

The ultimate result is that wear is not as severe on the clutches.

Once the rod or sear 58 has been withdrawn from contact with the arbor arm 52, the arbor arm and arbor are free to rotate and drive, through the one-way clutches 28 and 30, the crankshaft I0 in a clockwise direction for starting the engine in a manner which will be discussed more fully hereinafter.

In order to actuate the rod or sear 58, a lever system 70 is provided which may be pivotally mounted upon an auxiliary shaft 72. The auxiliary shaft 72 extends generally parallel with the crankshaft 10 and is mounted within an upper portion of the engine casing 12 by bearings 74 and 76.

The lever system 70 includes a long arm 78 which is provided at its outer extremity with a spherical knob 80 suitable to be grasped by an operator. The lever system 70 is also provided with a short arm 82. The sear or rod 58 is provided with another circumferential groove as at 84 which accommodates the outermost tip portion of the short arm 82.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that counterclockwise rotation of the lever 78 as viewed in FIG. 4 will serve to rotate the smaller lever 82 upward and pull the rod 58 longitudinally out of engagement with the tip of the arbor arm 52. Release of the arbor arm 52, of course, will permit the spring 32 to start the engine, as previously discussed.

Starter Spring Rewind Drive Train Once the sear 58 is withdrawn from contact with the arbor arm 52 by the manual level system 70, the arbor 20 will be free to rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 under the bias of the wound spring 32. The wound spring 32 transfers its potential energy into kinetic energy by rapidly rotating the arbor 20 and the crankshaft 10 in a clockwise direction through the oneway clutches 28 and 30. This rapid rotation of the crankshaft will serve to start the internal combustion engine.

Once the engine is started, however, and is operating on its own power, the speed or rotation of the crankshaft 10 will increase so that the shaft 10 is rotating more rapidly than the arbor 20. The arbor 20, however, will not be driven by the shaft 10 because the one-way clutches 28 and 30 are freewheeling when the shaft is rotating clockwise relative to the arbor, as previously discussed.

Once the internal combustion engine is started by the spring starter system it would be highly desirable to automatically rewind the starter spring utilizing the energy generated by the engine, so that after the engine is shut down, it may be conveniently restarted.

Rewinding the starter spring 32 is achieved by a rewinding drive train which includes a cam 120, note FIG. 5, keyed to an outer portion of the drive shaft 10 by a disc 122. A winding arm 124 is mounted at one end upon the auxiliary shaft 72 through a one-way overrunning clutch 126. This clutch may be of the Torrington type as previously described.

The other end of the winding arm 124 extends into tangential contact with the periphery of the cam as at 128. Following contact is maintained between the winding arm 124 and the cam 120 by the provision of a biasing system 130. The biasing system includes, for example, an outer compression spring 132 in combination with an inner compression spring 134. The compression springs 132 and 134 extend through a service aperture 136 within the wall of the engine casing 12 and into abutting contact with an end cap 138. The end cap is releasably connected to the engine casing 12 by conventional fastening means. The other end of the compression springs 132 and 134 surround a projection 140 which is attached to a retaining bracket 142. The retaining bracket in turn is mounted upon the free end 144 of the winding arm 124.

It will therefore be appreciated that by the provision of the biasing system 130 the winding arm 124 may be maintained in tangential riding contact with the peripheral surface of the cam 120.

As the crankshaft rotates in a clockwise direction the winding arm 124 will thus oscillate back and forth as indicated by directional arrows C. This oscillating motion is transferred to the auxiliary shaft 72 through the one-way clutch 126 so that during clockwise movement of the winding arm 124, as produced by rotation of the cam 120, the clutch slips thus transferring no torque to the auxiliary shaft 72. However, when the winding 'arm 124 is swinging in a return counterclockwise direction, under the influence of the biasing system 130, the clutch 126 will engage, and transmit torque into the auxiliary shaft 72 to rotate the shaft in a counterclockwise direction.

A second oppositely mounted one-way clutch 127 is connected between the shaft 72 and the permanently stationary engine housing 12. Therefore counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 72 is permitted because the clutch 127 is freewheeling or slips in that direction. However, when the shaft 72 attempts to rotate in a clockwise direction the clutch 127 will engage and prevent clockwise rotation of the auxiliary shaft.

Counterclockwise rotation of the auxiliary shaft 72 may be transferred directly to the spring casing 18 by the provision of a spur gear set 150, note FIG. 1. More particularly, a first spur gear 152 is fixedly connected to the auxiliary shaft 72 by the provision of a radially extending pin 154, note FIG. 1. Spur gear 152 is suitable to mesh with a ring spur gear 156, which is fixedly connected about the periphery of the spring housing 18 by the provision of a plurality of transversely extending conventional fastening means 158.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that upon starting of the internal combustion engine the drive shaft 10 is suitable to ratchet the winding arm 124 which drives the spur gear 152 in a counterclockwise direction. Spur gear 152 in turn will drive the ring gear 156 and the spring casing 18 ina clockwise direction. The spring 32, however, may not be rewound by merely rotating the casing 18, since the arbor 20 is also free to rotate in a clockwise direction.

Automatic Starter Spring Rewind Reset Mechanism in order for the starter spring 32 to be rewound. it is first necessary to reset the rod or sear 58 into blocking or interfering engagement with the tip of the arbor arm 52. This resetting function is achieved automatically according to the subject invention by the provision of a hydraulic system which will now be discussed in detail with reference particularly to FIGS. 1 and 4.

More particularly with reference to FIG. 1 it will be appreciated that once the internal combustion engine is started, a pump 160 may be powered which will serve to pump oil from an oil pan portion 162 of the engine casing 12 through a screen 164, past selected moving elements in the piston and cylinder assemblies of the internal combustion engine (not shown) and into a generally horizontally extending oil galley 166. Oil from galley 166 may flow through a passage 167 down to the crankshaft 10 for lubricating the bearings between the crankshaft l0 and the arbor arm 20 as indicated by flow arrows D. The flow of oil to moving parts within an internal combustion engine serves to lubricate and thus improve the wear characteristics of the engine.

Oil from the pump may be diverted from the galley 166 as at 168 for flow in the general direction of arrow E. By referring now particularly to FIGS. 4 and 8, it may be seen that the flow of oil E is horizontally diverted into a passage 170 and then traverses a valve chamber 172 to another transversely extending passage 174 and then vertically through channel 176. Channel 176 terminates by opening into a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 178 as at 180.

The piston and cylinder assembly 178 is provided with an outer cylinder 182 which is connected to the engine casing 12. Positioned for reciprocation with the interior of the cylinder is a piston head 184 which is directly connected to the rod or sear 58. A cover 186 closes the opened end of the cylinder 182 and is provided with a central aperture 188 to receive a normally outwardly biased manual push rod assembly 190.

From the foregoing structural description it will be appreciated that in the event the sear or rod 58 is lifted by the manual lever 70 in order to start the engine, upon starting, the engine will automatically pump oil behind the piston 184 to translate the sear downward in the direction of arrow F. The tip of the sear 58 will then reengage the tip of the arbor arm 52. Moreover, it will be appreciated that as long as the internal combustion engine is running, a pressure will be maintained behind the piston 184 to maintain the sear in an inwardly projecting posture in interference with the arbor arm 52.

Once the sear 58 is repositioned to limit rotational motion of the arbor arm 52, the arbor 20 and the inner end of the convolute spring 32 will be held against rotation. Thereafter continued clockwise rotation of the spring casing 18, as driven by the previously described drive train connected to the engine crankshaft 10, will serve to rewind the starter spring.

Starter Spring Rewind Automatic Shutoff From the foregoing it will be appreciated that upon starting of the internal combustion engine the convolute starting spring may be automatically rewound. The following discussion will be directed to a system for automatically stopping the winding process, once the spring has been rewound.

The automatic rewind shutoff assembly, note FIG. 7, includes a cylinder 200 fixedly mounted with respect to the engine casing 12. A piston 202 is mounted within the cylinder 200 for reciprocation generally toward and away from the winding arm 124. The piston 202 is provided on the lower face thereof with a normally projecting rod 204 which is suitable for translation through a supporting sleeve 206.

The winding arm 124 is provided with a generally transversely extending abutment arm 208 having a free end 210 thereof generally in alignment with the rod 204. In the event the rod 204 is fully extended inwardly within the casing 12, a free end portion 212 thereof will abut the free end portion 210 of the arm 208. Once the rod 204 goes solid with the arm 208 the winding arm 124 may be held, against the biasing system 130, away from tangential contact with the cam 120.

Once the piston 202 is actuated and the winding arm 124 is held out of engagement with the cam 120, winding motion of the casing and thus the convolute spring 32 will cease.

Actuation of the piston 202, and thus interruption of the spring rewinding process, may be achieved by a control system as particularly illustrated in FIGS. 2, 6 and 8. More particularly the arbor arm 52 is provided with a sliding sleeve 220. The lower end of the sleeve is fashioned with a normally projecting tang 222 which serves to ride within a spiral channel 224 formed upon the radially extending surface of the spring housing 18.

In the event the arbor 20, and thus the arbor arm 52, is rotated in a relative clockwise direction with respect to the casing 18, the slider 220 will ride within channels 224 toward the hub 228 of the arbor arm. Such inward radial motion of the slider 220 will occur upon starting the internal combustion engine when the spring casing 18 is maintained stationary with respect to the engine casing 12 and the arbor is released to rotate the crankshaft 10.

The slider 220 is provided at an upper end thereof with an oppositely directed normally extending tab 230. The tab 230 projects beneath a shaft extension 232 of a spring biased valve 234, note FIG. 6.

The valve 234 is biased by the spring 236 against a seat 238 within the engine casing 12, to block the flow of oil from the chamber 172 to a passage 240. The passage 240 leads to transversely extending chamber 242 which traverses an upper portion of the engine housing 12 and feeds through a sloping channel 244, note FIG. 7, in an upper portion of the cylinder 200. Thus, if oil is delivered to the passage 240, it will flow to the cylinder 200 and actuate the piston 202 for terminating winding motion of the spring casing 18.

Once the sear 58 is released and the arbor arm 52 rotates to start the internal combustion engine, as previously discussed, the slider 220 will transverse to the hub of the arbor arm 52 and thus the valve 234 will be closed. The closed character of valve 234 will block the flow of oil from pump 160 to the cylinder 200, even though the engine is running This mode will be the case shortly following starting of the internal combustion engine.

As soon as the engine is started, as previously discussed, oil pressure in the lubrication system will build up and automatically reset the sear 58 which in turn will stop rotation of the arbor arm 52. The spring casing 18 will then be ratcheted through the starter spring rewind drive train in a clockwise direction relative to the arbor arm, and the slider 220 will then be carried by the channel 224 radially outward.

After about six rotations or so of the casing 18 relative to the arbor arm 34, the convolute spring 32 will be rewound sufficiently to restart the engine and the slider will have traversed to a point where the tang 230 raises the valve 234 off of the valve seat 238, note FIGS. 8 and 10. Oil will then be free to flow into the channel 240 and behind the piston 202 to interrupt contact between the winding arm 124 and the cam 120 of the starter spring rewind drive train and stop the automatic rewinding of the convolute spring 32.

The system has thus been automatically rewound and in the event the engine is shut down, it may be readily restarted by operating the manual lever system as previously discussed.

I-Iand Rewind In the event that the internal combustion engine fails to start during an initial application of the starter spring, and the spring becomes unwound, the system may readily be rewound by even a woman or child. In this connection the sear may be manually reset by pushing thumb knob 250 downwardly, note FIG. 4, in which case the arbor arm 52 will be again held against rotation. At this point a conventional crank may be manually applied to the normally extending tangs 252 mounted upon one end of the auxiliary shaft 72, note FIG. I, to rewind the starter spring manually.

Once the spring has been manually rewound it may then be actuated as previously described to start the internal combustion engine.

Spring Starting and Automatic Rewinding Sequence.

By the provision of the foregoing described apparatus, it is possible to conveniently and readily start an internal combustion engine by merely actuating the lever 78. Such manual manipulation serves to effectively withdraw the sear 58 from interfering contact with the tip of arbor arm 52. The arbor is then free to rotate in a clockwise direction to drive, through the unidirectional clutches 28 and 30, the crankshaft 10 in a clockwise direction.

Conventionally, the convolute spring 32 may be designed to render approximately six complete revolutions of the crankshaft 10, which is suitable in most instances to start the internal combustion engine.

Upon starting of the internal combustion engine the crankshaft 10 will rotate in a clockwise direction relative to the casing 18 and thus the clutches 28 and 30 will be freewheeling.

The cam serves to oscillate the winding arm 124 which transmits counterclockwise ratchet motion to the auxiliary shaft 72 through the oppositely acting one-way clutches 126 and 127, as previously discussed. The counterclockwise rotation of the auxiliary shaft 72 acts through the spur gear set to rotate the casing 18 in a clockwise direction. However, at least initially, the arbor arm 52 is free to rotate along with the spring casing 18 with a slight lost motion through the convolute spring 32.

Once the engine is fully started, oil pressure within the lubrication system will build up and automatically reset the sear 58 as previously outlined. Resetting of the sear 58 serves to interfere with and block clockwise rotation of arbor arm 52.

Once rotation of arbor arm 52 is impaired, the casing 18 will rotate in a clockwise direction relative thereto and wind the convolute spring 32. As the convolute spring 32 is rewound and the casing 18 is rotating clockwise relative to the arbor arm 52, the slider 220 translates radially outward. Once the spring has been wound approximately six revolutions, the slider opens valve 234 to permit oil to flow to the cylinder 200. The piston 202 will then be actuated to interrupt contact of the winding arm 124 with the cam 120. Rewinding of the convolute spring 32 will then terminate.

By the apparatus and method previously discussed a starter spring has been utilized to readily and conveniently start an internal combustion engine and automatically rewind itself for subsequent starting operations.

Once the engine is shut down oil pressure behind the piston 184 and the piston 202 will dissipate. ln this connection clearances between the elements and/or small channels may be provided whereby oil behind the pistons may drain back to the oil pan 162. Once this is achieved, the piston 184 may be easily actuated to start the system and the biasing means 130 will serve to reposition the piston 202 to the right, as viewed in FIG. 7, and thus permit a winding operation to proceed during a subsequent starting operation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF MAJOR ADVANTAGES Thus it will be seen that the present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for controlling a starter for an intenal combustion engine. More particularly the basic mechanical nature of the apparatus ensures a high degree of reliability and repeated operation. The rapidity with which the spring arrangement of the present invention may rotate the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine ensures good starting characteristics even for starting of diesel engines. Of course, the invention is not limited to use in diesel engine application.

The operation of the present invention is automatic and due to the positive control of the winding process, overwinding of the main starter spring is precluded. Moreover, in the event the engine does not initially start, a woman or child may readily manually rewind the starter system.

Since the starter system of the present invention may turn a crankshaft over very rapidly, a gas charge is not given sufficient time during a compression or expansion stroke to lose heat to the cylinder walls of a cold engine. The high speed of crankshaft rotation also ensures adequate fule pump pressure to properly spray fuel into the combustion chamber and does not permit the cylinder gas time to escape through various imperfections in the structure of a compression ignition engme.

The members of the various assemblies of the present invention are easily mounted on shafts which ordinarily exist in conventional internal combustion engines and is therefore easily adapted to currently manufactured equipment.

The utilization of the subject hydraulic systems is highly efficient in design and permits the number of parts to be drastically reduced over that of previously known systems. Moreover, past requirements for high manufacturing tolerances are reduced and thus potential manufacturing error is minimized.

By the provision of the sear and arbor arm tapers slack may be taken up in the one-way clutches to maximize the wear characteristics of these elements.

Under normal conditions the subject system is fully automatic, once initially actuated, to start an engine automatically and rewind for a subsequent starting operation.

ln describing the invention, reference has been made to specific embodiments and particular manufacturing components. However, these configurations and embodiments have been disclosed in many instances by way of example only. For example, Torrington one-way clutches have been described as they are well known. However, a variety of other oneway clutch or ratchet mechanisms may be employed in the practice of the invention. The winding spring has been illustrated as a utilized assembly with the spring casing means fabricated from a series of components. However, the single spring may be replaced by two or more coaxially related springs and the housing could be effectively unitized. Indeed the overall apparatus is susceptible to changes in structure and function which will fall within the scope of the invention.

Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that additions, modifications, substitutions, deletions and other changes not specifically described may be made which will fall within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine having at least an engine casing and a crankshaft comprising:

arbor means rotatingly mounted on said crankshaft and connected thereto by one-way clutch means;

said arbor means, crankshaft and one-way clutch means being arranged so that torque may be transmitted only from said arbor means to said crankshaft;

spring casing means mounted to rotate freely upon said arbor means;

a first end of the starter spring being connected with said arbor means and a second end of the starter spring being connected with said casing means;

starter spring release means for releasing said arbor means to drive the crankshaft under the bias of said starter spring through said one-way clutch means for starting the internal combustion engine, includmg an arbor arm radially extending from said arbor means,

an arbor arm stop means connected to the engine casing and operatively translatable into and out of engagement with said arbor arm, and

means for selectively withdrawing said arbor arm stop means out of engagement with said arbor arm;

hydraulic means for automatically resetting said starter spring release means to stop rotation of said arbor means and permit said starter spring to be rewound following the starting of the internal combustion engine, including a hydraulic cylinder connected to the engine casa piston positioned for reciprocation within said hydraulic cylinder and connected to said arbor arm stop means, and

a fluid passage connected to said hydraulic cylinder and a source of fluid pressurized in response to the starting of the internal combustion engine, said fluid passage being operatively connected to said cylinder in a posture with respect to said piston that upon starting of the internal combustion engine the piston will be actuated to engage said arbor arm stop means into operative engagement with said arbor arm;

means operatively connected to said spring casing means for permitting unidirectional rotation thereof;

a starter spring rewind drive train for operably connecting said crankshaft with said spring casing means to automatically rewind said starter spring upon starting of the internal combustion engine; and

hydraulic means for automatically disengaging said starter spring rewind drive train from operative engagement with said crankshaft upon rewinding said starter spring to a wound condition. 2. An apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for selectively withdrawing said arbor arm stop means out of engagement with said arbor arm comprises:

a lever pivotally secured on the engine casing adjacent to said arbor arm stop means, said lever including a first leg having a handle for manual actuation,

and

a second leg connected to said arbor arm stop means whereby actuation of said first leg will pivot said second leg about said pivotal mounting to withdraw said arbor arm stop means from engagement with said arbor arm.

3. An apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 1 wherein said arbor arm stop means comprises:

a rod having a free end for engagement with said arbor arm, said free end being gradually tapered from a base portion to a tip portion thereof for permitting said arbor arm to rotate slightly as the rod is withdrawn from engagement with said arbor arm. 4. An apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine having at least an engine casing and a crankshaft comprising:

arbor means rotatingly mounted on said crankshaft and connected thereto by one-way clutch means; said arbor means, crankshaft and one-way clutch means being arranged so that torque may be transmitted only from said arbor means to said crankshaft; spring casing means mounted to rotate freely upon said arbor means; a first end of the starter spring being connected with said arbor means and a second end of the starter spring being connected with said casing means; starter spring release means for releasing said arbor means to drive the crankshaft under the bias of said starter spring through said one-way clutch means for starting the internal combustion engine; hydraulic means for automatically resetting said starter spring release means to stop rotation of said arbor means and permit said starter spring to be rewound following the starting of the internal combustion engine; means operatively connected to said spring casing means for permitting unidirectional rotation thereof; a starter spring rewind drive train for operably connecting said crankshaft with said spring casing means to automatically rewind said starter spring upon starting of the internal combustion engine, including a cam fixedly and coaxially mounted upon the engine crankshaft in a position adjacent to said arbor means;

an auxiliary shaft connected to the engine casing and mounted for unidirectional rotation with respect thereto and having the axis thereof offset with respect to and generally parallel with the axis of said arbor means; a winding arm having one end thereof mounted for unidirectional rotation upon said auxiliary shaft in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said auxiliary shaft with respect to the engine casing and extending so that the other end thereof is operable to ride upon said cam; means connected between the engine casing and said winding arm to bias said winding arm into engagement with said coaxially mounted cam; and means operably interconnecting said auxiliary shaft with said spring casing means for rotating said spring casing means upon said arbor in response to rotation of said auxiliary shaft whereby rotation of the engine crankshaft may be utilized to ratchet said spring casing means and rewind said starting spring, and hydraulic means for automatically disengaging said starter spring rewind drive train by blocking said winding arm from operative engagement with said cam coaxially mounted upon said crankshaft upon rewinding said starter spring to a wound condition.

5. An apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 4 wherein:

said auxiliary shaft is mounted for unidirectional rotation by a one-way clutch means and said unidirectional mounting between said winding arm and said auxiliary shaft comprises an oppositely acting one-way clutch means.

6. An apparatus for controllinga starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 4 wherein said means operatively interconnecting said auxiliary shaft with said spring casing comprises:

a spur gear pinned to said auxiliary shaft and a spur gear ring mounted about the outer periphery of said spring casing means in meshing engagement with said spur gear.

7. An apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 4 wherein said hydraulic means for automatically disengaging said starter spring rewind drive train comprises:

a hydraulic cylinder connected to the engine casing;

a piston mounted for reciprocation within said hydraulic cylinder;

a shaft connected to said piston and projecting adjacent to said winding arm; and means for controlling the delivery of hydraulic fluid to said cylinder for actuating said piston and ex- 9. An apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 8 wherein said means for actuating said valve comprises:

an arbor arm radially mounted upon said arbor means and projecting along said spring casing means;

a slider member translatably carried upon said arbor arm;

means interconnecting said slider member and said spring casing to effectuate relative translation of said slider member with respect to said arbor arm upon relative rotational motion of said arbor arm with respect to said spring casing and upon relative rotational motion of said spring casing with respect to said arbor arm; and

means projecting from said slider member for actuating said valve upon said starter spring being rewound.

10. An apparatus for automatically rewinding a spring starter system for an internal combustion engine of the type including an engine casing, an engine crankshaft, an arbor pivotally mounted upon said engine crankshaft, a spring casing pivotally mounted upon said arbor and a starter spring mounted between said spring casing and said arbor, said apparatus comprising:

a cam coaxially fixedly mounted upon the engine crankshaft adjacent to the arbor;

an auxiliary shaft pivotally mounted through a unidirectional clutch to the engine casing and having the axis thereof offset with respect to and generally parallel with the axis of the arbor;

a winding ann mounted through a unidirectional clutch upon said auxiliary shaft and extending to operatively ride upon said cam;

means connected between the engine casing and said winding arm to bias said winding arm into engagement with said coaxially mounted cam;

means operatively interconnecting said auxiliary shaft with the spring casing for rotating the spring casing upon the arbor in response to rotation of said auxiliary shaft whereby rotation of the engine crankshaft may be utilized to rotate the spring casing and rewind the starter spring; and

hydraulic means for automatically disengaging said starter spring rewind drive train by blocking operative engagement of said winding arm with said cam coaxially mounted upon said crankshaft upon rewinding said starter spring to a wound condition.

11. An apparatus for automatically rewinding a starter spring system as defined in claim 10 wherein said hydraulic means for automatically disengaging said starter spring comprises:

a hydraulic cylinder connected to the engine casing;

a piston mounted for reciprocation within said hydraulic cylinder;

a shaft connected to said piston and projecting adjacent to said winding arm; and

means for controlling the delivery of hydraulic fluid to said cylinder for actuating said piston and extending said shaft into interfering engagement with said rewind arm to hold said rewind arm away from said cam and thus terminate winding of the starter spring.

12. An apparatus for automatically rewinding a starter spring system as defined in claim 11 wherein LII said means for controlling the delivery of hydraulic fluid comprises:

a valve positioned within a fluid passage extending between a source of pressurized fluid and the hydraulic cylinder;

an arbor arm radially mounted upon the arbor and projecting along the spring casing;

a slider member translatably carried upon said arbor arm;

means interconnecting said slider member and the spring casing to effectuate relative translation of said slider member with respect to said arbor arm upon relative rotational motion of said arbor arm with respect to the spring casing and upon relative rotational motion of said spring casing with respect to said arbor arm; and

means projecting from said slider member for actuating said valve upon the starter spring being rewound.

13. An apparatus for releasing a starter spring for an internal combustion engine and automatically resetting upon starting of the internal combustion engine of the type including an engine casing, an engine crankshaft, an arbor pivotally mounted upon said engine crankshaft, a spring casing pivotally mounted upon said arbor and starter spring mounted between said spring casing and said arbor, said apparatus comprising:

an arbor arm radially extending from the arbor;

an arbor arm stop means operably connected to the engine casing and operably translatable into and out of interfering engagement with said arbor arm;

means for selectively withdrawing said arbor arm stop means out of engagement with said arbor arm; and hydraulic means for automatically resetting said arbor arm stop means upon starting of the internal combustion engine including a hydraulic cylinder positioned within the engine casing, a piston positioned within said hydraulic cylinder and connected to said arbor arm stop means, and

a fluid passage connected to said hydraulic cylinder and a source of fluid pressurized in response to starting the internal combustion engine, said fluid passage being operatively connected to said cylinder in a position with respect to said piston that upon starting of the internal combustion engine the piston will be actuated to engage said arbor arm stop means into operative engagement with said arbor arm.

14. An apparatus for releasing a starter spring and automatically resetting as defined in claim 13 wherein said means for selectively withdrawing said arbor arm stop means comprises:

a lever pivotally mounted on the engine casing adjacent to said arbor arm stop means, said lever including a first leg having a handle for manual actuation,

and

a second leg connected to said arbor arm stop means whereby actuation of said first leg will pivot said second leg about said pivotal mounting to withdraw said arbor arm stop means from interfering engagement with said arbor arm.

15. An apparatus for releasing a starter spring and for automatically resetting as defined in claim 13 wherein said arbor arm stop means comprises:

a rod having a tip for engagement with said arbor arm, said tip being gradually tapered from the base to the tip thereof for permitting said arbor arm to rotate slightly as the tip is withdrawn from engagement with said arbor arm.

16. An apparatus for releasing a starter spring and for automatically resetting upon starting of the internal combustion engine as defined in claim 15 and further wherein:

said arbor arm is provided with a sloping tip portion for compatible sliding engagement with the tapered tip of said arbor arm stop means whereby the arbor may rotate slightly as the arbor arm stop means is withdrawn from engagement with said arbor arm.

17. A method for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine having at least an engine casing and a crankshaft comprising the steps of:

releasing a spring biased arbor arm connected through a one-way clutch to the engine crankshaft,

withdrawing an arbor arm stop from interference with the arbor arm;

transmitting torque energy from a wound starter spring to the engine crankshaft for rotating the crankshaft and starting the internal combustion engine; hydraulically resetting the arbor arm stop to interfere with at least a portion of the arbor arm and to stop rotation thereof automatically upon starting of the internal combustion engine, including delivering fluid to a piston and cylinder operatively connected to the arbor arm stop to reset the arbor arm stop automatically upon starting of the internal combustion engine; rewinding a starter spring casing automatically upon starting of the internal combustion engine; and

hydraulically stopping the rewinding process automatically upon the starter spring achieving a desired rewound condition.

18. A method for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 17, wherein said step of releasing a spring biased arbor arm comprises:

manually actuating a lever for pivotally pulling, with a mechanical advantage, the arbor arm stop out of engagement with the arbor arm.

19. A method for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 17 wherein said step of transmitting torque energy from a wound spring to the engine crankshaft comprises:

holding the spring casing and one end of the wound starter spring connected thereto with respect to the engine casing; and

permitting the arbor arm, connected to the other end of the spring, to rotate for rotating the engine crankshaft.

20. A method for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 17 wherein said step of rewinding a spring casing comprises:

ratcheting a lever arm by a cam mounted upon the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine; and

transferring the ratchet rotational motion of the spring casing for winding the starter spring upon starting of the internal combustion engine.

21. A method for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 20 wherein said step of hydraulically stopping the rewinding process comprises:

delivering hydraulic fluid to a piston and cylinder assembly to actuate the piston and block contact of the lever arm with the cam; and

automatically controlling the delivery timing of the hydraulic fluid to block the lever arm only after the starter spring has been rewound.

22. A method for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 21 wherein said step of controlling comprises:

actuating a valve in response to rewinding of the starter spring to permit the flow of pressurized fluid to the piston cylinder assembly.

23. A method for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 22 wherein said step of actuating a valve comprises:

translating a slider member away from the valve during the process of starting the internal combustion engine to close the valve; and

translating the slider member back to the valve for opening the valve following starting of the internal combustion engine and consequently permitting pressurized fluid to flow to the piston and cylinder assembly to automatically stop rewinding motion of the starter spring.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine having at least an engine casing and a crankshaft comprising: arbor means rotatingly mounted on said crankshaft and connected thereto by one-way clutch means; said arbor means, crankshaft and one-way clutch means being arranged so that torque may be transmitted only from said arbor means to said crankshaft; spring casing means mounted to rotate freely upon said arbor means; a first end of the starter spring being connected with said arbor means and a second end of the starter spring being connected with said casing means; starter spring release means for releasing said arbor means to drive the crankshaft under the bias of said starter spring through said one-way clutch means for starting the internal combustion engine, including an arbor arm radially extending from said arbor means, an arbor arm stop means connected to the engine casing and operatively translatable into and out of engagement with said arbor arm, and means for selectively withdrawing said arbor arm stop means out of engagement with said arbor arm; hydraulic means for automatically resetting said starter spring release means to stop rotation of said arbor means and permit said starter spring to be rewound following the starting of the internal combustion engine, including a hydraulic cylinder connected to the engine casing, a piston positioned for reciprocation within said hydraulic cylinder and connected to said arbor arm stop means, and a fluid passage connected to said hydraulic cylinder and a source of fluid pressurized in response to the starting of the internal combustion engine, said fluid passage being operatively connected to said cylinder in a posture with respect to said piston that upon starting of the internal combustion engine the piston will be actuated to engage said arbor arm stop means into operative engagement with said arbor arm; means operatively connected to said spring casing means for permitting unidirectional rotation thereof; a starter spring rewind drive train for operably connecting said crankshaft with said spring casing means to automatically rewind said starter spring upon starting of the internal combustion engine; and hydraulic means for automatically disengaging said starter spring rewind drive train from operative engagement with said crankshaft upon rewinding said starter spring to a wound condition.

2. An apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for selectively withdrawing said arbor arm stop means out of engagement with said arbor arm comprises: a lever pivotally secured on the engine casing adjacent to said arbor arm stop means, said lever including a first leg having a handle for manual actuation, and a second leg connected to said arbor arm stop means whereby actuation of said first leg will pivot said second leg about said pivotal mounting to withdraw said arbor arm stop means from engagement with said arbor arm.

3. An apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 1 wherein said arbor arm stop means comprises: a rod having a free end for engagement with said arbor arm, said free end being gradually tapered from a base portion to a tip portion thereof for permitting said arbor arm to rotate slightly as the rod is withdrawn from engagement with said arbor arm.

4. An apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine having at least an engine casing and a crankshaft comprising: arbor means rotatingly mounted on said crankshaft and connected thereto by one-way clutch means; said arbor means, crankshaft and one-way clutch means being arranged so that torque may be transmitted only from said arbor means to said crankshaft; spring casing means mounted to rotate freely upon said arbor means; a first eNd of the starter spring being connected with said arbor means and a second end of the starter spring being connected with said casing means; starter spring release means for releasing said arbor means to drive the crankshaft under the bias of said starter spring through said one-way clutch means for starting the internal combustion engine; hydraulic means for automatically resetting said starter spring release means to stop rotation of said arbor means and permit said starter spring to be rewound following the starting of the internal combustion engine; means operatively connected to said spring casing means for permitting unidirectional rotation thereof; a starter spring rewind drive train for operably connecting said crankshaft with said spring casing means to automatically rewind said starter spring upon starting of the internal combustion engine, including a cam fixedly and coaxially mounted upon the engine crankshaft in a position adjacent to said arbor means; an auxiliary shaft connected to the engine casing and mounted for unidirectional rotation with respect thereto and having the axis thereof offset with respect to and generally parallel with the axis of said arbor means; a winding arm having one end thereof mounted for unidirectional rotation upon said auxiliary shaft in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said auxiliary shaft with respect to the engine casing and extending so that the other end thereof is operable to ride upon said cam; means connected between the engine casing and said winding arm to bias said winding arm into engagement with said coaxially mounted cam; and means operably interconnecting said auxiliary shaft with said spring casing means for rotating said spring casing means upon said arbor in response to rotation of said auxiliary shaft whereby rotation of the engine crankshaft may be utilized to ratchet said spring casing means and rewind said starting spring; and hydraulic means for automatically disengaging said starter spring rewind drive train by blocking said winding arm from operative engagement with said cam coaxially mounted upon said crankshaft upon rewinding said starter spring to a wound condition.

5. An apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 4 wherein: said auxiliary shaft is mounted for unidirectional rotation by a one-way clutch means and said unidirectional mounting between said winding arm and said auxiliary shaft comprises an oppositely acting one-way clutch means.

6. An apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 4 wherein said means operatively interconnecting said auxiliary shaft with said spring casing comprises: a spur gear pinned to said auxiliary shaft and a spur gear ring mounted about the outer periphery of said spring casing means in meshing engagement with said spur gear.

7. An apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 4 wherein said hydraulic means for automatically disengaging said starter spring rewind drive train comprises: a hydraulic cylinder connected to the engine casing; a piston mounted for reciprocation within said hydraulic cylinder; a shaft connected to said piston and projecting adjacent to said winding arm; and means for controlling the delivery of hydraulic fluid to said cylinder for actuating said piston and extending said shaft into interfering engagement with said rewind arm to hold said rewind arm, against said bias means, away from said cam for terminating the ratchet motion of said rewind arm.

8. An apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for controlling the delivery of hydraulic fluid comprises: a valve positioned within a fluid passage extending between a source of pressurized fluid and the hydraulic cylinder; and means for actuating said valve upon rewinding of said starter spring.

9. An apparatus for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 8 wherein said means for actuating said valve comprises: an arbor arm radially mounted upon said arbor means and projecting along said spring casing means; a slider member translatably carried upon said arbor arm; means interconnecting said slider member and said spring casing to effectuate relative translation of said slider member with respect to said arbor arm upon relative rotational motion of said arbor arm with respect to said spring casing and upon relative rotational motion of said spring casing with respect to said arbor arm; and means projecting from said slider member for actuating said valve upon said starter spring being rewound.

10. An apparatus for automatically rewinding a spring starter system for an internal combustion engine of the type including an engine casing, an engine crankshaft, an arbor pivotally mounted upon said engine crankshaft, a spring casing pivotally mounted upon said arbor and a starter spring mounted between said spring casing and said arbor, said apparatus comprising: a cam coaxially fixedly mounted upon the engine crankshaft adjacent to the arbor; an auxiliary shaft pivotally mounted through a unidirectional clutch to the engine casing and having the axis thereof offset with respect to and generally parallel with the axis of the arbor; a winding arm mounted through a unidirectional clutch upon said auxiliary shaft and extending to operatively ride upon said cam; means connected between the engine casing and said winding arm to bias said winding arm into engagement with said coaxially mounted cam; means operatively interconnecting said auxiliary shaft with the spring casing for rotating the spring casing upon the arbor in response to rotation of said auxiliary shaft whereby rotation of the engine crankshaft may be utilized to rotate the spring casing and rewind the starter spring; and hydraulic means for automatically disengaging said starter spring rewind drive train by blocking operative engagement of said winding arm with said cam coaxially mounted upon said crankshaft upon rewinding said starter spring to a wound condition.

11. An apparatus for automatically rewinding a starter spring system as defined in claim 10 wherein said hydraulic means for automatically disengaging said starter spring comprises: a hydraulic cylinder connected to the engine casing; a piston mounted for reciprocation within said hydraulic cylinder; a shaft connected to said piston and projecting adjacent to said winding arm; and means for controlling the delivery of hydraulic fluid to said cylinder for actuating said piston and extending said shaft into interfering engagement with said rewind arm to hold said rewind arm away from said cam and thus terminate winding of the starter spring.

12. An apparatus for automatically rewinding a starter spring system as defined in claim 11 wherein said means for controlling the delivery of hydraulic fluid comprises: a valve positioned within a fluid passage extending between a source of pressurized fluid and the hydraulic cylinder; an arbor arm radially mounted upon the arbor and projecting along the spring casing; a slider member translatably carried upon said arbor arm; means interconnecting said slider member and the spring casing to effectuate relative translation of said slider member with respect to said arbor arm upon relative rotational motion of said arbor arm with respect to the spring casing and upon relative rotational motion of said spring casing with respect to said arbor arm; and means projecting from said slider member for actuating said valve upon the starter spring being rewound.

13. An apparatus for releasing a starter spring for an internal combustion engine and automatically resetting upon starting of the internal combustion engine of the typE including an engine casing, an engine crankshaft, an arbor pivotally mounted upon said engine crankshaft, a spring casing pivotally mounted upon said arbor and starter spring mounted between said spring casing and said arbor, said apparatus comprising: an arbor arm radially extending from the arbor; an arbor arm stop means operably connected to the engine casing and operably translatable into and out of interfering engagement with said arbor arm; means for selectively withdrawing said arbor arm stop means out of engagement with said arbor arm; and hydraulic means for automatically resetting said arbor arm stop means upon starting of the internal combustion engine including a hydraulic cylinder positioned within the engine casing, a piston positioned within said hydraulic cylinder and connected to said arbor arm stop means, and a fluid passage connected to said hydraulic cylinder and a source of fluid pressurized in response to starting the internal combustion engine, said fluid passage being operatively connected to said cylinder in a position with respect to said piston that upon starting of the internal combustion engine the piston will be actuated to engage said arbor arm stop means into operative engagement with said arbor arm.

14. An apparatus for releasing a starter spring and automatically resetting as defined in claim 13 wherein said means for selectively withdrawing said arbor arm stop means comprises: a lever pivotally mounted on the engine casing adjacent to said arbor arm stop means, said lever including a first leg having a handle for manual actuation, and a second leg connected to said arbor arm stop means whereby actuation of said first leg will pivot said second leg about said pivotal mounting to withdraw said arbor arm stop means from interfering engagement with said arbor arm.

15. An apparatus for releasing a starter spring and for automatically resetting as defined in claim 13 wherein said arbor arm stop means comprises: a rod having a tip for engagement with said arbor arm, said tip being gradually tapered from the base to the tip thereof for permitting said arbor arm to rotate slightly as the tip is withdrawn from engagement with said arbor arm.

16. An apparatus for releasing a starter spring and for automatically resetting upon starting of the internal combustion engine as defined in claim 15 and further wherein: said arbor arm is provided with a sloping tip portion for compatible sliding engagement with the tapered tip of said arbor arm stop means whereby the arbor may rotate slightly as the arbor arm stop means is withdrawn from engagement with said arbor arm.

17. A method for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine having at least an engine casing and a crankshaft comprising the steps of: releasing a spring biased arbor arm connected through a one-way clutch to the engine crankshaft, by withdrawing an arbor arm stop from interference with the arbor arm; transmitting torque energy from a wound starter spring to the engine crankshaft for rotating the crankshaft and starting the internal combustion engine; hydraulically resetting the arbor arm stop to interfere with at least a portion of the arbor arm and to stop rotation thereof automatically upon starting of the internal combustion engine, including delivering fluid to a piston and cylinder operatively connected to the arbor arm stop to reset the arbor arm stop automatically upon starting of the internal combustion engine; rewinding a starter spring casing automatically upon starting of the internal combustion engine; and hydraulically stopping the rewinding process automatically upon the starter spring achieving a desired rewound condition.

18. A method for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 17, wherein said step of releasing a spring biased arbor arm comprises: manually actuating a lever for pivotally pUlling, with a mechanical advantage, the arbor arm stop out of engagement with the arbor arm.

19. A method for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 17 wherein said step of transmitting torque energy from a wound spring to the engine crankshaft comprises: holding the spring casing and one end of the wound starter spring connected thereto with respect to the engine casing; and permitting the arbor arm, connected to the other end of the spring, to rotate for rotating the engine crankshaft.

20. A method for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 17 wherein said step of rewinding a spring casing comprises: ratcheting a lever arm by a cam mounted upon the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine; and transferring the ratchet rotational motion of the spring casing for winding the starter spring upon starting of the internal combustion engine.

21. A method for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 20 wherein said step of hydraulically stopping the rewinding process comprises: delivering hydraulic fluid to a piston and cylinder assembly to actuate the piston and block contact of the lever arm with the cam; and automatically controlling the delivery timing of the hydraulic fluid to block the lever arm only after the starter spring has been rewound.

22. A method for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 21 wherein said step of controlling comprises: actuating a valve in response to rewinding of the starter spring to permit the flow of pressurized fluid to the piston cylinder assembly.

23. A method for controlling a starter spring for an internal combustion engine as defined in claim 22 wherein said step of actuating a valve comprises: translating a slider member away from the valve during the process of starting the internal combustion engine to close the valve; and translating the slider member back to the valve for opening the valve following starting of the internal combustion engine and consequently permitting pressurized fluid to flow to the piston and cylinder assembly to automatically stop rewinding motion of the starter spring.