USRE14466E - Thomas davis - Google Patents

Description

C- G. EIDSOMT. DAVIS 6; D. E. CROUSE.

mummc smnma DEVICE ron memm c omausnou enemas. APPUCATION "LED IAN. 2|. I918- Rmssued May 7, 1918. 14,466.

3 SHEEIS-SHEiI l.

l i Inventors: Ohiurlea Gilfiidaon, Thom Dani-9,

@Zavjd E. Creme, Zr k m www- C. G. EIDSON, T. DAVIS 61 D. E. CROUSE.

PNEUMATIC STARTING DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION vENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2|. ma.

Reissued May 7, 1918. 14,466.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Ill/IIIIIIA C. G. EIDSON, T. DAVIS & D. E. CROUSE. PNEUMATIC sunrmc DEVICE FOR INTERNAL comausnou ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED 11mm, Isis. Relssued May 7, 1918. I

kuSSSQ I n r 1. mm a mwmmw )M n w w, m 1 5 a o mm M ,zen of, the p burn, in the county of Cayuga and State of UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES G. EIDSON OF ANNISTON, ALABAMA, THOMAS DAVIS, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, AND DAVID E. CROUSE, OF AUBURN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO THE JOHN FORD STARTER COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND.

PNEUMATIC STARTING DEVICE FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Specification of Reissued Letters Patent. Reissued llIay 7, 1918.

Original application filed January 14, 1916, Serial No. 72,069. Divided and application flled August 10, 1916, 1 Serial No. 114,201. Original No. 1,233,855, dated July 17, 1917. Application for reissue filed January 21, 1918. Serial No. 213,080.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES G. Erosox,

.a citizen of the United States, residing at Camp McClellan, Anniston, county of Cal- 1101111, and State of Alabama, THOMAS DAVIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of ,Michigan and DAVID E. Caoosn, a citinited States, residing at Au- ,NewYork, have invented new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Starting Devices for Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in starting devices for internal combustion engines, and it consists in the combinations, constructions, and arrangements herein described and claimed.

1 An object of our invention is to provide an arrangement, by means of which an internal combustion engine such as the motor of an automobile, may be started by the pushing of a pedal or other similar device, said starting being accomplished by the use of compressed air.

, A further object of our invention is to provide means for furnishing a continuous supply of compressed air, said means being driven by the internal combustion engine.

t A further object of our invention is to rovide a novel form of clutch mechanism y means of which the air compressor may be disconnected from the engine when the pressure reaches a iven amount and may be again brought into operative relation with the engine automatically when the pressure falls below a given point.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming apart of this specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the arrangement of the various parts of the device.

Fig. 2 is a section through the motor, compressor and a portion of the clutch operating mechanism. v

Fig. 3 is a section along the line 33 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the rotor blades or pistons. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the stator blades or abutments.

Fig. 6 is a view showing the cooperating parts of one of the clutches.

This is a divisional application based upon applicants prior application No. 72069, filed Jan. 14, 1916.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, we have shown therein a shaft 1. One end of this shaft bears a clutch member 2 such as that ordinarily used in starting a motor or engine by hand with a crank. The shaft revolves in the interior of a sleeve 3 which is provided with anti-friction linings 4. The sleeve 3 is disposed in the interior of a hub 5 and is provided with a key 6 which slidw in a groove 7 in the hub 5 so that the sleeve may have a longitudinal movement with respect to the hub, and any rotary movement of the hub will be transmitted to the sleeve. The hub 5 is provided with radially extending walls 8 which terminate in an integral cylindrical member 9. At 10, see Fig. 3, we have shown radially disposed members similar to the spokes of a wheel. These members 10 extend from one wall-8 to the other and are slotted or cored as shown at 11 to receive blades or pistons 12 which are adapted to slide radially with respect to the axis of the shaft 1. The blades or pistons are like that shown in Fig. 4. Each piston is provided with a recess 12 and with bores 12 extending from one edge of the piston nearly to the other edge. Laterally extending holes 12 communicate with the bores as shown in Fig. 4.

At the inner end of the slots or cored out places 11 We provide lugs 13 which extend from one wall of the slot to the other, these lugs being for the purpose of strengthening the spokelike members 10 and being secured to the hub 5 by means of screws 14. It is obvious that the lugs might be formed integrally with the members 10 but we prefer to make them in the manner described because of ease in construction. The lugs 13 are arranged to enter the slots 12 when the p which forms abearing for the clutch 2, a

1ining'26" being providedi' At the'end of theextension 26 is a hinged cap27 which is provided witha spring clasp 28 that 'nor-K a shaft as'uexplained later. The strap ofbthe' theext'ension. I H i Secured to the shaft 1 is an eccentric member29- which, as=wi1l be'noted, isproa 5 vided with'a strap 30. The eccentric 29 is widerthan the strap in order that it may pistons are: moved inwardly. Springs 15 are provided and are disposed within the bores 12, these springs tending to. force the pistons outwardly. e

The parts 5 to 15 inclusive constitute what we' term-the rotor and its pistons. The Sta-. tor comprises an outer. casing. composed of the radially extending sidewalls 16 and an outer, cylindrical concentric portion I 17' spacedfrom the member 9 as clearly shown in; the: drawings. The-walls 16' have lat era] 5. extensions 1.6 which;v form bearings for the sleeve 5. At opposite portions ofnthe cylindrical member .17 are ofi'sets 19' into which springs 201 may play. These springs 20? are" disposed adjacent to approachesv 21 which also serve asmeans for retainingithe sliding abutments 22. These approaches" are preferably formed" as an integral casting with the wall ofthecylinder 17 but may be made separately; and secured to the wall. The sliding abutments are best shown in Fig: 5. From this figureit will be observed that each of the abutments is provided with bores 22", that the edge of the abutment; is concavevas shownat22 to hug the cylinder 9, and thateach abutment is provided witha groove .22 which is arranged to register with ai passage 23 leadingto thespace betweenlthecylinders 9 and l'i'. v On the opposite side of theabutment, see

Fig; 3, the'member 21"is .sloped toward the cylinder l'l. A? spring 24 is disposed in the oflset into" whichtheintake pipe 25', is se-- cured. On theoppositeqside of! the shaft a similar arrangement is provided.

Referring now particularly'to Fig. 2-, it

will": be seen that the shaft 1 passes through the casing 26 of the air: compressor. This casingis provided with" an extension 26 mally 'holds the ca-p closed over the end of have a longitudinal movement with the eccentric is connected to a: piston 31 disposed in the cylinder 32; Thealatter constitutes the cylinder 0t the compressor and is provided with" check valves 33 and' 34.

The cylinder communicatesby means 0f the: P p 5; with a pressuretank 36,*the

asshown in 1. i

Disposed on one of thewallslfi are'lngs 38' to which is-secureda bracket39 for the pivot pin 40 of a lever 41. The latter is pivotally' connected-at" 42, see Fig.1, with arod 43' which is connectedwitha lever 44 check valve 37 "being carried by the pipe} 35",

fulcrumed at and extendin under the spring pressed head of a pus button or pedal 46 which controls an air valve 47 in a pipe 48 leading from" the tank 362' andcommunicating with both of theintakepipes 25.

Referring now to 2, it will bei seen thatthe sleeve 3 is provided-at one end with a grooved clutch member ,3". The sleeve,

clutch member, and the bearing linings .4

are slidable longitudinally with respect to the shaft 1 and theclutch;memberi 3*"m'ay be brought into'operativeengagement with the clutch memberAQ Which isiri gidly ser; cured to the shaft ,1. At 50, seeyFigs, 2 and,

6, we have shown" a grooved clutch" member which i adjustably secured to the shaft 1 preferably by means offa clamping; device 51, but which is rigidly retained 1n posinon when the adjustment h'as'been made. This clutch member: 50 is provided with a: tooth orlug 52 arranged to engage the semi-circular portion 53 of the companion clutch member 1 54, see Fi s.-'6 and 2,;when" the'clutchmetnberfiO'is orcedtoward'the clutch member 54." It willheobserved,;

member 54 the tooth or lug 52' will engage however, that if the shaft 1.,is rotated and i at the same time is 'forced toward the clutch the-shoulder 55of the member 54, and this" l clutch member 54 being secured to the shait 56 0f, the engine, thelatter 'willybe turned over; Whemhowever, the engine picksup, it will of course revolve faster than the shaft 1;,wwhere'upon jthe-shoulder 55 'will leave the tooth 52' and the slot or groove 55* will gradually overtake-the tooth 52 whereupon thetooth will enter 7 the slot 55", thus positively connecting the engine shaft .56 with the-shaftll; i p v Referring now againv to-'Fig.1; it :willlbe seen that the pipe 57 leads 'frointhe tank 36 to an air governor 58'; a gage 59"being providedfor the pipe. The pipe" 57 communicates' with the interiorof a diaphragm casing 60providedwith a diaphragm 61.

This diaphragm is" arranged to bear on a plunger head 62 carried by the stem 63 1 whichis arranged to enter a" sleeve 64pivotally connected'at 65 with thelever 66 which isfulcrumedatfi'l. One end of this lever has an armor yoke 68whichengages the thesleeve-(idl i From the foregoing description. of'the grooved clutch'memberf'50. The opposite end; of the lever is kept under tension by a I spring 69; Aspi'ralspring 7 Ois disposed in w various parts of 'the device, the operation thereof maybe readily understood. [Let us assumethat the parts areconnected up as 3 shown Fig. 1, thatthe'eng'ine is the motor ofan automobile, and thatthere isair pressurein the tank 36. 1 In starting the errgine, all thatis necessary is to depress the ora hand operated device. Airisinow admember .46, this being either a foot pedal j mitted from the tank 36 and passes past the valve 47 through the pipe 48 to the intake pipes 25.

Consider now Fig. 3: The air is shown 5 entering from the pipes 25 into the space between the cylinders 9 and 17, the pistons. 12 being extended to engage the walls of the cylinders 17. The rotor will therefore be turned since the compressed air is acting 10 on opposite sides of the pistons, which are situated on opposite sides of the shaft 1. It will also be observed that the other bore of piston 12 is in a position to provide for the exhaust of the air through the exhaust 15 rts 71. The exhaust does not take place irectly into the atmosphere but the space 72 between the outer cylindrical portion 18 and the c lindrical member '17 serves the purpose 0 a mufller. The exhaust finally 2 takes place at the opening 73. This opening 73 is disposed in such position that the spent air must travel a considerable distance before finally escaping. This tends to reduce the noise of the engine and to eliminate the whistling or hissing sound.

In Fig. 3 those pistons 12 which have just passed over exhaust ports 71 will enage the springs 20. This tends to lessen t e shock occasioned by striking the approaches 21. The latter are in the form of cams which cause the slidable pistons to retract against the tension of the springs 15 and thus permit the pistons to pass the abutments 22. After passing these abutments the pistons 12 are thrust forward by the s rings 15 until they again contact with t e inner walls of the cylindrical member 17. The springs 24 are for the purpose of cushioning the enga ement of the pistons 12 with the walls 17 t will be noted that the full pressure of the steam comes on the end of the piston 12 immediately after passing the abutment. This would tendto press the piston inwardly away from the wall of the casing were it not for the fact that the steam passes through the openings 12, see Fig. 4, and gets behind the piston, thereby equalizing the pressure and permitting the sprin 15 to exert their maximum tension to ho d the pistons in close engagement with the wall of the casing. It will be noted that when air enters the space between the members 9 and 17 it passes at once to the inner end of the piston through the openings 12 and the bores 12.

Thus the air pressure is equalized so that the holding of the pistons against the walls of the outer cylindrical member is assured. Similarly the air enters through the passages 23 and 22", gets behind the sliding abutments 22 so as to aid the springs 73 to hold the abutments in close engagement with the outer surface of the inner cylinder 9. Simultaneously with the starting of the motor, the pressure of the pedal 46 causes the movement of the lever 41 through the medium of the rod 43 and lever 44, and this brings the clutch members 3 and 49 into operative engagement, thereby imparting a rotary movement to the shaft 1. 7o

Continued movement, however, of the lever 41 moves the shaft 1 together with the clutch member 50 toward the left of Fig. 2, thereby bringing the clutch members 52 and 55 in operative relation as before explained, and causing the engine to start up. As soon as the engine starts up, the tooth 52 will be shifted to the groove 55" as before explained, so that the engine shaft 56 is now rigidly connected with the shaft 1. This will cause the so starting u of the compressor through the medium 0 the eccentric and will supply air to the tank 36. When the ressure in the tank 36 increases to a certain amount then the air governor 58 will operate to permit the passage of air from the tank through the pipe 57 to the diaphragm casing 60. This will cause a movement of the diaphragm and the plunger 63 so as to compress the spring 70. When this pressure is suflicient it will throw out the clutch member 50, thereby disconnecting the engine 56 from the shaft 1. This will cause the stopping of the compressor.

The air in the tank may be used for other purposes, as for instance, for inflating tires- When the pressure is lowered, the spring 69 will cause the rengagement of the clutch members 50 and 54 and hence the starting up of the pump or compressor through such engagement. It will be obvious that the motor will only remain in operation as lon as the spring compressed pedal 46 is held down, so that in starting the device this pedal is held until the motor picks up, after which the air tank is automatically filled as described. There is, therefore, nothing for the operator of the car to do but push the pedal when he wishes to start his engine.

We will now show how the starter may be operated and thrown out of operation when a high pressure exists in the air tank without waiting for a building up ofpressure by the pump. Assume that the tank pressure is at its maximum and the governor has dis- I15 connected clutches 50 and 54 and is being held in this position by means of diaphragm stem 63 (see Fig. 2), through lever 66. Then to start the air motorand to connect same to engine through clutches 50 and 54 a foot pedal 46 is depressed, thus moving the arm 41 through the medium of the lever 44 and link 43. The movement of the lever 41 moves shaft 1, thus shifting the arm 66, and compressing the spring 70 without, however, interfering with the position of plunger 63. When the engine starts, spring 70 disengages clutches through lever 66, and the diaphragm is not exhausted until the tank pressure is reduced below the predetermined minimumawhieh imay taker several i starts.

Therefore, the semen "may be used: one or morextimes without Waiting; ifor'the .pump to restore'ithe:pressure, i

Weclaim: 1. In a, startin device for internal, combustion engines, t ecombinatiomof a shaft,

a sleeve n slidable? Withwrespect' to the shaft, a: clutch;member carried by the shaft, a clutch tmemberrcarried by the sleeve iand ar-- rangedto engage the first named; clutch,

memberfor connecting the sleevewitll the shaft, aw rotor mounted on said sleeveand having, a feathered, connection With the sleeverwhereby the rotor is connected with the sleeve, for rotative movement while the sleeve is: 1 free to ,1 move longitudinally of the rotor, and" a stator disposed concentrically .Withres pect to said rotor."

2. Inaa startingdevice for-internaLcombastion engines,,gthezcombination ofia shaft,

a 1 asleevemovablez longitudinally on theshaft,

adclutch member on said, sleeve, a; clutch member on i said shaft "arranged to (138M811? gaged bythe first named clutch member, a

rotor having, feathered connection with said sleeve whereby the sleeve: may :movelongitudinally: with; respect; to the rotor-=1 but is a rigidly connected"Withwthewrotor for rotativemovement, a ,stator disposed 1 concentrically of ,thBpI'0t0If',"aI1 air, cylinder, a pistonnin said i air cylinder, an eccentric} strap, ,1 rod confnectmg sa d i strap Wllih' said p1ston, an ecp bustion engines, the combinationtof, a shaft a, clutch member-w on, said? sleeve, a clutch 7 member: on said-shaft arranged to. be engaged 1 by the ifirstnamed I clutch, member, a

rotoryhaving feathered-connection withssaid i a sleevelwhereby the-sleeve may move longi 1 centriccarriedby said shaftand arranged I to receive fsaid eccentric'istra'p, rsaid eccentric beingwider.thansaid strap so as:- to operai the sha ft'.x"

and said strap being in operative engage-f fmentw in any positionfiof-gthe shaft.

centricrjcarried by said shaft and arranged toreceive. said eccentric strap, said eccentric 3'. In astartingztdevicefor internalicoma sleeve movable longitudinally on the shaft,

tudinallyz with respect" to: the rotor but is M rigidly connectediwith. the rotor for trotative movement asstator' disposed concentrically of the rotor,an aircylinder, a pistonin said air: cylinder, anUec'centricgstrap, a; rod connecting) said strap with said piston, an I ectivelyi engage ,thestrap in, any position 1 of I 14:. In' a l starting. pdevice' firiternal conibusti'onengines, the combination: of a motor, an air pump driven byythe motor, anair reservoir, a longitu clinallyg,movable shaft common tosaid motorvand to said air pump,

1 iclntch carried by the "shaft; for connecting y the latteirwith the dri'yeshaft ofvthe engine',

an automaticlpneumatic clutch operating jade I vice connected fwith said reservoir ,and havcv andan air ingv means for shiftingzt thefl clutch on": said shaft, and 11' manually operated; means a for shifting the shaft independently of iisaidaam tomatie operating 'means, said motor? and said; airpump beingoperatively connected Withsaidshaftinany position of'tthelatter.

5.x In a. starting: device for. internal com.- bustionieng nes, the combination of'a motor,

anfaii pumpw driven=by"the.motor, anaii' reservoir, a; longitudinally movable shaft common to. said motor and to said air'pump, a clutehcarried by the shaft fornconnecting the latter" with the drive shaft of the r en gine, an automatic pneumatic clutch operat mg device connected with 581d reservolr and having means for shifting the clutch on, 7

saidf shaft, manually operated -means=- for i shifting the shaft independently of Said 1 an, a tomatic: operatingmeans, said" motor and saidi air pump being operatively'"connected With said; shaft in any position of the latter,

"and ai sejcond clutch carried by said shaft and, adapted to bebrought: into engagement by the operationof saidmanual means for connecting the motorwith theshaft;

6.: Incombination an air reservoir, an engine shaft, a'rotor operated by compressed 1 air, a rotor shaft slidab'le axially i rreIatiOn tort-he rotor, clutch means between the rotor and the slidable shaft, means for setting said clutch tovturn the shaft and also move the shafti'longitudinally, a clutchbetiiveen the rotor shaft and the engine ShaftWhlCh is set and releasedbythe axial movement a of the rotor shaft and means for automatically releasing the {last mentioned" clutch pump operated by the rotor shaft ii 7; In" combination an engine shaft; an air reservoir, a; compressed air starting motor, a shaft therefor inovable axially 1n relation to said motor, a clutch member fixed on the said axially movableshaft a clutch member on the engine shaft to be engaged therewith and disengaged, therefrom by i the axial movement of the shaft, a second,clutch member fixed on themotor shaft, a companion clutch member in splined connection with the motortobe rotated thereby and' 'means" for moving; said companion clutch member axially to engage the said secondclutch shaft and a pump'operate d" from thestalfting motor shaft, substantially as described. 8., In combination an engineshaft, an air member fixed on the shaftfand to move said shaft axially to bevclutched to the engine,

reservoir, acompressed air starting I motor,

a shaft "therefor movable axially in relation to: said motor, a 9 clutch member fixed on the said axially movable shaft, a clutch mem'- ber ontheengine' shaft to be engagedth ere with and disengaged therefrom by the axial movement of the shaft, asecond clutch mem ber fixed on the motor shaft, a companion clutch 1' member in= ,splined: connection with the motor to be rotated thereby, and means for moving said companion clutch member axially to engage the said second clutch member fixed on the shaft and to move said shaft axially to be clutched to the engine shaft, and an air pump operated from a portion of the motor shaft extended on the side of the motor opposite that on which the said clutches are arranged, substantially as described.

9. In combination an 'air reservoir, a compressed air motor comprising a rotor and stator, a rotor shaft, an engine shaft, a clutch between the rotor shaft and engine shaft, means for operating the rotor shaft longitudinally to connect with the engine shaft,

- an air pump operated by the rotor shaft,

means under control of the operator for shifting the rotor shaft in one direction to I set the clutch for driving the engine shaft and pneumatically operated means having connection with the air reservoir for operating the shaft in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

" 10. In combination an air reservoir, a

compressed air motor comprising a rotor and stator, a rotor shaft, an englne shaft, a clutch between the rotor shaft and engine shaft, means for operating the rotor shaft longitudinally to connect with the engine shaft, an air pump operated by the rotor shaft, means under control of the operator for shifting the rotor shaft in one direction to set the clutch for driving the engine shaft,

and pneumatically operated means having connection with the air reservoir for operating the shaft in the opposite direction, said pneumatically operated means including a spring which is compressed when a certain pressure is present in the tank and the clutch is set, and which spring will move the shaft in said opposite direction when said pressure is maintained and the operator releases the said shaft shifting means, substantially as described.

11. In combination a compressed air reservoir, a starting motor, a shaft therefor, an engine shaft, a clutch between said starting shaft and the engine shaft, a clutch between the' motor and its shaft, means for operating said clutch under the control of the operator, pneumatically operated means for throwing the first mentioned clutch out of operation when a predetermined pressure is reached in the tank and a pump for restoring pressure in the tank, substantially as described.

12. In combination a compressed air reservoir, a pump for supplying said reservoir, an engine shaft, a starting motor oper-. ated by compressed air, a shaft common to the starting motor and thepump, and movable axially, a clutch between the said shaft and the engine shaft and which is controlled by thelongitudinal movement of the shaft, a clutch between said shaft and the motor with means for operating said clutch, including a manually operated member, which also operates the shaft longitudinally and sets the first mentioned clutch in position to drive the engine, air operated means for releasing the said first mentioned clutch when the pressure in the reservoir has been restored by the pump, and means for automatically resetting said clutch to drive the pump when the pressure in the reservoir is reduced, substantiallyas described.

13. In combination a compressed air reservoir, a pump for supplying said reservoir, an engine shaft, a starting motor operated by compressed air, a shaft common to the starting motor and the pump, and movable axially, a clutch between the said shaft and the engine shaft, and which is controlled by the longitudinal movement of the shaft, a clutch between said shaft and the motor with means for operating said clutch, including a manually operated member, which also operates the shaft longitudinally and sets the first mentioned clutch in position to drive the engine, air operated means for releasing the said first mentioned clutch when the pressure in the reservoir has been restored by the pump, and means for automatically resetting said clutch to drive the pump when the pressure in the reservoir is reduced, said air operated means including a spring which is compressed when pressure is maintained in the reservoir and the first mentioned clutch is set, the said resetting means including a spring which becomes effective when the reservoir pressure is reduced below a prescribed minimum.

14. In combination a compressed air tank, a starting rotor, a shaft therefor slidable axially through the rotor, a pump operated by the said shaft, an engine'shaft coaxially arranged in respect to the slidable shaft, clutch means for connecting the slidable shaft and the engine shaft and which is set by the sliding of said shaft in one direction, a spring for pressing said shaft in said direction, pneumatically operated means operated from the air in the tank opposing the action of said spring when the pressure in the tank is at a predetermined degree, a clutch between the rotor andthe said shaft and means for operating the last mentioned clutch, said means being under the control of the operator, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we aifix our signatures.

CHARLES G. EIDSON. THOMAS DAVIS. DAVID E. CROUSE.

Oopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, 1!. C."

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