WO2000014403A1

WO2000014403A1 - Starter mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2000014403A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/018438
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven W. Hoyt
Original assignee: Hoyt Steven W
Priority date: 1998-09-04
Filing date: 1998-09-04
Publication date: 2000-03-16
Also published as: AU9377198A

Abstract

A starter mechanism (10) utilizing a planetary-type gear set configuration (18) which comprises a starter motor (16) at a center portion thereof, the planetary gears (18C) connected to a yoke mount (20) at the end of an extended link arm member (22). A ring gear (18B) is mounted securely within an outer housing (24), the housing (24) mounted to ground through a trunnion-bearing arrangement (26). The starter mechanism (10) is designed to engage piston-like members and forcefully position them to initiate and sustain compression.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

STARTER MECHANISM Field of the Invention:

The present invention is a starter mechanism. More specifically, the present invention is a starter mechanism that utilizes a planetary gear set to produce an efficient and effective starting means for a variety of engines in many applications of usage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is filed in conjunction with the application entitled "Reciprotating Combustion Engine," by applicant Steven W. Hoyt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The starter mechanism of the present invention is designed to replace existing starter mechanisms in many applications, including, but not limited to automobiles, a host of trucks and commercial vehicles, agricultural equipment, ships trains, and aircraft. The starter mechanism is primarily designed to mechanically engage the piston-like members, and forcefully position said pistonlike members to initiate and sustain an initial compression ignition combustion process. The present invention is designed so that when the engine starts, the starter mechanism automatically disengages, and when the engine stops, the mechanism conveniently re-engages in order to be available for the next engine start. Because the engine with which the starter mechanism is used may be compression-ignition based, the point of the engine cycle at which ignition occurs may vary significantly depending on the type of fuel used, the mixture of such relative to air, and the initial temperature of the components. The starter mechanism of the present invention is designed to effectively accommodate all such variables. One advantage of usage of the starter mechanism of the present invention is an increase in overall efficiency. An additional advantage of this starter mechanism is its ability to be used in conjunction with a variety of engines in many applications. Another feature uniquely offered by the present invention is the ability to configure components of the starter mechanism in a variety of locations. The components accompanying the starter mechanism are largely modular in nature, and the inherently simple design allows the manufacturer to re-shape the system for easy adaptation to a variety of vehicles' and machines' compartments.

The novel features which are considered characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the embodiments when read and understood in connection with accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGURE 1 is a side perspective view of the principal components of the starter mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following is a detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the components thereof as such function chronologically in the operation of the starter mechanism ( 10).

Referring to FIGURE 1. the starter mechanism utilizes a planetary-type gear set configuration. The planetary gear set (18) has a conventional starter motor (16) at the center portion thereof, referred to as a sun gear (18 A). The planetary gears are connected to a yoke mount (20) at the end of an extended link arm member (22). A ring gear ( 18B) and planetary gear ( 18C) are mounted securely within the outer housing (24). and this housing is mounted to ground through a trunnion-bearing arrangement (26).

The starter mechanism (10) is designed to engage and create swift movement of the piston-like members. More specifically, the starter mechanism (10) is designed to engage the piston-like members and forcefully position them with sufficient momentum to initiate and sustain the initial compression ignition combustion process. The starter mechanism (10) functions to move one of the members mechanically to a position far enough along the rotational stroke to allow a portion of an air and fuel mixture to compression ignite, then allow it to return to original position.

In the preferred mode, the distal end of the aforementioned link of the starter mechanism (22) connects to an arm member (30) securely attached to a shaft (32) of a lower piston-like member. The piston-like members and valves are all synchronized together within the power unit (36) or engine below this plane. The housing is in a vertical plane at commencement of the time sequence. The starter motor (16) then moves the planetary gear set (18) and the yoke about its center. The starter motor (16) itself may be of traditional configuration and style to accomplish effective operation of the mechanism (10). This sweeps the linkage arm in a substantially conical path initially, with the point of such cone at the end of the linkage arm member (30) directly connected to the arm of a piston-like member. Initially there is no motion induced in the piston-like member arm because of the shape of this conical path. As the housing assembly is rotated about its trunnion axis, the assembly begins to induce an ever-increasing motion in the piston-like member. The rotation about the trunnion will increase, which in turn increases the stroke, or angular sweep of the piston-like member until the compression is sufficient to initiate compression ignition, at which point the load on the starter motor (16) is greatly reduced. Sensing this reduction in load, for instance by way of sensing a reduction in the amperage draw of the electric motor, a solenoid will function to disconnect the piston-like member arm engagement to the piston-like member shaft, to allow the power unit (36) to freely run on its own, and to further allow the starter mechanism (10) to run down and move to the off position, in this instance absent connection to the main power unit (36). Thus, when the engine effectively starts, the starter mechanism promptly disengages.

The housing trunnion mount is then rotated, again, to a substantially vertical plane, which will function to substantially center the piston-like member arm. When the power unit (36) comes to a stop, the unit will likely be in a position substantially centered between the extremes of stroke swath, in effective alignment with the piston-like member arm, wherein they can, once again, be engaged for the next starting cycle.

In an alternate mode of manufacture, the starter mechanism may additionally act as an alternator means that is capable of producing supplemental or primary electrical power. The concept involves a rotating ring which has localized electromagnets at 180 degree spacing. When the electromagnets of the ring reach a proximity to arms extending from a piston-like member shaft, they electromagnetically pull the piston-like member to its extreme position. The piston-like member will change direction, but the ring will continue and be in proximity to the arms extending form the other piston-like member shaft. The ring will now electromagnetically pull the other piston-like member around to its extreme position. Such mechanism may utilize two counter-rotating rings with electromagnets and a sequencing device which will cause the electromagnetic coils to change polarity at the appropriate time.

It should be noted that the principal effectiveness of the starter mechanism lies in the fact that all motions and reaction forces are internally and externally balanced in all phases of the starter mechanism operation.

Another unique feature of the starter mechanism lies in the fact that a regenerative braking means may be utilized, wherein the inertia of the vehicle may be used to return braking energy back to the sump reservoir tank. For instance, contained within the sump reservoir may be a vessel of pressurized fluid and a bladder of compressed air. Unlike in traditional systems wherein braking energy is converted to heat, in the present invention braking energy is thus converted back to hydraulic pressure. This occurs by the momentum of the vehicle pushing the pressurized fluid in the sump reservoir against the air of the sump reservoir during braking and stoppage of the vehicle. Thus, once again the working forces of the starter motor are symmetrical in nature, or counterbalanced, adding to the consistency and effectiveness of its performance.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the type described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, and substitutions in the details of the device can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the invention. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A starter mechanism comprising:

A. A housing which comprises a reservoir sump at a top portion thereof, proximate to a source of fluid pressurized while in operation;

B. a planetary-type gear set configuration which comprises a starter motor at a center portion thereof, the planetary gears connected to a yoke mount at the end of an extended link arm member, a ring gear and planetary gear mounted securely within an outer housing, the housing mounted to ground through a trunnion- bearing arrangement;

C. the starter mechanism designed to engage and create swift movement of piston-like members and forcefully position said members with sufficient momentum to initiate and sustain an initial compression ignition combustion process, the starter mechanism functioning to move one of piston-like members mechanically to a position along a rotational stroke sufficient to allow a portion of fuel to compression ignite, and subsequently to allow said member to return to original position;

D. a distal end of the link of the starter mechanism connecting to an arm member securely attached to a shaft of a lower piston-like member, piston-like members and valves synchronized together within a power unit, the housing in a vertical plane at commencement of the time sequence, the starter motor moving the planetary gear set and yoke about its center, functioning to sweep the linkage arm in a substantially conical path with a point of such cone at the end of the linkage arm member directly connected to an arm of a piston-like member, functioning to create an increasing motion of the piston-like members, rotation about the trunnion increasing, functioning to increase angular sweep of the piston-like members until compression is sufficient to initiate ignition; E. a solenoid functioning to disconnect the arm engagement to a shaft, allowing the power unit to freely run on its own, and further allowing the starter mechanism to run down and move to the an position, absent connection to the main power unit, functioning to allow the starter mechanism to disengage upon starting of the engine;

F. the housing trunnion mount rotated to a substantially vertical plane, functioning to substantially center the arm, allowing the power unit to come to a stop at a position substantially centered between extremes of stroke swath, in alignment with the arm of a piston-like member, in such a manner as to allow the mechanism to be engaged for a next starting cycle.

2. The starter mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein the mechanism is utilized in an embodiment selected from the group consisting of automobiles, trucks, commercial vehicles, aircraft, ships, trains, and agricultural equipment.

3. The starter mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein the modular components of the mechanism are configured in one of a variety of locations, functioning to allow for convenient adaptation to varying embodiments.

4. The starter mechanism engine as described in claim 1 utilizing a regenerative braking means, wherein inertia of a vehicle using the mechanism is used to return braking energy back to the reservoir, the reservoir comprising a vessel of pressurized fluid and a bladder of compressed air, allowing braking energy to be converted to hydraulic pressure through momentum of the vehicle pushing pressurized fluid in the accumulator against air of the reservoir during braking and stoppage of the vehicle.

5. A starter mechanism, which acts as an alternator means capable of producing electrical power, the starter mechanism comprising:

A. a rotating ring which comprises localized electromagnets, the electromagnets of the ring configured to reach a predetermined proximity to at least one arm extending from a shaft of a piston-like member, functioning to electromagnetically pull the piston-like member to a predetermined position,

B. the ring continuing as the piston-like member changes direction, the ring in proximity at least one arm extending from a shaft of a second piston-like member, the ring electromagnetically pulling the second piston-like member to an extreme position

6. The starter mechanism as described in claim 5, wherein the mechanism utilizes a plurality of counter-rotating rings which comprise electromagnets.

7. The starter mechanism as described in claim 6, wherein the quantity of counter-rotating rings which comprise electromagnets is two.

8. The starter mechanism as described in claim 5, wherein the mechanism utilizes a sequencing device which functions to cause electromagnetic coils to change polarity at a predetermined time.

9. The starter mechanism as described in claim 5, wherein the localized electromagnets are configured at a spacing of one hundred eighty degrees.