Abstract:
An engine starter assembly, coupled to a rotatable member of an internal combustion engine, includes an accumulator device coupled to the rotatable member for storing energy, an input device impinged by a fluid stream, and a fluid input receiving the fluid stream and directing the fluid stream toward the input device. Energy from the fluid stream is stored in the accumulator device due to the impingement of the fluid stream on the input device. The stored energy in the accumulator device is thereafter released to rotate the rotatable member to start the engine.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to internal combustion engines, and more particularly to starters for internal combustion engines. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Internal combustion engines incorporated in outdoor power equipment (e.g., lawnmowers, etc.) typically include a manual pull-starter and/or an electric starter to initiate engine operation. Pull-starters rely upon the user of the outdoor power equipment to provide the energy to actuate the pull-starter, while electric starters rely upon electricity, either stored in a battery or supplied from a household power source (e.g., a wall outlet), to provide the energy to actuate the starter. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Engine-powered pressure washers, however, are not typically supplied with electric starters. As a result, operators of engine-powered pressure washers are typically required to manually pull-start the engines without mechanical assistance. Manually pull-starting the engine can be difficult or impossible for some individuals. Electric pressure washers, which use electrical power from a household source, are an alternative to engine-powered pressure washers. However, electric pressure washers often are not capable of the flow rates and discharge pressures generated by engine-powered pressure washers. 
   The present invention provides, in one aspect, an engine starter assembly, coupled to a rotatable member of an internal combustion engine, including an accumulator device coupled to the rotatable member configured to store energy, an input device configured to be impinged by a fluid stream, and a fluid input configured to receive the fluid stream and to direct the fluid stream toward the input device. Energy from the fluid stream is stored in the accumulator device due to the impingement of the fluid stream on the input device. The stored energy in the accumulator device is thereafter released to rotate the rotatable member to start the engine. 
   The present invention provides, in another aspect, a pressurized fluid-delivery apparatus including a frame and an engine supported by the frame. The engine includes a rotatable member. The pressurized fluid-delivery apparatus also includes a pump driven by the engine to discharge a pressurized fluid, and an engine starter assembly. The engine starter assembly includes an accumulator device coupled to the rotatable member configured to store energy, an input device configured to be impinged by a fluid stream, and a fluid input configured to receive the fluid stream and to direct the fluid stream toward the input device. Energy from the fluid stream is stored in the accumulator device through the input device. The stored energy in the accumulator device is thereafter released to rotate the rotatable member to start the engine. 
   The present invention provides, in yet another aspect, a method of starting an internal combustion engine. The method includes impinging an input device with a fluid stream to move the input device, storing energy in an accumulator device in response to movement of the input device, coupling the accumulator device with a rotatable member of the engine, and releasing the stored energy in the accumulator device to rotate the rotatable member and thereby start the engine. 
   The engine starter assembly facilitates starting an internal combustion engine of a pressurized fluid delivery apparatus or a pressure washer without necessitating a large input force from an operator (e.g., a rope pull) to manually start the engine. As a result, the engine starter assembly enables operators, who would otherwise be incapable or have insufficient strength to manually start the engine by a rope pull, to use an engine-powered pressure washer, potentially expanding the number of people who can use engine-powered pressure washers. The engine starter assembly provides the added benefit that the working fluid (i.e., water) discharged by the pressure washer and the pressurized fluid used with the engine starter assembly share a common source (e.g., a household water spigot). 
   Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a pressurized fluid delivery apparatus incorporating an engine starter assembly of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is another front perspective view of the pressurized fluid delivery apparatus and engine starter assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the pressurized fluid delivery apparatus and engine starter assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the engine starter assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is an assembled, bottom perspective view of an accumulator device of the engine starter assembly of  FIG. 1   
       FIG. 6  is a side cutaway view of the engine starter assembly of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the components of the engine starter assembly. 
       FIG. 7  is a top cutaway view of the engine starter assembly of  FIG. 1 , illustrating fluid impinging upon an input device of the starter assembly. 
       FIG. 8  is a top cutaway view of the engine starter assembly of  FIG. 1 , illustrating a locking device engaged with a fan/flywheel assembly of the engine. 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the locking device shown in  FIG. 8  interconnected with a fluid distribution block of the pressurized fluid delivery apparatus, illustrating the locking device moved to a non-engaging position relative to the fan/flywheel assembly. 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view through a clutch incorporated in the engine starter assembly, illustrating the clutch in an engaged configuration. 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the clutch shown in  FIG. 10 , illustrating the clutch in a disengaged configuration. 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic illustrating the engine starter assembly of  FIG. 1  in which a pressurized fluid is diverted toward the engine starter assembly and torque is prevented from being transferred from the engine starter assembly to an engine. 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic illustrating the engine starter assembly of  FIG. 1  in which pressurized fluid is blocked from flowing toward the engine starter assembly and torque is transferred to the engine to start the engine. 
   

   Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a pressurized fluid delivery apparatus, or a pressure washer assembly  10 , including an engine  14  and a pump  18  operably coupled to the engine  14  to provide a pressurized fluid to a rigid conduit, or wand  22  (see  FIG. 1 ). As understood in the art, the pump  18  may receive a supply of low-pressure fluid, pressurize the fluid, and discharge the pressurized fluid to the wand  22 . The wand  22  is coupled to a gun assembly  26  and acts as an extension to the gun assembly  26 . The gun assembly  26  includes a hand grip  30  for a user to grasp with one hand, and the wand  22  includes a handle  34  to grasp with the other hand. A trigger  38  is located near the hand grip  30  to allow the user to selectively operate the gun assembly  26 . The gun assembly  26  is fluidly connected with the pump  18  by a flexible hose  42 , which allows the engine  14  and pump  18  to remain in one place while the user moves around and operates the gun assembly  26 . Any number of conventional fluid couplings  46  (e.g., quick-disconnect fluid couplings, etc.) may be used to fluidly connect and secure the hose  42  to the pump  18  and to the gun assembly  26 , respectively. Further, the pressure washer assembly  10  includes a cart  50  having a frame  54 , wheels  58  rotatably coupled to the frame  54 , and a platform  62  coupled to the frame  54  to support the engine  14  and pump  18 . Alternatively, the pressure washer assembly  10  may include a frame of a different configuration to support the engine  14  and pump  18 . 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a fluid accessory  66  coupled to the wand  22 . The pressurized fluid exits the wand  22  via the fluid accessory  66 . The fluid accessory  66  is adjustable to shape the discharged pressurized fluid into a spray pattern desirable for performing specific high-pressure cleaning applications. For example, the fluid accessory  66  may be adjusted to provide a wide-angle spray pattern to clean a large surface. However, the fluid accessory  66  may also be adjusted to provide a narrow-angle spray pattern to clean a small surface. Also, the fluid accessory  66  may include an adjustable nozzle assembly to alter the pressure of the discharged fluid. Alternatively, the pressure washer assembly  10  may include a non-adjustable accessory coupled to the end of the wand  22  to shape the discharged pressurized fluid into a specific, non-adjustable spray pattern. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , the pressure washer assembly  10  includes a starter assembly  70  coupled to a rotatable member of the engine  14  to start the engine  14 . With reference to  FIG. 4 , the starter assembly  70  is coupled to an output shaft or a crankshaft  74  of the engine  14 . Alternatively, the starter assembly  70  may be coupled to another rotatable member of the engine  14  (e.g., a fan, a flywheel, a fan/flywheel assembly  78 , a gear, a belt-drive pulley rotatable with the crankshaft  74 , etc.). The starter assembly  70  includes a housing  82  and an input device  86  rotatably supported in the housing  82  about an axis  90 . The input device  86  includes a plurality of input members  94  arranged about the axis  90 . Each of the input members  94  is preferably substantially cup-shaped, including opposed arcuate surfaces  96  (see  FIG. 7 ). Alternatively, the input device  86  may be configured as a Pelton wheel, having dual cup-shaped input members arranged about the axis  90 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 6 , a fluid input  98  is coupled to the housing  82  and is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid (see additional discussion below). In the illustrated construction, the fluid input  98  is in the form of a nozzle  102  integrally formed with the housing  82 . Alternatively, the nozzle  102  may be a separate component of the housing  82 , and may be coupled to the housing  82  in any of a number of different ways. In one construction of the starter assembly  70 , the nozzle  102  includes an orifice  106  having a diameter of about one-tenth of an inch, sized for operation with a source of pressurized fluid (e.g., a typical residential outdoor faucet or other water utility connection) having an operating pressure between about 40 psi and about 80 psi. Alternatively, the orifice  106  may have a different diameter depending upon the operating pressure of the source of pressurized fluid. With reference to  FIG. 6 , the housing  82  also includes a tapered portion  110  having an outlet  114  disposed toward the bottom of the tapered portion  110 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 7 , the nozzle  102  is oriented relative to the housing  82  and the input device  86  to discharge a pressurized fluid against the individual input members  94  of the input device  86  as the input device  86  rotates about the axis  90 . Specifically, in operation of the starter assembly  70 , the pressurized fluid impinges upon a middle portion of each of the input members  94  and splits into multiple fluid streams. At least some of the fluid is redirected away from the middle portion and toward the respective arcuate surfaces  96 . The arcuate surfaces  96  subsequently redirect the fluid in a direction substantially opposite that of the pressurized fluid impinging upon the input members  94 . In operation of the starter assembly  70 , fluid discharged from the nozzle  102 , after impinging upon the input members  94  of the input device  86 , flows down the tapered portion  110  and exits the housing  82  through the outlet  114 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 4 , the starter assembly  70  further includes a cover  118  coupled to an upper portion of the housing  82  to substantially enclose the input device  86  within the housing  82 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , a bushing  122  is coupled (e.g., a press-fit) to an interior surface of the cover  118 , and a shaft  126  supporting the input device  86  for rotation about the axis  90  is supported for rotation in the bushing  122 . In the illustrated construction of the starter assembly  70 , the shaft  126  includes a flange  130  at one end upon which the input device  86  is supported, and a groove at an opposite end through which a C-clip  132  is received to suspend the shaft  126  and input device  86  from the cover  118 . Alternatively, the input device  86  may be supported within the housing  82  in any of a number of different ways. 
   With reference to  FIG. 4 , the starter assembly  70  also includes a transmission  134 , responsive to rotation of the input device  86 , positioned in the housing  82 . Specifically, the transmission  134  includes a drive gear  138  coupled to the shaft  126  to co-rotate with the shaft  126  (e.g., by using a press-fit, a key and keyway arrangement, etc.; see also  FIG. 6 ). The transmission  134  further includes a driven gear  142  rotatable about an axis  146  spaced from the axis  90  of rotation of the drive gear  138  and the input device  86 . With reference to  FIG. 4 , the transmission  134  also includes a speed-reducing gear train  150  interconnecting the drive gear  138  and the driven gear  142 . In the illustrated construction of the starter assembly  70 , the gear train  150  includes a first set  154  of speed-reducing gears, a second set  158  of speed-reducing gears, and an idler gear  162  interconnecting the first and second sets  154 ,  158  of speed-reducing gears. A post  166  extending from the interior surface of the cover  118  rotatably supports the first set  154  of speed-reducing gears, while a post  170  extending from an interior surface of the housing  82  rotatably supports the second set  158  of speed-reducing gears. Another post  174  extending from the interior surface of the cover  118  rotatably supports the idler gear  162 . C-clips  132  are used to secure the first and second sets  154 ,  158  of speed-reducing gears and the idler gear  162  to the respective posts  166 ,  170 ,  174 . The speed-reducing gear train  150  provides an overall speed reduction of about 140:1 between the drive gear  138  and the driven gear  142 . Alternatively, the gear train  150  may include any of a number of different configurations of gears to provide a different overall speed reduction between the drive gear  138  and the driven gear  142 . 
   With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , the starter assembly  70  includes an accumulator device  178  coupled to the driven gear  142 . The accumulator device  178  includes an outer housing or drum  182  coupled to the driven gear  142  via a shaft  186  that rotatably supports the driven gear  142  within the housing  82 . In the illustrated construction of the starter assembly  70 , the shaft  186  is coupled to the drum  182  by a plurality of fasteners  190  (e.g., bolts; see  FIG. 6 ). Alternatively, the shaft  186  and drum  182  may be coupled in any of a number of different ways, and in yet other constructions of the starter assembly  70 , the shaft  186  may be integrally formed with the drum  182 . 
   The accumulator device  178  also includes a spring  190  positioned within the drum  182 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the spring includes a radially-innermost end  194  and a radially-outermost end  198  affixed to an interior surface of the drum  182 . In the illustrated construction of the accumulator device  178 , the radially-outermost end  198  of the spring  190  includes a hook  202  inserted through a slot  206  in the drum  182  to secure the end  198  of the spring  190  to the drum  182 . Alternatively, any number of different structures (e.g., fasteners, clamps, clips, etc.) or processes (e.g., welding, using adhesives, etc.) may be used to affix the radially outermost end  198  of the spring  190  to the drum  182 . The accumulator device  178  further includes a hub  210  aligned with the rotational axis  146  of the driven gear  142  (see also  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). In the illustrated construction of the starter assembly  70 , the radially-innermost end  194  of the spring  190  is coupled to the hub  210  by a pin  214 . Specifically, the radially-innermost end  194  of the spring  190  is folded upon itself to create a loop  218  through which the pin  214  is inserted to secure the radially-innermost end  194  of the spring  190  to the hub  210 , such that the radially-innermost end  194  of the spring  190  co-rotates with the hub  210 . Alternatively, the radially-innermost end  194  of the spring  190  may be coupled to the hub  210  for co-rotation with the hub  210  in any of a number of different ways. 
   With reference to  FIG. 5 , the hub  210  includes a bore  222  through which a portion of a clutch  226  (see  FIG. 4 ; described in more detail below) is received. In the illustrated construction of the starter assembly  70 , the bore  222  includes a non-circular shape in which a member having a square cross-sectional shape may be received. Alternatively, the hub  210  may include a bore having any of a number of different non-circular shapes, or, in yet other constructions of the starter assembly  70 , the hub  210  may incorporate a key and keyway arrangement with the clutch  226 . With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the starter assembly  70  also includes a housing  230  in which the accumulator device  178  is positioned. In the illustrated construction of the starter assembly  70 , the housing  230  is captured between an upper surface of a fan shroud  234  of the engine  14  and a lower surface of the housing  82 , which itself is coupled to the fan shroud  234  by a plurality of legs  238  fastened to the fan shroud  234 . The housing  230  is formed as a separate component from the fan shroud  234  and the transmission housing  12 . Alternatively, the accumulator device housing  230  may be coupled to the engine  14  in any of a number of different ways, and, alternatively, the accumulator device housing  230  may be integrally formed with the fan shroud  234  and transmission housing  82 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 4 , the starter assembly  70  also includes the previously-mentioned clutch  226  positioned between the accumulator device  178  and a rotatable member (e.g., the crankshaft  74 ) of the engine  14 . As will be discussed in more detail below, the clutch  226  is configured to lock or engage while rotating at slow rotational speeds (e.g., less than about 700 revolutions/minute, and unlock or disengage while rotating at high rotational speeds (e.g., greater than about 700 revolutions/minute). As shown in  FIG. 4 , the clutch  226  includes a body  242  having an interior space  246 , a plurality of balls  250  and a ratchet  254  positioned within the interior space  246  of the body  242 , and a shaft  258  extending from the ratchet  254  (see also  FIGS. 10 and 11 ). The interior space  246  of the body  242  is partially defined by a plurality of ramped surfaces  266  (see  FIG. 6 ), each of which is oriented at an incline such that the respective balls  250  positioned within the interior space  246  are situated toward the bottom of the ramped surfaces  262  when the body  242  is stationary or rotating at slow rotational speeds as defined above. 
   With reference to  FIG. 10 , the interior space  246  of the body  242  is partially defined by a plurality of cam surfaces  266  adjacent the respective ramped surfaces  262 , and the ratchet  254  includes a plurality of cam surfaces  270 . When the body  242  is stationary or rotating at slow rotational speeds as defined above, at least some of the respective cam surfaces  266 ,  270  of the body  242  and the ratchet  254  interlock with the balls  250 , thereby locking the shaft  258  and the body  242  of the clutch  226  for co-rotation. With reference to  FIG. 11 , when the body  242  is rotating at high rotational speeds as defined above, the balls  250  move radially outwardly from the axis  146  of rotation of the clutch  226  and “up” the ramped surfaces  226  of the body  242 . As a result, the respective cam surfaces  266 ,  270  of the body  242  and the ratchet  270  are free from interference with one another, and the ratchet  254  and shaft  258  are free to rotate relative to the body  242 . The structure and operation of the clutch  226  is described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,663; the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   With reference to  FIG. 6 , the body  242  of the clutch  226  is threaded to the crankshaft  74  of the engine  14  for co-rotation with the crankshaft  74 . Alternatively, different structure (e.g., a key and keyway arrangement, etc.), or any of a number of different processes (e.g., using a press-fit, welding, adhesives, etc.), may be utilized to affix the body  242  of the clutch  226  to the crankshaft  74  such that the body  242  co-rotates with the crankshaft  74 . Although the body  242  of the clutch  226  is coupled to the crankshaft  74  in the illustrated construction of the starter assembly  70 , the body  242  may alternatively be coupled to another rotatable member of the engine (e.g., the fan/flywheel assembly  78 ). 
   With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 8 , the starter assembly  70  further includes a locking device  274  that selectively prevents rotation of the fan/flywheel assembly  78  and the crankshaft  74 , such that the engine  14  is prevented from starting. The locking device  274  includes a base  276  having exterior threads formed on a cylindrical portion  277  of the base  226 , a knob  278  having a cylindrical portion  280  with matching internal threads, and a shaft  282  extending from the knob  278 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the locking device  274  is supported by a portion of the engine  14 , and a distal end  286  of the shaft  282  opposite the knob  278  protrudes into the engine  14  to selectively engage the fan/flywheel assembly  78  to prevent rotation of the fan/flywheel assembly  78  and start-up of the engine  14 . In the illustrated construction of the starter assembly  70 , the base  226  is supported by the fan shroud  234 , and the distal end  286  of the shaft selectively engages one of the blades of the fan/flywheel assembly  78 . Alternatively, the distal end  286  of the shaft  282  may selectively engage a different portion of the fan/flywheel assembly  78 , or, in yet other constructions of the starter assembly  70 , the distal end  286  of the shaft  282  may selectively engage another rotatable member of the engine  14 . The threaded arrangement between the respective cylindrical portions  277 ,  280  of the base  276  and the knob  278  facilitates axial movement of the shaft  282  upon rotation of the knob  278 . Alternatively, different structure between the respective cylindrical portions  277 ,  280  of the base  276  and the knob  278  (e.g., a quarter-turn arrangement) may be utilized to transform rotational movement of the knob  278  to axial movement of the shaft  282 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 3 , the pressure washer assembly  10  includes a distribution member in the form of a block  290  having an inlet  294 , a first outlet  298  in fluid communication with an inlet  302  of the pump  18 , and a second outlet  306  in fluid communication with the nozzle  102 . A flexible hose  310  may connect the inlet  294  of the distribution block  290  with a household source of pressurized fluid (e.g., a water spigot). In the illustrated construction of the pressure washer assembly  10 , another flexible hose  314  interconnects the first outlet  298  of the distribution block  240  and the inlet  302  of the pump  18 . Alternatively, different structure may be utilized to fluidly communicate the first outlet  298  of the distribution block  290  and the inlet  302  of the pump  18 , or, in yet other constructions of the pressure washer assembly  10 , the distribution block  290  may be integrally formed with the pump  18 . With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , another flexible hose  318  interconnects the second outlet  306  of the distribution block  290  and the nozzle  102 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 9 , a valve  322  positioned in the distribution block  290  is movable between a first position (shown in phantom), in which fluid flow is permitted from the inlet  294  of the distribution block  290  to the second outlet  306 , and a second position (shown in solid), in which fluid flow from the second outlet  306  of the distribution block  290  is blocked. In the illustrated construction of the pressure washer assembly  10 , a linkage  326  interconnects the knob  278  of the locking device  274  and the valve  322 , such that movement of the knob  278  is transferred to the valve  322 . Specifically, the linkage  326  is configured to transfer rotation of the knob  278  to the valve  322  to rotate the valve  322  between the first position and the second position. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the knob  278  includes an arm  330  rotatably coupled to a first end  332  of the linkage  326  (e.g., by a pin). The valve  322  includes an arm  334 , accessible from the exterior of the distribution block  240 , rotatably coupled to a second end  338  of the linkage  326  (e.g., by a pin). Alternatively, a different structure may be utilized to transfer movement of locking device  224  to the valve  322  to move the valve  322  between the first position and the second position. It should be understood that other structure, besides the block  290  and the valve  322 , may be utilized to selectively impinge the fluid stream or fluid jet on the input device  86  to wind the spring  190  and store energy in the accumulator device  178 . 
   In operation of the pressure washer assembly  10 , the engine starter assembly  70  stores energy accumulated from the fluid stream or fluid jet discharged from the nozzle  102 , and uses or releases the stored energy to start the engine  14 . In preparing the pressure washer assembly  10  for use, the user would first connect the flexible hose  310  to the inlet  294  of the distribution block  290  to access a residential or utility source of pressurized fluid. Initially, the locking device  274  is rotated to a position (shown in  FIG. 8 ) in which the distal end  286  of the shaft  282  engages the fan/flywheel assembly  78  to prevent rotation of the fan/flywheel assembly  78 . When the locking device  274  is in this position, the starter assembly  70  is in a “locked-out” configuration. Because the locking device  274  and the valve  322  are interconnected by the linkage  326 , the valve  322  is initially rotated to its first or open position to allow fluid flow from the inlet  294  of the distribution block  290  to the second outlet  306  of the distribution block  290  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 9 ). 
   The interaction of the locking device  274  and the valve  322  is illustrated in the schematics of  FIGS. 12 and 13 .  FIG. 12  illustrates the interaction of the locking device  274  and the valve  322  prior to engine startup. As discussed above, the locking device  274  is initially engaged with the fan/flywheel assembly  78  to prevent rotation of the fan/flywheel assembly  78 . Also, the valve  322  is in its open position to allow fluid flow from the inlet  294  to the second outlet  306 . Upon initiation of fluid flow into the distribution block  290 , fluid is allowed to flow through the first outlet  298  toward the inlet  302  of the pump  18 , and through the second outlet  306  toward the nozzle  102  in the starter assembly  70 . With reference to  FIG. 7 , fluid discharged from the nozzle  102  impinges upon the individual input members  94  of the input device  86 , as described above, causing the input device  86  to rotate about its axis  90 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 6 , rotation of the input device  86  drives the transmission  134 , which provides a reduced speed and increased torque to the shaft  186  of the driven gear  142 . Because the shaft  186  is fixed for rotation on the drum  182 , the drum  182  co-rotates with the shaft  186  and the driven gear  142 . However, the hub  210  is prevented from rotating with the drum  182  because the clutch  226  is in its locked configuration, as described above, and the locking device  274  is engaged to the fan/flywheel assembly  78  to prevent it from rotating. As a result, rotation of the drum  182  relative to the hub  210  resiliently deforms or winds the spring  190  to store energy in the spring  190 . In the illustrated construction of the starter assembly  70 , the spring  190  will continue to wind until the force exerted by the fluid jet on the individual input members  94  of the input device  86  is insufficient to overcome the reaction torque exerted on the input device  86 , through the transmission  134 , by the spring  190 . Alternatively, another clutch or other structure may be utilized to disengage the input device  86  from the accumulator device  178  after the spring  190  reaches a predetermined spring tension. This series of events is schematically illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
   To start the engine  14 , the user needs only to attach the hose  310 , turn on the fluid source, and rotate the knob  278  of the locking device  274  to the position shown in solid in  FIG. 9 . Specifically, rotating the knob  278  to the position shown in  FIG. 9  causes the shaft  282  to axially displace away from the fan/flywheel assembly  78 , thereby disengaging the distal end  286  of the shaft  282  and one of the blades of the fan/flywheel assembly  78 . Because the fan/flywheel assembly  78  and the crankshaft  74  are no longer prevented from rotating, the spring  190  is allowed to unwind and rotate the hub  210 , the clutch  226  (which is initially in its locked configuration as described above), and the crankshaft  74  to start the engine  14 . As the knob  278  is rotated toward the position shown in solid in  FIG. 9 , the linkage  326  causes the valve  322  to rotate to its closed position to block fluid flow toward the nozzle  102 . As a result, all of the fluid flow entering the distribution block  290  through the inlet  244  is directed toward the first outlet  298  of the distribution block  240  and ultimately to the inlet  302  of the pump  18 . This series of events is schematically illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
   After the engine  14  has started, the body  242  of the clutch  226  overruns the ratchet  254 , allowing the balls  250  in the clutch  226  to be flung radially outwardly due to centrifugal forces acting on the balls  250 , and up the respective ramped surfaces  262  of the body  242 . The governed speed of the engine  14  is sufficient to maintain the balls  250  in a position radially outward of the cam surfaces  266  on the body  242  (see  FIG. 11 ). As such, the body  242  is free to rotate relative to the ratchet  254  during operation of the engine  14 , preventing reverse-winding of the spring  190 . After the engine  14  is shut off, the centrifugal forces acting on the balls  250  are eliminated, allowing the balls  250  to roll down the ramped surfaces  262  toward the respective cam surfaces  266  of the body  242  to reset the clutch  262  in its locked configuration. The locking device  224  may also include a reset device configured to rotate the locking device  224  from the position shown in solid in  FIG. 9  to the position shown in phantom in  FIG. 9  to reengage the distal end  286  of the shaft  282  and the fan/flywheel assembly  78  to prevent rotation of the fan/flywheel assembly  78 . Consequently, the linkage  326  would rotate the valve  322  back to its open configuration to again allow fluid flow from the inlet  244  of the distribution block  290  through the second outlet  306 , and toward the nozzle  102 . 
   Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.