Patent GB-279296-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in engine starters
IPC: F02N99/00
Filed: 1927-02-07
Abstract: 279,296. Rogers, F. H., (Eclipse Machine Co.). Feb. 7, 1927. Turning-gear.-In an aeroplane or other engine comprising a supercharger supplying combustible mixture to the engine cylinders, the supercharger is driven from the engine at a greater speed than the crank-shaft through transmission mechanism which also serves to transmit the drive for starting the engine. The starter may be actuated by an electric motor or a, starting handle, and includes a flywheel which is set in motion and then connected to the engine. As shown, a rotary supercharger 6, coaxial with the starting shaft 8, supplies mixture from the carburettor 5 to the inlet manifold 7. A detachable plate 3 secured to the crank case 2 forms a bearing for the apparatus. The shaft 8 engages' the engine shaft 1 by means of clutch members 11, 16, the member 11 being mounted on a splined sleeve 10 on the shaft 8 and held by a spring 13 against a nut 14 on the end of the shaft. The rotor 4 of the supercharger is connected by a one-way clutch 33 with a sleeve 9, which is rotatably mounted without any axial movement and is normally driven from the engine shaft through a barrel 19 connected by a multi-plate clutch 18 to a sleeve 17 splined to the sleeve 10 ; the hub 22 of the barrel 19 carries a frame 30 supporting planetary pinions 29 meshing with a fixed ring gear 28 and with gear teeth 32 on the sleeve 9. When starting by hand, a bevel-wheel 70 on the outer end of the shaft 8 is driven through a. bevel-wheel 69 on a shaft 67 engaged by a hand-crank 76; and the shaft 8 is moved to the right in Fig. 1 by a lever 80 mounted on a rock-shaft 82 and engaging a collar 84 on the shaft 8, the lever being moved by a rod 74 sliding in the shaft 67 when the hand-crank 76 is applied. F'or power starting, an electric motor 94 drives a, bevel wheel 95 in engagement with the wheel 70 on the shaft 8, and the axial movement of the shaft 8 is effected by a rod 96 sliding in the shaft of the motor and having a pin 100 engaging an inclined slot in the motor shaft; a collar on the rod 96 engages an arm mounted on the rock-shaft 82 on which the shifting lever 80 is mounted. The axial movement of the shaft 8 disengages the clutch members 11, 16 and brings a collar 23 on the shaft into engagement with clutch teeth 107 in the hub 22, so that the sleeve 9 is driven from the shaft 8 through the planetary gearing 28 - - 32. At the same time, a member 44, in engagement with the screw-threaded hub 42 of a gear wheel 40, is brought into engagement with the outer end of the sleeve 9 by a pivoted shoe 92 connected by linkage to the outer end of the shaft 8. A flywheel 59 is then driven from the sleeve 9 through the member 44 and gearing 40, 48, 65, 66, and the rotor 4 of the supercharger is driven from the shaft 49 of the gears 48, 65 through gearing 54, 55 and a one-way clutch 58. When the flywheel has been brought to a sufficient speed, cranking is stopped or the motor 94 switched off, allowing the shaft 8 to re-engage the engine shaft and to be disengaged from the hub 22 of the barrel 19 The member 44, however, is retained in engagement with the sleeve 9 by the action of the threaded hub 42, until the momentum of the flywheel has been communicated to the engine shaft through the gearing 66, 65, 48, 40, sleeve 9, planetary gearing 28 - - 32, barrel 19, plate clutch 18, sleeve 10, and clutch 11. The plate clutch 1& slips if an excessive speed is transmitted from the flywheel or if the engine, shaft turns backwards at starting.