Patent GB-392663-A (GB)
Title: Starting mechanism for internal combustion engines
IPC: F02N99/00
Filed: 1932-01-23
Abstract: 392,663. Starting prime movers. STARTOMATIC CORPORATION, 1627, West Pico Street, Los Angeles, U.S.A. Jan. 23, 1932, No. 2115. Convention date, Jan. 23, 1931. [Class 38 (iv).] In automatic starting mechanism for internalcombustion engines, including a starting circuit comprising a starting motor 14 and a starting switch 29, a control circuit for the starting switch including a coil 44 and a generator 13, the starting mechanism is jointly controlled by three switches 58, 64, 72 arranged in series in the control circuit, the switch 58, which may be the ignition switch of the engine, being operated manually, while the switches 64, 72 are operated mechanically in response to the speed of the starting motor and the engine. When the motor and engine are at rest, the switches 64, 72 are closed, and closure of the switch 58 energizes the coil 44, which attracts a plunger 37 and moves a contact member 35 into engagement with fixed contacts 31, 33 to connect the starting motor 14 to the battery 12. The contact member 35 is slidably mounted on an extension 46 of the plunger 37, and is held against an abutment 42 by means of a spring 48 which engages, at its other end, with an abutment 50, which may be mounted in a cylindrical extension 52 of the switch casing, the arrangement serving as a dashpot to retard the closing of the switch. The switch 64 comprises terminals 63, 66 respectively connected to the coil 44 and to the terminal 68 of the switch 72, slip rings 74, 76, Fig. 4, connected to the terminals, and a contact member 120 which normally bridges the slip rings, but is centrifugally actuated to open the circuit when the motor reaches a predetermined speed. In the form shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the centrifugal operating means comprises a pair of weighted levers 86, 88 pivoted on a disc 82 mounted on the end of the motor shaft, the levers being connected together by a link 98 and controlled by a spring 100 and, if desired, by a dashpot device 128. Outward movement of the levers under the action of centrifugal force rotates a. pinion 104 through a rack 102. A yoke member 112 rotates with the pinion until a spring 126 connected to the yoke member and to the switch arms 118 passes the dead-centre and effects the opening of the switch with a snap action. The generator-operated switch 72 is of similar construction, but is provided with only one slip ring, the movable contact member being connected to the frame of the generator and hence to earth. In a modified construction of the centrifugal switches, Figs. 6 and 7, the weighted levers 311, 313, carried by a plate 301 secured to the motor or generator shaft, effect the rotation of a pinion 331 mounted on a threaded extension of the shaft. Rotation of the pinion causes it to move axially along the extension and to effect quick action of the switch member 360 through spring-controlled toggle mechanism, as shown. To start the engine, the switch 58 is closed, thereby energizing the coil 44 which closes the starting switch and connects the motor to the battery The governor switches 64, 72 are so set that the rotation of the starting motor and generator during the cranking of the engine is insufficient to cause them to open. When the engine starts, the motor accelerates and opens the circuit of the coil 44 at the switch 64, thereby allowing the starting switch to open. As the engine picks up, and before the starting motor has slowed down sufficiently to close the switch 64, the rotation of the generator opens the switch 72, which remains open as long as the engine is self-operative.