Patent GB-671223-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to engine starting apparatus
Inventor: HALLETT LOUIS BERTRAM HENRY
IPC: F02C7/272
Filed: 1949-07-01
Abstract: 671,223. Turning-gear; alarms. CHANCE BROS., Ltd. May 16, 1950 [July 1, 1949], No. 17443/49. Classes 7(ii) and 7(v) [Also in Group XXXV] In an engine starting apparatus, not shown, of the 'kind actuated by the gases produced upon ignition of explosive material contained in a cartridge and in which a magazine M carrying a plurality of cartridges C1-C3 is automatically movable for advancing the cartridges successively into the firing position, there is provided an electrical control system having in combination, (a) a cartridge firing circuit, which includes a relay-operable switch IR1 and a switch SRI responsive to a given speed of the engine to be started, (b) a circuit having therein a quick-acting relay IR, a time-delay relay L and switches LR1, PR1, SR2, and Dl, respectively, responsive to the time-delay relay LR, movement of the cartridge magazine M, a given speed of the engine and the demand for stand-by power, (c) a circuit containing a magazine actuating motor MM, a relay PR controlled by movement of the magazine and switches IR2 and LS1, LS2, respectively, responsive to the quick acting relay IR and movement of the magazine M, a motor controlling switch MR1 being also included in the circuit, (d) a circuit containing a relay MR for actuating the motor controlling switch MR1, and switches MR2 and IR3 controlled, respectively by the relay MR and the quick-acting relay IR, this circuit being also controlled by the magazine switch LS1, (e) a circuit containing an alarm relay AR under the control of the magazine switch LS2, (f) a circuit associated with the fuel control and ignition means, not shown, of the engine and containing a switch D2 responsive to the demand for stand-by power and a circuit maintaining switch AR1, under the control of the alarm relay AR and (g) an alarm circuit containing a switch AR2 operated by the alarm relay AR. The apparatus is arranged to effect automatic starting of an engine in a standby set in the event of failure of a principal supply source or other cause in which circumstances both switches D1 and D2 will close, the former completing the circuit from a main supply battery S or other convenient source through relay IR thereby closing switch IR1 and hence the cartridge firing circuit (a). Closure of switch D2 completes the circuit of the engine fuel and ignition control means. Relay IR also opens switch IR2 and closes switch IR3, the latter effecting energization of the motor relay MR, the feed to which is maintained a.cross switch MR2 whilst closure of switch MR1 completes a loop across switch LSI. Switches LSI, and LS2 are mechanically operated from the magazine by movable parts p1 and p2, respectively. The timedelay relay LR does not act at once so that its switch LR1 remains closed for a predetermined time to allow the engine to attain normal speed. Should the engine start immediately, switches SR1 and SR2 will open to interrupt circuits (a) and (b) so de-energizing relay IR whereupon switch IR2 re-closes and bring motor MM and relay PR into action, the magazine accordingly moving the next cartridge into firing position and causing the switch LS1 to maintain a feed to the motor MM and to disconnect relay MR which in turn interrupts the loop across LS1; when the next cartridge is in the firing position the switch LS1 opens so disconnecting the feed to the motor MM and relay PR. Should the engine fail to respond to the first action of the starting apparatus the switches SR1 and SR2 will remain closed and after a delay of, say, 60 seconds the time-delay relay LR will operate and open switch LR1 thus breaking the circuit to relay IR, whereupon switch IR1 will de-energize the firing circuit and switch IR2 will effect energization of the motor MM and the relay PR, the motor moving the magazine to the next position and switch PR1 preventing operation of relay IR until switch LSl breaks the circuit to relay PR when the next cartridge is in position. This sequence of events will be repeated until the engine starts or all the cartridges are expended. After firing off the last cartridge the switch LS2 will cause the alarm relay AR to be energized and open the circuit of the motor MM and even if the demand for the operation of the stand-by set is .discontinued the engine will continue to run and the alarm will remain in action. Should the demand for operation of the stand-by set be discontinued and then restored before the engine has come to rest, the closing of switch D2 will restore the current to the fuel and ignition controlling means and allow the engine to run up to speed again without firing the cartridge already in position since switches SR1 and SR2 will remain open until the engine speed has fallen below normal running speed.