Patent GB-688870-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to a method of and means for running-in engines
Inventor: BROOKS ROBERT JOHN
IPC: F16H57/02
Filed: 1950-11-24
Abstract: 688,870. Running-in engines. KING Ltd., G.W. Nov. 16, 1951 [Nov. 24, 1950; May 11, 1951], Nos. 28812/50 and 11208/51. Class 122(iii) Engines are run-in whilst being translated through successive stages on a conveyer by moving a prime-mover close to the engine and coupling it to a rotary member of the engine, moving the prime-mover along with the engine a predetermined distance whilst simultaneously imparting a drive to the engine and finally disconnecting the primemover and returning it to its original position for a further cycle of operations. Internal combustion engines are assembled and carried on a conveyer 10, each engine being mounted on a turntable 12 on a trolley 11. Parallel to and co-extensive with that section of the conveyer 10 at which the engines are to be run-in is disposed a track 13 having at its ends transverse tracks 14 that carry mobile cross trucks 16 movable by a motor 18 and belt 19 into alignment with either the track 13 or a parallel return track 15. The engines are run-in by a mobile driving rig 21 comprising a carriage 22 having mounted thereon an electric motor 24 driving through a chain 25 a spring-operated dog clutch 28 suitable to engage the normal starting handle claw of the engine crankshaft, and a lubricating oil pump 35 driven by a second electric motor 36. Suitable current collectors 37 carried by the carriage contact busbars 38 when the driving rig 21 moves along with the engine and oil supply and drain troughs are arranged parallel to the track 13. Wheels 23 carried on the underside of the carriage 22 are adapted to engage and run on the track 13, the return track 15 and rails 17 on the cross trucks 16. When a trolley 11 supporting an engine reaches a predetermined point on the conveyer 10 a cross truck 16 carrying a driving rig 21 moves along its transverse track 14 to align the rig with the track 13, a portion of the carriage 22 overlaps the trolley 11 and is coupled thereto; the pump 35 being at the same time manually coupled to the engine. The trolley and rig then move together the latter being carried from the cross truck 16 on to the track 13 and in so doing a cam operated lever 29 is released to enable the dog 28 to be coupled to the engine crankshaft claw and also the current collectors 37 contact the busbars 38 to supply power to the motors 24, 36 which are preferably started by manually operated push buttons, the motor 36 being started first to ensure circulation of oil in the engine prior to running the latter. The engine continues to be run-in until the rig 21 reaches the end of the track 13 when the current is cut off by the collectors 37 passing out of contact with the busbars 38, the dog 28 is disengaged from the engine by the cam operated lever 29 and the rig passes on to the second cross truck 16 which is operated to move the rig 21 into line with the return track 15 on to which it is transferred and moved along by a motor driven chain 39 being finally transferred to the first cross truck 16 in readiness for a new cycle of operations. The cross trucks 16 are automatically operated in timed relationship with the conveyer 10 by cam switches that control the motors 18. A safety switch is arranged in conjunction with the turntable 12 to shut off the power in the event of the engine not being correctly positioned relative to the driving rig 21. In a modification whilst the engine is being run-in the driving rig is carried on an overhead track on to, and from, which it is transferred by lift and drop sections at each end of the track that are adapted to connect with a second or return track disposed above the first track.