Patent ID: 7219569

Claim:
A coaxial engine starter for starting an engine having a ring gear, comprising: an electric motor including an armature shaft; an output shaft coaxial with said armature shaft, said output shaft having a clutch end; a one-way clutch operatively coupled to said output shaft; an epicycle gear reduction assembly; and an integrated support and clutch barrel unit selectively driven by said armature of said electric motor, said integrated support and clutch barrel unit including a body, said body having a gear support side for supporting gearing members of said epicycle gear reduction assembly and a clutch side for housing members of said one-way clutch, said output shaft being operatively connected with said clutch side of said body; wherein said epicycle gear reduction assembly is fitted between and operatively connecting said armature shaft of said electric motor and said gear support side of said body, said reduction assembly being formed to reduce the rotation of said armature shaft, and wherein said one-way clutch is provided on said clutch side of said body to essentially control transmission of rotations between said armature shaft and said output shaft, said clutch end of said output shaft being operatively connected to said one-way clutch.