GB1462382A - Starting mechanisms for internal combustion engines - Google Patents

Abstract

1462382 Internal combustion engine starting mechanism CAV Ltd 19 March 1974 [29 March 1973] 15049/73 Heading F1K [Also in Division H2] A starting mechanism for an internal combustion engine comprises in combination first and second electric motors 12, 13 for driving first and second pinions (not shown) respectively engageable with a toothed wheel of the engine, first and second solenoid means 14, 15 respectively operable to effect axial movement of the pinions into engagement with the toothed wheel of the engine, first and second switch means which are closed when the pinions respectively are engaged with the toothed wheel, first means 20 operable to energize the first solenoid 14 and the first motor 12 to obtain engagement of the first pinion with the toothed wheel and second means 24 operable to de-energize the first motor whilst the second solenoid 15 and second motor 13 are energized to engage the second pinion with the toothed wheel, the second means being responsive to engagement of the second pinion with the toothed wheel to reenergize the first motor. When the switch 18 is depressed the contacts 20 are closed and power is supplied to the solenoid 14 and in addition by way of the normally closed contacts 22 to the winding 24. The switch 16 is partly closed and electric current is supplied to the motor 12 which is then energized at low power. In addition the solenoid 14 acts to move the pinion into engagement with the toothed wheel of the engine. When the pinion is properly engaged a catch is released and the relay coil 21 is supplied with current by the third contact of the switch 16. When this occurs contacts 22 are opened and the operating coil 24 of the second relay is de-energized so that current is no longer supplied to the motor 12. When the contacts 22 open the contacts 23 close thereby energizing the solenoid 15 and causing operation of the electric motor 13 at low power and effecting engagement of the associated pinion with the toothed wheel of the engine. When the pinion is fully engaged with the toothed wheel a catch is released and the movable contact plate 17 bridges all the associated contacts. The motor 13 is therefore energized at full power but also the operating coil 24 is supplied with current and this has the effect of closing the contacts which are in series with the motor 12. Both motors therefore operate at full power to rotate the toothed wheel of the engine.