US1200541A - Compressed-fluid starting apparatus for internal-combustion engines. - Google Patents

Description

F. E. TEN EYCK. COMPRESSED FLUID STARTING APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 12, I915- 1,2QQ,54;1 Patented Oct. 10,1916.

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F. E. TEN EYCK. COMPRESSED FLUID STARTING APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL comsusnou ENGINES. APPLICATION FILED MAY 12. l9l5- Patented Oct. 10,1916.

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FRANK E. TEN EYCK, OF AUBURN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO AIR DEVICE MANUFAC- TUBING- COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINGIS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

COMPRESSED-FLUID STARTING APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Application filed May 12, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK E. TEN Even, a citizen of the United States, residing at Auburn, in the county of Cayuga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Compressed- Fluid Starting Apparatus for Internal- Combustion Engines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one form in which I have contemplated embodying my invention, slight modification thereof, and the said invention is fully disclosed in the following description and claims.

Referring to the said drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of an internal combustion engine and compressed fluid starting mechanism therefor. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view of one of the spark plugs, one of the automatic compressed fluid inlet valves, showing the manner in which they are both connected to the spark plug aperture of the cylinder, a portion of which appears in the figure. Fig. 3 is a similar view representing a modification, the parts being shown in section.

The general form of starting mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1 is shown and described in my former application No. 22,551, filed on April 20, 1915, in which the general fea tures of the apparatus are claimed.

My present invention is directed to a novel construction and combination of parts, whereby the compressed fluid for starting the engine is admitted to a cylinder or each cylinder of the engine through the spark plug aperture thereof and in such proximity to the contacts of the igniter that the compressed fluid as it enters the cylinder, will sweep over the said contacts, which are directly in its path, thereby cleaning them and freeing them from moisture, dust, carbon, or any foreign matter which might tend to interfere with the efiicient action of the igniter.

My improved construction also contemplates the provision of means for introducing the priming charge through the same Specification of Letters Patent.

and a Patented Oct. 10, 1916.

Serial No. 27,514.

aperture in the cylinder, and by this means the cylinder heads can be formed with a single aperture and my improvements can be advantageously applied to engines already built which are provided with only a single aperture in the cylinder head, without mak- 1ng a special aperture therein, for the in troduction of the compressed fluid or for the introduction of a priming charge.

Referring briefly to said Fig. l, l represents the internal combustion engine provided with cylinders 2, 3, i, and

9 represents a pump or compressor operatively connected with the engine shaft and capable of being actuated by the engine when the latter is running, to compress air which passes through a pipe 18 and through a controlling valve 60, mounted on a steering head and controlled by a hand lever 72, adjacent to the steering wheel, the compressed air passing from the valve through a pipe 80 to a storage tank, indi-.

cated at 19. The compressed air from the tank may be transmitted by the proper operation of the valve 60 through a starter pipe line 38 to a distributer 22 mounted on the pump and operated by connections with the engine, from which it passes by a series of distributing pipes 2 3, P, and 5 to the automatic inlet valve 93. In the construction shown in Fig. 1, the connection between each of these inlet valves and the adjacent engine cylinder is through the spark plug aperture which is provided with a fitting 91 to receive a spark plug 90, and also the inlet valve 93, and in this instance the said fitting is provided with a threaded portion 91*, see Fig. 2, upon which the inlet valve is screwed. In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 2, this inlet valve comprises a cylindrical body having between its ends a reduced central aperture 93 communicating with the cylindrical chamber 93 at the upper end of the cylindrical body, and a chamber 93 at the lower end thereof, and a valve seat 94 is provided at the lower end of this neck or reduced aperture to receive a conical valve 95 formed upon the lower end or secured to a valve stem which is provided with a guiding portion 95 having a sliding engagement with the reduced passage 93 the valve stem being reduced between said guiding portions and the valve 95, so as to form an annular 1 the valve stem.

passage surrounding the valve stem within the passage 93, at which point the valve casing or body is provided with an inlet aperture 104 into which one of the distributing pipes for the compressed fluid, as 8, i etc., is attached. The upper part of the valve stem is provided with a piston member 96 which is preferably provided with an integral body 96 of slightly less diameter than the chamber 93, and this body is cured to the upper end of the valve stem by a threaded connection, in this instance the said body being provided with a threaded recess to receive a threaded extension 95 of On the exterior of the reduced body portion 96, I provide a sliding piston ring 102, and between the piston ring and the piston head 96, 1 provide a ring of compressible packing 108. Within the chamber 93 1 also provide spring 101 which bears on one end against the bottom of the chamber and at its upper end against the piston ring 102 so that this spring performs two functions, to wit, that of holding the valve 95 firmly up against its seat, and also that of compressing the packing 103 between the ring 109 and the piston head 90.

The upper end of the valve body is closed and provided with a suitable inlet aperture, and in this instance, I have shown it provided with a cap 98 screwed onto the valve body and provided with a passage 99 extending transversely through the same and through a threaded connection 90 at either side of the cap, and the passage 99 is connected by a vertical passage 100 with the chamber 93 directly above the piston head 96.

The upper end of the valve is adapted to be connected with the source of compressed fluid at the same time that compressed fluid is admitted to the inlet aperture 101 so that the accumulated pressure will first be exerted on the head of the piston 96 and caused to open the valve 95, thereby admitting the compressed fluid entering at the aperture 104; to the chamber 93 and thence to the cylinder of the engine. As indicated in Fig. 1, the several inlet valves have their threaded extensions 90 connected by pipes 105, and with a by pass indicated at 107, which leads to the controlling valve ('30 or to the starter pipe line 38 either directly or through said controlling valve, so that when air is admitted to the starter pipe line 38, it will also pass through the by pass 107, and thence to the piston cylinder of each of the automatic valves, so as to open the valves and permit the flow of compressed fluid thereto under the control of the distributer, as fully set forth in my prior application above referred to.

The cylinder head, which is indicated at 6 in Fig. 2, is provided with athreaded aperture 7 for the accommodation of the spark plug, and into this aperture is screwed the fitting 91 before referred to, the said fitting having its upper end provided with an interiorly threaded portion 91, preferably of the same diameter as the aperture 7 and with the same pitch of thread, to receive the lower threaded portion of the spark plug 90, the contacts 10 and 11 of the spark plug projecting downwardly into the fitting 91 so that their adjacent portions are directly in line with the air passage 91 communicating with the automatic air inlet valve 98 efore referred to, the fitting 91 being preferably provided with a lateral extension 91 through which the passage 91 extemls and which terminates in the threaded portion 91, upon which the valve 93 is screwed. It follows from this construction that the compressed air or other motor fluid enter ing from the valve 93 through the passage 91 must pass directly across and with considerable velocity, the adjacent portions of the contacts 10 and 11 of the spark plug between the spark, thus subjecting them to a blast of air each time the valve 93 is opened in starting the engine, and serving to clean the points by removing grease and other foreign matter therefrom.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a well known form of spark plug having its main body hollowed out and forming a chamber 12 within the same, the upper end of which receives a cap 13 through which the terminal 11 extends, the terminal 10 projecting from the lower end of the main body of the plug. As it is frequently desirable to introduce a priming charge of liquid fuel into the cylinder to assist in starting the engine under its own explosive power, in addition to turning it over by means of the compressed fluid, I prefer to provide for the introduction of such priming charge, also at a point adjacent to the contacts of the igniter and through the i gniter aperture in the cylinder head 7 It is obvious that in the construc tion herein shown and described this result will be accomplished by admitting the priming charge either to the interior of the spark plug chamber 19 of the spark plug 10, or into the casing of the automatic valve below the valve thereof, but in Fig. 2, for example,

I have shown the side wall of the sparkplug body provided with an aperture 1% through which extends a pipe or nipple 15 connected to a priming cup 16 provided with a detachable closure 17 which can be removed for the insertion of a priming charge, while the engine is stationary, and the closure replaced before the engine is started. In this case it will be noted that the priming charge passes in close proximity to the contacts 10 and 11, but the blasts of air admitted through the passage 91 for turning over the engine will effectually cleanse the contacts from any adhering liquid fuel.

In Fig. 3' I have shown a slight modification of my invention in which the fitting 91 is dispensed with and the automatic air valve is connected by an angular fitting 20 with an aperture 21 in the side wall of the spark plug communicating with the interior chamber 12- thereof, while the spark plug body is provided on the opposite side with a priming cup 16 as in Fig. 2. In this instance blasts of air from the automatic air inlet valve 93 will pass down through the hollow body of the spark plug itself and over and around the contacts, here indicated at 10 and 11 so as to remove oil, liquid fuel, or other foreign matter therefrom, and assist in keeping the contacts clean.

The particular form of automatic air inlet valve herein shown and described is not particularlyclaimed herein as the same forms the subject matter of another application.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a compressed fluid starting mechanism for internal combustion engines the combination with an engine cylinder provided with a spark plug aperture, a spark plug provided with ignition contacts supported adjacent to said aperture for firing the normal explosive charges of the engine, a compressed air supply for starting the engine by fluid pressure independent of the means for supplying charges of explosive material therefor, a normally closed inlet valve connected to the cylinder through the spark plug aperture, connections from said compressed air supply to said inlet valve, means for opening said inlet valve to permit the operation of the starting mechanism, a distributer interposed in said connections, means for connecting said distributer in timed relation with a shaft of the engine, and a controlling valve for said connections, a priming device for supplying explosive material to the engine cylinder independent of the means for supplying the normal charges of explosive material therefor, and connections from said priming device to the spark plug aperture, whereby the starting mechanism and priming device are connected to the cylinder without the necessity of forming an additional aperture therein, and whereby the compressed fluid admitted in starting will clean the ignition contacts.

2. In compressed fluid startingi mechanism for internal combustion engines, the combination with a cylinder provided with a spark plug aperture, a spark plug provided with ignition contacts supported adjacent to said aperture, a compressed fluid supply for starting the engine independent of the means for supplying the normal charges of explosive material therefor, an automatic air inlet valve connected with said spark plug aperture by a passage in line with and adj a cent to said contacts, connections between the fluid supply and said automatic valve, a distributer having a timed relation with the engine when in operative relation therewith, interposed in said connections, between said compressed fluid supply and said distributer, said automatic valve being provided with an actuating cylinder and piston, and a by pass between said connections and said actuating cylinder of the automatic valve.

3. In a compressed fluid starting mechanism for internal combustion engines, the combination with an engine cylinder, provided with a spark plug aperture, of a hollow fitting provided at one end with an exteriorly threaded portion corresponding to the threaded portion of a spark plug, for engaging said aperture, and also provided with an interiorly threaded portion to receive the threaded portion of a spark plug, said fitting being also provided with a compressed air passage communicating with its interior, and with said cylinder, and with a threaded terminal portion adjacent to the outer end of said passage, a compressed air supply for starting the engine by fluid pressure, independent of the means for supplying the normal charges of explosive material therefor, connections from said compressed air-supply to said threaded terminal portion of said fitting, communicating with said air passage therein, a distributer interposed in said connections, means for connecting said distributer in timed relation with a shaft of the engine and a controlling valve for said connections.

4. In a compressed fluid starting mechanism for internal combustion engines, the combination with an engine cylinder, provided with a spark plug aperture, of a hollow fitting provided at one end with an exteriorly threaded portion corresponding to the threaded portion of a spark plug, for engaging said aperture, and at the other end with an interiorly threaded portion to receive a spark plug, a spark plug engaging said interiorly threaded portion of the fitting, said fitting being provided with a lateral portion having a threaded portion at its outer end and containing an inclined air passage extending from said threaded portion to the interior of the fitting and discharging therein in line with the portion of the contacts of the spark plug between which the spark is formed, an automatic inlet valve secured to the threaded outer end of the said lateral portion of said fitting, and provided with a cylinder and a valve operating piston therein, a compressed air supply for starting the engine by fluid pressure independent of the means for supplying the normal charges of explosive material therefor, connections between said compressed air supply and said inlet valve, a distribu- In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, ter in said connections, means for connectin the presence of tWo Witnesses. 111g said distributor in timed relation with a FRANK E TEN EYOK shaft of the engine, a controlling valve for said connections, and a by-pass from said \Vitnesses: connections to the cylinder of the automatic MATIE F. DAVEY, inlet valve. V. C. GATES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- Washington, D. C.

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