Abstract: An adjustable air-powered starter motor that provides a plurality of different operational configurations. The air-powered starter motor includes a motor housing assembly that houses at least a portion of a rotary actuator assembly, and which may be connected to a cover assembly. The motor housing may be selectively attached to a mounting structure along first or second sides of the motor housing. Additionally, the motor housing may be attached to the mounting structure at a plurality of different angular orientations. The motor housing further includes an air inlet having first and second air inlet ports that are positioned on opposite sides of the motor housing, and an air outlet port that is positioned along a lateral axis that is generally parallel to, and offset from, a lateral axis of the inlet port. A mounting pin may align and interconnect the motor housing and rotary actuator assembly at each operational configuration.

Abstract: An adjustable air-powered starter motor that provides a plurality of different operational configurations. The air-powered starter motor includes a motor housing assembly that houses at least a portion of a rotary actuator assembly, and which may be connected to a cover assembly. The motor housing may be selectively attached to a mounting structure along first or second sides of the motor housing. Additionally, the motor housing may be attached to the mounting structure at a plurality of different angular orientations. The motor housing further includes an air inlet having first and second air inlet ports that are positioned on opposite sides of the motor housing, and an air outlet port that is positioned along a lateral axis that is generally parallel to, and offset from, a lateral axis of the inlet port. A mounting pin may align and interconnect the motor housing and rotary actuator assembly at each operational configuration.

Abstract: A hoist assembly for overhead lifting including an upwardly extending attachment member, a downwardly depending shank coupled to the attachment member and having a polygonal cross sectional shape, a hoist body coupled to the downwardly depending shank, and a plate positioned between the upwardly extending attachment member and the hoist body, that defines a first circular aperture that matingly receives the polygonal shank and a second polygonal aperture laterally spaced from the first circular aperture. The plate is moveable between a first position, in which the polygonal shank extends into the first circular aperture, and a second position, in which the polygonal shank extends into the second polygonal aperture. Rotation of the attachment member with respect to the plate is permitted when the plate is in the first position, and rotation of the attachment member with respect to the plate is inhibited when the plate is in the second position.

Abstract: A hoist assembly for overhead lifting including an upwardly extending attachment member, a downwardly depending shank coupled to the attachment member and having a polygonal cross sectional shape, a hoist body coupled to the downwardly depending shank, and a plate positioned between the upwardly extending attachment member and the hoist body, that defines a first circular aperture that matingly receives the polygonal shank and a second polygonal aperture laterally spaced from the first circular aperture. The plate is moveable between a first position, in which the polygonal shank extends into the first circular aperture, and a second position, in which the polygonal shank extends into the second polygonal aperture. Rotation of the attachment member with respect to the plate is permitted when the plate is in the first position, and rotation of the attachment member with respect to the plate is inhibited when the plate is in the second position.

Abstract: A method of starting an engine with an engine starter that includes pressurizing a motor supply chamber with a fluid, selectively pressurizing an actuating chamber in response to the pressure in the motor supply chamber, moving a first valve along a first axis in response to pressure in the actuating chamber and moving a pinion toward engagement with the engine in response to movement of the first valve. The method further includes further pressurizing the actuating chamber, moving a second valve along a second axis in response to the further pressure in the actuating chamber, rotating the pinion in response to movement of the second valve, meshing pinion teeth with teeth on the engine, and starting the engine in response to rotation of the pinion.

Abstract: A method of starting an engine with an engine starter that includes pressurizing a motor supply chamber with a fluid, selectively pressurizing an actuating chamber in response to the pressure in the motor supply chamber, moving a first valve along a first axis in response to pressure in the actuating chamber and moving a pinion toward engagement with the engine in response to movement of the first valve. The method further includes further pressurizing the actuating chamber, moving a second valve along a second axis in response to the further pressure in the actuating chamber, rotating the pinion in response to movement of the second valve, meshing pinion teeth with teeth on the engine, and starting the engine in response to rotation of the pinion.

Abstract: An engine starter includes a motor housing having an inlet and an outlet for a motive fluid, a fluid-driven motor within the motor housing, the motor including a rotor and a stator, the stator directing a flow of fluid over the rotor, thereby inducing rotation of the rotor about an axis and exerting an axial force on the rotor and an output shaft operably coupled to the rotor such that rotation of the rotor drives rotation of the shaft about the axis. A front and a rear ball bearing assembly support the rotor. A front biasing member is pre-loaded to exert a first biasing load on the front ball bearing assembly and a rear biasing member is pre-loaded to exert a second biasing load on the rear ball bearing assembly in opposition of the axial force exerted on the rotor. The biasing members distribute the axial force between the two ball bearing assemblies.

Abstract: A starter for moving a movable portion of an engine to start the engine includes a gear housing, a gear assembly within the gear housing, an output member at a first end of the gear assembly adapted to operably couple to the movable portion of the engine, a motor housing, and a rotor rotatably mounted within the motor housing. The rotor has a shaft portion and a vane portion that are an integral, unitary piece. The shaft portion has splines for mating with the gear assembly. The splines prevent relative rotational movement between the rotor and the gear assembly and permit relative axial movement. The rotor is formed from aluminum and at least a portion of the rotor includes an anodized coating.

Abstract: A starter includes: a gear housing mounted near an engine to be started; a speed reducing gear assembly within the gear housing; an output member aligned with a movable portion of the engine and rotatable under the influence of the gear assembly to move the movable portion to initiate operation of the engine; a motor housing mounted to the gear housing; and a fluid-driven motor within the motor housing and including a motor shaft rotating at a first speed to drive rotation of the speed reducing gear assembly, such that the output member is driven at a second speed lower than the first speed. The motor housing and motor are serviceable without changing the alignment of the output member relative to the movable portion of the engine.

Abstract: An engine starter includes a motor housing having an inlet and an outlet for a motive fluid, a fluid-driven motor within the motor housing, the motor including a rotor and a stator, the stator directing a flow of fluid over the rotor, thereby inducing rotation of the rotor about an axis and exerting an axial force on the rotor and an output shaft operably coupled to the rotor such that rotation of the rotor drives rotation of the shaft about the axis. A front and a rear ball bearing assembly support the rotor. A front biasing member is pre-loaded to exert a first biasing load on the front ball bearing assembly and a rear biasing member is pre-loaded to exert a second biasing load on the rear ball bearing assembly in opposition of the axial force exerted on the rotor. The biasing members distribute the axial force between the two ball bearing assemblies.

Abstract: A starter for moving a movable portion of an engine to start the engine includes a gear housing, a gear assembly within the gear housing, an output member at a first end of the gear assembly adapted to operably couple to the movable portion of the engine, a motor housing, and a rotor rotatably mounted within the motor housing. The rotor has a shaft portion and a vane portion that are an integral, unitary piece. The shaft portion has splines for mating with the gear assembly. The splines prevent relative rotational movement between the rotor and the gear assembly and permit relative axial movement. The rotor is formed from aluminum and at least a portion of the rotor includes an anodized coating.

Abstract: A starter includes: a gear housing mounted near an engine to be started; a speed reducing gear assembly within the gear housing; an output member aligned with a movable portion of the engine and rotatable under the influence of the gear assembly to move the movable portion to initiate operation of the engine; a motor housing mounted to the gear housing; and a fluid-driven motor within the motor housing and including a motor shaft rotating at a first speed to drive rotation of the speed reducing gear assembly, such that the output member is driven at a second speed lower than the first speed. The motor housing and motor are serviceable without changing the alignment of the output member relative to the movable portion of the engine.