Abstract: A remotely controlled engine starter and protective system, particularly for engine driven vehicles, in which a remotely located radio transmitter is utilized to initiate energization of the starter motor; a first timer opens the starter circuit if the engine does not start in approximately ten seconds, and if the engine starts, a second timer is operative to stop the engine after approximately ten minutes.

Abstract: Automatic control apparatus for starting and then stopping and for continuing cyclical operation of an engine including two timer means, one for determining the running/not running ratio of the engine and the other for determining how long starting power is applied to the engine start system, typically the solenoid of a starter motor. One embodiment includes a vacuum switch for sensing and preempting the second timer operation when the engine is started and there is a vacuum present in the manifold. The preferred embodiment also includes adjustable controls for setting both timer means, these same means having switching contacts capable of carrying full power to the solenoid or other engine start component.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrical aircraft engine start and generating system for use in an aircraft having an engine driven torque converter coupled to an alternator which provides AC power for conversion to DC and AC power. The system includes a reversible AC to DC converter controllably electrically coupled to the alternator and a controller unit to provide DC power in a generating mode. The reversible AC to DC converter is capable of receiving externally supplied DC power to be converted to AC power to drive the alternator as a motor in a start mode. A DC to AC converter is controllably electrically coupled to the controller unit and the DC power output during the generating mode. The reversible DC to AC converter in the start mode is mutually controllably electrically coupled to the externally supplied DC power.

Abstract: An internal-combustion starter assembly has a starter motor whose axially displaceable output gear meshes in a forwardly advanced position with an engine gear and which is out of mesh with this engine gear in a backwardly retracted position. Operating mechanism for this gear includes a control motor having a rotary output shaft carrying a cam with a noncircular cam periphery. A cam follower is radially engageable with this cam periphery and is coupled by means of a control rod and a link to the starter-motor gear to displace this gear between its advanced and retracted positions on rotation of the cam through 360.degree.. A control arrangement includes a start switch for operating the control motor to displace the starter-motor gear from its retracted position into its advanced position and then back into its retracted position, and for energizing the starter motor when the starter-motor gear is in the advanced position.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle is connected to the alternator of an automotive vehicle to permit connection thereto of a power tool. A switching circuit senses the presence of an electric current through the tool to actuate relays in the switching circuit to cause the alternator to operate in a high voltage mode wherein the alternator provides power at a voltage level suitable for operating the tool at such times that the engine of the vehicle is operating. A unidirectional current path is provided between the battery of the vehicle and the receptacle to enable operation of the switching circuit at such times that the engine is not operating while isolating the battery from electrical power generated by the alternator in the high voltage mode of operation thereof.

Abstract: An electric starter assembly and, more specifically, an improved drive assembly that is responsive to inertia encountered during the fast acceleration of the starter armature and that also is responsive to the inertia encountered as a result of providing for a braking or rapid deceleration of the starter armature. The assembly also provides a positive engagement between the drive assembly of the starter motor and the engine member to be rotated during the cranking cycle. Engagement is maintained so long as the motor is energized, even if the engine is running.

Abstract: A two stage positive shift starter drive system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A pair of electrical switches are sequentially actuated by an actuator solenoid engaging the starter drive's pinion gear with the engine's ring gear. The first switch actuated after a predetermined displacement of the solenoid's armature applies electrical power to the cranking motor through a resistance connected in series with the cranking motor and connected in parallel with the solenoid's pull in coil. The resistance reduces the electrical power applied to the cranking motor and the potential across the solenoid pull-in coil thereby reducing the rotational speed and the engagement force applied to the pinion gear. The end of the armature travel closes the second switch applying full power to the cranking motor permitting normal cranking of the engine with the pinion gear fully engaged with the ring gear.

Abstract: A starter-motor, and alternator-generator apparatus for an internal combustion or gas turbine engine wherein the major electro-magnetic circuit of the apparatus is utilized for both the starting and generating functions is disclosed. The rotor may have two windings on it, a main rotor winding that acts as both a starter armature winding and an alternator field winding, and a small exciter armature winding. For slip ring machines the exciter is eliminated. The main rotor winding is wound in progressive simplex lap. The exiter armature or slip rings are connected to this winding at the equalizer connections through a rectifier and automatically activated switch circuit. During starter-motor operation, the main rotor winding is connected in series with its starter field winding through a commutator in a conventional series connected DC machine, and the exciter-armature winding or slip rings are disconnected from the main rotor winding.

Abstract: A phase angle balancing circuit for a variable speed constant frequency (VSCF) power system is disclosed. Multiphase electric power signals from cycloconverters are summed to produce continuously and automatically the zero sequence voltage of the multiphase electric power signals. The zero sequence voltage signal is provided to each of the modulator stages associated with the cycloconverters to effect phase angle correction of the phase relationships between the multiphase electric power signals. A bandpass filter, having a passband center frequency centered on the preselected frequency of the multiphase electric power signals, is added to the phase angle balancing circuit of the present invention to make the zero sequence voltage corrective means stable as a well damped negative feedback system. The bandpass filter also eliminates undesirable frequency harmonics and "hash" on the signal having the zero sequence voltage caused by undesired frequency components in the multiphase electric power signal system.

Abstract: A protective control for the starter and electrical systems of a motor vehicle, including a main relay for controlling the electrical system, and a starter relay for controlling the starter system. Electronic logic is provided for the electrical system which: (1) prevents energization of the main relay if the battery polarity is reversed; (2) if the battery polarity is correct, turns on the main relay when a master switch is closed; and (3) maintains the main relay in an ON condition when an AC signal from the alternator is sensed even if the masterswitch is subsequently opened. The latter prevents disconnection of the battery from the electrical system while the engine is running.

Abstract: An interlock system for manual and automatic starting of a turbine engine in which the automatic system is independent of the manual system, and in which the automatic and manual systems are prevented from interfering with each other. This is accomplished with a dedicated computer and electronic logic circuitry which insures that the automatic start system cannot be initiated when the engine is running or when manual starting has been initiated.

Abstract: An automatic starting system for the internal combustion engine of a vehicle includes a settable clock device in parallel with a remote control receiver, a plurality of relays and timed, thermal switches, a thermal switch flasher and a solenoid coupled to the throttle-gas pedal linkage of the vehicle. The relays and timed, thermal switches are arranged to couple current from the battery of the vehicle to the starter and to provide a variety of circuit paths depending upon the particular conditions existing within the vehicle. The flasher alternately energizes and deenergizes the solenoid which is mechanically coupled to pump the gas pedal when the engine is cold, before the time that battery current is coupled to the starter. A number of safety features such as a hood safety switch, an overspeed switch, a temperature switch and a low oil pressure switch, are provided in order to prevent damage to the vehicle and to prevent injury to others.

Abstract: An electric starter for internal combustion engines has a drive pinion unit with gear teeth for engagement with a gear ring of the engine and is driven by an electric motor so as to rotate the engine. The motor has a rotating laminated armature and an armature shaft; the drive pinion unit is mounted on the shaft so as to be freely slidable and rotatable relative thereto, and splined drive means fixed to one end of the laminated armature engage splines on the drive pinion unit whereby to transmit drive to the latter. The drive means may take the form of an internally-splined sleeve co-operating with a tail portion of the drive pinion unit; the splines are preferably helicoidal.

Abstract: This specification discloses an automobile starter motor having a lever pivotally coupled to the housing of the starter and movably supporting a pole piece so that energizing the starter causes the pole piece to move toward the housing and to align to seat against the housing. The connection between the lever and the pole piece is a ball joint connection which permits relative movement between the pole piece and the lever so that there is maximum engagement between the housing and the pole piece which increases the starter holding force by reducing flux path reluctance and equalizing flux distribution through the extremities of the pole piece, and simplifies manufacturing, by reducing solenoid power and thus coil windings required and by eliminating a rigid connection between the pole piece and lever.

Abstract: A combination AC and DC electrical starting motor system for internal combustion engines has a first portion responsive to DC current for cranking a starter motor assembly of an internal combustion engine, and a second portion responsive to AC current for cranking the starter motor assembly simultaneously with the first portion. Each of the first and second portions of the starting motor system includes an electrical motor, which may be shared with the other portion, and an electrical solenoid connectible to a source of current for actuating the motor simultaneously with actuation of the motor of the other portion.

Abstract: A starter motor for an internal combustion engine includes a shaft rotated by an electric motor, a pinion gear wheel carried by the shaft the gear wheel being rotated with the shaft and axially movable relative thereto between an operative position and a rest position, and an electro-magnet for moving the pinion from its rest position to its operative position. The electro-magnet includes an armature which is coupled to the pinion gear wheel, and which is guided for movement parallel to the shaft. First and second electro-magnet poles are spaced apart around the shaft and are spaced from the armature in the rest position of the armature in the direction of movement of the armature.

Abstract: This system consists primarily of cable means, having wires which connect with a key operated and hand held device, which will enable the user to start an automobile from inside of the home or office. The cable means is plugable into an area in the front of the engine compartment of the automobile, the wires being connected to the starter, the ignition system, etc. The system includes flexible cable means so as to control the throttle of the engine carburetor.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for enabling a user to start an engine from a remote location, utilizing a receiver for receiving a command signal from a remote transmitter operated by the user, the receiver generating signals to control operation of the starting system. The system enables the user, from the remote location, to effect selective momentary pumping of fuel into the engine prior to activation of the starting operation, and then to start the engine. The system may include apparatus for maintaining the throttle of the engine substantially open until the engine is started and then closing the throttle to an idling position, with automatic momentary pumping of additional fuel into the engine at predetermined intervals during the running of the engine in accordance with the starting operation. Protective apparatus may be included with the system to prevent activation of the starting operation at any time a manually controlled starting switch has been activated prior to activation of the starting system.

Abstract: An electronic lockout system for the starter motor of an internal combustion engine includes means for operating the starter motor only if the engine flywheel is stationary. The system also includes means for automatically deenergizing the starter motor when the engine achieves a predetermined rotational speed and independently of the continued operation of the starter switch.

Abstract: The output signal produced by a two input electrical circuit element of the type which produces opposite polarity output signals upon the application of the same polarity input signal to respective ones of the input terminals is applied to the control electrode of a switching transistor which, when conductive, is effective to complete the energizing circuit of an internal combustion engine cranking motor. An electrical bias signal of a selected polarity is applied to the one of the input terminals of this circuit element which will result in an output signal of the polarity which will trigger the switching transistor conductive through the current carrying electrodes thereof.

Abstract: An electronic lockout system for the starter motor of an internal combustion engine includes means for operating the starter motor only when the engine flywheel is stationary. If the starter switch is released and quickly closed again, the system also includes circuit means by which the starter motor is reoperated immediately provided that the release time is only a few milliseconds.

Abstract: A road vehicle electrical system has an alternator which provides power through a rectifier to a battery, and also supplies a third supply line used for feeding an ignition warning lamp. Control means for the starting system of the vehicle is associated with the supply lines in such a way that once the engine has started and the third supply line is energized, a further attempt cannot be made to start the engine until the engine has stopped.

Abstract: A start timer circuit for a diesel engine is responsive to the operator actuated start switch. The timer circuit energizes the engine start motor circuit for at least a minimum time, sufficient to avoid sustained firing of the engine at a low speed. Safety circuits prevent false energization of the start motor circuit in the event of malfunction or failure of various circuit components.

Abstract: An automatic control system for a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine of a load device, in which a switching unit is responsive to an input signal produced in response to a given operating condition of the load device and generates an operating signal by which an ignition coil is energized. A first driving unit is responsive to the operating signal and generates an output signal by which a starter device is energized. The first driving unit is also responsive to a speed discriminator signal generated by a speed sensing unit when the engine speed reaches a predetermined value and generates no output so that the starter device is de-energized when the engine speed reaches the predetermined value. A second driving unit is also responsive to the operating signal from the switching unit and generates an output signal for a predetermined time interval so that a throttle valve of an engine carburetor is closed for the predetermined time interval determined by the output signal from the second driving unit.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine control system is disclosed wherein a switch is provided for stopping the engine when the ignition switch is closed and another switch is provided for re-starting the engine without operation of the ignition switch. The control system also includes a starter control which interrupts the engine starter circuit while the engine is running.

Abstract: An engine starting system particularly but not exclusively for use in a road vehicle, the system including a manually operable switch controlling energisation of a solenoid winding. The solenoid winding when energised causes movement of a pinion of a starter motor to an operative position. There is provided a thermally operable snap-action switch, the heater of which is energised by way of said manually operable switch. The snap-action switch controls energisation of a relay, and the relay in turn controls energisation of the starter motor. The operating time of the thermally operable switch provides a delay between movement of the pinion to its operative position, and energisation of the starter motor, after operation of the manually operable switch.

Abstract: In an engine automatic control system for a vehicle for automatically connecting an electric source in the form of a battery with an engine starter and an ignition circuit in response to disengaging operation of a clutch device of the vehicle, for maintaining the ignition circuit conductive while the vehicle runs, and for automatically making the ignition circuit non-conductive when the vehicle is arrested, the engine control system comprises a setting circuit interposed between an ignition switch and the ignition circuit for selectively setting the engine control system to its operative condition and a cancelling circuit coupled with the setting circuit for automatically cancelling the operative condition of the engine control system when the stored voltage of the battery is lowered to or below a predetermined low value.

Abstract: In an engine automatic control system for a vehicle for automatically connecting an electric source with an engine starter and an ignition circuit in response to disengaging operation of a clutch device of the vehicle, for maintaining the ignition circuit conductive while the vehicle runs, and for automatically making the ignition circuit non-conductive when the vehicle is arrested, the engine control system comprises a setting circuit interposed between an ignition switch and the ignition circuit for selectively setting the engine control system to its operative condition and a cancelling switch coupled with the setting circuit for automatically cancelling the operative condition of the engine control system when an operator leaves the vehicle.

Abstract: A mechanism and circuit is disclosed for starting an automobile engine automatically at a predetermined time. The mechanism includes a timer which can be set to operate starting at a certain time, for example, to operate from 7:45 A.M., thus the automobile will be warm and ready for a trip at, say 8:00 A.M. An operation timer is provided to shut off the engine after a predetermined time, for example, ten minutes and a thermostat is provided which will shut off the engine when the automobile has reached the desired temperature.

Abstract: The instant invention describes an improvement in a starter-generator arrangement in which a dynamoelectric machine is driven as a brushless DC motor to start a dynamic load such as a jet engine and as a cynchronous constant frequency generator after the jet engine is ignited and brought up to speed. A plurality of cycloconverters utilizing phase controlled rectifier banks are operated from a constant frequency supply source to supply current to the armature windings of the machine in the starting mode. Position sensing elements such as Hall generators sense the rotor position relative to the machine windings and generate enabling signals to control conduction of the phase controlled rectifiers to supply current to the proper armature windings so that the machine functions essentially as a DC brushless motor to drive a dynamic load such as a jet engine.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for enabling a user to start an engine from a remote location, utilizing a receiver for receiving a command signal from a remote transmitter operated by the user, the receiver generating signals to control operation of the starting system. The system enables the user, from the remote location, to effect selective momentary pumping of fuel into the engine prior to activation of the starting operation, and then to start the engine. The system may include apparatus for maintaining the throttle of the engine substantially open until the engine is started and then closing the throttle to an idling position, with automatic momentary pumping of additional fuel into the engine at predetermined intervals during the running of the engine in accordance with the starting operation. Protective apparatus may be included with the system to prevent activation of the starting operation at any time a manually controlled starting switch has been activated prior to activation of the starting system.