Abstract: A starter includes two electric drive motors (1, 2), with parallel axes (3, 4), coupled to the same reduction gear (11, 14) whose output shaft (15) is connected to a single Bendix starter (18). Shaft (6) of one of the motors (1) exhibits a reversible thread (23) on which is mounted a nut pinion (7), engaged with a gear wheel (11) of the reduction gear and further connected to control lever (27), which is connected to Bendix starter (18). When first electric motor (1) is started, nut pinion (7) is braked in rotation by passive resistances, and therefore moved axially, which, by lever (27), causes the advance of Bendix starter (18), bringing pinion (21) of the latter to engage with ring gear (22) of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An engagement control of the starter pinion for an internal combustion engine starter comprises a solenoid (16) whose mobile core (17) is connected by a helical spring (18) working with traction, to one end of a lever (19) axially moving the starter pinion of the starter for its engagement with the ring gear of the flywheel. Connecting spring (18) comprises an end turn (38) brought close to the preceding turn in a plane perpendicular to the axis (14) of spring (18), and widened, which is supported and held against an annular shoulder (40) of the central bore (39) of the mobile core (17).

Abstract: An electric motor with commutator having more than two poles comprises two brushes and two brush holders placed 90.degree. in relation to one another and mounted on an independent brush holder washer. To hold the washer centered during assembly, a pin 7 is provided, fastened to the washer approximately on the bisector of the angle formed by the two brushes, and in opposition to these brushes. Under the pressure of brushes 3, pin 7 rests along a generatrix of commutator 5 to stop washer 1 in a position almost centered in relation to the commutator, which then facilitates mounting of the flange constituting the cover and bearing of the electric motor.

Abstract: An arrangement for cooling an electric rotating machine such as an alternator of an automotive vehicle by means of a fan which is intermittently driven in accordance with the cooling requirements of the electric rotating machine. A heat source is associated with the electric rotating machine which is representative of the degree of heating of the rotating machine. The heat source may be the radiator of the rectifier diodes of the alternator. A heat sensitive means in the form of a spring of "memory alloy" controls the coupling/uncoupling with respect to the shaft of the rotating machine of the fan which is mounted free for rotation coaxially of the shaft of the machine. The heat sensitive means is in heat exchange relation with the heat source. The spring, for example, operates a lever which activates a control rod passing through the hollow shaft to control the coupling or clutching of the fan with respect to the rotating shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for controlling the advance and rotation of the actuator of a starter for a heat engine. The shaft of the electric motor rotates a dish provided with an inner thread cooperating with a screw bearing a toothed tail. The latter actuates satellites which rotate the bell and the pinion via a free wheel. When the screw reaches the stop, the pinion rotates and actuates the engine. When the latter has started up, the free wheel stalls and the clutch rotates the bell so that the screw returns to its initial position. The invention is more particularly applicable to an electric starter.

Abstract: A starting circuit, intended for an alternator with auxiliary rectification bridge feeding a regulator that controls the excitation winding by a transistor, while a warning light is connected in series with the contact key, makes it possible to have a high excitation current, as soon as the key is turned on for starting the engine. For this purpose, a stabilized power supply is connected by a diode to a point (A) located between the warning light and a transistor for control of the latter from a comparator; this point (A) is connected by a resistor to the auxiliary terminal (+A) of the alternator, which is connected by another resistor to the base of the transistor for controlling the excitation winding which is connected between the main terminals of the alternator. The base of this transistor is also connected to the regulating comparator fed by said stabilized power supply.

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: The present invention relates to an actuator for an electric starter, comprising a thin sleeve of which the periphery comprises two flanges between which a two-piece collar is placed. The lugs of this collar engage in a notch in the lever to prevent rotation of the sleeve. The invention finds particular application in the automobile industry.

Abstract: A control lever assembly for the actuator of a starter for internal combustion engine, the pivoting of which is effectuated by means of a member which is hinged freely with respect to said lever, said member being provided with two heads comprising each a convex lateral surface which cooperates with complementary recess of the casing of said starter.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/FR78/00013 Sec. 371 Date Mar. 19, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Mar. 19, 1979 PCT Filed July 19, 1978 PCT Pub. No. WO79/00061 PCT Pub. Date Feb. 22, 1979A lever for controlling the actuator of an electrical starter, for internal combustion engine, the connection between each friction block and the corresponding arm of a fork of the lever of the starter actuator being made by means of the ends of a single elastic stirrup member which is a part separate from said lever.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/FR78/00012 Sec. 371 Date Mar. 15, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Mar. 15, 1979 PCT Filed July 19, 1978 PCT Pub. No. WO79/00052 PCT Pub. Date Feb. 8, 1979Unidirectional drive device comprising a cage inside which a shaft rotates so that, in a certain direction it drives this cage, of the type comprising grooves of which the section on one of its faces is smaller than the one which they determine on the other face, the grooves made in the bore of the cage being defined as each being obtained by penetration in the wall of this bore of a cylinder inclined with respect to the geometrical axis of this bore and which is displaced parallel to a longitudinal diametrical plane of this latter, while balls, known per se, are introduced in the passage determined between each groove and the shaft with a view to constituting members for wedging between the cage and the shaft.

Abstract: A unidirectional drive system, particularly intended for electric starter motors of internal combustion engines, comprises a ratchet wheel surrounded by a cage having one or more pivoted pawls. These pawls can either be in engagement with the ratchet wheel or can move out of such engagement, generally as a result of centrifugal force. A stop device, which may be a cylindrical ring or a pair of discs, can move into position to hold the pawls out of engagement with the ratchet wheel.

Abstract: A starter motor assembly for an internal combustion engine wherein a yoke is connected between an electro-magnetic switch and a pinion engaging device connected by a helical drive with an armature shaft. At the point of energization of the electro-magnetic switch the yoke causes the pinion to advance into a position to engage an engine drive gear. In the rest position of the starter motor the yoke is resiliently retained between the device and a cap which is itself retained over the end of a case secured against axial movement to the armature shaft. A pinion return spring engages between a stop on the device and the cap.

Abstract: In an engine starter gearing comprising a pinion and a sleeve which are connected by an overrunning clutch, the pinion has a tubular extension which is rotatably received within an axial bore portion of the sleeve in order to center the outer casing of the said clutch which is solid with the pinion, with respect to the inner race of said clutch which is formed on the sleeve, independently of the shaft on which the pinion and sleeve are supported.

Abstract: A "bell-shaped" type of bearing of swaged sheet metal in the form of a container bordered by a cylindrical skirt having a central duct for the accommodation of a bearing bush is held to a rotor magnetic circuit of an electric machine by at least two tie rods passing through the bearing in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the duct for the bushing. The support zones on the bearing against which the heads of the tie rods abut are provided with at least one swaged rib extending continuously across and between the zones and up to the skirt of the bearing to form a box girder.

Abstract: An improved starter solenoid for an internal combustion engine has magnetic yoke, designed to eliminate gaps in magnetic flux, which supports two switch windings for pulling and holding a movable core acting on the starter gear and on the movable switch contact. The yoke, in the form of a rectangular frame without gaps, has two short sides, one of which supports a fixed core to support the two switch windings, while the other contains an opening, coaxial with the fixed core, to allow passage of the movable core. A sleeve is fitted with one end on the fixed core and the other end inside the opening, and serves as a bearing for the movable core.

Abstract: In order to hold the shaft of a starter motor against undue movement or whipping as a result of vibration communicated to it by the engine with which it is associated, the drive pinion assembly on the shaft is held steady by forming on it a conical surface which, when the starter is not operating, fits into a conical surface formed on a member which is fixed in position intermediate the ends of the drive shaft.The member may be a plate-like member with an opening lying at the bottom of a conical depression. It may be gripped between the yoke of the field magnet and the nose casing of the starter and may have locating means for positioning the yoke. Where a solenoid is used the member may carry a block forming a seal between the yoke and the solenoid casing, or it may be constructed to be gripped between the solenoid casing and the nose portion.

Abstract: Electric starters for automobile engines and the like comprise a pinion wheel driven by the starter motor, a solenoid switch and a lever operatively connected to the core of the solenoid switch and the shaft of the pinion wheel, so as to move the pinion wheel into mesh with a gear wheel of the engine to be started. In the starter of the present invention the lever does not have a fixed pivot. Instead, the end of the lever associated with the core is aranged to move linearly with the core, while its connection to the pinion shaft allows axial movement of the lever relative to the shaft. Between the two ends the lever has means adapted to bear against fixed surfaces to allow pivoting of the lever. In preferred embodiments means are incorporated which allow the core to complete its travel, even if the travel of the pinion is prematurely arrested by initial failure to mesh with the gear which it is to drive.

Abstract: A starter motor, particularly for internal combustion engines, has, as usual, a motor housing and a drive housing, the latter being provided with a mounting by which it can be fitted to the engine. However, instead of the usual method of joining together the motor housing and the drive housing, the motor housing is constructed to be rigidly secured to the drive housing and to the engine through the means by which the drive housing is attached to the engine. Thus, if the drive housing has an apertured flange for this purpose, the motor housing may also have a flange with corresponding apertures so that the same screw bolts or the like which hold the drive housing in place also hold the motor housing rigidly in position. The brushes are so located that they can be readily replaced without removing the starter.