Patent US3569724A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3569724A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Engine starter and temperature control system
Assignee: SYSTEMATICS Inc
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Filing: 1969-09-02
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Granted: 1971-03-09
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Expires: 1989-09-02
Abstract
Abstract An improved automatic engine starter and control system is described, wherein the control system utilizes temperature sensing apparatus for determining when an engine should be started for warming either the engine, or some controlled area. The automatic starter system utilizes an electronic control system having a holding circuit for providing standby power, an indicator circuit for indicating the selection of the temperature condition that is controlling, an electronically controlled master relay circuit, and a starter control relay circuit for initiating starter action in response to the signals provided from the master relay circuit. Additionally, an electronic timer circuit is provided for limiting the total amount of time that the starter will be activated should the engine fail to start, with the timer circuit deactivating the holding circuit and disengaging the starter should the nonstarting time period exceed the predetermined amount. An electronic control circuit is also provided for controlling the activation of a heating or cooling device in response to a signal indicating that the engine has been started. Electronic time delay circuits are also shown for providing a predetermined time delay following engine die-out before restarting can again be initiated in order to assure the engine has slowed nearly to a stop for preventing damage to the starting mechanism. An electronic safety switch is also described for completely deactivating the control system in the event the gear selection -ever is moved out of the neutral or park position. Circuitry is also described for determining when the engine is self-running for removing control of the automatic control system. Circuits are also described for controlling the throttle setting during starting and idling periods.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew Kuehn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:15
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02N; F02N11/00; F02N11/08; F02N11/0803; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1919; F02N11/0848; F02N2200/00; F02N2200/08; F02N2200/0804
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
434 words
An automatic engine starter and temperature control system for use with an internal combustion engine having an electrical systEm including a battery, a voltage regulator, a coil, and a distributor, a starter coupled to the battery for cranking the engine, and a throttle linkage for controlling the speed of the engine, and gear selection apparatus, the combination including: temperature condition sensing means for providing a first conductive path to a reference voltage in response to first sensed temperature conditions and opening said first conductive path in response to second sensed temperature conditions; safety switch means for sensing the state of the gear selection apparatus and providing a second conductive path to a reference voltage in response to said gear selection apparatus being in first selection positions and opening said second conductive path in response to said gear selection apparatus being in second selection positions; engine self-running sensing means for sensing when the engine is self-running and including signaling means for providing selfrunning indicating signals when the engine is self-running; throttle control means for coupling to the throttle linkage for altering the position of the linkage in response to received throttle control signals; time delay circuit means for sensing when the engine has started momentarily and has failed to remain self-running, said time delay circuit means including electronic delay control means for preventing attempting to automatically restart the engine for a predetermined period of time sufficient to allow the engine to slow substantially to a stop; temperature conditioning means for conditioning temperature in a predetermined manner, said temperature conditioning means including activating means for receiving temperature conditioning means activating signals for causing activation of said temperature conditioning means in response thereto; and automatic control system means for coupling to the starter and the coil, and coupled to said temperature condition sensing means, said safety switch means, said engine self-running sensing means, said throttle control means, said time delay circuit means, and said temperature conditioning means for automatically activating the starter for starting the engine when said first and second conductive paths are closed and in the absence of said self-running indicating signals, said automatic control system means including electronic crank period timer means for deactivating said control system means in the event said self-running indicating signal is not received within a predetermined period, and further including temperature conditioning means signaling means for providing said temperature conditioning means activating signals after said first conductive path is opened and said self-running indicating signal is received, and the opening of said first or second conductive paths while the engine is running causing the engine to be shut off.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
434 words
An automatic engine starter and temperature control system for use with an internal combustion engine having an electrical systEm including a battery, a voltage regulator, a coil, and a distributor, a starter coupled to the battery for cranking the engine, and a throttle linkage for controlling the speed of the engine, and gear selection apparatus, the combination including: temperature condition sensing means for providing a first conductive path to a reference voltage in response to first sensed temperature conditions and opening said first conductive path in response to second sensed temperature conditions; safety switch means for sensing the state of the gear selection apparatus and providing a second conductive path to a reference voltage in response to said gear selection apparatus being in first selection positions and opening said second conductive path in response to said gear selection apparatus being in second selection positions; engine self-running sensing means for sensing when the engine is self-running and including signaling means for providing selfrunning indicating signals when the engine is self-running; throttle control means for coupling to the throttle linkage for altering the position of the linkage in response to received throttle control signals; time delay circuit means for sensing when the engine has started momentarily and has failed to remain self-running, said time delay circuit means including electronic delay control means for preventing attempting to automatically restart the engine for a predetermined period of time sufficient to allow the engine to slow substantially to a stop; temperature conditioning means for conditioning temperature in a predetermined manner, said temperature conditioning means including activating means for receiving temperature conditioning means activating signals for causing activation of said temperature conditioning means in response thereto; and automatic control system means for coupling to the starter and the coil, and coupled to said temperature condition sensing means, said safety switch means, said engine self-running sensing means, said throttle control means, said time delay circuit means, and said temperature conditioning means for automatically activating the starter for starting the engine when said first and second conductive paths are closed and in the absence of said self-running indicating signals, said automatic control system means including electronic crank period timer means for deactivating said control system means in the event said self-running indicating signal is not received within a predetermined period, and further including temperature conditioning means signaling means for providing said temperature conditioning means activating signals after said first conductive path is opened and said self-running indicating signal is received, and the opening of said first or second conductive paths while the engine is running causing the engine to be shut off.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
243 words
The combination as in claim 1 wherein said automatic control system means includes electronic holding circuit means coupled to said safety switch means for providing standby power while said second conductive path is closed, said electronic holding circuit means including first switching means for setting said electronic holding circuit means to provide said standby power; first coupling means for coupling said electronic holding circuit means to said electronic crank period timer means; master circuit means including second switching means coupled to said holding circuit means, said second switching means including terminal means for providing starter signals and means for applying said throttle control signals to said throttle control means and ignition signals to said coil, said master circuit means including second coupling means coupled to said temperature condition sensing means for providing said starter signals, said throttle control signals, and said ignition signals when said first conductive path is closed; starter circuit means, including third switching means coupled to said terminal means, and including starter outpuT means coupled to the starter for applying power thereto in response to said starter signals, and input means coupled to said self-running sensing means for interrupting said power to the starter for permitting the engine to idle in response to said self-running indicating signals; and control means coupled to said starter circuit means, said master circuit means and said electronic crank period timer means for providing said temperature conditioning means activating signals after the engine has started.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination as in claim 2 wherein said electronic holding circuit means includes voltage charge retaining means for maintaining said electronic holding circuit means in an operative condition to provide said standby power during periods of voltage fluctuation occurring during the time said starter circuit means is applying said power to the starter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
The combination as in claim 3 wherein said electronic crank period timer means includes further voltage charge retaining means for charging during the time the engine is being cranked, and transistor switching means coupled to said electronic holding circuit means and to said further voltage charge retaining means for switching said electronic holding circuit means off when said further voltage charge retaining means achieves a predetermined voltage level without said starter circuit means having received said self-running indicating signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
103 words
The combination as in claim 4 wherein said time delay means includes switchable means for providing a controlled conductive path to a reference voltage, said controlled conductive path including normally closed sensing means for sensing when the engine has initially started and opening said controlled conductive path in response thereto; said switchable means including gate control means for controlling conduction through said switchable means; capacitor means coupled to said gate control means for storing a predetermined voltage level while said controlled conductive path is closed and preventing said switchable means from again conducting until said predetermined voltage level has been substantially discharged therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
143 words
The combination as in claim 5 wherein said safety switch means includes switchable transistor circuit means coupled to said electronic holding circuit means for providing said second conductive path to a reference voltage for said electronic holding circuit means while said switchable transistor means is conductive and for opening said second conductive path when said switchable transistor means is nonconductive for disabling said electronic holding circuit means; conductor means for coupling said switchable transistor circuit means to the gear selection apparatus, said switchable transistor circuit means maintained conductive while the gear selection apparatus is in said first selection positions and switched nonconductive when the gear selection apparatus is in said second selection positions; and said switchable transistor circuit means including isolation means for preventing the inadvertent resetting of said electronic holding circuit means once said switchable transistor circuit means has been rendered nonconductive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
The combination as in claim 6 wherein said engine self-running sensing means includes magnetic switch means coupled to the starter for sensing starter current through coupling to the electromagnetic field generated by said current, said magnetic switch means responsive to a predetermined level of said electromagnetic field for holding said magnetic switch means closed for completing a conductive path to a reference voltage, said magnetic switch means including means spring-biased to open in the absence of said predetermined level of electromagnetic field, the opening of said magnetic switch means opening said conductive path for providing said self-running indicating signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
The combination as in claim 4 wherein said throttle control means includes solenoid means having at least one coil means and plunger means coUpled to said coil means, said plunger means for coupling to the throttle linkage; and current flow interrupter means coupled between said master circuit means and said coil means, said current flow interrupter means providing intermittent pulses of current to said coil means in response to received throttle control signals for moving said plunger means and the throttle linkage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
The combination as in claim 8 wherein said solenoid means further includes holding coil means coupled to said plunger means and connected to said master circuit means for receiving said throttle control signals and applying holding force on said plunger means, said solenoid means including spring means for urging said plunger means in a direction opposite that urged by current flow in said coil means and said holding coil means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination as in claim 8 wherein said solenoid means includes resilient means in cooperation with the end of said plunger means for urging said plunger means in a direction opposite that urged by current applied to said coil means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
223 words
For use in an engine starting and temperature control system, automatic control apparatus comprising: electronic holding circuit means for providing standby power, said electronic holding circuit means including first terminal means for receiving safety disabling signals for disabling said electronic holding circuit, said electronic holding circuit means further including first switching means for setting said electronic holding circuit means to provide said standby power; master circuit means, including second switching means coupled to said electronic holding circuit means, said master circuit means including temperature condition terminal means for receiving indications of activating temperature conditions for activating said master circuit means, said master circuit means including output terminal means for providing throttle control signals, ignition control signals, and starter activation signals in response to said activating temperature conditions, and for removing said throttle signals and said ignition control signals in the absence of said activating temperature conditions; and starter circuit means, including third switching means coupled to said output terminal means for receiving said starter activation signals, and including starter output signal means for coupling power to the starter in response to said starter activation signals, and self-running input terminal means for receiving signals indicative that the engine is self-running, said third switching means arranged for terminating the delivery of said power at said starter output signal means for allowing the engine to idle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
223 words
For use in an engine starting and temperature control system, automatic control apparatus comprising: electronic holding circuit means for providing standby power, said electronic holding circuit means including first terminal means for receiving safety disabling signals for disabling said electronic holding circuit, said electronic holding circuit means further including first switching means for setting said electronic holding circuit means to provide said standby power; master circuit means, including second switching means coupled to said electronic holding circuit means, said master circuit means including temperature condition terminal means for receiving indications of activating temperature conditions for activating said master circuit means, said master circuit means including output terminal means for providing throttle control signals, ignition control signals, and starter activation signals in response to said activating temperature conditions, and for removing said throttle signals and said ignition control signals in the absence of said activating temperature conditions; and starter circuit means, including third switching means coupled to said output terminal means for receiving said starter activation signals, and including starter output signal means for coupling power to the starter in response to said starter activation signals, and self-running input terminal means for receiving signals indicative that the engine is self-running, said third switching means arranged for terminating the delivery of said power at said starter output signal means for allowing the engine to idle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said electronic holding circuit means includes voltage charge retaining means for maintaining said electronic holding circuit means in an operative condition to provide said standby power during periods of voltage fluctuation occurring during the time said starter circuit means is applying said power to the starter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus as in claim 11 and further including electronic crank period timer means coupled to said electronic holding circuit means and said starter circuit means for deactivating said electronic holding circuit means in the event the signal indicative that the engine is self-running is not received within a predetermined time period.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
83 words
The apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said electronic crank period timer means includes further voltage charge retaining means for charging during the time the engine is being cranked, and transistor switching means coupled to said electronic holding circuit means and to said further voltage charge retaining means for switching said electronic holding circuit means off when said further voltage charge retaining means achieves a predetermined voltage level without said starter circuit means having received said signal indicative that the engine is self-running.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as in claim 13 and further including temperature conditioner control means coupled to said master circuit means, said starter circuit means, and said electronic crank period timer means for providing temperature conditioner activating signals after the engine has started.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2992335A
Cited
US3102961A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-08 | 1974-09-07 | 1975-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-09-07 | 1979-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-08 | 1982-09-07 | 1983-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |