Engine starting system

Claim 2

In a starting system for performing an operation to star an engine, a drive gear engageable with an engine gear on the engine to crank the latter for starting, a cranking motor for driving the drive gear, a switch means for controlling the engine comprising a switch to effect engagement of the drive gear with the engine gear and a cranking of the engine, said starting system further comprising first means responsive to the change in driving relationship between the drive and engine gears for disengaging the drive gear from the engine gear on the starting of the engine and second means for rendering the continued actuation of said switch after the engine starts ineffective to effect a reengagement of the drive gear with the engine gear upon any subsequent interruption of operation of the engine.

Claim 3

In a starting system for an engine as defined in claim 1 wherein said second means comprises an initial energization path for the switch means which is made to start the cranking and which is opened after the cranking starts and a second energization path for the switch means which is opened on the starting of the engine.

Claim 4

In a system for starting an engine as defined in claim 2 wherein said lockout means opens said first circuit path on the cranking of the engine and a second circuit path for effecting energization of the cranking motor is closed during the cranking of the engine and said second means includes means for opening said second circuit path on starting.

Claim 5

In a cranking apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said second means includes means responsive to the disengagement of said drive gear from the engine gear to open said second path.

Claim 6

In a cranking apparatus for performing an operation to start an engine having an engine gear thereon wherein said cranking apparatus comprises a cranking motor, a drive gear driven by the cranking motor and engageable with said engine gear to drive the same and disengageable at the termination of the starting operation switch means for controlling the engine comprising a switch actuated to the closed position to effect the starting operation, first means comprising a first circuit path for effecting the engagement of the drive gear with the engine gear and a cranking of the engine on the closing of said switch and second means operated to disengage the drive gear from the engine gear on the starting of the engine and lockout means actuated during the starting of the engine to lockout said first circuit path before the engine starts and prevent reengagement of said drive and engine gears by continued actuation of said switch after the starting of the engine comprising electrical means actuated in response to the starting operation.

Claim 7

In a cranking apparatus for performing an operation to start an engine having an engine gear thereon wherein said cranking apparatus comprises a cranking motor, a drive gear driven by the cranking motor and engageable with said engine gear to drive the same and disengageable at the termination of the starting operation switch means for controlling the engine comprising a switch actuated to the closed position to effect the starting operation, first means comprising a first circuit path for effecting the engagement of the drive gear with the engine gear and a cranking of the engine on the closing of said switch and second means operated to disengage the drive gear from the engine gear on the starting of the engine and lockout means actuated during the starting of the engine to lockout said first circuit path before the engine starts and prevent reengagement of said drive and engine gears by continued actuation of said switch after the starting of the engine comprising electrical means actuated in response to the starting operation.

Claim 8

In a system for starting an engine as defined in claim 5 wherein said lockout means opens said first circuit path on the cranking of the engine and a second circuit path for effecting energization of the cranking motor is closed during the cranking of the engine and said second means includes means for opening said second circuit path on starting.

Claim 9

In a system as defined in claim 6 wherein said lockout means comprises means actuated during the starting of the engine to lockout said first circuit path before the engine starts.

Claim 10

In a starting system for performing an operation to start an engine, a drive gear engageable with an engine gear on the engine, to crank the latter, switch means for controlling the engine comprising a switch actuated to effect engagement of the drive gear with the engine gear and a cranking of the engine, said starting system further comprising first means for disengaging the drive gear from the engine gear on the starting of the engine and second means actuated during cRanking and electrically energized while the engine continues to run for rendering repeated operation of said switch after the engine starts ineffective to reengage said drive gear with said engine gear while said engine continues to run, said second means including an initial energization path for the switch means which is made to start cranking and opened after cranking starts and a second energization path for the switch means which is opened on the starting of the engine.

Claim 11

In a starting system for performing an operation to start an engine, a drive gear engageable with an engine gear on the engine, to crank the latter, switch means for controlling the engine comprising a switch actuated to effect engagement of the drive gear with the engine gear and a cranking of the engine, said starting system further comprising first means for disengaging the drive gear from the engine gear on the starting of the engine and second means actuated during cRanking and electrically energized while the engine continues to run for rendering repeated operation of said switch after the engine starts ineffective to reengage said drive gear with said engine gear while said engine continues to run, said second means including an initial energization path for the switch means which is made to start cranking and opened after cranking starts and a second energization path for the switch means which is opened on the starting of the engine.

Claim 12

In a cranking apparatus for performing an operation to start an engine having an engine gear thereon wherein said apparatus comprises a cranking motor, a drive gear driven by the cranking motor and engageable with said engine gear to drive the same and disengageable at the termination of the starting operation, switch means for controlling the engine comprising a switch actuated to the closed position to effect the starting operation, first means comprising a first circuit path for effecting the engagement of the drive gear with the engine gear and a cranking of the engine on the closing of said switch and second means operated independently of the actuation of said switch to disengage the drive gear from the engine gear on the starting of said engine, lockout means for preventing reengagement of said drive gear with the engine gear by continued actuation of said switch after the starting of the engine comprising electrical means actuated in response to the starting operation, said lockout means including means actuated during the starting of the engine to lockout said first circuit path before the engine starts.

Claim 13

In a cranking apparatus for performing an operation to start an engine having an engine gear thereon wherein said apparatus comprises a cranking motor, a drive gear driven by the cranking motor and engageable with said engine gear to drive the same and disengageable at the termination of the starting operation, switch means for controlling the engine comprising a switch actuated to the closed position to effect the starting operation, first means comprising a first circuit path for effecting the engagement of the drive gear with the engine gear and a cranking of the engine on the closing of said switch and second means operated independently of the actuation of said switch to disengage the drive gear from the engine gear on the starting of said engine, lockout means for preventing reengagement of said drive gear with the engine gear by continued actuation of said switch after the starting of the engine comprising electrical means actuated in response to the starting operation, said lockout means including means actuated during the starting of the engine to lockout said first circuit path before the engine starts.

Claim 14

A starting system according to claim 9, wherein said electrically operated means comprises a solenoid having a movable armature operatively coupled to said pinion to move the pinion into engagement with said gear in response to the energization of the solenoid, and said means for preventing the reengaging of the pinion with said gear comprises: a set of normally closed contacts connected to said solenoid to control its energization, and a first coil connected to the run switch to be energized when the run switch is closed, said first coil being operable when energized to open said normally closed contacts, a set of normally open contacts connected to said solenoid to control its energization, and a second coil operative when energized to close said normally open contacts to complete an energization circuit for the solenoid, said second coil being connected across said starting motor to be energized when the starting motor is energized and to be deenergized when the starting motor is deenergized.

Claim 15

A control circuit for an engine starting system having a power source, said control circuit comprising: a starting motor; a solenoid having a movable armature; a starting switch connected to the solenoid to complete an initial energization circuit for the solenoid from the power source when the starting switch is closed; a set of contacts connected to said starting motor and actuatable in response to the energization of the solenoid to complete an energization circuit for the starting motor from the power source; an engine run switch; means connected to said contacts for completing a holding circuit for said solenoid when said contacts are closed and for opening said holding circuit in response to opening of the run switch while said contacts are open; and means for opening said initial energization circuit for the solenoid to leave the continued energization of the solenoid dependent on said holding circuit, said last-mentioned means being operative following the opening of said contacts to prevent a repeat energization of said solenoid and said starting motor by a repeat closing of said starting switch as long as said run switch remains closed.

Claim 16

A control circuit for an engine starting system having a power source, said control circuit comprising: a starting motor; a solenoid having a movable armature; a starting switch connected to the solenoid to complete an initial energization circuit for the solenoid from the power source when the starting switch is closed; a set of contacts connected to said starting motor and actuatable in response to the energization of the solenoid to complete an energization circuit for the starting motor from the power source; an engine run switch; means connected to said contacts for completing a holding circuit for said solenoid when said contacts are closed and for opening said holding circuit in response to opening of the run switch while said contacts are open; and means for opening said initial energization circuit for the solenoid to leave the continued energization of the solenoid dependent on said holding circuit, said last-mentioned means being operative following the opening of said contacts to prevent a repeat energization of said solenoid and said starting motor by a repeat closing of said starting switch as long as said run switch remains closed.

Claim 17

A control circuit according to claim 11, wherein said initial energization circuit for the solenoid includes a set of normally closed contacts, and said means for opening said initial energization circuit comprises a coil conneCted to said run switch for energization from the power source through the run switch when the latter is closed, said coil means for opening said initial energization circuit comprises a coil connected to said run switch for energization from the power source through the run switch when the later is closed, said coil being operative when energized to open said normally closed contacts in said initial energization circuit for the solenoid.

Claim 18

In starting system for an engine including a drive pinion for meshing with and driving gear on the engine to start the latter, a solenoid for shifting the pinion into mesh with the gear, a starting motor for driving said pinion, said pinion being moved out of mesh with said gear upon the starting of the engine, first contacts actuated on the shifting of said pinion to engage said gear to energize said motor and opened when said pinion moves out of mesh with said gear, a run switch which is closed on starting and maintained closed during running, a first circuit for energizing said solenoid including a start switch, a second circuit for energizing said solenoid made through said start switch in response to the closing of said first contacts and opened in response to a condition indicating the starting of said vehicle, lock out circuit means made after the energization of said solenoid and the closing of said first contacts for opening said first circuit to prevent energization thereof by said start switch, said run switch being in the circuit with the lockout circuit means to maintain the lockout circuit means after the lock out circuit means opens said first circuit.

Claim 19

In starting system for an engine including a drive pinion for meshing with and driving gear on the engine to start the latter, a solenoid for shifting the pinion into mesh with the gear, a starting motor for driving said pinion, said pinion being moved out of mesh with said gear upon the starting of the engine, first contacts actuated on the shifting of said pinion to engage said gear to energize said motor and opened when said pinion moves out of mesh with said gear, a run switch which is closed on starting and maintained closed during running, a first circuit for energizing said solenoid including a start switch, a second circuit for energizing said solenoid made through said start switch in response to the closing of said first contacts and opened in response to a condition indicating the starting of said vehicle, lock out circuit means made after the energization of said solenoid and the closing of said first contacts for opening said first circuit to prevent energization thereof by said start switch, said run switch being in the circuit with the lockout circuit means to maintain the lockout circuit means after the lock out circuit means opens said first circuit.

Claim 20

In a starting system as defined in claim 13 wherein said lockout circuit means is energized in response to the closing of said first contacts.

Claim 21

In a starting system as defined in claim 13 wherein holding electrical relay means is energized on the closing of said first contacts to make said second circuit for energizing said solenoid.

Claim 22

In a starting system as defined in claim 15 wherein said holding electrical relay means has said first contacts connected in series therewith and is energized through said first contacts. 17 In a starting system as defined in claim 13 wherein said lockout circuit means comprises lockout relay means, said lockout relay means having relay contacts in said first circuit which are opened in response to the energization of said lockout relay means, and said lockout relay means is energized through said first contact upon the closing thereof.

Claim 23

In a starting system as defined in claim 17 wherein said lockout relay means is energized through said run switch.

Claim 24

In a starting system as defined in claim 15 wherein said lockout circuit means comprises lockout relay means, said lockout relay means having relay contacts in said first circuit which are opened in response to the energization of said lockout relay means and said holding relay means and said lockout relay means are energized through said first contacts.

Claim 25

In a starting system as defined in claim 15 wherein said lockout circuit means comprises lockout relay means, said lockout relay means having contacts in said first circuit which are opened in response to the energization of said lockout relay means and said lockout relay means is energized through said run switch to maintain the lockout relay means energized after the opening of said first circuit.

Claim 26

A lockout circuit for preventing the reenergization of a cranking motor for starting a vehicle engine while the vehicle engine is running; comprising a first circuit path for effecting the initial energization of the cranking motor, a normally open second circuit path for effecting energization of the cranking motor which is closed on the starting of the cranking motor and opened in response to starting of the engine, and means for opening the first circuit path after the second circuit path is closed and for maintaining the first circuit path open until the engine is stopped, said second circuit path being opened by inertia operated means which deenergizes the cranking motor in response to starting of the engine and which maintains the cranking motor deenergized while the engine is running.

Claim 27

A lockout circuit for preventing the reenergization of a cranking motor for starting a vehicle engine while the vehicle engine is running; comprising a first circuit path for effecting the initial energization of the cranking motor, a normally open second circuit path for effecting energization of the cranking motor which is closed on the starting of the cranking motor and opened in response to starting of the engine, and means for opening the first circuit path after the second circuit path is closed and for maintaining the first circuit path open until the engine is stopped, said second circuit path being opened by inertia operated means which deenergizes the cranking motor in response to starting of the engine and which maintains the cranking motor deenergized while the engine is running.

Claim 28

A circuit as in claim 21 including a run switch wherein said run switch is closed before said first circuit path is opened.

Claim 29

In a cranking apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein said second means further includes means which is operated in response to a change in the driving relationship between said drive gear and engine gear to effect disengagement of said drive gear from the engine gear.

Claim 30

An engine starting system comprising a starting motor, a pinion shiftable into engagement with or disengagement from a gear coupled to the engine, drive means for coupling said starting motor to the pinion to impart rotation from one to the other, electrically operated means for shifting the pinion into engagement with said gear comprising a start switch, means for disengaging the pinion from said gear on the starting of the engine and means operated in response to the disengagement of the pinion for rendering the continued actuation of said start switch after the engine starts ineffective to effect a reengagement of the pinion with the gear coupled to the engine upon any subsequent interruption of operation of the engine.

Claim 31

An engine starting system comprising a starting motor, a pinion shiftable into engagement with or disengagement from a gear coupled to the engine, drive means for coupling said starting motor to the pinion to impart rotation from one to the other, electrically operated means for shifting the pinion into engagement with said gear comprising a start switch, means for disengaging the pinion from said gear on the starting of the engine and means operated in response to the disengagement of the pinion for rendering the continued actuation of said start switch after the engine starts ineffective to effect a reengagement of the pinion with the gear coupled to the engine upon any subsequent interruption of operation of the engine.

Claim 32

An engine starting system comprising a starting motor, a pinion shiftable into engagement with or disengagement from a gear coupled to the engine, drive means for coupling said starting motor to the pinion to impart rotation from one to the other, electrically operated means for shifting the pinion into engagement with said gear comprising a start switch, means for disengaging the pinion from said gear on the starting of the engine, said means for disengaging the pinion comprising inertia-operated means in said drive means operable to deenergize the starting motor after the engine begins to overrun the starting motor and further comprising an engine run switch closed to run the engine, and means operated in response to the disengagement of the pinion for preventing said electrically operated means from reengaging the pinion with said gear while said run switch remains closed.

Claim 33

An engine starting system comprising a starting motor, a pinion shiftable into engagement with or disengagement from a gear coupled to the engine, drive means for coupling said starting motor to the pinion to impart rotation from one to the other, electrically operated means for shifting the pinion into engagement with said gear comprising a start switch, means for disengaging the pinion from said gear on the starting of the engine, said means for disengaging the pinion comprising inertia-operated means in said drive means operable to deenergize the starting motor after the engine begins to overrun the starting motor and further comprising an engine run switch closed to run the engine, and means operated in response to the disengagement of the pinion for preventing said electrically operated means from reengaging the pinion with said gear while said run switch remains closed.

Claim 34

In a cranking apparatus for performing an operation to start an engine having an engine gear thereon wherein said cranking apparatus comprises a cranking motor, a drive gear driven by the cranking motor and engageable with said engine gear to drive the same and disengageable at the termination of the starting operation, switch means for controlling the engine comprising a switch actuated to the closed position to effect the starting operation, first means comprising a first circuit path for effecting the engagement of the drive gear with the engine gear and a cranking of the engine on the closing of said switch, and second means operated in response to starting of the engine to disengage the drive gear from the engine gear, said second means including lockout means actuated during the starting operation to lockout said first circuit path to render continued actuation of said switch after the engine starts ineffective to effect a reengagement of the drive gear with the engine gear upon any subsequent interruption of operation of the engine.

Claim 35

In a cranking apparatus for performing an operation to start an engine having an engine gear thereon wherein said cranking apparatus comprises a cranking motor, a drive gear driven by the cranking motor and engageable with said engine gear to drive the same and disengageable at the termination of the starting operation, switch means for controlling the engine comprising a switch actuated to the closed position to effect the starting operation, first means comprising a first circuit path for effecting the engagement of the drive gear with the engine gear and a cranking of the engine on the closing of said switch, and second means operated in response to starting of the engine to disengage the drive gear from the engine gear, said second means including lockout means actuated during the starting operation to lockout said first circuit path to render continued actuation of said switch after the engine starts ineffective to effect a reengagement of the drive gear with the engine gear upon any subsequent interruption of operation of the engine.