US3744467A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Starter motor circuit with fast reset means
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1971-10-13
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1991-10-13
Abstract
Abstract A control circuit for the starter motor of an engine has rapid acting and reliable means for automatically reattempting starting in the event that the pinion gear of the starter motor fails to engage the driven gear of the engine due to tooth abutment or other causes. A time delay relay periodically reopens the pinion gear shifting solenoid circuits until such time as the pinion gear is engaged at which point the time delay means is inactivated while the engine is being cranked. The quick precise response of the circuit is of particular value in connection with emergency motor-generator installations designed to start automatically in response to an electrical power failure and which do not have an operator in attendance to actuate a starter motor.
Inventors
- 👤 H Wagner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:48
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02N; F02N11/00; F02N11/08; F02N11/0803; F02N11/0851
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
328 words
In a starter system for cranking a gear of an engine to start said engine, the combination comprising: a source of electrical current, an electrical starter motor, a pinion gear coupled to said starter motor for rotation thereby, said pinion gear being shiftable into and out of driving engagement with said engine gear, electrically actuated means for shifting said pinion gear toward engagement with said engine gear, means for connecting said motor to said source of electrical current upon engagement of said pinion gear and engine gear, a set of electrical contacts which are normally closed, circuit means for connecting said source of electrical current to said means for shifting said pinion gear through said normally closed contacts to initiate operation of said starter system, and time delay means for momentarily opening said set of contacts a predetermined time after said means for shifting said pinion gear is connected to said source of electrical current, said time delay means having a first terminal connected to said source of electrical current through said set of normally closed contacts and having a second terminal connected to said source through said means for connecting said source to said motor in response to engagement of said pinion gears whereby said time delay means ceases to conduct electrical current when said starter motor is energized, wherein said set of normally closed contacts and said time delay means jointly constitute a time delay relay wherein said time delay means comprises an electrical coil disposed to open said normally closed contacts upon being energized and having a first end connected to said source of electrical current through a resistor and said normally closed contacts and having a second end connected to said source of electrical current through said means for connecting said source to said motor in response to engagement of said pinion gear and having a capacitance connected across said ends of said coil to define an RC network in conjunction with said resistor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
328 words
In a starter system for cranking a gear of an engine to start said engine, the combination comprising: a source of electrical current, an electrical starter motor, a pinion gear coupled to said starter motor for rotation thereby, said pinion gear being shiftable into and out of driving engagement with said engine gear, electrically actuated means for shifting said pinion gear toward engagement with said engine gear, means for connecting said motor to said source of electrical current upon engagement of said pinion gear and engine gear, a set of electrical contacts which are normally closed, circuit means for connecting said source of electrical current to said means for shifting said pinion gear through said normally closed contacts to initiate operation of said starter system, and time delay means for momentarily opening said set of contacts a predetermined time after said means for shifting said pinion gear is connected to said source of electrical current, said time delay means having a first terminal connected to said source of electrical current through said set of normally closed contacts and having a second terminal connected to said source through said means for connecting said source to said motor in response to engagement of said pinion gears whereby said time delay means ceases to conduct electrical current when said starter motor is energized, wherein said set of normally closed contacts and said time delay means jointly constitute a time delay relay wherein said time delay means comprises an electrical coil disposed to open said normally closed contacts upon being energized and having a first end connected to said source of electrical current through a resistor and said normally closed contacts and having a second end connected to said source of electrical current through said means for connecting said source to said motor in response to engagement of said pinion gear and having a capacitance connected across said ends of said coil to define an RC network in conjunction with said resistor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
260 words
In a starter system for cranking a gear of an engine to start said engine, the combination comprising: a source of electrical current, an electrical starter motor, a pinion gear coupled to said starter motor for rotation thereby, said pinion gear being shiftable into and out of driving engagement with said engine gear, electrically actuated means for shifting said pinion gear toward engagement with said engine gear, means for connecting said motor to said source of electrical current upon engagement of said pinion gear and engine gear, a set of electrical contacts which are normally closed, circuit means for connecting said source of electrical current to said means for shifting said pinion gear through said normally closed contacts to initiate operation of said starter system, and time delay means for momentarily opening said set of contacts a predetermined time after said means for shifting said pinion gear is connected to said source of electrical current, said time delay means having a first terminal connected to said source of electrical current through said set of normally closed contacts and having a second terminal connected to said source through said means for connecting said source to said motor in response to engagement of said pinion gears whereby said time delay means ceases to conduct electrical current when said starter motor is energized, further comprising means for disconnecting said source of electrical current from said starter motor and from said electrically actuated means for shifting said pinion gear and from said time delay means in response to an operating condition of said motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
260 words
In a starter system for cranking a gear of an engine to start said engine, the combination comprising: a source of electrical current, an electrical starter motor, a pinion gear coupled to said starter motor for rotation thereby, said pinion gear being shiftable into and out of driving engagement with said engine gear, electrically actuated means for shifting said pinion gear toward engagement with said engine gear, means for connecting said motor to said source of electrical current upon engagement of said pinion gear and engine gear, a set of electrical contacts which are normally closed, circuit means for connecting said source of electrical current to said means for shifting said pinion gear through said normally closed contacts to initiate operation of said starter system, and time delay means for momentarily opening said set of contacts a predetermined time after said means for shifting said pinion gear is connected to said source of electrical current, said time delay means having a first terminal connected to said source of electrical current through said set of normally closed contacts and having a second terminal connected to said source through said means for connecting said source to said motor in response to engagement of said pinion gears whereby said time delay means ceases to conduct electrical current when said starter motor is energized, further comprising means for disconnecting said source of electrical current from said starter motor and from said electrically actuated means for shifting said pinion gear and from said time delay means in response to an operating condition of said motor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |