Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
An inertia-actuated starter for starting an engine having a crankshaft, the starter comprising an electric motor having an armature and an inductor, a flywheel connected to be rotated by the electric motor, an electromagnetic clutch including an armature and an inductor for rendering the flywheel rigid with said crankshaft, the flywheel carrying on one side thereof the armature of the motor and on an opposite side thereof the inductor of the clutch, a flat disc parallel to the flywheel and carrying the inductor of the motor and defining a planar airgap of the motor, and the flywheel comprising a part which is common to the magnetic circuit of the armature of the motor and of the inductor of the clutch which has sufficient section to permit the circulation of the magnetic flux of the motor or of the clutch but which is saturated by the circulation of the flux of the motor so that a remanent flux of the clutch will be cancelled out instantaneously when the magnetic flux of the motor is produced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
An inertia-actuated starter for starting an engine having a crankshaft, the starter comprising an electric motor having an armature and an inductor, a flywheel connected to be rotated by the electric motor, an electromagnetic clutch including an armature and an inductor for rendering the flywheel rigid with said crankshaft, the flywheel carrying on one side thereof the armature of the motor and on an opposite side thereof the inductor of the clutch, a flat disc parallel to the flywheel and carrying the inductor of the motor and defining a planar airgap of the motor, and the flywheel comprising a part which is common to the magnetic circuit of the armature of the motor and of the inductor of the clutch which has sufficient section to permit the circulation of the magnetic flux of the motor or of the clutch but which is saturated by the circulation of the flux of the motor so that a remanent flux of the clutch will be cancelled out instantaneously when the magnetic flux of the motor is produced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disc carrying the inductor of the motor is axially rigid with the flywheel but is free to rotate relative to the flywheel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flywheel is of a soft ferromagnetic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clutch comprises an annular armature which is of soft ferromagnetic material and is for rigidly fixing to said crankshaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the armature of the motor and the inductor of the clutch have windings which are coaxial and located on opposite sides of the flywheel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising elastically yieldable means for returning the disc and the flywheel to a position spaced away from the armature of the clutch.