Overrunning clutch for an engine starter adapter
AssigneeHartzell Engine Technologies
InventorRichard F. Quave, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for operatively connecting an engine starter to an engine where the engine includes an engine crankshaft and the engine starter has a starter shaft with a length and a worm, or worm screw, of a worm drive spaced radially from the starter adapter shaft and within the length of the shaft is described herein. The device compromises a worm gear assembly as operatively attached to the starter adapter shaft. The a worm gear assembly includes a worm gear, or worm wheel, positioned to engage the worm and an overrunning clutch positioned radially between the worm gear and the starter adapter shaft and operatively engaging the starter adapter shaft.
Claims21
A device for operatively connecting an engine starter to an engine, the engine having an engine crank shaft, the engine starter having a starter shaft having a starter shaft length and a worm spaced radially from the starter adapter shaft and within the length, the device comprising:
- a worm gear assembly, the worm gear assembly operatively attached to the starter adapter shaft and including:
- a worm gear positioned to engage the worm;
- and
- an overrunning clutch positioned radially between the worm gear and the starter adapter shaft and operatively engaging the starter adapter shaft.
A device for operatively connecting an engine starter to an engine, the engine having an engine crank shaft, the engine starter having a starter shaft having a starter shaft length and a worm spaced radially from the starter adapter shaft and within the length, the device comprising:
- a worm gear assembly, the worm gear assembly operatively attached to the starter adapter shaft and the worm, the worm gear assembly including:
- a housing positioned along the length of the starter adapter shaft and approximately radially aligned with the worm, the housing having an external housing surface and an internal housing surface, the internal housing surface forming a central cavity containing the overrunning clutch;
- a worm gear positioned external of the housing to engage the worm;
- and
- an overrunning clutch positioned radially between the worm gear and the starter adapter shaft and operatively engaging the starter adapter shaft.
A device for operatively connecting an engine starter to an engine, the engine having an engine crank shaft, the engine starter having a starter shaft having a starter shaft length and a worm spaced radially from the starter adapter shaft and within the length, the device comprising:
- a worm gear assembly, the worm gear assembly operatively attached to the starter adapter shaft and the worm, the worm gear assembly including:
- a housing positioned along the length of the starter adapter shaft and approximately radially aligned with the worm, the housing having an external housing surface and an internal housing surface, the internal housing surface forming a central cavity containing the overrunning clutch;
- a worm gear positioned external of the housing to engage the worm;
- an overrunning clutch positioned radially between the worm gear and the starter adapter shaft and operatively engaging the starter adapter shaft;
- and
- wherein the worm gear assembly is positioned to transfer torque from the engine starter to the starter adapter shaft for further transfer of the torque to the engine crank shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.