Starter motor with integrated solid state switch
AssigneeBriggs & Stratton Corporation
InventorsRobert John Koenen, Jason Andrew Hansen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A starter motor connected to a power supply and operable to start an internal combustion engine includes an outer housing and a solid state switching device associated with the outer housing. The outer housing encloses a commutator and a series of brushes. The solid state switching device is movable between an open position and a closed position. The current flow from the power supply through the commutator is prevented when the solid state switching device is in the open position.
Claims25
A starter motor connected to a power supply and operable to start an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- an outer housing that encloses a commutator and a series of brushes;
- a solid state switching device associated with the outer housing and movable between an open position and a closed position;
- and
- a speed sensing circuit for controlling of the solid state switching device in response to a sensed engine speed;
- wherein current flow from the power supply through the commutator is prevented when the solid state switching device is in the open position and is allowed when the solid state switching device is in the closed position, wherein the starter motor is operated to start the internal combustion engine when the solid state switching device is in the closed position, and wherein the speed sensing circuit causes the solid state switching device to move to the open position in response to the sensed engine speed being a predetermined running speed that indicates the internal combustion engine is running.
A starter motor connected to a power supply and operable to start an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- an outer housing that encloses a commutator and a series of brushes;
- a solid state switching device associated with the outer housing and electrically positioned between the power supply and the commutator and movable between an open position and a closed position;
- and
- a speed sensing circuit for controlling of the solid state switching device in response to a sensed engine speed;
- wherein current flow from the power supply through the commutator is prevented when the solid state switching device is in the open position and is allowed when the solid state switching device is in the closed position, wherein the starter motor is operated to start the internal combustion engine when the solid state switching device is in the closed position, and wherein the speed sensing circuit causes the solid state switching device to move to the open position in response to the sensed engine speed being a predetermined running speed that indicates the internal combustion engine is running.
A starter motor connected to a power supply and operable to start an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- an outer housing that encloses a commutator and a series of brushes;
- a solid state switching device associated with the outer housing,
- wherein the solid state switching device is movable between an open position and a closed position based upon activation of a switch element, wherein current flow from the power supply through the commutator is prevented when the solid state switching device is in the open position and is allowed when the solid state switching device is in the closed position, and wherein the starter motor is operated to start the internal combustion engine when the solid state switching device is in the closed position;
- a speed sensing circuit for controlling of the solid state switching device in response to a sensed engine speed,
- wherein the speed sensing circuit causes the solid state switching device to move to the open position in response to the sensed engine speed being a predetermined running speed that indicates the internal combustion engine is running;
- and
- at least one control circuit positioned remotely from the outer housing and connected to the solid state switching device, wherein the control circuit is operable to control the operation of the solid state switching device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.