US 4,490,620 A · Engine starter protective and control module and system

Abstract

An engine starter protective and control module (PCM) and system having a 1/2 second start speed delay timer (DT) and a 30-second crank timer (CT) that are started when a start switch (SS) is closed to control a logic circuit (L) that operates a coil driver (CD) to energize the engine starter motor (ES). An engine speed signal from an engine-driven alternator (ALT) shaped in a wave shaping circuit (WSC) is detected by a crank frequency sensor (CFS) which by-passes the delay timer (DT) to continue the cranking if the engine attains an initial speed adequate for starting, otherwise, if the battery is too low, the delay timer (DT) terminates cranking. A run frequency sensor (RFS) receives the speed signal and provides a lockout signal to the logic circuit (L) when the engine speed reaches run RPM. A crank timer (CT) started by the start switch (SS) times a 30-second cranking cycle and a 2-minute cool-off lockout interval to prevent overheating of the starter motor (ES). If the engine does not attain run RPM in 30 seconds, the crank timer (CT) provides a lockout signal that controls the logic circuit (L) to stop cranking, operates a supply switch (SSL) to provide power to the run frequency sensor (RFS), crank timer (CT) and wave shaping circuit (WSC) in shunt of the start switch (SS), and controls timing of the lockout interval whereafter the system is automatically reset.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A protective system supplied from a battery for controlling an engine starter motor comprising:

a control system for said starter motor;
a start switch for connecting supply power from said battery to said control system and for controlling said starter motor to cause cranking rotation of the engine;
and said control system comprising:
a crank timer responsive to operation of said start switch for timing a time interval at the end of which cranking of the engine will be stopped;
starter motor control means responsive to operation of said start switch for energizing the starter motor to start cranking of the engine and for simultaneously starting said crank timer;
speed detector means responsive to rotation of the engine for providing an engine speed signal;
run speed sensor means responsive to said speed signal indicating that the engine has attained a predetermined run speed for taking over control of the starter motor from said crank timer so as to control said starter motor control means to stop cranking;
means responsive to said run speed sensor means to connect supply power from said battery in shunt of said start switch to said run speed sensor means to keep the latter operative and prevent reoperation of said starter motor by opening and reclosing said start switch while the engine is running;
and electronic means responsive to said crank timer at the end of its time interval if the engine has not reached said predetermined run speed for operating said starter motor control means to deenergize the starter motor.

6 more elements

A protective system supplied from a battery for controlling an enginel starter motor comprising:

a start switch effective when operated for controlling the starter motor to cause cranking rotation of the engine;
a start speed timer for timing an initial time interval at the end of which cranking will be stopped if the starter motor does not rotate the engine fast enough for starting due to low battery charge or the like, said timer being started responsive to operation of said start switch;
logic means and power control means operated thereby also responsive to operation of said start switch for energizing the starter motor to start cranking the engine;
means responsive to said cranking of the engine for providing an engine speed signal;
start speed sensor means responsive to said speed signal when the engine reaches a start RPM adequate for engine starting for by-passing said start speed timer in order to control said logic means to cause said power control means to maintain energization of the starter motor, said start speed timer operating at the end of said initial time interval to trip said logic means to cause said power control means to deenergize the starter motor if the engine has not reached said start RPM;
run speed sensor means responsive to said speed signal when the engine reaches a run RPM for providing a run lockout signal for tripping said logic means to cause said power control means to deenergize the starter motor;
a crank timer responsive to operation of said start switch for timing a predetermined cranking time interval that does not overheat the starter motor followed by a lockout time interval allowing the starter motor to cool enough preparatory to another cranking cycle and for providing a start lockout signal at the end of said cranking time interval and for terminating said lockout signal at the end of said lockout time interval;
said logic means being tripped responsive to said lockout signal for controlling said power control means to deenergize said starter motor;
and a supply switch responsive to either said run lockout signal or said start lockout signal for supplying operating power from the battery directly to said run speed sensor and said crank timer to maintain them operative in the event said start switch is opened.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Engine starter protective and control module and system

Life of this patent

Engine starter protective and control module and system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14