Starting system for model engines

A starting system for a glow ignition model engine, the engine having a crankshaft with a centerline, at least one crankpin, and at least one glow plug, the system comprising:

• a rotation and torque producing means;
• a torque converting means driven by the rotation and torque producing means;
• a clutching means coupled to the torque converting means;
• a coupling means received within the clutching means for engaging the clutching means with the crankshaft of the engine to transmit rotation and torque to the crankshaft to start the engine, the coupling means rotating on an axis of the torque converting means;
• a housing member attached to the engine, the housing member containing at least the clutching means, the housing member provided with an internal cylindrical support surface to receive the clutching means, the housing member provided with attachment means for attachment of the housing member and the engine to a structural member of a model;
• and
• an ignition controlling means connected to a power source and the glow plug to limit pre-ignition within the engine.

A starting system for an internal combustion model engine, the engine having a crankshaft with a centerline and at least one crankpin, the engine also having at least one glow plug for ignition within the engine, the system comprising:

• an electric motor coupled to a power source for selective rotation of the electric motor to provide rotation and torque;
• a planetary gear system driven by the electric motor to multiply the torque of the electric motor and transmit the rotation and torque to an output of the planetary gear system;
• a clutch housing connected to the output of the planetary gear system, the clutch housing rotating about the centerline of the crankshaft within a cylindrical support surface;
• an overrunning clutch mounted within the clutch housing, the overrunning clutch driven by the clutch housing and having an output along the centerline of the crankshaft;
• a coupling means connecting the overrunning clutch with the crankshaft of the engine, the coupling means having a cylindrical portion received within the overrunning clutch and a disk portion attached to the cylindrical portion, the disk portion provided with an eccentrically located aperture to engage an end of the crankpin connected to the engine crankshaft, the overrunning clutch transmitting rotation and torque through the coupling means to the crankshaft while preventing transmission of any rotation and torque from the engine to the planetary gear system;
• a housing means for supporting the electric motor, the planetary gear system, the clutch housing, the coupling means and the engine, the housing means providing the cylindrical support surface for the clutch housing, the housing means having attachment points providing for attaching the starting system and the engine to a structural component of the model;
• and
• an ignition controlling circuit connected to a power source and to the glow plug to limit pre-ignition within the engine.

A system for starting an internal combustion engine, the engine having a crankshaft with a centerline and at least one crankpin, the system comprising:

• an electric motor, the electric motor having an output shaft to provide torque and rotation;
• a transmission having an input connection receiving the output shaft of the electric motor, and an output connection, the transmission providing an increase in torque and a reduction of rotation speed;
• a housing member attached to the engine, the housing member enclosing at least the transmission and defining an internal cylindrical support surface with an axis aligned with the centerline of the crankshaft, the housing member provided with attachment elements to substantially permanently mount the system and the engine to a device, the electric motor being attached to the housing member;
• a clutch housing coupled to the output connection of the transmission, the clutch housing rotating on the centerline of the crankshaft, the clutch housing having a second cylindrical support surface supported from the support surface of the housing member;
• a clutch mounted within the clutch housing, and coupled with the clutch housing, the clutch rotating on the centerline of the crankshaft;
• and
• a coupling element for engaging the clutch with the crankshaft of the engine to transmit torque and rotation to the crankshaft to start the motor, the coupling element having a cylindrical portion positioned within the clutch and a disk portion attached to the cylindrical portion, the disk portion provided with an eccentrically positioned opening to engage an end of the crankpin of the engine.