Internal combustion engine starting apparatus and process
AssigneeGas Research Institute
InventorsJoseph Lawrence Pfaff, Scott Lee Wesenberg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and process for starting internal combustion engines having one to three cylinders by first activating a reverse direction motor to drive the power system of the engine in reverse to its normal operating direction until it is positioned at or near the backside of a prior compression stroke and then activating a starter motor, preferably at initial high torque, and continuing operation until the engine is started. The apparatus and process achieves a significant decrease in the size and power requirements for starters.
Claims18
A process for starting an internal combustion engine comprising:
- activating a reverse direction motor to rotate the crankshaft of a one to three cylinder engine in reverse to its normal operating direction, continuing reverse rotation of said crankshaft until the power system of said engine is at or near the backside of a prior compression stroke, and then deactivating said reverse direction motor and activating a starter motor rotating said crankshaft in its normal operating direction driving said power system of said engine from said backside of said prior compression stroke until said engine is started, said reverse direction motor operating at a power significantly less than the power of said starter motor.
An apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine comprising:
- reverse direction motor means capable of rotating the crankshaft of a one to three cylinder engine in reverse to its normal operating direction, reverse direction motor activating means to activate said reverse direction motor means, reverse direction motor deactivating means to deactivate said reverse direction motor means when the power system of said engine is at or near the backside of a prior compression stroke, and starter motor means capable of rotating the crankshaft of said engine in its normal operating direction driving said power system of said engine from said backside of said prior compression stroke until said engine is started, said reverse direction motor means operating at a power significantly less than the power of said starter motor means.
In an internal combustion engine starter of the type having starter motor means capable of rotating the crankshaft of said engine in its normal operating direction until said engine is started, the improvement comprising:
- reverse direction motor means capable of rotating said crankshaft at a speed significantly less than the speed of rotation of said crankshaft, by said starter in reverse to its normal operating direction to place the power system of said engine at or near the backside of a prior compression stroke and said starter, motor comprising means for providing rapid acceleration upon its activation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.