Method and system for controlling a pneumatic starter
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorJames William Coe, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for controlling a starter for starting a power source includes an air starter relay valve fluidly connected between an air tank and the starter. The air starter relay valve is configured to control an amount of air supplied to the starter from the air tank. The system also includes a control device connected to the air starter relay valve and configured to control the air starter relay valve. The system further includes a fuel valve interlock fluidly connected to a source of fuel via a fuel line. The fuel valve interlock is configured to open based on a pressure in the fuel line and configured to send a signal to the control device for controlling the air starter relay valve when the fuel valve interlock is opened.
Claims20
A system for controlling a starter for starting a power source, the system comprising:
- an air starter relay valve fluidly connected between an air tank and the starter, the air starter relay valve being configured to control an amount of air supplied to the starter from the air tank;
- a control device connected to the air starter relay valve and configured to control the air starter relay valve;
- and
- a fuel valve interlock fluidly connected to a source of fuel via a fuel line, the fuel valve interlock being configured to open based on a pressure in the fuel line and configured to send a signal to the control device for controlling the air starter relay valve when the fuel valve interlock is opened.
A machine comprising:
- a power source;
- an air tank;
- a starter operatively connected to the power source and configured to receive air from the air tank to start the power source;
- an air starter relay valve fluidly connected between the air tank and the starter, the air starter relay valve being configured to control the supply of air to the starter from the air tank;
- a control device connected to the air starter relay valve and configured to control the air starter relay valve;
- a fuel pump configured to supply fuel to the power source;
- and
- a fuel valve interlock fluidly connected to the fuel pump via a fuel line, the fuel valve interlock being configured to open based on a pressure in the fuel line and configured to direct air from the air tank to the control device to control the air starter relay valve when the fuel valve interlock is opened.
A method for controlling a starter for starting a power source, the method comprising:
- directing a flow of air from an air tank to a fuel valve interlock;
- directing the flow of air from the fuel valve interlock to a control device based on a fuel pressure from a source of pressurized fuel;
- directing a pilot signal from the control device to an air starter relay valve in response to receiving the flow of air from the fuel valve interlock;
- and
- opening the air starter relay valve in response to the pilot signal to supply air from the air tank to the starter via the air starter relay valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.