US2174101A - Control system for engine starting means - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 26, 1939. w. J. wlLLlAMs CENTRAL SYSTEM FOR ENGINE STARTING MEANS Filed May 7, 1937 SH01/MAAS Patented Sept. 26, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlca CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ENGINE STARTING MEANS William J. Williams, Toledo, Ohio, assig'nor of one-half to Alfred Pulford, Toledo, Ohio Application 'May 7, 1937, Serial No. 141,328

411 Claims. (Cl. 290-38) This invention relates to a system for conthe preferred form of the system of control for a trolling the starting and ignition means used in starting and ignition means used with internal connection with an internal combustion engine as combustion engines.

is particularly directed to means for controlling The principles of the invention are herein illusthe duration of application of power to operate trated as embodied in a control system-for a stor- 5 said means. age battery starting and ignition means for an The invention embraces means operable to ininternal combustion engine, and it is to be underterrupt the application of power to the starting stood that I contemplate the utilization of the and ignition system of an engine after a certain invention to control other types of engine startperiod of time. ing means including its use to control pneumatic 10 This invention also comprehends means to or fluid pressure operated starting means. render ineffective the operation of the starting Referring to the embodiment illustrated diameans for an engine when the latter fails to start grammatically in Figure l, the Control System 0f under its own power and to re-establish said opthe invention includes a suitable source oi' energy eration after a certain predetermined period of such as a storage battery I0 having one terminal 15 time. connected by means oi' lead I I to a ground yor com* One of the objects of the present invention remon return means I2 which in the present insides in the utilization of time responsive means stance may be the engine frame. 'I'he other terfor controlling the starting motor operation causminal I3 of the battery I0 is connected by means ing the periodic actuation of the starting motor 0f lead Il to the movable blade I5 or to the cir- 20 for a predetermined period of time. cuit closing means of a switch which may be the Another object of the invention is the provision switch which normally controls the engine igniof means for automatically starting an engine and lGiOn System. The SWiIZell blade i5 iS adapted i0 when the same fails to start render the starting engage contact l1 which in turn is connected by means ineffective and concurrently cause the inilead I8 to a circuit terminal or connecting post 25 tiation of the starting means associated with ani9 insulatingiy Carried by and PrOieCting iiirOilgh other engine without requiring the presence of a One 0f tile Side Walls 0f the Casing 20- The Carling human agency. 20 encloses and supports certain of the electro- Another object of the invention resides in the responsive devices which control the starting and use of the production of a current controlled by ignition CilCnillS constituting One 0f the unit-s 0f 80 the self-actuation of the engine for rendering the the Control SYStem Of the invention. starting motor circuit ineffective. The Connecting post i9 is connected by means A further object of the invention is the proviof lead 22 to a bus bar on current distributing sion of means to place out of operating condition DOS 24 insulatingly Supported by the Casing' 20.

an engine which fails to start or is operating. T0 the distributing post 241s connected one end $5 f under abnormal conditions giving a warning sigof the .heating coil 26 which surrounds the nal, or if desired to initiate automatically the thermo-responsive or bimetalliccontaet Carrying starting operation of a standeby engineelement 21 located in heat receiving relation toA Astilli'urther object of the invention is the pro- C011 25 The other terminal 0f the heating COii vision of means to render ineffective the control 25 iS COnneCteCl by means 0f lead 23 t0 8- Cireiiii 40 means operable to cause the periodic application terminal 29 insnlaiingly Carried and Projecting of power to the starting means after a predeterthrough one 0f the Side Walls 0f Casing 20. The mined number of power applications and concur- Circuit iierininei 29 iS adapted t0 be COnneCied by rently producing a warning signal means of lead 3B to a suitable ground providing Further objects and advantages are within the a return Patil i50 the grOunded terminal 0f bi- 45 scope of this invention such as relate to the arilery i0 rangement, operation and function of the related The Ciilreni distributing DOSE 24 iS OnneCbed t0 elements of the structure, to various details of the Stationary 0I DiVCied end 0f the bimetallic 0r construction and t0 combinations of parts, elethermo-responsive element 3| which carries at its ments per se, and to economies of manufacture free end a eniei 32 nOrmaily in engaemeni 50 and numerous other features as will be apparent with a Contact 34 carried by a thermo-responsive from a `consideration of the specification and 0r bimeteliic member 35- The DiVOied end 0f the drawing of a form ofthe invention, which may be bimetllie member 35 iS COnneCied by means 0f preferred, in which: lead 36 to one end of the energizing winding 38r Ilili The'lgure is a diagrammatic view illustrating which in turn has its end connected by means of 65 a lead 3| to connecting post 29. The windings 38 constitute the control means for the electro-magnetic switch 48 and are adapted to move a magnetic core 4i insulatingly carrying the contacting bar 42. The contact bar 42 is adapted to engage the spaced contacts 43 and 44 insulatingly carried on the bottom wall of casing 2B.

The bus bar 24 is also connected by means of lead 46 to one end of the relay energizing windings 41, the other end being connected by lead 48 to the insulated connecting post 28. The casing 20 also supports a second relay having suitable energizing windings 58 having one end connected by means of lead 5| to the stationary contact 44 of the electro-magnetic switch (iii while the other terminal of the relay winding 58 is connected by lead 52 to the circuit terminal 29. The stationary contact 48 of the electro-magnetic switch t@ is connected by means o a lead 53 to connecting post or terminal i9.

The relay windings 58 are used to attract armature 54 carrying a contact 55 normally urged into engagement with a stationary contact 5G by means of a spring 51 which serves to hold the armature away from the relay core. The armature contact 55 is connected by a lead 58 to terminal or post 59 insulatingly carried and projecting through the one side or" walls of the casing 20. The relay windings 4i are adapted when energized to attract armature 88 carrying a contact 6l into engagement with a stationary contact 62 insulatingly supported within the casing 28 which is connected by means of lead 83 to the insulated Contact 55 also carried by the housing walls. The armature contact Si is connected by lead 65 to an insulated terminal or post 654i carried by and projecting through one of the side Walls ofthe casing 28. The Contact 8i is normally held out of engaging relation with contact 82 by a suitable spring connected to the relay armature 60.

Suitably spaced from the thermostatlc element 21 is a bimetallic element 68 carrrying a contact 51 adapted to be engaged by contact 33 carried by the bimetallic element 2i'. The bimetallic element 66 is directly connected to the distributing bar 24 while the stationary or pivoted end of bimetallic element 21 is connected by means of lead 69 to one end of a heating coil 1G surrounding 'the bimetallic element 235i, while the other end of coil 10 is connected by lead 1l to an insulated post 12 projecting through the upper wall of the casing 2B.

The terminal i3 of battery l@ is also connected by lead 13 to a terminal post 14 projecting through the side wall and insulatingly carried by one of the side walls of the casing 15. The casing 15 serves to enclose and support certain electro-responsive devices forming a second unit for controlling the operation of the engine starting and ignition means. The post 14 is in engagement with a contact member 11 insulatingly supported upon the inner surface of the casing 15 and suitably spaced from an insulated contact member 18. Contacts 11 and 18 are adapted to be bridged by a conducting bar 80 insulatingly carried by the magnetic core 8|, which is surrounded by the energizing winding 82, thereby forming an electro-magnetic switching element. One terminal of the electro-magnetic switch winding 82 is connected by lead 84 to an insulatingly supported terminal post 85 carried a thermo-responsive element 89, carrying at its other free en d a contact 98. The contact 98 is adapted to engage a contact 9| carried by the movable end of the bi-metallic member 93, theA latter being pivoted as at 94 and connected by means of lead 96 to one of the terminals of the winding 98 oi the relay |88. The other terminal of the Winding 98 is connected by leads E02 and iBS to the terminal post lili, the latter projecting through one of the side walls of the housing 15 and being connected by leads 85 to a suitable ground.

The terminal post |84 is connected by means of lead |81 to one terminal of 'the heating coil M39 which surrounds the thermo-responsive e1ement 8S, the other terminal of the heating coil ldbeing connected by means of lead lit to the electro-magnetic switch contact 18. The terminal post |04 is connected by means of lead M2 to a relay armature i i3 carrying the Contact H4 normally urged into engagement with an insulated stationary contact H5 by means of the relay spring H1.

The relay |80 is also provided with a second winding H8 connected by leads |28 and itl to the secondary winding i24 of a transformer @25, the primary winding |28 or" 'this transformer having one of its terminals connected to the terminal post t28 insulatingly carried by the walls of the housing 75 and having its other terminal connected to the terminal post 85. The terminal |30 or" the electro-magnetic switch winding 82 is connected by means of lead H32 to insulated ter minal post |38 insulatingly carried by the upper Wall of the housing 15. The terminal post |36 is connected by means of lead 31 to the insulated stationary contact l5 and by means of lead i3@ to the terminal post 12 of the first control unit. The terminal post 54 of this unit is connected to the terminal post 14 of the second unit by lead l39, while the stationary contact 44 of electro-magnetic switch 4Q oi the first unit is connected by lead l40 to terminal post 85 of the second control unit. l

in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the engine starting means are electrically actuated but I contemplate to use engine starting means operated by other sources of power. The electrically actuated means shown are in the form of an electric motor having suitable mechanical connections for cranking the engine and capable of being disconnected from the engine when the engine becomes self actuated. The electric starting motor shown has one of its terminals M2 grounded while the terminal |43 is connected l by lead |44 to a binding post |45 passing through the wall of the casing l5 and being in direct engagement with stationary contact 18 of the electro-magnetic switch.

The ignition system disclosed which is associated with the engine for producing the proper spark for the combustible mixture includes primarily an ignition coil |46 comprising a core |48 and a primary and secondary winding |49 and |50 respectively. One of the terminals of the primary winding |49 is connected by means of lead |52 to the terminal post 85 while the other terminal is connected by lead |53 to a breaker arm |55 carrying the contact |56 adapted to engage the stationary contact |58 suitably grounded at |60, the breaker arm |55 being actuated by the rotatable camming element |62 driven by the engine in direct proportion to the engine speed and in proper timed relation to produce the interruption of the flow of current through the primary winding |58 for causing the proper spark for igniting the combustible mixture in each of the cylinders of the engine, constituting the breaker mechanism of the ignition system.

The condenser |53 is connected across the breaker contacts |55 and |58.V One terminal of secondary winding |50 is connected to the central terminal of a current distributor |55. This distributor is operatively connected to the various spark plugs (not shown) carried by each of the engine cylinders. 'I'he other terminal of the secondarywinding |50 is preferably connected to one terminal ofthe primary winding |59. The breaker arm |55 is also connected by means of a lead |55 to the terminal post |28, whereby the primary winding |28 of the transformer |25 is in parallel with the primary winding |59 of the ignition coil |51 so that the breaker arm |55 also interrupts the current ow in winding |25.

The system of the invention also includes means to give an indication or alarm whenever the engine is not actuating under its own power, or if desirable to control the starting of a standby engine. The indicating means shown include an audible signalling device such as a bell |55 having one terminal grounded at |81 and its other terminal connected by lead |59 to the terminal post 59 which will become energized as willbe hereinafter described.

In addition, the system also includes means to render the engine inoperative by disconnecting the ignition means when abnormal conditions are present in the normal operation, such as improper temperature of the cooling medium used for the engine or improper level of the lubricating medium. These means are diagrammatically illustrated in the form of a movable switching element |10 connected by lead |15 to a suitable resistance |15 and by lead |18 to the connecting post 12. The switching element |10 is normally open and is adapted to be connected to a. grounded terminal |12 when any oi the engine abnormal conditions take place.

The operation of the system hereinbefore described can be summarized as follows:

When it is desired to start the engine, it will only be necessary to move the switch blade i5 into engagement with contact |'i whereby the electro-responsive means forming the control system are energized establishing an operative connection for the energization of the engine ignition and starting means. The movement ci switch blade |5 into engagement with. Contact i1 will serve to connect the battery to the distributing bus bar 25 through lead i8, terminal post i9 and lead 22. The connection of the battery to bus bar 25 will establish a current ilow to the energizing winding 38 of the electro-magnetic switch 50. The circuit comprises bus bar 25, bimetallic element 3|, normally engaging contacts 32 and 35, hence through the thermo-responsive element 35 by lead 35 to one terminal cf the winding 38 and from the other terminal of winding' 3|. by lead 3| to the binding post- 29 grounded by lead 30 thereby completing the energizing circuit of this winding to vthe battery. The energlzation of winding 38 will cause the circuit closure 52 to engage contacts 53 and 55 whereby the battery is directly connected through these contacts by means of leads 53 and |50 to the terminal post 85, thus establishing an operative connection to the ignition system by connecting the battery to the primary winding |59 of the ignition coil |55. and at the same time establishing the ilow of current to the winding 82 of the electro-magnetic switch located in the second control unit which controls the energization of the starting motor.

The energizing circuit which establishes the ow of current to winding 82 from binding post 85 includes the lead 85 connected to one terminal of the winding and hence through the winding 82 to terminal |30 connected by means of lead |32 to post |38 connected by lead |31 to stationary contact |,|5 in engagement with armature contact ||5 and by lead ||2 to the binding post |05 grounded through lead |05, thus providing a complete path for the now of current through Winding 82.

The ow of current through the winding 82 will attract the core 8| moving bar 80 into engagement with the stationary contacts 11 and 18, thus connecting the battery to the starting motor causing its energization and cranking the engine. The circuit thus established comprises from the terminal I3 of the battery the lead 13, binding post 15, terminals 11 and 18 bridged by contacting element 80 and through binding post |55 to terminal |53 of the starting motor through lead |55 and through the motor to'terminal |52, the latter being grounded, thus providing a complete path for the ow of current through this circuit.

Concurrently with the energization of the motor and during the period of time that current is flowing from the battery to the starting motor, current is also owing through the heating coil |09. The energizing circuit for the heating coil |09 comprises from the switch terminal 19 by lead to one terminal of the heating coil |09 and from the other terminal of heating coil |09 by lead |01 to the grounded terminal |05, thus producing a shunt branch circuit with the starting motor circuit.

The thermostatic element 89 carrying contact 90 and the heating coil |09 which surrounds this element constitute a circuit closer ofv a thermal switch. I'his circuit closer is so calibrated that a current flow during a predetermined period of time will cause its movement towards circuit closing position so that the contact 90 will engage the contact 9|.` In the form of the embodiment shown, the thermo-responsive element 89 and heating coil are so designed and arranged with respect to the position of contact 9| that the time element required by the action of heating coil |09 to raise the temperature necessary to cause the movement of the thermostatic element 89 to circuit closing position is approximately i'ive seconds. However, this time element can be changed at will. The engagement of contact 9|? with contact 9| of the thermal switch will establish a circuit for the energization of relay winding 98 from the battery. This circuit includes battery terminal 3, iead |5, switch blade i5 in engagement with contact l1, lead I8, terminal post |9, lead 53, contact 53 engaged by conducting bar 52 also engaging contact 55, hence by lead |50 to terminal post 85, lead 88, thermostatic element 89, through engaging contacts 90 and 9|, thermostatic element 93, lead 96 to a terminal of winding 98 and from the other terminal of winding 98 by leads |02 and |03 to post |05 grounded byglead |05. The energization of winding 98 will attract the armature ||3 interrupting the engagement of the contact ||5 with station'- ary contact ||5, opening the energizing circuit of the electro-magnetic switch winding 82, whereby the bridge contact member 80 will lbe moved out of engagement with stationary switch contacts 11 and 18, thus interrupting the flow of lil current to the starting motor, and to the heating coil 99.

if the engine operates under its own power before the time period has lapsed to which the thermo-responsive elementi 853 is calibrated I have provided means to open the circuit of the electro-magnetic switch winding 82 whereby the starting motor is disconnected from the battery. The type of apparatus and connections employed to produce the disconnection of the starter motor from the battery whenever the engine becomes self-actuated or when the same reaches certain predetermined speed is fully disclosed-in detail in my Patent No. 1,917,565, issued July il, 1933, and function generally as follows: The rotation ot the engine will produce a periodic interruption in the flow of battery current flowing through 'the primary winding itil o transformer M5 by the action of the breaker' arm M55. When the engines becomes Seli-actuated the rapidity of the interruption caused by the breaker arm l55 is such that an alternating current is induced in the secondary winding 82d of suicient value to cause the energization oi relay winding M8 directly connected therewith to attract the armature Il it overcoming the action oi spring l l1, thus separating the contacts il@ and l i and interrupting the dow of current to the electro-magnetic switch winding t2 which in turn causes the interruption in the current flow between the battery and starting motor.

It is important to note that the ratio oi turns between the primary and secondary windings oi transformer M5 should be such that when the engine is running under its own power or at any speed above cranking speed, that the alternating current induced in the secondary should be of sulcient value to energize the relay M8 so as to keep apart the contacts H4 and H5. However when the periodicity of the interruption oi the breaker arm IE5 falls below such predetermined value br the engine speed is below cranking speed which may take place when the engine stalls, the value oi the alternating current induced and owing through the relay winding H3 should be insuiicient to overcome the force of spring lll, whereby the armature contact il!! 'will be urged into engagement with stationary contact H5, thus re-establishing the connection of the electro-magnetic switch energizing winding 32 with the grounded post lllfl through contacts llt and M5 causing the energiaation of the starting motor to crank the engine.

The thermostatic element @il and heating coil iilil serve as means to open the starting motor circuit and also ire-establish the same after a short time interval whenever the engine does not act under its own power after a predetermined period of cranking of the motor.

The energization of the starting motor is periodically rez-established d-ue to the fact that the circuit for the flow of current to the heating coil |09 is dependent upon the position of bridge member 80 so that during the time that the same is out of engagement with contacts 11 and 'I8y or during the time that the starting motor is not in operation no current is owing through the heating coil |09 thereby no heat is applied switch winding 82 for attracting the bridge member 80 into engagement with contacts 'il and 'l8, thus re-establishing a flow of current from the battery to the starting motor for cranking the engine. This cycle of operation or the automatic periodic' cranking of the engine if the same does not become self-actuated, will take place for a predetermined period'oi' time after which the thermostatic elements forming a part of the first control unit will operate rendering the starting motor and ignition system ineffective, and producing a signal or alarm.

The operation of the means to render the starting motor and ignition system ineffective after a predetermined number ci cranking pericds will be described: The connection of the battery to bus bar 24 will cause a flow oi current to heating coil 26 connected thereto and having its other terminal connected by lead 28 to grounded terminal 29. The energize/tion of heating coil 2li will raise the temperature adjacent to therino-responsive member 2l whereby the latter will move causing the engagement of contact 33 and iii thereby closing a circuit to cause the energization oi heating coil 'lll associated with therrnc-responsive member 35. This energizing circuit comprises' bus bar 24, through bimetallic member 6&3, contacts 61 and 33 to thermo-responsive member 21 hence by lead 69 to a terminal of heating coil lt and from the other terminal by lead 'll to post 'l2 connected by lead l38 to terminal post |35 of the second control unit which is connected by lead E31 to stationary relay contact li normally in engagement with armature contact iii.i connected by lead H2 to terminal post 04 grounded by lead B05, thus providing complete circuit for the iiow oi current through heatingcoil T0.

It should be noted that this circuit of the heating coil l@ is dependent upon the engagement of contacts 6l and 33 and of relay contacts l i4 and M5. The engagement of the contact 33 with contact @il is dependent upon the increase in temperature caused by the heating coil 26 and the rate of this increase is so arranged that there is a delayed action in the movement of. thermoresponsive element 2l so as to permit a predetermined number of or at least the first cranking period of the starting motor before the contact engages the contact 61.

The engagement of the relay contacts l I4 and M5 is dependent and only takes yplace during the period oi time that current is owing to the starting motor and therefore heating action of coil lil on thermo-responsive element 35 is dependent upon the duration oi the flow of current to the starting motor or in other words the number of starting motor cranking periods are registered by the heating coil t0. The value of this current as well as the amplitude of movement of thermo-responsive member 35 upon a definite temperature rise can be regulated at will so that upon a predetermined number of cranking periods or upon a predetermined period of time the thermo-responsive element 35 is deflected causing the separation of contacts 34 carried thereby and contact 32 opening the circuit of the winding 38 of electro-magnetic switch 40 which in turn interrupts the circuit of the ignition system and of electro-magnetic switch winding 82 through the disengagement of contacting bar l2 with contacts 43 and 44, thereby rendering automatically the engine starting and ignition means ineiective.

The control system will produce a signal or alarm indicating that the engine is not in opera-V tion whenever the starting motor and ignition means are rendered ineilective. This indication is produced as follows: Due to the connection of relay winding 41 to bus bar 2l the same will be energized whenever the battery is connected to bus bar 24 as this winding is permanently connected by lead 48 to the grounded terminal 26.

The energization of winding I1 will attract armature 60 causing the contact 6| carried thereby to engage contact 62, which is connected by lead 63 to stationary contact 56 the latter being in engagement with armature Contact 55 whenever the relay winding 50 is not energized. The engagement oi contact 5| and 62 will under such conditions establish a circuit for the energization of the bell |65 or other suitable alarm. This energizing circuit includes from the battery terminal I3 by leads 13 and |35 to terminal post 6I connected by lead `65 to contact 6| in engagement with contact 62, the latter being con- Y magnetic switch 4|) is in its open position, due to the fact that the relay winding 50 which serves to attract the amature 54 carrying contact 55 receives its current from the battery through the 'connection of lead 5| to the switch contact M,

so that no current is ilowing through this relay winding when the contacting bar I2 is out of engagement with switch contacts I3 and Il.

The arrangement of connections described for the energization of the relay winding 50, is such that the contact 55 will be out of engagement with stationary contact 56 whenever current is flowing tothe ignition system and to the electromagnetic switch winding 62. Thus, no alarm or signal will be produced whenever the electromagnetic winding 50 is energized, as the other relay contacts 6| and 62 forming part oi' this circuit will be in engagement due to the continuous flow of current through the relay winding 41 which is connected to bus bar 2l and to the grounded post 29. In this embodiment of the invention, I have used as a current source to produce the energization of signalling device |65 the storage battery I0. However, the terminal post 64 could be connected to any other independent source of current so that any other type of indicating means can be used, such as visual means as the invention is not limited to the use of audible means, as particularly shown by the bell ,|65.

In certain types of installation where more than one engine is used, the stationary post 59 is preferably connected to another set of controlling units so as to initiate the operation of a similarly arranged control system to the one disclosed for the purpose of starting a stand-by engine. It will only be required to connect the terminal post 59 to a post corresponding to post I9 of a similarly controlled system, so that the relay contacts 55 and 56 will take the place of the switch blade |5.

The means to stop the engine or render the same inoperative, which are dependent for their actuation upon improper temperature of the cool.

ing medium or improper level oi' the lubricating medium, by opening the operative connection of the battery to ignition system as well as to the switch winding 32, function in the following manner: The normally open switch element |19 will be moved to closed position by means responsive to any i abnormal conditions estabe dow of current Athrough ted, will producssuillcicnt mio-responsive element 35 engagem ary Contact opening oiry o ie e -znagnetic switch winding 38, ole-energizing the electro-magnetic core :il and the contact bar d2 out of engagement with stationary contacts it and 44, thus interrupting the dow of current from the battery 'to the ignition system whereby the engine will stop and also to switch winding 82. Conourrently with the opening of this circuit, the current Lilou; to the relay winding 50 will be interrupted whereby engagement will take place between contacts 55 and 56, 'thus producing the energieation o 'the signalling device or bell |65. It should be noted that the resistance |15 will iimit the current owlng through the circuit including switch winding 32 which is also established when the switching element |10 is closed so that the magnetic flux produced by winding 32 will not be suillcient to move the core 8| for closing said switch. y

The energizing circuit for the bell |65 will remain closed as long as any of these abnormal conditions are present because the flow of current through 'the heating coil 'it retains the thermoresponsive element 35 open position. However movement of switch blade i5 to open position will serve to cle-energize the relay winding 41 causing the disengagement of contacts 6| and 62 which will open the circuit of the bell |65. The movement oi blade l5 to open position will also open the circuit from the battery to the controlling means of the invention.

In the form of the embodiment shown, a. bimetallic element is associated with each of the thermo-responsive elements for the purpose of compensating for any changes in ambient temperature, so that the movement of each of the thermo-responsive elements is dependent entirely upon the rising' temperature caused by the heating coils, thereby increasing the reliability oi.' the controlling system disclosed under all temperature conditions.

The control system of the invention by the use oi means dependent for its operation upon the self-actuation oi.' the engine, as hereinbefore pointed out, also operates as automatic means to crank the engine whenever the same stalls. In this respect it is important to note that the windings of the transformer and relay associated therewith are so designed that the same operate when the engine becomes self-actuated, taking advantage of the rapid rise in the voltage of the battery Ill when the engine becomes self-actuated, as the heavy load imposed by the starting motor while cranking the engine is not present at the instant the engine starts or becomes self-actuated.

The energization of the starting motor through this control is such that unless the engine stalls, the starting motor will not y,be connected to the cranking engine, thus preventing the possibility of applying the cranking motor while the engine is rotating.

The arrangement of the control system of the energized from said current source f or establishupon the ow of current to said starting motor including a timed responsivey element for causing the periodic actuation of said starting motor and rendering said operative connection ineiective after a predetermined number of periodic actuations; and electro-responsive means associated with said electro-magnet responsive to an abnormal engine operating condition for disconnecting said electro-magnet rendering said operative connection ineffective and maintaining the same in such condition.

7. In combination electro-responsive .means and circuits therefor; switching means for connecting said electro-responsive means to a current source whereby an operative connection is established, causing the energization of a starting motor from a current source; means in the circuit of said electro-responsive means functioning 4in response to the self actuation of the engine for rendering said operative connection ineffective; and auxiliary means inl association with said electro-responsive means including a plurality of timed elements for rendering said operative connection ineffective after different predetermined periods of time.

8. In combination, electro-responsive switching means and circuits therefor; manual switch- 'ing means for connecting said electro-responsive switching means to a current source whereby an operative connection is established, causing the operation of an engine starting means; means responsive to the self actuation of the engine for disconnecting said electro-responsive means'from the current source rendering said operative connection ineffective; and a thermoresponsive switch. operable to disconnect said electro-responsive switching means from the current source after the starting means has been in operation for a predetermined period of time whereby said operative connection becomes ineffective, said thermo-responsive switch rendered operable to disconnect said electro-responsive switching means upon the presence of an abnormal engine operating condition whereby said operative connection becomes ineffective.

9. In combination, an electro-magnetv and circuit therefor, said electro-magnet operable to close a normally open circuit; means for connecting said electro-magnet to a current source whereby the said normally open circuit is closed causing the energization of an engine starting motor from acurrent source; means functioning in response to the self actuation of the engine for disconnecting said electromagnet from the current source; auxiliary means including a timed element dependent for functioning in the flow of current to said engine starting motor for disconnecting said electromagnet from the current source after a predetermined period of 'l time and re-establish the energization of said electro-magnet; and means dependent upon the function of said timed element to maintain said electro-magnet in its disconnected position.

10. In combination, electro-responsive means and circuit connections therefor; means for closing said connections producing the energization of said electro-responsive means from a current source whereby an engine starting means is actuated to start an engine; and means associated with said electro-responsive means dependent upon the actuation of the engine starting means for causing the periodic operation of said starting means for a predetermined period of time.

l1. In combination, electro-responsive means and circuit connections therefor; means for closing said connections for causing the energization of said electro-responsive means from a source of current; switching means operable by said electro-responsive means for causing the energization of an engine starting means; and

means associated with said electro-responsive means for causing the periodic actuation of said switching means for a predetermined period of time.

12. In combination, electro-responsive switching means; normally open circuit connections for said means; manually operable switching means for closing said connections for energizing said electro-responsive switching means from a source of current, whereby an operative connection is established causing the operation of an engine starting means; means including an electro-responsivev timed switching element associated with said electro-responsive switching means for periodically interrupting said operative connection if the engine starting means fail to start said engine; and a second electro-responsive means associated with said electroresponsive switching means responsive to a predetermined speed of the engine for rendering the operative connection for the engine starting means ineffective.

13. In combination, electro-responsive means; normally open circuit connections for said means; switching means for closing said connections for energizing said electro-responsive means from a source of current, whereby an operative connection is established causing the actuation of an engine starting means; thermoresponsive means associated with said electroresponsive means for periodically interrupting said operative connection; and a second means associated withI said electro-responsive means and being responsive to the self-actuation of the engine for rendering said operative connection ineffective. Y

14. In combination, electro-responsive switching means operable to establish a flow of current for causing the energization of an engine ignition means from a source of current; electromagnetic switching means operable by the actuation of said electro-responsive switching means for causing the energization of an engine starting means; means responsive tothe self actuation of the engine for interrupting the energization of the engine starting means; and temperature compensated thermo-responsive switching means forming part of the circuit connection of said electro-responsive switching means and being dependent upon the flow of current to said starting means for rendering the electro-magnetic switching means and ignition means ineffective after a predetermined period of time current has been flowing to said engine starting means.

15. In combination, an electro-magnetic switch operable to Aestablish a flow of current for causing the energization of an engine ignition means from a source of current; a second electro-magnetic switch operable by the actuation of said` responsive to the self actuation of the engine for stopping the operation of the second electromagnetic switch thereby interrupting the energization of the engine starting means; and means associated with said electro-responsive means functioning upon the iiow of current to said starting means for stopping the operation of the rst electro-magnetic switch thereby ren dering the ignition means ineffective.

16. In combination, electro-responsive means operable to establish a flow of current for causing 'the energization of an engine ignition means from a source of current; electro-magnetic switching means operable by the actuation of said electro-responsive means for causing the energization of an engine starting means; means responsive to a predetermined speed of the engine for interrupting the energization or" the engine starting means; and `thermo-responsive means associated with said electro-responsive means and being dependent upon the iiow o! current to said starting means for periodically causing the energization oi' said engine starting means and rendering the engine ignition means ineffective after a predetermined period of time.

i7. in combination an engine ignition means; e1ectro-responsive means for controlling the operation of said engine ignition means; manual switching means and circuit connections associated therewith or causing the energization of said electro-responsive means; and electro-actuated means associated with said electro-responsive means operable unon the presence oi an abnormal engine operating condition to render the engine ignition ineffective after said abnormal condition has been present for a inredeternfiin'ed period o, time.

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