Remote starting of an internal combustion engine

• US 4,446,460 A
• Filed: 07/08/1981
• Issued: 05/01/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1980
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Transtart Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Transtart Incorporated
• Inventors: Tholl, Steven G., Vonkohlar, John C. IV
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US06/281,523
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/696, 340/539, 340/63-65, 307/9, 307/10 R, 307/10 AT, 290/33, 290/35, 290/37, 290/38 C, 290/DIG. 3, 290/DIG. 6, 290/38 E, 455/352, 455/353, 455/603, 180/2 R, 180/167, 180/168, 123/179 R, 123/179 B, 123/179 BG, 123/179 G
• US Class Current: 340/12.22
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0235 for lighting devices combined with starting or ignition devices for road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0807 Remote means

Abstract

An electrical apparatus and method for remotely starting an internal combustion engine, the apparatus being simplified and having transmitting circuitry issuing a predetermined set of coded signals, selectively enabling receiving circuitry and receiver control circuitry by which the engine is remotely started and accessories remotely actuated.

Claims

1. A system for remotely starting an internal combustion engine comprising:

a transmitter from which predetermined coded signals are caused to selectively issue;

a receiver unconnected and separate from the transmitter, the receiver comprising circuit means comprising means insuring reception of correctly encoded signals of desired frequency and means operable only when correct signals have been received;

the receiver further comprising execution circuit means connected to and enabled when the operable means are caused to be operable by the correct signals, the execution circuit comprising (a) means actuated by the operable means, (b) first switch means connected to and closed by the actuated means causing electrical power to be selectively delivered to the starter of the engine, (c) second switch means connected to receive and be energized by electrical power issuing from the first switch means, the second switch means communicating electrical power to the ignition of the engine substantially simultaneously with delivery of electrical power to the starter and (d) means opening the first switch means to terminate delivery of electrical power to the starter after an interval of time.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the operable means comprise relay means and the first and second switch means each comprise a silicone controlled rectifier, the gate of the first silicone control rectifier being connected to a normally open switch of the relay means which is momentarily closed when actuated and the anode of the second silicone control rectifier being connected to a normally closed switch of the relay means supplying power continuously to the second silicone control rectifier, with the cathode of the first silicone control rectifier being connected to the gate of the second silicone control rectifier.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first switch means selectively delivers electrical energy to means which cause the engine throttle linkage to be displaced to choke the engine only while the starter is engaged.

4. A system according to claim 3 wherein said last mentioned means comprises a solenoid.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein the opening means comprises a switch which passes electrical power to the first switch means in the absence of a predetermined engine pressure condition and terminates delivery of said electrical power to the first switch means when pressure condition exists.

6. A method of remotely starting an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of:

causing predetermined coded signals to issue from a transmitter;

receiving the coded signals at a remote receiver adjacent an internal combustion engine;

evaluating the signals to verify that said signals are correctly coded and of desired frequency and thereafter (a) causing electrical power to be communicated across a first switch to the engine starter, (b) thereafter causing electrical power to be communicated across a second switch to the ignition of the engine and (c) terminating delivery of electrical power to the starter after an interval of time while continuing to deliver power to the ignition.

7. A method according to claim 6 further comprising the step of using electrical power crossing the first switch to cause the engine to be choked while the starter is receiving electrical power.

8. An automatic starting system for an internal combustion engine having a source of electrical power, ignition means, throttle means and a starter motor, the improvement comprising execution circuit means comprising:

means associated with the throttle means for choking the engine;

means receiving a command signal;

first solid state switch means energized by the receiving means following receipt of the command signal to communicate electrical power derived from said source (a) to the starter motor and (b) to the associated means causing the throttle means to choke the engine;

second solid state switch means energized by electrical power communicated across the first solid state switch means whereby electrical power derived from said source is communicated across the second solid state switch means to at least the ignition means;

means automatically de-energizing the first solid state switch means after an interval of time.