Starting system/hydraulic system interlock

• US 4,542,721 A
• Filed: 04/06/1984
• Issued: 09/24/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Americas Company (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Williams, Hugh K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dolinar, Andrew M.
• Application Number:
  US06/597,325
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 123/179 R, 123/179 A, 123/179 B, 123/179 K, 123/198 C, 417/364, 417/34, 417/10
• US Class Current: 477/99
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/101 for preventing engine starter actuation or engagement

Abstract

A system for ensuring that hydraulic valves are in an unactuated position during starting of an engine. An ignition switch, when suitably positioned, delivers a starting signal to a starting motor operationally coupled to the vehicle engine. A relay system responsive to the starting signal energizes a solenoid structure which permits the valves to move to their unactuated positions or, alternatively, a relay which obstructs the starting signal to the starting motor in response to a signal from a switch network indicating at least one valve is in an actuated position.

Claims

1. A system for ensuring that hydraulic valves for regulating fluid flow supplied by an engine driven pump are in an unactuated position prior to starting the engine, said system comprising:

(a) an engine;

(b) a starter motor engageable with said engine;

(c) means for delivering a signal to said starter motor to start said engine;

(d) a plurality of valves each movable between an actuated position and an unactuated position; and

(e) actuating means responsive to said starting signal for one of automatically moving said valves occupying said actuated position to an unactuated position and blocking delivery of said starting signal to said starting motor in response to any of said valves being in said actuated position, said automatic valve moving actuating means including

(a) disengagement means for driving said valves to the unactuated position in response to an engagement signal which is separate from said starting signal and

(b) switching means for delivering said engagement signal to said disengagement means only in response to said starting signal,

said signal blocking actuating means including

(a) first switching means for blocking delivery of said starting signal to said starting motor in response to a valve position indicator signal and

(b) indicator means for electrically delivering an indicator signal in response to any of said valves being in said actuated position, wherein said indicator means includes

linkage structure being movable with said valves between first and second positions which respectively correspond to said valves'"'"' actuated and unactuated positions; and

second switching means mounted independently of said linkage structure for delivering said indicator signal to said first switching means in response to said linkage structure occupying said first position.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said second switching means comprises:

receiving means for delivering said indicator signal in response to receiving a position signal; and

sending means for delivering a position signal to said receiving means when said linkage structure is disposed therebetween.