Starter machine system and method
First Claim
1. A starter machine comprising:
- a motor being operatively coupled to a first shaft;
a pinion being operatively coupled to a second shaft;
a planetary gear drive system being operatively coupled to the first shaft and the second shaft, the planetary gear drive system comprising a planetary gear system and a first clutch being disposed substantially adjacent to a second clutch; and
the planetary gear drive system being configured and arranged so that when the first clutch is engaged, the motor rotates the pinion at a first rotational speed and when the second clutch is engaged, the motor rotates the pinion at a second rotational speed that is lower than the first rotational speed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide a starter machine that includes a motor operatively coupled to a first shaft and a pinion coupled to a second shaft. In some embodiments, a planetary gear drive system can be coupled to the first and the second shafts. The planetary gear drive system can include a planetary gear system and a first clutch being substantially adjacent to a second clutch. The planetary gear drive system can be configured and arranged so that when the first clutch is engaged, the motor can move the pinion at a first rotational speed. The planetary gear drive system is further configured so that when the second clutch is engaged, the motor can move the pinion at a second rotational speed. In some embodiments, the first rotational speed is a greater rotational speed than the second rotational speed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A starter machine comprising:
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a motor being operatively coupled to a first shaft; a pinion being operatively coupled to a second shaft; a planetary gear drive system being operatively coupled to the first shaft and the second shaft, the planetary gear drive system comprising a planetary gear system and a first clutch being disposed substantially adjacent to a second clutch; and the planetary gear drive system being configured and arranged so that when the first clutch is engaged, the motor rotates the pinion at a first rotational speed and when the second clutch is engaged, the motor rotates the pinion at a second rotational speed that is lower than the first rotational speed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A starter machine comprising:
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a motor being operatively coupled to a first a shaft and at least partially disposed within a housing; and a planetary gear drive system being at least partially coupled to the housing and being operatively coupled to the first shaft and a second shaft, the planetary gear drive system further comprising a sun gear being coupled to the first shaft, a plurality of planet gears engaging the sun gear, the plurality of sun gears being at least partially supported by a carrier, a ring gear engaging the plurality of planet gears and the sun gear, a first clutch being at least partially coupled to the carrier and an inner surface of the ring gear, wherein a portion of the sun gear is capable of engaging the first clutch, a second clutch being at least partially coupled to an outer surface of the ring gear and an inner surface of the housing, and wherein the planetary gear drive system is configured and arranged to engage the first clutch under a first torque condition and engage the second clutch under a second torque condition. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of assembling a starter machine, the method comprising:
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coupling a motor to a first shaft; coupling a pinion to a second shaft; coupling a planetary gear drive system to the first shaft and the second shaft, the planetary gear drive system comprising a planetary gear system and a first clutch being substantially adjacent to a second clutch; and configuring the planetary gear drive system so that when the first clutch is engaged, the motor rotates the pinion at a first rotational speed and when the second clutch is engaged, the motor rotates the pinion at a second rotational speed that is lower than the first rotational speed. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification