Engine starting motor anti-milling devie
First Claim
1. A starting system for an internal combustion engine, the starting system comprising:
- a battery;
an electric starter motor;
a first switch operable to make and break an electrical connection between said battery and said electric starter motor;
means for storing an electric charge;
a second switch operable to make and break an electrical connection between said electric starter motor and said means for storing an electric charge; and
a sensor operable to detect a predetermined electrical parameter in said electrical connection between said battery and said electric starter motor and to transmit a signal actuating said second switch.
22 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A power module is connected to the starter, alternator, and battery for an internal combustion engine. The power module includes one or more capacitors and delay timer. When the ignition switch closes, the battery of the starting system provides current to the starter motor, causing the starter solenoid to close the starter contacts, and bring a starter pinion gear into engagement with a flywheel ring gear. The delay timer does not allow the capacitor to immediately deliver current to the starter motor, but implements a short delay before the capacitor'"'"'s current is released to the starter motor. This short delay increases the chance for full engagement between the starter pinion and the flywheel ring gear, thereby reducing the likelihood of milling when the starter motor provides torque to the starter pinion.
53 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A starting system for an internal combustion engine, the starting system comprising:
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a battery;
an electric starter motor;
a first switch operable to make and break an electrical connection between said battery and said electric starter motor;
means for storing an electric charge;
a second switch operable to make and break an electrical connection between said electric starter motor and said means for storing an electric charge; and
a sensor operable to detect a predetermined electrical parameter in said electrical connection between said battery and said electric starter motor and to transmit a signal actuating said second switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A starting system for an internal combustion engine comprising:
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an electric starter motor;
a battery electrically connected to said electric starter motor via a switched connected; and
a unitary control module, said unitary control module comprising;
(i) a housing, (ii) means for storing an electric charge, said means for storing an electric charge disposed within said housing, (iii) a sensor disposed within said housing, said sensor operable to detect a predetermined electrical parameter in said switched electrical connection between said electric starter motor and said battery, and (iv) a switch disposed within said housing, said switch operable to make and break an electrical connection between said means for storing an electric charge and said starter motor, said switch being responsive to a signal from said sensor. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A starting system for an internal combustion engine, the starting system comprising:
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a battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal;
an electric starter motor;
a first switch operable to make and break a electrical connection between said battery and said electric starter motor;
means for storing an electric charge having a positive lead and a negative lead; and
a current limiting device, said current limiting device electrically connected between said positive lead of said means for storing an electric charge and said electric starter motor, said current limiting device operable to permit pulses of direct current to flow from said positive lead of said means for storing an electric charge to said electric starter motor. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A starting system for an internal combustion engine, the starting system comprising:
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a battery;
an electric starter motor comprising a moveable pinion gear drive shaft;
a first switch operable to make and break an electrical connection between said battery and said electric starter motor;
means for storing an electric charge;
a second switch operable to make and break an electrical connection between said electric starter motor and said means for storing an electric charge; and
a sensor operable to actuate said second switch upon detecting that said moveable pinion gear drive shaft is in a predetermined position. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A starting system for an internal combustion engine, the starting system comprising:
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a battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal;
an electric starter motor;
a first switch operable to make and break a electrical connection between said battery and said electric starter motor; and
a current boosting device, said current boosting device electrically connected between said positive terminal of said battery and said electric starter motor, said current boosting device operable to enhance the cranking current provided to said electric starter motor.
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Specification