Abstract:
A method and apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a convolute spring disposed about an arbor which in turn is coaxially mounted upon a crankshaft of the engine. The spring serves to drive the crankshaft through a one-way clutch operably connected between the arbor and the crankshaft. The spring is fastened at the other end to a spring casing which is mounted for unidirectional rotation about the crankshaft. A spring rewind drive train drivingly connects the crankshaft with the spring casing and is operable to rotate the spring casing to rewind the starter spring upon starting of the internal combustion engine. A hydraulic system is provided for automatically resetting a starter spring release to rewind the starter spring upon starting of the engine. A hydraulic lock-out means automatically terminates the rewinding operation upon winding the spring to a predetermined extend. The lock-out precludes overwinding and excessive wear during operation of the engine. The method includes the steps of releasing a spring biased arbor connected through a one-way clutch to the engine crankshaft, transmitting torque energy from a wound spring to the engine crankshaft for rotating the crankshaft and starting the internal combustion engine. Further, the method includes hydraulically resetting the arbor arm to stop rotation thereof automatically upon starting of the internal combustion engine, rewinding the starter spring for subsequent use, and hydraulically terminating the rewinding process upon the starter spring achieving a rewound condition.
Abstract:
An eddy current dynamometer speed control circuit includes transistors connected in series with the motor field coil and the absorbing field coil to control the current in the coils in a continuously variable manner to effect changes between a braking mode and a motoring mode responsively to dynamometer speed changes. The speed control circuit utilizes a regulated voltage onto which is impressed a tachometer signal having an amplitude related to the speed of the dynamometer input/output shaft. Control voltages for the transistors are applied through Zener diodes each of which function as a threshold circuit to control the initial acceleration of the input/output shaft of the dynamometer and for causing a full motoring field to be applied responsively to abnormally large speed drops for quick recovery. A current sharing transistor circuit is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for preventing injury to an operator of a chain saw of the type having a housing including a frame handle and a control handle, a guide rail connected to the housing, a cutting chain operably carried by the guide rail, power means mounted within the housing including a drive shaft operably connectable with the cutting chain, sprocket means meshed in driving engagement with the cutting chain and clutch means at least in part connected to the drive shaft and operable for selectively connecting the drive shaft and the clutch means for driving the cutting chain. The apparatus includes in combination with the foregoing described chain saw a disc means fixedly connected to the sprocket and operably engageable with the clutch means in a driving relationship. Means are provided for biasing at least a portion of the disc into operable driving engagement with the clutch means. A cam means is connected within the housing and is operably engageable with the disc. An actuation system is connected to the housing for actuating the cam against the disc in response to at least one of an abrupt upward pivot or ''''kick'''' of the guide rail generally about the center of gravity of the chain saw and physical engagement of at least a portion of the actuation system by an operator''s hand slipping from the frame handle. Actuation of this system serves to overcome the bias and disengage the disc from driving engagement with the clutch to thus remove driving torque from the cutting chain. An independent apparatus aspect of the invention is the provision of an inertia actuation system for operably disengaging a chain saw drive shaft from a cutting chain in the event an abrupt upward pivot or ''''kick'''' of the guide rail generally about the center of gravity of the chain saw is encountered. The method includes the steps of providing a disc fixedly connected to the cutting chain drive sprocket, biasing a portion of the disc into operable driving engagement with the chain saw clutch and driving the cutting chain by driving torque applied from the drive shaft through the clutch, the disc and the sprocket. The method further includes providing a cam operably carried for rotation within the chain saw housing and being engageable with the disc and actuating the cam in response to at least one of an upward pivot or ''''kick'''' of the guide rail generally about the center of gravity of the chain saw, and physical engagement of at least a portion of the actuating system by an operator''s hand slipping from the frame handle for overcoming the bias on the disc and disengaging the disc from driving engagement with the clutch to remove driving torque from the sprocket and cutting chain.
Abstract:
The nose of a chain saw blade is radiused along its edges. The radiused nose is then grit blasted to roughen its surface and to remove any oxides. A first layer of particulate hard facing material is applied to the radiused nose and fused to obtain a metallurgical bond between the nose and the first layer. A second layer of hard facing is then welded to the prepared first layer with an inert gas shielded arc process without marked penetration into the nose''s parent material. The hard facing is then finished by grinding.
Abstract:
Apparatus for reducing the noise level of an operating chain saw characterized by synergistically interacting exhaust conduit means, surge chamber means, and acoustic filter means, possibly associated with arcuate deflector means or flexible reed, sound attenuating means.
Abstract:
A centrifugal clutch mechanism comprising a drive member, a driven member and a plurality of centrifugally actuatable clutch shoes connected to the driving member and radially engageable with the driven member. A plurality of C-shaped springs are circumferentially mounted about the clutch shoes to maintain the shoes in a retracted posture when the driving member is idle. The plurality of C-shaped springs are positioned about the clutch shoes with open portions of the C-shaped springs staggered in order to provide a balanced restraining force on the clutch shoes.
Abstract:
A lightweight chain saw including a starting mechanism for starting the saw while the saw engine is cold and a restarting mechanism for restarting the saw while the saw engine is warm. A method and apparatus for rewinding a starter spring characterized by a starter energy generating system which is continuously engaged with a starter spring and by a friction clutch which is continuously engaged with and operable to disable a reaction device in order to divert energy away from the starter spring. Methods and apparatus for indicating the level of energy in an engine mechanism and for permitting selective adjustment of the level of starter energy stored in the mechanism.
Abstract:
A method of measuring a selected unit of energy such as a watt hour comprising the steps of measuring the current flowing through a load, measuring the voltage across the load, generating a first series of periodic pulses related in width to the rms value of the current measured and related in amplitude to the rms value of the voltage measured, integrating the first series of pulses, and generating a second series of pulses related in number to the integral by generating a pulse each time that a capacitor is charged from the integrated signal to a predetermined voltage. The range of measurement is extended by modifying the method so that the first series of pulses are not directly integrated but rather are first converted to a second series of pulses from a constant current source which second series of pulses are integrated. The invention also relates to the electronic circuitry of a watt hour meter including means for generating a series of pulses having a width directly related to the measured current, means for multiplying the series of pulses representing the measured current and the unknown voltage, means for integrating the multiplied signal, and means for developing a series of pulses related in number to the integral by generating a pulse each time that a capacitor is charged from the integrated signal to a predetermined value.