Engine starting motor anti-milling device
View Patent ↗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.
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.
2. The starting system of claim 1 , wherein said predetermined electrical parameter is a voltage threshold.
3. The starting system of claim 1 , wherein said predetermined electrical parameter is a current threshold.
4. The starting system of claim 1 , wherein said signal actuating said second switch comprises a control signal causing said second switch to make an electrical connection between said electric starter motor and said means for storing an electric charge, said control signal being transmitted a predetermined time after said predetermined electrical parameter is detected.
5. The starting system of claim 4 , wherein said predetermined time is at least about 0.2 seconds.
6. The starting system of claim 1 , wherein said signal actuating said second switch comprises a control signal causing said second switch to break an electrical connection between said electric starter motor and said means for storing an electric charge, said control signal being transmitted a predetermined time after said predetermined electrical parameter is detected.
7. The starting system of claim 6 , wherein said predetermined time is at least about 25 seconds.
8. The starting system of claim 1 , wherein said means for storing an electric charge comprises one or more capacitors.
9. The starting system of claim 1 , wherein said means for storing an electric charge comprises one or more batteries.
10. A starting system for an internal combustion engine comprising:
an electric starter motor;
a battery electrically connected to said electric starter motor via a switched electrical connection; 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.
11. The starting system for an internal combustion engine of claim 10 , wherein said predetermined electrical parameter is a voltage threshold.
12. The starting system for an internal combustion engine of claim 10 , wherein said predetermined electrical parameter is a current threshold.
13. The starting system for an internal combustion engine of claim 10 , wherein said signal comprises a control signal causing said switch to make an electrical connection between said starter motor and said means for storing an electric charge, said control signal being transmitted a predetermined time after said predetermined electrical parameter is detected.
14. The starting system for an internal combustion engine of claim 13 , wherein said predetermined time is at least about 0.2 seconds.
15. The starting system for an internal combustion engine of claim 10 , wherein said signal comprises a control signal causing said switch to break an electrical connection between said electric starter motor and said means for storing an electric charge, said control signal being transmitted a predetermined time after said predetermined electrical parameter is detected.
16. The starting system for an internal combustion engine of claim 15 , wherein said predetermined time is at least about 25 seconds.
17. The starting system of claim 10 , wherein said means for storing an electric charge comprises one or more capacitors.
18. The starting system of claim 10 , wherein said means for storing an electric charge comprises one or more batteries.
19. A starting system for an internal combustion engine, the starting system comprising:
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.
20. The starting system of claim 19 , wherein said means for storing an electric charge comprises one or more capacitors.
21. The starting system of claim 19 , wherein said means for storing an electric charge comprises one or more batteries.