Two-stage starting system for internal combustion engine incorporates separate starter motors for low-speed and high-speed cranking

摘要

The internal combustion engine (3) has gear teeth on the flywheel (4) as usual, but there are two separate starter motors, each with its own pinion which may slide in and out of mesh with the teeth on the flywheel. The first starter (1) may have a small pinion, and is energized first, to crank the engine at low speed with plenty of torque to overcome friction if the engine is stiff. The second starter (2) has a comparatively large pinion and may crank the engine at a higher speed. The pinion of the first starter disengages as the engine starts to overrun it. When the second starter is up to speed, fuel injection commences, and the internal combustion engine starts.