Importance

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Abstract

A pneumatic starter arrangement includes a pneumatic actuator having a piston supporting for axial displacement a starter pinion to engage or disengage a flywheel gear of an internal combustion engine. A pressure air source is connected to the actuator via a supply branch conduit including a pilot valve. A starter motor which rotates the starter pinion is connected to the pressure air supply via a main control valve. To insure flawless engagement of the starter pinion with the flywheel gear, a bypass conduit with a relief valve is connected between the supply branch conduit and the starter motor. The main control valve is normally in its closed position and is controlled by a switching conduit leading to a port in the pneumatic actuator so that when the piston of the actuator displaces the starter pinion in its fully engaged position, the main control valve is switched on and the starter motor is activated. When the starter pinion fails to engage the flywheel gear the relief valve opens and the starter pinion is slightly retracted and the engagement attempt is repeated so long until full engagement is achieved. A resistance-to-flow element is conneced to the bypass conduit.

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First Claim