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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Electric starting apparatus

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5730554

An electric starting system is described for cranking an engine comprising, a source of voltage, an electric starter comprising an electric cranking motor and a solenoid having pull-in and hold-in coils and a shiftable plunger, a pinion that is shifted by movement of the plunger that is adapted to mesh with the ring gear of the engine, switch means having first and second contacts that are at times electrically connected by a contactor shiftable by movement of the plunger, a manually operable start switch, means connecting the start switch and the hold-in coil in series and across the voltage source whereby the hold-in coil is energized when the start switch is closed and is deenergized when the start switch is opened, means connecting one side of the voltage source to the first contact, means connecting an opposite side of the voltage source to one side of the cranking motor, a circuit connecting the first contact to an opposite side of the cranking motor comprising in a series connection the pull-in coil and the current carrying electrodes of a semiconductor switch, a circuit connecting the second contact to the opposite side of the cranking motor, and means connecting a control electrode of the semiconductor switch to the start switch such that the semiconductor switch is biased conductive between its current carrying electrodes to energize the pull-in coil when the start switch is closed.

Assignee:
General Motors Corp., Detroit, MI
Patent Number(s):
US 4586467
OSTI ID:
5730554
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English