Kohler Company

Alvin P Fenton

Roger T Gault

Lawrence J Bernauer

Raymond J Ganowsky

A rotary solenoid having an output shaft that is indirectly coupled to the rotor or armature of the solenoid, for rotation independently of or coupled to the solenoid. In one application of the solenoid the shaft is rotated through a limited range by a bimetallic torsional element, which is overridden by operation of the solenoid to increase the range of rotation. The range of travel can be limited by a disc having a slotted peripheral flange between the solenoid rotor and the output shaft. The armature has an integral hub and spaced poles with the pole pieces being rotatably positionable within the space between the hub and poles. Structure of the unit is very simple and all parts are readily accessible for adjustment and servicing.

Rotary solenoid with indirectly coupled output shaft

A carburetor having a venturi constriction within an air passage leading to the engine intake manifold, a fuel bowl with a discharge nozzle for delivering fuel to the venturi constriction, and a bowl vent passage between the fuel bowl and a position at atmospheric pressure, includes a duct communicating between the venturi constriction and the fuel bowl. A solenoid valve is disposed in the bowl vent passage and is operatively connected to the ignition; the valve is open when the ignition is turned on so that the fuel bowl is exposed to atmospheric pressure allowing the nozzle to discharge fuel into the venturi constriction, and it is closed when the ignition is turned off. With the valve closed, the pressures in the venturi constriction and the fuel bowl are equalized preventing the flow of fuel through the nozzle to the venturi constriction and inhibiting 'dieseling' after ignition shut-off.

Engine shutdown control

A magnetic armature piece particularly adapted for use with a rotary solenoid includes a pair of high permeability ferro-magnetic rotary poles which are fixed in relationship to each other by relatively thin bridges which connect magnetically neutral regions on the poles so that the required magnetic flux properties of the poles are not lost. Rotary solenoids in which the described magnetic armature piece is employed are more reliable than conventional solenoids because the poles cannot become misaligned during assembly or use.

Magnetic armature piece for rotary solenoid

An automatic choke for an internal combustion engine includes a rotary solenoid which is energized when the engine is cranked by the starter motor. During starting, the solenoid rotates a choke valve to its starting position in which choking is applied, and a bimetallic temperature responsive spring coupling the solenoid to the choke valve adjusts the amount of choking in response to the ambient temperature. A stop element limits the range over which the bimetallic spring adjusts the position of the choke valve.

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Oostburg, WI, United States of America

Alvin P Fenton