United Technologies Motor Systems, Inc.

United Technologies Electro Systems, Inc.

Early C McKnight

James Wayne Gibson

Bobby E McMillen

William N Johnston

An electric starter having an electric motor with a rotatable shaft, a pinion gear for driving a flywheel, and a friction clutch for transmitting torque which includes a drive plate connected to the shaft and a friction coupling for frictionally transmitting torque between the drive plate and pinion gear wherein the coupling is compressible and a stop limits compression to a predetermined maximum compression so as to set a predetermined slip torque or limit torque transfer to a predetermined maximum torque.

Torque limiting starter drive clutch assembly

The space between a pinion and starter case in an electric starter is sealed by a flexible disk. This disk rotates on the pinion. The pinion contains a circular slot for the disk, which has a central cut-out portion in the profile of the pinion teeth, which hold the disk in place in the slot once the disk is installed. The disk is installed by lightly forcing it over the teeth on the pinion. This seal blocks path for particulate and contaminants into the interior of the starter through the space between the pinion and the starter case.

Starter motor with a pinion seal

A double insulated starter motor for use with power equipment. A combination of insulating members about a motor together with various insulating members for electrically isolating the starter gear from the motor are collectively utilized to effect double insulation of a starter designed for use with power equipment, especially outdoor equipment subject to adverse environmental and operating conditions.

Growing community of inventors

Columbus, MS, United States of America

Early C McKnight