The Purchase Department.
Page 18
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Where to Buy your Supplies. •
The Broil Electric Engine Starter.
An electric self-starter which has been on the market for a considerable while past, and which has been giving very satisfactory results under actual working conditions, is the Brolt, marketed by Brown Bros., Ltd., Great Eastern Street, liondon, E.C. The construction of the Brolt is most ingenious, and yet very simple in its working. It consists of a series wound electric motor, which transmits the power to
the engine through the medium of a gear ring mounted on the flywheel. The supply of energy for the motor is obtained from a suitable battery.
With the Brolt self-starter the transmission is by means of a small pinion mounted on a floating spigot which is driven by the armature shaft. The pinion meshes with a gear ring on the flywheel. A distinctive feature of this outfit is the manner in which engagement of the pinion and gear ring is effected. The two gears are brought automatically into mesh directly the armature commences to revolve, but as soon as the engine fires, the gears are automatically thrown out of mesh, so that the edges of the engaging teeth cannot foul. This lateral movement is controlled by two helically-shaped keys, which are cut on the pinion shaft, thus forming a screw thread? which engages with a quick-pitch groove in the driving end of the armature spindle.
The operation of the self-starter is as follows :— When the foot-operated starting knob is depressed, the motor tends to accelerate very rapidly, but owing to its inertia or flywheel effect, the spigot momentarily remains stationary, and in doing so it is caused to move longitudinally. It is then drawn into engagement with the teeth on the flywheel, until it reaches the limit of its travel, when both the shaft and pinion rotate together and drive the flywheel. This action is very rapid and takes place before the armature has developed any appreciable speed, so that when the drive is taken up, little shock would take place ; a damping spring, however, is provided. Immediately the engine fires, the flywheel tends to overrun the armature of the starter, so that a reverse action takes place and the flywheel teeth commence to drive the pinion. It will be understood that this movement will at once unscrew the pinion extension out of the armature spindle, so that the pinion slides out of mesh, where it remains until the starter is again operated.
. In order to render it impossible for the teeth of the meshing wheels to be damaged, a small friction disc is mounted alongside the spigot pinion, whilst in front of the toothed ring the flywheel is turned to a slightly larger diameter than the remainder. Consequently, should the starter be inadvertently operated whilst the engine is running the pinion would tend to come into mesh it, however, makes contact with the increased diameter of the flywheel, is quickly accelerated, overruns the armature, and is then thrown out of engagement.
On account of its simplicity and ingenious working, the Brolt self-starter should make a ready appeal to those users and manufacturers of commercial vehicles who are of opinion that such a device is necessary.
Vandervell Extensions in the Midlands.
Many of our readers are undoubtedly aware that the well-known firm of electrical engineers, C. A. Vandervell and Co., Warple Way, Acton Vale, London, W., have for a number of years carried on an extensive business at Birmingham. In order to cope with an ever-increasing demand, the firm have found it necessary to extend their Midland premises, and have opened a spacious garage, where repairs, overhauling or the installation of complete C.A.V. starting and lighting sets can be carried out quickly by competent men. A stock is also kept of all C.A.V. goods and spare parts.
Clients will be conducted round the new and wellequipped showrooms, should they so desire, and there can be seen the different types of C.A.V. specialities, whilst the operation of the various starting and lighting sets can also be demonstrated.