Remote starting system for a combustion engine

Abstract

A system is disclosed for enabling a user to start an engine from a remote location, utilizing a receiver for receiving a command signal from a remote transmitter operated by the user, the receiver generating signals to control operation of the starting system. The system enables the user, from the remote location, to effect selective momentary pumping of fuel into the engine prior to activation of the starting operation, and then to start the engine. The system may include apparatus for maintaining the throttle of the engine substantially open until the engine is started and then closing the throttle to an idling position, with automatic momentary pumping of additional fuel into the engine at predetermined intervals during the running of the engine in accordance with the starting operation. Protective apparatus may be included with the system to prevent activation of the starting operation at any time a manually controlled starting switch has been activated prior to activation of the starting system. Additional protective devices may be included to prevent improper activation of the momentary fuel feed apparatus by the user after the engine has been started, and to stop the engine upon the occurrence of any of several predetermined events, including excessively prolonged activation of the starter motor without starting of the engine, opening the door or applying the brake of the vehicle in which the system and engine may be installed, or the idling of the engine for a predetermined period of time under control of a starting system.

I claim: 
     
       1. A system to enable a user to start, from a remote location, a combustion engine having an electric starter motor and a source of electrical potential associated therewith, said system comprising: a receiver for receiving a control signal selectively generated by said user;   means coupled to said receiver and responsive to selective, repetitive receptions of said control signal for selective, repetitive, user-controlled pumping of fuel into said engine prior to activation of a starting operation; .[.and.].   means also coupled to said receiver and responsive to the last of said receptions of said control signal for activating said starting operation and connecting said potential source to said starter motor.Iadd.; and   means for preventing any said selective pumping by said user after said starting operation has been activated until said starting operation has been terminated.Iaddend..   
     
     
       2. A system according to claim 1 further comprising means for activating desired auto accessories concurrently with said pumping. .[.3. A system according to claim 1 further comprising means for preventing any said selective pumping by said user after said starting operation has been 
     
     
        activated until said starting operation has been terminated..]. 4. A system according to claim 1 further comprising means for maintaining the throttle of said engine substantially open during said starting operation until said engine has been started and then closing said throttle to an idling position, whereby additional fuel may be provided to said engine during the initial portion of the starting operation which avoiding 
     
     
        overspeeding the engine once started. 5. A system according to claim 1 further comprising means for automatically effecting momentary pumping of fuel into said engine at a plurality of predetermined intervals during said starting operation. .[.6. A system according to claim 1 further comprising means for preventing any said pumping of fuel into said engine, 
     
     
        by user operation of said system, while said engine is running..]. 7. A system according to claim 1 wherein a manually operated switch is interposed between said source of electrical potential and said starter motor, and further comprising means for disabling said starting operation 
     
     
        activating means when said manually operated switch is activated. 8. A system according to claim 7 further comprising protective means for preventing activation, by any signal within said system, of any momentary 
     
     
        fuel pumping means while said disabling means is activated. 9. A system according to claim 1 further comprising protective means for preventing activation of said starting operation by externally generated electrical transients and noise, said protective means comprising a capacitor connected, with its polarity reversed, between the emitter and base of a transistor in said starting operation activating means with a resistor 
     
     
        connected across said capacitor. 10. A system according to claim 1 further comprising means to stop said engine upon receipt of said control signal 
     
     
        from said user at said remote location. 11. A system according to claim 1 further comprising means for de-energizing said starting operation activating means and disconnecting said potential source from said starter motor if the engine does not start within a predetermined time after said potential source is connected to said starter motor by said starting 
     
     
        operation activating means. 12. A system according to claim 1 further comprising means for de-energizing said starting operation activating means and stopping the engine after the engine has been started and has run in accordance with said starting operation for a predetermined period 
     
     
        of time. 13. A system according to claim 1 further comprising means to detect starting of said engine and to disconnect said potential source from said starter motor upon said starting, and to detect subsequent stalling of said engine during said starting operation and to reconnect said potential source to said starter motor subsequent to said stalling.