Remote Control Engine Starter

Abstract

In addition to the usual electrical circuit for the ignition system and the starter motor, the engine is provided with a parallel auxiliary circuit that is closed by remote control. A first timer opens the auxiliary circuit if the engine does not start in approximately ten seconds. If the engine does start, a second timer opens the auxiliary circuit in approximately ten minutes to stop the engine. When the engine starts, a switch means of a vacuum actuator de-energizes both the starter motor and the ten second timer. At the same time, the throttle advance means of the vacuum actuator, which advanced the throttle prior to engine starting, acts to slowly allow the throttle to move to the normal engine-idle position. After the engine starts, the switch means of the vacuum actuator turns on either the heater or the air conditioner, and in addition creates a signal to indicate the starting of the engine. The signal created may be used to energize one or more of the horn, the vehicle emergency lights, and a radio transmitter.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system for automatically starting an internal combustion engine in the absence of an operator, such a system being applicable to automotive vehicles, boats, airplanes, stationary power plants and the like. The starting system may be controlled for example by a clock or a timer or a sensing device such as a thermostat. For remote control the starting system may respond to various command signals including electrical signals, electromagnetic signals, and sonic signals. By way of example and illustration, the invention is described herein as specifically directed to the radio controlled starting of an automobile engine together with an accessory such as a heater or air conditioner for modifying the ambient temperature inside the automobile.

The invention is concerned with certain requirements for a remotely controlled engine starting system. One requirement is that the invention employ radio command signals without the necessity of an FCC operating license. A second requirement is that there be a predetermined and adjustable time limit on the operation of the starter motor in the event that the engine does not start promptly. Another requirement is that the engine stop automatically after a predetermined and adjustable time period. There should be a safeguard to prevent inadvertent starting of the engine when the hood is lifted by anyone for access to the engine. There should be an override capability for the safety switch in order to allow operating the system with the hood up. If the hood is closed with the safety switch in this override position, the switch will automatically return to its normal safety state. In addition, some provision should be made to prevent any unauthorized person from driving the car during the engine warm-up period.

Numerous remote and automatic engine starting systems are disclosed in the prior art, as exemplified, for example, by the following relatively recent U.S. Pat. Nos.: 2,952,782; 3,172,400; 3,357,417; 3,532,895; and 3,553,472. Such prior art systems, however, fall far short of the ideal for various reasons. Among the reasons are complexity, installation difficulties, operational shortcomings, undue cost, and failure to achieve satisfactory reliability for a reasonably long service life.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides the automobile with an auxiliary electrical circuit that is normally open and is connected to the car battery in parallel with the usual or regular electrical circuit. The regular electrical circuit which energizes the ignition system, the starter, the lights, the horn, and automobile accessories includes the usual ignition switch and includes the usual neutral safety switch which prevents operation of the starter if the gear shift lever is not in neutral or in park position.

The normally open auxiliary circuit is controlled by a normally open switch which is closed by a command signal from a remote radio receiver, but a safety switch keeps the auxiliary circuit open to prevent starting the engine if the hood is up. Closing the auxiliary operating circuit starts both a short interval timer and a long interval timer, energizes the ignition system, and energizes the starter motor solenoid.

If the engine does not start in ten seconds, the short interval timer opens the auxiliary operating circuit which is then ready to be closed again by a new command signal from the remote transmitter.

If the engine does start within the time period set by the short interval timer, suitable means responsive to starting of the engine carries out four functions, namely: (1) shuts off the starter motor; (2) shuts off the short interval timer; (3) turns on either the car heater or the car air conditioner; and (4) creates a signal of some kind to indicate that the engine has started. Three kinds of signals may be created simultaneously, namely, a brief audible signal by the car horn, a visual signal by flashing the emergency lights of the automobile, and a brief radio signal by a radio transmitter at the automobile. Any or all three signals may be omitted if desired. The means for carrying out the four functions is a fluid-pressure-responsive means which may be controlled either by drop in pressure in the intake manifold or rise in pressure in the exhaust manifold.

If the engine runs for a warm-up period of say ten minutes, the long interval timer opens the auxiliary operating circuit to stop the engine and then, if desired, the starting cycle may be initiated again by a radio command signal.

By inserting the car key and turning the ignition switch on within the time period set by the long interval timer, the driver transfers control from the auxiliary operating circuit to the regular operating circuit with consequent automatic opening and re-setting of the auxiliary circuit. If an unauthorized person attempts to drive the car during the warm-up period, either shifting the gear lever out of neutral or park or depressing the brake pedal serves to open auxiliary operating circuit to kill the engine.

A feature of the invention is that the remote radio transmitter is limited to only a momentary radio command signal, say a 1 second signal, to minimize interference with other transmitters and to avoid the necessity for obtaining an FCC operating license. In addition, circuitry inherent in the transmitter limits to approximately 1 minute the off periods between successive command signals.

The invention further teaches that the fluid-pressure-responsive means that carries out the previously mentioned four functions may have the additional function of controlling the engine throttle. For this purpose the invention provides spring means acting on the throttle linkage to serve as retainer means to keep the throttle advanced when the engine is not running. When autonomous operation of the engine is initiated by the starter motor the fluid-pressure-responsive means permits the advanced throttle to retract slowly to its normal engine-idle position but if the engine starts to die the spring means advances the throttle again. Thus, the fluid-pressure-responsive means serves as a feedback control that senses faltering of the engine and acts promptly to keep the engine running.

Further features and advantages of the invention may be understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are to be regarded as merely illustrative:

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of the remote control circuitry at the automobile;

FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of novel circuitry in a pocket sized transceiver that is employed for remote control in the presently preferred practice of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a more detailed diagram of the remote control system on the automobile.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

MODE OF OPERATION

The manner in which the remote control system functions for its purpose may be readily understood by reference to the simplified diagram in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows a portion of the usual or regular electrical circuit of the automobile including the car battery, the ignition system, the neutral safety switch which is operated by the gear shift lever, the starter motor solenoid, the brake lights that are operated by a brake switch 10, the car heater which is controlled by a dash switch 12, the air conditioner which is controlled by a dash switch 14, the emergency lights, and the usual horn. The connections to the emergency lights and the horn from the regular operating circuit are not shown.

The remote control system shown in FIG. 1 adds an auxiliary electrical circuit which is connected to the car battery in parallel with the regular electrical circuit. The auxiliary circuit includes three switches S-2, S-4, and S-5 in series with the car battery. Switch S-4 is a master on-off switch and switch S-5 is a hood safety switch which opens when the hood is raised but is provided with an override to keep the auxiliary circuit closed while the hood is raised if a mechanic at the hood so desires. As indicated by the dotted line 15, a radio receiver at the automobile is effective to close switch S-2 whenever the radio receiver is activated by a command signal from a remote control transmitter.

The auxiliary circuit includes an "OR" gate G-1 having five inputs. As indicated by the dotted line 16 an output signal from the gate G-1 is effective to open switch S-2 to break the auxiliary operating circuit.

The auxiliary circuit further includes a previously mentioned fluid-pressure-responsive means which is responsive to starting of the automobile engine and which may take various forms in various practices of the invention. In this instance the fluid-pressure-responsive means which is designated "A" in the drawings is operated by the vacuum in the engine intake. Operation of the vacuum actuator "A" opens a pair of normally closed contacts A-1, closes a pair of normally open contacts A-2, and only momentarily closes a pair of normally open contacts A-3.

The closing of switch S-2 in response to a radio command signal causes the car battery to energize a long interval ten minute timer T-1 and to energize the ignition system through a diode D-2. At the same time the battery is connected through a diode D-5 to one side of the usual neutral safety switch that is operated by the gear shift lever. With the neutral safety switch in its normal closed position, the normally closed pair of contacts A-1 energize both the starter motor solenoid and a short interval ten second timer T-2.

If the engine does not start within the ten second setting of timer T-2, the timer energizes gate G-1 through a line 18 to cause switch S-2 to de-energize the auxiliary circuit and thereby de-energize the starter motor solenoid as well as the ignition system. The opening of switch S-2 resets the remote control system to permit a subequent radio command signal to initiate a new cycle.

If the engine does start while the ten second timer is still running, the normally closed pair of contacts A-1 open to de-evergize both the ten second timer and the starter motor solenoid. The starting of the engine also closes the normally open pair of contacts A-2 to energize either the heater or the air conditioner. The closing of the normally open pair of contacts A-2 also energizes the emergency lights through diode D-4 to cause the emergency lights to flash and thereby provide a visual signal to indicate that the engine is running. The starting of the engine also momentarily closes the normally open pair of contacts A-3 to cause momentary energization of the horn and momentary energization of a radio transmitter at the car. The horn provides a brief audible signal to indicate that the engine has started and the momentary energization of the radio transmitter results in a radio signal indicating that the engine has started.

Once the engine has started it continues to run for a warm-up period that is terminated when the ten minute timer T-1 sends a signal through line 20 to gate G-1 to open switch S-2 to stop the engine. Thus, the auxiliary circuit is reset for subsequent operation by a radio command signal.

If an unauthorized person attempts to drive the car during the 10 minute running period, manual operation of the gear shift lever causes the neutral safety switch to connect the car battery to a line 22 to energize gate G-1 to cause switch S-2 to open, thereby stopping the engine. In like manner, if the brake pedal of the car is depressed during the running period the brake pedal switch 10 connects the battery to a line 24 to energize gate G-1 for opening of the switch S-2.

If the driver returns to the car and operates the ignition switch within the running period, the regular operating circuit of the car is thereby connected to the ignition system through diode D-3 and is connected to the heater and the air conditioner through diode D-6. At the same time the ignition switch connects the battery through a line 26 to gate G-1 to open the auxiliary operating circuit.

THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF A TRANSCEIVER FOR REMOTE CONTROL

FIG. 2 shows diagrammatically the novel features of a pocket-sized transceiver which is preferred for remote control. The transmitter and the receiver of the transceiver are both connected to a common antenna and the receiver is connected to a suitable speaker. A command signal is created by depressing a push button momentarily to momentarily close two switches 28 and 30. A battery 32 is connected to one side of switch 30 and is connected to one side of a resistor 34. The second side of the resistor 34 is connected to one side of a grounded capacitor 35 is connected to one side of the switch 28. The second side of the switch 28 is connected by a wire 36 to the transmitter and the second side of the switch 30 is connected by a wire 38 to the receiver.

Normally the capacitor 35 is fully charged with the two switches 28 and 30 open. The closing of switch 38 discharges the capacitor 35 to the transmitter 36 to create a radio command signal having a duration of approximately 1 second. At the same time the closing of the switch 30 energizes the receiver to inform the operator that a radio signal has been transmitted from the automobile's transmitter indicating that the engine is running.

When the push button is released to open the two switches 28 and 30, battery 32 recharges capacitor 35 through resistor 34 but by virtue of the retarding affect of the resistor it requires approximately 1 minute for the capacitor to be fully charged to the voltage of the battery. Thus, over a period of approximately 1 minute the voltage on the positive side of the capacitor 35 increases from zero to the voltage of the battery. The transmitter has an operating threshold that is just under the voltage of the battery 32 so that the capacitor 35 must be substantially fully charged to cause the transmitter to send a radio command signal to the receiver on the automobile. Thus, the capacitor 35 limits the duration of a command radio signal to approximately 1 second, and in conjunction with the resistor 34 limits to approximately one minute the off period between successive radio command signals. Because of the limitation imposed on the duration of the on and off periods of the radio signals, possible no FCC license will be required and more power can be used, resulting in operation over longer distances than is now possible.

SPECIFIFIC DETAILS OF THE REMOTE CONTROL CIRCUITRY

FIG. 3 shows specific details of the remote control system that is represented by the simplified diagram in FIG. 1.

The receiver is connected to the car's antenna by a wire 40 to receive remotely controlled command signals through the car's antenna. As indicated in the diagram, a transmitter is combined with the receiver and both are in series with switches S-4 and S-5 for energization by the car battery. The previously mentioned switch S-2 is in parallel with the receiver and transmitter and is in series with the two switches S-4 and S-5 as heretofore explained. The receiver incorporates a normally open switch S-1 which closes in response to and for duration of a radio command signal. The closing of switch S-1 energizes a coil K-1 that is in series with a normally closed grounded bi-stable switch S-3. Energization of the coil K-1 closes switch S-2 and latches switch S-2 in closed position through diode D-1, coil K-1 and switch S-3. The bi-stable switch S-3 closes in response to a signal from the receiver through a capacitor C-1 and opens in response to a signal from the gate G-1 through a capacitor C-2. The gate G-1 has five inputs, and any one of five input signals will open switch S-3 to open switch S-2 to de-energize the auxiliary operating system at the automobile.

The vacuum device "A" which is mounted on an adjustable bracket 41 is connected by a tube 42 to the engine intake for operation in response to a vacuum that is created in the engine intake when the engine starts. Vacuum device "A" incorporates a diaphragm 44 which is unitary with an axial operating member 45. A coil spring 46 acting on the diaphragm normally maintains the operating member 45 in such a position as to advance the normal throttle linkage. When a vacuum is created in the intake manifold by the starting of the engine, the vacuum flexes the diaphragm 44 leftward to a bowed position indicated by the dotted line, the normal function of the diaphragm being to retract the operating member 45 to permit the throttle linkage to slowly move to the engine-idle position. A feature of the invention is the concept of controlling the three pairs of contacts A-1, A-2, and A-3 by means of the operating member 45.

The operating member 45 is provided with a cam 50 to open the normally closed pair of contacts A-1 and is provided with a cam 52 to close the normally open pair of contacts A-2. In addition, the operating member 45 has a relatively small cam 53 which momentarily closes the normally open pair of contacts A-3 in the course of the longitudinal retraction movement of the operating member. It is obvious that the operation of the vacuum actuator may be adjusted by adjusting the bracket 41 and that the three switches A-1, A-2 and A-3 may be individually adjusted to provide the sequence desired for a particular engine.

As heretofore stated, when switch S-2 is closed in response to a radio command signal the car battery is connected to the ten minute timer T-1 and also is connected to the ignition system through the diode D-2 and is connected to one side of the neutral safety switch through diode D-5. With neutral safety switch in its normal closed position it connects the car battery to a wire 54 leading to one side of the normally closed pair of contacts A-1 and the other side of the normally closed pair of contacts is connected by a wire 55 to one side of the 10 second timer T-2 and one side of the starter motor solenoid.

The closing of switch S-2 not only starts timer T-1, but also energizes a wire 56 which is connected both to one side of the normally open pair of contacts A-2 and to one side of the normally open pair of contacts A-3. The second side of the normally open pair of contacts A-2 is connected by a wire 58 to the car heater and the car air conditioner and is connected by a wire 60 through a diode D-4 to turn on the emergency lights. The second side of the normally open pair of contacts A-3 is connected to the transmitter by a wire 62 and is connected to the horn relay by a wire 64. The ignition switch is connected to the ignition system through a diode D-3 and is connected to the car heater, the car air conditioner, and the emergency lights through a diode D-6.

The five leads to the input side of the gate G-1 comprise: a wire 71 in series with the brake pedal switch 10; a wire 65 from the ten second timer T-2; a wire 66 that is energized when the gear shift lever is moved out of either park or neutral; a wire 68 from the ten minute timer T-1; and a wire 70 from the ignition.

Our description in specific detail of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention will suggest various changes, substitutions and other departures from our disclosure within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. In a combination of an automotive vehicle and a starter system therefor,

wherein the vehicle has an engine, a usual engine operating circuit including a voltage source and an engine starter for energization by the operating circuit, and the engine has an intake manifold and a throttle linkage,

and wherein the automatic starter system includes a normally open auxiliary engine operating circuit at the vehicle in parallel with the usual operating circuit to operate said starter and to operate the engine, and the starter system includes means operable at the remote station to close the auxiliary circuit,

the improvement comprising:

means normally advancing the throttle linkage when the engine is not operating,

said advancing means being operative by a vacuum in the intake manifold to retract to permit the throttle linkage to retract when the engine is started;

and means operatively connected to said advancing means for operation by retraction of the advancing means to de-energize the starter when the

2. In a system for starting an engine which includes engine starting means at the engine, a radio receiver at the engine to activate the engine starting means and a radio transmitter at a remote station to send command signals to the receiver,

the improvement comprising means incorporated in the transmitter to limit the duration of the command signals to momentary time periods and to prevent repetition of a command signal for a substantial longer time period thereby to minimize interference with signals from other

3. An improvement as set forth in claim 2 in which the transmitter incorporates capacitor means to store a charge of sufficient magnitude to actuate the transmitter for the shorter time period;

and in which the transmitter incorporates means to generate a current of sufficient magnitude to charge the capacitor means over the longer time period but not of sufficient magnitude to actuate the transmitter in

4. The combination of an engine of an automobile and a system operable from a remote station for starting the engine, the automobile having the usual normally open engine operating circuit incorporating a voltage source and a starter for energization by the operating circuit,

said remotely controlled starting system including:

a transmitter at the remote station;

a receiver at the automobile to respond to command signals from the transmitter;

a normally open auxiliary engine operating circuit at the automobile including said starter for energization by the voltage source in parallel with said usual normally open engine operating circuit,

said auxiliary circuit being responsive to the receiver to close when the receiver responds to the transmitter;

a long interval timer for energization by the auxiliary circuit;

a short interval timer for energization by the auxiliary circuit;

means responsive to the engine to de-energize the starter and the short interval timer when the engine starts; and

cut-off means to de-energize the auxiliary operating circuit, said cut-off means including an "OR" gate having a plurality to input connections, the output of the "OR" gate being effective to de-energize the auxiliary operating circuit,

one input connection of the "OR" gate communicating with said short interval timer to de-energize the auxiliary circuit and the starter motor if the engine is not started within the time setting of the short interval timer,

a second input connection of the "OR" gate being connected to said long interval timer to de-energize the auxiliary circuit and thereby stop the

5. A combination as set forth in claim 4 in which the usual operating circuit of the automobile includes a switch energized by the battery which closes whenever the gear shift lever of the automobile is moved out of neutral or park and in which another of the input connections of the gate is in series with said switch to de-energize the auxiliary circuit and thereby stop the engine if an unauthorized person attempts to drive the

6. A combination as set forth in claim 4 in which a switch energized by the battery is responsive to the brake pedal of the automobile to close when the brake pedal is depressed;

and in which another input connection of the "OR" gate is in series with

7. In a combination of an internal combustion engine and a system for starting the engine in the absence of an operator,

wherein the engine has a starter motor and a throttle movable from a retracted engine-idling position to advanced positions,

and wherein said system energizes the starter motor temporarily to initiate autonomous operation of the engine,

the improvement comprising:

means to advance the throttle when the engine is not operating thereby to facilitate subsequent starting of the engine by the starter motor; and

means to retract the throttle to said retracted position in response to a

8. An improvement as set forth in claim 7 in which said retracting means retracts the throttle relatively slowly over a short time period so that if the engine starts to die during said time period, said advancing means

9. An improvement as set forth in claim 7 in which said advancing means includes spring means to urge advance of the throttle and said retracting means includes a diaphragm operable by fluid pressure to overcome the

10. An improvement as set forth in claim 9,

which includes switch means to de-energize the starter motor when autonomous operation of the engine is initiated;

and in which the switch means is operatively connected to the diaphragm.

11. The combination of a power plant and a system for starting the power plant in the absence of an operator, which power plant includes an engine, a usual normally open engine operating circuit incorporating a voltage source, an engine starter for energization by the operating circuit, a transmission for power flow from the engine to a load, and a safety switch in said circuit repsonsive to the transmission to close when the transmission is out of gear, said engine having an intake manifold and a throttle linkage;

said starting system comprising:

means to create a command signal;

a normally open auxiliary engine operating circuit at the power plant for energization by the voltage source, said auxiliary circuit being responsive to said command signal to close when a command signal is received;

a long interval timer for energization by the auxiliary circuit;

a short interval timer;

a normally closed switch in series with said safety switch for energization of both the short interval timer and the starter;

means responsive to the engine to open said normally closed switch to de-energize the short interval timer and the starter when the engine starts;

means responsive to the short interval timer to open the auxiliary circuit if the engine does not start within the time setting of the short interval timer;

means responsive to the long interval timer to open the auxiliary circuit at the end of the long interval of time,

retainer means, said retainer means being normally advanced to keep said throttle linkage advanced when the engine is not operating,

said retainer means being responsive to the vacuum created in the engine intake manifold to retract to permit the throttle linkage to retract when the engine is started,

said normally closed switch being responsive to said retainer means to be

12. The combination of the power plant and a system for starting the power plant in the absence of an operator, which power plant includes an engine, a usual normally open engine operating circuit incorporating a voltage source, an engine starter for energization by the operating circuit, a transmission for power flow from the engine to a load, and a safety switch in said circuit responsive to the transmission to close when the transmission is out of gear,

said engine being equipped with an intake manifold and a throttle linkage, said engine driving a vehicle, said vehicle being equipped with accessory means to influence the ambient temperature inside the vehicle,

said starting system comprising:

means to create a command signal;

a normally open auxiliary engine operating circuit at the power plant for energization by the voltage source, said auxiliary circuit being responsive to said command signal to close when a command signal is received;

a long interval timer for energization by the auxiliary circuit;

a short interval timer;

a normally closed switch in series with said safety switch for energization of both the short interval timer and the starter;

means responsive to the engine to open said normally closed switch to de-energize the short interval timer and the starter when the engine starts;

means responsive to the short interval timer to open the auxiliary circuit if the engine does not start within the time setting of the short interval timer;

means responsive to the long interval timer to open the auxiliary circuit at the end of the long interval of time;

a normally open switch for energization of the accessory means by the voltage source, said normally open switch being responsive to the engine to close when the engine starts; and

retainer means, said retainer means being normally advanced to keep the throttle linkage advanced when the engine is not operating,

said retainer means being operative by a vacuum in the engine intake manifold to retract to permit the throttle linkage to retract when the engine is started,

said normally open switch being operatively connected to said retainer

13. The combination of a power plant and a system for starting the power plant in the absence of an operator, which power plant includes an engine, a usual normally open engine operating circuit incorporating a voltage source, an engine starter for energization by the operating circuit, a transmission for power flow from the engine to a load, and a safety switch in said circuit responsive to the transmission to close when the transmission is out of gear,

said engine having an intake manifold, said engine driving a vehicle that is equipped with emergency lights, said vehicle having a throttle linkage,

said starting system comprising:

means to create a command signal;

a normally open auxiliary engine operating circuit at the power plant for energization by the voltage source, said auxiliary circuit being responsive to said command signal to close when a command signal is received;

a long interval timer for energization by the auxiliary circuit;

a short interval timer;

a normally closed switch in series with said safety switch for energization of both the short interval timer and the starter;

means responsive to the engine to open said normally closed switch to de-energize the short interval timer and the starter when the engine starts;

means responsive to the short interval timer to open the auxiliary circuit if the engine does not start within the time setting of the short interval timer;

means responsive to the long interval timer to open the auxiliary circuit at the end of the long interval of time;

switch means for energization of the emergency lights; and

retainer means, said retainer means being normally advanced to keep the throttle linkage advanced when the engine is not in operation,

said retainer means being operated by a vacuum in the engine intake manifold to retract to permit the throttle linkage to retract when the engine is started,

said switch means being operatively connected to said retainer means to be

14. The combination of a power plant and a system for starting the power plant in the absence of an operator, which power plant includes an engine, a usual normally open engine operating circuit incorporating a voltage source, an engine starter for energization by the operating circuit, a transmission for power flow from the engine to a load, and a safety switch in said circuit responsive to the transmission to close when the transmission is out of gear,

said engine having an intake manifold, said engine driving a vehicle that is equipped with a horn,

said starting system comprising:

means to create a command signal;

a normally open auxiliary engine operating circuit at the power plant for energization by the voltage source, said auxiliary circuit being responsive to said command signal to close when a command signal is received;

a long interval timer for energization by the auxiliary circuit;

a short interval timer;

a normally closed switch in series with said safety switch for energizaiton of both the short interval timer and the starter;

means responsive to the engine to open said normally closed switch to de-energize the short interval timer and the starter when the engine starts;

means responsive to the short interval timer to open the auxiliary circuit if the engine does not start within the time setting of the short interval timer;

means responsive to the long interval timer to open the auxiliary circuit at the end of the long interval of time;

means operable by the vacuum in said intake manifold when the engine is started; and

switch means to energize the horn, said switch means for the horn being responsive to said operable means to close briefly when the operable means

15. The combination of a power plant and a system for starting the power plant in the absence of an operator, which power plant includes an engine, a usual normally open engine operating circuit incorporating a voltage source, an engine starter for energization by the operating circuit, a transmission for power flow from the engine to a load, and a safety switch in said circuit responsive to the transmission to close when the transmission is out of gear,

said engine having an intake manifold, said engine driving a vehicle equipped with a horn, said vehicle having a throttle linkage,

said starting system comprising:

means to create a command signal;

a normally open auxiliary engine operating circuit at the power plant for energization by the voltage source, said auxiliary circuit being responsive to said command signal to close when a command signal is received;

a long interval timer for energization by the auxiliary circuit;

a short interval timer;

a normally closed switch in series with said safety switch for energization of both the short interval timer and the starter;

means responsive to the engine to open said normally closed switch to de-energize the short interval timer and the starter when the engine starts;

means responsive to the short interval timer to open the auxiliary circuit if the engine does not start within the time setting of the short interval timer;

means responsive to the long interval timer to open the auxiliary circuit at the end of the long interval of time;

normally open switch means controlling the energization of the horn; and

retainer means, said retainer means being normally advanced to retain the linkage advanced when the engine is not operative,

said retainer means being operated by the vacuum in the engine intake manifold to retract to permit the throttle linkage to retract when the engine is started,

said normally open switch being operatively connected to said retainer means to be closed briefly by retraction of the retainer means to energize the horn to indicated to the remote station when the engine when the

16. The combination of a power plant and a system for starting the power plant in the absence of an operator, which power plant includes an engine, a usual normally open engine operating circuit incorporating a voltage source, an engine starter for energization by the operating circuit, a transmission for power flow from the engine to a load, and a safety switch in said circuit responsive to the transmission to close when the transmission is out of gear,

said engine having an intake manifold, said engine driving a vehicle that is equipped with a radio transmitter,

said starting system comprising:

means to create a command signal;

a normally open auxiliary engine operating circuit at the power plant for energization by the voltage source, said auxiliary circuit being responsive to said command signal to close when a command signal is received;

a long interval timer for energization by the auxiliary circuit;

a short interval timer;

a normally closed switch in series with said safety switch for energization of both the short interval timer and the starter;

means responsive to the engine to open said normally closed switch to de-energize the short interval timer and the starter when the engine starts;

means responsive to the short interval timer to open the auxiliary circuit if the engine does not start within the time setting of the short interval timer;

means responsive to the long interval timer to open the auxiliary circuit at the end of the long interval of time;

a receiver at a remote station to receive signals from the transmitter at the vehicle;

a normally open switch on the vehicle to energize the transmitter at the vehicle; and

means operable by a vacuum in the intake manifold when the engine is started,

said normally open switch for the transmitter at the vehicle being responsive to said operable means to close briefly when the operable means

17. The combination of a power plant and a system for starting the power plant in the absence of an operator, which power plant includes an engine, a usual normally open engine operating circuit incorporating a voltage source, an engine starter for energization by the operating circuit, a transmission for power flow from the engine to a load, and a safety switch in said circuit responsive to the transmission to close when the transmission is out of gear,

said engine having an intake manifold and a throttle linkage,

said starting system comprising:

means to create a command signal;

a normally open auxiliary engine operating circuit at the power plant for energization by the voltage source, said auxiliary circuit being responsive to said command signal to close when a command signal is received;

a long interval timer for energization by the auxiliary circuit;

a short interval timer;

a normally closed switch in series with said safety switch for energization of both the short interval timer and the starter;

means responsive to the engine to open said normally closed switch to de-energize the short interval timer and the starter when the engine starts;

means responsive to the short interval timer to open the auxiliary circuit if the engine does not start within the time setting of the short interval timer;

means responsive to the long interval timer to open the auxiliary circuit at the end of the long interval of time;

a radio transmitter associated with the engine;

a receiver at a remote station to receive signals from the transmitter at the engine;

a normally open switch controlling the transmitter that is associated with the engine; and

retainer means, said retainer means being normally advanced to retain the throttle linkage advanced when the engine is not operating,

said retainer means being operated by a vacuum in the engine intake manifold to retract to permit the throttle linkage to retrace when the engine is started,

said normally open switch being operatively connected to said retainer means to be closed momentarily by retraction of the retainer means to cause the transmitter associated with the engine to send a brief signal to the receiver at the remote station to indicate when the engine is started.

18. The combination of a power plant and a system for starting the power plant in the absence of an operator, which power plant includes an engine, a usual normally open engine operating circuit incoporating a voltage source, an engine starter for energization by the operating circuit, a transmission for power flow from the engine to a load, and a safety switch in said circuit responsive to the transmission to close when the transmission is out of gear,

said engine having an intake manifold and a throttle linkage, said engine driving a vehicle,

said starting system comprising:

means to create a command signal;

a normally open auxiliary engine operating circuit at the power plant for energization by the voltage source, said auxiliary circuit being responsive to said command signal to close when a command signal is received;

a long interval timer for energization by the auxiliary circuit;

a short interval timer;

a normally closed switch in series with said safety switch for energization of both the short interval timer and the starter;

means responsive to the short interval timer to open the auxiliary circuit if the engine does not start within the time setting of the short interval timer;

means responsive to the long interval timer to open the auxiliary circuit at the end of the long interval of time;

retainer means, said retainer means being normally advanced to keep the throttle linkage advanced when the engine is not operating, said retainer means being responsive to the vacuum created in the engine intake manifold to retract to permit the throttle linkage to retract when the engine is started; and

a horn on the vehicle responsive to the engine to indicate to a remote station when the engine has been started,

said normally closed switch being responsive to said retainer means to be

19. The combination of a power plant and a system for starting the power plant in the absence of an operator, which power plant includes an engine, a usual normally open engine operating circuit incorporating a voltage source, an engine starter for energization by the operating circuit, a transmission for power flow from the engine to a load, and a safety switch in said circuit responsive to the transmission to close when the transmission is out of gear,

said engine having an intake manifold and a throttle linkage, said engine driving a vehicle,

said starting system comprising:

means to create a command signal;

normally open auxiliary engine operating circuit at the power plant for energization by the voltage source, said auxiliary circuit being responsive to said command signal to close when a command signal is received;

a long interval timer for energization by the auxiliary circuit;

a short interval timer;

means responsive to the engine to open said normally closed switch to de-energize the short interval timer and the starter when the engine starts;

means responsive to the short interval timer to open the auxiliary circuit if the engine does not start within the time setting of the short interval timer;

means responsive to the long interval timer to open the auxiliary circuit at the end of the long interval of time;

retainer means, said retainer means being normally advanced to keep the throttle linkage advanced when the engine is not operating,

said retainer means being responsive to the vacuum created in the engine intake manifold to retract to permit the throttle linkage to retract when the engine is started;

a normally closed switch in series with said safety switch for energization of both the short interval timer and the starter, said normally closed switch being responsive to said retainer means to be opened by retraction of the retainer means; and

emergency light means on the vehicle responsive to the engine to indicate to a remote station when the engine has been started.