Starting & Reversing System

Prepared by

SK. MOHON
Starting & Reversing
Overview
 All direct drive large diesel engines used for ship’s propulsion
has a starting & reversing system.
 It includes starting, stopping, reversing and speed regulating
of the engine.
In most modern engines, all those operations are performed by
 Automatic operation from bridge
 Automatic or semi-automatic operation from ECR
 Emergency manual operation on engine
Starting & Reversing
Learning Objectives
 Explain the principles of air starting system of large marine
diesel engines
 Describe the operation of main components of air starting
system
 Explain the principles of reversing of modern 2-stroke and
4-stroke engines
 Explain various methods of reversing for 2 & 4 stroke engines
 List and explain the operation of safety interlocks normally
fitted in the manoeuvring system
Basic Concept of Starting D.E.
High initial torque is necessary to accelerate the engine, so that
sufficient compression pressure is produced to create high temp
in the cylinder for fuel to ignite ( 540OC ) .

Torque has to overcome :

 Forces of adhesion of bearing surfaces due to presence of cold oil
 Load coupled to the engine
 Compression force
 Effect of cold combustion chamber walls, which lowers the temp of
compression
D.E. Starting Methods

 Manual Starting
 Electric Starting
 Hydraulic Starting
 Air starting
Principles of Air Starting System
 Medium & high powered engines are started with compressed air to a
sufficient speed for operation on fuel
 To achieve this, engines are fitted with Starting air valves controlled
by a Distributor
 Distributor is to ensure:
air is introduced into relevant cylinder in correct time
starting of engine in a desired direction
staring of engine from any position of rest
 Starting sequence is same as the firing order of the engine
 Air is usually introduced slightly after TDC during the power stroke
 Air admission is stopped before opening of exhaust valve
 Overlapping is provided to ensure positive starting in correct direction
Air Starting System
Design Consideration
For engine to start on air with sufficient turning moment,
A>B
A = starting air pressure x area of piston x stroke
B = mean compression pressure x area of piston x stroke

The factor A has to be significantly greater than B, depending upon:

 Friction & mechanical resistance to overcome
 Momentum of moving parts by the time compression starts
 Initial inertia force to overcome

It is essential that at all angular position there is sufficient starting air turning
moment available to ensure a positive start.
For that reason minimum overlap of 15 O is provided.
Starting & Reversing

How “Starting air pressure < Pcom” can turn

Engine ?

Because ----
 Starting air pressure is greater than mean compr.
pressure
 Momentum of flywheel & other moving parts assist
in overcoming the compression pressure
 Starting & Reversing

Diagram shows
air starting
Pressure, below
compression
Pressure, can
turn the engine
Starting
&
Reversing