Main Engine Control System for Internal Combustion Marine Diesel Engines

Main engine control system is used for automatic remote control and protection of main ship's diesels. It permits to change direction and speed rotation of propeller directly from the bridge by navigators. The system consists of the equipment installed on the bridge, engine control room (ECR) locally mounted near the engine.

The set of Engine Remote Control equipment in ECR essentially consists of a panel fitted up with the various signalling, alarm and control facilities, in addition to the electronic modules (both logic and analog).

Electronic Control Modules Rack comprises:
a) Engine starting and reversal logic module, with LED display (direction of rotation indicator) of logic status and starting set-point adjust potentiometer status;
b) Digital/analog engine RPM converter with cut-in thresholds and LED display of the status of the thresholds and thresholds adjusting potentiometers.
c) Engine control programmer with LED display of stand-by, RPM reduction, emergency, etc. and acceleration gradient adjusting potentiometer.
d) RPM controller with potentiometers for variables and operating limits adjustment.
e) Torque lirniter, with limit indicator.

Locally Mounted Equipment comprises electro-hydraulic type actuator, for remote control of the fuel linkages; the said actuator is continuously linked mechanically to the lever and is therefore driven by the manual handwheel when it is deenergized.

The equipment also comprises induction type pick-ups to monitor the number of RPM's and rotating direction, as well as a five-position servo-motor, complete with four devices to position the engine local control lever for reversing gears and starting air distributors for engine stop, running ahead, starting ahead, running astern, starting astern. Equipment on Bridge comprises:

1. Engine telegraph.
2. Automatic control panel. It has the following items mounted on panel front:
a) Manual power limiter.
b) Engine speed fine adjustment potentiometer.
c) Illuminated push-button for bridge control demand.
d) "Control transfer inhibited" signal display.
e) "Control on the bridge/ECR" signal display.
f) Direction of engine rotation indicator (LED).
g) Engine RPM indicator.
h) Fuel oil lever actuator position indicator.
3. Shield push-button for emergency stop and emergency manoeuvring.

Starting Control from Engine Control Room. Navigation

By shifting the telegraph lever from FULL AHEAD to NAVIGATION, a gradual acceleration program is activated; the program is adjustable and enables the engine to reach navigation RPM's in the desired lapse of time. 

If any fault occurs during gradual load take-over the engine load increase is interrupted; the engine stabilizes at the value reached at the moment in which the fault occurred and remains in that condition until the fault disappears.

Starting Control from Engine Control Room

Starting the Engine. By shifting the telegraph lever from STOP position to any one of the manoeuvring speed positions, both the engine logic starting circuitry and analog RPM control are energized.

The starting prerequisites are immediately and automatically verified.

The unit contemplates on/off consent inputs which could be turning gear disengaged: starting air pressure, fresh water, lube oil sufficient. Also checked whether the propeller is stooped or rotates in the demanded direction below the minimum RPM; conseauently the engine starting logic is activated, as follows.

1st Attempt

In order to limit starting air consumption at the 1st attempt, starting air is fed to the engine for a minimum preset time, with simultaneous setting of the first starting RPM and fuel lever.

Once the preset time has lapsed and without waiting for the RPM response, starting air flow is cut off and the RPM's reach the value corresponding to the speed preset by the operator by means of the engine telegraph lever, with the manoeuvring gradient.

2nd Attempt

If, the engine RPM's drop below 20% of minimum running speed after cutting off the starting air, the second attempt immediatelv takes place, with reopening of the starting air valves and return of the starting speed set-point and fuel oil lever to the first starting speed is achieved, the starting air control valves close and the engine RPM's reach the value set by the operator, with manoeuvring gradient.

3rd Attempt

If the required starting RPM's are not reached after a given time from the opening of the starting air valves on the second attempt, the air valves reclose and as soon as the engine speed falls below 20% of minimum running RPM's and the position of the fuel lever are set on a second higher level and the starting air valves reopen.

Once the required number of starting RPM's is reached, the air valves reclose and the engine achieves the speed set by the operator with the manoeuvring gradient; otherwise, after a given time lapse from opening, the valves reclose and a "Starting failure" alarm is activated.

To repeat the starting attempts, the operator must reposition the telegraph lever on STOP position, then reset the desired speed.

Engine Reversal

In case of engine reversal, the first attempt is automatically by-passed and the starting air valves open as soon as the RPM's of the engine (which is obviously turning in the direction opposite to that demanded) drop below approximately 20% of maximum RPM's. Then the two attempts are repeated exactly as described above.

Automatic Control System (Power Management System) of Electrical Power Plants

Automatic Control System for Ships Electrical Power Plants. The automatic control system is designed for controlling turbo- and diesel-driven electric generating plant, predominently onboard ships.

The purpose of the automatic control equipment is to ensure that the power demand of a ship is generated in an economical manner and also to ensure that any faults occurring will not cause damage to the machinery.

During fully automatic operation the equipment carries out starting, synchronizing and load sharing on one or several diesel alternators as the power demand increases, as well as disconnecting and stopping the diesel alternator in the event of excessive power being available.