GB988971A - Remote control system for marine engines - Google Patents

Abstract

988,971. Regulating I.C. engines. ALEXANDER STEPHEN & SONS Ltd. June 10, 1963, No. 22998/63. Heading F1K. In a remote control system for stopping and restarting marine engines in which a manually operable member 22 of a controller 21 is set to the desired engine speed and direction of rotation which conditions are automatically attained by means of pressure fluid circuits controlling the operation in the correct sequence of the engine direction control means 1, the engine speed controller 5 and the engine starting mechanism 3, the pressure fluid circuit 37, 38, 39 to which includes at least one engine speed responsive valve 41, the starting mechanism is only operated when member 22 selects a particular direction of engine rotation and the engine is either substantially stationary or already rotating in the opposite direction. When control valve 13 is set for manual operation compressed air passing through filter 10, pressure reducing valve 11 and valve 12 is not admitted to the rest of the system and locking pin 14 is inserted to connect the engine direction controller 1, 15 to the engine. With control valve 13 set for automatic operation and pin 14 withdrawn, compressed air is fed through lines 16, 17, 18, filter 19 and reservoir 20 to the remote engine controller 21 having a handle 22 movable in a gated slot 23, the control gate portion 24 of which corresponds to the engine stopping position. When handle 22 is moved to "ahead" (left) position, air is fed through line 25 to actuate a direction valve 26 which opens either line 27 or 30 to atmosphere, air being admitted from line 31 through valve 29 to line 27 or 30 so that piston 33 takes up a corresponding position which is transmitted by a rod 34 to position a lever 35 which operates a valve 36 to control the direction of rotation. When handle 22 is operated to admit air to lines 25 or 28 air is fed through lines 42 or 43 to open a valve 41 which admits air through lines 37, 38 and 39 to cylinder 40 which actuates the engine starting mechanism 3. Further valves (not shown) operated by rod 34 ensure that valve 41 does not open unless the position of piston 33 corresponds to the position of handle 22. When the engine is stationary or rotating slowly a relay control 44, controlled by a camshaft-driven tachogenerator (not shown) transmits a signal to a normally closed solenoid valve 45 permitting air to flow through line 38, the valve 45 being closed for normal running. If the engine is rotating in a direction opposite to that corresponding to the position of handle 22, the tachogenerator causes relay 44 to transmit a signal through one of pressure switches 46, 47, closed by pressure in lines 48, or 49, to a normally closed solenoid operated valve 50 to admit air to cylinder 40 thereby admitting air to the engine cylinders thus applying a braking torque. An electrical standby circuit may be arranged to cut in if a fault develops in the main circuit. After the engine has been running for a predetermined period further air is prevented from being supplied to the starting mechanism by a mechanically operated valve 52 which supplies air to a valve 53, which allows full flow in one direction and a variable restricted flow in the other direction and to a volume chamber 54 thereby causing valve 51 to close. The pressure of air in a line 58, which is proportional to engine speed as set by handle 22, is communicated via valve 57 and line 56 to a governor positioner 55. During engine starting air pressure in a line 62 causes closing of valve 57 and opening of valve 59 so that air, reduced in pressure by a valve 60 passes through valve 59 to governor positioner 55 to ensure a correct rate of fuel flow. Flow control valves (not shown) are incorporated in the system to ensure the correct operating sequence. During automatic control the engine speed may be controlled by a speed setting handwheel 6 and the amount of fuel supplied may be controlled by operation of a fuel limiting lever 8 to over-ride the governor 7.