Main Engine Manoeuvring Control

Courtesy By NORCONTROL Automation AS

Engine Telegraph System (ETS)

Manufacturer: NORCONTROL Automation AS

Model: AutoChief - 4

Description

The ETS performs two basic functions, these are:

1. To allow an operator to initiate engine change commands from the

designated control location directly to the engine via the remote

control system. These changes can also be communicated, via the

ETS pushbuttons and telegraph handle, to an operator who will

implement these commands in the control room or the engine

room.

2. To transmit messages between the bridge, control room and

engine room via the sub-telegraph system pushbuttons. The sub-

telegraph system also includes monitoring of certain safety

functions and it can operate independently of the engine

telegraph.

An order printer logs the engine telegraph system commands.

The engine telegraph system comprises of one engine telegraph unit at each of

the following locations:

Bridge

Control room

Engine room

Engine Telegraph System (ETS)

Each engine telegraph unit comprises a front panel, with pushbuttons marked

on the panel, and Light Emitting Diode (LED) indicators giving status

information. The ETS panel, its pushbuttons and their functions are described

in the following sections.

The bridge and control room units each have a telegraph handle which can be

used in a stepped position for pre-defined engine rpm settings, or, by turning

the handle 90°, it is possible to obtain incremented engine rpm control, i.e.,

exact rpm settings.

The engine room unit has emergency telegraph pushbuttons grouped according

to AHEAD, ASTERN and STOP commands. The names on the telegraph

handle and the pushbuttons are self-explanatory.

The panel on the bridge is equipped with an auto-dimmer, which senses the

room lighting and varies the intensity of the LEDs accordingly.

Sub-Telegraph System

The sub-telegraph system consists of four panels, these being Sub-Telegraph

Mode, Control Location, Telegraph Status and System.

1. Sub-Telegraph Mode

Provides information about the amount of operator-interaction with the main

engine.

FWE

This pushbutton selects the FINISHED WITH ENGINE (FWE) mode when

the ship is in port and no further operator-interaction is required.

Standby

This pushbutton selects the STANDBY mode to indicate that constant

operator-engine interaction is necessary. For example, when entering or

leaving a port or in manoeuvring situations which require constant use of the

main engine.

FAOP (Full Away On Passage)

This pushbutton selects the FAOP mode to indicate that the ship is at sea, under

normal sailing conditions and that no operator engine interaction is expected.

The sub-telegraph system also includes monitoring of the following:

FWE loop abnormal.

Used in conjunction with the FWE mode only. If an alarm

condition exists the LED indicator is illuminated and an audible

alarm is sounded.

The sub-telegraph system will initiate an alarm condition if a

request is received, and acknowledged, for FWE mode before the

following monitored safety functions are performed:

Control Air Not Vented

Safety Air Not Vented

Start Valve Not Blocked

2. Control Location

Provides information about which operator station is controlling the engine.

Emergency

LED indicator is illuminated to indicate that control of the main engine is from

the emergency operator station in the engine room. It indicates that there is a

direct communication between the bridge unit and the engine room unit.

Control Room

The LED-indicator is illuminated to indicate that control of the main engine is

from the operator station in the control room. It indicates that there is direct

communication between the bridge and the control room unit in the control

room.

Bridge

This LED indicator is illuminated to indicate that control of the main engine is

at the bridge, via the bridge control/governor system, and that all conditions for

bridge control are fulfiled.

3. Telegraph Status

Provides information on the status of the engine telegraph system.

New Command

LED indicator is illuminated when a new command is received at the unit. The

LED indicator will be extinguished when the command is acknowledged.

Wrong Way

LED indicator is illuminated when the given telegraph command, and the

responding rotational direction of the propeller shaft do not correspond.

RCS (Remote Control System) Not Ready

This LED indicator is illuminated when the remote control system is not ready

to assume command of the engine. An audible alarm is also sounded.

4. System

Provides pushbuttons for silencing audible alarm/signals and testing LED

indicators, as well as a LED-indicator for the system's self-monitoring status.

Lamp Test

When pushed for less than 3 seconds, this pushbutton will test all the LED-

indicators on the ETS panel by causing all of them to become illuminated.

When pressed for more than 3 seconds, this pushbutton will initiate the on-line

test for all lamps and pushbuttons.

Sound Off

Is used to silence audible alarms.

Internal Fail

This LED indicator is illuminated when the self-monitoring program detects a

communication failure or internal failure in the unit.

Telegraph Commands for the Engine

Direct control of the main engine is achieved via the telegraph handle for

AHEAD, ASTERN and STOP commands. In this ETS installation, control of

the engine is directed from the telegraph handle and each position controls the

engine in preset rpm increments, according to which LED indicator is selected,

Maximum, Full, Half, Slow or Dead Slow. Alternatively, the telegraph handle

may be turned 90° and the handle can be moved by any amount thereby giving

greater speed control over the engine and allowing for smoother operation.

Bridge control is achieved when the BRIDGE indicator is illuminated.

Control room control is achieved when the CONTROL ROOM indicator is

illuminated.

(Note ! When passing control between stations the control must be offered by

the station giving up control and it must be accepted by the station taking over

control. Control cannot just be handed over, it must be accepted.)

The LED indicators in the control room unit and engine room unit illuminate

to correspond to the telegraph handle position in the bridge unit. A short

audible signal is given in the control room and engine room for each engine

order change. All changes and commands are logged on the order printer.

Procedure for Direct Control from the Bridge or Control Room

Telephone communications between the two stations should confirm which

station is to have control.

a) Check that the BRIDGE (or CONTROL ROOM) indicator is

illuminated, when selected by the pushbutton in the control room.

b) At the telegraph handle, check that the telegraph handle is in the

STOP position and the STOP LED indicator is illuminated.

c) Move the telegraph handle to the desired engine command

position in the AHEAD group or ASTERN group.

Communicating Engine Commands to Personnel

The ETS may be used as a sub-system of the AutoChief - 4 installation in order

to communicate commands between the locations. When this method is used,

the ETS only communicates engine commands between its units and the

engine personnel/operator, who initiates the engine changes in the control

room or the engine room.

Communication and Command Response

Normally commands originate from the bridge unit to the operator station

(control room or emergency position). Personnel at the operator station unit

then acknowledge commands from the bridge unit.

A command given from the bridge unit causes the pushbuttons and LED

indicators on the ETS panels at the operator station units in the control room

and the engine room, to illuminate. These correspond with the pushbutton and

LED indicator illuminations on the bridge, as follows:

Flickering

A new command has been received but has not been acknowledged. The bell

will also sound until the command is acknowledged.

Steady

The command has been acknowledged.

Procedure for Communication from the Bridge to the Control Room Unit

a) In the CONTROL LOCATION section of the sub-telegraph panel,

check that the control room pushbutton is illuminated to indicate

the communication link. A pushbutton in the control room selects

this.

b) At the bridge unit move the telegraph handle to the new engine

command position. The LED indicator at the bridge unit and the

control room unit, which corresponds with the new command

position from the telegraph handle of bridge unit, will flicker and

a bell will sound in the control room.

The ETS panel now shows three illuminated telegraph pushbuttons:

1. The last acknowledged command LED indicator on the

telegraph handle has a steady illumination.

2. The NEW COMMAND pushbutton has a steady illumination

to indicate that a new command is given.

3. The LED indicator for the new telegraph handle position is

flickering.

c) When the command has been carried out, the operator at the

control room will position the telegraph handle to the position

corresponding to the flickering LED indicator, thereby

acknowledging that the new command has been carried out.

The telegraph handle will have only one LED indication with

steady illumination.

Procedure for Communication from the Bridge to the Engine Room Unit

a) In the CONTROL LOCATION section of the sub-telegraph panel,

check that the EMERGENCY pushbutton is illuminated to

indicate the communication link, when selected by a control lever

in the control room.

b) At the bridge unit, position the telegraph handle for the engine

command.

c) The LED indicator at the bridge unit and the engine room unit,

which corresponds with the new command position on the

telegraph, will flicker and a bell will sound in the control room.

The ETS will show three telegraph pushbuttons illuminated:

1. The last acknowledged command LED indicator on the engine

telegraph has a steady illumination.

2. The NEW COMMAND pushbutton has a steady illumination

to indicate that a new command is given.

3. The new telegraph position LED indicator is flickering.

d) When the command has been carried out, the operator at the

engine room will press the flickering telegraph pushbutton to

acknowledge that the new command has been carried out. The

telegraph handle will have only the one LED indicator with

steady illumination.

Sub-Telegraph System Controls and Indicators

Control Location

This panel section indicates the communication link between the bridge unit

and an operator station unit. The control location is indicated according to the

position selected by the control lever, or other type of control, in the control

room. The indicators are:

Emergency: Engine room operator station unit

Control Room: Control room operator station unit

Bridge: Control directly from the bridge

Procedure for Communication from the Bridge to the Control Room Unit

a) In the CONTROL LOCATION section of the sub-telegraph panel,

check that CONTROL ROOM is illuminated to indicate a com-

munication link. A control lever, in the control room, selects this.

b) At the bridge unit, press the pushbutton for the desired (new)

command:

FWE

STANDBY

FAOP

c) The LED indicator at the bridge unit and the control room unit,

which corresponds with the new command position, will flicker

and a bell will sound in the control room. The ETS panel now

shows three illuminated telegraph pushbuttons:

1. The last acknowledged command LED-indicator for the sub-

telegraph mode has a steady illumination.

2. The NEW COMMAND pushbutton has a steady illumination

to indicate that a new command is given.

3. The new sub-telegraph LED indicator is flickering.

When the command has been carried out, the operator at the control room unit

will press the pushbutton, with the flickering LED indicator, to acknowledge

that the new command has been carried out. Only the new sub-telegraph LED

indicator now will have a steady illumination. The NEW COMMAND

pushbutton and the previous sub-telegraph mode LED indicator will no longer

be lit.

Emergency Stop Operation

a) Push the EMERGENCY STOP switch to stop the engine

immediately.

b) Push downward and turn the switch to reset the EMERGENCY

STOP switch.

c) The stop valve must be reset.

Main Engine Control System

The AutoChief - 4 remote control system is designed to remotely control the

ship's main engine from the bridge or control room. The system consists of two

main units the AutoChief - 4 Bridge Unit and the AutoChief - 4 Control Room

Unit. The bridge unit is connected to the control room unit by a serial commu-

nication line. The AutoChief - 4 essentially provides an interface between the

engine telegraph system and the main engine control system. It comprises all

the elements which are necessary for the operation, monitoring and safety of

the engine.

The system includes the programming control, which can be bypassed in an

emergency, for the gradual increasing of the engine speed, in the range of the

engine manufacturer's recommendation. The system sets the speed for the

various manoeuvring conditions.

In general, the control of propulsion machinery from the wheelhouse is kept as

simple as possible and the control station is provided with only those indicators

and equipment necessary for the effective control of speed, ahead and astern

and emergency trip of the main engine.

The automatic bridge control system performs the following functions:

Starting the engine

Stopping the engine

Reversing the engine

Speed setting by telegraph/lever from bridge

Safeguarding and monitoring the engine

Manual operation via electric control lever from the ECR

Automatic run up program

Critical speed ranges passed through at maximum rate

Crash manoeuvre program

Manoeuvre mode selectable from bridge, with limited speed set point

in ahead direction

Bad weather limitation

Manual speed and fuel limitation

Torque and smoke limitation

Automatic start manoeuvre, including slow turning with air, when the

main engine has been stopped for more than an adjustable time

An automatic load reduction by an external signal from the safety

device

Start prevention in case of predetermined criteria, e.g. turning gear

engaged, emergency stop etc.

Speed measurement by inductive pick-ups

Test and simulation functions

System is self-monitoring, including the vital periphery units

Propeller shaft revolution indicator

A separate rpm pick-up is provided supplying the following instruments:

Indicator with dimmable illumination, in the wheelhouse and at both

bridge wings

Indicator on the bridge console and engine control console

Revolution counter on engine control console

The majority of the units required for the engine control are arranged in the

immediate vicinity of the local manoeuvring stand at the engine thus allowing

for easier operation and monitoring during emergency engine control.

The reversing servo-motor moves the fuel cams on the camshaft for forward or

reverse engine rotation. The servomotor positions the fuel injection point to the

correct moment corresponding to the direction of rotation.

The starting air distributor controls the starting valves in the cylinder covers,

in such a way that starting air enters the cylinders in the exact sequence and

moment to turn the crankshaft.

The starting cut-off valve is actuated by remote control for the following

functions:

End of start

Starting time limitation

Firing speed is reached

Start interval cut out (interruption after several ineffective starts)

Slow turning (integrated in the starting system)

When starting, the shut-off valve releases starting air, which operates the

starting valves in the cylinder head, causing the engine crankshaft to turn.

In all other operating positions the shut-off valve remains closed, thus

preventing an unde sired supply of starting air into the cylinder.

Depending on the desired direction of rotation, the reversing valve directs

control oil pressure to the reversing servomotor on the camshaft, thus bringing

it to the respective position. As a safeguard, the regulating linkage will not be

freed until the engine turns in the desired direction of rotation.

To measure the engine speed, a speed pick up unit is situated below the bearing

housing of the camshaft driving gear wheel. The electric signal of the speed

value is sent to the remote control system, which in turn will operate the

regulating linkage to maintain the speed at the set point.

The pneumatic logic unit is installed below the local manoeuvring stand. Rods

serve as connecting links to the local manoeuvring stand.

The safety cut-out device stops the engine independently by way of the fuel

injection pump regulating linkage. The mechanical components of the safety

cut out device are mounted on each fuel injection pump block, stopping the

flow of fuel from the fuel injection pumps as soon as the corresponding

command is triggered.

The fuel injection pump regulating linkage transmits the movement of the

governor output lever to the eccentric shaft, this controls the spill valve of the

fuel injection pumps.

The load dependant, variable controlled injection, influences the control of the

valves in the fuel pumps. The maximum firing pressure is kept constant in the

upper load range, which provides for reduced fuel consumption.

AutoChief - 4 Control Transfer System

Although control will normally take place from the bridge, there are times

when it is necessary to transfer control from the bridge to the control room or

to the local control station.

From Bridge or Control Room to Local

This enables the engineers to take control of the engine directly. The actual

action available and the steps to be taken depend upon whether the electronic

governor is still functioning. For details of the procedures see section 5.2.

From Local to Control Room

At the local control station:

a)  Set the fuel lever (3.12) to the REMOTE position.

b)  Set local manoeuvring lever (5.03) to the REMOTE CONTROL

position.

c)  Set the stop lever (5.07) to the RUN position.

d)  Push the REMOTE CONTROL pushbutton on the local control

panel. The REMOTE CONTROL pushbutton lamp starts to flash

on the local control panel. The ENGINE ROOM CONTROL

pushbutton/LED starts to flash in the AutoChief - 4 panel on the

engine control room.

In the engine control room:

e)  Push the ENGINE CONTROL ROOM pushbutton/LED on the

control room panel. The LED changes to a steady light. The

REMOTE CONTROL pushbutton lamp changes to a steady light.

The engine is now ready for remote operation from the control

From Control Room to Bridge, Requested by the Bridge

a)  Set the lever on the bridge to the level corresponding in the

control room. Engine RPM and command RPM is the same.

b)  Press the BRIDGE CONTROL pushbutton/LED on the bridge

panel. The bridge control pushbutton/LED starts to flash on both

bridge and control room panels. The control room telegraph bell

will sound.

c)  Press the BRIDGE CONTROL pushbutton/LED on the control

room panel. The buzzer will be released on the bridge panel.

d)  Press the BRIDGE CONTROL pushbutton/LED on the bridge

panel. The bridge control pushbutton/LED stays lit on the bridge

and the control room panel. Control is transferred to the bridge.

From Control Room to Bridge, Requested by the Control Room

a)  Press the BRIDGE CONTROL pushbutton/LED on the control

room panel. The bridge pushbutton/LED starts to flash on the

bridge and control room panels and a buzzer sounds on the bridge

panel.

b)  Press the BRIDGE CONTROL pushbutton/LED at the bridge

panel. The bridge control pushbutton/LED changes to steady light

on the bridge and control room panels. The buzzer is silenced on

the bridge panel. Control is transferred to the bridge.

From Bridge to Control Room, Direct Take-Over

a)  Press pushbutton/LED ENGINE ROOM CONTROL on the

control room panel. The pushbutton/LED ENGINE ROOM

CONTROL is illuminated and control transfers to the control

room. The pushbutton/LED on the bridge starts to flash and a

buzzer sounds.

b)  Press pushbutton/LED ENGINE ROOM CONTROL on the

bridge panel. The pushbutton/LED ENGINE ROOM CONTROL

changes to steady light on the bridge panel. The buzzer is silenced

on the bridge panel.