rake60
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2007
- Messages
- 4,756
- Reaction score
- 125
Have you ever built a steam engine model that was difficult to get running?
I HAVE!
The well engineered steam engines built for early sea going ships were so
easy to start. I even located a step by step check list for that.
All you had to do was......
"The following are steps taken in preparing reciprocating engines for getting under way:
Inspect engine and auxiliaries for security of holding down bolts, tie rod nuts, keepers,
set screws, split pins, and oiling gear, etc.
Remove bearing gaskets and temporary covers. Clean piston and valve rods of all oil and dirt.
Jack engine at least one complete turn. (this was done by a 15 horse power electric motor
attached to a gear and later removed prior to starting).
Disconnect Jacking gear.
Open main injection and discharge valves.
Start independently driven main circulating and air pumps.
If these auxiliaries are direct connected, start the auxiliary means of circulating water and
pumping channel ways.
Crack air cocks on the condenser to insure against its becoming air bound.
When sufficient vacuum is formed, turn auxiliary exhaust not being used elsewhere and
drains not needed for feed heating into the main condenser.
Open full and then close main and maneuvering throttles and by-pass valves.
Drain main steam separators.
Open main line stop from upper station.
Open main engine cylinder, valve chest, throttle, and jacket drains.
Start warming up main engine by one of the methods previously described. As the
steam pressure rises, manipulate the throttle and by-pass valves so as to prevent
too much pressure in the engine.
Open steam and exhaust root valves to reversing engine.
Warm up and drain reversing engine and throw the links over every few minutes.
If so fitted, try out hand-reversing gear.
Turn steam on throttle balance if so fitted.
Put pressure on water service.
See circulating water on water-cooled surfaces such as guides, thrust, and main
bearings, and inspect for leaks.
Run links out to maximum cut-off.
Slack stern glands enough to allow a trickle of water to come through.
With gravity lubrication, remove oil cup covers and blow out oil lines with steam or
air, fill oil manifolds and inspect the wicks. (the main bearing on the USS Texas
engine used a pressurized oil lubrication system).
With forced lubrication system, test out the system by starting lubricating and
cooling pumps and inspect to see that there are no leaks or closed valves and that
all the bearings are getting oil at the proper pressure. Shift and clean the basket
strainers several times before getting underway.
See that the splash casing and oil deflectors are in place and secured.
Assemble hand oiling gear, including rod swabs.
Assemble emergency tools and wrenches.
See that all tools and loose gear are secure for sea.
Close by-pass valves.
Rock engines, with the links and throttle to work out water.
About 15 minutes before the time set for getting underway get permission
from the engineer officer of the deck to try the engines.
With gravity lubrication, hand oil all around.
Try engines, making not more than two turns each way before reversing so
as to get no way on the ship. While turning over slowly see that all moving
parts operate properly .
Turn steam on gland seals and see that the drains are open.
Build up vacuum, minus 14 psi."
...and it's ready to make waves.
Rick
I HAVE!
The well engineered steam engines built for early sea going ships were so
easy to start. I even located a step by step check list for that.
All you had to do was......
"The following are steps taken in preparing reciprocating engines for getting under way:
Inspect engine and auxiliaries for security of holding down bolts, tie rod nuts, keepers,
set screws, split pins, and oiling gear, etc.
Remove bearing gaskets and temporary covers. Clean piston and valve rods of all oil and dirt.
Jack engine at least one complete turn. (this was done by a 15 horse power electric motor
attached to a gear and later removed prior to starting).
Disconnect Jacking gear.
Open main injection and discharge valves.
Start independently driven main circulating and air pumps.
If these auxiliaries are direct connected, start the auxiliary means of circulating water and
pumping channel ways.
Crack air cocks on the condenser to insure against its becoming air bound.
When sufficient vacuum is formed, turn auxiliary exhaust not being used elsewhere and
drains not needed for feed heating into the main condenser.
Open full and then close main and maneuvering throttles and by-pass valves.
Drain main steam separators.
Open main line stop from upper station.
Open main engine cylinder, valve chest, throttle, and jacket drains.
Start warming up main engine by one of the methods previously described. As the
steam pressure rises, manipulate the throttle and by-pass valves so as to prevent
too much pressure in the engine.
Open steam and exhaust root valves to reversing engine.
Warm up and drain reversing engine and throw the links over every few minutes.
If so fitted, try out hand-reversing gear.
Turn steam on throttle balance if so fitted.
Put pressure on water service.
See circulating water on water-cooled surfaces such as guides, thrust, and main
bearings, and inspect for leaks.
Run links out to maximum cut-off.
Slack stern glands enough to allow a trickle of water to come through.
With gravity lubrication, remove oil cup covers and blow out oil lines with steam or
air, fill oil manifolds and inspect the wicks. (the main bearing on the USS Texas
engine used a pressurized oil lubrication system).
With forced lubrication system, test out the system by starting lubricating and
cooling pumps and inspect to see that there are no leaks or closed valves and that
all the bearings are getting oil at the proper pressure. Shift and clean the basket
strainers several times before getting underway.
See that the splash casing and oil deflectors are in place and secured.
Assemble hand oiling gear, including rod swabs.
Assemble emergency tools and wrenches.
See that all tools and loose gear are secure for sea.
Close by-pass valves.
Rock engines, with the links and throttle to work out water.
About 15 minutes before the time set for getting underway get permission
from the engineer officer of the deck to try the engines.
With gravity lubrication, hand oil all around.
Try engines, making not more than two turns each way before reversing so
as to get no way on the ship. While turning over slowly see that all moving
parts operate properly .
Turn steam on gland seals and see that the drains are open.
Build up vacuum, minus 14 psi."
...and it's ready to make waves.
Rick
