Maneuvering Diagram with explanation.

(MAN B&W)
Before going to the Maneuvering diagram, just understand how the fuel pump and air distributor
is reversed,
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to understand fuel pump and air distributor reversing arrangement,,,,

MAN B&W (Starting of the engine in Ahead position.)

MAN B&W ENGINE STARTING SYSTEM (SIMPLIFIED)

The system shown shows the valves in position whist an ahead start is in progress. There are
two control levers (not shown); a stop-start-run lever and an ahead/astern lever.
Valve 1, the stop signal solenoid valve is activated throughout the air start sequence. This
operates valve 5, which in turn operates valve 8 which puts an air signal on the fuel pump
puncture valves, preventing high pressure fuel being pumped to the injectors. It also sends an air

signal to operate valve 13 which will allow 30 bar control air as far as valves 12 and 14 when
valve 16 is operated.
The direction lever in the control room is set to AHEAD. This activates solenoid valve 2 which
sends a signal to operate valve 14 which will allow 30 bar control air to the distributor when valve
16 is operated. It also operates valve 11 which allows air to the fuel pump cam follower servo
motor.
When the lever is moved into the start position, it activates solenoid valve 4. This operates valve
6 which in turn operates valve 9. This allows air to operate the automatic valve. Should solenoid
valve 15 be activated, then only the slow turning valve will open. Valve 16 is also activated
allowing 30 bar air to the start air distributor.
When the lever is moved to the run position, solenoid valves 1 and 4 are deactivated and vented.
This causes valve 8 to vent, shutting the fuel pump puncture valve. Valve 13 also vents, as does
valve 16, venting the air start distributor. Valve 16 moves across allowing control air to shut the
automatic and slow turning valves.
Points to Note:
Valve 6 has a 1 second delay timer fitted. This allows the main starting valve to remain open, so
as to supply air to those cylinders that are in the start position.
There is a manual shut off valve fitted between the air start manifold and valve 16 for maintenance
purposes.
The fuel pump reversing servo motor is fitted with relief valves and restrictors to damp operation.
Valve 7 is vented by engaging the turning gear. This prevents a start sequence taking place.

Fuel Pump and Air Distributor arrangement for Reversing.

The fuel pump cam on the MAN B&W MC series engine is designed to raise the plunger on the
injection stroke and then keep the plunger at the top of its stroke while the follower stays on the
peak of the cam until just before the next delivery stroke when the follower returns to the base
circle of the cam, and the fuel pump plunger moves down on its suction stroke.
The diagram on the top shows the cam follower just beginning to move up the slope of the cam
with the camshaft rotating in anticlockwise direction. (i.e. start of injection)
If the engine direction is reversed at this point, then air will enter the pneumatic cylinder as shown
and will move the piston to the right. The cam follower will be moved across and would finish in

the position shown which would be at the correct fuel pump timing for running astern.
It should be noted that the reversal of the follower only takes place while the engine is rotating. If
the engine had been stopped from running ahead, and then started astern, the fuel pump
followers would move across as the engine starts to rotate, and before the fuel is admitted by
venting the fuel pump puncture valves.
A micro switch shown on the left hand side detects whether the follower has moved across. If not,
an indicator light is lit in the control room, however the engine will still start if a follower fails to
move, perhaps due to corrosion in the servo cylinder a high exhaust temperature deviation alarm
would operate within a short time. Allowing the engine to start in this situation could be useful
during maneuvering in confined waters

AIR DISTRIBUTOR WORKING

The larger MC engines use a radial air start distributor operated by two cams fixed on the end of
the camshaft. The pilot valves, arranged radially in a housing, are either pushed by the pilot air
onto the inner cam profile when starting ahead, or onto the outer profile when starting astern.
When not in use, a spring holds the pilot valve follower clear of both profiles, thus reducing wear.

Photo down below shows distributor mounted on end of camshaft. This is for a 12 cylinder engine, there is
another distributor at the other end of the camshaft for the other 6 cylinders. No cover was removed to
take this picture; There is actually a perspex window, so you can see the distributor!!

There is one pilot valve for each air start valve. Each pilot valve has 3 inlet ports and one outlet
port. When the engine is required to start, Pilot air at 30 bar from the main air start manifold is led
to the middle inlet port.The air cannot pass through the pilot valve at this point because the

port is shut off by the operating piston on the valve slide.

If the engine is required to start ahead then control air at 30 bar from the air start manifold is
led to the top port. This acts on the top of the operating piston of the valve slide and forces
the valve slide down onto the inner cam profile. As the slide moves downwards to admit pilot
air to the air start valve, the top port is closed off and the main pilot air now acts on top of the
actuating piston. As it does this, the pilot air passes through the exit port to actuate the air
start valve in the cylinder.
As the cam profile moves the valve slide upwards, the piston on the operating slide closes off the
pilot air and air to the air start valve is vented through the center of the valve slide. For astern

operation the action is similar, but this time the control air enters through the lower port.

As seen in above manoeuvring diagram the starting handle is at the stop position.
The starting handle control three micro switches that convey the following signals
1.
2.

Stop signal (instantaneous signal)

start signal (instantaneous signal)

3.

Run signal (varying signal)

Stop Signal
As long as stop signal has been pressed ,it shall allow the 7 bar control air to pass
through and depress the puncture valve and their by not allow the fuel to be admitted
to the fuel pump.

Start signal
As soon as the starting handle is moved,the start micro switch will be pressed and
stop signal will be over which allows the passage of 7 bar control air through it.If no
interlock has operated then it shall allow further passage of the air .Now if the
reversing is completed then it shall allow the air to pass through to the air cylinder
which shall operate and open the auto start valve on the main air manifold,now the
starting air (30 bar) shall go to the distributor and shall convey the 30 bar pilot air to
the unit which is in the starting position to start the engine.

Run Signal
Once the engine has started we shall further press the starting handle to the run
position and the start signal finishes.The run micro switch being of varying type
,more the handle is turned ,more the switch would be compressed and the output of
it shall vary accordingly . The varying signal control the 7 bar control air output that
is fed to the governor to increase the fuel proportionately.

Reversing
The engine has stopped in the Astern position and we shall want to move in ahead
position, so we will put the AHD/AST Lever to the ahead position , allowing the 7 bar
control air to pass through (the pressed AHD micro switch ) and go to
1.
2.

the fuel pump to reverse the cam position via the reversing cylinder
to the starting air distributor reversing cylinder to reverse the distributor

Reversing Completed Interlock

As the reversing has completed ,the shaft of the start air distributor reversing
cylinder shall move outwards to press the AHD micro switch ,allowing a part of (7
bar) control air to pass through it and a block valve is released and fulfill the
reversing completed interlock.This is provided so that in the event of the reversing
cylinder being stuck between AHD/AST micro switch ,then in that condition the
interlock shall not allow the auto start valve to open.