Patent GB-600942-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to the control of marine propulsion plants for the purpose of manoeuvring
IPC: B63H21/22
Filed: 1945-05-24
Abstract: 600,942. Order-telegraph signalling apparatus. SULZER FRERES SOC. ANON. May 24, 1945, No. 12992. Convention date, June 23, 1944. [Class 118 (ii)] In a ship in which two (or more) reversible engines may drive by means of associated couplings a single propeller shaft, apparatus controlled by the ship's order telegraph is provided to lock the engine starting-reversing members and the coupling operating members so that firstly with the couplings engaged the engines can each be brought into operation only in the direction indicated by the telegraph, and, secondly an engine can only be started in a direction opposite to that indicated by the telegraph when the associated coupling is disengaged and thirdly a disengaged coupling can subsequently only be re-engaged when the propelling engine with which it is associated is rotating in the direction indicated by the telegraph. The ship's telegraph 31 when moved to the forward, stop or astern (V, stop, R) positions turns shaft 17 to lock starting-reversing levers A1, A2 so that they can each move only to a position corresponding to the telegraph indication. The engine coupling levers K3, K4, can be moved at will. When the telegraph is moved, say, from the " forward " to the " stop " position, the shaft 17 being interlocked with the start levers A1, A2 cannot move and a spring 32 is therefore compressed.. When the start levers are moved to their " stop " position the spring 32 turns shaft 17 to lock the levers in this new position. Locking is accomplished by means of segments 22, 23, 26, 27 on the shaft 17 and locking members 11, 13 on the start levers. For purposes of manoeuvring it is desirable to run one engine forward and one astern, coupling whichever is required to the propeller shaft. To accomplish this handle 18 is moved to right or left, moving shaft 17 to left or right and by means of locking segments 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30 in combination with lever locking members 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 allows the engines to run in opposite directions but permits only the coupling lever of the engine rotating as indicated by the telegraph to be " engaged." When the telegraph is in the '' stop " position the movement of handle 18 into positions R1 or R2 can be accomplished only when coupling levers K3, K4 are both "disengaged" since only then can segments 20, 30 or 19, 29 move laterally past locking members 10, 16 or 9, 15. In all positions of the telegraph in order that the handle 18 may be moved to position R1 or R2 the engine start levers A1, A2 must be set to opposite directions or to " stop," and the coupling lever of the engine running in the reverse direction to that indicated by the .telegraph must be disengaged. When the two engines run in opposite directions it may be sufficient for, say, engine 1 to run always forward and engine 2 always astern and the apparatus may then be simplified, since position R2 of the handle 18 is not required, by the omission of locking segments 19, 21, 25, 29 and locking members 9, 15. In a further modification the handle 18 is omitted, lateral movement of the shaft 17 being effected automatically when the start-reverse levers A1, A2 are moved in opposite directions. It is stated that the shaft 17 might be moved longitudinally by the telegraph instead of being rotated and the linkage 32, 33, 36 might be mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or electric. Either the telegraph order lever or return indication lever may actuate the locking mechanism, and the start-reverse levers may control the speed of the engines.