Basic Construction Of Starting Air Distributor

Basic starting air distributor consists of a circular casting assembly with distributor push rod and cam assembly. It also contains
parts such as; guide screw, disc, liner, lock washer, lock nut, washer and cover. Furthermore many distributor also came with pilot
air pressure regulator, timer delay and distributor control cylinder.

A typical starting air distributor assembly is mounted on the control end of the engine frame. The distributor body provide
housing to the pilot valve for each cylinder. These valves acts in response to the distributor camshaft connected to the engines
upper crankshaft. Under normal condition they are not in contact with the camshaft; thanks to the spring tension holding them.

On the outer periphery of the air distributor an cylindrical air chamber is installed. This holds the pneumatic air signal line which
make contact of pilot valve push rod with the cam assembly. These pneumatic air line is sometimes also called as service
starting air supply. In reversible engines they are pneumatically connected with speed sensing equipment; to quickly reverse the
engine without any damage.

Additional vent arrangement is given in the distributor valve assembly to ensure safety of air distributor. The individual pilot air
line from dedicated pilot air valves reach to the starting air valve up-top; to start inserting starting air into cylinder.

How Does Starting Air Distributor work ?

When air starting control valve is operated manually by switching lever to start position; control air is supplied to the automatic
valve. This provide starting air to flow to the main starting air valve of each cylinder. Now one branch line from this goes to the
pilot air valves housed in the starting air distributor.

Now after checking all the interlocks an pneumatic air signal is given to the air distributor via external air chamber. This acts
against the spring tension releasing push rod against cam assembly. The push rod acts against the cam position to determine
firing order; and thus operate connected pilot valve.
When the push rod go through the high end of the cam pilot air is sent to main starting air valve of designated cylinder. The pilot
air acts against the operating piston within the main starting air valve to inject compressed air. Now in starting air distributor
when the push rod reach the low point of the cam profile; the out-end air pressure push the pilot air inward closing the pilot
valve.

The correct timing of individual cylinder and correct firing order is obtained by carefully calibrated distributor camshaft;
connected to the the upper crankshaft assembly. If you curious and want to understand how the complete starting air system
work; check out our old post “Starting Air System in Marine Diesel Engine” clicking link over here.

Reversing Starting Air Distributor

In reversible engines such as marine diesel engine we need to change the timing of scavenging, exhaust valve and fuel injection.
But in two stroke engine exhaust and scavenging timing are almost symmetrical in reverse and ahead direction. Thus for two
stroke engines such as marine diesel engine; we only need to change the fuel injection timing and starting air distributor position
to reverse the firing order.

A starting air distributor is equipped with two sets of two position three way valve which ensures the distributor direction is in
match with control direction i.e ahead or reverse. Now if you pay attention to the pilot valve assembly fitted in air distributor; you
will notice separate path ways for astern and ahead control air.

A reversible cylinder with double acting piston is used to reverse the distributor by operating the astern valve with the help of
moving arm. Moreover when camshaft position is changed the cam profile rotates changing the timing and firing order for the
air distributor. In large engine with radial starting air distributor; this is achieved by shifting between the two cam profile fixed on
the end of the camshaft.

Note: This article is produced on request from Mariston lerins.

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