The type of engine suspension that is appropriate varies for different engine installations. In general, the following applies:
•The engine suspension should be designed for the forces it is exposed to, both
continuously and momentarily during operation. Such forces are reaction forces
from the transmitted torque and in some cases longitudinal acceleration, retardation and reaction forces in the engine.
•For engines with marine transmission, Scania recommends a 6-point suspension
or common rear suspension for pipes, transmission and engine.
•Both the engine suspension and the engine bed should be designed so that there
are no resonant oscillations within the engine speed range. They should also be
designed so that annoying vibrations from the engine are not transmitted to the
surroundings.
•The engine suspension and engine bed should be designed in a manner which allows access for maintenance and repair work.
•The engine bed location and the engine suspension must be designed so that the
permissible angles of inclination for the engine are not exceeded. See the table
Permissible installation and operating angles.
Engine suspension
If the angles of inclination are exceeded, lubrication system performance will deteriorate, which can cause damage to the engine or reduce its service life.
Flexible engine suspension dampens vibrations more effectively than rigid engine
suspension. It prevents extreme movement between engine and engine bed during violent ship movement. Flexible engine suspension can also absorb some level of reaction force from the propeller. Flexible engine suspension does not require such
careful alignment of the engine as rigid engine suspension.
However, flexible engine suspension does not absorb longitudinal and lateral forces
in the engine to the same extent as rigid engine suspension.
Example of rigid engine suspension for single-speed engines
MANUAL
Rigid engine suspension
A rigid engine suspension can absorb greater forces in all directions than flexible engine suspension. It requires highly accurate alignment of the engine in relation to the
driven unit. On the other hand, it requires no special flexibility in the hoses, pipes and
controls connected to the engine.
A rigid engine suspension can be used in engine installations where vibration causes
no significant problems and where other characteristics make it desirable.
Even with a rigid engine suspension, the transmission of vibration to the engine bed
can be kept low if the masses of the engine bed and connected parts are large in relation to the mass of the engine.
It is also possible to construct flexible engine suspension between the frame and the
engine bed to reduce the transmission of vibration to the engine bed.
Maximum permissible installation angle means maximum permissible installation
angle for an engine relative to the horizontal plane. The angle indicates the limit for
engine inclination during continuous operation.
Maximum operating angle means maximum permissible angle of inclination for an
engine in operation and with minimum oil level. The angle may only be used for
short periods. The maximum forward or rearward operating angles are not applicable
to their full extent if the engine is inclined laterally at the same time.
Silumin housings are supplied as standard on most marine engines, except on certain
16 litre engines. The maximum permissible bending torque for a silumin housing is
10,000 Nm. This presumes that there are no axial loads from, for example, the propeller shaft, abnormal G forces or vibration.
However, nodular iron flywheel housing can also be chosen. Nodular iron housings
can dampen vibrations at certain engine speeds but increase vibrations at other engine speeds. Nodular iron is stronger than silumin and can therefore tolerate greater
bending and torsional forces. Certain 16 litre engines have nodular iron casing as
standard.
The stronger nodular iron housings are recommended in installations where the flywheel housing is exposed to serious stress, e.g. with high reverse gear ratios and
when heavy components without support are attached to the rear of the engine (e.g.
hydraulic pump). Nodular iron housings are also recommended for generator sets
with high outputs.
The propeller installation without separate thrust bearing can be approved if the following requirements are met:
Engine suspension
•Max. pressure load from the propeller must not exceed 40,000 N.
•Reverse gear ratio must not exceed 2:1.
•The suspension must be on the front engine bracket and the common bracket for
the rear edge of the engine and the reverse gear.
•The displacement between the input and output shaft of the reverse gear must not
exceed 250 mm.
•Most of the propeller force must be taken up by the rear suspension.
•The support points of the brackets must be aligned with the propeller shaft as
much as possible.
The suspension must be dimensioned for the appropriate pressure load.
For the installation to be approved in a propeller installation with a reverse gear ratio
greater than 2:1, the pressure forces must be fully taken up in the reverse gear suspension.
Contact Scania if it is difficult to determine the size and type of load.
Lifting the engine
The engine lifting eyes are dimensioned for lifting the engine only, not the engine together with connected equipment or frame!
Engine suspension
Engine bed
The engine bed should be made as robust and rigid as possible. The attachment to the
hull should be as widely distributed as possible.
The engine bed should have welded support plates for engine and reverse gear. The
brackets should be as low as possible. Accessibility underneath the engine must be
good so that the oil sump can be removed for example.
There must be space for spacers with a thickness of 5-10 mm between the engine
brackets and the engine bed brackets for accurate alignment.
The installer is responsible for ensuring that accessibility is ensured for maintenance
and repairs.
There must be sufficient space at installation so that standard times for maintenance
and repairs can be attained.
The following requirements for accessibility must be met:
•Canopies and connected components must be designed so that the engine can be
removed and fitted without time being lost due to obstructive structures.
•In the case of static engine installations, there should be permanent securing
points for lifting devices above the unit.
•The fuel system must be easily accessible for maintenance and bleeding.
•It should be possible to read the graduations on the flywheel when adjusting
valves and unit injectors.
•It should be possible to remove and fit the cylinder head, rocker covers and pushrods while leaving the engine in place.
•It must be possible to remove the oil sump in order to renew cylinder liners or pistons with the engine in place.
•It should be easy to fill and drain oil. In addition, the oil dipstick must be easily
accessible.
•Centrifugal oil cleaners and oil filters must be easy to access for maintenance and
renewal.
•It should be easy to fill and drain coolant.
•Engine air filters must be located so that they are easy to access for the renewal
of filter elements.
The alignment of the engine in relation to the driven unit is very important in order
to prevent malfunctions.
Otherwise there is a risk of vibration and serious stress to the crankshaft, engine
brackets, drive shaft and coupling, causing damage which is costly to repair.
For propeller installations, a first alignment is made before the ship is launched.
Alignment must then be checked after the ship is launched and has been placed under
load. The ship should also be laden and equipped with filled tanks.
Since there can be some settling in the hull after the first hours of operation, further
checks on the alignment should be made after a period in service.
Alignment should be checked regularly on certain vibration-sensitive engine installations.
If flexible engine suspension is part of the system, this should be placed under load
before alignment. Otherwise, it will quickly settle by several millimeters.
Engine alignment
Poor alignment between engine and propeller shaft can cause damaging vibration in
the hull, damage to the reverse gear and accelerated wear of the shaft and propeller
bearings.