Learning chapter

Steering Gear

12 lessons

The whole steering gear, from the SOLAS rules to the rudder bearings: ram and vane gears, variable delivery pumps, telemotor control, emergency steering, the test routine, maintenance and failure protection.

This chapter collects 12 illustrated lessons on Steering Gear as part of Auxiliary Machinery & Shipboard Systems, ordered as they are best studied. It opens with Steering Gear Rules — Main and Auxiliary Gear, Performance and Tests, Rudder, Stock and Carrier Bearing — Weardown, Rudder Drop and Pintle Clearance, Tiller and Rapson Slide — Mechanical Advantage, Clearances and Fastenings, Ram Type Steering Gear — Two and Four Rams, Valve Chests and Change-Over, Variable Delivery Pumps — Hele-Shaw, V.S.G., Sunstrand and Hastie, Rotary Vane Steering Gear — Principle, Pressure Limit and Ram Comparison and 6 more. Each lesson is written for MEO oral and written preparation: definitions first, then how the system behaves, then the checks and figures used in practice.

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01 Steering Gear Rules — Main and Auxiliary Gear, Performance and TestsWhat SOLAS demands of a steering gear: main and auxiliary performance figures, duplication, alarms, the alternative power supply and the 45-second rule.11 sections 02 Rudder, Stock and Carrier Bearing — Weardown, Rudder Drop and Pintle ClearanceThe rudder, rudder stock and carrier bearing: the conical seat arrangement, weardown allowance, rudder drop measurement, jumping stopper and pintles.9 sections 03 Tiller and Rapson Slide — Mechanical Advantage, Clearances and FasteningsHow the tiller and Rapson slide turn ram force into rudder torque: the swivel block, crosshead slippers, guide beams, fork type tiller and clearances.8 sections 04 Ram Type Steering Gear — Two and Four Rams, Valve Chests and Change-OverRam type steering gear explained: the two-ram and four-ram hydraulic circuits, power units, automatic change-over valve, valve chest and control valve block.8 sections 05 Variable Delivery Pumps — Hele-Shaw, V.S.G., Sunstrand and HastieVariable delivery pumps in steering gear: the Hele-Shaw pump, V.S.G. swash plate, slipper pad, Sunstrand and Hastie servo pumps, and non-reverse locking.9 sections 06 Rotary Vane Steering Gear — Principle, Pressure Limit and Ram ComparisonHow rotary vane steering gear works: the vane and rotor arrangement, sealing, the 90 bar pressure limit, and how it compares with ram type steering gear.8 sections 07 Steering Gear Control Systems — Telemotor, Hunting Gear and Floating LeverThe steering gear control system: hydraulic telemotor transmitter and receiver, bypass valve, charging, hunting gear, floating lever and safety spring link.17 sections 08 Emergency Steering — Changeover Pin, Hand Pump and the Three-Monthly DrillEmergency steering arrangements: the changeover pin, hand pump and hand gear, relieving tackles, the after steering position and the three-monthly drill.9 sections 09 Steering Gear Checks and Tests — Daily Rounds, the 12-Hour Test and DrillsThe steering gear routine: daily and weekly checks, monthly and six-monthly filter and oil work, the pre-departure test and the three-monthly emergency drill.13 sections 10 Steering Gear Maintenance — Rudder Drop, Bearing Clearances and OverhaulSteering gear maintenance and dry-dock work: rudder drop, jumping clearance, bearing clearances, blue marking contact, push-up force, oil charging and seals.11 sections 11 Steering Gear Failures — Relief Valves, Split Circuits and the Alarm ChainSteering gear failure and protection: relief valves, the split fail-safe hydraulic circuit, automatic isolation, the Donkin second stage and the alarm chain.10 sections 12 Steering Gear Safety — Stored Energy, Isolation and Enclosed Space EntrySafety on the steering gear: stored hydraulic energy, the 190 bar cutting hazard, moving rudder and ram hazards, safe isolation and enclosed space entry.12 sections