Lubrication features of a large diesel

engine
In some engines such as long and superlong stroke engines, the
piston is not directly connected to the crank pin via a connecting
rod.
The piston has a piston rod extending from the bottom of the
piston.
The piston rod is then connected to the connecting rod at the
crosshead bearing.
The crosshead bearing has a to and fro motion and therefore a
continuous hydrodynamic film cannot form.
Therefore oil has to be pumped to the crosshead bearing at a
predetermined pressure in order to take the loads of compression
and combustion.
The crosshead is connected to the crank pin via a connecting rod.
1

Ref:
http://www.marinedies
els.info/2_stroke_engin
e_parts/crosshead.htm

Platform separating
cylinder from crank
case

Piston
rings
Piston
skirt
Piston
rod
Stuffing
box
Crosshead,
crosshead bearing
(reciprocating)

Oil pumped
at a certain
pressure
Crank pin,
bottom end
bearing
(rotatory
motion)

Pisto
n

Connecting
rod

Web

Journal, journal
bearing (rotatory
motion)

Cylinder liner lubrication

In some engines, lubricating oil in the cylinder is different from the
oil supplied to the other bearings.
The cylinder oil contains additives to withstand the high
temperatures and contaminants from combustion products.
The oil is slightly basic in nature to counter the acids formed from
combustion.
Scraper rings spread the oil over the liner surface.
Lub. oil is usually injected between the two scraper rings.
Oil is injected at a predetermined period during the downward
stroke.
Before starting, oil is pumped into the liner by manual priming
methods.
After starting, the oil pump is driven by the engine through a cam3
shaft.

Cylinder
liner

Oil injection
passage

Compression
rings
Scraper rings
Piston

Injection points
Cylinder oil
pump/lubricato
r
Handle
Camshaft
4

Trunk type engine (no piston rod)Splash type lubrication

Cylinder
liner

Piston rings
Oil is picked up by the
webs while rotating,
and splashed onto the
piston and liner

Gudgeon
pin

Connecting
rod

Crank pin,
bottom end
bearing
(rotatory
motion)

Journal, journal
bearing (rotatory
motion)
Web extension

Oil

Web
5

Piston rod

CROSSHEAD
LUBRICATION

Telescopic pipes
(one moves
inside the other)
Oil supply

Movement of
crosshead
Crosshea
d bearing

Movement of
bearing
Stationary pipe

Connecting rod
6

Journal bearing
Journal

Bearing
Oil supply

The journal bearing may undergo hydrodynamic lubrication or a

combination of hydrodynamic and hydrostatic (externally
pressurized) lubrication.
The oil supply may be from any one or number of positions,
depending on the design.

Oil passage between bearings in a

unit
TRUNK TYPE
ENGINE
Gudgeon pin

Connecting
rod
Crank pin
Web
Oil passage
(drilled)

Journal

Lubrication system

TG- Temperature gauge

PG- Pressure gauge
PG

TG

ENGINE

Shaft

Bearing
s

PG

Cooler
TG
PG

Storage tank

Pump

Filter
9
9

Engine sump
ENGINE

Pump

Storage tank/sump

Shaft

Bearing
Connection
for filling the
tank

strainer
The storage tank usually forms the bottom-most compartment of the
engine.
It is also sometimes known as the sump.
Oil from the sump is usually transported to the bearings by an engine
driven pump or an independently electric motor driven pump that
transports the oil to the journal bearings.
Through passages drilled in the crank shaft and webs, it is transported
to the crank pin.
Usually a strainer is provided on the suction side of the pump to
prevent large contaminant particles from damaging the pump and

10

Oil cooler- tube and shell type

TG

PG

Oil in
TG
TG

Water
in

Water
out
PG
PG

PG
TG

Oil out
In this case, cooling water flows through the tubes.
Oil flows in the shell around the tubes and passes the heat to the
water.
The in/out temperatures of the oil and water are to be monitored.
Oil pressure is always kept above water pressure to prevent water
contamination of oil
11

However, if there is a leak oil is lost and the sump level is therefore

Engine lubrication system

Some adverse situations:

Oil inlet pressure to engine LOW

TG- Temperature gauge

PG- Pressure gauge

Oil outlet temperature from engine

HIGH
Oil outlet temperaturePG
from cooler
ENGINEHIGH
Shaft

TG

Bearing
s

PG

Cooler
TG
PG

Storage tank

Pump

Filter

12
12

Adverse situations and reasons

All pressure and temperature values in a lubrication
system have to be constantly monitored
Oil inlet pressure to engine LOW
Filter may be choked blocking flow.
Pump defective.

Oil outlet temperature from engine HIGH

Bearing maybe running hot due to excessive friction.
Leakage of gas from combustion space past piston rings.

Oil outlet temperature from cooler HIGH

Water flow may be restricted due to choked tubes.
Surface of tubes maybe coated with dirt.

Temperature of oil outlet from cooler too LOW

(excess viscosity)
Water temperature may be too low- restrict water flow by
partially shutting valve.
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Other maintenance and problem

issues
With engine is shut down
Oil filters should be cleaned regularly
Cooler tubes to be cleaned

Oil level in the sump is to be monitored

regularly
Low level is indicative of oil leakage
somewhere in the system

Can be at the cooler (oil flowing into water side)

At the pump
At the valves
Check constantly around the engine spaces for
accumulation of oil
14

Lubricating oil pumps

Lubrication pumps are positive displacement
pumps They supply a definite amount of fluid for each
cycle of rotation regardless of resistance which
may oppose the transfer.
They do not need any initial priming

Different types are:

Reciprocating
Piston, plunger

Rotary
Vane, piston, screw, gear, lobe and screw
15

Reciprocating piston pump

Ref: http://www.lcresources.com/resources/getstart/pump.gif

In a reciprocating pump, a volume of liquid is drawn into the cylinder

through the suction valve on the intake stroke and is discharged under
positive pressure through the outlet valves on the discharge stroke.
The discharge from a reciprocating pump is pulsating and changes
only when the speed of the pump is changed.
Often an air chamber is connected on the discharge side of the pump
to provide a more even flow by evening out the pressure surges.
Reciprocating pumps are often used for sludge and slurry.
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Gear pump

Consists of two meshing gear wheels housed

in a tight fit casing.
The gears rotate in opposite directions and
the vacuum created due to this, draws the
fluid into the inlet side of the pump.
The fluid is trapped in the spaces between the
teeth and casing to be carried round from the
suction to the delivery side
Fluid is displaced when gear teeth mesh
Therefore there is a continuous transfer of
liquid from suction to delivery side
The theoretical volume displacement is given
by

2
2
Q t wN(d o d r )
4

do = outside diameter
dr = root diameter
N = rps
w = depth of gear perpendicular to the screen
17