Exhaust valve

 Exhaust valves open inwards into the

cylinder, so that the gas pressure in the
cylinder will ensure positive closure and help
in dislodging the carbon buildup on the valve
seat.
 Normally, two stroke crosshead type of diesel
engines have a single exhaust valve mounted
in the centre of the cylinder head.
 The opening and closing of the exhaust valve
is controlled by a cam mounted on a
camshaft.
 The opening and closing of
the exhaust valve is
controlled by a cam
mounted on a camshaft.
 On older engines, the cam
pushed a cam follower.
 A push rod is attached to
the cam follower, which
rises along with the cam
follower and pushes a
rocker arm.
 This rocker arm then
pushes the valve spindle
against a spring and the
valve opens.
 After the cam has turned
sufficiently, the cam
follower sits on the base
circle of the cam and then
the spring closes the valve.
 Disadvantages of this system:
1. The push rod and rocker arms are heavy
and the engine must overcome the inertia
of these heavy parts.
2. The motion of the rocker arm is in arc of a
circle, which will move the exhaust valve
sideways, which will cause wear on the
exhaust valve guide, which locate the
exhaust valve spindle.
3. With increased clearance, the exhaust valve
will leak up the spindle, causing
overheating and accelerated wear.
4. The spring, which closes the valve,
weakens with use and liable to break.
 Modern two stroke
crosshead diesel engines
have hydraulically operated
exhaust valves, which close
by air spring.
 The cam operates a
hydraulic pump instead of a
push rod.
 The oil from the engine
lube oil system is displaced
by the pump which
operates a piston on the
exhaust valve, which
pushes the exhaust valve
open.
 Instead of the mechanical
spring, the valve has “air
spring”.
 Air at 7 bar pressure is led
via a non return valve is led
to the underside of the
piston of the valve.
 As the valve opens, the air
underneath is compressed.
 The expansion of this compressed air when the
hydraulic oil pressure is relieved closes the valve.
 The air is supplied with a small amount of lube oil
for lubrication purpose.
 The air is also led down the exhaust valve guide,
which keeps the guide cool and lubricated and
prevents exhaust gas from leaking into the guide.
 Excess lube which collects at the bottom of the air
spring cylinder is drained to a collecting tank.
 To prevent possibility of an air lock, the hydraulic
system has a small leak off at the top of the
exhaust valve hydraulic oil cylinder.
 The lube oil is made via a non return valve.
 A relief valve is also fitted.
 A damping arrangement on top of the piston in the
exhaust valve prevents hammering of the valve
seat.
 The exhaust valve spindle is fitted with a winged valve
rotator.
 The kinetic energy in the exhaust valve rotates the
exhaust valve by a small amount as it passes.
 This keeps the valve at an even temperature and helps
in reducing the deposits on the exhaust valve seat.
 The cage of the exhaust valve is of cast iron as is the
guide.
 The replaceable valve seat is hardened molybdenum
steel and the valve spindle can be molybdenum chrome
alloy with a coating of stellite welded on the seating
face.
 Alternatively, a heat resistant nimonic alloy valve head,
friction welded to an alloy steel shaft.
 When the valves are overhauled, the valve and seat is
not lapped together.
 Instead special grinding equipment is used to grind the
seat and spindle to correct angles.