Questions from General Engineering Knowledge Reeds Book

Question 1

Explain the following terms
A.) Elastic limit
B.) UTS
C.) Safety factor

Question 2

What is the advantage of case hardening? How’s it done? Give an example of a component that may have this treatment?

Question 3

Explain essential differences between properties of cast iron and mild steel

Question 4

What is meant by the term calorific value and how does the calorific value of fuel oil compare with that of coal?

Question 5

Why is the flash point an important criteria with regards to lubricating oil. State how its detected and give a reason why the flash point of a lubricating oil sample from an engine might be lower than expected.

Question 6

When referring to fuel oil, the terms cetane number and conradson number are used frequently. Explain these two terms

Question 7

Complete the following combustion equations

C + O2 =?
C+1/2O2 = ?
H2+1/2O2 = ?

Question 8

With the aid of a simple sketch, explain how a water gauge fitted directly to a boiler is tested for accuracy when the water is streaming

Question 9

Describe the start up sequence of an automatic auxilliary boiler

Question 10

Describe how fire tubes are attached to the tube plate of a fire tube boiler

Question 11

Why is oil in boiler water considered dangerous? Where does it usually come from? How’s it removed?

Question 12

Water for boiler is kept as pure as possible. Why is this?

Question 13

Briefly describe why boiler water needs to be tested periodically and state two of the tests

Question 14

Itemise the tests you would carry out on a steering gear before leaving port

Question 15

If the main steering gear failed on a small coaster, describe how you would rig an emergency steering system to enable the ship to get to port

Question 16

Briefly describe how the torque is transmitted to the rudder stock in a rotary vane steering gear

Question 17

Explain how the following is achieved for a ships electro hydraulic steering gear:

A.) Relief of over pressure in the rams hydraulic circuit

B.) Replenishment of hydraulic oil to make good losses caused by minor leakages from glands

Question 18

How is alignment of a crankshaft checked? Does the loaded condition have any effect on alignment?

Question 19

What are the forces on a diesel engine crankshaft and are these forces uniform along the length of the crankshaft? Give reasons for answer

Question 20

What is the purpose of putting a thrust bearing between the main engine and the propeller? How is the thrust bearing cooled

Question 21

Explain the operation of a variable pitch propeller

Question 22

Sketch a simple refrigerant cycle of compression type and on the sketch show a position in the cycle where you would expect the refrigerant to be:
a) A liquid
b.) A gas

Question 23

Describe the basic refrigerant circuit for a compression type plant. What kind of gas is commonly used in this type of plant

Question 24

State the reasons why freon 12 is a popular refrigerant gas

Question 25

Explain why the refrigerant gas in a compression type domestic refrigeration plant is passed through a condenser after being compressed

Question 26

Sketch a cross-section through a portable fire extinguisher suitable for use on oil fires. Identify the components

Question 27

State the component parts and associated equipment of a bellows type breathing apparatus

Question 28

Sketch and describe a smoke detector of the type fitted in an engine room. How is it tested?

Question 29

Make a diagrammatic sketch of a bilge pumping system, itemising the main components

Question 30

Describe the passage of water through a centrifugal pump

Question 31

Describe an oil water separator and state how you would check that it was working satisfactorily

Question 32

Explain why it is usually necessary to purify crankcase lubricating oil and how the purification is carried out

Question 33

Appart from providing lubrication to engine bearings, what other important function does lubricating oil perform?

Question 34

If during passage you had reason to think that the lubricating oil in the main was contaminated, can you state any simple checks that would help you come to a conclusion about the contamination

Question 35

Describe the start-up sequence of an automatic auxilliary boiler

Question 36

Describe a device that would automatically activate an alarm when lubricating oil supply to an engine fails

Question 37

Explain the principle operation of a pneumatic diaphragm activator

Question 38

List three automatically controlled systems in a ships’ machinery space that need to be provided with alarms. State the consequences of an alarm failure in each system

Question 39

Describe briefly how a practice fire drill should be carried out

Question 40

If a large item of machinery is to be lifted out of the engine room, state what precautions to;

A.) Prevent injury to any personnel
B.) Prevent damage to either ship or the item being lifted

Question 41

Briefly describe a system aboard a ship by which the spare gear can be monitored and an adequate supply be ensured for machinery repairs

Question 42

Explain what is meant by planned maintenance with respect to ships’ machinery