CHAPTER 6
AFLOAT LUBE OIL AND MOGAS
SYSTEMS AND OPERATIONS
The catapult cylinder lubricating system on board
aircraft carriers is maintained by the Aviation Fuels
Division (V-4). The MOGAS system is also main-
tained and operated by the ABF. Both are discussed in
this chapter.
CATAPULT LUBRICATING OIL
SYSTEM
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe a typical
afloat lube oil system. Explain correct lube oil
system operating procedures.
Although lube oil systems vary from ship to ship,
an ABF qualified in one system can qualify quickly in
the operation and maintenance of other lube oil sys-
tems. Lube oil systems were intended for the storage
and distribution of reciprocating engine oils and to
supply oil to operate the ship’s catapults. With the
decline in use of piston engine aircraft, lube oil sys-
tems are now used solely to supply lubricating oil to
the ship’s catapults. Oil used in jet engines is provided
in sealed cans and handled through the Supply De-
partment.
The lube oil system (fig. 6-1) is a separate, inde-
pendent system. It is composed of a storage tank, one
or two pumps, valves, and piping. The piping is ar-
ranged to supply two (or four, based one which ship
you are on) ready service tanks, located in the catapult
spaces. The pumps take suction from the manifolds
connected to the lube oil storage tank and discharge
through a manifold to the riser going to the service
tanks. It is a simple system that is simple to operate
and maintain.
OPERATIONS
Operation of the lube oil system is done IAW the
Aviation Lube Oil Operational Sequencing System
(ALOSS). The piping is arranged in the pump room
so that the following operating conditions may be
obtained:
. Either or both pumps may simultaneously take
suction from the storage tank, and discharge to any
ready service tank.
NOTE
Some lube oil systems have only one pump.
Either or both pumps may take suction from the
fill line, and discharge to the storage tank during the
filling operation.
Either or both pumps may simultaneously take
suction from the storage tank, and discharge for offload-
ing of lube oil.
NOTE
In the lube oil spaces, a 4JG sound-pow-
ered phone is installed for constant communi-
cation between the pump room operator and
catapult personnel during actual pumping op-
erations to the service tanks.
Filling the Storage Tank
The storage tank may be filled by any of the
following methods:
POURING FROM DRUMS. Screw a large fun-
nel into the filling connection; raise the drum above the
filling connection by using a forklift or other means;
and open the large cap. The large cap should be on the
bottom, near and over the funnel. Next, open the small
cap on top to allow air into the drum. The amount of oil
leaving the drum can be controlled by opening and
closing the top cap.
SIPHONING FROM DRUMS. Rig a 1 1/4-inch
gasoline nozzle with a brass nozzle long enough to
reach to the bottom of the drum. Then rig a hose from
the nozzle with a fitting into the filling connection. With
this method, the vacuum from the lube oil pumps may
be used for loading.
6-1
