🔍 Key Concepts

• Reciprocating steam pump valve gear and how the stroke is controlled • Role of the pilot valve / tappet mechanism in reversing the pump at each end of the stroke • Difference between controls that affect stroke length versus those that affect speed or sealing

💭 Think About

• Which component actually tells the pump to reverse direction at the end of each stroke, and how would moving that component change how far the piston travels? • Which options deal mainly with leakage control or sealing, and which deal mainly with steam flow rate (speed) rather than stroke length? • On a duplex or power pump, what adjustment would you use if you wanted a shorter stroke without changing steam pressure or throttle setting?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which choice directly affects the cut‑off / reversing point of the piston movement • Eliminate any options that only change packing tightness or leakage control without changing piston travel • Verify which part is normally used by engineers to set or limit the pump stroke during installation or maintenance