RPM Measurement Using Governor Mechanism

(Analogue Meter)

Apparatus used in this Project:

1. Governor (Spring Loaded)
2. 12V DC Motor
3. Wood Frame
4. Dial Gauge
5. 12V Battery
6. Connecting wires

Project Mechanism:
Mechanism includes the movement of governor due to Inertia in upward direction
while needle of dial gauge moves down due to Gravity so that’s how the mechanism works.

Governor:
It is a device which is used to regulate or control the speed of a machine such as
engine. Basically, Governor controls the speed by Controlling Fuel Supply to engine which in
turns control engine speed or speed of device to which it is attached.
Purpose of Governor in this Project:
In this project we have used Governor in place of Drive Unit which is commonly used
in Motorbikes for speed measurement which uses gear in it to measure the speed while in our
process we will be using Mechanical Governor for this Purpose.
Let, discuss now about different types of Governor and their Working.

Types of Governors:
The governors are mainly classified as
1. Centrifugal governors
2. Inertia governors
Most Commonly used are Centrifugal Governors, their types are discussed below:
Following Summary will show its types and further sub-types of this type of Governor:

Centrifugal Governor:
Centrifugal governors work by balancing the centrifugal force on the Rotating Balls
by equal and opposite radial force, known as the controlling force. It consists of two balls of
equal mass, which are attached to the arms. These balls are known as governor balls or fly balls.
The balls revolve with a spindle, which is driven by the engine through Bevel gears. The upper
ends of the arms are pivoted to the spindle, so that the balls may rise or fall as they revolve about
the vertical axis. The arms are connected by the links to a sleeve, which is keyed to the spindle.
This sleeve revolves with the spindle but can slide up and down. The balls and the sleeve rises
when the spindle speed increases, and falls when the speed decreases.
Terms Used in Governor:
1. Height of a governor.
Vertical distance from the center of the ball to a point where the axes of the arms (or
arms produced) intersect on the spindle axis. It is usually denoted by h.
2. Equilibrium speed:
It is the speed at which the governor balls, arms etc., are in complete equilibrium and
the sleeve does not tend to move upwards or downwards.

3. Mean equilibrium speed:

Speed at the mean position of the balls or the sleeve.

4. Maximum and minimum equilibrium speeds:

The speeds at the maximum and minimum radius of rotation of the balls, without
tending to move either way is known as maximum and minimum equilibrium speeds
respectively.
.
5. Sleeve lift:
It is the vertical distance which the sleeve travels due to change in equilibrium speed.

Type of Governor used in this Project:

In this project we have used Loaded Type of Governor and in sub-category Spring
Controlled Governors, spring used is having Large Tensile Strength so that it may not
compress once it is used so to avoid any such circumstances large tensile strength spring is used.
Calculations of Different Components of Governor:
1. Height of Governor is one of major component to be determined:

At 100rev/min
ώ= 2πN/60
So;
ώ = 2π*100/60
ώ =10.47 rev/sec
Since:
h=g/ ώ2
h=89.46mm
Similarly, if;
At 175 rev/min
ώ = 2π*175/60
ώ =18.33 rev/sec
Since,
Since:
h=g/ ώ2
h=29.21mm
The movement is thus: 89.46-29.21=60.25mm
So, we can conclude from above calculations that as Speed Increases, the height of Governor
Movement Decreases.

2. Another important Factor that is important to calculate is that, what will be the Speed
of the Governor?

This primarily depends upon the weight of balls and the vertical distance between the
weights and the Spindle Axis.

One very Important Factor must be kept in mind that the Motor should be capable
enough to Withstand load of the Governor and to carry the weights attached to it, If the
 motor is not capable enough to first carry Governor load and the Mechanism installed
on it then the whole system will not Work.

The range of speed for the Governor used in this Project goes up to 400-500 rpm.

Applications and Uses of Governor:

1. It is usually used to prevent a machine from going too fast. Like in case of an engine it
is being used to power a generator or compressor, may quite suddenly have reduction
in its load. This would result in the engine speed rising rapidly which can cause
serious damage to the engine. A governor fitted to the engine will throttle back the
engine as soon as its threshold is reached reducing engine power and preventing the
engine from over revving and damaging itself.

2. Automobile Governors:

There are two types of such Governors, one limiting its Rotational Speed while
other being entitled to Control its Speed.

In majority cases where low Power is involved Rotational Speed Control is very
Common issue ang Governors in such applications are mostly having to control its
Rotational Speed and prevent engine from any kind of damage.

High performance Engine Governors are used to limit the speed of the vehicle.

Mostly performance cars are restricted to speed limit of 250 Km/h(155mph) to limit
insurance speed and to control the pollution.

3. Hydraulic Governor Application:

The Woodward mechanical-hydraulic governor is designed for speed control of

diesel engines, gas engines, or steam turbines.

The variety of standard features and available options makes the governor ideal for use
in a wide variety of applications which require work capacity of up to 24 Nm (18 lb-
ft).

Applications include off-highway vehicles, industrial, marine, generator set,

compressor, or pump drives.
 TURBINE

Units 1-4 5-6

Type Francis Vertical Shaft

Rated Output (BHP) 138000 138000 13

Maximum Output (BHP) 198000 198000 19

Rated Head (Ft.) 295 295 2

Efficiency (%) 93.2 93.2 9

Rated Discharge (Cusecs) 4550 4515 4

Make / Manufacturer Mitsubishi Japan CKD Blansko (Czech) Escherwyse