Winter 2022-23

School of Mechanical Engineering

BMEE207L Kinematics and Dynamics of Machines

Module 7
Governors

By
Dr. Awani Bhushan

1
Outline
• Types
– Watt
– Porter
– Proell
• Characteristics

2
Classification of centrifugal governor:

3
Introduction
Flywheels are used to regulate speed over short intervals of time
such as a single revolution or the duration of an engine cycle.
Governors are used to regulate speed over a much longer
interval of time - they are intended to maintain a balance between
the energy supplied to a moving system and the external load or
resistance applied to that system.

4
Introduction
 The function of a governor is to maintain the speed of an
engine within specified limits whenever there is a variation in
load.
 A governor is essential for all types of engines as it adjusts the
supply according to the demand
 If the load on the shaft increases, the speed of the engine
decreases unless the supply of fuel is increased by opening
the throttle valve
 On the other hand, if the load on the shaft decreases, the
speed of the engine increases unless the fuel supply is
decreased by closing the valve sufficiently to slow the engine
 The throttle valve is operated by the governor through a
mechanism 5
Types
1. Centrifugal Governor
a) Watt Governor
b) Porter Governor
c) Proell Governor
2. Inertia Governor

6
Classification of centrifugal governors:

7
Centrifugal Governor

8
Terms Used in Governors:
Height of a governor: It is the vertical distance from the centre 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.

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.

Mean equilibrium speed: It is the speed at the mean position of

the balls or the sleeve.

Maximum and minimum equilibrium speeds: The speeds at the

maximum and minimum radius of rotation of the balls, without
tending to move either way are known as maximum and minimum
equilibrium speeds respectively.

Sleeve lift: It is the vertical distance which the sleeve travels due
to change in equilibrium speed. 9
Watt Governor

Open-arm Crossed-arm

10
Assuming the links to be massless and neglecting the friction of the
sleeve, the mass m at A is in static equilibrium under the action of

11
 Porter Governor
If the sleeve of the Watt governor is loaded with a heavy
mass, it becomes Porter Governor.

12
Net force acing on the sleeve depending upon whether the
sleeve moves upwards or downwards

13
For a given value of h, the governor is insensitive between
two values of ω

14
Problem 1
Each arm of a porter governor is 200 mm long and is pivoted on the
axis of the governor. The radii of rotation of the balls at the minimum
and the maximum speeds are 120 mm and 160 mm respectively.
The mass of the sleeve is 24 kg and each ball is 4 kg. Find the
range of speed of the governor. Also determine the range of speed if
the friction at the sleeve is 18 N.
If f=0 If f=18 N
𝑁 min =197.9 rpm 𝑁 min =191.3 rpm
𝑁 m 𝑎𝑥 =228.5 rpm 𝑁 m 𝑎𝑥 =235.9 rpm
Range of speed=30.6 rpm Range of speed=44.6 rpm

15
Solution

16
17
Problem 2
In a Porter governor, each of the four arms is 400 mm long. The
upper arms are pivoted on the axis of the sleeve whereas the lower
arms are attached to the sleeve at a distance of 45 mm from the
axis of rotation. Each ball has a mass of 8 kg and the load on the
sleeve is 60 kg. what will be the equilibrium speeds for the two
extreme radii of 250 mm and 300 mm of rotation of the governor
balls?

18
Solution

19
20
Problem 3
Each arm of a porter governor is 250 mm long. The upper and lower
arms are pivoted to links of 40 mm and 50 mm respectively from the
axis of rotation. Each ball has a mass of 5 kg and the sleeve mass is
50 kg. The force of friction on the sleeve the mechanism is 40 N.
Determine the range of speed of the governor for extreme radii of
rotation of 125 mm and 150 mm.

21
Solution

22
23
Problem 4
Each arm of a porter governor is 200 mm long and is hinged at a
distance of 40 mm from the axis of rotation. The mass of each ball is
1.5 kg and the sleeve is 25 kg. When the links are at 30° to the
vertical, the sleeve begins to rise at 260 rpm. Assuming that the
friction force is constant, find the maximum and the minimum
speeds of rotation when the inclination of the arms to the vertical is
45°.

24
25
Proell Governor [Not for exam]
A porter governor is known as a Proell governor if two balls
(masses) are fixed on the upward extensions of the lower links
which are in the form of bent links as shown in the figure (BAE and
CDF).

26
where b, c, d and r are the dimensions as
indicated in the diagram

In the position when AE is vertical, i.e., neglecting its obliquity

27
28
29
Sensitiveness of a Governor
 A governor is said to be sensitive when it readily responds to a
small change of speed
 The movement of the sleeve for a fractional change of speed is
the measure of sensitivity
 As a governor is used to limit the change of speed of the engine
between minimum to full-load conditions, the sensitiveness of a
governor is also defined as the ratio of the difference between
the maximum and the minimum speeds (range of speed) to the
mean equilibrium speed

30
Hunting
 If a governor is too sensitive, it may fluctuate continuously,
because when the load on the engine falls, the sleeve rises rapidly
to a maximum position
 This shuts off the fuel supply to the extent to affect a sudden fall in
the speed
 As the speed falls to below the mean speed value, the sleeve
again moves rapidly and falls to a minimum position to increase
the fuel supply
 The speed subsequently rises and becomes more than the
average with the result that the sleeve again rises to reduce the
fuel supply
 This process continues and is known as hunting
31
Stability
 A governor is said to be stable if it brings the speed of the engine
to the required value and there is not much hunting
 The ball masses occupy a definite position for each speed of the
engine within the working range
 The stability and the sensitivity are two opposite characteristics

32
 Effort of a Governor
 The effort of a governor is the mean force acting on the sleeve to
raise or lower it for a given change of speed
 At constant speed, the governor is in equilibrium and the resultant
force acting on the sleeve is zero
 However, when the speed of the governor increases or decreases,
a force is exerted on the sleeve which tends to move it
 When the sleeve occupies a new steady position, the resultant
force acting on it again becomes zero

33
Let ω be increased by c times ω where c is a factor and E be
the force applied on the sleeve to prevent it from moving
Thus the force on the sleeve is increased to (Mg+E)

Dividing (2) by (1) and neglecting c 2 term,

Effort,

If k = 1, Effort,

If k = 1 & friction is considered, Effort,

34