Governors:

• Overview
• Introduction
• Application
• Difference between Flywheel & Governor
• Types of governors
• Force analysis of Porter and Hartnell governors
• Controlling force
• Stability
• Sensitiveness
• Isochronisms
• Effort and power
• Details of types of governors
 Overview

• A Governor is a device that is used to determine

the speed of the moving machine part and
regulates the speed to the desired level. Even in
cars and other automobiles, governors are being
used. Governors are also known for speed
limiters as they can regulate the speed of the
automobile. In internal combustion engine
vehicles, a governor is used to limit the rotational
speed of the engine, so as to reduce the speed of
the vehicle. Almost all the governors work under
the principle of centrifugal force.
• Modern fuel injected engines are governed by
the ECU which will shut off the fuel supply when
the vehicle reaches a predetermined speed.
Some older vehicle with a carburetor had a
mechanical governor but most had no governor
at all.
• You can find governors in almost all the cars like
BMW, Benz, Audi and much more. In some
countries, governors are fixed earlier to the sale
of the cars so as to establish the speed limit of
the country. Even the Rolls-Royce cars are limited
with a governor.
• So as the fuel injection is totally controlled
electronically so there is no use of mechanical
governor in it…
Introduction
• The function of a governor is to regulate the mean
speed of an engine, when there are variations in the
load
• For example, when the load on an engine increases, its
speed decreases, therefore it becomes necessary to
increase the supply of working fluid.
• On the other hand, when the load on the engine
decreases, its speed increases and thus less working
fluid is required.
• The governor automatically controls the supply of
working fluid to the engine with the varying load
conditions and keeps the mean speed within
certain limits.
• A little consideration will show that, when the load
increases, the configuration of the governor
changes and a valve is moved to increase the
supply of the working fluid ; conversely, when the
load decreases, the engine speed increases and the
governor decreases the supply of working fluid.
Note :
• The function of a flywheel in an engine is entirely
different from that of a governor.
• It controls the speed variation caused by the fluctuations
of the engine turning moment during each cycle of
operation.
• It does not control the speed variations caused by a
varying load.
• The varying demand for power is met by the governor
regulating the supply of working fluid.
 Application of Governor

➢ In power generation, the governor controls the speed

of the generator according to the demand for power
generation.
•
In diesel driven fire pumps, if the diesel engine speed
increased the pressure will increase and this may lead
to explosion of diesel engine. governor is used to limit
speed to be within 10% of the rated engine speed so
that the pressure increase is limited
 Working of Governor

Power is supplied to the governor from the engine's output

shaft by a belt or chain connected to the lower belt wheel.
The governor is connected to a throttle valve that regulates
the flow of working fluid supplying the prime mover. As the
speed of the prime mover increases, the central spindle of
the governor rotates at a faster rate and the kinetic energy of
the balls increases. This allows the two masses on lever arms
to move outwards and upwards against gravity. If the motion
goes far enough, this motion causes the lever arms to pull
down on a thrust bearing, which moves a beam linkage,
which reduces the aperture of a throttle valve. The rate of
working- fluid entering the cylinder is thus reduced and the
speed of the prime mover is controlled, preventing over-
speeding.
 For Example

Assume a driver running a car in hill station, at that time engine load
increases, and automatically vehicle speed decreases. Now the
actual speed is less than desired speed. So driver increases the fuel
to achieve the desired speed. So here, the driver is a governor for
this system.
So governor is a system to minimize fluctuations within the mean
speed which can occur as a result of load variation. The governor
has no influence over cyclic speed fluctuations however it controls
the mean speed over an extended period throughout that load on
the engine might vary. When there’s modification in load, variation
in speed additionally takes place then governor operates a
regulatory control and adjusts the fuel provide to keep up the mean
speed nearly constant. Therefore the governor mechanically
regulates
through linkages, the energy provided to the engines as demanded
by variation of load, so the engine speed is maintained nearly
constant.
 Difference between flywheel and governor

FLYWHEEL GOVERNOR

• used because of variation of speed • used because of variation of speed

due to variation in the output torque due to variation in the load on the
of engine during a cycle. engine.
• Limits the inertiable fluctuation of • Controls the mean speed of engine by
speed during each cycle which arises varying the fuel supply which arises
due to fluctuation of turning moment due to variation of load.
on crank shaft.
• Stores excess of rotational energy • When load on the engine increases,
from the power stroke and supply speed decreases, it increases the flow
back during non- power strokes of the of fuel to keep the mean speed
cycle. constant.
• It controls the speed for one cycle • It maintains constant mean speed
only so it is continuous. over a period of time so it is discrete.
Types of Governors
• The governors may, broadly, be classified as
1. Centrifugal governors
2. Inertia governors.
 Centrifugal Governors
• The centrifugal governors are based on the balancing of centrifugal
force on the rotating balls by an equal and opposite radial force,
known as the controlling force.

13
• It consists of two balls of equal mass, which are attached to
the arms as shown in Fig.
• 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.
Centrifugal Governors
• The upper ends of the arms are pivoted to the spindle, so that the
balls may rise up or fall down 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.

In order to limit the travel of the

sleeve in upward and downward
directions, two stops S, S are
provided on the spindle.
• The sleeve is connected by a bell crank lever to a throttle valve.
• The supply of the working fluid decreases when the sleeve rises and
increases when it falls.
• When the load on the engine increases, the engine and the governor
speed decreases.
• This results in the decrease of centrifugal force on the balls. Hence
the balls move inwards and the sleeve moves downwards.
The downward movement of the
sleeve operates a throttle valve at
the other end of the bell crank
lever to increase the supply of
working fluid and thus the engine
speed is increased.
• When the load on the engine decreases, the engine and the governor
speed increases, which results in the increase of centrifugal force on
the balls.
• Thus the balls move outwards and the sleeve rises upwards.
• This upward movement of the sleeve reduces the supply of the
working fluid and hence the speed is decreased. In this case, the
power output is reduced.
Terms Used in Governors
• The following terms used in governors are important from the subject
point of view ;
1. 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.
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. It is the 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 are 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.

• Note : There can be many equilibrium speeds between the mean and
the maximum and the mean and the minimum equilibrium speeds.
 Governor Effort and Power

Governor effort and power can be used to compare the effectiveness of

different type of governors.

Governor Effort :
It is defined as the mean force exerted on the sleeve during a
given change in speed. When governor speed is constant the net force
at the sleeve is zero. When governor speed increases, there will be a net
force on the sleeve to move it upwards and sleeve starts moving to the
new equilibrium position where net force becomes zero.

It is defined as the work done at the sleeve for a given change in speed.
Therefore,
Power of governor = Governor effort x Displacement of sleeve
 Characteristics of Governors
Different governors can be compared on the basis of following
characteristics :
1.Stability :
A governor is said to be stable when there is one radius of rotation of
the balls for each speed which is within the speed range of the
governor.
2. Sensitiveness
The smaller the change in speed from no load to the full load, the more
sensitive the governor will be. According to this definition, the
sensitiveness of the governor shall be determined by the ratio of speed
range to the mean speed. The smaller the ratio more sensitive the
governor will be

where N2 – N1 = Speed range from no load to full load.

3.Isochronism
A governor is said to be isochronous if equilibrium speed is
constant for all the radii of rotation in the working range. Therefore, for
an isochronous governor the speed range is zero and this type of
governor shall maintain constant speed.

4.Hunting
Whenever there is change in speed due to the change in load on
the engine, the sleeve moves towards the new position but because of
inertia it overshoots the desired position. Sleeve then moves back but
again overshoots the desired position due to inertia. This results in
setting up of oscillations in engine speed. If the frequency of fluctuations
in engine speed coincides with the natural frequency of oscillations of the
governor, this results in increase of amplitude of oscillations due to
resonance. The governor, then, tends to intensity the speed variation
instead of controlling it. This phenomenon is known as hunting of the
governor. Higher the sensitiveness of the governor, the problem of
hunting becomes more acute.
Porter Governor
• In Porter governor central load is attached to the sleeve as shown in
Fig (a).
• The load moves up and down the central spindle. This additional
downward force increases the speed of revolution required to enable
the balls to rise to any predetermined level.
• Consider the forces acting on one-half of the governor as shown in
Fig.(b).
Though there are several ways of
determining the relation between the
height of the governor (h) and the angular
speed of the balls (ω), yet the following
two methods are important from the
subject point of view :
1. Method of resolution of forces ; and
2. Instantaneous centre method.
Again, considering the equilibrium of the forces acting on B.
The point B is in equilibrium under the action of the following
forces, as shown in Fig.
(i) The weight of ball (w = m.g)
(ii) The centrifugal force (Fc),
(iii) The tension in the arm (T1), and
(iv) The tension in the link (T2).
Resolving the forces vertically,

,
•
4 Hareesha N G, Dept of Aero Engg , DSCE , B lore
The + sign is used when the sleeve moves upwards or the governor speed
increases and negative sign is used when the sleeve moves downwards or the
governor speed decreases.

16
Instantaneous centre method
In this method, equilibrium of the forces acting on the link BD are
considered. The instantaneous centre I lies at the point
of intersection of PB produced and a line through D perpendicular to
the spindle axis, as shown in Fig.
Taking moments about the point I,

6/2014 Hareesha N G, Dept of A g DSCE , B lore 17

, , ,
Example 18.8

All the arms of a Porter governor are 178 mm long and are hinged at a distance of 38 mm
from the axis of rotation. The mass of each ball is 1.15 kg and mass of the sleeve is 20 kg.

The governor sleeve begins to rise at 280 r.p.m, when the links are at an angle of 30° to the
vertical. Assuming the friction force to be constant, determine the minimum and maximum
speed of rotation when the inclination of the arms to the vertical is 45°.

,
Hareesha N G Dept of Aero ,
Engg DSCE B ore , l 27
Example 18.8

All the arms of a Porter governor are 178 mm long and are hinged at a distance of 38 mm
from the axis of rotation. The mass of each ball is 1.15 kg and mass of the sleeve is 20 kg.

The governor sleeve begins to rise at 280 r.p.m, when the links are at an angle of 30° to the
vertical. Assuming the friction force to be constant, determine the minimum and maximum
speed of rotation when the inclination of the arms to the vertical is 45°.

,
Hareesha N G Dept of Aero ,
Engg DSCE B ore , l 27
Solve examples 18.1-18.8
Hartnell Governor
• A Hartnell governor is a spring loaded governor as shown in Fig. It consists
of two bell crank levers pivoted at the points O,O to the frame.
• The frame is attached to the governor spindle and therefore rotates with it.
• Each lever carries a ball at the end of the vertical arm OB and a roller at the
end of the horizontal arm OR.

A helical spring in compression

provides equal downward forces on
the two rollers through a collar on
the sleeve.
The spring force may be adjusted by
screwing a nut up or down on the
sleeve.

o Engg DSCE B ore 30

• Consider the forces acting at one bell crank lever.
• The minimum and maximum position is shown in Fig. Let h be the
compression of the spring when the radius of rotation changes from
r1 to r2
• For the minimum position i.e. when the radius of rotation changes
from r to r1 as shown in Fig.(a), the compression of the spring or the
lift of sleeve h1 is given by

Hareesha N G, Dept of Aero Engg , DSCE , B lore 33

• Similarly, for the maximum position i.e. when the radius of rotation changes from r
to r2 as shown in Fig.(b) the compression of the spring or lift of sleeve h2 is given by

o
 , Engg DSCE
Hareesha N G Dept of Aero , ,
Blore 36
14 Hareesha N G , Dept of Aero Engg , DSCE , 38
Blore
Notes :
1) Unless otherwise stated, the obliquity effect of the arms and the moment due to the
weight of the balls is neglected, in actual practice.
2) When friction is taken into account, the weight of the sleeve (M.g) may be replaced by
(M.g. ± F).
3) The centrifugal force (Fc ) for any intermediate position (i.e. between the minimum and
maximum position) at a radius of rotation (r) may be obtained as discussed below :
Since the stiffness for a given spring is constant for all positions, therefore for minimum and
intermediate position,

Hareesha N G, Dept of Aero Engg, DSCE, Blore

Hareesha N G Dept of Aero Engg DSCE B ore 41
Solve examples 18.13-18.16
Sensitiveness of Governors
• Consider two governors A and B running at the same speed. When this speed
increases or decreases by a certain amount, the lift of the sleeve of governor A is
greater than the lift of the sleeve of governor B. It is then said that the governor A is
more sensitive than the governor B.
• In general, the greater the lift of the sleeve corresponding to a given fractional
change in speed, the greater is the sensitiveness of the governor.
• The sensitiveness is defined as the ratio of the difference between the maximum
and minimum equilibrium speeds to the mean equilibrium speed.
Stability of Governors
• A governor is said to be stable when for every speed within the
working range there is a definite configuration i.e. there is only one
radius of rotation of the governor balls at which the governor is in
equilibrium.
• For a stable governor, if the equilibrium speed increases, the radius
of governor balls must also increase.
Note : A governor is said to be unstable, if the radius of rotation
decreases as the speed increases.
Isochronous Governors
• A governor is said to be isochronous when the equilibrium speed is
constant (i.e. range of speed is zero) for all radii of rotation of the
balls within the working range, neglecting friction.
• Let us consider the case of a Porter governor running at speeds N1
and N2 r.p.m.

For isochronism, range of speed should be zero

i.e. N2 – N1 = 0 or N2 = N1. Therefore from equations (i) and (ii)
h1 = h2, which is impossible in case of a Porter governor.
Hence a Porter governor cannot be isochronous
• Now consider the case of a Hartnell governor running at speeds N1
and N2 r.p.m.

• For isochronism, N2 = N1. Therefore from equations (iii) and (iv),

Note : The isochronous governor is not of practical use because the

sleeve will move to one of its extreme positions immediately the
speed deviates from the isochronous speed.
Hunting
• A governor is said to be hunt if the speed of the engine fluctuates
continuously above and below the mean speed. This is caused by a too
sensitive governor which changes the fuel supply by a large amount
when a small change in the speed of rotation takes place.
• For example, when the load on the engine increases, the engine speed
decreases and, if the governor is very sensitive, the governor sleeve
immediately falls to its lowest position.
• This will result in the opening of the control valve wide which will supply
the fuel to the engine in excess of its requirement so that the engine
speed rapidly increases again and the governor sleeve rises to its highest
position.
• Due to this movement of the sleeve, the control valve will cut off the
fuel supply to the engine and thus the engine speed begins to fall once
again. This cycle is repeated indefinitely.
• Such a governor may admit either the maximum or the minimum
amount of fuel. The effect of this will be to cause wide fluctuations in
the engine speed or in other words, the engine will hunt.
Effort and Power of a Governor
• The effort of a governor is the mean force exerted at the sleeve for a
given percentage change of speed(or lift of the sleeve).
• It may be noted that when the governor is running steadily, there is
no force at the sleeve.
• But, when the speed changes, there is a resistance at the sleeve
which opposes its motion.
• It is assumed that this resistance which is equal to the effort, varies
uniformly from a maximum value to zero while the governor moves
into its new position of equilibrium.
• The power of a governor is the work done at the sleeve for a given
percentage change of speed.
• It is the product of the mean value of the effort and the distance
through which the sleeve moves.
Mathematically,
Power = Mean effort × lift of sleeve
• Effort and Power of a Porter Governor
• We know that, when the speed is N r.p.m., the sleeve load is M.g.
Assuming that the angles α and β are equal, so that q = 1, then the
height of the governor,

• When the increase of speed takes place, a downward force P will have to be
exerted on the sleeve in order to prevent the sleeve from rising. If the speed
increases to (1 + c) N r.p.m. and the height of the governor remains the same, the
load on the sleeve increases to M1.g. Therefore

50
• A little consideration will show that (M1 – M)g is the downward force which must
be applied in order to prevent the sleeve from rising as the speed increases.
• It is the same force which acts on the governor sleeve immediately after the
increase of speed has taken place and before the sleeve begins to move.
• When the sleeve takes the new position as shown in Fig. (b), this force gradually
diminishes to zero.
Power of the porter Governor
Hareesha N G Dept of Aero
, Engg DSCE B ore
, , l
Hareesha N G, Dept of Aero Engg, DSCE,
Blore
Hareesha N G Dept o ,
Controlling Force
• We know that when a body rotates in a
circular path, there is an inward radial force
or centripetal force acting on it.
• In case of a governor running at a steady
speed, the inward force acting on the
rotating balls is known as controlling force.
• It is equal and opposite to the centrifugal
reaction.
• The controlling force is provided by the
weight of the sleeve and balls as in Porter
governor and by the spring and weight as in
Hartnell governor (or spring controlled
governor).
• When the graph between the controlling
force (Fc) as ordinate and radius of rotation
of the balls (r) as abscissa is drawn.
, , l