GOVERNOR

Introduction

The function of a governor is to regulate the mean speed of an engine, when there are variations
in the load e.g. 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.
The supply of the working fluid decreases when the sleeve rises and increases when it falls
Types of Governors

The governors may, broadly, be classified as

1. Centrifugal governors, and 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*.

It consists of two balls of equal mass, which are attached to the arms as shown in Fig. 18.1.
These balls are known as governor balls or fly balls.
Note: When the balls rotate at uniform speed, controlling force is equal to the centrifugal force
and they balance each other.
Terms Used in Governors

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.
Note : There can be many equilibrium speeds between the mean and the maximum and the mean
and the minimum equilibrium speeds.
5. Sleeve lift. It is the vertical distance which the sleeve travels due to change in equilibrium
speed.

Watt Governor
The simplest form of a centrifugal governor is a Watt governor, as shown in Fig. It is basically a
conical pendulum with links attached to a sleeve of negligible mass.

m = Mass of the ball in kg,

w = Weight of the ball in newtons = m.g,
T = Tension in the arm in newtons,
ω = Angular velocity of the arm and ball about the spindle axis in rad/s,
r = Radius of the path of rotation of the ball i.e. horizontal distance from the centre of the ball to
the spindle axis in metres,
Fc = Centrifugal force acting on the ball in newtons = m. ω 2.r, and
h = Height of the governor in metres.
It is assumed that the weight of the arms, links and the sleeve are negligible as compared to
the weight of the balls. Now, the ball is in equilibrium under the action of the centrifugal force
(FC) acting on the ball, the tension (T) in the arm, and the weight (w) of the ball.
Taking moments about point O, we have

Fc × h = w × r = m.g.r
m. ω2.r.h = m.g.r
h = g / ω2 (i)

Porter Governor

The Porter governor is a modification of a Watt’s governor, with central load attached to the
sleeve as shown in Fig. 18.3 (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.
18.3 (b).
m = Mass of each ball in kg,
w = Weight of each ball in newtons = m.g,
Mc = Mass of the central load in kg,
Wc = Weight of the central load in newtons = M.g,
r = Radius of rotation in metres,

h = Height of governor in metres ,

N = Speed of the balls in r.p.m .,
ω = Angular speed of the balls in rad/s = 2 π N/60 rad/s,
Fc = Centrifugal force acting on the ball in newtons = m. ω 2.r,
T1 = Force in the arm in newtons,
T2 = Force in the link in newtons,
α = Angle of inclination of the arm (or upper link) to the vertical, and
β = Angle of inclination of the link (or lower link) to the vertical.
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,
Example 2. A Porter governor has equal arms each 250 mm long and pivoted on the axis of
rotation. Each ball has a mass of 5 kg and the mass of the central load on the sleeve is 25 kg. The
radius of rotation of the ball is 150 mm when the governor begins to lift and 200 mm when the
governor is at maximum speed. Find the minimum and maximum speeds and range of speed of
the governor.

Example 3. The arms of a Porter governor are each 250 mm long and pivoted on the governor
axis. The mass of each ball is 5 kg and the mass of the central sleeve is 30 kg. The radius of rotation
of the balls is 150 mm when the sleeve begins to rise and reaches a value of 200 mm for maximum
speed. Determine the speed range of the governor. If the friction at the sleeve is equivalent of 20
N of load at the sleeve, determine how the speed range is modified.

Example 4. In an engine governor of the Porter type, the upper and lower arms are 200 mm and
250 mm respectively and pivoted on the axis of rotation. The mass of the central load is 15 kg, the
mass of each ball is 2 kg and friction of the sleeve together with the resistance of the operating
gear is equal to a load of 25 N at the sleeve. If the limiting inclinations of the upper arms to the
vertical are 30° and 40°, find, taking friction into account, range of speed of the governor.

Example 5. A Porter governor has all four arms 250 mm long. The upper arms are attached on the
axis of rotation and the lower arms are attached to the sleeve at a distance of 30 mm from the axis.
The mass of each ball is 5 kg and the sleeve has a mass of 50 kg. The extreme radii of rotation are
150 mm and 200 mm. Determine the range of speed of the governor.