Overview
The Universal Governor Apparatus is a variable-speed motorised platform that supports interchangeable governor configurations including the Watt governor, Porter governor, Proell governor, and Hartnell (spring-loaded) governor. As the drive speed changes, the governor sleeve position changes and is measured, providing height-speed or sleeve displacement-speed characteristic data. Students plot governor characteristics, determine equilibrium speed, sensitivity, range of speed, coefficient of insensitiveness, and effort and power of each governor type. The apparatus provides hands-on understanding of the speed governing mechanisms used historically in steam engines and still relevant in mechanical speed limiters and throttle control mechanisms.
Specifications
| Governor types | Watt, Porter, Proell, Hartnell (interchangeable) |
| Drive speed | 0 to 600 RPM (variable) |
| Speed control | variable speed motor |
| Sleeve displacement | measured by scale / LVDT |
| Ball mass | adjustable dead weights |
| Spring (Hartnell) | interchangeable stiffness values |
| Speed measurement | digital tachometer |
| Power supply | 220V AC, 50 Hz |