UNIVERSAL GOVERNOR APPARATUS

Introduction & Description:

This equipment is designed & developed to enable the students to study the characteristics of
various types of Governors by fixing the mechanisms properly to the spindle shaft. On this
apparatus four types of Governors…

1) Watt 2) Porter 3) Proell 4) Hartnell

can be studied. Characteristics curves of the dead weight Governors and spring loaded
Governor can be drawn.

The apparatus can perform following experiments

1. Determination of characteristic curve of sleeve position against controlling force and

speed.
2. Plotting of characteristic curve of radius of rotation.

The drive unit consists of a small electric motor connected by a ‘V’ belt to drive the shaft.
The Motor & main shaft are mounted on a rigid M.S. base frame in vertical fashion. The
Governor spindle is supported in a ball bearing.

The unit has a unique facility of fixing optional Governor Mechanisms on spindle, by
removing the nut fitted on top of the spindle shaft. The Dimmer stat provided with this unit
achieves precise speed control. A counter hole over the spindle shaft allows the use of a hand
tachometer to measure the speed of the shaft. (Tachometer is not in the scope of supply). A
graduated scale is fixed to the bracket and guided in vertical direction to measure the lift.

The center sleeve of the porter and Proell Governors incorporates a weight sleeve to which
weights can be added. In the Hartnell Governor spring rate and initial compression level can
be varied. This enables the Hartnell Governor, to be operated as a stable or unstable
Governor.

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Specifications:

1. Electric Motor : DC Motor, Capacity - ¼ hp, 1500rpm speed, Single Phase, 230 V
AC.
2. Dimmer stat – 2 Amp., DC Type – for controlling the speed.
3. Separate linkages with balls are provided for Watt & Porter type governor and proell
governor mechanism.
4. Spring loaded linkage for Hartnel Governor Mechanism.
5. Weights for Porter and Proell Governor.

Experimental Procedure:

The Governor mechanism as desired, to be tested is fitted with the chosen weights and spring,
where applicable, to the spindle shaft. Ensure that the nut & bolts of all the moving parts and
of the spindle shaft are properly tightened. Then following simple procedure is to be
followed.
1. Keep the knob of the dimmer stat in zero position before switching on the main
supply.
2. Switch on the main supply and gradually go on increasing the speed of the motor. Due
to this the center sleeve rises from the lower stop aligning with the marking on the
scale. This is initial lift of the sleeve.
3. Note down the readings of the sleeve position and speed for this initial lift. Speed of
the motor is to be measured by hand tachometer, from the counter hole provided on
the spindle.
4. Then increase the speed in steps to give suitable sleeve movement and note down the
readings of sleeve displacement and the corresponding speed. All the readings are to
be entered in a tabular observation table.
5. This procedure is adopted for all the other three Governor mechanisms by properly
fitting the assembly to the spindle shaft.
6. After completing the experiment bring the knob of the dimmer stat to its original
position i.e. zero slowly and gradually. Then switch off the main supply.
7. Then the results may be plotted as.

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 a. The graph of speed v/s sleeve displacement for Watt, Porter & Proell
Governor.
b. Plot the graph of speed v/s governor height for Watt Governor.
c. Plot the Governor characteristic after doing the necessary calculations.

Services Required:
Earthed A.C. Single Phase, Stabilized Electric Supply, 230V, 50Hz, as standard supply.

Space Required:
A bench area of 1220 x 610mm (4 x 2 ft.) is suitable.

Foundation:
It is advisable to fix the base on a solid foundation.

Precautions:
1. Do not keep the mains ON when the trial is complete.
2. Make proper connections of field of armature of the DC motor.
3. Increase the speed slowly & gradually. Avoid abrupt use of dimmer stat for
controlling the speed.
4. Take the sleeve displacement reading when the pointer is steady.
5. See that at higher speed the load on sleeve does not hit the upper sleeve of the
Governor.
6. While closing the test bring the dimmer to zero position and then switch OFF the
motor.
7. Put some lubricating oil on the spindle shaft before it is driven.

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 2. HARTNELL GOVERNOR

Aim: Find the centrifugal forces for the various radius of rotation.

Description: Arrange the set-up as shown in Fig.5 by using the proper linkages provided.
Tighten the bolts and nuts properly. The assembly is ready for conducting the experiment.
Now follow experimental procedure as mentioned above. Go on increasing the speed
gradually and take the readings of speed of rotation `N` and corresponding sleeve
displacement `X'.

In the Hartnel governor, with the use of fly weights (forming full ball) the governor becomes
highly sensitive. Under these conditions large sleeve displacement is observed for very small
change in speed. Hence, it is suggested that increase the speed of the motor very slowly and
carefully to get the lift.

Dimensions
a) Length a = 0.080 m.
b) Length b = 0.130 m.
c) Weight of ball W = 0.65kg.
d) Initial radius of rotation ro = 0.163 m.
e) Spring stiffness P = 2 Kg/cm.
f) Free Length of spring = 0.14 m.

Procedure:
1. Measure initial compression of the spring.
2. Go on increasing the speed gradually and take the readings of speed of rotation ‘N’ and
corresponding sleeve displacement ‘X’. Radius of rotation ‘r’ at any position could be found
as follows:
r = ro + x (a/b) m
3. Angular Velocity ‘’ = 2N/60 rad/sec
4. Spring force = in ( Kg)
(Free Length of Spring – Compressed Length of Spring) x spring Stiffness

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Observation Table:

Sleeve Radius of rotation Force

Speed
S. No. Displacement F = (W/g) x 2 r
N rpm X in m r in m in Kgf
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Following graphs then be plotted to study governor characteristics:

a) Force Vs Radius of rotation.

b) Speed Vs Sleeve Displacement.

Calculations:

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 Set-up - Hartnell Governor Arrangement

Result:

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