GOVERNING SYSTEM OF AN I.C.
ENGINE
Governor is a mechanical device designed to control the speed of an engine within
specified limit used on tractor or stationary engine for: (i) maintaining a nearly constant
speed of engine under different load conditions (ii) protecting the engine and the attached
equipment against high speeds, when the load is reduced or removed. Tractor engines are
always fitted with governor. There is an important difference in principle between the
controls of a tractor engine and that of a motor car. In case of motor car, the fuel supply is
under direct control of the accelerator pedal, but in tractor engine, the fuel supply is
controlled by the governor. The operator changes the engine speed by moving the
governor control lever.
A governor is essential on a tractor engine for the reason that load on the tractor engine is
subjected to rapid variation in the field and the operator cannot control the rapid change
of the engine speed without any automatic device. For example, if the load on the tractor
is reduced, the engine would tend to race suddenly. If the load is increased, the engine
would tend to slow down abruptly. Under these circumstances, it becomes difficult for
the operator to regulate always the throttle lever to meet the temporary changes in the
engine load. A governor automatically regulates the engine speed on varying load
condition and thus the operator is relieved of the duty of constant regulating the throttle
lever to suit different load conditions.
WORKING PRINCIPLE:
The basic principle of working of governor is that the governor spring and flyweights are
so selected that at any designed engine speed centrifugal force and spring force are in
equilibrium. If the speed increases, the increasing centrifugal force of the flyweights acts
through the system of levers to reduce the delivery of fuel and when the speed decrease,
the control rod moves to step up the fuel delivery rate to increase the speed to desired
level. The governor maintains all speeds automatically including idling and minimum
speed. Governors are often included in the design of the fuel injection pump. The diesel
engine governors should have following certain qualities or characteristics.
Governing system is classified as:
a. Hit and miss system
b. Throttle system
c. Mechanical or centrifugal governor
a. Constant speed governor
b. Variable speed governor
d. Pneumatic type governor
e. Hydraulic governor
1. Hit and miss system: In this system, the frequencies of power stroke of engine are
regulated. When engine speed exceeds the rated speed, the exhaust valves get opens,
which prevents fresh air fuel mixture or fuel to enter in to the engine cylinder during
suction stroke. The inlet valve remains closed as long as exhaust valve is held open. It
is found that explosions are missed intermittently, but every charge is of normal
strength.
2. Throttle system: The system consists in controlling the amount of fuel mixture or
fuel during suction stroke and then charging the explosions intensity in the cylinder.
In this system no. of power strokes are not reduced, only the intensity of strokes is
changed. Butterfly valve is provided in the air passage between inlet manifold and
carburetor. If speed decreases, the throttle remains open and more charge will goes to
cylinder. If speed increases the throttle valves nearly closed, less charge will goes to
cylinder resulting in reduced speed.
3. Mechanical or centrifugal governor: It works on the principle of centrifugal. Two
weights are hinged to the crankshaft of pump; both weights are hinged with crank
lever. When the speed increases through accelerator the crankshaft revolves at high
speed. The weights fly due to Centrifugal force taking along with it the control rod to
the stop position. At low load engine speed tends to go high. Weights tend to fly,
close the throttle valve and reduces the entry of charge in the engine. Similarly at high
load speed tends to slower the weight comes closer due to spring tension. Throttle
near open and allowing more fuel to the cylinder, which increases the speed.
Commonly used in tractors and stationary engines.
Centrifugal Governor
4. Pneumatic type governor: The governor covers the complete range of engine speed,
i.e. from idling speed to maximum speed. Mostly used in petrol engine
5. Hydraulic governor: Very popular in foreign countries. Being hydraulically, there
are very moving parts and very light resulting runs without vibration and don’t put
excessive load on cam shaft bearing.
Governor regulation (R): Percentage of Difference in speed divided by the average
speed of engine at load and no load condition.
( − )
= ( )
× 100
( )
Where, R= Percentage regulation or speed drop
N1=Engine speed at no load
N2 =Engine speed at load
Governor Hunting: It is the erratic variation of the speed of governor when it covers
compensates for speed changes. Hunting may be done due to governor being too stiff or
due to some obstruction in free movement of governor components.
