Governors Question Bank

Short Answer Questions (2 Marks)

(1) Define the terms relating to governors: Isochronism and Hunting.

Ans:
Isochronism: A governor is said to be isochronous, when the equilibrium
speed is constant for all radii of rotation of the balls, within the working
range. An isochronous governor will be infinitely sensitive.
Hunting: It is a condition in which the speed of the engine controlled by the
governor fluctuates continuously above and below the mean speed. It is
caused by a governor which is too sensitive.

(2) Define the term sensitiveness in governors.

Ans:
The sensitiveness is defined as the ratio of the mean speed to the difference
between the maximum and minimum speeds. A governor is said to be sensitive,
when it really responds to a small change of speed.

(3) What is the difference between the Porter and Proell governors?
Ans:
1) For a given mass of Governor ball and center load the speed of Proell
governor lower than that of porter governor.
2) In order to have the same equilibrium speed for the given values, balls of
smaller masses are used in the Proell governor than in the Portel governor.

(4) What are the effects of friction and of adding a central weight to
the sleeve of a Watt governor?
Ans:
1) When the loaded sleeve moves up and down the spindle, the frictional force
acts on if in a direction opposite to that of motion sleeve.
2) When a central load attached to the sleeve, the load moves up down the
central spindle. This additional downward force increases the speed of
revolution required to enable the balls to rise to any to any pre-determined
level. Height of the governor increases.
.

R. Syam Sudhakar Rao, Associate Professor, Guru Nanak Institutions Technical Campus, Ibrahimpatnam
Governors Question Bank

(5) What is the difference between centrifugal governors and inertia

governors?
Ans:
Centrifugal governor Inertia governor
In addition to centrifugal force, the
The operation of a centrifugal
position of governor ball and the
governor depends on the change
operation of governor controlled by
in speed and centrifugal force on
force of angular acceleration and
the governor balls.
retardation of the spindle.
Only centrifugal force is in In inertia governor, both centrifugal
controlling action force and inertia force are in action.
The sensitiveness is less when
Highly sensitive to varying load.
compared to inertia governor
The reaction of inertia governor is
The response is slower than that
faster than that of the centrifugal
of inertia governor.
governor (quick response).
Easy to balance the revolving
Hard to balance revolving parts.
parts.
This type of governor more
They are not popular.
frequently used.

(6) What are the limitations of a Watt governor?

Ans:
1) Watt governors are limited to in vertical position applications.
2) Watt governor is used in very slow speed engine. At higher speed, the
sensitivity will decrease.
.
(7) Explain effort and power of a governor.
Ans:
Effort of a governor: The effort of a governor is the mean force exerted at
the sleeve for a given percentage change of speed.
Power of a governor: The power of a governor is the work done at the sleeve
for a given percentage change of speed.
Power = Mean effort x lift of the sleeve

R. Syam Sudhakar Rao, Associate Professor, Guru Nanak Institutions Technical Campus, Ibrahimpatnam
Governors Question Bank

10 Marks Questions

(1) In a porter governor, 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 24 N at the
sleeve. If the limiting inclinations of the upper arms to the vertical are 30°
and 40°. Find the range of speed of governor taking friction into account.
Solution: Given: BP = 200 mm = 0.2 m, BD = 250 mm= 0.25 m, M = 15 kg,
m = 2 kg, F = 24 N, 𝛼1 = 30°, 𝛼2 = 40°

(a) Minimum position (b) Maximum position

𝑁1 = minimum speed

𝑁2 = maximum speed

From figure a,

𝑟1 = BG = BP sin 30 = 0.2 x 0.5 = 0.1 m

ℎ1 = PG = BP cos 30 = 0.2 x 0.866 = 0.1732 m

DG = √𝐵𝐷2 − 𝐵𝐺 2 = √0,252 − 0.12 = 0.23 m

R. Syam Sudhakar Rao, Associate Professor, Guru Nanak Institutions Technical Campus, Ibrahimpatnam
Governors Question Bank

𝑡𝑎n 𝛽1 = BG/DG = 0.1/0.23 = 0.4348

tan 𝛼1 = tan 30 = 0.5774

𝑞1 = 𝑡𝑎n 𝛽1 = 0.4348 = 0.753

tan 𝛼1 0.5774

𝑁12 = 𝑚.𝑔 + (𝑀 .𝑔 − 𝐹
) (1+ 𝑞1 ) x 895
2
ℎ1
𝑚𝑔

= 2 𝑥 9.81 + (15 𝑥 9.81 − 24

) (1+ 0.753) x 895 = 33596
2
0.1732
2 𝑥 9.81

𝑁1 = 183.3 rpm

From figure b,

𝑟2 = BG = BP sin 40 = 0.2 x 0.643 = 0.1268 m

ℎ2 = PG = BP cos 40 = 0.2 x 0.766 = 0.1532 m

DG = √𝐵𝐷2 − 𝐵𝐺 2 = √0.252 − 0.12682 = 0.2124 m

𝑡𝑎n 𝛽2 = BG/DG = 0.1268/0.2124 = 0.59

tan 𝛼2 = tan 40 = 0.839

𝑞2 = 𝑡𝑎n 𝛽2 = 0.59 = 0.703

tan 𝛼2 0.839

𝑁22 = 𝑚.𝑔 + (𝑀 .𝑔 + 𝐹 ) (1+ 𝑞2 ) x 895

2
ℎ2
𝑚𝑔

= 2 𝑥 9.81 + (15 𝑥 9.81+ 24

) (1+ 0.703) x 895 = 49236
2
0.1532
2 𝑥 9.81

𝑁2 = 222 rpm

Range of speed = 𝑁2 − 𝑁1 = 222 – 183.3 = 38.7 rpm Ans.

R. Syam Sudhakar Rao, Associate Professor, Guru Nanak Institutions Technical Campus, Ibrahimpatnam
Governors Question Bank

(2) Draw a neat sketch of Proell governor. Establish a relation among the
various forces acting on the bent link.
Ans:

The proell governor has the balls fixed at B and C to the extension of the
links DF and EG. The arms FP and GQ are pivoted at P and Q respectively.
Taking moments about I [figure (b)],
𝐹𝑐 x BM = ω x IM + 𝑊 x ID = m. g x IM + 𝑀. 𝑔 x ID
2 2
𝐹𝑐 = m. g x 𝐼𝑀 + 𝑀. 𝑔 (𝐼𝑀 + 𝑀𝐷)
𝐵𝑀 2 𝐵𝑀

Multiplying and dividing by FM,

𝐹𝑐 = 𝐹𝑀 [𝑚 𝑔 𝑥 𝐼𝑀 𝑀. 𝑔 𝐼𝑀 𝑀𝐷
𝐵𝑀
. + ( + )]
𝐹𝑀 2 𝐹𝑀 𝐹𝑀
= 𝐹𝑀 [𝑚. 𝑔 𝑥 tan 𝛼 + 𝑀. 𝑔 (
𝐵𝑀
tan 𝛼 + tan 𝛽 ) ]
2

= 𝐹𝑀 x tan α [𝑚. 𝑔 + 𝑀. 𝑔 (1 tan 𝛽

)]
𝐵𝑀 + 2 tan 𝛼

Substitute 𝐹𝑐 = m 𝜔 2 r; tan α = and q = tan 𝛽

𝑟
ℎ
tan 𝛼

m 𝜔 2 r = 𝐹𝑀 x 𝑟 𝑀. 𝑔
ℎ
[𝑚 . 𝑔 + (1 + 𝑞 ) ]
𝐵𝑀 2

𝜔 2 = 𝐹𝑀 𝑚+ 𝑀 (1 + 𝑞) 𝑔
(or) 𝑁 2 = 𝐹𝑀 𝑚+ 𝑀 (1 + 𝑞) 895
ℎ
𝐵𝑀 [ 2 ] 𝐵𝑀 [ 2 ] ℎ
𝑚 𝑚

R. Syam Sudhakar Rao, Associate Professor, Guru Nanak Institutions Technical Campus, Ibrahimpatnam
Governors Question Bank

(3) Determine the (i) maximum speed (ii) minimum speed (iii) range of speed
of a Watt governor of open arm type shown in figure in which the length of
arm AE = 400 mm, and length EF = 60 mm, when the angle θ changes from
40° to 30°.

Solution:
Case (i): When the angle, θ = 40°

sin 40 = 𝐸𝐺 = 30 (or) EO = 30 = 46.67 mm

𝐸𝑂 𝐸𝑂 sin 40
∴ AO = AE + EO = 400 + 46.67 = 446.67 mm

∴ h = AO cos 40 = 446.67 cos 40 = 342.17 mm = 0.342 m

∴ 𝑁12 = 895 = 895 = 2616 (or) 𝑁1 = 51 rpm

ℎ 0.342
Maximum speed = 51 rpm

Case (i): When the angle, θ = 30°

h = AO cos 30 = 446.67 cos 30 = 386.82 mm = 0.387 m

∴ 𝑁22 = 895 = 895 = 2313 (or) 𝑁2 = 48 rpm
ℎ 0.387
Minimum speed = 48 rpm
∴ Range of speed = Maximum speed – Minimum speed

= 51 – 48 = 3 rpm

R. Syam Sudhakar Rao, Associate Professor, Guru Nanak Institutions Technical Campus, Ibrahimpatnam
Governors Question Bank

(4) The upper and lower ends of the links of a Proell governor are pivoted on
the axis of rotation of the governor. Each of the upper and lower links are
each 25 cm long between centers and the lower links carry extension arms
each 10 cm long and parallel to the governor axis when the radius of the ball
path is 15 cm, Determine the equilibrium speed of the governor for this
configuration if each ball weighs 60 N and the central load weighs 390 N.
Solution:

Given Data: PF = DF = 25 cm; BF = 10 cm; r = 15 cm; w = 60 N; W = 390 N

h = PG = √(𝑃𝐹 )2 − (𝐹𝐺 )2 = √(25)2 − (15)2 = 20 cm = 0.2 m

FM = GD = PG = 0.2 m
∴ BM = BF + FM = 10 + 20 = 30 cm = 0.3 m

𝑁 2 = 𝐹𝑀 𝑤 +𝑊 895
𝐵𝑀 [ 𝑤
] ℎ

= 0.2 60 +390 895

= 22375
0 .3 [ 60
] 0.2

N = 149.6 rpm
∴ Equilibrium speed = 149.6 rpm Ans.

R. Syam Sudhakar Rao, Associate Professor, Guru Nanak Institutions Technical Campus, Ibrahimpatnam
Governors Question Bank
(5) Deduce the governing equation of a Porter governor, taking into account
the friction at the sleeve. Also discuss the effect of friction on the
functioning of the governor.

R. Syam Sudhakar Rao, Associate Professor, Guru Nanak Institutions Technical Campus, Ibrahimpatnam
Governors Question Bank

(6) Prove that for a Hartnell governor:

a) The total lift, h = (𝑟2 − 𝑟1 ), and
𝑦
𝑥
b) Stiffness of spring, s = 𝑥 𝑆 −𝑆
𝑦
2
[ 1
]
𝑟2 − 𝑟1

where a and b = lengths of bell-crank lever of ball-arm and sleeve-arm

respectively; and S1 and S2 spring forces at minimum and maximum radii r 1
and r2 respectively.
Ans:

(a) Minimum position (b) Maximum position

R. Syam Sudhakar Rao, Associate Professor, Guru Nanak Institutions Technical Campus, Ibrahimpatnam
Governors Question Bank

R. Syam Sudhakar Rao, Associate Professor, Guru Nanak Institutions Technical Campus, Ibrahimpatnam
Governors Question Bank

Subtracting equation (iv) from equation (v)

𝑆2 - 𝑆1 = 2
(𝐹𝑐2 x 𝑥2 + m. g x 𝑎2 ) - 2
(𝐹𝑐1 x 𝑥1 + m. g x 𝑎1 )
𝑦2 𝑦1

We know that 𝑆2 - 𝑆1 = h. s and h = (𝑟2 - 𝑟1 ) 𝑦

𝑥

∴ s = 𝑆2 − 𝑆1 = (𝑆2 − 𝑆1 ) 𝑥
ℎ 𝑦
𝑟2 − 𝑟1

R. Syam Sudhakar Rao, Associate Professor, Guru Nanak Institutions Technical Campus, Ibrahimpatnam