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FLYBALL GOVERNOR

Introduction:
Before the advent of industrial revoulution, human labour was the main driving force in industries with their own biological God-gifted control mechanism. As machines started to replace humans in industries, it became clear that automatic mechanisms were needed to regulate them. The most famous industrial revolution came with the invention of James Watts Flyball Governor, invented in 1769 to control the speed of steam engine. A giant statue of Watts Flyball Governor stands at Smethwick in English West midlands.

Principle:

It works on the principle of Proportional control.

Function:

To maintain speed of engine within prescribed limits for varying loads. To maintain constant speed of engine. To maintain constant speed of engine.

Working:

Two heavy iron balls were located at the end of two pins, which have been connected to a spindle that is itself connected to the fly -wheel. The more the velocity of the wheel is increased the farther the two balls separated. Doing this they automatically reduced the conveying of steam. When the pressure of the steam is fal ling two much, the two balls also falls and by doing this increasing the conveying of steam again.

Animation of Working of Flyball governor:

fly-ball_governor.wmv

Applications: Used on steam engine. Internal combustion engine. Fueled turbines.