POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

STA.MESA, MANILA
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

POWER MEASUREMENT
(DYNAMOMETER)
WRITTEN REPORT

GROUP V
LEADER: JAMORA, ADAM M.
LAURIO, BRIZELLE ANNE P.
LALU, SHILDON KYLE E.
LIGGAYU, GUILLEN D.

ENGR. RUSTOM JANNO GERSIN

ME LAB 1

September 13, 2017

What is power?

Power is the rate of doing work.

It is the amount of energy consumed per unit time.

What are the units to measure power?

Watt, ergs, horsepower, metric horsepower, foot-pounds per minute, BTU/h, RT, and kcal/h

Dynamometer

It comes from two words, the prefix dyna- from Classical Greek word dynamiswhich means power and
meter which means measurement.

Types of Dynamometers

Absorption Type
Driving/Transmission Type
Universal Type

What is the difference between brakes and dynamometers?

Brake is a device that uses the principle of frictional resistance to stop or retard the moving body by
absorbing kinetic energy and dissipating it as heat , while dynamometer is a braking device used to
measure the frictional resistance applied on body and measure the power developed by machines .
A dynamometer is a device used for measuring the torque and brake power required to operate a driven machine.
If you've got an engine or motor, you can use a different kind of dynamometer to measure how much torque (turning
force), power, or speed it can produce. Here, the dynamometer acts as a variable load that the engine/motor drives.
It works by soaking up or absorbing the power that the engine/motor produces, so it's called an absorption
dynamometer.

POWER ABSORPTION DYNAMOMETERS measure and absorb the power output

of the engine to which they are coupled. The power absorbed is usually dissipated as heat by some means.

EXAMPLES OF POWER ABSORPTION DYNAMOMETERS

Prony Brake Dynamometer:

Pony Brake is one of the simplest dynamometer for measuring power output (brake power). It is to attempt to stop
the engine by means of a brake on the flywheel and measure the weight which an arm attached to the brake will
support, as it tries to rotate with the flywheel.

The Prony brake shown in the above consists of a wooden block, frame, rope, brake shoes and flywheel. It works on
the principle of converting power into heat by dry friction. Spring-loaded bolts are provided to increase the friction by
tightening the wooden block.

The whole of the power absorbed is converted into heat and hence this type of dynamometer must the cooled.

The brake power is given by the formula

Brake Power (bp) = 2 NT

Where, T = Weight applied (W) distance (l)

Rope Brake Dynamometer:

The rope brake as shown in below figure is another device for measuring brake power of an engine. It consists of a
number of turns of rope wound around the rotating drum attached to the output shaft. One side of the rope is
connected to a spring balance and the other side to a loading device. The power is absorbed in friction between the
rope and the drum. Therefore, drum in rope brake requires cooling.
Rope brake dynamometers are cheap and can be constructed easily but brake power cant be measured accurately
because of change in the friction coefficient of the rope with a change in temperature.

The brake power is given by the formula

Brake Power (bp) = DN (W S)

where, D is the brake drum diameter,

W is the weight of the load and

S is the spring balance reading.

Eddy Current Dynamometer:

The working principle of eddy current dynamometer is shown in the figure below. It consists of a stator on which are
fitted several electromagnets and a rotor disc made of copper or steel and coupled to the output shaft of the engine.
When the rotor rotates eddy currents are produced in the stator due to magnetic flux set up by the passage of field
current in the electromagnets. These eddy currents are dissipated in producing heat so that this type of dynamometer
requires some cooling arrangement. The torque is measured exactly as in other types of absorption dynamometers,
i.e. with the help of a moment arm. The load in internal combustion engine testing is controlled by regulating the
current in the electromagnets.

The following are the main advantages of eddy current dynamometers:

1. High brake power per unit weight of dynamometer.
2. They offer the highest ratio of constant power speed range (up to 5: 1).
3. Level of field excitation is below 1% of total power being handled by dynamometer, thus, they are easy to
control and operate.
4. Development of eddy current is smooth hence the torque is also smooth and continuous under all
conditions.
5. Relatively higher torque under low speed conditions.
6. It has no intricate rotating parts except shaft bearing.
7. No natural limit to size, either small or large.
Hydraulic Dynamometer:

Hydraulic dynamometer as shown in the figure below works on the principle of dissipating the power in fluid friction
rather than in dry friction.

In principle, hydraulic dynamometer construction is like that of a fluid flywheel.

Hydraulic dynamometer consists of an impeller or inner rotating member coupled to the output shaft of the
engine.
Impeller in this dynamometer rotates in a casing filled with a fluid.
Due to the centrifugal force developed in the outer casing, tends to revolve with the impeller, but is resisted
by a torque arm supporting the balance weight.
The frictional forces generated between the impeller and the fluid are measured by the spring balance fitted
on the casing.
The heat developed due to the dissipation of power in Hydraulic dynamometer is carried away by a
continuous supply of the working fluid.
The output power can be controlled by regulating the sluice gates which can be moved in and out to partially
or wholly obstruct the flow of water between the casing and the impeller.

Transmission Dynamometers:
Power-measuring dynamometers may be transmission dynamometers or absorption dynamometers. The former
utilize devices that measure torque, in terms of the elastic twist of the shaft or of a special torquemeter inserted
between sections of the shaft. The torque is produced by the useful load that the prime mover, motor, or machine is
carrying.

1.)Belt Transmission Dynamometer :

It consists of endless or continuous belt run over the driving pulley.

The driving pulley is rigidly fixed to the shaft of an engine whose power is to be transmitted.

The intermediate pulleys rotates on a pin fixed to a lever having a fulcrum at the midpoint of the two pulley centers.

A balancing weight is provided in the lever to initially keep it in equilibrium.

The weight of suspended mass at one end of the lever balances the difference in tensions of tight and slack sides
of the belt.
 The weight of suspended mass at One end of the lever balances the difference in Tensions of Tight and Slack sides
of the belt . Therefore when the lever is in horizontal position , the total moment of all the forces about the fulcrum O
should be Zero . Mo = 0 ( 2 * T1 * a ) - ( 2 * T2* a ) = W * L ( 2 * T1 * a ) = W * L + ( 2 * T2* a ) 2 * a * ( T1 T2 ) =
W * L ( T1 T2 ) = (W * L ) / ( 2 * a ) Power of Engine P = ( T1 T2 ) * v where v = Belt speed in ( DN/60 ) m/sec P
= ( T1 T2 ) * ( DN/60 )

2.) Epicyclic Train Dynamometer :

Epicyclic train dynamometer which measures power while it is being transmitted from driving to the driven shaft.

It consist of simple epicyclic gear train.

The pinion is free to rotate on a pin fixed to the lever arm.

The lever is pivoted about common axis of the driving and driven shaft.

When the dynamometer is in operation, two tangential forces acts at the end of pinion.

Since these Efforts act in the Upward Direction , therefore total upward force on the lever acting through the axis of
the pinion is 2F . This force tends to rotate the lever about its Fulcrum and it is balanced by a Dead weight W at the
end of the lever . The stops S1 & S2 are provided to control the movement of the lever . For equilibrium of the lever ,
taking moment about the Fulcrum E , 2F * a = W * L let , R = Pitch circle radius of the spur gear in meter , N = Speed
of the engine shaft in R.P.M. Torque Transmitted by Engine T = F * R = ( W * L / 2 * a ) * R Power Transmitted by
Engine P = T * = ( W * L / 2 * a ) * R * ( 2N/60 )

3.) Torsion Dynamometer :

When power is transmitted along a shaft, the driving end twists through a small angle relative to the driven end.

Torque transmitted is directly proportional to the angle of twist.

Therefore, a torsion dynamometer works on the principle of angle of twist.

Torsion dynamometers can measures large powers as in case of power transmitted along the angle of twist in
radians is given by,

By Torsion Equation , T/J =C* / l where, = Angle of twist in radian , J = Polar moment of inertia of the shaft For a
Solid shaft of Diameter D , the polar moment of inertia J = ( /32 ) * (D)^4 For a Hollow Shaft of external diameter D
and internal Diameter d ,the polar moment of inertia , J = ( /32 ) * [ (D)^4 (d)^4 ] From the above Torsion Equation,
T = C**J / l = k* where, k = C*J / l is a constant for a particular shaft . Thus ,the Torque Acting on the shaft is
Proportional to the Angle of Twist . This means that if the angle of twist is measured by some means , then the
Torque and hence the Power Transmitted may be determined . Power Transmitted P = T * ( 2N/60 ) Watts

4) Bevis-Gibson flash light torsion dynamometer:

It consists of two discs A and B fixed on shaft at convenient distance.

A radial narrow slit is made in each of the two discs.

Behind disc A powerful electric lamp is fixed on the bearing of shaft.

 To the right of the disc B an eye-piece is fitted on shaft bearing.

When torque or power is transmitted through the shaft, it twists so that disc B lags behind the disc A.

Universal Dynamometer

Some dynamometers can work in either absorption or driving mode. An electric motor is a good
example: feed electricity into it and it can drive another machine; turn its axle using another motor, engine,
or machine and it will spin in reverse, producing a measurable electric current like an electricity generator.
Instruments that work in both ways (driving and absorption) are sometimes called universal dynamometers.

Electric Motor/Generator Dynamometer

Electric motor/generator dynamometers are a specialized type of adjustable-speed drive. The

absorption/driver unit can be either an alternating current (AC) motor or a direct current (DC) motor. Either
an AC motor or a DC motor can operate as a generator that is driven by the unit under test or a motor that
drives the unit under test. When equipped with appropriate control units, electric motor/generator
dynamometers can be configured as universal dynamometers. The control unit for an AC motor is
a variable-frequency drive, while the control unit for a DC motor is a DC drive. In both cases, regenerative
control units can transfer power from the unit under test to the electric utility. Where permitted, the operator
of the dynamometer can receive payment (or credit) from the utility for the returned power via net metering.

In engine testing, universal dynamometers can not only absorb the power of the engine, but can
also drive the engine for measuring friction, pumping losses, and other factors.

Electric motor/generator dynamometers are generally more costly and complex than other types of
dynamometers.

Universal Dynamometer (MFP100)

It has two parts: the electric dynamometer, and a motor drive and display unit. The dynamometer is an
induction motor, trunnion-mounted to allow it to move freely against a strain gauge load cell. An inductive
sensor measures the shaft speed. The load cell measures the shaft torque.

A precision-machined base plate holds the motor and its sensors. The base plate has location points to
give accurate and repeatable alignment onto each Fluid Power module. The coupling between the
Universal Dynamometer and all Fluid Power machines is a jaw-type coupling with a rubber element. The
Universal Dynamometer directly drives the Fluid Power machines. This means that the user has no need to
fit or adjust the tension of belts and pulleys.

The motor drive and display unit contains a variable-speed a.c. inverter drive and includes signal
conditioning. It digitally displays speed, torque and shaft power. The unit fits on the instrument frame
fitted to all the Fluid Power modules. The front of the motor drive and display unit has motor stop, start
and speed controls. Outlets on the back of the unit give power for instruments supplied with the Fluid
Power modules. This reduces the need for multiple mains connections and gives a neater and safer
equipment arrangement.

REFERENCES

http://www.explainthatstuff.com/how-dynamometers-work.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamometer

https://www.tecquipment.com/universal-dynamometer