Test run of a flyball governor I designed

[brian Rupnow]

A few weeks ago I posted the twin cylinder model steam engine I designed and built, and a video of the "Slinky Machine" which I powered with it. I have been busy designing and building a flyball governor to go with the engine to control the speed, and tonight was the test run for the governor.

[S_J_H]

Nice work Brian. It looks like it all operates very smoothly.

Steve

[motorworks]

So that's what they mean when they say:
"she's running balls out"

[brian Rupnow]

So that's what they mean when they say:
"she's running balls out"

Yes, thats where that saying came from.

[oldtiffie]

Nice job Brian.

I will be interested to see how it goes for speed control under varying loads.

I have an interest in these governors as in my Navy days I had to maintain the Gun-fire controls and predictors. It was all well before transistors and NC. Many time-base constants were derived from governor-controlled DC motors which drove roller/ball/disc integrators and differentiators. The "tachos" were mechanical/analogue as well. Accuracy had to be within very small parts of 1%.

I had a lot to do with servo systems as well.

My guess is that you have had a good look into the theory and mechanics of governors (mechanical).

I went looking in Wikipedia (where else?) and for those that may think that these devices are "simple" or "easy", I suggest you read the following wiki links and then see if they are "simple".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_(device)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centrifugal_governor

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._Governors.pdf

[Dawai]

I looked for the pictures of the Ocoee powerplant ball govenors.. quite beautiful.. I snuck a camera in and took a picture or two.

Do you have plans? or a location to purchase them? that'd be neat to have on my old drill press.. I've wanted to run it with a steam engine for years.. a old flat belt driven job.

[winchman]

If the shaft was horizontal, would a spring work in place of gravity to bring the balls in as the shaft slows down?

Roger

[brian Rupnow]

Tech problems fixed---Here we go, running on engine.---

[ZINOM]

Very cool Brian...thanks for posting the clips.

John

[wierdscience]

Very nice as always!