Farm Machinery Practice Test: Principles of Governor — Flashcards

The basic principle of a governor is that the governor spring and flyweights are selected so that the centrifugal force and spring force are in equilibrium at any designed engine speed. 

Here are some other principles of a governor:
Centrifugal force: Most governors use centrifugal force and consist of two masses rotating around a spindle.
Maintaining rotary speed: Governors can maintain the rotary speed of an engine or other prime mover within reasonably close limits.
Regulating engine speed: Governors can regulate an engine's speed by varying the rate at which fuel is furnished to it.
Centrifugal governors: Centrifugal governors are based on the balancing of centrifugal force on the rotating balls by an equal and opposite radial force, known as the controlling force. 

As the engine speed increases, the weights move outwards and reduce the flow of fuel or energy to the engine. As the engine speed decreases, the weights move inward and increase the flow of fuel or energy to the engine.