COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN OF A CENTRIFUGAL GOVERNOR SPRING

Abstract

A study was conducted to design a governor spring which could enable the centrifugal governor regulate the engine speed (below 15%) for all engine speeds, between idling and maximum. To meet the requirement, it was found that a spring with non-linear load deflection characteristics was required. From some selected practical data, the 'desired' load-deflection equation was formulated. An effort was made to design a single Belleville spring by comparing the 'design' equation with the 'desired' 'equation', using computer as an aid. A computer program in BASICA was developed for the purpose. The resultant design parameters of the Belleville spring turned out to be non-practical. It was concluded that a practical design of single Belleville spring for the governor problem was not possible and a single spring with non-linear characteristic could not replace double/multiple helical springs with linear characteristics.