Summary
Highlights
A centrifugal governor is a device that controls the speed of a machine by regulating the admission of working fluid. Invented by James Watt in 1788, it was a fundamental component in machines during the Industrial Revolution, especially steam engines.
Power is supplied to the governor via a belt and flywheel connected to the engine's output shaft. As the engine spins faster, centrifugal force causes the fly balls to move outwards and upwards, pulling lever arms that, in turn, pull down a vertical shaft. This shaft lowers into the throttle valve, reducing steam intake and thus regulating the engine's speed.
Governors became crucial for the operation of large engines, preventing them from running too vigorously and sustaining damage. They also ensured a constant, steady, and stable speed in factories, which was vital for consistent production, such as in textile mills with power looms.
Centrifugal governors can still be found in museum designs, fitted to steam engines and water turbines. Despite differences in size and complexity, they all serve as crucial components for their respective machines.