3B Scientific Watt’s Governor - Manual

3B SCIENTIFIC® PHYSICS
1
Watt’s governor (centrifugal regulator) U8403115
Instruction sheet
12/10 ALF
1 Axle
2 Movable cylinder
3 Lever arm
4 Coil spring
5 Flyweight arms with counterweights
1. Safety instructions
Danger of injury owing to the action of large cen-
trifugal forces. Therefore:
• Before starting the experiment, check whether
the
counterweights are attached firmly to the
flyweight arms.
• Insert the axle deep into the chuck of the ex-
periment motor and clamp it tight.
• Always maintain a safe distance.
• Gradually increase the angular velocity.
• Do not touch or try to hold the rotating body.
• Before dismantling, disconnect the equipment
from the mains power supply.
Long hair, loose clothing as well as jewelry could
get caught in the rotating parts and result in injury.
• To avoid this hazard, persons with long hair
should wear a hair net.
• Inappropriate clothing or jewelry should be
removed.
2. Description
Watt’s governor is used to demonstrate centrifugal
force and the principle of centrifugal speed control,
for instance in steam engines.
Two flyweight arms are centrally fitted onto an
axle. The arms are held in a state of rest by a coil
spring. When the axle rotates, the weights work
their way upwards to a degree dependent on the
speed. This movement has technical applications
for control and regulatory tasks (centrifugal regula-
tor).
3. Technical data
Maximum diameter: 350 mm
Height: 250 mm
Axle diameter: 10 mm
Weight: 0.4 kg approx.