because of the reduction of friction and the
small mass of moving parts. Due to the
forces exerted by the hydraulic system, a
hydraulic governor can be smaller and more
compact than a mechanical governor and
still operate the fuel mechanism of a large
engine.
Both mechanical and hydraulic governors
will be discussed in greater detail later in
this chapter. Governors may also be
classified according to the function they
perform (Figure 7-1 frame 1 and 2), the
forces they use in operation, and the means
by which they operate the fuel control
mechanism. The function of a governor on a
given engine is determined by the load on
the engine and the degree of control
Figure 7-2 — Mechanical governor.
Figure 7-1 — Classification of governors.
required. Governors are classified according to their
function as constant speed, variable-speed, speed-
limiting, and load limiting.
Some installations require a constant engine speed
from a no-load to a full-load condition. Governors
that maintain one speed, regardless of load, are
called constant-speed governors. Governors that
maintain any desired engine speed over a wide
speed range (low idle- maximum speed) and that
can be set to maintain a desired speed in that range
are classified as variable-speed governors. Speed-
control devices that serve to keep an engine from
exceeding a specified maximum speed (racing) and
from dropping below a specified minimum speed are
classified as speed-limiting governors. Some speed-
limiting governors limit maximum speed only. Some
engine installations need a control device to limit the
load that the engine will handle at various speeds.
Load –limiting governors are used to limit the load
that the engine will handle at various speeds.
Mechanical Governors
A mechanical governor (Figure 7-2 and 7-3) controls
the speed of the engine by controlling the spring
balanced position of the flyweights. In a mechanical
governor, the centrifugal force generated by the
rotating flyweights, acts directly on the fuel control