Seat No:

Department of Mechanical Engineering

School of Engineering and Architecture Score

Saint Louis University

Baguio City

ME 414: Mechanical Engineering Laboratory

Experiment 3
Measurement of Speed

Group # 3
Gutierrez, Bheemar Jhun R. June 14, 2012
Name: Date Performed:

BSME-4 July 10, 2012

Course & Year: Date Due:

July 10, 2012

Date Submitted:

Engr. Marcelo Domalanta

Instructor
I. Title:
Measurement of Speed

II. Objectives: At the end of the experiment, the students should be able to:
a) Identify the different parts of the digital tachometer, mechanical tachometer,
and stroboscope.
b) Use digital tachometer, mechanical tachometer, and stroboscope.

III. Theory and Analysis:

Tachometer
The tachometer gives a direct and continuous indication of speed and is therefore
the most convenient instrument for observing speed variation or fluctuations and for
general observations in which a high degree of accuracy is necessary. It is often made to
record and applied to such machines as turbo generators, conveyors, paper machines,
and gas engines for purposes of control and record of performance.
The actuating mechanism of the more common tachometer is 1) a centrifugal
device similar in construction to a centrifugal fly ball governor; 2) an electric generator,
or magneto; 3) a centrifugal fan, or pump; or 4) vibrating reed. The centrifugal type is
usually least expensive and the easiest to use in test work because of light weight and
portability. Good makes are likely to have an error of 15 to 30 rpm between 600 to
2,500 rpm when new. After much use there may be a 50 to 100 rpm error.

Stroboscope
The stroboscope utilizes the phenomenon of persistence of vision when an object
is view intermittently. By viewing a cyclic motion at the same point in the cycle each
time, the object appears to be motionless. By changing the frequency slightly, slow
motion can be obtained.

IV. Apparatus/ Equipment:

1. Digital Tachometer
2. Mechanical Tachometer
3. Stroboscope
4. Compressor
V. Set up
Measurement of Speed

Motor and Compressor

Digital Tachometer on Compressor

The Digital Tachometer on Motor and Photo Tachometer on compressor
VII. RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
1. With the aid of drawing, discuss the principle of operation of the following instrument:

a. Speed Indicator

A meter fixed to a vehicle that measures and displays its speed. Although the vertical
speed indicator operates solely from static pressure. It is a differential pressure instrument. The
case of the instruments is air tight except for a small connection through a restricted passage to
the static line of the pivot-static system.

b. Continuous Counter

Continuous counter-current column operation provides

operating convenience for contacting two phases aqueous partitioning
systems for protein extraction. The work also provides step-by-step design
procedure and specific recommendations for future data needs.

c. Chronometric counter

As long as the instrument functions satisfactory above 500 rpm, it’s of no concern whether it
returns to zero each time.

d. Stroboscope

An instrument that illuminates rotating objects so that they appear to have stopped moving.

e. Odometer
The odometer is driven by a series of gears that originate at a spiral gear on the input shaft.
The odometer consists of a series of drums with digits printed on their outer circumference
that range from zero to nine. The drums are geared to each other so that each time the one
farthest to the right makes one revolution. It will cause the one to its immediate left one or
digit for every revolution that it makes.
f. Oscillograph

Instrument for indicating and recording time-varying electrical

quantities, such as current and voltage. The two basic forms of the
instrument in common use are the electromagnetic oscillograph
and the cathode-ray oscillograph; the latter is also known as
a cathode-ray oscilloscope, which, strictly speaking, is purely an
indicating instrument, while the oscillograph can make permanent
records.The operation of an electromagnetic oscillograph, like the
operation of a d’Arsonval galvanometer, depends on the
interaction of the field of a permanent magnet and a coil of wire
through which anelectric current is flowing.

g. Chronograph

A chronograph is a specific type of watch that is used as a stopwatch combined with a display watch. A
basic chronograph has an independent sweep second hand; it can be started, stopped, and returned to
zero by successive pressure on the stem. Nicolas Mathieu Rieussec invented the chronograph in 1821.
Rieussec was awarded the original patent for his chronograph in 1822.

h. Tachoscope
An automatic stopwatch. The watch starts and goes with the speed counter, giving accurately the time elapsed in
which the indicated numbers of revolutions are made.
VIII. Conclusion

In the experiment, measurement of speed, we learned how to use a machine that

measures speed-tachometer. We were able to identify its parts, how does it function, and most
especially, what are the does and don’ts in using the equipment. Furthermore, we did measure
the speed of the motor and the compressor using the digital and the combination tachometer
having two ways of measuring speed-the photo and the contact. Now, we therefore conclude
that we can already measure the speed of a rotating object using high-tech devices like
tachometers.