Lecture Three
Torque and Power Measurement
Objectives
Define terminology related to power and its
measurement, i. e. energy, force, work, torque,
horsepower, watt
Interpret information on power ratings of agricultural
power units to select appropriate power units.
Measure horsepower with a dynamometer and plot
horsepower / torque curves
Interpret dynamometer test results and make
recommendations for improving power performance.
Terms and definitions
Energy - capacity or ability to do work, can not be
created or destroyed, only changes from one form to
another
Potential energy
Position- water stored behind a dam
Chemical - motor fuels
Condition - a spring compressed
Kinetic energy - energy in motion,
Water falling over a dam
Rotating power shafts
A spring released
Energy
Example: A heavy weight suspended on a rope contains
energy potential. When the rope is cut, potential energy
turns into kinetic energy as the weight falls.
When the weight hits the ground, the kinetic energy is
dissipated in three ways: sound, heat (absorbed by the soil, and
compaction of the earth
Engines convert a fuel’s potential energy into useable kinetic
energy. The process generates tremendous heat. Two thirds of
this heat is lost to exhaust and engine cooling and only 1/3 of
the heat generated is used to power machinery components.
Force
Action that attempts to move of an object from a state of rest
or causes a change of speed or direction of an object in
motion
Expressed in terms of weight, e.g. pounds, tons, kilograms
Work
Results when force (pounds, tons, kilograms) overcomes a
resistance and causes movement of an object over a distance
(feet, yards, meters).
The formula to calculate work is:
Work = Distance X Force
Work Calculation
If an object that weighs 330 pounds is moved a distance of
100 feet then 33,000 foot pounds of work has been
completed
100 ft X 330 lbs = 33,000 foot pounds of work
Note: if no movement results upon the application of force, no
work is accomplished.
Motion must occur for work to be calculated.
Types of Work
Linear motion is usually expressed as “foot pounds” of work.
Rotary motion (torque) is usually expressed at “pound feet”.
Mathematically, the units are the same.
Power
Power is the rate (time interval) at which work is
accomplished.
Expressed as foot pounds per minute or second
pound feet per minute (torque)
POWER = work
time
Sample Calculation
object weighing 330 pounds was moved 100 feet, in one
minute, then work at the result of 33,000 foot pounds /
minute was accomplished.
This is equal to one horsepower.
Power = Force X Distance or Work (ft lb)
Time Time
330 lbs X 100 ft = 33,000 ft lbs
1 min min
If a 330 lb. weight 100 ft. in 1/2 minute
330 lbs X 100 feet = 66,000 ft lbs
.5 min min
The amount of work (foot pounds) in this example is the same
but the rate or time interval is different. Twice as much power
was exerted in the second example because the same amount of
work was completed in half the time as the first example.
Horsepower
Standard unit of engine power associated with an amount
of work accomplished over specified time intervals and
can be expressed in several ways.
Horsepower was originally defined by James Watt in
1765 when trying to compare steam engines with the
known power source of that era (the draft horse).
Watt Takes Notes at the Dock
James Watt (1780’s) observed that a draft horse could
move a 330 pound weight a distance of 100 feet in a time
of one minute.
This is equal to 33,000 foot pounds per minute or one
horsepower
This fact has been used as our standard for horsepower
measurements ever since.
Horsepower
100 Feet in 1
minute
330 Lbs
Horsepower Formulas
There are many formulas for computing horsepower (Hp) but
they are derived from the following expression that:
One Hp = 33,000 ft lbs of work per minute
several other mathematical formula have been derived from this
basic formula to calculate horsepower
Formulas
Hp = Force (lbs) X Distance (feet)
Time (minutes) X 33000 ft. lbs/min
Problem: A tractor pulls a wagon weighing three tons
and exerts a force of 3,000 pounds. If the load is moved
400 feet in one minute, what is the horsepower
developed?
What if it took two minutes to pull the same load this
distance?
Solution:
3,000 lb x 400 ft = 1,200,000 = 36.36 Hp
33,000 ft lb/min. X 1 min 33,000
3,000 lb x 400 ft = 1,200,000 = 18.18 Hp
33,000 ft lb/min. X 2 min 66,000
Time given in seconds
33,000 ft lb = 33,000 ft lb = 550 foot pounds
1 min 60 sec 1 sec
Hp = Force (lbs) X Distance (feet)
second(s) X 550 ft lbs/sec
One Hp = 550 foot pounds per second
33,000lb ft/ min / 60 sec = 550 ft lb per sec.
Example: Calculate horsepower considering 500 lb load was
moved 100 feet in two seconds.
500 lb X 100 ft = 50,000 = 45.45 Hp
550 ft lb/sec X 2 sec 1100
Torque
force which attempts to
produce rotation of an object
(shaft, gear, pulley, etc.).
If motion occurs, we can
calculate work which is
accomplished through
rotational energy, such as by
pulleys, crank arms, gears,
belts, chains, etc.
Horsepower
Measurement of an engine’s ability to perform work in a
specified time
One horsepower equals 33,000 foot-pounds of work per
minute
Amount of work required to life 550 pounds one foot in one
second
One horsepower equals 0.746 kilowatts
Gross horsepower
Power produced at crankshaft
Several measurements
Torque formula
Example: An engine delivers 400 pound feet of torque at
1000 RPM. Calculate the horsepower using the torque
formula.
Torque Formula
HP = Torque (lb ft) X RPM
5252
400 lb ft X 1000 RPM = 400,000 = 76.16 HP
5252 5252
Derivation of horsepower formula for
testing rotating power sources
Hp = Torque (pound feet) X RPM (speed of rotating shaft)
5252
1. Hp = Force (pounds) X Distance (feet)
Time (minutes) X 33000
Note: omit time because RPM is in revolutions per minute
2. Distance of rotating lever arm= RPM X 2 π Length of lever arm or
3. D= RPM X 2 X 3.1416 X L (substitute this in line 1)
4. D= Force (pounds) X RPM X 2 X 3.1416 X L
33000
5. Hp= F X RPM X L
5200
6. Torque (T) = F X L (substitute 6 in 5)
7 Hp = Torque X RPM
5252
Testing Horsepower
Horsepower is tested on a machine called a
dynamometer.
This machine applies a braking load to the tractor
drawbar, power takeoff (PTO) shaft, or engine flywheel.
The braking force is applied by prony brake
uses a brake drum (hydraulically actuated) as a loading device.
The brake is attached to a lever arm (1 foot long typical) which
transmits the turning effort (force) to a scale or electronic load
cell.
Measuring Engine Power
Dynamometer
Absorption Dyno
Load Cell
Pb = 2 T N
classification
Absorption type dynamometers: measures torque by
absorbing mechanical energy. Power generator may be
engine or motor
Driving type: Dynamometer is power generator. Like
electric motor or generator. Used to measure power
required to drive unit.
Transmission type: passive device. Neither generates nor
absorbs
Absorption type Dynamometers
Water brake
Hydraulic
Rope brake
Prony brake
Eddy current
A dynamometer consists of an absorption (or
absorber/driver) unit, and usually includes a means for
measuring torque and rotational speed. An absorption
unit consists of some type of rotor in a housing. The
rotor is coupled to the engine or other equipment under
test and is free to rotate at whatever speed is required for
the test. Some means is provided to develop a braking
torque between dynamometer's rotor and housing. The
means for developing torque can be frictional, hydraulic,
electromagnetic etc. according to the type of
absorption/driver unit.
Rope brake
water brake dynamometer
- a pump is turned and the water
output of the pump is
restricted causing the pump to
turn harder. A lever arm
attached to the arm transmits
torque to a scale or electronic
load cell
Water brake dynamometer
Eddy current
Eddy current dynamometer - engine turns a generator
which is attached to a lever arm. As the generated load
increases through a large resistor bank to dissipate the
wattage produced, a lever arm attached to the generator
applies torque to a scale or electronic load cell
Prony brake dynamometer
Power and Its Measurement
