Improvements in Governors for Motor Engines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Governors for Motor Engines.
I, HENRI EMILE MENIER, of 54, Rue de Chateaudun, Paris, in the French
Republic, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to a new governor applicable to steam and other engines.
This improved governor comprises two rotary drums boxed one within the
other and completely independent as regards their rotation. One of these drums
termed the "motor-drum" is connected to the motor to be regulated and con-
sequently shares in or is affected by all variations of speed to which the motor
is subjected; the other drum termed the "regulator-drum" revolves at a given
speed by means of a mechanical, electrical or other arrangement which allows
it to revolve constantly at the same speed, or which maintains it in such a state
of equilibrium that it is always forced to revolve at or return to this constant
speed. The motor-drum and the regulator-drum are both pierced with holes or
orifices which exactly correspond when the said drums are in the determined posi-
tion of equilibrium, the one with regard to the other, that is, when they both
rotate at the same angular velocity. When this latter becomes different the
motor-drum "unwedges" or unlocks itself, to a greater or less extent, from the
regulator-drum, and the orifices or openings of these drums cover or uncover one
another more or less, tending, consequently, to reduce or to increase the section
of the efflux or passage of the motive fluid, the said fluid passing through the
improved governor or regulator before reaching the engine or motor.
A drum is fixed at the end of a shaft driven by the engine or motor to be
regulated, and consequently shares in or is affected by all fluctuation or variations
in speed or working; this drum is perforated with one or more holes or ports.
The second drum is adjusted or arranged with slight friction within the first
drum and is driven by a shaft controlled or operated as hereafter described;
this drum is also perforated with one or more holes or ports similar to those of
the first drum.
The shafts are aligned upon the same axis and are journaled in suitable
stuffing boxes secured to or upon the casing in which the drums are enclosed.
This casing is furnished with an inlet and outlet between which are placed the
drums through the ports of which, the motive fluid is compelled to pass from
the inlet to the outlet before reaching the engine or motor.
From the foregoing it will be seen that so long as the drums turn with the same
angular velocity, the relative position of the ports is unchanged, and, conse-
quently, the motive fluid is always admitted under the same conditions. When;
on the other hand, from any cause whatever, the angular velocity of the motor-
drum varies, this drum unwedges or unlocks itself more or less, with regard to
the regulator-drum, in such a manner that the respective ports of these drums
cover or uncover proportionally, thus altering or varying the efflux or passage
of the motive fluid supplying the engine, until the latter regains its normal or
objective speed. It is therefore sufficient to unwedge the two drums for a

page_text: fraction of a revolution so that the said efflux or passage may be at once affected
or influenced. Therefore by means of these ports the supply of steam or other
motive fluid may be throttled or varied.
.
With two ports in each drum, for instance, an "unlocking" action of a quarter
of a turn will effect the complete closing or opening of the ports. The result
is that the regulation is without limits since it is possible to form as many holes
or ports in the drums, as may be desired. The value or scope of the regulation
is therefore indetermined.
To avoid, in the case of very abrupt speed-variations of the engine or motor,
the motor-drum presenting its ports to the corresponding and following ports of
the regulator-drum by reason of its unlocking itself, the latter drum is mounted
frictionally on its shaft. A forward driver spur or projection and a rear driver
or projection attached to the motor-drum prevent, by abutting against and
driving an arm of the regulator-drum, the unlocking action exceeding that suffi-
cient to completely close or open the ports.
In this case the engine drives the regulator-drum in its positions of being
either wholly opened or wholly closed.
To effect this sliding or slipping and to facilitate it when the arm of the regu-
lator-drum is touched by one or other of the drivers attached to the motor-drum
according to the 'direction of the unlocking action, a split spring attached by
means of a pivot secured to the regulator-drum and around the said drum encloses,
by means of its arms, a pulley keyed upon the shaft on which the regulator-drum
is mounted. This spring is opened or parted by means of a cam mounted on a
pivot secured upon the regulator-drum and actuated by an arm which may be
similar to the before-mentioned driver and which is opposed by one or the other
of the forward and rear drivers when the complete opening and closing of the
ports is effected.
The speed of the regulator-drum can be obtained in various ways from any
separate motor, whose speed can be regulated according to need, so as to obtain
a speed synchronal with that of the engine to be governed.
In case it is necessary to obtain a constant speed, and instead of employing a
separate motor, it is possible to maintain constant the speed of the regulator-
drum by making use of the engine itself, by means of the following arrangement.
Upon the shaft of the motor-drum is keyed a pulley working with the engine
to be governed, and which causes the motor-druin to follow all the speed-varia-
tions of this engine. Upon the same shaft is keyed a spur wheel which drives an
intermediate shaft by means of a pinion at a speed a little higher than the speed
of the first mentioned shaft. This intermediate shaft is intercepted and is
furnished towards its end with a friction clutch. Upon an extended portion of the
intermediate shaft is arranged an ordinary centrifugal ball-governor which is
fitted with the second part of the friction clutch. At the other end of the pro-
longed portion, and beyond the ball-governor is a pinion which drives the shaft
carrying the regulator-drum by means of another spur-wheel.
When the ball-governor has not attained the speed to which it is adjusted, the
friction clutch is in engagement and drives the regulator-drum at an increasing
speed. As soon as the centrifugal ball-governor has attained its predetermined
speed, the clutch commences to slip or slide i.c. to be disengaged and the regulator-
drum is driven by the ball-governor at the speed of this
which is no longer dependent on the speed of the engine, the clutch only
controlling the speed of regulator-drum shaft; the speed of the regulator-drum
and of its sliaft is thus dependent on the speed of the ball-governor or the friction
clutch.
latter,
The higher speed given to the first portion of the intercepted shaft (as above
stated) allows the slipping or disengagement of the clutch to take place.
When the regulator-drum revolves at its normal rate, the regulation of the
ports commences to a greater or to a lesser extent, according as the motor-drum
advances or is retarded upon the regulator-drum.

page_text: To avoid the motor-drum in its speed-variations after having opened or closed
the ports continuing its way and unclosing the following port, the brake system
or ratchet formed by the pulley enclosed by the split spring as a coupling between
the regulator-drum and its shaft. This brake or ratchet system acts during the
whole time that the ports commence to be opened until they are fully unclosed.
When these two limits are exceeded, either forward or behind one of the afore-
said drivers acting on the aforesaid arm or lever releases the brake or frees
the ratchet, and the regulator-drum being free is carried around by the motor-
drum. The ports are then completely closed when the speed of the motor-drum
has an angular advance, and are completely unclosed when the motor-drum has
an angular retardation on the regulator-drum.
When the two speeds become alike at the moment the regulation should take
place, the ratchets or the brake will recommence to make the regulator-drum solid
with or fixed to its shaft.
By means of this arrangement, when I put the engine into motion and when
the governor has not yet effected the slipping motion by reason of the increase
in speed above that of the motor-drum's shaft given to the intermediary shaft the
ports of the two drums are fully open. They commence to be closed only when
the centrifugal ball-governor begins to act.
The working of the parts of my improved regulator may be effected by any
suitable means, and the shapes and dimensions may, of course, vary; the improved
governor can be applied to all kinds of motor-engines. It is particularly applic-
able to marine engines inasmuch as the serious inconveniences which may arise
when the screw is out of the water or when from any other reason the engine
and its shaft begin to race, are quite obviated.
I, HENRI EMILE MENIER, of 54, Rue de Chateaudun, Paris, in the French
Republic, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to a new governor for use with steam and other engines.
This improved governor comprises two rotary drums boxed one within the
other and completely independent as regards their rotation. One of these drums
termed the "motor-drum" is connected to the motor to be regulated and con-
sequently shares in or is affected by all variations of speed to which the motor
is subjected; the other drum termed the "regulator-drum" revolves at a given
speed by means of a mechanical, electrical or other arrangement which allows
it to revolve constantly at the same speed, or which maintains it in such a state
of equilibrum that it is always forced to revolve at or to return to this constant
speed. The motor-drum and the regulator-drum are both pierced with holes
which exactly correspond, when the said drums are in the determined posi-
tion of equilibrium, the one with regard to the other, that is, when they both
rotate at the same angular velocity. When this latter becomes different the
motor-drum unwedges or unlocks itself, to a greater or less extent, from the

page_text: one
regulator-drum and the openings of these drums cover or uncover
another more or less, tending, consequently, to reduce or increase the section
of the efflux or passage of the motive fluid, the said fluid passing through the
improved governor or regulator before reaching the engine or motor.
I have now set forth the principle of my invention and in the following descrip-
tion I refer to the annexed drawings, on which,-
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of the improved governor-mechanism.
Fig. 2 is a cross-section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is another cross-section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a general view of the whole partly in section, showing one of the
arrangements employed for the control of the regulator-drum, as well as a slight
modification of the working of the governor proper.
A is a drum fixed at the end of a shaft a driven by the engine or motor to
be regulated, and consequently sharing in or affected by every fluctuation or
variation in speed or working; this drum is perforated with one or more holes
or ports a
B is a drum adjusted or arranged with slight friction within the former A and
driven by a shaft b controlled or operated as hereafter described; this drum is
also perforated with one or more holes or ports b¹ similar to those a¹ of the drum A.
The shafts a and b are aligned upon the same axis and are journaled in the
stuffing-boxes d d secured to or upon a casing D in which the drums A and B
are enclosed. This casing D is furnished with an inlet and outlet T and T
between which are placed the drums A and B through the ports a¹ and b¹ of
which, the motive fluid is compelled to pass from the inlet T to the outlet T',
before reaching the engine or motor.
From the foregoing it will be seen that so long as the drums A and B turn
with the same angular velocity, the relative position of the ports and bis
unchanged and, consequently, the motive fluid is always admitted under the
same conditions.
When, on the other hand, from any cause whatever, the angular velocity of the
motor-drum A varies, this drum unwedges or unlocks itself more or less, with
regard to the regulator-drum B, in such a manner that their respective ports a
and cover or uncover proportionally, thus altering or varying the escape of the
motive fluid supplying the engine, until the latter regains its normal or objective
speed. It is, therefore, sufficient to unwedge the two drums A and B for a
fraction of a revolution so that the said escape or passage may be at once affected
or influenced. It will be seen that by means of these ports the supply of steam
or other motive fluid may be throttled or varied.
With two ports in each drum, for instance, an unlocking" action of a
quarter of a turn will effect the complete closing or opening of the ports. The
result is that the regulation is without limits since it is possible to form as many
holes or ports in the drums, as may be desired. The valve or scope of the regula-
tion is. therefore, indetermined.
To avoid, in the case of very abrupt speed-variations of the engine or motor,
the motor-drum A presenting its ports to the following, corresponding ports of the
regulator drum B by reason of its unlocking itself, the drum B is mounted
frictionally on its shaft b. A forward projection or stop e and a rear projection or
stop el attached to the drum A prevent, by abutting against and driving
of the drum B, the unlocking action exceeding that sufficient to completely close
or open the ports.
an arm t
In this case the engine drives the drum B in its position of being wholly
opened or wholly closed.
To effect this sliding or slipping and to facilitate it when the arm t of the
drum B is touched by one or other of the drivers e or el, according to the direction
of the unlocking action, a split spring is fixed at r upon the said drum B and
encloses, by means of its arms, a pulley C keyed upon the shaft 6. This spring
is opened or parted by means of a cam s mounted on a pivot p secured upon the

page_text: drum B and actuated by an arm t which may be similar to the before-mentioned
driver designated by the same reference letter, and which is opposed by one or
the other of the forward or rear drivers e e¹ when the complete opening and
closing of the port is effected.
The speed of the regulator-drum can be obtained in various ways from any
separate motor, whose speed can be regulated according to need, so as to obtain
a speed synchronal with that of the engine to governed.
In case it is necessary to obtain a constant speed, and instead of employing a
separate motor, it is possible to maintain constant the speed of the regulator-
drum by making use of the engine itself, by means of the following arrangement,
which is illustrated on Figure 4 of the drawing.
A is the drum-motor to be regulated, and a is its shaft; B is the regulator-
drum and b its shaft.
Upon shaft a is keyed a pulley P, working with the engine to be governed,
and which causes the drum A to follow all the speed-variation of this engine.
Upon the same shaft a is keyed a spur wheel x which drives an intermediate
shaft I by means of a pinion a¹, at a speed a little higher than the speed of
shaft a. This intermediate shaft is intercepted and is furnished at its end with a
friction clutch F. Upon the extended portion of the intermediate shaft I is
arranged an ordinary centrifugal ball-governor R which is fitted with the second
part of the friction clutch. At the end of the prolonged portion, and beyond the
ball-governor is a pinion a2 which drives the shaft carrying the regulator-
drum B, by means of a spur wheel a³.
When the ball-governor R has not attained the speed to which it is adjusted,
the friction clutch is in engagement and drives the drum B at an increasing
speed. As soon as the centrifugal ball-governor has attained its predetermined
speed, the clutch commences to slip or slide i.e. to be disengaged, the regulator-
drum B is driven by the ball-governor R at the speed of this latter, which is no
longer dependent on the speed of the engine, the clutch only controlling the
speed of the shaft b; the speed of B and b is thus dependent on speed of R and F.
The higher 'speed given to the first portion of shaft I (as above stated) allows
the slipping or disengagement of the clutch to take place.
When the regulator-drum B revolves at its normal rate, the regulation of the
ports commences to a greater or to a lesser extent, according as the motor-drum A
advances or is retarded upon the drum B.
To avoid the drum A, in its speed variations after having opened or closed the
ports, continuing its way and unclosing the following port the brake system
or ratchet C serves as a coupling between drum B and shaft b. This brake or
ratchet system acts during the whole time that the ports commence to be opened
until they are fully unclosed.
When these two limits are exceeded, either forward or behind, the driver or
projection e or el acting on levert releases the brake or frees the ratchet and the
regulator-drum B being free is carried around by the drum A. The ports are
then completely closed when the speed of the drum A has an angular advance, and
are completely unclosed when the drum A has an angular retardation on the
drum B.
When the two speeds become alike at the moment the regulation should take
place, the ratchets or the brake will recommence to make the drum B integral
with or fixed to its shaft b.
By means of this arrangement, when I put the engine into motion and when
the governor has not yet effected the slipping motion by reason of the increase
in speed given to the intermediary shaft I above that of the shaft a, the ports
of the two drums are fully open. They commence to be closed only when the
centrifugal ball-governor R begins to act.
The working of the parts of my improved regulator may be effected by any
suitable means, the shapes and dimensions may, of course, vary from those
illustrated and the improved governor can be applied to all kinds of motor-

page_text: engines. It is particularly applicable to marine engines inasmuch as the serious
inconveniences which may arise when the screw is out of the water or when from
any other reason the engine and its shaft begin to race, are quite obviated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1°. A governor for steam and other engines, characterised by the combination
of a motor drum connected invariably to the engine to be regulated, and of a
regulator-drum working at a given speed; the said drums being provided with
ports which cover or uncover according as the angular velocity of the motor-
drum produces an unlocking or unwedging action, upon the latter, with regard
to the regulator-drum to a greater or less extent, for the purpose of reducing,
or increasing according to requirement, the escape or passage of the motive fluid,
substantially as above described.
2º. In a governor for steam and other engines, the free arrangement of the
regulator-drum and its combination with a sliding brake, the pulley of which
is keyed on the shaft of the said regulator-drum; this combination having for
object after an abrupt and considerable variation of speed of the engine to be
regulated, to solidarise the two drums after the complete opening or closing of
their passage ports until the engine regains the predetermined speed decided by
the initial speed of the regulator-drum, substantially as described.
3°. In a governor for steam and other engines, the combination of the regu-
lator-drum with a centrifugal ball-governor and with a friction gear for the
control of the said regulator-drum by the machine to be regulated, this com-
bination ensuring a moment of equilibrium, always ready to be broken or to be
formed, which may be such that the regulator-druin revolves at a constant speed,
substantially as above set forth.
4°. The improved governor for steam and other engines, constructed, combined
and arranged, substantially as above set forth with reference to the accompanying
drawings.