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Bourne's patent 1870 spherical governor for steam engine
This construction of governor was patented in 1870 by Mr. John Bourne. It consists of a thin hollow brass spheroid divided by axial cuts into a number of flexible bars or ribbons. When rotated at a high speed, the centrifugal action causes the spheroid to increase in transverse diameter and diminish in length. This change gives motion to a collar which is connected with the throttle valve ; there is an axial screw fitted with a wing nut by which the action of the governor can be varied.
Details
- Category:
- Motive Power
- Object Number:
- 1872-142
- Materials:
- brass (copper, zinc alloy) and gunmetal
- Measurements:
-
overall: 300 mm x 150 mm x 145 mm,
- type:
- engines
- credit:
- John Bourne and Company