I. On uniform rotation

Abstract

The paper sets out with an inquiry into the conditions of the conical pendulum as a means of obtaining uniform rotation. This instrument, as applied by Watt to regulate the velocity of his steam-engines, is shown to be defective, —first, because the regulated position of the valve depends upon the angular position of the pendulums, and therefore upon the velocity of rotation, which must be permanently changed in order to effect an ad­justment of the valve; and secondly, because when the balance between force and resistance of the engine at a given velocity is disturbed, the angular position of the pendulums will not change until a power has been created in them, through acceleration of the engine, sufficient to overcome the me­chanical resistance of the valve, giving rise to a series of fluctuations before a balance between the power and resistance of the engine is reestablished. These defects in Watt’s centrifugal governor are shown to be obviated in the chronometric governor, an instrument which was proposed by the author of the paper twenty-three years ago, and which consists of a conical pendulum proceeding at a uniform angle of rotation, and therefore at uniform speed, which is made to act upon the regulating-valve by means of a differential motion between itself and the engine to be regulated, which latter has to accommodate itself to the rotations imposed by the indepen­dent pendulum. The differential-motion wheels are taken advantage of for imparting independent driving- or sustaining-power to the pendulum; and a constancy of the angle of rotation, notwithstanding unavoidable fluctuations in the sustaining-power, is secured (within certain limits) by calling into play a break, or fluid resistance, at the moment when the angle of rotation reaches a maximum, which maximum position is perpetuated by increasing the sustaining-power beyond what is strictly necessary to over­ come the ordinary resistance of the pendulum.