TYPES OF DYNAMOMETER

By: M. ZIA NASIR BHUTTA

OCTOBER 14, 2019

 Dynamometer

Dynamometer is a device which is used to measure the frictional resistance. By knowing the
frictional resistance we can determine torque transmitted and hence power of the engine.
Dynamometer can be used to measure either torque, force or power.

Types of Dynamometer:
Dynamometer is further classified into two major type:
 Absorption Dynamometer
 Transmission Dynamometer

Absorption Dynamometer:
This dynamometer measure and absorb the power output of the engine to which they are
coupled. The power is usually dissipated as heat by some means.
 Following are the types of absorption dynamometer:
 Prony brake dynamometer
 Rope brake dynamometer.

Prony Brake Dynamometer:

It works on the principle of converting power into heat by dry friction. In this method of
measuring horsepower is to attempt to stop the engine by means of a brake on the flywheel and
measure the weight which an arm attached to the brake will support, as it tries to rotate with
the flywheel. In Prony brake dynamometer, when brakes is to be put in operation, the long end
of the lever is loaded with suitable weight W and the nuts are tightened until engine shaft runs
at a constant speed and the lever is in horizontal position. Under these conditions, the moment
due to weight must balance the moment of the frictional resistance between the block and the
pulley.
Rope Brake Dynamometer:
It consist of a number of turns of rope wound around the rotating drum attached to the output
shaft. One side of rope is connected to a spring balance and the other to a loading device. The
power is absorbed in friction between the rope and thee drum. The drum therefore require
cooling. Rope brake is cheap and easily constructed. It is not very accurate because of changes
in the friction coefficient of the rope with temperature. The upper rope is attached to a spring
balance while the lower end is kept in position by applying a dead weight. In order to prevent
the slipping of the ropes over the flywheel, wooden blocks are placed at intervals around the
circumference of the flywheel. During operation of the brake, the prime mover is made to run
at constant speed.

Transmission Dynamometer:
In this dynamometer, the energy is used for doing work. The power developed by the prime
mover is transmitted by the dynamometers to some machine which the power is suitably
measured.
 Following are the type of transmission dynamometer:
 Belt transmission dynamometer
 Epicyclic train dynamometer
 Torsion dynamometer.

Belt transmission dynamometer:

A belt transmission Dynamometer consist of driving pulley, rigidly fixed to the shaft of the
prime mover. There is another driven pulley mounted on another shaft, to which the power
from pulley is transmitted. The pulley are connected by means of a continuous belt passing
through the two loose pulleys, which are mounted on the lever. The lever carries a dead weight
at the one end, and a balancing weight is attached at the other end.
Epicyclic train dynamometer:
ETD is a dynamometer which measures power while it is being transmitted from driving to the
driven shaft. It consist of simple Epicyclic fear train. The pinion is free to rotate on a pin fixed
to the liver arm. The lever is pivoted about the common axis of the driving and driven shaft.
When the dynamometer is in operation, two tangential forces acts at the end of pinion.

Torsion Dynamometer:
A torsion dynamometer is used to measure large power developed by a turbine or marine
engines. A large number of torsion dynamometers are used to measure the angle of twist.
Therefore, a torsion dynamometer works on the principle of angle of twist. When power is
transmitted along a shaft, the driving end twists through a small angle relative to the driven
end. Torque transmitted is directly proportional to the angle of twist.